The Underworld, Starting with Debt

Miyajima Tsubaki stared furiously at Miyajima Sousuke, her eyes radiating a chilling murderous intent. Her long, muscular arms taut, she suddenly unleashed a powerful strike towards Miyajima Sousuke.

"You're still so impulsive." Miyajima Sōsuke was prepared. He knew Miyajima Tsubaki's impulsive nature; her powerful martial arts skills had given her a reckless way of doing things.

Knowing he was no match for Miyajima Tsubaki in terms of strength, he was prepared. He used the umbrella he had just picked up as a weapon, and while blocking Miyajima Tsubaki's fist, he swung the umbrella in his hand to strike Miyajima Tsubaki in the abdomen and forcefully threw her away.

Because Miyajima Tsubaki was wearing short high heels and the ground was slippery, she was forced by Miyajima Sousuke's strength and hit in the abdomen by the umbrella, causing her to twist her ankle and fall to the ground.

Her pristine white dress was stained with mud from the ground. Miyajima Tsubaki, disheveled and clinging to her face, stared fiercely at Miyajima Sosuke with her deep eyes filled with rage beneath her messy hair.

"tsk"

Miyajima Sōsuke seemed displeased with Miyajima Tsubaki's gaze and raised his umbrella as if to hit her.

The blow was blocked by Ito Koshitomo, who was already quite annoyed by what he heard.

"A hypocritical good-for-nothing who only blames his incompetence on Aunt Tsubaki and the Miyajima family."

"What do you know, brat? Get out of my way!"

"Isn't that right? He's a beast who cheats on his wife and then lashes out at her!"

"Heh heh~ Let me teach you how to talk, you brat!"

The man who can attract Miyajima Tsubaki must be quite skilled in combat as well. For Ito Koshitomo, a beginner, he is the strongest opponent he has encountered in actual combat so far.

However, Ito Koshito, who was frequently abused by his bastard father, knew that protecting himself from attacks would minimize the harm to himself.

The dense, rain-like slashes struck Ito Koshichi's body, but the pain did not make him back down; instead, it fueled his ferocity.

Except for attacks on vital points, all other attacks are ignored, and a strategy of trading blows for damage is adopted.

"Ah!" The powerful force shattered both umbrellas, and Ito Koshitoshi gritted his teeth, helplessly knocked to the ground.

"Damn, what a crazy brat!"

Miyajima Sōsuke took a breath, just about to teach Ito Koshitoshi a lesson for making him look so pathetic.

Little did he know that Miyajima Tsubaki, enduring excruciating pain, found a wooden stick and stood expressionlessly behind him.

The rain, like thousands of silver threads, poured down from the sky, only to be sliced ​​apart by a stick as swift as a shooting star, creating a dry area. The powerful force traveled through the rapidly moving stick to Miyajima Sōsuke's joints, causing him to roar in pain.

"Ah!!" Miyajima Sousuke curled up on the ground. "Damn it, you crazy woman..."

A series of filthy words kept pouring out of Miyajima Sōsuke's mouth, but Miyajima Tsubaki remained expressionless and deaf to them, slashing at Miyajima Sōsuke's joints one blow after another.

"Wait, wait... Tsubaki, let me go... I'll never do it again... let me go!"

Miyajima Tsubaki remained unmoved, continuing to swing the wooden stick until—

With a "crack," the wooden stick broke, and Miyajima Sosuke's limbs hung limply at his sides.

"what!!!"

After doing all this, Miyajima Tsubaki's inner sorrow and the pain in her ankle could no longer support her, and she collapsed weakly to the ground. However, she was caught by Ito Koshizumi, who had come to her side to ease her pain.

Looking at the disheveled young woman in his arms, Ito Koshichi said softly, "Auntie Tsubaki, let's go home!"

Carrying Miyajima Tsubaki on his back, Ito Koshitomo slowly walked towards the Miyajima dojo.

On a rainy night, only the powerful yet feeble wails and soft sobs remained.

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.

After that, Tsubaki Miyajima and Sousuke Miyajima quickly divorced and withdrew from each other's lives, no longer paying attention to each other.

However—a few years later, Miyajima Tsubaki learned about it from conversations among acquaintances.

A former son-in-law who had been divorced dated a con artist posing as a wealthy woman, who then transferred all his assets to her. However, the unfortunate victim didn't live in this area anymore, and after a while, the conversation stopped mentioning him. Nobody knows what happened to him after that…

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.

"Aunt Chun, why aren't you eating?"

In a daze, the brave and fearless figure from that rainy night seemed to reappear before her, gently reaching out his hand to her, "Aunt Chun, let's go home!"

In the dim light, the blurry face gradually became clear.

"Aunt Chun?"

"Ah, what's wrong, Kotoshi?" Miyajima Tsubaki snapped out of her daze, and there stood Ito Kotoshi asking her a question.

"Why don't you eat?"

"I'll eat right now!"

Gently chewing her food, Miyajima Tsubaki's mind drifted again, as if she were back to the absurd plan she'd made with Mira, whom she'd met through Ito Koshitomo. 'Mira, that girl, has a really sharp eye... but... I'm so glad I didn't reject that 'absurd' plan back then!!!'

"Oh my god, why are you daydreaming again!"

"whee……"

Chapter Thirty: Photographs

The clear sky was cloudless, and the lazy sunshine shone on the crowds coming and going on the street, giving them the energy to start their day.

Standing at the bus stop amidst the throngs of people, Natsume Murasaki was scrolling through her phone.

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.

Murasaki no Miyabi: [Hmph∽Tomo-kun, you're not replying to my messages again. I'll teach you a lesson when we get to school. *fist pumps* (read)]

Ito Koshitomo (Tomo-kun): [Sorry, Natsume, I'm busy right now. Poor me.jpg] (Read)

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.

'Since he's busy, I'll forgive him.' Natsumi Murasaki put away her phone, glancing occasionally at the passing buses. 'It's almost time, Yuuta should be here by now.'

"Sister Xia Ye..." Suddenly a voice came from behind Xia Ye, but the soft voice did not bring the surprise of her childhood friend.

"Hmm?" Upon hearing this, Shizumiya Natsume turned around and saw that Yamano Yuta was already quietly standing behind her. "Yuta, when did you get off the bus? I didn't see you."

"It's probably because there are too many people," Yamano Yuta mumbled. "By the way, how's Natsume-nee doing lately? Have you made any new friends?"

"I've been having a lot of fun lately! How about you, Yuuta?"

"Have you made any new friends?"

"I often spend time with Aiko at school! Aiko is such a lovely girl..."

"What about your male friends?" Yuta Yamano asked, his voice a little hurried.

“Male friends? No!” Natsumi Murasaki hadn’t told Yuta Yamano about Kozue Ito before, because she was afraid of misunderstandings, but now there was no need.

"Yuta, what's wrong?" Natsumi Murasaki looked at him with slight concern.

Yuta Yamano's lips twitched as he tried to suppress his urge to cry. His gaze was deep and unwavering, as if he had made a firm decision.

'Sister Xia Ye, you're not even willing to tell me the truth now?! Fine! I was a little hesitant before, but don't blame me now!'

"It's alright, Sister Xia Ye. Show me around Cheng Shen Academy."

"Okay, Yuta, come with me."

Once again on the uphill path of Seishin Academy, Yamano Yuta no longer had the leisurely and enjoyable mindset; he now just wanted time to pass quickly and for night to come.

Cherry blossoms cascaded down like a waterfall, flowing slowly over time, and soon reached the center. Shinomiya Natsume brought Yamano Yuta to the food court of Seishin Academy to have a meal.

Once you arrive on the street, you can immediately see the tall, ancient cherry blossom tree at the end of the street.

"Yuta, look at that cherry blossom tree, isn't it stunning!" Natsumi Murasaki smiled as she introduced it to Yuta Yamano. "That tree is known as the 'Marriage Tree' by the people at school! They say that if you confess your love under the tree, you're guaranteed to succeed!"

"Is that so?" Yuta Yamano's expression darkened, and the sorrow of his childhood sweetheart throwing herself into his arms under the cherry blossom tree that day faintly appeared in his mind.

Natsumi Murasaki smiled broadly, as if the sweet feeling of embracing Ito Koshitoshi under the cherry blossom tree that day enveloped her once again.

'I'm sorry, Yuuta, I think I've fallen for someone else! I can't keep my promise (that I'll be Yuuta's girlfriend if he gets into Seishin Academy)...' Natsumi Murasaki's gaze was firm. She planned to take Yuuta on a trip today and then confess to him.

At a restaurant on the food street, Natsumi Murasaki and Yuta Yamano sat facing each other, quietly waiting for the waiter to serve their lunch.

Yuta Yamano tilted his head, gazing out the window, lost in thought. Meanwhile, Natsume Murasaki was engrossed in her phone, chatting with Koshitomo Ito.

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.

Murasaki no Miyabi: [Tomo-kun, is it time for lunch?] (Read)

Ito Koshitomo (Tomo-kun): [Not yet, I'll start cooking later. Is Natsume at a restaurant getting ready to eat?] (Read)

Murasaki no Miyabi: [Yeah! I haven't tried Shizu-kun's cooking yet! Poor me.jpg] (Read)

Ito Koshitomo (Tomo-kun): [Then I'll bring you lunch when you go to school on Monday?] (Read)

Murasaki no Natsume: [No, no, I want to visit Shizuku's house. You have to cook for me then. (?????)] (Read)

Ito Koshitomo (Tomo-kun): [Good] (Read)

……

After chatting for a while longer, Ito Koshitoki suddenly remembered the scene from last night.

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 Koshitomo (Tomo-kun): [Natsuha, guess what I saw last night? So mysterious.jpg] (Read)

Murasaki no Miyabi: [Quickly tell me.jpg] (Read)

Ito Koshitomo (Tomo-kun): [Photo.jpg] (Read)

Murasaki no Miyabi: [Ah! Why did you send me this kind of photo! *blushing*] (Read)

Ito Koshitomo (Tomo-kun): [Last night I went for a walk in the small park near my house and saw some people playing a strange game. [laughing emoji]] (Read)

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.

"Guests, here are your dishes. Please enjoy." It wasn't until the waiter brought the lunch to the table that Natsumi Murasaki stopped chatting with Koshitomo Itoh.

"I'm starting to eat." Natsumi Murasaki took one last look at the blurry photo, then picked up her chopsticks with Yuta Yamano and began to enjoy her lunch.

However... Natsumi Murasaki's mind wasn't on the delicious food, but rather on that photograph.

That figure from behind... it looks so familiar...

Chapter Thirty-One: Choice

As the sun sets, the evening glow on the horizon unfolds like a flowing painting, both magnificent and gentle. The sun gradually sinks below the horizon, leaving behind a golden afterglow that spills over the city's skyscrapers, as if draping this steel jungle in a golden veil.