A guide to survival in a heavy girl's world

Although it's just speculation, during the time he hadn't been heard from, he was probably trying not to tell his daughter about it... But even if that's the case, at least a basic announcement of safety should be okay, right? Even if it's just a note, it would be fine!

……

Or is this change in the wardrobe just a little hint he left for himself?

"...No, no, no, this person shouldn't be so awkward, right?"

Shoko Toyokawa shook her head, denying this outrageous and childish guess.

"Anyway... I won't really wait for him here forever."

If her father continues to avoid her like this, then she might as well do the same as Mu and move completely to Zheye-kun's house, and then cut off all contact, and see if he will contact her on his own initiative!

Just as Shoko Toyokawa was still muttering this in her heart, her cell phone suddenly rang.

When she took out her cell phone and saw the caller ID, she was startled at first, and then quickly pressed the answer button.

"Good evening, Ms. Minami."

She never expected that Mori Minami would suddenly contact her at this time.

Could it be because of Mu? But she usually communicated directly with Tetsuya-kun or Mu himself.

What could be the reason?

[Well, good evening, Xiangzi.]

Mori Minami's voice, which made people feel pressured just by listening to it, came from the microphone.

[You shouldn't be working or attending class right now, right?]

"Ah, yes."

Toyokawa Shoko answered truthfully.

"I just got home."

【You really work hard. 】

It is now nine o'clock in the evening. The fact that she has just returned home at this time is enough to prove how busy Toyokawa Shoko's schedule is.

[During this period, your father still hasn't returned home? ]

"Ah... about this..."

Hearing Mori Minami's question, Toyokawa Shoko first glanced at the wardrobe in front of her again, and then said:

"He should have come back once today, but he just took away a few clothes."

"Should...? From what you're saying, you haven't actually met him?"

"Yes, since he left, I haven't even spoken to him again, let alone met him."

Toyokawa Shoko's tone couldn't help but show some dissatisfaction.

"He wouldn't even reply to my messages."

[That means, even you don’t know what he’s been doing lately…]

After hearing this, Mori Minami pondered for a moment, then said:

"If that's the case, then I think I need to tell you something very important... Your father recently repaid a quarter of the Toyokawa family's debt in one go."

“…One quarter!?”

After hearing this, Shoko Toyokawa exclaimed in surprise.

Recalling the nine-digit debt, Toyokawa Shoko responded in disbelief:

"How is this possible? My father can't possibly have so much money!"

[Yes, I think so too. Especially after knowing that he had wasted nearly a year, the origin of this huge sum of money is even more suspicious.]

Minami Mori's tone was also filled with confusion and puzzlement:

[That's why I suddenly called you and asked about his recent whereabouts. However, since you don't know either, there's nothing I can do. But no matter what, I have good news to tell you, Xiangzi. From today on, you are completely free.]

"……Eh?"

The information was so beyond her expectations that Toyokawa Shoko's expression became a little dull.

"Free? Wait, what does that mean, Ms. Minami?"

[When the man was repaying the debt, he negotiated with the Toyokawa family, hoping to repay this debt in your name, which should not have been your responsibility. If the Toyokawa family agreed, he would guarantee to pay off all the debt within the next year.]

Mori Minami said:

The Toyokawa family has agreed to this condition. From today on, the Toyokawa family will no longer embarrass you regarding your father's affairs. You can return to the Toyokawa family at any time... and resume your original life as the daughter of the Toyokawa family.

"..."

Hearing this, Toyokawa Shoko fell silent.

Mori Minami wasn't the type to joke around, let alone when it came to something so crucial to her future. In other words... her father had actually repaid a quarter of the debt in just one month, and used it to buy her freedom from the Toyokawa family...

She first stared blankly at the narrow and dim room, then looked at the clothes that were drying not far away, which were one of the few she brought from her home.

The relief of not having to rush around for a living, the relief of not having to worry about debt, and the freedom to devote herself to what she wanted to do were all within her reach. She could no longer live under the heavy psychological pressure and sense of urgency that she felt now, forcing herself to devote all her time to work and study, and be with Chihaya Tetsuya in a more legitimate way.

This is the meaning of what Mori Minami just said.

Everything she had dreamed of before now came right within her reach without any explanation.

only--

"I'm sorry, Ms. Minami."

Toyokawa Shoko took a deep breath, then said in an extremely resolute tone:

"Before I find out where this money came from... I can't just accept his self-willed actions!"

She did plan to return to the Toyokawa family, but definitely not in such an unclear way!

Moreover... raising such a huge amount of funds in just one month is too suspicious no matter how you look at it.

For Shoko Toyokawa, who has already entered society and has practical work experience, she is very suspicious about the source of this huge sum of money, and she also becomes more worried about her father's whereabouts.

[Yeah... I knew you would say that.]

In the face of Toyokawa Shoko's determination and rationality, Mori Minami's tone could be said to be completely free of any surprise.

"So, I'll focus on investigating that man's whereabouts from now on, so you'd better keep an eye on him. Since he's come home once, there's no doubt he'll come back again. If you see him again, be sure to ask him where the money came from. If it's truly ill-gotten gains, then you must stop him before he makes a serious mistake."

"I see!"

Toyokawa Shoko agreed without hesitation, but then a new question arose in her mind:

"But, he hasn't spoken to me even for a month. Even if I really want to stop him, will he really listen to me?"

"I think so. If there's anyone he cares about in this world, it could only be you."

Regarding Toyokawa Shoko's hesitation, Mori Minami said with great confidence:

"Otherwise, he wouldn't be so eager to use this money to buy back your freedom. But... this is really hard to laugh at. Although I've long known that he's an unrealistic and ambitious idiot, he would actually go to such lengths to buy back your freedom..."

Having said that, Mori Minami sighed first, then continued:

"Anyway, that's all I know. If I find out anything about that man, I'll let you know as soon as possible."

"……Yes."

Toyokawa Shoko nodded very seriously.

"I really...thank you very much for your concern, Ms. Minami."

"Nothing, I'm just doing what an adult should do."

After that, without further ado, Mori Minami hung up the phone after completing all the instructions, and Toyokawa Shoko also put down her phone. She stared at the wardrobe in front of her for a long time, and then murmured softly:

"What the hell are you doing... you bastard dad..."

Because his father's talents were so comprehensive, Toyokawa Shoko was completely unable to judge based on his experience what kind of work his father was capable of. However, judging from the connections he had made in the Toyokawa family, most of them were probably related to overseas and art-related careers.

"It's not enough to just narrow it down... We have to know exactly what he's doing now."

Thinking of this, she immediately opened the search engine on her phone and searched for overseas and art as keywords.

Naturally, trying to find the exact answer you want from such a vague range is like looking for a needle in a haystack.

"..."

Knowing that she was just doing useless work, Toyokawa Shoko put down her phone and sat down on the ground with a confused look on her face.

A father who left without saying goodbye, a huge sum of money from an unknown source, and freedom that was within reach... but the truth behind it was unknown.

What should she do next? Contact the Toyokawa family to get more details about her father? Or should she simply call the police?

If she doesn't do something, will her father really make an irreparable mistake as Mori Minami said?

The anxiety brought by the unknown plunged this underage girl into unprecedented confusion.

After closing the browser with a dazed look on her face, she almost subconsciously opened the phone book and looked at the first name that caught her eye...

If it were Tetsuya-kun, would he still be able to continue to help her guide the way forward and give her the encouragement she needs most at this moment, just like before?

Even if it is a mystery with no clues at all, can he still solve it for himself as usual?

While Shoko Toyokawa was still thinking about this, the person on the other end of the phone book seemed to have heard her thoughts and suddenly called her.

And this sudden ringing and vibration brought with it the voice she wanted to hear the most at this moment -

[Xiangzi, do you have time now? I have something I want to discuss with you.]

Hearing that usual gentle voice, Toyokawa Shoko felt her originally extremely irritable heart instantly calm down...

"...That's quite a coincidence."

Toyokawa Shoko held the phone to her ear with both hands and said in a tone as if she had been saved:

"I also have something very important to tell Tetsuya-kun...but Tetsuya-kun should go first."

Then, just as Toyokawa Shoko was about to listen to what Chihaya Tetsuya wanted to discuss, Chihaya Tetsuya was the first to catch the words that rarely came out of Toyokawa Shoko's mouth, and the tone that was completely different from her usual tone -

[For Xiangzi, is there something very important that he needs to discuss with others?]

Chihaya Tetsuya's tone paused for a moment, and then there was the noise of pages flipping and pencils and other objects rolling to the ground.

[Wait a moment, Xiangzi, where are you now? ]

After hearing this, Xiangzi replied blankly:

"Eh? I, I'm at home now..."

[Okay, let me take a look... Give me twenty minutes, I'll be right there.]

"Eh?!?!"

After hearing what Chihaya Tetsuya said, Toyokawa Shoko sat up suddenly.

"Wait, Tetsuya-kun, we can just talk on the phone. You don't have to come all the way here—"

[Aine, I'm going out for a bit. I don't know when I'll be back tonight!]

"Tetsuya-kun? Are you listening to me? Tetsuya-kun?"

Please wait a moment, Xiangzi. I'll call a taxi right away.

"Listen to what they say!"

Something that made Xiangzi specifically say "I need to discuss this with you" is definitely not something that can be explained over the phone, and your tone doesn't sound right either!

Chihaya Tetsuya's tone was so strong that Toyokawa Shoko couldn't refuse.

[Anyway, wait a moment, I'll call a taxi!]

After saying that, regardless of Toyokawa Shoko's objection, Chihaya Tetsu immediately hung up the phone. It seemed that he might have already called a taxi...

"……what?"

The sudden development left Toyokawa Shoko, who was already confused, with no time to even feel sad.

The roller coaster-like changes in events made her feel as if she was dreaming for a moment.

However, fifteen minutes later, a burst of hurried footsteps could be heard clearly from outside the door. When Toyokawa Shoko opened the door, she saw Chihaya Tetsuya standing at her door, panting.

"I'm here, Xiangzi."

This apartment building corridor close to the street has no lighting, and there is only the residual light from the street lamp not far away.