Yandere? Menhera? Bring It On, If You're Confident That I'll love You For Who You Are - Chapter 40

Crime must be Punished

“By crime… do you mean turning her in to the police?”

“Yes. I believe that’s for the best for her sake.”

Rio’s question was met with a decisive answer from Asagami’s mother. In that moment, Hina, having heard the conversation, allowed a faint smile to spread across her lips.

She must have already known.

The limited pieces, the financial power at stake, and now Kanade, their own flesh and blood, had caused such an uproar.

If the Asagami couple were so inclined…

“Is that okay? It’s a small town. If Kanade, the young lady of this house, is arrested, it might not end well for those working here.”

“…I am aware. But I am a father before I am the master of this house. I have an obligation to take responsibility for my daughter’s actions. This is how we, who once loved her and involved others, must accept our responsibility.”

“Though it may be difficult for the parents, I believe it to be a wise decision. I also don’t want to see Minato-senpai hurt any more over Asagami-senpai.”

Hina spoke her true feelings without hesitation. Perhaps it was a natural reaction, considering what Kanade had done to her, not just as a rival in love but even causing her such a serious injury…

“Using money to manipulate the will of people, leading my brother to kill my uncle and his wife… If that’s the truth, I can’t forgive Kanade-chan either. I’m sorry to my brother, but I support your decision as well. Punishment is necessary for the crime.”

With Rio’s backing, the Asagami parents nodded in agreement.

In a small town, especially one where the Asagami Group was well-known, news of the daughter coming under police care would spread like wildfire.

This was not just about a simple tarnishing of the image. If handled poorly, it could mean the end of the Asagami Group’s very existence. Yet the parents were prepared to fulfill their parental duty.

Their resolve was admirable. If what they were doing was truly for her sake, then their choice was the correct one.

And so, I decided to present them with a misguided path for my own sake.

“Responsibility towards me… If that’s the case, then it’s no good. Rio and Hina might be one thing, but what you’re proposing doesn’t come close to making amends to me.”

“Eh?”

“If I have any requests, it’s these two. Forget what Kanade has done. And if you know anything about Amano Mio, who informed you about this incident, tell me. That’s all.”

My straightforward declaration left the Asagami couple frozen, as if time had stopped for them. Who spoke first after what might have been several seconds? It was Asagami’s father.

“…Are you saying you don’t hold a grudge against her?”

“Well, for now, I’m just trying to figure out how to convince you guys.”

“Wow… you’d actually say that? You’re quite stubborn, Minato-senpai.”

“Haah…”

Hina reacted with exaggerated surprise. However, in reality, she was probably not all that shocked.

Rio, on the other hand, showed no surprise and simply sighed.

I was aware that it was a futile struggle.

Even if it were just me, involving Rio and Hina, and then the Asagami parents, would mean that my wishes were insignificant in comparison.

It’s not that I didn’t want her to be aware of her sins. If there was a path for her to repent and rehabilitate, I would definitely support it…

But I gambled everything on the slight hesitation and contradiction within the Asagami parents’ resolve.

To this, Asagami’s father showed a meaningful smile.

“You’re interesting. Sachiko, would you mind giving us a moment? I’d like to speak with him, just the two of us.”

“Eh? That’s fine, but…”

Asagami’s mother was taken aback by the unexpected suggestion. I met eyes with Rio and Hina, then nodded.

Eventually, I found myself in a vast space underground within the group’s property, as directed by Asagami’s father.

From what I heard, this place served as a training ground for the group’s bodyguards. As if to prove it, there were training mats and bench presses commonly found in gyms placed in one corner of the room.

But even then, the sheer size of the space could rival a school gymnasium. As expected of a prestigious family.

“That time, I received a call from a girl named Amano. She said she was your classmate, and I was truly surprised. When I arrived on site, her figure was nowhere to be seen, and instead, three girls were lying unconscious. At first, I couldn’t accept reality and doubted her, but after seeing several photos found on-site, I was certain… of how foolish I had been as a parent…”

With that, Asagami’s father gave a self-deprecating laugh.

“You might think me a doting parent for saying this, but I thought she was a kind child. She was always lively, and I poured my love into her, hoping she’d inherit my core values. ‘Do not fear defeat; you will ultimately succeed,’ I taught her above all else. But I never realized her desires, her earnestness. I didn’t try to see her failures, her processes, and she came to think that she needed to win at any cost. Foolish of me… and the result turned into the devil’s child for you…”

Asagami’s father clenched his fist and his voice wavered.

Kanade, who never flaunted her wealth since childhood, treated everyone equally.

No matter how many times she failed, she always overcame the challenges before her.

Asagami’s father turned his back and began to walk away, continuing his story.

“Excuse me, it was unpleasant of me to discuss such matters with you, who care for my daughter. Worry not about Akutsu and Kawada, who were blinded by money and assisted in her crimes. They’re now under surveillance by our bodyguards and restrained in separate rooms. Even rotten, they were once her escorts, so we plan to weaken them before making them atone for their crimes.”

“…I see. But back to the earlier discussion, about Amano who informed you of this affair—”

“If things continue as they are, she will be captured in time. As a result, the Asagami family will collapse, the media will take hold, and management will become impossible. It’s practically the end for us as a couple.”

“?”

Ignoring my question, Asagami’s father revisited the conversation he had deemed unpleasant.

I turned my gaze to see that in front of Asagami’s father was a large sword resting on a rack, something rarely seen outside of television.

And the Japanese sword-like object on it looked worthy of its place.

Far from being related to bodyguard training, the two-meter-long katana was now in Asagami’s father’s hands.

“Do you understand? ‘My life’ had been going perfectly. You were the catalyst that destroyed it. You changed that failure of a creation. Then, if I eliminate you, the root of it all, everything will be fine. You, the two who came with you, and that ungrateful brat—if I kill you all, no one will ever reach the truth. Everything will return to normal. My life’s impediments will be completely removed.”

His words and tone had changed as if he were a different person.

The expression on his face was as if he was telling a ghost story, and I braced myself for what was to come.

“I appreciate your patience. Sorry, but, Kurogane Minato-kun. I need you to sacrifice yourself for my perfect life.”

The blade pointed at me. The piercing gaze in front of me.

I found myself facing an unbelievably surreal situation and let out a sigh.

Really, one trouble after another, huh?