Chapter 25: A Brewing Confrontation (1)

[Yoshida Kana's POV]

Ueno-kun called me right after the movie ended.

"What's up?" I asked, feeling a bit irritated since he had canceled our date earlier, claiming he was dealing with some people who had crossed him.

[I've sent you a photo of those two who messed with me. If you see them, let me know.]

I paused. Why was he asking for this now when I was trying to have a good time? "I'm kinda busy at the moment."

He replied, [I'm gathering my guys to hunt down those assholes, so I'm pretty busy too. I don't think you're as occupied as you claim, so I'm asking for your help to have more people searching.]

"Huh? I'm not one of your lackeys, you know? I'm your girlfriend. Aren't you supposed to cherish your girlfriend? So why are you giving me orders?" I retorted, not appreciating his tone.

[I'm giving you orders precisely because you're my girlfriend!]

Ueno-kun's voice blasted through the phone, causing me to quickly lower the volume before returning it to my ear.

"What the hell does that even mean?" I shot back.

[Exactly what I said. Even if you're not my lackey, you're still my girlfriend. You're my woman. That means you're my property.]

My irritation flared. "What? I belong to no one, not even you, Ueno-kun!"

I was growing fed up with him. I didn't even like this guy. The only reason I went out with him was to capitalize on his reputation at our school. Essentially, I was using him to boost my own standing. Even after all this time together, I still hadn't fallen for him. If anything, my dislike for him had grown stronger. Now, what he was saying only fueled my hatred even more.

[If you won't follow my orders, I'll send those photos you sent me to any of my guys and have them spread them. You wouldn't want those pictures to get leaked, would you?]

I was just about to hang up the phone when he dropped that threat.

"You still haven't deleted those? I told you to only look at them for a minute and then delete them, didn't I?"

[You're so naive if you think I'd delete something as delicious as those after just a quick look. Did you ever consider that I could use them as leverage against you?]

"Why?! You promised you'd delete them, didn't you?!"

[Did you really think I'd do that? You're quite naive, Kana.] he chuckled. I clenched my phone tightly.

"What do you want me to do?" I reluctantly asked.

[Oh? You're going to take my orders now? That's quite a wise choice. Just as expected from a woman like you.] His tone was dripping with sarcasm, mocking me for my naivety. He was right. I had been foolish to think he would delete those photos I'd sent him after a mere minute.

My phone buzzed with a message from him. I opened it and found a picture attached. The photo featured a blonde-haired woman with her arms wrapped around the arm of a black-haired guy. Even without Ueno-kun saying anything, I knew they were a couple.

The message accompanying the photo read: "Find them and call me when you do."

I felt a sinking feeling in my stomach. What had I gotten myself into now?

[If you ever double-cross me, Kana, I'll release those pictures. Keep that in mind, okay?] his message warned.

"If I find them, will you delete those pictures?" I asked, hoping for a shred of decency from him.

[I'll think about it,] he replied and promptly ended the call. Despite his vague response, I knew deep down he had no intention of deleting those photos. He'd use them as leverage to keep me under his control.

"Kana-chan? What's wrong?" Youko asked, with Yuzuha standing next to her.

"Could you girls help me?" I pleaded.

"With what?" Yuzuha inquired.

I sent each of them a message, "Help me find them."

Desperation was gnawing at me, and I hoped my friends could assist in this mess.

"Who are these?" Youko asked, her face a mix of confusion and curiosity as she examined the picture. They were strangers to both of us, so I assumed they must have attended a different school. If they were from our school, I would have definitely known them. The couple looked incredibly stylish, and even I had to admit the woman had great fashion sense. The man was no slouch in the looks department either, arguably more attractive than Ueno-kun.

"I don't know them, but they're the ones who messed with Ueno-kun. Now he wants me to find them for him. If I don't find them..."

My unspoken fear was that he'd share those embarrassing pictures of me in our school.

"Anyway, can you girls help me out with this?" I pleaded once more.

"I'm not sure about the details, but I'll help," Youko agreed.

I turned to Yuzuha, expecting her to offer her assistance as well. However, she seemed strangely fixated on the pictures, her eyes locked onto them without a word.

Something seemed off with Yuzuha. Normally, she would be the first to offer her help, even before Youko. I couldn't help but wonder what was bothering her.

"Yuzuha?" I called her name, hoping to get her attention. Finally, she looked up.

"Uh, yeah. I'll help too," she replied, though her response seemed somewhat distracted.

I was relieved that she agreed to help. Now the three of us were on board to tackle this situation together. I was grateful to have Youko and Yuzuha with me.

"Um, Kana-chan, I don't think we need to search for them," Youko spoke up.

Yuzuha looked at Youko with a surprised expression, and Youko pointed towards something. Both Yuzuha and I followed her gaze.

"No..." Yuzuha mumbled, but her words were barely audible to me as my attention was fully captured by the two individuals right in front of us.

Youko had pointed to the very same couple from the photo sent by Ueno-kun. They were standing at an ice cream stall, chatting happily while waiting for their orders.

I immediately reached for my phone to call Ueno-kun, but Yuzuha stopped me.

"W-Wait, Kana," she urged.