JSWGAS Chapter 14

Chapter 14

14. (Warning: Sensitive Content)

Ibuki told Kokonoe Sumiko where and when she had seen Kokonoe Hikohito. On the way back, Mrs. Oikawa also noticed Sumiko’s anxiety, but she refused to open her mouth, only saying that she was a little tired.

That night, while cooking, her mind was filled with all sorts of unsettling guesses, and she accidentally put in too much salt. Taka didn’t blame her; instead, he came to ask if she hadn’t been resting well lately or if she was in a bad mood. How could Sumiko tell him her suspicions?

Just looking into Taka’s eyes filled her with overwhelming shame.

After a sleepless night, Kokonoe Sumiko decided to get to the bottom of this.

The next morning, she went to a detective agency and asked them to secretly investigate whether Kokonoe Hikohito was having an affair. Only a day later, they called, asking her to come over.

Sumiko’s unease solidified when the person at the agency placed a file in front of her.

Opening the black cover, two color photos came into view. The photos seemed to be taken in Shinjuku; Sumiko recognized the bustling commercial buildings and the people walking in the plaza.

Light brown hair, a stylish and relaxed casual outfit, a handsome face tilted downwards, and those red eyes she loved so deeply, filled with a smile and affectionately gazing at a young woman who was a head shorter than him.

“Her name is Takano Koto,” Sumiko said blankly, handing the investigation report to Sakagami Mai, “She is a flutist in a musical theater company.”

Sumiko lowered her head and glimpsed Sakagami Mai flipping through the documents, revealing the woman’s happy smile in the photo. She had seen this face before; Takano Koto was a popular musician in Ibuki’s theater company. She and Mrs. Oikawa had seen her music pieces at the classical concert the other day.

Ibuki was able to meet Kokonoe Hikohito because Takano Koto invited him to see her performance.

“They have been dating for a year,” Sumiko groaned in pain, “Just yesterday… they even went in and out of Takano’s apartment together.”

Sumiko didn’t want to say anymore.

Sakagami Mai quickly read through the investigation report. The latest photo was dated September 29th, 8 PM. The tall man rolled down the car window and shared a goodnight kiss with the woman outside the window.

She said calmly, “I understand, Ms. Sumiko. I will help you divorce Mr. Kokonoe Hikohito and also file for financial compensation for you…”

……

…………

After Sakagami Mai said goodbye, Kokonoe Sumiko leaned wearily on the sofa. The investigation report on the table was particularly glaring. She was so tired; her vision was blurred. The dual exhaustion of her mind and body quickly made her close her eyes and fall into a daze.

She was awakened by the sound of the door opening in the entryway. The living room was dark. Using the faint light coming from the entryway, she saw that the clock showed half past seven in the evening.

“Taka? Are you back?”

Perhaps because she had been exposed to the cold wind, Kokonoe Sumiko’s voice was a little hoarse.

She rubbed her eyes, wondering why Kokonoe Taka, who wasn’t supposed to be back for dinner, had returned. She was also annoyed that when he saw she hadn’t made dinner, he would surely worry again.

Kokonoe Sumiko sat up from the sofa and inadvertently saw the photos carelessly placed on the table—crap, she couldn’t let Taka see this!

She hurriedly gathered the photos. Then a strange footstep came from the entryway. It was heavy and slow, while Kokonoe Taka walked lightly and quickly.

Her heart suddenly sped up. It wasn’t Taka. She realized this fact with a jolt. Her limbs stiffened first, then she immediately wanted to run.

The footsteps grew closer and closer. Kokonoe Sumiko stood up with a start, her shin hitting the table leg, causing her to stagger. She quickly reached out to hold the table to steady herself and accidentally knocked the investigation report to the ground.

As she bent down to pick up the documents, the unwelcome guest’s footsteps drew even closer. Kokonoe Sumiko didn’t care about the documents. She grabbed the vase on the table, using the sofa to help herself stand, trembling, and aimed it in the direction of the approaching person.

Thump, thump. Her heart pounded rapidly, deafeningly.

Snap, suddenly the lights turned on. She didn’t understand how the uninvited guest knew the location of the light switch in her house so accurately. Her eyes were squinted from the white light, leaving only a narrow slit in her vision. A dark figure lengthened in her pupils. The vase in her hand was cold, and because of the hasty grab, baking soda water had spilled all over the floor. The flower branches that had been in the vase were also lying on the ground.

Then, she took half a step back, frantically guessing the identity of the visitor, from robber to pickpocket, her mind in a whirl, until only a blank of fear remained.

“…Sumiko.”

Kokonoe Hikohito kept the posture of reaching his left hand to press the switch, facing his wife. One pair of eyes was filled with incomprehension and shock, the other with fear and confusion.

“…”

Kokonoe Sumiko didn’t speak; she hadn’t recovered from the shock. But when Kokonoe Hikohito frowned and took another step closer, she subconsciously took a step back. Although her hands were still shaking, she held the vase firmly, using it as a weapon to protect herself.

“Don’t come over,” Kokonoe Sumiko swallowed, her voice unsteady.

Kokonoe Hikohito stared darkly at the vase in her hand: “…Who do you think I am? A burglar?”

He tried his best to calm down, asking in a cold voice, “Where is Taka?”

Kokonoe Sumiko paused slightly. The first thing her long-absent husband did when he came home was to ask where his son was. Coupled with his frightening expression, it was difficult for her to associate it with anything good.

She instantly calmed down: “What do you want with him?”

“He’s my son. Can’t I even ask where he is?!” Kokonoe Hikohito’s face was red and white. He took a step forward; Kokonoe Sumiko took a step backward.

“How did I not realize you were such a jerk before!” Kokonoe Sumiko said coldly—but if you listened carefully, you could still hear her voice trembling slightly, “Why do you still have the face to appear in front of me? Why do you still have the face to mention Taka?”

She questioned, “Have you ever cared about how he’s doing at school? Have you ever been there when he was sick?! Are you not ashamed of making a child serve your dreams?!”

“Isn’t it all for his own good!” Kokonoe Hikohito shouted back in an even louder voice. He gasped for breath, his face flushed red.

“If I don’t educate him properly when he’s young, do you want my son to grow up to be scum of society?!”

“Incomprehensible! He can become an outstanding adult without you!” Kokonoe Sumiko retorted angrily. The sudden anger and courage even made her take a step forward, her back straight.

“What right do you, a woman I support, have to criticize me!”

Kokonoe Hikohito was furious and rushed over to grab his wife. Sumiko screamed and retreated, frantically grabbing anything nearby to throw at him, trying to stop him.

He sneered, staring intently at her. The pillow she threw hit his arm; the cup flew straight towards his head, but he dodged it by tilting his head; the adorable chick in an eggshell ornament landed at his feet… Various odds and ends only delayed him for a moment.

Kokonoe Sumiko screamed for help, but he pinned her on the sofa. Her originally tidy clothes were rumpled, her face was covered in tears and snot, embarrassed and struggling like a dying fish, unable to escape from the man’s forceful restraint.

Kokonoe Hikohito pressed her soft body down. He was even intoxicated by her mild resistance.

What did he take her for?

His possession!