The idea of taking advantage of the wealthy Yasuo family and their resemblance to Miki intrigued her back then.

It could be the opportunity she had been searching for, a chance to turn her life around and regain the wealth and status she had always desired. Mrs Saeki's mind raced as she considered the possibilities. She was desperate, she seriously want out of this bloody city. Not to mention, she is sick and tired of being debt-ridden, the violence of this city, as well as the road filled with unhappiness that had kept on going throughout the years.

It was either do or die.

And Itsuki Saeki is done with the idea of dying poor. And her useless daughter is doing nothing to help with their situation.

Long story short, Mrs Saeki decided to seize the opportunity presented before her by slipping drugs into their drink. She saw it as a chance to escape her current life and secure a future of wealth and comfort. The allure of financial stability and social status overwhelmed her, driving her to make a drastic decision.

Before long, the rest was history.

But it wasn't without setbacks. After that night, Miss Saeki underestimate how righteous Miki was, willingly surrendering himself to the police station, even though he didn't slip the drug in Miss Jun's drink, but it was Mrs Itsuki herself who did that.

Mrs Saeki watched as the events unfolded, her heart pounding with anticipation and anxiety. She had taken a risk, and now she had to face the consequences of her actions. Miki, the unsuspecting victim, turned himself in to the police, taking the blame for Mrs Saeki's actions. It was a setback she hadn't anticipated, but it didn't deter her.

With Miki in custody, Mrs Saeki saw an opportunity falling apart at the seams.

But then, she stumbled upon a secret from the Yasuo family, one would call it the ultimate game changer.

....................................

Yasuo Shizuku was a woman of a prestigious background.

And like any other children of such backgrounds, they are conceding, constantly looking down on others. In a way, if Saeki were to summarize what sort of person is she, with her stunning looks and elegant demeanour, she was also someone who exuded confidence and superiority.

Back in high school, despite not being a victim of the Yasuo matriarch's bullying herself, she had a dark side that surpassed the mischievous acts of the troublemakers at their school. Mrs Saeki had witnessed firsthand the extent of Shizuku's cruelty that the things she did were so cruel, it was enough to make the acts of troublemakers within their school look like mere child's play.

Shizuku took pleasure in asserting her dominance over others, using her charm and position to manipulate those around her. Her stunning looks and elegant demeanour only added to her allure, making it easier for her to prey on the insecurities of those she deemed beneath her. It was a game of power and control for her, and she revelled in every moment of it.

And many teenagers Shizuku knew back then had been on the receiving end of Shizuku's cruel actions more than once. Whether it was spreading vicious rumours, orchestrating humiliating pranks, or belittling others with her cutting words, Shizuku knew how to inflict emotional pain with precision. She had an uncanny ability to sniff out weakness and exploit it for her own entertainment.

So it wasn't that much surprising to Saeki that when Miki was in prison, Shizuku used her husband's influence to the situation in her favour. As much as Saeki found it odd, since at that time, the press address him as the adopted son of the Yasuo family, it was hard to ignore the striking resemblance to the patriarch for Saeki.

Also, the way Mrs Yasuo responded to the press when ask about her adopted son possibly slipping drugs to Jun, as much as she proclaims to defend Miki and that he would never do that sort of thing, Saeki could tell that she was very indifferent and cold about Miki.

At first, Saeki didn't think much back then, Mrs Yasuo after all did lose her biological son, Tatsuo, when he was around 9 in a drowning accident at the lake in their residence. And Miki is adopted after all. But....what are the odds that Miki, a son the Yasuo family adopted....strikingly resembles Shizuku's husband?

It became apparent to Mrs Saeki that there was more to Miki's adoption than met the eye. The puzzle pieces started to fall into place, and a shocking revelation began to emerge. Miki, the illegitimate son of a mistress, shared a striking resemblance to Shizuku's husband because he was, in fact, his biological son.

The pieces of the puzzle started to connect, and a sinister plan began to take shape in Mrs Saeki's mind. It appeared that Shizuku's husband had fathered Miki with his mistress, and to protect his reputation and the family's image, Miki was given up for adoption. The Yasuo family had concealed the truth, presenting Miki as an adopted son, when in reality, he was blood-related to that cheating scumbag husband of Shizuku.

It was then, the realization of this dark secret opened up a world of possibilities for Mrs Saeki. She saw an opportunity to expose the Yasuo family's hypocrisy and bring down their carefully constructed facade.

Or better, this is too good of blackmailing material to pass it on.

With this revelation, she could unravel the threads of power and control that Shizuku and her family held over others. Armed with this newfound knowledge, Mrs Saeki started to plot her next move.

....................................

Now to blackmail someone like Shizuku is not as straightforward as it sounds.

In a lot of dramas, the rich family normally pay off and then the problem is solved. But Mrs Saeki didn't want that. No, that would be too cheap.

Saeki had gathered evidence, including the results of a secret DNA test that proved Miki's biological connection to Shizuku's husband. With this leverage in her possession, she doesn't see this as a way to secure a steady flow of financial support rather than a one-time payoff.

In a way, Miki isn't related to Miss Shizuku after all. She knew that simply exposing the truth, could backfire on her opportunity for a long-term settlement. After all, no married woman would even bother attempting to save the son she gets through infidelity and would let him die easily in prison. Even if her husband pressure Shizuku, judging both of their personalities, there is a limit to how far Shizuku will allow her husband to do things as he pleases.

To achieve her goal, Saeki must carefully strategize her approach. Another blackmailing material way worst than this would achieve her dreams.

With the evidence of Miki's true parentage as her foundation, Mrs Saeki began to dig deeper into the dark secrets of the Yasuo family. There was a series of illegal activities, including money laundering and connections to organized crime. Good enough, but she felt like it can do better than this. She wanted a trump card that would make Shizuku and her family completely vulnerable to her demands. Enough to secure a marriage, but not to the point that Shizuku would abandon Miki. Saeki needs Miki since she is his valuable pawn, the ticket to enter rich society.

As she delved deeper into her investigation, Mrs Saeki stumbled upon one trump card, unexpectedly in her daughter's bedroom.

After the expedition incident took place, Kichiro's belongings when he was there at that time were in her daughter's bedroom, since it was clear that Jun hadn't moved on from him. One of the keychains apparently had a childhood photo of Kichiro, which oddly for some reason reminded Saeki of a family member she knows of living not far from here. A family of scammers.

And one of them had a face similar to Kichiro's.

She recalled meeting this man once during one of the community gatherings in Lazy City, everyone was drunk, and he blurted out on scheming his way into becoming an expectant dad by impregnating an heiress while drunk. Back then, everyone assumed he was joking. His mother was working for the Yasuo family at that time, so he probably assumed he had access to the heiress through his mother.

But then, as soon as the scammer committed suicide, when everyone assumed it was due to the debts he couldn't pay, she realized why Kichiro's childhood photo felt familiar. The realization hit Mrs Saeki like a bolt of lightning. Kichiro, the man who had been involved with her daughter Jun and tragically died thanks to Miki, shared a striking resemblance to a deceased scammer she had encountered in the past.

Or in other words, the deceased scammer and Yasuo Shizuku....could it be...that they were seeing each other secretly before Shizuku married her current husband?!

Suddenly, this possibility opened up a whole new realm of possibilities for Mrs Saeki. If she could prove the existence of this secret relationship, it would add another layer of complexity to her plan to blackmail Shizuku and the Yasuo family.

With this newfound information, Mrs Saeki realized that she had stumbled upon a goldmine of blackmail material. She envisioned a scenario where she could use this secret relationship as leverage against Shizuku and her husband. She just needs to do a DNA test between Kichiro and the deceased scammer.

But there was a problem....no one had discovered Kichiro's corpse, so how?

Mrs Saeki was faced with a challenge. If she wanted to prove the connection between Kichiro and the deceased scammer, she needed to find Kichiro's body. But it ain't possible, since it happened overseas. And to top it off, the weather condition it is so bad at the cliff where he died, a body search isn't possible and it is kinda too late. The incident took place a week ago after all.

So searching for his corpse is out of the cards for her, if she could look for Kichiro's comb, or even a toothbrush, that will do.

Intrigued by the connection between the photo on the keychain, Mrs Saeki couldn't ignore the coincidence. She had to investigate further.

With determination and a careful approach, Mrs Saeki set out to find the missing pieces that would solidify her position and strengthen her blackmail against the Yasuo family. She knew that time was of the essence, as the longer she waited, the chances of her leaving this damn city grows dimmer.

....................................

Finally, her suspicions were right all along: Yasuo Tatsuo, the heir who allegedly died in a drowning incident, was none other than Kichiro.

Mrs Saeki's mind raced as she connected the dots. This was it, the mother of all jackpots.

Not only did she have evidence of Miki's true parentage, but now she had the knowledge of Shizuku's deception and her connection to Kichiro. It was a powerful trump card that could expose the Yasuo family's darkest secrets.

Fast forward years later, and the rest is history. Mrs Saeki's family became wealthy, and Jun is married to Miki thanks to Saeki's manipulations. Suddenly, Mrs Saeki snapped back to the present, her thoughts interrupted by the sound of her own bitter laughter.

Mrs. Saeki reclines on the chaise longue, her eyes gleaming with a mixture of satisfaction and arrogance. She takes a sip of her expensive champagne, relishing in the taste as she contemplates her next move. Jun's depression and resentment only fueled Mrs. Saeki's desire for control and dominance.

Oh, her late husband's shoestore is still in debt even though she has the money now, thanks to years of poor business decisions, as well as an overly extravagant lifestyle involving lavish parties, luxury vacations, and indulgent shopping sprees. But it didn't stop her. Even when Jun grew more and more depressed with her marriage to Miki, after learning that her mother intentionally slipped aphrodisiac drugs into their drink a week while grieving for Kichiro's death, Saeki always told her off that she should've been grateful.

"Jun, darling, we need to talk," Mrs. Saeki says in a condescending tone, her voice dripping with disdain.

Jun looks up at her mother, her eyes filled with a mix of resentment and pain. "What is it now, Mother? Have you come to remind me once again of the choices you made for us?"

Mrs. Saeki's lips curl into a cold smile as she saunters closer, her revealing gown accentuating her alluring figure. "Oh, Jun, don't be so ungrateful. Look at what I've given you. Wealth, status, a husband who can provide for you."

Jun's voice quivers with suppressed rage. "You call this a gift? You drugged me, your own daughter, and forced me into a marriage I never wanted. And for what? To escape your own guilt? To satisfy your insatiable greed? I lost a fiance there! You made me marry the man who cut the rope of the man that I love!"

"How dare you speak to me like that, Jun! I did what I had to do for us. You should be grateful for the life I've provided. You almost married Kichiro, who belonged to a family of scammers!"

Her daughter's eyes flash with anger as she rises from her seat, her delicate fists clenched tightly. The room seems to tremble with the intensity of their confrontation.

"Scammers?" Jun scoffs, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "And what do you call yourself, Mother? You manipulated our lives, and played with our emotions, all for your own selfish gain. You used me as a pawn in your twisted game, all while pretending it was for my benefit. You are doing the exact same thing as you did with Tousan when he was alive!"

"So what? Do you expect me to let you ruin yourself further had I not done a thing?" Mrs. Saeki's eyes narrow, her voice laced with venom while reminding her. "Your father....between him and I, he always sided 'that woman'! That useless grandmother who always interferes in everything we do! And because your father was too much of a coward to tell her off about not cutting down the among of allowance he could've used for her instead of that ugly hag, who is the one who had to pay towards the very end? Me and you! I did something that not even your incompetent father could do!"

The young woman's face contorts with a mixture of anger and hurt. The truth of her mother's manipulations cuts deep, exposing the wounds she had been nursing for far too long.

Jun's voice resonates with a mixture of defiance and anguish. "And how is this any different from what I am dealing with now!? Miki's mom...she keeps telling everyone that I am a daughter of opportunists!"

A glimmer of remorse flickers in Mrs. Saeki's eyes, but it quickly vanishes, replaced by a cold resolve. "So what? Words are just words. We must do whatever it takes to survive, even if it means sacrificing our own happiness."

The younger woman's fists tremble with anger as she struggles to contain the storm of emotions swirling within her. The room feels suffocating, the air thick with tension.

"Survive?" Jun's voice quivers with a mix of defiance and desperation. "Is that all you care about, Mother? Survival at any cost? What about love? What about happiness? Is it all just a game to you?"

"Then let me ask you something," Saeki confronts her, "When Kichiro was alive when I set you up to those wealthy suitors despite you being in a relationship...why had you not told him any of this back then?"

Jun's eyes widen in disbelief at her mother's audacity, her heart aching with the weight of her mother's manipulation. She takes a step back, her voice trembling with a mix of pain and anger.

"You... You expect me to have revealed your deceit to Kichiro? How can I!? If I did...Kichiro would cut ties with me."

"No, I don't see him that way," Mrs Saeki scoffs, her expression dismissive. "Abandon you? You are too good, he doesn't deserve you. Do you know the real reason why you never did? It's because you were weighing those suitors I introduce to you as options, Jun. You didn't want to risk losing him, cause he too was an option in case those suitors dislike you. I can't belive you would dare to talk about all of this, how much of a coward are you."

The young woman's breath catches in her throat, her eyes welling up with tears. The pain of her mother's words cuts deeper than any blade, exposing her vulnerability and her own insecurities. She stumbles backwards, seeking support from the nearest piece of furniture, her body trembling with a mixture of rage and sorrow.

"You... You're wrong," she whispers, her voice barely audible. "I loved Kichiro with all my heart. I never saw him as just an option. But you... you made it impossible for me to choose freely. You took away my right to make my own decisions."

"No, had you been as equally competent as me, I wouldn't have resorted to this," The elder woman scoffed at her naive daughter coldly, "Jun, don't delude yourself. You were always the one who sought security above all else. It's in your blood. Just like me."

The words hang heavy in the air, a bitter reminder of the tangled web of manipulation and control that has ensnared them both. Jun's shoulders slump as she battles against the weight of her mother's accusations, her heart torn between love and resentment.

"Don't argue anymore, Jun. Go to the event tonight with Miki. If only you were not born as incompetent as your father."

As the elderly woman left her, Jun was left with tears staining her delicate cheeks, collapsing onto the floor, overcome with a mixture of despair and anger. She feels trapped in a world of her mother's making, suffocating under the weight of her expectations and manipulations.

....................................

As the years pass, Itsuki Saeki's greed and thirst for a luxurious lifestyle remain unquenchable. Despite the looming debts of her late husband's shoe store, she finds new and creative ways to sustain her extravagant lifestyle. One of her prime targets for financial exploitation is Yasuo Shizuku.

Armed with the knowledge of Shizuku's secret affair and Miki's illegitimate birth, Saeki wields this information like a weapon. She happily uses it to manipulate Shizuku, extorting money from her as if she were an unlimited ATM machine. It was fun to take advantage of Shizuku's fear of her secret being exposed, ensuring a steady flow of funds into her own pockets, after all, she had no issues tormenting other teens growing up, so Saeki doesn't feel bad about it one bit.

With each transaction, Saeki becomes more emboldened, pushing the limits of the matriarch's patience and resources. Soon, Saeki's insatiable appetite for wealth and status drives her to push the boundaries further, knowing that the matriarch's fear of public humiliation keeps her complaint. Meanwhile, the debts of the shoe store continue to pile up, casting a shadow over Jun and Miki's lives. Itsuki, however, remains indifferent to their struggles, too consumed by her own desires to offer any assistance or support. The strain on Jun and Miki's marriage intensifies as the weight of the financial burden takes its toll.

Then finally, the unexpected happened. Jun demanded a share of the money to open a camping activity centre on some unknown island.

Or rather, it was Miki himself who appeared, but Jun told him to.

Now this demand takes her mother by surprise, as Saeki had never expected her daughter to go to the wilderness of all places. The last time she did was during an expedition 12 years ago, but Kichiro's death made her deter from it. For her to finally want to do it, not to mention, she had Miki's support...it felt strange.

Now Miki has no idea about the manipulation, let alone knew that Kichiro was actually his step-brother, and Saeki is roughly aware that he always gives in to Jun out of guilt. When asked why, he quietly whispers to her to say, "This is a make-or-break for our marriage."

Turning her attention to Miki, Mrs Saeki studies him closely. She sees the guilt etched on his face, a silent admission of his willingness to comply with Jun's request. Inwardly, she curses her son-in-law's weakness, knowing that it has allowed Jun to gain leverage over him.

After all, it was thanks to him being a coward that even after 12 years of marriage, no child was born between them.

Mrs Saeki's eyes are narrow as she observes Miki. The realization that her son-in-law holds guilt within him triggers a flicker of curiosity in her mind.

The mother-in-law approaches Miki, her voice laced with calculated charm. "Miki, my dear son-in-law, tell me, what makes this camping activity centre so important to Jun? Is it merely a whimsical desire, or is there something more to it?"

"Ah, you know the usual," Miki's gaze shifts nervously as he meets Mrs. Saeki's piercing stare. He takes a deep breath, his voice barely above a whisper. "It's...she....lately her mentality has taken a turn for the worst. Those parties she kept attending with me...she wants out. That way...she says she can only be happy with me."

The elderly lady feigns a look of understanding, her expression carefully composed. "I see.."

Miki nods, his eyes filled with a mixture of remorse and longing. "Yes, that's it. And... and I want to support her in this. I want to make things right, to give her the chance to find joy again."

Mrs Saeki's mind works swiftly, contemplating the possibilities that lie before her. Nothing can go wrong with this trip, right? If their marriage works out, who knows...she might end up having a grandchild after 12 years.

"Very well, Miki," she says, her voice oozing with faux warmth. "I am sorry about her behaviour, she can be a handful after all."

"It's alright, Mrs. Saeki. I understand," Miki replies, his voice tinged with resignation. "She hasn't been herself ever since Kichiro died. And it is my fault after all."

"No it ain't, it's just Jun and her attitude," Mrs Saeki nods, her eyes gleaming with a mix of satisfaction and triumph. "When she recovers, she might probably have a kid with you already."

The man's face brightens with a glimmer of hope at Mrs Saeki's words. The prospect of having a child with Jun fills him with a sense of purpose, a chance to mend the broken pieces of their marriage. He nods in agreement, grateful for Mrs Saeki's apparent support.

"Thank you, Mrs Saeki," he says earnestly, a flicker of determination in his eyes.

But had she known of the journey that lay ahead, Mrs Saeki would've wished she never let her daughter open Kodama Forest camp.

....................................

The day Mrs Saeki receive the phone call that her daughter Jun was murdered by none other than her ex-fiance, Kichiro, who changed his identity later to Eiji, it was a day she never saw it coming.

The morning sun gently filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow across Mrs Saeki's opulent bedroom. As she slowly opened her eyes, her mind still foggy with remnants of sleep, she couldn't help but relish in the comfort and grandeur of her surroundings. The room was adorned with elegant furniture, shimmering chandeliers, and luxurious fabrics that whispered of her privileged lifestyle.

Stretching her arms above her head, Mrs Saeki let out a contented sigh. Another day filled with possibilities awaited her, or so she thought. Little did she know that this day would shatter her world, leaving her broken and vulnerable.

Her morning routine commenced as usual. Mrs Saeki gracefully rose from the plush bed, slipping her feet into satin slippers and gliding across the room toward the en-suite bathroom. As she splashed cool water on her face, she revelled in the image staring back at her from the gilded mirror—a poised and confident woman who had always managed to have the upper hand.

But the tranquillity of the morning was abruptly shattered by the shrill ringing of her phone. Mrs Saeki hurriedly dried her hands, her heart pounding with an unexplainable sense of foreboding. She reached for the phone, her hand trembling ever so slightly.

"Hello?" she answered, her voice laced with a mix of curiosity and apprehension.

A voice on the other end of the line delivered the news that would forever change her life. It was a voice of a police officer, revealing that her daughter, Jun, had been brutally murdered. The words hit Mrs Saeki like a thunderbolt, and her whole body went numb with shock. Time seemed to stand still as she struggled to comprehend the magnitude of the tragedy that had befallen her family.

"Your daughter's ex-fiance, Kichiro, apparently didn't die at the expedition 12 years ago. He survived. But when he returns to see your daughter married with your son-in-law, he changed his identity to a cliff instructor named Eiji after feeling that they betrayed him, killed 3 people, then made your daughter think he is a ghost, somehow convince her to drink wine and depression pill, leading to her death. Fortunately, two children were able to put an end to his life while attempting to murder them."

At that moment, her world crumbled around her as she listened to the horrifying details of her daughter's tragic demise. Her breath caught in her throat, and her hand involuntarily tightened around the phone. The weight of grief and disbelief settled heavily upon her shoulders, threatening to crush her spirit.

Images of Jun, her beloved daughter, flashed through Mrs Saeki's mind—memories of a bright-eyed child, a rebellious teenager, and a young woman who had always held a spark of defiance within her. She had never imagined that her daughter's life would be cut short in such a violent and senseless manner.

Tears welled up in Mrs Saeki's eyes, blurring her vision. The room that had once been a sanctuary of luxury now felt suffocating, its opulence mocking her in the face of this unimaginable tragedy. She collapsed onto the nearest chair, her strength draining away as grief consumed her.

As the police officer on the other end of the line continued speaking, detailing the heroic actions of the two children who had put an end to Eiji's reign of terror, Mrs. Saeki's heart ached with a mix of sorrow, guilt, and anger. She couldn't help but wonder if her own actions, her manipulation and greed, had contributed to the events that led to her daughter's untimely death.

....................................

The day the press soon got word of Mrs Saeki's manipulation, was hell.

It sent shockwaves through the community and the media, captivating the public's attention, exposing the dark underbelly of her privileged lifestyle and tarnishing what little reputation she had left.

The press eagerly dug into Mrs Saeki's past, uncovering her history of exploiting others for financial gain. Stories emerged of her relentless pursuit of wealth and status, at the expense of those around her. Her actions were met with outrage and disdain, and the public's perception of her shifted dramatically.

Now, Saeki's reputation, in general, wasn't widely respected and powerful.

The one good thing others initially perceived was that she was a tough-loving single mother to her daughter Jun, and even that is ripped away now that the details surfaced.

The press eagerly dug into Mrs Saeki's past, uncovering her history of exploiting others for financial gain. Stories emerged of her relentless pursuit of wealth and status, at the expense of those around her. Her actions were met with outrage and disdain, and the public's perception of her shifted dramatically.

Now facing public scrutiny and condemnation, the revelation of her manipulation and exploitation of her own family members shattered the illusion of her maternal devotion. People questioned how a mother could so callously disregard the well-being of her own daughter and son-in-law, using their secrets as tools for financial gain.

And when people got word that this marriage was the reason why several children who were on that same island where the killer was hurt, it lead to a severe outcry.

The revelation that her manipulation had indirectly contributed to the harm suffered by the children on the island fueled the outcry against her. People were appalled by her lack of empathy and her willingness to exploit others for her own gain, even if it meant endangering the lives of children.

The media coverage surrounding Mrs Saeki became relentless, with news outlets and tabloids dissecting every aspect of her life and exposing her darkest secrets. Her face was plastered on the front pages, accompanied by scathing headlines and sensationalized stories. The public hungered for justice and accountability, demanding that she be held responsible for her actions.

Social media platforms buzzed with discussions about Mrs Saeki's manipulation and the consequences it had wrought. Hashtags condemning her behaviour trended, and public figures, celebrities, and activists weighed in, expressing their disgust and calling for justice. The court of public opinion had spoken, and it was unforgiving.

Amidst the public outcry, Mrs Saeki found herself isolated and ostracized. Friends and acquaintances distanced themselves from her, unwilling to be associated with her tarnished reputation. The luxurious world she had once thrived in now closed its doors to her, leaving her to face the consequences of her actions alone.

Fast forward to the current situation, most people in her shoes would feel the weight of guilt and remorse bore down into them.

However, instead of truly reflecting on her actions and seeking redemption, her instinctual response is to once again turn to money as a solution.

That's right, money fixes everything.

With the money, she can fly to another country and no longer return, no? No one would know who she is.

The allure of starting fresh in another country, where she can reinvent herself and leave her tarnished reputation behind, tempts Mrs Saeki. The idea of escaping public scrutiny and the reminders of her past mistakes becomes increasingly appealing. She envisions a life where she can once again indulge in her desires and live without the weight of guilt and shame.

................................................................

As Ran, Takuma, Reina and Sonoko walked through the streets, they couldn't help but notice a gathering of people up ahead. Curiosity piqued, they slowed down to get a better view of what was happening. A crowd had gathered around a commotion, their voices rising in a mix of excitement and concern.

"What's going on?" Takuma wondered aloud, his eyes scanning the crowd.

"I'm not sure, but it seems like something big," Sonoko replied, her gaze fixed on the commotion.

Ran, always eager to help, suggested, "Should we stop and see if we can assist in any way?"

Nodding in agreement, the group parked the motorbike at a safe distance and made their way towards the crowd. As they approached, they could hear snippets of conversation and see glimpses of what lay at the centre of the commotion.

Much to their surprise, they are all witnessing Miss Rika, the same horse instructor back in Kodoma Forest camp who is naturally good with horses, splashing cold water from the hose at a shirtless man, who is running around trying to flee.

"Who is this man Rika is doing at?"

Wanting to get to the bottom but not wanting to expose themselves, Takuma suggests to the girls, "Let's hide in a corner and watch what is going on."

Agreeing with Takuma's suggestion, the group discreetly moved to a nearby corner where they could observe the unfolding scene without drawing attention to themselves. They found a vantage point that provided a clear view of the chaos while keeping them hidden from sight.

From their hidden spot, they watched as Miss Rika continued to chase the shirtless man with the hose, her face a mix of determination and amusement. The man, drenched and clearly caught off guard, stumbled and slipped on the wet ground, his attempts to escape proving futile.

The crowd around them was a mix of laughter, cheers, and puzzled murmurs. Some recognized Miss Rika from the Kodoma Forest camp and were surprised to see her here, engaged in this unconventional pursuit.

Sonoko leaned in closer to the group. "Do you recognize the man she's chasing? He looks familiar."

Ran squinted her eyes, trying to get a better look. "I think I've seen him before."

"Where?" Reina asked.

"I think..."Then Ran turned to Sonoko, "Neh, Sonoko, do you remember showing me some Youtuber who always does pranks for the views?"

Sonoko's eyes widened as she realized who the man being chased by Miss Rika might be. "Wait, you don't mean... is that Jiro Daichi?"

"Eh, the famous Youtube prankster!?" Takuma's jaw fell.

"Wait, you watch his videos!?" Ran was in disbelief.

"He is a huge fan of prank videos," His girlfriend Reina rolled her eyes, "He and Ranran often watch them together."

"I mean to be fair, his pranks are entertaining," Takuma blushed slightly, scratching the back of his head. "But I never expected Miss Rika to know him-wait a minute...Daichi! That's it!"

He turned to the other girls, "Do you remember Ranran telling us witnessing Miss Rika's love confession to Mr Miki back at the island? Something about Rika assigning him to hand her love confession letter to Miki during high school, but that Daichi lied to Rika and said Miki outright rejected her, then twisted it to Miki that the confession letter belongs to Daichi."

Reina's eyes widened in recognition as she realized that the man being chased was none other than the same Jiro Daichi who did this to Rika. "Damn. Who knew the same Daichi that Rika rejected is the same Youtuber!?"

The revelation left the group stunned. They watched as Miss Rika continued her pursuit, her determination unwavering. It seemed that her encounter with Jiro Daichi was no mere coincidence. Perhaps this was her way of exacting her own form of justice and reclaiming her dignity after lying upfront to her.

"I wonder how did Miss Rika know where Daichi lived?" Sonoko rubbed her chin, "Did they remain in contact?"

"No way you would simply remain in contact with someone who professes their feeling for you when you like someone else." Takuma being a former playboy knew this.

Sonoko's best friend couldn't help but feel a surge of admiration for Miss Rika. "She's not one to back down. Look at her go."

"How dare you lied to me about that confession letter!? You knew I had a crush on Miki for years since we were kids!?" Miss Rika could be heard barking at him, while he screamed, "I am sorry!"

As Miss Rika continued to confront Jiro Daichi, her voice carried over the crowd, filled with a mix of anger, hurt, and frustration. The onlookers watched in anticipation, captivated by the unfolding drama between the horse instructor and the famous prankster.

Ran felt a pang of sympathy for Miss Rika, knowing how deeply she must have been affected by Daichi's deception.

"Karma has a way of catching up to you, no matter how famous or popular you are. Miss Rika is showing him that actions have consequences." Reina muses.

"Had I not paid a child detective girl the other day to track you down, you would've been living in your so-called mansion here happily while I continued to suffer!" Rika screech.

"A child detective girl?" All the brows of the 4 children shot up among themselves.

"Don't tell me....?"Ran and Sonoko realized who it might be.

"It's definitely Ranran," Rein and Takuma can't help but sigh in unison. "Only she had a knack for hunting down people's house addresses." Reina pointed out.

"Not to mention, if the scumbag deserves it, Ranran goes all out," Takuma said while the four exchanged a knowing look.

As Miss Rika's heated confrontation with Jiro Daichi continued, the group couldn't help but be captivated by the intensity of the situation. "Neh, didn't Daichi recently have a girlfriend who moved in with him?" Sonoko suddenly remembered, "I am pretty sure his girlfriend wouldn't be happy to see some woman doing this to her boyfriend, right? Some kind-hearted model name Hino Aya?"

"Uh.....I wouldn't be too sure of that," Takuma directed their eyes at the situation.

To the girl's surprise, they are witnessing Aya in sunglasses, laying chill on the sunlounger while cheering at Rika, "Continue on what you are doing, Miss Rika!"

The jaws of the children fell, she seemed to have a different side to her that they had never seen before. "I never expected Aya to support Miss Rika like this," Ran remarked, her eyes widening.

"But then I recalled reading somewhere that when Miss Aya was a high schooler, some girl did that to her as well. So in some way...Miss Rika's incident through Daichi must have somehow resonated with Aya." Sonoko thought about this.

The group couldn't help but marvel at the unexpected connection between Aya and Miss Rika, realizing that their shared experiences had forged a bond between them. "I need to record this, Ranran is going to be so amused when she sees this."

Takuma fish out his smartphone before setting it to record.

As Takuma started recording the unfolding scene, the group watched with a mixture of awe and curiosity. Miss Rika's relentless pursuit of justice and Aya's unexpected support created a compelling narrative that they knew Ran would find intriguing.

The intense confrontation continued, with Miss Rika confronting Jiro Daichi about his deception and the emotional impact it had on her. The crowd remained captivated, their eyes fixed on the drama unfolding before them.

"You knew how much I cared for Miki, how long I had cherished those feelings, and yet you played with my emotions like it was some kind of joke!"

"I didn't mean for it to go this far, Rika. I was young and foolish. Please let me off!" Daichi is literally screeching.

As the amusement continues, while the children observed the recording, Reina suddenly noticed some movement that stood out away from the crowd, "Hey guys, see that woman over there?"

The group turned their attention to where Reina was pointing. Their eyes followed her gaze, and they noticed the woman dressed in sunglasses and a sun hat, standing at a distance from the crowd, seemingly unaffected by the commotion.

"Who is she?" Sonoko wondered aloud, her curiosity piqued.

"I'm not sure," Ran replied, squinting her eyes to get a better look. "But something about her seems familiar."

Takuma, always alert, analyzed the situation. "She's keeping her distance, observing from afar. It's like she's intentionally avoiding being noticed."

The woman seemed to sense their gaze upon her and glanced in their direction, making eye contact with the group for a brief moment. There was a flicker of recognition in her eyes before she turned away and disappeared into the crowd.

"Hey, wait a minute," It suddenly dawned on Takuma over why she looked so familiar, "Isn't that Mrs Saeki!?"

The mention of Mrs Saeki, whose house they egged on not long ago, caught the group by surprise.