Tokyo, but I'm a deceitful scumbag.

“For a man who is just starting out and is very ambitious, sometimes the more you make up your story, the more flaws you will find… It’s better to throw a bunch of seemingly meaningful clues in front of him and let him guess them in the limited time he has.”

"Guess for yourself?"

"Yes, people are always happy to believe what they guess, and if it is in their favor, their belief will increase even more."

"Oh, I see!"

Kikuri Ichichi wished she could take out her notebook and write those words down.

The fox curled its lip and reminded, "I'm just saying, but don't take it as gospel. People are different, and this trick doesn't always work, especially for cautious people..."

"It's like how Buddha could keep Sun Wukong from escaping his palm, but Jesus couldn't do that; Sun Wukong would have run away through the hole long ago."

What a hellish joke...

Kikuri Iji pouted and asked again:

"What would have happened if Hyoudou Yukio hadn't fallen for it?"

"Then we can just find some time to secretly throw the box into his building. That might even be easier."

Kikuri Ijichi nodded in agreement.

That's true.

Although it's a difficult memory to talk about... the outcome of this incident was largely determined during the robbery of the lingerie store; Hyoudou Yukio was bound to suffer a great deal later on.

Fraudsters are truly terrifying.

Hideyuki Hoshino continued, "Even the yakuza can't use violence every minute of every day, so they value face very much, which is the basis for their low-cost operations."

"So after all this today, even if Hyoudou Yukio doesn't go to jail, he won't have the face to continue running his loan shark company. And loan shark contracts are illegal under the law, so without the support of the yakuza, it's impossible to recover the money."

"In other words, Miss Ijichi, you don't need to repay your debt later."

Although she had already guessed this fact, Ichikiku still couldn't help but feel like she was dreaming.

That's equivalent to earning eight million yen in one round trip!

Too fast, really too fast!

If it happened every day, no, every week...

"Are you thinking that if you came here once a week, you'd become rich?"

"what……"

Kikuchi Iji shyly twirled her hair with her fingers.

"That won't work. We can't treat the yakuza and the police like fools. Besides, using the same tactics too much will arouse suspicion from the countermeasures office, and that would be troublesome..."

The journey ended quickly, and the man and woman returned to their rented room.

After a short rest, Hoshino Hideyuki bowed in a rather ceremonial manner:

"Well then, Miss Ijichi, the oath-taking ceremony is now successfully concluded. We are now true accomplices, so please take care of me from now on~"

Kikuchi quickly returned the greeting, and after standing up, she solemnly said, "From now on, just call me Kikuchi."

"Similarly, you can just call me Xiuxing."

Hoshino Hideyuki smiled and took out another business card, handing it over: "My real name is Hoshino Hideyuki, and my profession is a con artist. The phone number on this card is valid indefinitely."

Kikuchi Iji carefully put the business card away.

"It's getting late, so I won't bother you any longer. I'll contact you if I need anything later. Well then... goodbye, Kikuri~"

After saying this, the fox walked out of the room and disappeared into the night.

Kikuri Ichi lay back on the bed in a starfish shape, staring straight at the ceiling, the smile on her lips refusing to fade.

What a dreamlike day...

Life has turned a new page...

Speaking of which, could I ask him to turn into a fox again next time we meet? I really want to touch his tail again...

Forget it, I feel like he'll play a really bad prank on me in retaliation.

After a long while, she finally sat up in bed and her eyes fell on the guitar case in the corner.

She stepped forward and wiped all the dust off.

Although that guy didn't mention it...

But I'd better practice first, just in case he wants to hear it someday, I can't embarrass myself...

the other side.

Instead of returning to Inuyama Tetsu's house immediately, Hoshino Hideyuki went to a dilapidated little park.

Chapter 25 Dinner with Friends and Frenemies

The park is about 2 kilometers away from Tetsuya Inuyama's residence.

Several high-end apartment buildings and an indoor ski resort were originally planned for the area, but these plans were abandoned due to the real estate bubble of the 90s.

Even the small park, which had decent facilities, was deserted and dilapidated.

But that's exactly what Hideyuki Hoshino needed.

He looked around and, after confirming that there was no one else around, went to the slide that was covered in mud.

First, dig a pit half a meter deep, then take out the bell that almost caused him to lose his tail, put it in an iron box, and throw it into the pit to bury it.

"Trying to steal someone's tail? Hmph, go talk to the earthworm!"

"When I get stronger, I'll drag you out of there and shave all the fur off your tail!"

He dusted off his hands, strolled back to Inuyama Tetsuya's house.

As soon as the door opens.

I didn't see anyone, but I could smell the familiar aroma of instant noodles.

Are middle-aged people these days really so careless about their diet?

Alright, considering the timely intelligence provided today, I, the Fox Lord, will demonstrate the exquisite craftsmanship inherited from the ancient kingdom of my previous life.

Hoshino Hideyuki's eyes darted intently towards the kitchen, and then...

He took out his phone and called a nearby restaurant.

That night.

As the moon hung high in the sky, Tetsuya Inuyama dragged his weary body home.

As his hand touched the doorknob, he suddenly remembered that he had forgotten to buy a bento box again today!

Tsk, I guess I'll just keep eating instant noodles.

Ah, the fox is coming back today too... Oh well, I'll apologize to him and we'll eat instant noodles together.

crunch.

"I am back."

As the door opened, Inuyama Tetsuya took a deep breath and was about to bow when his nose suddenly detected a strange smell.

If I'm not mistaken...

It's the finest steak, with its red and white stripes, sprinkled with pepper, placed in a sizzling, oily frying pan, and once the Maillard reaction has fully occurred, it produces a wonderful aroma that blends the fragrance of butter with the smoky aroma of meat, accompanied by billowing white smoke!

He opened his eyes and looked at the dining table, where he saw a table full of delicious dishes!

Steak, foie gras, braised beef, lasagna, crème brûlée, fox sashimi—no, it's a fox lying flat on the table after it's eaten its fill.

"Hiccup... Zhe, you're finally back. If I had waited any longer, I was afraid I would have been tempted to eat your share too... But a few hairs have already fallen in. Oh well, you're just unlucky..."

"Oh my god, am I dreaming...?"

"Of course not! This is a celebration banquet to mark the successful completion of the mission!"

"That's amazing, that's really amazing, Hideyuki-kun..."

Inuyama Tetsu cried with joy.

The fox quickly waved its hand: "Just say something to thank me. You're not a pretty girl, so don't pounce on me."

"Will not!"

Inuyama Tetsu wiped away his tears and said, "Perfect timing. I recently learned a phrase for thanking others from a student at the University of Tokyo. Let me tell you..."

He clasped his hands in a fist and bowed to Hoshino Hideyuki, surprisingly uttering in Chinese: "Father, please accept my bow!"

"...Did that international student explain what that meant to you?"

"He said it's a blessing for someone to be powerful and have everything go smoothly... Uh, do you understand? Is there something wrong with how I used it?"

"No, no, no, I don't understand Chinese."

Hoshino Hideyuki wagged his tail and said, "But my intuition tells me you used it correctly, albeit by accident. Say it a couple more times~"

After eating and drinking our fill, we chatted idly.

Hideyuki Hoshino finally got down to business with Tetsuya Inuyama.

"...That's it. I'll keep in touch with Ijichi Kikuri for now, but I haven't told her about you."

"Okay, I have no objection to what you do on your end."

"What about Yukio Hyoudou?"

"His case went very smoothly. Even without the underwear you planted, we found other incriminating evidence in his office..."

"Very good. Are there any new targets that I should make a move on recently?"

"As for new targets... there is one that really annoys me, but I'm not in a hurry to hand it over to you."

Inuyama Tetsuya paused, then downed half a bottle of oolong tea before saying, "Before that, I want to try the police approach first."

"I understand, I'll wait for your news."

Hoshino Hideyuki lay flat on the table, his little fox legs crossed.

Use the next few days to rest~