The customers scattered in a panic, alarm written across every face.
The noodle shop suddenly felt much emptier.
A bouquet sat abandoned on the table. Its owner no longer wanted it.
Tetsuhiro gradually came back to his senses. "You all saw that, right? That's Hiroshi Kogure's true nature. That last remark laid bare just how vile he is."
"But I still let him go."
Kawada asked darkly, "Why?"
Kintaro looked puzzled. "Was it because of what I said earlier?"
"Not entirely. Mostly, it was for the shop manager's family."
"Us?" The shop manager and his wife were surprised.
"Yes. Since you won't face it yourselves, I'll just have to play the villain."
The elderly shop manager hastily urged him, "Don't fight anymore. Breaking the law is wrong."
"I won't strike first. Kintaro, this time we'll need your luck."
Kintaro pointed at himself in disbelief. "Me? My luck?"
"You don't want anything else to happen to the shop manager's family, do you?"
"Of course not!" Kintaro's expression turned serious, instantly making him look more handsome.
"I have a task for you."
"Please, tell me."
"You remember Hiroshi Kogure's face and his car, right?"
"I never forget anything I see."
"My investigation found that he actually has a girlfriend."
"Huh? No way!"
"Nonsense. You're making things up again."
Tetsuhiro pressed his hands downward, signaling them to stop. "Whether you believe me or not, that's the truth. Kintaro, you don't need to go out of your way. Just spend more time wandering around the Red-Light District and the busy streets, and go take some baths. You're bound to run into him."
"I'll run into Kogure? I happen to know a cheap bathhouse. This is a good chance to try it."
"I call this plan 'Making the villain reveal his true colors!'"
"But isn't