Chapter 2: Target Confirmed!
Time trickled by, and the early December evening darkened. The streetlights flickered on unnoticed, casting a warm glow over the bustling entrance of TEB headquarters. Employees came and went, their chatter filling the air.
Chihara Rinto sensed it was about time but hadn't yet spotted the person he was waiting for. Without a watch—sold to fund his reconnaissance efforts—and no cell phone (still prohibitively expensive at this point in history), he had no way to check the hour. Pagers were all the rage now, but even those were out of reach for him. Poverty truly was a merciless ailment, denying you what you needed most while forcing you to swallow bitter pills of reality.
He considered asking one of the guards, like Maegawa, but just as he looked up, a striking woman in professional attire caught his eye. She paused mid-step, her gaze locking onto him with unmistakable surprise.
"Chihara? Is that really you?" she exclaimed, her voice tinged with disbelief. "What are you doing here? How did you know I worked here?"
Chihara Rinto froze, studying her carefully. Her figure was curvaceous, her features delicate, and her hair styled in soft waves. A white dress with a plunging neckline clung elegantly to her frame—a bold choice for winter in Japan, where skirts remained fashionable year-round. This outfit screamed modern chic, but who was she?
Fragments of memories surfaced from the depths of his mind. Kondo Airi, his body's ex-girlfriend—or so he assumed. After being expelled from school, the original Chihara had written her dozens of letters, none of which received replies. Surely that meant they'd broken up? Yet, in the suicide note left behind, there was mention of rekindling something once prosperity returned. Was there an unspoken agreement between them?
Why was she acknowledging him now? If they'd parted ways, wouldn't ignoring each other have been easier? Had they not truly ended things? And how should he respond?
With little experience navigating romantic entanglements, Rinto hesitated. Seeing his silence and the pensive look on his face, Airi grew increasingly uneasy. She hurried over, lowering her voice. "Chihara, how did you find me? Never mind that—what do you want?"
This was maddening. How could he possibly know she worked at TEB? Timing it perfectly, too—ambushing her right after she returned from the Chitanda filming studio. Who had blabbed? That wretch Motoko or perhaps the shrew Reina? Or both, jealous of her imminent rise to fame, trying to sabotage her?
Why come bother her now? They'd ended when she stopped replying to his letters. Was it lingering affection driven by her charm? Or had news of her budding TV career reignited old desires, turning him into a nuisance? Did he need money?
Had he become some sort of deadbeat?! What business did a failure like him have coming to a place like TEB?
Airi cursed inwardly. If only she'd known his family would collapse, she never would've dated him in college.
As she leaned in, a strong whiff of perfume hit Rinto. He instinctively stepped back, covering his nose lightly. "Konno-san? Please don't misunderstand. I'm not here for you. I'm looking for…"
Her anxiety spiked. Cutting him off, she whispered urgently, "Are you here for Ishii-san?"
She launched into a pleading monologue. "Chihara, yes, I'm with Ishii-san now, but it's not my fault! We're done. Can't we part ways gracefully and preserve some fond memories? Please don't make this harder for me."
Pausing, she rummaged through her purse, pulling out two thousand-yen bills. Hesitating briefly, she added another before attempting to press the cash into his hand. "Take this for now. I'll return everything you bought me. Just leave quietly, okay? Go home, and I'll contact you later."
Her panic stemmed from fear of scandal. As a newcomer to TEB, any public drama could ruin her reputation. Losing her boyfriend's support would derail her dreams of stardom and luxury. In a world without legal consequences for murder, she might have gladly stabbed Rinto then and there.
But Rinto retreated further, dodging her outstretched hand. His brow arched slightly—did she think he was begging? Even if the original Chihara stood here, such treatment would be insulting.
Until now, unfamiliarity with his surroundings had kept him restrained. But feeling slighted, his expression hardened. His eyes locked onto her hand holding the money, his face becoming an impassive mask. This tactic, perfected in his previous life since childhood, had once scared off girls offering candy in kindergarten. In middle school, it sent a neighbor's daughter running home in tears after pestering him to play instead of study. By high school, it drove away a lovesick classmate seeking attention. Only during graduation did she dare ask why, her shaky handwriting smudged with tears. He hadn't replied; she wasn't worth the distraction.
When Chihara Rinto stared blankly, people squirmed. It worked especially well on women. Thanks to this quirk, he'd avoided countless trivialities, focusing solely on his goals until meeting someone who genuinely moved him.
He cherished this trait—it streamlined life beautifully. While willing to help others within reason, nothing could interfere with his objectives.
Airi felt the atmosphere thicken inexplicably. Her hand trembled, retreating instinctively. She faltered, confused. Something about this "ex-boyfriend" felt different—same face, still somewhat handsome, yet his microexpressions, body language, and gaze carried an undeniable weight.
It made no sense. Chihara was supposed to be insignificant, a relic of privilege turned useless. Why should she feel intimidated?
Strange… so strange…
Seeing Airi retreat, Rinto prepared to clarify matters with the paranoid woman. However, a movement in his peripheral vision caught his attention. Guard Maegawa emerged halfway from the security booth, chatting animatedly with a short-haired woman while pointing in his direction. Emerging beside her was someone whose gender, appearance, and height matched his target perfectly.
Yes, this was definitely her!
Shoving thoughts of Airi aside—for this matter paled in urgency—he headed straight for the gate, calling out from afar. "Murakami-san, hello! Could I trouble you for a moment?"