You Came with the First Spring Breeze... - Episode 3: The Plan for Revenge

Episode 3: The Plan for Revenge

I made a bed for the kitten out of a cardboard box lined with soft towels. As soon as I placed it inside, it woke up and began mewing. Its body seemed unable to move freely, and it mewed persistently while struggling to raise its head, clearly in distress.

—This is really cruel!

A 5th-floor apartment is about 15 meters high. Throwing such a helpless kitten from that height isn’t something a human should do.

I bit back my anger and gently stroked its cheek with my fingertips. It stopped meowing and closed its eyes.

“I’m glad you’re still alive.”

After taking a shower, Aki wiped the water droplets from her hair with a large towel and sat down next to me.

“I’ll take care of this kitten. You should rest. You must be tired.”

I was also exhausted from the shower, and although my body had reached its limit, my mind was still sharp, so I didn’t feel like I could sleep just yet.

“I’m okay. I just want to stay like this for a little longer.”

Aki said, pressing her body closer to mine.

“We need to name it.”

I had been thinking the same thing.

“Let’s call it Haru.”

“Nice name!” Aki smiled softly as she stroked the kitten’s cheek.

As I gently stroked the kitten’s cheek, my mind began formulating a plan for revenge against Sanda. Fortunately, I worked at an investigation company.

Tomorrow was Saturday. I, as a sales representative, had the day off, but the investigation department would still be working.

First, I needed to gather information about Sanda. I remembered that Sanda’s company was a small venture with only about 10 employees, most of whom were women, all apparently decent-looking. There were rumors that they hired based on appearance.

The first step was to obtain the employee roster.

Then, my former experience in accounting told me that there was something off about Sanda’s lavish lifestyle. It might be worth digging into his financial dealings. I would socially erase him. He would never be able to hold his head high again.

“Hey, Tomoya.”

Aki’s sweet and sorrowful voice brought me back to the present.

“Yeah? What’s up?”

“Secrets are painful, aren’t they?”

Aki’s gaze, which had been focused on the empty space, shifted to the kitten. She leaned on me, pulling her knees up to her chest and holding them with both hands.

She began to sway back and forth as she continued.

“Is it okay if I tell you? Will you still like me after hearing my secret?”

“Of course. I’ll never hate you, no matter what you tell me.”

“I want you to help me.”

“I’ll absolutely help you. So, don’t worry. Tell me anything.”

It was clear that something from Aki’s past had been tormenting her, and she had been blackmailed with it. If it wasn’t a secret anymore, she wouldn’t be scared.

I had some slight worry that I might lose my composure, but if talking about it would lighten Aki’s heart, there was no better solution.

“Tell me anything.”

Aki started speaking hesitantly.

“I’ve been in an adult video before.”

My heart screamed, What? Really? but I suppressed it.

“I see. Can you still watch it?”

“Yeah, but please don’t.”

“Got it. I promise I won’t watch it.”

Though a part of me was curious, I knew I wouldn’t be able to stay calm if I watched it. It was better not to.

“Sanda made me do it—”

“Sanda?”

“Sanda also arranged adult actresses, and when he couldn’t find a suitable one, he made me go instead.”

“I see. So that’s what he used to blackmail you.”

“Yeah. He threatened to send those videos to you.”

I was infuriated again by his actions.

Wait… AV actress arrangements—?

That was the underground industry. He might be connected to some anti-social forces.

I needed to investigate that angle as well.

“Thanks for telling me. Do you remember the production company that filmed those videos?”

“Umm… I think it was a company called Jules.”

“Jules? I haven’t heard of them. What about your payment?”

“Yeah, I got paid, but…”

“How much?”

“They paid me 50,000 yen on the day of the shoot.”

“Just that?”

“Yeah, just that.”

Too little. This doesn’t sound like a legitimate production company.

“Is there any way to have it removed from the internet?”

Aki’s face stiffened.

“It might be possible, but… did they make you sign a consent form or something? A contract?”

“No, nothing like that.”

“Got it.”

Aki looked a bit relieved after I responded. But the problem was whether Sanda had saved those videos.

Like a demon occupying my brain, new ways to bring Sanda down kept coming to mind, but an unyielding barrier stood in the way.

“I feel so much better after saying that.”

Aki stretched her arms up towards the ceiling, looking so much lighter.

I felt reassured by the sight.

“You should get to bed now. Sleep.”

“Yeah,” she nodded and walked over to a small color box in the corner of the room, pulling out a bag of medicine.

“Are you feeling sick?”

“I’ve been seeing a psychiatrist. I need sleeping pills to sleep,” she said, casually taking a pill as if it were just another daily routine.

“I think I’ll fall asleep in about 10 minutes, so stay by my side until then.”

“Got it.”

I gently took my hand away from Haru and followed Aki to the bedroom.