Chapter 83: The Decisive Battle is on Sunday (6)

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Translator: Soafp

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“I understand… thank you, Marin, Kagura…”

I exhaled quietly while still holding my phone. Once the call ended, the sound of my heartbeat seemed to echo in the quiet room.

Marin should be on her way to the hospital with Kyoko now. I can't waste the chance that person desperately worked to create for me.

I adjusted the hem of my skirt with my fingers and checked my reflection in the mirror. The unfamiliar cross-dressing felt uneasy, but I had no choice but to go through with it. I ran my fingers through my hair to smooth it down and took a deep breath again.

From the information I had received from Ranko and Kagura earlier, Koda seemed to be interested in young women and only interacted with high school students or younger. To deceive such a person, I was dressed like this to appear younger. I never thought I’d be used in this way, but it was necessary to succeed in this plan.

I gripped the handle of the cart. Sweat was starting to form on my palms.

I quietly exited the room and moved next door, to Koda's room. I swallowed once, steeled myself, and knocked.

Knock knock.

My heart leapt in my chest. I had to stay calm. I'm just a hotel employee—merely delivering room service, just a part-timer.

From beyond the door, I could feel a faint presence. Slowly, the door creaked open.

It was Ranko.

Our eyes met. In her gaze, I could see anxiety mixed with a hint of expectation.

“Sensei…”

She whispered, her voice trembling. I instinctively reached out, but stopped myself. Now was not the time to give in.

“I'm sorry, Ranko. Just a little longer.”

I said, and she gave a small smile and shook her head. Her expression seemed to convey a sense of reassurance.

Then, from behind her, a low, irritated voice echoed.

“Dammit… What is that Akutsu b*****d doing?”

It was Koda's voice.

Both Ranko and I shuddered. Cold sweat ran down my spine.

This wasn't good. I whispered to Ranko in a low voice.

“… Ranko, do you have any new information on Koda?”

“Sensei… please be careful. Koda's a bit of a neat freak.”

“A neat freak…?”

“Yeah. He likes to disinfect his hands constantly, and he only uses individually wrapped straws. He hates getting his clothes dirty too…”

“Got it, I'll be careful.”

“What's taking so long…?”

Koda's voice, now tinged with irritation, drew nearer. I quickly waved my hands in front of me and raised my voice slightly.

“I-I'm sorry, right away…”

Koda's footsteps grew closer. The next moment, I felt a gaze sweeping over my entire body.

“Huh… you're young. How old are you? A student part-timer, huh?”

I fought back the uneasy sensation as I lowered my gaze.

“Heh, are you a shy one?”

Koda chuckled mischievously.

I nodded at Ranko and pushed the cart inside the room.

The room was dimly lit, and the only sound was the quiet hum of the air conditioning.

On the table were neatly arranged wet tissues and disinfectant sprays. The abnormal neatness of it all only heightened the tension in the room.

I carefully slid the hidden surveillance equipment onto the cart and tried to discreetly pass it to Ranko.

However, as though sensing my movement, Koda slowly approached.

Then, suddenly…

“Hey, what's your name?”

Koda whispered into my ear.

A chill ran down my spine.

In the next moment, I felt a disturbing sensation on my waist.

Koda's hand lightly caressed my backside.

My breath caught in my throat.

“Heh, you're nervous, aren't you?”

Koda purred.

He moved in closer, his hand about to move further.

“Hey, Koda-san, don't forget about me, okay?”

Ranko's voice suddenly became sugary as she leaned into Koda's arm.

“Sorry, sorry, Ranko-chan… of course, you’re my number one.”

Koda responded, distracted.

Taking advantage of the moment, I acted quickly.

I moved the cart while lifting a drink from the tray.

I deliberately relaxed my hand and let it slip.

“Ah, I-I'm sorry!”

The glass tipped, and the liquid inside threatened to spill onto Koda's sleeve.

“Ugh! What are you doing?!”

Koda jerked back, pulling his sleeve away.

“Good…”

I thought.

“Are you alright, Koda-san? Let me clean that up for you.”

Ranko said quickly, handing him a napkin. Hidden among the napkins, she subtly slid the surveillance equipment into a corner of the sofa. Her movements were so natural that it went unnoticed.

It worked.

Koda, distracted by the napkin, took it from her, completely unaware.

In that brief moment, I quietly made my way to the door.

The moment I touched the handle…

“Make sure you treat me to something special tonight, Koda-san…”

As the door gently closed, Ranko's sweet voice echoed in the room.

Once the door was fully shut, Ranko's voice no longer reached me.

Finally, I exhaled, my throat trembling.

“That was the worst… but I managed to hand over the equipment…”

I felt cold sweat on my back as I quickly left the room.

But my steps felt heavy.

If anything happens to Ranko… I thought, unable to shake the possibility from my mind.

I don't know what Koda is capable of.

I want to go back and help her right now, but that would make her efforts in vain.

“Please… Ranko, stay safe…”

I muttered quietly, clenching my fists, and left the area quickly.