Yandere? Menhera? Bring It On, If You're Confident That I'll love You For Who You Are - Chapter 43

The Crossroads of Fate

It took me a few seconds to organize the situation.

The screams of Asagami’s Father, who had been begging for forgiveness and wailing, could no longer be heard.

The only thing that filled the room was an unending silence.

With a sigh, I lifted my hips off Asagami’s Father’s body, from where I’d been straddling him, and pulled out the decisive weapon—the sword. Then, I turned my body backward.

There was Asagami’s Mother, her expression unchanged, eyes still lifeless, like those of a dead fish.

I stabbed the sword I had pulled out into the floor directly behind me.

There was no red liquid, no gruesomely vivid insides of a body sticking to it, as one might see in dramas or movies.

Above all, the state of Asagami’s Father, sprawled carelessly on the cold floor, made it blatantly clear what condition he was in.

“Sorry for the commotion. Don’t worry, he’s just fainted. Here’s the proof.”

“Ah…”

As I spoke, Asagami’s Mother, who had shown hardly any response until now, finally showed a sign of intent. In sync with that, Rio, who had been waiting in the corner of the room, approached.

“I had a hunch, but you’re soft when it counts, aren’t you? After all that provocation, you induce the fear of death by fainting, but ultimately don’t kill. It’s half-hearted. Or is it the indecisive kindness of aniki?”

“You sure have a way with words. As much as it was self-defense, I didn’t fancy being branded a murderer any more than necessary. Besides, if I killed the head of Asagami Group here, it would cause a much bigger commotion than with my uncle’s couple, right?”

“Hmph. Well, I’ll let you think that.”

Rio retorted with a hint of sarcasm, yet a faint smile on her face. At the same time, I turned my gaze to the girl who had been left standing in the corner.

…

Hina, with an expression of agony, starkly contrasted Rio.

I had an idea of what was going through her mind, but now was not the time for that.

“So, what will you do? This guy’s completely fainted because you bullied him too much. It’s dangerous to leave him like this, right?”

“Don’t worry. I’ve already thought about it to some extent.”

While saying that, I turned my gaze backward. There was Asagami’s Mother, turning away from her husband as if to escape the reality before her. Without concern, I addressed her.

“I understand you’re confused, but first, take care of your husband. There’s a medical team here, right? If you don’t hurry, it might be too late.”

“…”

Asagami’s Mother remained silent. However, given the situation and the bleeding, it could indeed become a life-threatening matter. I continued to persuade without hesitation.

“If you can’t forgive what your husband has done, then you might as well turn him over to the police. Otherwise, it would be more of a nuisance if he died, right? You’re the only one who can move Asagami now.”

“Ah… yes, I understand…”

Asagami’s Mother seemed to regain her composure as she pulled out a smartphone from her pocket and put it to her ear.

“Please, send the medical team to the training room urgently. My husband has fallen from the gallery during training… He’s unconscious, there’s bleeding… Yes, thank you.”

After a short call, Asagami’s Mother ended the conversation. She took deep breaths to calm herself.

If the medical team was arriving soon, it wouldn’t be wise to stay here much longer.

“Was everything okay?”

“Yes… They seemed quite flustered on the other end, but I think people will be here soon. You guys don’t want to get involved, right? Let’s change locations and talk.”

“Before that, I just want to ask one thing. What do you plan to do now?”

I bluntly threw out the biggest question on my mind. For the woman before me, the crimes committed by her beloved partner and daughter were not something the public would easily forgive.

Even if I, the greatest victim, could forgive them, Rio and Hina, who were also victims, would not.

Moreover, without concrete evidence, it’s possible that Asagami’s Father’s attempt on my life might never come to light if we kept silent.

Kanade—my former object of affection—was already…

“That’s right… No matter how much I try, I cannot change people’s hearts. Unless Rio and Hina forgive me, I can’t return to your everyday life, can I?”

“!?”

A voice resonated in the quiet room, and Asagami’s Mother shuddered as if she’d received an electric shock. Simultaneously, we all turned our gaze in the direction of the voice.

It was clear without thinking who the girl was, and Rio’s expression immediately turned stern.

“Finally, the star makes her entrance? Not satisfied with being the princess of Asagami Group, she now joins in the finale, as if she’s the heroine protected by nii-san. You really live a charmed life, truly.”

Despite her biting words, Rio was glaring at the girl wrapped in a white nightgown, Kanade.

On the other hand, Kanade didn’t even look at Rio; her gaze was fixed on her father, who lay unconscious on his back, and her mother, who was still too confused to accept the reality before her.

“Father is such a fool, isn’t he? Of all things, to oppose Minato with force. But it might have been a good medicine. He’s always been the kind to get rid of anyone who interferes with his life, no matter what.”

Kanade spoke calmly, without any confusion about the situation.

There was not a hint of surprise at the disgraceful sight of her own father, the head of Asagami Group.

Rather, it was Asagami’s Mother who showed a look of astonishment.

In place of the bewildered Asagami’s Mother, I asked the question.

“What, you knew about your father’s true nature?”

“It’s a bit late for that, isn’t it? Did you really think I could easily prepare such a large sum, even if I am the only daughter of Asagami?”

“Ah, I see.”

Kanade resolved the question bubbling in my mind with just one sentence.

Most certainly, that one sentence made me want to ask many more questions, but looking at Asagami’s Mother’s face, pale as if it was the end of the world, I couldn’t push further.

“…So, it was all a scheme, wasn’t it, Kanade-chan? With your father.”

“I told Hina too, but you have to use all the cards you have. It was unexpected for him to try to kill Minato while I was unconscious. I guess we both got what we deserved, in a way.”

Even Rio looked shocked this time. Without paying attention to the surroundings, Kanade’s gaze returned to me.

“Hey, Minato. I have no intention of making excuses or apologizing for what I’ve done. I threatened my father and had my uncle try to kill Rio—all to make you mine and to burden you with the stigma of a murderer. But unfortunately, it seems I’m retiring here.”

At those words, I couldn’t believe my ears for a moment.

“The medical team will be here soon, right? Then, let’s change the scene for now. A loser should act like a loser and tell everything. It’s the least I can do as my final struggle.”