Chapter 146
Kitami Hitoshi's mental state was completely shattered.
He'd never had the awareness that he was just lucky, always feeling that his smooth sailing was partly due to his father's high position and partly due to his own intelligence.
So when so many unexpected incidents beyond his predictions suddenly appeared today, once he panicked, his flaws were completely exposed. Both angry and afraid, he couldn't even speak.
But how considerate Usuha Izuki was—after waiting a few seconds and hearing only heavy breathing from Kitami Hitoshi's side, he proactively asked.
"So do you still want to kill Samukawa Shinryu or not? Or do you have other commissions? I can try anything."
Honestly, receiving Kitami Hitoshi's contact was quite unexpected for Usuha Izuki too.
He'd thought that with the identity he used in the organization, after meeting Kitami Hitoshi just that once, there wouldn't be any further interaction. After all, Kitami Hitoshi was too busy with his own troubles now—where would he get the energy to deal with a yakuza person he'd only met once? At least he should wait until this case ended and he was sure it couldn't be traced to him, right?
But somehow Kitami Hitoshi's brain worked in a way that he actually sent an email asking if he accepted murder commissions...
No joke—that email address of his was frequented only by distinguished figures in the organization. Suddenly someone sent him such an amateurish email... anyone could figure out who it was with their toes. Did he really think changing email addresses would prevent recognition?!
And what third-rate manga artist—with a little thought, anyone would know who Kitami Hitoshi most wanted to kill right now was definitely Samukawa Shinryu!
Asking Usuha Izuki to kill his own mask—this program effect had both Usuha Izuki and the system laughing.
He wanted to see just how brain-dead Kitami Hitoshi could get, whether he'd really commission him to kill Samukawa Shinryu.
Facts proved that people who go down one path to the end were in the minority. Kitami Hitoshi clenched his fists hard, barely managing to calm himself down, not making more impulsive decisions, forcing himself to say:
"No, I told you it was just a sting operation."
Although everyone knew the truth, some things still couldn't be admitted verbally.
Usuha Izuki was very tolerant: "Alright, let's say you were conducting a sting operation... Now that your sting operation failed, should I hang up?"
"Wait!" Kitami Hitoshi quickly stopped him, then stammered: "Um, if you're an information broker, do you sell all kinds of intelligence?"
"If the price is right... But I'm not a black-hearted merchant, so I can buy out some intelligence and guarantee not to tell anyone."
Kitami Hitoshi sighed in relief: "Good, then I want to buy out all intelligence related to me and 'Strawberry Night,' hoping you won't tell anyone else."
"That's possible, but Samukawa Shinryu already knows."
"I'll talk to him." Kitami Hitoshi gritted his teeth. "Have you told anyone else?"
"No. You want to buy it out? Considering the information originally came from you and someone already knows, give me this amount and I won't tell others."
After speaking, Usuha Izuki quoted a number.
Hearing it, Kitami Hitoshi internally screamed "profiteer!"
This was robbery, making disaster money! Such easy earnings! Easier than his father's embezzlement and bribery!
But everyone knew disaster money could be made because someone had no choice but to accept. Kitami Hitoshi was in exactly this situation.
Gritting his teeth, he agreed: "Fine, I'll add twenty percent more. In exchange, if you have any intelligence you think I need, tell me promptly—intelligence fees separate... But I'm overwhelmed now, so I'll pay after handling my situation. Anyway, you have leverage on me now, so you're not afraid I won't pay, right?"
After all, Kitami Hitoshi had some cunning, knowing that if he paid this money and the other party didn't keep their word, he'd have no recourse. But if he kept the money in his hands, the other party would pay more attention to get the reward.
Maybe they'd even secretly help ensure his safe escape—otherwise they couldn't get the money, right?
Kitami Hitoshi felt this wave of exploiting human greed was brilliant and believed things would go as he wished this time.
"Talking with smart people is refreshing. Don't worry, I always accomplish what I promise, or else my business reputation would be ruined." Usuha Izuki consoled him. "Then I'll wait for your triumphant return. I'll keep following the case progress—good luck! Don't let Samukawa Shinryu kill you!"
After saying this, he hung up and turned to complain to the system: [Still trying to be clever with me. Doesn't he think that only he and I know about this transaction? If he dies, who could ruin my reputation... Oh right, I don't even work in the information broker circle, so it'd be even less of a problem, right?]
System: [You're so black-hearted... Was anything you said true?]
[How can you say that? I only told a few white lies about small details like how many people I gave that email to, to prevent him from panicking thinking I was monitoring him. Did I lie about anything else? Didn't Samukawa Shinryu's intelligence come from my side? Don't I genuinely appreciate him giving me that website? Even when he lied about it being a sting operation, I was kind enough not to expose him. There's no one more considerate than me in this world!]
The system had to interrupt Usuha Izuki's self-praise to remind him: [You told him that if the price was right, everything could be discussed, but you clearly have no intention of keeping your promise.]
Forget sparing Kitami Hitoshi—this attitude looked like he wouldn't even let the matter drag overnight!
Usuha Izuki was really working hard to avoid overtime.
[But I didn't lie—I said if the price was right. Has his price been right? He said he'd pay after everything ended! So the transaction hasn't even started!]
System was greatly shocked: [I see, it can work that way.]
No wonder it couldn't earn points! It was far behind in these shameless deception techniques... especially Usuha Izuki's thickness of face—it needed to learn properly.
Unlike the relaxed atmosphere on Usuha Izuki's side, after hanging up, Kitami Hitoshi's mood remained heavy, but he still had to force himself to clear email and call traces, even breaking the phone card and flushing it down the toilet.
Samukawa Shinryu really knew everything! Now he was just like a cat toying with a mouse, watching him struggle desperately or hopefully thinking he could escape, then delivering the final blow...
For someone with a nasty personality who liked pursuing thrills and appreciating scenery usually unseen, this operation was too normal. If he were Samukawa Shinryu, he'd do the same.
However, now he had one advantage over Samukawa Shinryu—Samukawa Shinryu didn't know he actually knew everything, thinking he was still in the dark, so he'd let his guard down.
People who never failed were like this, unable to control their contempt for others, especially when thinking everything was under their control... He was like this, and Samukawa Shinryu would be no exception.
If so, maybe he could exploit this...
Kitami Hitoshi anxiously considered whether Samukawa Shinryu had any weaknesses he could exploit—he didn't even dare tell his father, because when he'd played too wildly before, his father had warned him not to cause big trouble, and he'd confidently said he could handle it... Even his father didn't know he'd now escalated to serial murder level.
If he could only solve it himself... If Samukawa Shinryu's purpose was to toy with him, then there might be opportunities to interact next...
Kitami Hitoshi returned to the conference room deep in thought. Upon entering, he sensed something wrong—somehow many fewer people were in the conference room. Looking more carefully, he found Samukawa Shinryu had already returned and was talking with Inspector Megure.
Good lord, the others must have all found excuses to escape!
Kitami Hitoshi didn't know what they'd just discussed, but walking a few steps over, he saw Inspector Megure nodding seriously with a grave expression, then scanning the conference room: "The local police station people all seem to be out..."
Kitami Hitoshi's heart immediately jumped.
"Isn't that one right there?" Samukawa Shinryu pointed at Kitami Hitoshi.
Here it comes! Here it comes!! Coming straight for him!!!
At this moment, amid his fear, Kitami Hitoshi actually felt a trace of pride—see, they only differed in information gaps. Once his intelligence caught up, Samukawa Shinryu's actions were exactly as he predicted!
He really was smart after all. Samukawa Shinryu now lacked a crucial piece of information and couldn't beat him!
Since Inspector Megure's expression showed no abnormality, Kitami Hitoshi knew Samukawa Shinryu probably hadn't told anyone he was the culprit. So in his excitement, he boldly approached: "What's the matter, Inspector?"
"Samukawa says there are several suspicious locations and wants to find someone from the local station familiar with the area to investigate together."
Inspector Megure asked: "Are you willing? Just you two—his partner is busy with other things..."
Got it—he wanted to be alone with him, then toy with him and negotiate terms.
Kitami Hitoshi thought: Who wants to negotiate with you? You're asking for death. Just wait and see who laughs last!
So he put on a highly deceptive smile and responded: "Of course, as long as it helps solve the case, I'm very willing!"
As long as he dealt with Samukawa Shinryu, this case would become unsolved and he could return to safety.
Kitami Hitoshi cursed viciously in his heart—Samukawa Shinryu must be silenced completely tonight, or he'd be the one to die!
A comeback against the odds—he would reach another peak in life!