The Underworld, Starting with Debt

"Is this okay?"

“Of course!” Fujiwara Kyoko said definitively, though her eyes were full of amusement.

"it is good!"

"From now on, you must call me master when no one is around."

“I understand… Master,” Yamano Yuta hesitated for a moment before finally speaking softly.

"Hehe~hehe~hahahaha"

Chapter Twenty-Three: Kurashiki Reika's Secret (Part 1)

"Hehe~hehe~hahahaha"

"Come to me, Yuuta!" Fujiwara Kyoko said excitedly, tugging at the chain and pulling Yamano Yuuta to her side.

When are you going to meet your childhood sweetheart?

“Saturday, which is tomorrow, Master.” Yuta Yamano was initially a little embarrassed, but the words came out more and more naturally afterward. ‘Anyway, no one else will hear us.’

The evening breeze gently rustled Fujiwara Kyoko's green hair, drawing her thoughts. "I see... You can ask her to go to the movies with you tomorrow, and remember to book a ticket for the seat next to you."

"OK, all right."

"Alright, time to get down to business. Come here." Fujiwara Kyoko applied a little force, and Yamano Yuta had no choice but to bend over and fall towards Fujiwara Kyoko, who was sitting in a chair.

Kyoko Fujiwara roughly grabbed Yuta Yamano's hair, pulled him close, and captured his lips with her own, their tongues entwining.

And it was at this moment that the old streetlights began to work, emitting a faint glow.

Along with the light came the flash of Ito Koshitomo's phone camera, but because Fujiwara Kyoko and Yamano Yuta, who had been in darkness for a long time, were temporarily blinded the moment the light came on, they didn't notice it.

"Bo∽" Fujiwara Kyoko pushed Yamano Yuta away, forcefully forcing him to kneel on the ground, looking down at him, "I'm treating you to fish, feel honored, Yuta."

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Ito Koshitoshi didn't watch what happened next; he had to rush back to cook for his landlady, otherwise she would go hungry.

Rushing back to his small rented room, Ito Koshito didn't even have time to wash off his sticky body from the sweat. He changed his clothes and hurriedly went to Aso's house.

After skillfully preparing the meal and having dinner with the landlord, Ito Koshitomo returned to the small park, walking through the lush green path to the dilapidated streetlights.

The place was now deserted, clearly indicating that the two had just left, as the lone chair was covered in various wet and sticky stains.

Passing the streetlights and chairs, Ito Koshito returned to the public area next to the park. He went into a toilet stall and sat quietly on the toilet seat for a while, but there was no response. It seemed that the toilet was probably not a regular gathering place for the two lovers in the Takahara family. Yesterday's encounter was probably just a coincidence.

After leaving the restroom, Ito Koshitoki didn't rush back. Instead, he strolled around the deserted streets, came to a quiet patch of grass, sat down, and took out his phone.

He had another important task to do tonight: to report to his creditor, Kurashiki Reika.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

On a high-rise building, the bright moonlight shines through the glass into an office, intertwining with the dim light of the only light source in the office—a small desk lamp on a desk.

In the soft office chair, Kurashiki Reika leaned back with her legs crossed, her narrow eyes staring fiercely at the surveillance video displayed on the computer screen. A faint blush spread across her cool and beautiful face, whether from anger or some other reason was unclear.

"waste!"

After glancing at the computer screen again, Kurashiki Reika cursed, her deep, magnetic voice filled with insults.

The surveillance footage displayed on the computer showed her husband and his lover having an affair, but it wasn't a live stream; it was just an old recording.

Kurashiki Reika and her husband's marriage was arranged through policy. Kurashiki Reika's father collaborated with a member of parliament to develop the Kurashiki Group, but instead of marrying off his daughter, he recruited a son-in-law. Kurashiki Reika's husband is the son of that member of parliament who was recruited.

Perhaps because of his marriage into the family, Mr. Kurashiki always felt inferior to Kurashiki Reika and was very obedient to her. After having a daughter with Kurashiki Reika, he rarely shared a room with her, and they are now living separately.

By chance, Kurashiki Reika discovers that her husband, who has always been subservient to her, has betrayed her by having affairs behind her back.

It felt as if molten lava was churning inside her, about to erupt, making her chest heave with anger, like a balloon being inflated and expanding, trying to break free of the seal of her clothes.

"Fine, very well. Who gave you the guts?" Kurashiki Reika's eyes were like sharp swords, as if they wanted to pierce through the screen and behead the adulterous couple.

Kurashiki Reika watched the video again carefully, trying to identify the woman in it.

only……

As Kurashiki Reika watched the writhing bodies of the adulterous couple in the video, the anger in her heart seemed to be slowly eroded by a strange, magical black flame, and she felt an indescribable strangeness within her.

In the video, Mr. Kurashiki seemed to be venting all the grievances he usually suffered at the hands of his wife, acting recklessly and without restraint. Unfortunately, his pampered body did not have the strength to support his domineering behavior for long. After only a few minutes, Mr. Kurashiki was panting and could only lie on the bed, enduring the pain.

"Useless!" Kurashiki Reika, who was gradually reaching a high level of concentration, cursed angrily, then snapped back to reality. 'Huh? What's wrong with me?'

Kurashiki Reika gently touched her delicate face, which radiated a warm glow like a hot spring on a snowy night. Her face was as beautiful as a newly blossoming peach blossom, exquisitely alluring. Her narrow fox spirit eyes were like clear autumn waters, shimmering and revealing an indescribable charm and springtime passion.

After that, Kurashiki Reika acted as usual, seemingly unaware of anything amiss, and maintained the same attitude towards Mr. Kurashiki, except that she became even more forceful and demanding towards her husband.

This led Mr. Kurashiki to go out even more frequently and not come home, always spending the night at his mistress's place. He thought he was hiding it well and hadn't been discovered by his wife, the "tiger mom." But even his mistress had been bribed by Kurashiki Reika, so what could he hide? Everything was under Kurashiki Reika's surveillance; there were no secrets.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

"Ring-ling——"

Kurashiki Reika took out her phone and saw the caller ID: Ito Koshitomo.

"Hehe~" Kurashiki Reika couldn't help but chuckle, her originally cold expression softening slightly.

With a slender finger swiping the answer button, Ito Koshitoshi's sunny and strong voice came through the phone.

"Hello, Mrs. Kurashiki."

"Hmm," Kurashiki Reika responded lightly, then continued, "Tell me, how has Rena been lately?"

"Yes, Ms. Kurashiki has been..."

Because Ito Koshitomo and Kurashiki Rena often chatted and ate together during breaks at school, and also frequently chatted with each other on Line, Ito Koshitomo had some understanding of Kurashiki Rena's interpersonal relationships and her own situation.

Furthermore, Kurashiki Reina often complains to Ito Koshichi about how domineering her mother, Kurashiki Reika, is and how she often disciplines her. She also knows that Ito Koshichi will definitely report some of her situations to Kurashiki Reika, and there are some things that she taught Ito Koshichi to say.

"But reporting the Queen's situation to someone else, even if that person is my mother, Zhiqing, what do you think I should do to punish you?" Recalling the arrogant girl who liked to imitate her mother and often spoke in a queenly tone about punishing Ito Kozue, Ito Kozue smiled knowingly, 'She was just so adorably naive!'

"Mrs. Kurashiki, that's roughly the situation. Miss Kurashiki hasn't done anything too outrageous at school (like bullying)."

"Hmm—it seems that Rena's personality has changed a bit since she started high school, and she's become more mature." Kurashiki Reika smiled slightly, feeling pleased with Rena's change.

Back in junior high, to highlight her queen status, she would gather a lot of shady characters around her, simply enjoying the thrill of being surrounded by them, without even realizing that they were taking advantage of her background to bully her.

Kurashiki Reina has changed, which makes Kurashiki Reika very happy. She slightly lowers the corners of her mouth and asks again.

What's your decision?

Listening quietly to the confident words coming from the phone, Ito Koshito sighed helplessly and said softly.

"It is my pleasure to serve you, madam."

"Hehehe"

As for what agreement Ito Koshitomo and Kurashiki Reika made, we have to go back to when Kurashiki Reika visited Ito Koshitomo while he was hospitalized.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Night fell, and Ito Koshitomo, having just finished dinner, lay in bed, enjoying a rare moment of personal time. 'While it's comfortable and enjoyable to be with Hazuki and Miko every day, it's also nice to be alone and quiet sometimes.'

"Pat pat pat—" Several footsteps echoed in the empty corridor. Ito Kozue didn't pay any attention to it, because it was only a little past seven o'clock. Occasionally, staff members would walk back and forth in this deserted hospital.

He only realized someone was looking for him when several footsteps stopped in front of Ito Koshino's hospital room. 'Who's here to see me? Could it be Aunt Mira?'

"Madam, this is Ito-kun's hospital room. I won't disturb you any longer." Hazuki Kazuko's voice came from outside the door, followed by the clattering sound of high heels on the floor gradually fading away.

The sound of the door opening made Ito Koshichi, who was lying on the hospital bed, sit up and turn his head to look.

Two similar figures walked in, both with long, flowing golden hair that seemed to shimmer under the lights, and both with impressively large breasts, except one was hidden under a red office lady uniform and the other under a Seishin Academy uniform.

Ito Koshito was somewhat surprised that the creditor's wife, whom he had met once before, would come to visit him, a debtor.

Although it seemed strange, Ito Koshitoshi greeted her anyway, "Hello, Mrs. Kurashiki."

Kurashiki Reika examined Ito Koshino's wound and found that it had almost healed, so she couldn't help but feel satisfied with his strong and healthy body.

Kurashiki Reika ignored Ito Koshino and turned to Reina beside her.

"Rena, this is the sidekick I found for you at school. What do you think? Pretty strong, huh?"

"Also, with him by your side, you shouldn't associate with any of those shady characters you used to hang out with..."

Kurashiki Rena impatiently looked away from her phone and glanced at Ito Koshitomo. Although she was attracted by his good looks, the thought that he was someone her mother had given her annoyed her.

"Alright, Mom, I'm not going to associate with those people anymore. And I don't want this guy either. Don't think I don't know, you must have sent him to keep an eye on me. Even if I, Kurashiki Rena, have no friends, I won't associate with this guy. Hmph!" Kurashiki Rena snorted and turned to leave.

"And also, I will never 'smell it'!" With that, Kurashiki Rena slammed the door shut and left.

“This child…” Kurashiki Reika was not too surprised by this, as she knew Reina very well.

"Well then... Ito-kun, let's talk!"

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

The crescent moon hung high in the night sky, braving the cold wind, and its silvery light slanted down like flowing water, pouring into the ward.

"Um, Mrs. Kurashiki, why do we need to turn off the lights during our conversation?" Ito Koshitoshi scratched his head, looking slightly puzzled.

"Tap tap—" Kurashiki Reika quietly walked towards the hospital bed in her red high heels, her alluring body swaying. The crisp tapping sound was like a sharp sword piercing Ito Koshito's heart, slowly tightening his heartstrings.

"Ito-kun, do you know how much money you owe now because of your father?" Kurashiki Reika stood in front of the hospital bed with her arms crossed, her proud head held high, her eyes slightly looking down at Ito Etsutoshi, displaying her powerful queenly aura honed over many years without reservation.

"It's one hundred million yen! (about 480 million RMB)" Before Ito Koshi could speak, Kurashiki Reika bent her supple waist slightly, and the powerful pressure, pulled by gravity, delivered a heavy blow to Ito Koshi. The rich, mature fragrance of the woman wafted into his nostrils, disturbing his senses.

"I can show you a way out, as long as..."

Kurashiki Reika's heavy words and the ambiguous atmosphere filled with sexual tension in her every move caused Ito Koshitoshi's heart to pound violently, as if a century of time had been compressed into this moment.

However, thanks to Hazuki and Yoshiko's terrifying composure after these past few days, Ito Koshina was not so easily driven to madness by the immense pressure from Kurashiki Reika.

“Name your terms, Lady Kurashiki.”

"Oh!" Kurashiki Reika glanced at Ito Koshino in surprise, inwardly admiring him, 'Not bad for composure!'

She glanced casually at the solitary, towering peak and smiled alluringly. 'After all, he's just a young man full of vigor.'

Kurashiki Reika straightened up, crossed her legs, and sat on the hospital bed, smiling broadly.

"I want you to be mine!"

"Your man?" Ito Koshi looked at him in confusion. "I've been your man for a long time, and I owe you so much money."

Kurashiki Reika noticed the confusion in Ito Koshichi's eyes but didn't answer. Her cherry-like lips parted slightly, her pink tongue tracing a glistening trail on her bright red lips like a serpent. She gazed seductively at Ito Koshichi, her brows flushed with a spring-like allure, her beautiful face like a vixen's, a suggestive, alluring smile playing on her lips.