Chapter 81: Honey Trap: Netorare

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“Nice to meet you, Miss Kojima. Pleased to make your acquaintance.”

“Uh, um, likewise, Mister Jones?”

After everything that happened, I brought Kojima-san over to my neighbor Jones-san’s place. As usual, Kojima-san, being shy, looked extremely uneasy. Why the hesitation in her voice?

Anyway, time’s precious, so I started explaining.

“Alright, Kojima-san, let me give you a quick rundown. This is Jones-san, my step-uncle. His ex-wife, who cheated on him with your stepbrother, is the reason we’re here.”

“Uh… what?”

“They apparently met on a dating app.”

“A dating app…?”

“It’s not an app to meet Miss Machiko-sensei. A dating app is used to meet potential partners.”

Kojima-san's misunderstanding level was off the charts. Let’s move on.

“When you and I were pretending to date, you mentioned that your stepbrother was seeing someone else, right?”

“Yeah…”

“Well, it seems around that time, your stepbrother and Jones-san's ex-wife met on a dating app and had an affair.”

“Yeah, the time Yuuta mentioned matches when Azusa, my ex-wife, was acting suspiciously. Oh, Azusa is my ex-wife.”

“Uh-huh…”

I hope she understands. It's a lot to take in all of a sudden.

“And your stepbrother got her pregnant and then ran away without taking responsibility.”

“…”

“So now Jones-san is planning to sue for damages.”

Kojima-san finally seemed to grasp the situation, her face turning pale.

“So, my stepbrother had an affair, got Mister Jones' wife pregnant, and…?”

“Exactly.”

“What a worthless person…”

She muttered in contempt. I couldn't agree more.

Then Jones-san, looking unusually serious, addressed Kojima-san.

“Given the circumstances, suing for damages might shake your family to its core. It could even lead to a complete breakdown. Are you okay with that?”

Kojima-san looked down, silent for a while, before responding.

“My family is already broken. Let it shatter completely. I don't care what happens.”

She spat out the words, sounding almost desperate.

“Hmm… Miss Kojima, I'd like your cooperation. Your help would make things go smoother. Of course, you'll be compensated.”

“…”

“But I understand if you’re hesitant about deliberately breaking up your family.”

“…I don’t care about that.”

Her reckless attitude was worrying. I had to step in.

“Kojima-san, self-destruction won't help anyone.”

I tried to approach her more gently, but she still seemed nihilistic.

“I have nothing left to protect, nothing I want to protect…”

“…”

“Nothing at all!!”

Does she forget how her actions have hurt me? If she ends up in a worse situation, it won’t sit well with me.

Frustration boiled over, and I lost my patience.

“Cut the crap!!”

“Eek!”

If she gets scared so easily, why did she start acting reckless in the first place? I didn’t stop there.

“Do you think your self-destructive attitude doesn't affect others? At least take care of yourself!!”

“But… there's no one…”

“I’m right here, right in front of you!! If you had taken care of yourself, I wouldn't be hurt, and you wouldn’t be so frigid!!”

“…”

“People try to find happiness even in misery. If no one else cares for you, at least strive for your own happiness!! Treat yourself with some respect, dammit!!”

I was out of breath, but I didn't care. Jones-san looked like he wanted to applaud.

If this didn't get through to her, I doubt she'd ever change. I wanted her to find hope, not just cooperate out of despair.

Jones-san chimed in, adding his own support.

“Miss Kojima, Yuuta told me about your situation in broad strokes.”

“?!”

“You’re a victim in all this. Both Yuuta and I want to help. While asking for your cooperation might not be entirely selfless, please don’t reject our good intentions.”

“…”

“Yuuta and I are on your side. Feel free to tell us anything.”

Jones-san's words, backed by his life experience, seemed to finally get through.

“Ugh… uuuuuh… ahhhhh…”

Kojima-san started sobbing, her cries filled with despair.