Chapter 65: Another Senpai

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I head home, still deep in thought.

On my way, I notice a beat-up Wagon R parked near my apartment. 

“What the hell? Did someone get into a brawl on the highway?” 

I mumble under my breath and sneak a peek inside the car. My eyes lock onto a man holding an expensive-looking camera.

Damn it. Is this guy from a gossip magazine? A paparazzo? Hmm? Wait… why does he seem familiar? Before I can figure it out, the window slowly rolls down.`

“Hey, are you Yuuta? Uemura Yuuta?”

“Huh?”

Peeking out of the window is a rugged yet endearing face with a somewhat rough voice. Then it clicks.

“Sakamoto-senpai! What are you doing here?”

“I should be asking you that… It’s been a while.”

Sakamoto-senpai, my old senior from the karate dojo, who I haven't seen since he graduated and became a teacher,.

“Did you quit teaching?”

“Yeah, after that incident, my future was pretty much set.”

“Oh, right…”

The incident he's referring to is a student suicide at his high school. It made front-page news, and there were all sorts of rumors about the motives, making it a very suspicious case.

…

Wait, wasn’t that Takuya’s high school? He wasn't directly involved, but he’s the type to get caught up in things. I should check in on him.

“So, Yuuta, I need to ask you something.”

“Need to ask? Senpai, do you want to sleep with Tazuna? Watch out for tetanus.”

“What the hell are you talking about? Has too much jerking off and horse gaming fried your brain? Where's the pure kid who used to say, ‘I want to get stronger to protect my sister!’ with those shining eyes?”

“I can’t stay a dreamer virgin forever, you know.”

“Deep. To think even those who were once full of innocence now think with their dicks… It’s just heartbreaking.”

“You’re overdoing the ‘ta’ sounds.”

Sakamoto-senpai sighs deeply, looking a bit frustrated. I must have touched a nerve. It’s time to get back to the point.

“So, what did you want to ask?”

“Ah, Yuuta, have you seen the celebrity KYOKO around here?”

“Uh, what?”

“Yeah, there’s been a sighting of KYOKO in one of these apartments, rumored to be meeting a lover. I’m working for a magazine now, and I let slip something I shouldn't have, so here I am staking out for a scoop.”

“What!?”

“I didn't expect you to live here… Anyway, that's why you've seen so many parked cars lately.”

Damn it, it must be Kouichi and his girlfriend spreading rumors. I’ll get them back next time I see them.

I need to play this cool.

“Uh, what exactly did you let slip?”

“Oh, I knew KYOKO. She was a student at the high school where I taught.”

“No way!”

Well, that makes sense. KYOKO is from my hometown. This is getting complicated. I can’t just come clean now.

Bzzz, bzzz.

“Oh, excuse me. I have a call.”

Saved by the bell! I check my phone a bit away from Sakamoto-senpai.

‘Incoming call: KYOKO.’

Are you kidding me, KYOKO!? She hasn't called in ages, and now she does? Perfect timing or worst timing? I can't tell.