Chapter 16: The Eldest Brother’s Return! Madam, Surely You Wouldn’t Want To… (Please Vote for Me!)

Two days later, the case of Takeichi Nohara was made public, causing an enormous stir. After all, it involved two police officers as perpetrators, one of whom was a high-ranking police official. As the case swept through public opinion, Ayaka Asai’s name soared into prominence as well. She had just appeared in the news for breaking up the Sakura Society’s drug ring a few days prior; before the public could forget her, she had already achieved new merit. Naturally, people found themselves amazed.

This turn of events was no accident. Under the influence of Akihiko Asai’s lobbying, the National Police Agency was deliberately building up Ayaka Asai’s public image, shaping her into a heroic policewoman. Hidehisa Aoyama also appeared frequently in the reports, being the one who had shot and killed Akihiro Nakayama, although his presence was overshadowed by Ayaka Asai’s radiance.

Nevertheless, there were astute observers who took notice of him. Among them was Toshitomi Sato, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department’s First Investigation Division. As he read the newspaper, the name Hidehisa Aoyama leapt out at him, irritating him more the longer he looked.

“Since he’s been relegated, why can’t he stay quietly out of sight and rot? Truly an infuriating fellow,” Sato muttered darkly, crumpling the newspaper and tossing it aside.

He had originally intended to force Hidehisa Aoyama to resign outright, but never expected such shamelessness; even with such a blemish on his record, Aoyama stubbornly refused to quit, enduring scorn and isolation rather than resign. In the end, Sato had no choice but to demote him to the Shinjuku Police Station, keeping him under his own eye—only to see Aoyama rise unexpectedly after a period of quiet obscurity.

He absolutely could not let this development continue unchecked. He had to nip it in the bud, crushing any chance of reprisal before Aoyama could grow strong enough to threaten him.

Of course, Hidehisa Aoyama was completely unaware of Sato’s foul mood at this moment, as he was fully absorbed in his breakfast.

“Sister-in-law, your cooking is as wonderful as ever. Today’s breakfast is delicious,” Hidehisa Aoyama praised Haruko Aoyama, who sat across the table.

Haruko smiled gently. “Then you must eat every bite, Hidehisa, or I’ll think you’re just flattering me.”

“Of course!” Hidehisa replied with mock solemnity. “I’ll prove it with my actions.”

Haruko was amused by his antics, her laughter rippling like a flower in the breeze. The thin straps of her dress barely held her maternal bounty, which swayed with her mirth.

“Is it really that funny? Sister-in-law, you have such a low threshold for laughter,” Hidehisa said, feigning exasperation.

Haruko blinked, smiling. “That’s true—maybe that’s why I’m so happy every day. It doesn’t take much to satisfy me.”

The telephone in the living room suddenly rang, interrupting their breakfast.

Haruko quickly set down her chopsticks and hurried over to answer. “Hello? Ah, darling, will you be home this week? Mmhmm, all right.”

After hanging up, she returned to the table. “That was your brother. He’ll be home this weekend, so you’d better stay out of trouble for the next few days, Hidehisa.”

“Come on, sister-in-law, I’m always well-behaved,” Hidehisa replied absentmindedly, distracted by the news of his brother’s impending return.

The phone rang again.

“Did he forget something?” Haruko wondered aloud, rising to answer once more. “Darling—oh, it’s for Hidehisa. He’s having breakfast, please hold on a moment.”

Hearing this, Hidehisa rose and took the phone from her hand.

“Hello, this is Hidehisa Aoyama.”

“Mr. Aoyama, this is Irene Nohara. Would you be able to come to my house now?” Her voice was tinged with anxiety and helplessness.

At last, it’s come, Hidehisa thought, struggling to suppress his smile. He replied calmly, “Of course, I’ll be right there.”

He hung up the phone.

“Oh? Trouble’s brewing—isn’t that the woman whose scent lingered on you last time?” Haruko teased, grinning mischievously.

“It’s nothing like that, just a friend,” Hidehisa replied, exasperated. He handed Asai’s bank card to Haruko. “The bonus from last time has come through. The code’s on the back. Use it for the household expenses—something’s come up, so I’ll be going.”

Without waiting for her response, he slipped out the door, leaving her calls behind.

“He really is becoming more mature,” Haruko mused, gazing at the closed door. Her eyes drifted to the card in her hand, and a gentle smile touched her lips.

***

Half an hour later.

Hidehisa Aoyama arrived at the Nohara residence for the third time.

“Mr. Aoyama.” Irene Nohara, waiting anxiously in the living room, rose quickly to greet him.

“Mrs. Nohara.” Hidehisa nodded politely, then took a seat on the sofa, his expression puzzled. “The case has already been closed. Is there something else you need from me? You sounded quite urgent on the phone.”

“I’m sorry, Mr. Aoyama, but I didn’t know who else to turn to. I had no choice but to trouble you,” Irene apologized deeply, bowing her head.

“There’s no need for that.” Hidehisa stood, gently guiding her to sit beside him on the sofa. The scent of her perfume, heady and mature, made his thoughts wander. “What’s happened?”

The funeral for Takeichi Nohara had just concluded. Irene was still in mourning attire, a white flower adorning her hair—her widowed appearance stirring a strange itch in his heart.

She was truly distressed, so much so that she hadn’t noticed how closely they sat together. Her hands twisted her skirt in agitation as she spoke, her voice trembling with anger. “The Noguchi Group wants to take advantage of our loss to buy out my husband’s company. When I refused, they threatened to ruin it. I have no one else—Mr. Aoyama, please help me.”

Noguchi, at least, had the decency to wait until the mourning period was over before sharpening their knives.

Hidehisa’s face clouded with difficulty.

Irene caught his expression, her heart tightening with fear. “Is it… is there a problem? Can’t even you help me?”

Hidehisa sighed, smiling bitterly and shaking his head. “To be honest, because of your husband’s case, I killed Akihiro Nakayama. Many of his friends at the Police Agency now resent me. I’m isolated and under pressure—if not for our chief’s protection, I’d be struggling just to hold my position.”

He paused. “And I’m sure Noguchi has allies in the Agency as well. After offending one faction over Nakayama, to cross another now…”

Though he left the sentence unfinished, the troubled look on his face said everything.

“I’m so sorry, Mr. Aoyama. I never thought my husband’s case would bring you such trouble.” Her guilt and remorse were plain to see. She had imagined Aoyama would be commended for solving the case, not caught in a web of complications.

A wave of hopelessness washed over her, and tears began to fall as she pleaded, “Is there really no other way? That company is my husband’s legacy—I have to protect it.”

“I can take the risk for you.” Hidehisa’s words made her look up, hope rekindled in her eyes. But then his tone shifted. “But, as I said, it’s a risk for me. What are you willing to give in return?”

“Money…” Irene blurted out, then faltered. She recalled Aoyama’s reputation for integrity and realized money would not tempt him. She murmured in confusion, “But what else do I have to offer?”

“Forgive me for being so bold, but from the moment I first saw you, I couldn’t forget you. If you’ll permit it, let me be the man who protects you,” Hidehisa declared, suddenly taking her hand.

Irene froze, staring at him in disbelief. Her cheeks flushed crimson as she wrenched her hand away, rising to her feet, breathless with shock and indignation. “Mr. Aoyama, how could you? My husband has only just passed, and you—you shameless man!”

Her chest heaved with anger. The more she thought about it, the harder it was to bear. She raised her hand, intending to strike him.

“Mrs. Nohara, do you really want to lose everything your husband left behind?” Hidehisa caught her wrist, applying gentle pressure. “Are you really going to hand over the fruits of his life’s work? Perhaps, in the end, it will be the only proof he ever walked this earth.”

She froze, tears streaming down her cheeks as she stared at him, her eyes red and swollen.

Hidehisa recognized that the moment was right. He pulled her into his arms and brusquely loosened the collar of her mourning dress. “You’re doing this to protect what Mr. Nohara left behind. If he knew, he wouldn’t blame you.”

“Stop. Don’t mention him,” Irene sobbed, her face flushed with shame and anger.

Hidehisa said nothing more. He turned her around and pressed her against the sofa, facing Takeichi Nohara’s portrait on the wall. With her back to him, Irene trembled, and he whispered, “Mrs. Nohara, only if Mr. Nohara sees you protected by a stronger man can he rest in peace. Don’t you agree?”

“You beast—please, not here, Mr. Aoyama, I beg you, let’s go somewhere else—” she pleaded, choking with emotion.

Overcome with shame, she tried to resist at first, but as she was taken, her sobs faded and only long sighs remained.