Chapter 61: Recognizable by the Smell of Soap

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I found myself in a café in Funabashi City’s red-light district, a popular hangout for soapland workers. The place reeked of body soap—a floral scent that didn't exactly scream luxury.

Sitting across from me was Jones-san’s ex-wife, Kimura Azusa. She still had those voluptuous breasts, almond-shaped eyes, and long, wavy hair that cascaded down to her waist.

“Of all the people who could've requested me, it had to be YOU.”

“Feeling depressed, Azusa-san? And calling your ex-nephew ‘you’? Harsh.”

“Blood or no blood, you’re just a stranger now. Though, for the right price, I could be more than a stranger.” 

“Yeah, I’ll pass. I prefer to avoid any diseases. Thank you very much.”

“You’re just as bad as your uncle, John. You can’t hide your perversion, can you?”

“We're not even related by blood, you know. Is it just me, or do I sense some hostility?”

“It's not just you.”

“Thought so.”

Azusa-san looked significantly more worn down since I last saw her. Understandable, given she's been swept away by the rough waters of the soapland industry. Still, she was undeniably beautiful—a definite asset in her line of work. She'd always been sexy; I'd even fantasized about her a few times, though I'd never admit it.

“So, what brings you here?”

“Hey, let’s cut to the chase. Have you found out where your cheating partner is?”

“Aren't you a university student now? Can’t you even use proper idioms? Pathetic.”

“That was on purpose. Now, answer the question.”

“If I had found him, my life would be a bit easier—mentally, at least.”

“Oh.”

She was genuinely struggling. Not that I pitied her much.

“You only made things worse for yourself by trying to run away from the mess you created.”

“I know I’m not blameless, but that b*****d is equally guilty. He knew I was married, yet he pursued me and then vanished when I told him I was pregnant. Now he’s living carefree somewhere while I’ve hit rock bottom.”

“Well, that's what you get for having an affair without any precautions. I can't sympathize.”

“…I know.”

Interesting. If she had blown up at me, I'd have cared less, but she seemed genuinely remorseful. Maybe seeing her parents cry had finally gotten to her.

“If you're this honest about it, then alright.”

“So, what’s this about my affair partner?”

“Check out this photo.”

I showed her a picture of the mole-faced man that Angela had sent me. Azusa's eyes widened with rage as she recognized him.

“That… that son of a b***h! It's him, no doubt about it!”

“Thought so.”

“Where is he?! Where is this shitty son of a b***h!? I looked everywhere and couldn't find him!”.

Azusa was losing it, but seeing her refer to him as a “son of a b***h” was amusing.

“He's living in F City, not K City, where you were looking.”

“You’re kidding…”

“And he’s not attending O University either. He's actually at T Academy.”

“…”

Azusa's face went pale, then flushed with anger, as if she'd just taken a mix of heroin and cocaine. By the way, mixing those two is extremely dangerous, unlike indulging in some harmless Kazunoko roe.

Azusa slammed the table with enough force to make it clear how furious she was. I couldn't help but smirk internally at her sweat-drenched rage.

“So, here's the deal. I've got a bone to pick with this mole-faced b*****d, too. We need to hit him where it hurts. I assume you're on board.”

“Of course.”

She clenched her right fist into her left palm with a sharp smack, agreeing to help. Finding a target for her anger seemed to reignite a spark of hope in Azusa's eyes.