Chapter 37: Perceiving the Truth, First Encounter with the Eldest Brother (Please vote! Please follow!)

"Fine, you can have the money, but you must promise to leave Tokyo as soon as possible—no, leave Japan altogether," the voice on the other end of the phone said after a brief silence.

"You don't need to tell me that. I'm still young, not in such a hurry to spend my retirement in prison," Takeda Ichiro replied coolly. He held the phone in his right hand, eyes scanning the view ahead through the windshield, while his left hand absentmindedly stuffed bites of bread into his mouth.

"That's for the best. The amount you're asking for isn't small, so I'll need some time to prepare."

"Three days," Takeda Ichiro named a figure, then added, "I'll give you three days. Keep your phone on. I'll call you again then."

With those words, he hung up, continuing to chew his bread slowly, washing it down with mineral water. He guessed that the guy on the other end had no intention of handing over the money easily—most likely, he was plotting to lure him out with cash and then kill him to silence him for good.

But Takeda Ichiro wasn't the least bit afraid. From the start, his goal had never been money alone; he wanted the man's life as well. When the time came, they'd see whose wits would prevail.

Meanwhile, Hidehisa Aoyama had arrived home.

Not seeing his elder brother's car at the door, he knew he hadn't returned yet. He parked, entered, and changed his shoes while his sister-in-law busied herself in the kitchen. Only then did he call out, "I'm back. Big brother isn't home yet?"

"He called half an hour ago and said he'd be here soon. I'm starting now, so when he arrives, dinner will be hot and ready," Seiko Aoyama, wearing an apron, poked her head out of the kitchen and replied with a gentle smile.

"Sister-in-law, let me help you." Hidehisa shrugged off his coat onto the sofa, took off his watch, rolled up the sleeves of his white shirt, and stepped into the kitchen. "Just tell me what to do—don't stand on ceremony with me."

"Then please wash the vegetables, Hidehisa." Seiko gave him a handful of dripping greens and turned to the cutting board. "I've still got something to slice—it's your favorite: tuna."

"Then I'm in for a treat tonight," Hidehisa smiled, eyeing the graceful curves of his sister-in-law beneath her slip dress, feeling, yet again, a pang of envy toward his brother.

She was truly exquisite: not only was her temperament gentle and her features delicate, her figure was alluring in spite of her petite size, with a slender frame that looked as if anyone could easily lift her up and carry her away.

Sensing his gaze, Seiko turned and brushed her bangs aside, her expression questioning. "Is there something on my back?"

Indeed, there was something foul lurking behind her—a dirty little thought.

"Oh! No, I just got distracted thinking about work," Hidehisa stammered quickly.

"You're really dedicated, Hidehisa, but home is a place to relax and enjoy yourself. Please, try not to worry about work here," Seiko chided softly.

"Yes, ma'am!"

Hidehisa grinned and set to washing the vegetables in earnest.

With a man and a woman working together, the chores felt lighter. In no time at all, cold dishes and hot dishes alike were finished and spread across their small dining table.

"Ah! Finally done. Thank you for your hard work tonight, Hidehisa," Seiko said, placing the last wine glass and beaming with happiness and anticipation. "It's been so long since our family ate together—I really am happy tonight."

"It's you who did all the work, sister-in-law. I just played assistant—all these dishes are your handiwork." Hidehisa wiped the sweat from his brow and handed her a few napkins as well.

"Thank you, Hidehisa," Seiko smiled, dabbing away her own sweat. Then, glancing at the clock, she said, "By now, my husband should be almost home. I'll call to check."

She scurried over to the phone, knelt gracefully, and dialed Soemasa Aoyama's number.

"Honey... Ah? Yes! Yes!" The smile faded from Seiko's face in an instant. After hanging up, she stood there, dazed.

"What is it?" Hidehisa asked, stepping forward.

"It's... nothing," Seiko composed herself, forcing a smile. "He needs to visit a senior before coming home. He'll be late."

Hidehisa frowned, feeling a surge of distaste.

His upright elder brother—so diligent, so eager to curry favor with his superiors—would go months without coming home and, on finally returning, still prioritized his leaders over his family. Did he not know his wife and brother were waiting for him? Of course he knew. He simply didn't care enough about their feelings.

"Why don't you eat first, Hidehisa? You've been working hard all day. I'll reheat things for him later," Seiko suggested, noticing Hidehisa's expression.

"It's fine. Let's wait together," Hidehisa replied, smoothing his brow and forcing a lighthearted smile. He sat on the sofa, instinctively taking out a cigarette, but after a moment's hesitation, he put it away.

Seiko noticed this, too, and smiled warmly. "You really are considerate and gentle, Hidehisa. But it's all right—your brother smokes at home, too. I'm used to it. Don't worry about me."

She thought her husband was overly critical of his younger brother. Hidehisa had many virtues, but simply because he preferred comfort to relentless ambition, his brother saw him as good for nothing and unworthy of notice.

"I just don't feel like smoking," Hidehisa replied absentmindedly, his thoughts drifting to Sato. Where had he suddenly gotten so much money?

Was there any get-rich-quick scheme at the beginning of the year?

And if even Sato could pay off billions in loans, it couldn't have been a small affair.

Suddenly, Hidehisa's pupils contracted sharply.

Of all the major events early in the year, the one he remembered most vividly was the Nagashin Bank robbery.

Recalling the details, the original Hidehisa, upon discovering Takeda Ichiro's whereabouts, had reported to his immediate superior, Tomoharu Takahashi, and, on orders, staked out the area with his men, waiting for backup.

Then, Takeda and his crew suddenly tried to escape. When Hidehisa reported again, it was Sato who answered, ordering him to intercept.

What was supposed to be a surprise attack turned into a reverse ambush by Takeda, as if he’d been tipped off and lay in wait.

The robbery was four months ago, and Sato paid off billions in loans in the three months following.

The coincidences were too many.

Hidehisa took a deep breath and immediately called Tomoharu Takahashi. "It's Hidehisa Aoyama. Takahashi, tell me—after Sato ordered me to intercept Takeda Ichiro four months ago, did he call anyone else?"

The situation had been urgent. If Sato really was in cahoots with Takeda, the only way to tip him off would have been by phone.

Takahashi probably knew nothing—after all, this wasn't about bribery or embezzlement. The fewer people involved, the lower the risk. Sato, cautious and cunning, would never involve anyone else.

"Uh?" Takahashi was taken aback; he'd nearly forgotten events from four months ago. But with Hidehisa holding leverage over him, he racked his brain. "Yes, after using my phone to give orders, he left and started dialing on his mobile as he walked away. Probably to report to his superiors."

"Got it," Hidehisa said, hanging up and exhaling sharply. Though he lacked hard proof, he was now almost certain Sato was the mastermind behind the Nagashin Bank heist.

Otherwise, these coincidences would be too much to believe.

What a sly fox—he'd orchestrated the robbery, pocketed a fortune, and shifted the blame for the failed arrest onto the original Hidehisa.

But one thing Hidehisa couldn't understand: Why had Takeda Ichiro returned? Why deliberately expose himself and taunt the police?

Whatever his reasons, the one who must be most anxious now was Sato.

No wonder he refused to defer to the Asai family and insisted on taking charge of the Shinjuku case, even if it meant being only deputy—he had to join the investigation team at any cost.

Whatever the case, the top priority was to catch Takeda Ichiro. Once he was in custody, Sato's crimes could be exposed to the world.

Not only would that be a major achievement—

It would also serve as revenge against Sato.

And, perhaps, clear his own name!

"What are you smiling about, Hidehisa? You can't seem to hide it," Seiko asked, her curiosity piqued by his expression.

Hidehisa snapped back to the present, taking a deep breath to steady his excitement, a faint smile on his lips. "I just thought of something that makes me very happy, but let me keep it a secret for now. In a few days, I'll tell you, sister-in-law."

"So mysterious! All right, then. I'll be looking forward to it," Seiko said, blinking playfully.

…………………………

Time ticked by.

Eleven-thirty at night.

The dishes had been reheated twice, but Soemasa Aoyama still hadn't returned, nor was he answering his phone.

Hidehisa was growing impatient.

He glanced at his sister-in-law and saw that at some point she'd curled up on the sofa and fallen asleep.

In her dreams, her brow was tightly furrowed, her lips pressed together—a sure sign of a nightmare.

Hidehisa stepped over and covered her with his coat.

Just then, the doorbell rang.

"He's home!" Seiko woke with a start, jumped up barefoot, and rushed to the door. Outside stood Soemasa Aoyama, red-faced, neck bulging, reeking of alcohol, supported by his secretary, Kouta Asou.

"Madam," Kouta said with a bow, steadying Soemasa. "Sir's in poor spirits tonight and had a few too many."

"Thank you, Asou," Seiko bowed in return, moving to help her husband, but Soemasa shoved her aside. "I... I can... walk by myself."

He staggered into the house.

"I'll take my leave now, madam," Asou said, bowing again before departing.

Seiko bowed to see him off. "Take care."

Soemasa lurched to the sofa and flopped down, shouting, "Seiko, get me a glass of water! Seiko, do you hear me?"

"Yes!" Seiko hurried to fetch water, but Hidehisa beat her to it, slamming a glass down heavily in front of Soemasa.

Soemasa tugged at his tie, glanced sideways at Hidehisa, and barked, "Hand me that glass."

Hidehisa raised an eyebrow.

"I'll do it, let me," Seiko interjected quickly, sensing trouble. She bent over, picked up the glass, and brought it to Soemasa's lips. "Let me help you..."

Smack! Soemasa slapped her hand away.

The glass crashed to the floor, water splashing everywhere.

"Ah!" Seiko gasped, her bodice soaked, the lacy pink of her slip clearly visible, her face speckled with droplets.

"Idiot! Was I talking to you?" Soemasa roared at Seiko, then glared venomously at Hidehisa. "I've been gone too long—does the head of this household have no authority anymore?"

"So you get humiliated at work and come home to take it out on your family? You really are pathetic, Soemasa Aoyama," Hidehisa retorted with a mocking glare.

Clearly, he'd failed to impress his superior and come home to vent his frustration by lording it over his household—a routine occurrence, to which Seiko had always submitted meekly.

The original Hidehisa had always ignored such outbursts, but that defiance of the head's authority was a major reason for their growing estrangement.

Still, if even the original would not indulge him, Hidehisa—now a man from another world—had even less reason to do so.