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“Well then, Riran. See you later.”
“Yes. See you, Akito.”
After that, having enjoyed Screaming Land to the fullest, we safely returned to our hometown.
I walked Riran home and was headed back to my own house along the night road when—
“Hm?”
What, a call? At this hour... wait, Neika-san?
“...Hello.”
『Oh, you picked up.』
“Is there something wrong with that? It’s my smartphone.”
『Now, now. So? Did you have fun today?』
Ah, I can tell she’s grinning on the other side of the phone right now.
I can even hear Ryūya’s laughter nearby. Alright, I’m punching that guy next time.
“...Yeah, I had fun. Sorry for making you go along with Riran’s selfishness.”
『Don’t worry about it. This is official business, after all.』
“Business?”
『Huh, you didn’t hear from Rira? The photos you took during the experience will be used in advertisements for a production company managed by the Jūmonji Group.』
“What, I didn’t hear anything about that.”
Suddenly, my phone vibrated against my ear.
Riran: I’m sorry, I forgot to tell you. It seems Neika wants to use today’s photos for a company advertisement. Is that okay?
Post-hoc approval...!
“...I just got a message from Riran.”
『Ahaha~. Rira was so happy she completely forgot. So, what do you think?』
Even if she asks what I think, there’s only one answer.
“I don’t want to be seen by an unspecified number of people. I ref— ”
『Oh, that’s right. Father said that if the production company’s sales go up, he’ll pay a model fee too.』
...Model fee?
“...Out of curiosity, how much?”
『Just between us... (whisper whisper whisper)』
………….
“Hahahaha! Of course, it’s fine! We’re friends, aren’t we?”
『Akky, I don’t hate how you change your tune the moment you hear the amount.』
“No, no, what are you talking about? I’m someone who will be in the Jūmonji Group’s care in the future, and if Riran hadn't asked you, I wouldn't have been able to see her in a wedding dress today. It’s a win-win.”
『Hmm, you’re surprisingly smooth-tongued.』
Now, what could she mean? I intended to agree from the very beginning.
I finished the brief talk with Neika and hung up.
Hmm... with this much money, I could take Riran on a trip.
I want to devote my time to training, so I don’t really feel like working a part-time job.
Well, if the production company’s sales don't go up, the money won't come out either... but with the Dark Scarlet Thread, things will probably work out somehow. ...Maybe!
As expected, I’ve gone to many places this summer.
I need to get serious about my homework soon, so maybe I could use the next long break or something.
...I’m starting to feel hungry. Maybe I’ll stop by the usual ramen shop.
Just as I was about to cut through a large park in the residential area.
“—Hm?”
What? I heard something like a muffled scream... over there?
To investigate, I quietly hid behind the public restroom and peeked out.
“D-D-Don’t move. I-I’ll kill you if you move...!”
“Ugh, hic... ugh, uuuh...”
Wh—a knife...!?
And a man is pinning down a woman...!
The moment I saw that, I remembered when Noa was almost attacked.
With a feeling like my blood was boiling, I instinctively jumped out from the shadows and kicked the man square in the face.
“Hegyo!? Gagh!”
A clean hit. It was a high kick whose power alone had been guaranteed by Riza-san.
Plus, there was secondary damage from hitting the wall.
He won’t be getting up for a while.
After confirming the middle-aged man was unconscious, I used my jacket and shirt to tie the man's arms tightly to the leg of a bench and went over to the woman.
From what I could see, the worst-case scenario hadn't happened. Her clothes were disheveled, but it seemed I had made it just in time.
“Um, are you okay?”
“...Ugh, uuh... uwaaaah...! Uwaaaaaah...!”
She must have been terrified; the woman clung to me and began to wail.
The poor thing. It must have been scary.
While waiting after contacting the police, I rubbed the woman's back to soothe her.
This is more than I can handle alone... alright, I’ll call for backup.
Akito: Riran, can you come to the usual park right now? It’s an emergency.
Riran: Eh? O-Okay.
A few minutes after sending the message to Riran.
“Akito! ...Eh, why are you naked from the waist up? And who is that woman!?”
“C-Calm down, Riran. I didn’t do anything. I just happened to save this person when she was about to be attacked. Sorry, but could you stay by her side for a bit?”
“???? I-I don’t really understand because there's too much information, but... a-alright.”
I stepped away from the trembling woman, and Riran moved to her side.
Just then, two patrol cars stopped outside the park.
As expected of the Japanese police. They're fast to arrive after a report.
“Well then, I’ll go explain the situation, so please look after her.”
“Yes. ...Wait? This person is...”
Hm? What, is she Riran’s acquaintance or something?
Just as I was about to ask—
“Don’t move!”
Eh?
Suddenly, I was surrounded by four police officers holding batons.
“The suspicious person from the report... it’s you!”
“Don’t you move!”
“N-No, wait! It’s not me! It’s that guy! He’s over there!”