Volume 4 - CH 3.4

A rubber ball was flying around the room. Two soccer balls were lying on the floor. Stuffed animals were scattered about. Nanami was glaring at the room, breathing heavily.

When she noticed me, she turned around. “Oh, Odagiri-san. Welcome back,” she said with a smile.

She put the flowerpot she was holding to the side. There was a dull thud.

Yusuke, who had been bracing himself inside, looked relieved.

“I was trying to get rid of the pest, but it wouldn’t leave. Odagiri-san, if they’re bothering you, don’t just stay quiet, and kick them out.”

“Calling people roaches and pests. Sassy little brat.”

Apparently Nanami and Yusuke’s relationship had worsened while I wasn’t looking. They were glaring at each other.

I didn’t have time to stop them, though. They would have to put off this childish fight for later.

“Excuse me, Nanami-san. Can you set that aside for now and listen to what I have to say?”

“Sure thing. What is it?”

“Now wait just a damn second,” Yusuke protested. “I won’t let it end just like that.”

“Yusuke, you too. I could really use your help.”

Yusuke narrowed his eyes. Nanami too looked suspicious. I thought about what to say. With Yusuke, I could just explain things later. But I didn’t know what to say to Nanami. I doubt she would believe me if I told her about the fox and the walking dead.

I took a deep breath. I decided not to explain anything.

“Nanami-san, I have a favor to ask. I’d like to restrain that woman from earlier, the prospective tenant. There’s really important information I need to get out of her. I can’t give you the details, but know that it’s a matter of life and death.”

I had to save Shirayuki.

And if we didn’t settle this soon, the number of victims would keep increasing.

Nanami regarded me gravely. Asking a fifth grader to understand was cruel. Even grownups wouldn’t believe me. But she was strangely silent.

Silently staring at me.

“I apologize for the trouble, but could you please lend me a hand? I will do anything you want in return, if it’s within my power. Please.”

Nanami flashed an innocent smile. “You want my help, Odagiri-san?”

“I do.”

“I don’t know what happened, but a grown man asking a fifth grader for help?”

Her smile widened even more. I’d never seen this expression on her face before. Somehow I felt like I was facing a snake.

“That is correct,” I declared firmly, suppressing the fear.

Nanami fell silent once more. She studied me with grave eyes.

Suddenly she burst into laughter.

“Hehe… Okay, I’ll help. I love honest people.”

Her smile was like a sunflower. Interlacing her fingers, she inclined her head.

“In return, I’ll be asking for your help with all sorts of things. I’ll do my best.”

Yusuke moved behind Nanami. “Ugh. What a costly deal,” he said with half-open eyes. “The interest’s gotta be at least 300 percent.”

Then he started coughing violently, like he’d been punched in the stomach. Nanami clasped her hands again and smiled.

“So what do you want me to do?” she asked. “I’m getting excited.”

She jumped up and down like a child. I told her about the plan I came up with on the fly.

“The lock to my unit is broken. So the landlord’s unit is the best place to keep her. Yusuke and I will head to the first floor. I’ll enter through the front door and Yusuke through the back door. Nanami-san, you take the landlord with you and evacuate.”

“You just incorporated me into the plan without even asking, huh? Not that I mind. I’m bored anyway.”

Yusuke cracked his neck. In that living room, two people would be enough to cut off any escape route. The only thing I was worried about was the old woman who owned the apartments.

Nanami tilted her head once more. “You don’t have to worry about grandma. She went on a hot spring trip with the senior citizens’ association three days ago.”

“Really?”

The old landlord was always holed up in her room. This was my first time hearing about her going out on a hot spring trip.

Nanami nodded with a big smile. “Yup. If you don’t mind, Odagiri-san, I have a suggestion.”

“Wh-What is it?”

Nanami nodded again. She pressed her index finger to her lips and walked away dramatically.

“There’s something you want to ask that woman, right? Then just detaining her won’t be enough.”

She was right. Torturing a woman was out of the question. It would be difficult to tell if she was lying or not.

Then, Nanami gave a smile that touched only her lips.

“I have something that will help.”

The expression on her face, which could hardly be described as innocent, was very similar to Mayuzumi’s.

Behind me, Yusuke let out a sigh.

Nanami sniffed mockingly at him in response.

“I’m back!”

Nanami cheerfully pulled open the door. Aya turned around with a surprised look on her face.

“Ah, Nanami-san. You’re back.”

She sounded slightly annoyed. Nanami arranged her sandals and entered the unit.

Aya cast a bored gaze at the ceiling. “Nanami-san, did you run into Odagiri outside?” she asked.

“I did,” Nanami replied. “He suddenly felt sleepy, so he returned to his room. It looked like he was going to collapse at any moment.”

It would’ve been more natural if she said that I was smoking a cigarette. But somehow Aya didn’t feel suspicious.

“What? No way,” Aya blurted out. “That was too effective. They did say that it depends on the person. There’s barely any point to it now.”

Too effective? Depends on the person?

My brows furrowed. I didn’t quite understand what she was saying.

Nanami cocked her head. “There’s no point in rushing, so how about a cup of tea? I probably should’ve served more before I left, huh?”

“I suppose it’s fine. I’ll head off after a drink, then. Ah, why does everyone have to be so annoying?”

Aya stretched and let out a sigh. Nanami turned to the kitchen. I pulled my head back a little. Yusuke was peeking out of the back door behind me.

“Please stay there, bum,” Nanami said. “Don’t enter my place with your dirty feet.”

“I won’t come in even if you ask me to,” Yusuke spat.

Nanami gave a satisfied smile. She took out a glass of tea. She said she had something that would help, but she had not told me anything about it. She just said to leave things to her.

What was her plan?

“Um, Nanami-san. What’s the pla—”

Right as I was about to ask the question, Nanami took out something from the pocket of her apron. She ripped it open with her teeth and poured the contents into a glass. Next, she poured a small amount of hot water from the pot, stirred it, added a large amount of barley tea and then some ice. Whatever it was melted in an instant.

A pure-white powder.

“What the…” I breathed.

Nanami winked. She didn’t tell me what she did, though.

What the hell was that?

“Sorry to keep you waiting. Watch out, it’s cold.”

Nanami returned to the living room with a smile. She set the glass of barley tea on the table.

“Oh, you put in lots of ice. Thanks.”

Aya tilted the glass and downed it all without hesitation.

“Nice drinking,” Nanami said amusingly with a giggle.

After drinking all of the tea, Aya frowned. She clicked her tongue a few times and cocked her head in puzzlement.

“Huh… Tastes kinda bitter.”

She stood up, baffled. Then her legs tangled. Her eyes were out of focus, as though drunk.

“What is this…”

Her eyes grew wide, and a look of astonishment dawned on her whole face. Aya jumped on Nanami. Startled, I dashed out of the kitchen, but Nanami retreated easily. Aya was down on her knees, shaking her head frantically for some reason.

It looked as if he was trying desperately to stay conscious.

Her gaze darted between me and Nanami.

“You little brat,” she cursed. “You used the drug I gave you…”

What drug?

I looked at Nanami. She still had the same smile.

Aya shot her a hateful glare. “I told you to give it to Odagiri… A look at you, and I knew you were the type to listen to money… How dare you turn on me after receiving your payment…?” she spat out through gritted teeth.

I recalled the words I heard earlier.

Yes… with tea… Hehe… ‘kay…

“Nice drinking.”

“Not that effective, huh? Okay, then.”

Somehow she was convinced that I would kill Mayuzumi. The drug probably degraded the mind.

I turned my gaze to Nanami again. She looked up at me with moist, puppy-dog eyes.

“She did ask me,” she said. “She asked if I wanted to make some extra money. I was too scared to refuse, so I agreed. But there’s no way I would do such a terrible thing to you. I’m sorry for not saying anything.”

Large tears formed in Nanami’s eyes. I gave her a reassuring nod. Thank goodness Aya talked to Nanami about her plan. If she wasn’t such a kind kid, I would’ve been in trouble right now.

“Then give me back… my hundred thousand,” Aya hissed, gnashing her teeth.

Nanami said nothing. I turned to Aya. She exhaled sharply, laughing at herself. She seemed to have given up.

Right before I could ask her about the fox, I heard a low murmur come from behind me.

“No one in their right mind would sell a potential future husband for a hundred thousand. Bring five million at least next time.”

Surprised, I turned around.

Nanami was smiling like an angel.

The sardonic mumbling I heard must’ve been my imagination.