Thanks to Eiji Hayamizu, Takako managed to escape the thugs without having to raise a finger.

－I never expected to run into an acquaintance in a place like this.

Takako's heart nearly stopped when she saw Eiji Hayamizu.

She thought that Eiji Hayamizu had recognized her.

The secret of her cross-dressing was exposed.

Her once normal life was ruined in an instant.

Thinking about this, Takako's whole body stiffened to the point of immobility.

But luckily, Eiji Hayamizu's subsequent behavior suggested that he didn't recognize her at all.

Yes, Eiji Hayamizu failed to see through Takako's disguise.

It was...

Blessedly so...

Never before had Takako been so grateful for the fact that Eiji Hayamizu was a fool.

Later, as Eiji Hayamizu got entangled with the thugs, Takako seized the opportunity to slip away unnoticed.

She didn't run far; she simply sought refuge in a nearby store.

As the saying goes, the most dangerous place is actually the safest place.

The thugs and Eiji Hayamizu all believed that Takako had already escaped the area. In reality, she only emerged from the store leisurely after they had wandered off.

－Where the hell is that damned Kuroda?

Takako stood at the store entrance, scanning the surroundings.

"Kuroda..." (Takako)

To her surprise, this unconscious muttering opened a door for Takako.

"Hey, girl, have you also suffered at the hands of Kuroda?" (??)

Turning back, Takako realized that the one speaking to her was the store's owner, whom she had previously ignored.

The middle-aged shop owner appeared to be in her forties, with a shrewd and slightly gossipy demeanor.

Takako seized the opportunity and responded to the shop owner.

"Yeah... I'm looking for Kuroda." (Takako)

"It's useless trying to find him. I've seen countless girls come looking for Kuroda, but none have ever gotten justice." (Shop Owner)

－What has this Kuroda done to these girls?

－Could it be that he's toying with them, getting them pregnant, and then leaving without taking any responsibility once they've had an abortion?

Takako was very curious, but she couldn't ask now, or she would reveal her hand.

"...I know it's difficult, but... I still want to try." (Takako)

With everything that had transpired, Takako brought out her lifelong acting skills.

Her eyelids hung low, casting a shadow over her bright eyes, while the thick, dark eyebrows hinted at her unspoken sorrows.

Yet, within her gentle words, there was a subtle air of determination.

She was a girl who appeared fragile on the outside but held strong convictions within.

"Ma'am, can you tell me where I can find Kuroda?" (Takako)

Facing Takako's request, the shop owner finally felt a pang of compassion.

This young girl might be able to do something that other victims couldn't, the shop owner vaguely thought. The shopping district was under the protection of Kuroda's group, and therefore, there was an unwritten rule that Kuroda's whereabouts could not be disclosed to anyone.

But now, the shop owner decided to make an exception and help this victimized girl seek justice.

"Kuroda will be dining at a sushi restaurant called 'Ester 1' on the south side of the shopping district tonight. You can wait for him there." (Shop owner)

"Okay, thank you!" (Takako)

Takako gave a grateful bow to the shop owner and then hurried away with quick, small steps.

Watching Takako's departing figure, the shop owner couldn't help but shake her head.

"What a pity for such a good girl."

As she said that, the shop owner picked up her phone and dialed 110 (Japan's emergency hotline, similar to 911 in China).

However, in the end, the shop owner couldn't bring herself to press the call button.