Chapter 72: Trump Card

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Translator: Soafp

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At the coffee shop, with a table between us, I sat between Marin and Kagura, while Ranko sat across from us.

The reason Ranko was here was to help us.

Both Kagura and Marin knew that.

Ranko herself had said, “I’ll help protect Hajime-Sensei.”

But right now, the looks Kagura and Marin were giving her were not those of cooperation.

They were wary, and analyzing her.

It was almost as if they were viewing her as a rival.

How did things end up like this…?

“I'm not trying to start a fight, really.”

Ranko said.

“…Huh?”

Kagura frowned.

“It's fine that you two are with Hajime-Sensei. I don't mind that at all.”

Ranko said casually, leaning her elbows on the table, relaxed as she continued.

“But I also want to have a special relationship with him. He's kind, generous, and has wealth, of course! Oh, but I'm not trying to monopolize him, okay?! I have no chance against you two directly, after all. You’re a popular actress and a singer, so it's not even a fair competition.”

Ranko maintained her lighthearted attitude, pouting and shrugging her shoulders.

“So…”

After a slight pause, she dramatically raised her index finger.

“How about we coexist?”

“…Coexist?”

Marlin, confused, looked at Kagura. Kagura, arms crossed, thought for a moment.

“What do you think, Marin?”

“Coexist…”

While they were hesitating, I was completely lost.

“Wait! We shouldn't be talking about this right now, we still have the issue with Koda to deal with!”

I tried to interject, but…

“Hajime-Sensei, please be quiet.”

“Yeah, yeah. We're having an important conversation right now.”

Both Marin and Kagura chided me in unison.

Why am I the one getting scolded…?

Ignoring my stunned expression, Kagura and Marin exchanged looks again.

“We were here first. That's something we can't give up.”

“Yeah. We can't give that up.”

The moment their opinions matched, Ranko brightened up and laughed.

“Got it! No problem if it's that order.”

“Wait, wait, what are you talking about!? This is about me!”

I panicked as I tried to intervene, but they completely ignored me, and an awkward atmosphere settled between the three of them.

“Well then, I'll go ahead and talk about my relationship with Koda.”

Ranko said cheerfully.

Ignoring my confusion, she waved her hand and took charge of the conversation.

“I was on a famous influencer special show a little while ago. Koda was the host, and after the show, he gave me his contact info and suggested we have a meal together.”

Kagura immediately scowled.

“Ugh, what is that? Is he really doing that behind the scenes?”

“Right? I thought he’s faster than my manager”

Ranko said with a wry smile, shrugging.

“Also, one of the influencer colleagues from the same show warned me. They told me, ‘That guy is really fast with his hands, and he has some creepy, perverted fetishes, so be careful.'”

“Disgusting…”

Kagura muttered, furrowing her brows.

“So… what exactly are his perverted fetishes?”

Marin asked, leaning forward slightly.

Ranko hesitated, her gaze wandering, clearly uncomfortable.

“Well… I can't really say… It's a bit… too early for you to know, Marin…”

An awkward silence filled the air as Ranko clapped her hands and abruptly changed the topic.

“Anyway, I'll contact Koda, dig up some dirt, and let's bring him down! That's the plan!”

“Do you really think it'll go that smoothly?”

Kagura asked skeptically, tilting her head.

“Koda himself isn’t really a threat. He’s just a shallow guy with a nice face and smooth talk.”

Ranko said casually.

“The problem is with Koda's personal manager, Akutsu…”

“Former fighter, highly cautious, sharp-witted, and well-known for being capable in the industry.”

She continued, her tone growing more serious.

At this point, even I, Marin, and Kagura had become completely focused on what Ranko was saying, instinctively straightening our postures.

“It seems like Akutsu handles most of the trouble Koda causes behind the scenes… Also, there’s a rumor that when Koda got involved with a woman from the mafia, Akutsu single-handedly dealt with the yakuza who came after him.”

“If that rumor is true, that’s really, really bad…”

Kagura muttered, crossing her arms and looking deeply concerned. Marin bit her lip, anxiety evident on her face.

The two of them exchanged glances, and the only sound that filled the coffee shop was the collective intake of breath.

“At least it would be better if we had someone who can handle things on our side.”

At that moment, a face flashed in my mind.

The person who had always helped me since childhood.

Though I often got scolded for my reckless actions, that person was always there to protect me when it counted.

Strong-willed and reliable, they always confronted unreasonable situations head-on. I had been watching that figure for a long time.

“That’s it…!”

“Huh?”

Everyone's gaze shifted toward me as I pulled out my phone and opened my contacts without hesitation.

The name displayed there was—”Kyoko Aizawa.”