I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

Seeing that Qing Deng remained unmoved, a layer of despair gradually spread across Ootsuki Minoru's eyes.

Just then, Ootsuki Minoru seemed to suddenly remember something.

She hesitated, her gaze shifting.

A moment later, the "hesitation" on his face changed into a "resolute" decision to "give it a try".

"Mr. Tachibana, I know this isn't something I can easily agree to... You have every reason to refuse my request, but... but... please, for the sake of the fact that my father and your father are close friends, please help me this once!"

Aoto raised an eyebrow slightly—this subtle change in his expression was keenly observed by Ootsuki Minoru.

A look of great joy flashed across Ōtsuki Minoru's pupils.

Seeing that the situation seemed to be turning around, Ōtsuki Minoru quickly pressed his advantage and launched a barrage of words at Aoto.

The main point of her statement revolved around the long-standing friendship between Aoto's father, Tachibana Takayuki, and her father, Miyagawa Shunzo, imploring Aoto to lend a helping hand out of consideration for her father.

Qing Deng didn't listen carefully to what Ootsuki Minoru was saying.

Because he is currently deep in thought.

Otsuki Minoru's move was like striking a snake at its vital point.

Aoto can ignore Otsuki Minoru's existence... but Miyagawa Shunzo cannot.

The depth of the friendship between Miyagawa Shunzo and his father, Tachibana Takayuki, is too profound to be explained in a few words.

To put it simply: when Tachibana Takayuki passed away and the Tachibana family was on the verge of collapse, Miyagawa Shunzo provided a lot of help to the Tachibana family, sending money and food to help "Hara Tachibana Seito" get through the most difficult period.

Miyagawa Shunzo also played a part in enabling Hara Tachibana Seito to successfully take over Tachibana Takayuki's position and secure a job at the Hokuban-sho "Sanhui".

Qingdeng has yet to repay this immense debt of gratitude.

Qing Deng has always valued personal favors—this is one of the important reasons why Qing Deng has always been well-liked.

People who know how to repay, love to repay, and are good at repaying favors are easily welcomed wherever they go.

From another perspective, Aoto could easily dismiss Miyagawa Shunzo's kindness by saying, "Why should I clean up Aoto Haraju's mess?"

But Qingdeng didn't want it to be like that.

From an "emotional" perspective, Aoto felt that "Aoto Harajuchi" had long since become one with him, inseparable. Therefore, Aoto felt obligated to clean up the mess left behind by "Aoto Harajuchi".

From a "rational" perspective... outsiders don't know that Qing Deng is no longer the same Qing Deng as before. If Qing Deng ignores Miyagawa Shunzo's kindness, then in the eyes of outsiders, Qing Deng will be a cold-blooded and ungrateful wretch, which will have a terrible negative impact on Qing Deng's reputation.

Qing Deng finally stopped being indifferent to Otsuki Minoru's pleas.

He lowered his gaze slightly, looking at the tatami mat in front of him, his face showing deep thought.

Ootsuki stared longingly at Aoto's face, her delicate body unconsciously leaning forward in his direction, filled with anticipation, hoping to see Aoto nod or hear him say, "Okay, I'll help you."

After a while, Qingdeng finally broke his silence.

"Debts of gratitude can be really troublesome sometimes..."

"Tachibana-kun?"

Ootsuki tentatively asked a question in return.

"...Alright then."

Orange crossed his arms and let out a long breath.

"For your father's sake... I'll help you this time."

Upon hearing Qing Deng's words, Ootsuki Minoru was taken aback.

Immediately afterwards, like a firework soaring into the sky and exploding at its highest point, Ōtsuki Minoru's cheeks lit up with an indescribable look of ecstasy.

"Don't get too excited yet."

Aoto suddenly poured cold water on Ootsuki Minoru, abruptly returning him to a dazed state.

"You have to agree to three conditions before I will help you."

Qingdeng held up three fingers.

"Firstly, I have virtually no connection with the 'Shimizu Clan,' so even if I personally intervene, I can't guarantee I can bring your husband back. I will do my best, and whatever the final outcome, you must accept it sincerely. Can you do that?"

Ootsuki hesitated for a moment, then nodded emphatically.

"Secondly, regardless of whether I succeed in rescuing your husband or not, my debt to your family is now settled, understand?"

Ootsuki Minoru nodded again. This time, she nodded much faster, almost without thinking.

Thirdly...

Qingdeng paused for a moment, as if he was considering his words and gathering his emotions.

A moment later, he gave Ootsuki Minoru a meaningful look.

"Although the past is gone... it's still better to explain some things."

"Eh?"

Ootsuki blinked in confusion.

"Miss Otsuki, is there anything you want to say about everything you did to me in the past?"

Ootsuki Minoru blinked again, then her face paled, and she immediately understood Aoto's implication.

Yes.

Aoto is implying to her that she should correct her previous behavior towards him and sincerely apologize for what she did to "Aoto Harajuchi"!

In terms of difficulty, the third condition proposed by Qing Deng is far easier than the other two conditions he just mentioned.

All you need to do is say an apology.

But for Ootsuki Minoru, this kind of thing might be more painful than having flesh cut off her body with a knife—the best evidence of this is that Ootsuki Minoru didn't nod as readily as before.

Originally, since the fireworks festival this summer, Ootsuki no longer appeared before him, and Qing Deng was too lazy to pursue the past grievances and disputes.

But surprisingly, Ootsuki Minoru reappeared after more than four months.

Since they've come knocking again... let's take this opportunity to settle old scores properly.

This can also be considered as giving an explanation to the original owner of this body... to "Yuanju Qing Deng".

After all, he and "Haru Tachibana Aoto" were already one.

It would be inexcusable not to acknowledge the suffering endured by "Yuanju Qingdeng" in the past.

Although strictly speaking, "Haru Tachibana Aoto" is already dead... no matter what efforts are made to save him, Aoto still decides to seek justice for "Haru Tachibana Aoto".

Regarding the rights and wrongs between Hara Tachibana Aoto and Otsuki Minoru... To be fair and blunt, Hara Tachibana Aoto deserved it all, he got what he deserved.

Qingdeng understands the feeling of "loving someone very much" very well, after all, he currently loves two girls.

No matter how much you love someone, you can't belittle yourself.

It was Hara Tachibana Aoto's unprincipled flattery of Otsuki Minoru that emboldened Otsuki Minoru to act with such impunity.

However, it is clear that Otsuki Minoru's mistake was greater.

Despite having no affection for Hara Tachibana Aoto, she greedily enjoys his care and adulation, toying with his feelings and treating his kindness as a fun "toy" to show off her charm and flaunt to her friends.

They were wrong, but their crime didn't warrant death.

Let her apologize.

Whether one truly feels remorse... it's best to have it, but it doesn't really matter if one doesn't.

In short, an apology is essential.

The justice that should be given to "Original Orange Aoto" is undeniable!

Aoto believed that for a scumbag woman like Ootsuki Minoru, who was arrogant and had always looked down on "Hara-tachibana Aoto," asking her to put down her pride and apologize was already a severe punishment that would cause her immense mental and physical torment.

Aoto remained silent. He rested his hands naturally on his legs, staring expressionlessly at Ootsuki Minoru's face.

Ootsuki Minoru's pretty face looked as if some intense chemical reaction was taking place.

It turns green one moment and white the next.

His gaze darted away, his fingers clenched tightly.

Even the most oblivious person could clearly see at this moment: a distinct "hesitation" and "shame" flashing repeatedly in Ootsuki Minoru's eyes.

Qingdeng wasn't in a hurry.

Just wait quietly.

He didn't care about the life or death of that Ōtsuki Tsuneji in the first place. If it weren't for the need to repay Miyagawa Shunsuke's favor, he wouldn't have bothered with this matter.

Whether to agree to Qing Deng's conditions or simply leave—it was entirely up to Ootsuki Minoru to decide. Whatever her final choice, Qing Deng wouldn't care.

Time slips away, bit by bit.

Qing Deng felt that even if he exhausted all the words in his mind, it would be difficult to accurately describe the expression on Ootsuki Minoru's face.

In the short span of a few dozen seconds that had passed, Aoto had no way of knowing what kind of internal struggle Ootsuki Minoru was going through.

All he saw was that the "hesitation" and "shame" on Ootsuki Minoru's face gradually reached a delicate balance.

Then... her fleshy, soft body slowly bent down.

Hands folded on lap, face facing the tatami mat in front of the knees:

"Tachibana-kun...I'm...I'm sorry..."

Her voice was timid.

Although she tried to remain calm, her voice still trembled uncontrollably, just like the various emotions she couldn't hide.

In that instant, Ootsuki Minoru suddenly recalled the thought that had just crossed her mind:

(If I had chosen Tachibana instead of Tsukiji...would I be living a much better life now?)

For some reason, after recalling this thought, Ootsuki Minoru suddenly felt a choking warmth rise into her nasal cavity, and her voice became choked with emotion.

"..."

Qingdeng remained silent.

Although she looked at Otsuki Minoru, she did not respond.

Seeing this, Ootsuki Minoru thought that Aoto was complaining that her sincerity was not enough.