Tokyoites don't have martial virtue

“Our firm provides security services. I know a few retired gangsters who are now ordinary citizens who have retired from crime. I can also come and provide security for you personally, but the security will be a bit less secure.”

"Wait a minute, aren't you a detective?" Kyushu Makoto couldn't help but retort, "Why are you taking on security work too?"

"Detectives these days are pretty much like 'York Odd Jobs' shops; they'll do anything as long as they have food to eat," Ken Yuugami frankly expressed his bitterness.

Even Sherlock Holmes worries about his apartment's gas bill!

"I see, that's really not easy." Kyushu Makoto sighed, then turned to look at Suzumiya Momiji:

"Sister Huazi, what are your thoughts?"

"..." Suzumiya Momiji hesitated for a moment before asking:

"If we sue them, does that mean we're going to wage war against them?"

“The word ‘war’ is a bit extreme.” Yugami Ken put the criminal law book back into the pile of books.

"However, you should be prepared to be harassed and retaliated against."

"Momiji-nee, I don't think you should continue paying off your debts," Kyushu Makoto said calmly, patting her on the back.

"This debt is clearly a bottomless pit of a trap. The more you comply with them, the more they will skin you alive."

"." Suzumiya Momiji lowered her head and supported it with her hand.

Her long, loose hair blocked the light, making her vision dim. A moment later, however, she opened her eyes wide, her gaze shining brightly.

"Excuse me, how much would it cost if I commissioned you?" Suzumiya Momiji looked up at the detective.

"We'll bring your mother over, provide security, hire a lawyer to defend you, and offer legal advice," Xi Shenjian said, counting on his fingers before smiling with a hint of anticipation.

"It definitely won't be cheap, but I'll give you a reasonable package price, for the sake of Brother Jiuzhou."

“Then I’ll leave it to you, Mr. Yuugami.” Suzumiya Momiji slowly rose, then bowed deeply with a determined expression. “I wish to issue you a request!”

“Great, please sign the agency agreement, and let’s get started today!” Yushin Ken readily handed over a form.

101. Yoshida Inaichi's Expeditionary Force

Yoshida Ineichi is a small rural town without high-speed rail or subway access; it takes an hour by bus to get to Tokyo.

Everywhere in the town, you can see small trucks with signs indicating that the driver is an elderly person, rice paddies swaying in the wind, and old, detached low houses.

Half of the shopping street was closed with its roller shutters, and the other half consisted of deserted grocery stores and old shops. The most bustling places were probably the town's only 711-Eleven convenience store and Don Quijote supermarket.

Young people from these impoverished towns mostly go to Tokyo or other smaller cities to develop their careers. Even the cashier at the 711-Eleven convenience store is an elderly man with a hunched back, whose hands tremble constantly when counting change.

"Soon this town will only have old people left, then they'll all die, and eventually it'll become a ghost town."

As she left the convenience store, Suzumiya Kasumi tilted her head back and took a sip of mineral water, sighing helplessly, "I was quite energetic more than ten years ago."

Yoshida Inashichi is Suzumiya Kame's hometown. Years ago, she ran away to Tokyo because she couldn't stand her parents. When she returned after many years, she felt a sense of loss and uncertainty.

Makoto Kyushu carried a steaming hot grilled beef bento, while Ken Yuugami held a tuna sandwich. The two walked out of the convenience store one after the other.

After signing the agency agreement yesterday, Yugami Ken devised a plan:

First, they need to go to Suzumiya Kame's hometown and bring her mother to Tokyo for refuge. Although she only has a small rented apartment in Tokyo, it's better than continuing to be harassed here.

Next comes gathering evidence and finding a lawyer to sue the underground money lender and take them to court. If she's lucky, Suzumiya Kame might be able to get back the one million yen she paid them earlier.

The final step was for Yugami Ken to be in charge of providing 24-hour security for the mother and daughter to prevent the underground bank from retaliating against them.

Yugami Ken rented a small truck and drove his client to this rural town this morning to pick up her mother.

Considering they might run into debt collectors from underground banks, Yugami Ken originally planned to hire a few more retired yakuza to come along—of course, that would cost an extra price.

Upon hearing this, Kyushu Makoto simply took a day off from school to accompany Ryoumiya Momiji, thus saving her a bodyguard fee.

Yugami Ken drove the small truck, and the three of them soon arrived at a secluded house in the town.

The white-painted detached house looked old, and the sign at the door read "Hoshino House".

"Is this the address?" Yugami Ken asked repeatedly.

“Yes, this is it.” Suzumiya Momiji nodded, her eyes filled with deep emotion.

Yesterday, she wrote her real name when signing the agency contract, which was also the first time that Kyushu Makoto knew her name: Hoshino Momiji.

As part of a friendship exchange, Kyushu Makoto also revealed his real name to her. However, she still wanted to be called "Harukawa" and asked Kyushu Makoto to continue calling her "Kamoko-nee".

After finishing his grilled beef bento, Makoto Kyushu threw the lunchbox into the car's trash can, then opened the door and jumped out of the car.

"Is your mother inside?" Kyushu Makoto asked.

"I called her this morning and said I wanted to go home to visit." Suzumiya Momiji also got off the car.

She said she would wait for me at home, but I didn't tell her about the move.

"What if she doesn't agree?" Yushin Ken asked worriedly.

“I’ve heard that some elderly people are particularly stubborn and refuse to leave their homes even in the event of a natural disaster.”

“I will plead with her properly.” Suzumiya Momiji also seemed worried: “If she still refuses, I will have no choice but to force her into the car.”

“That’s right, life is the most important thing.” Kyushu Makoto reached out and pressed the doorbell.

"Ding-dong-ding-dong-"

A bell rang from inside the tightly closed wooden door, followed by a series of light footsteps on the floor, approaching from afar.

A moment later, the door opened, and an old woman walked out, leaning against the wall.

The old woman had white hair, a thin face full of wrinkles, and wore clothes that were washed until they were faded but were still neat. Her mental state was obviously not very good.

"Hua, you're back." Seemingly exhausted, the old woman's eyes were vacant; she greeted her only with a trembling voice.

Are the two people next to you your friends?

"Hello, Ms. Hoshino, I'm a friend of Momiji's." Kyushu Makoto nodded slightly and greeted her politely.

"My name is Yugami Ken, and I'm a detective hired by Ms. Hoshino. Nice to meet you." Yugami Ken subconsciously took out his business card and handed it to the old woman.

"Mom, what's been going on lately?" Suzumiya Momiji asked impatiently, her face flushed with anger.

"Is that damned old man still gambling? Did he hit you again?!"

“Hmm.” Hoshino’s mother was silent for a moment before nodding in agreement: “After you left, he was still the same. He drank and beat people every day, and used money to gamble on horse races.”

"Didn't Mom ever think about divorcing him?" Ryouko grabbed her mother's arm urgently and rolled up her sleeve, revealing many unhealed scars:

"That damned bastard. Even if you can't get a divorce, you should at least find a way to escape, right?"

"I," her mother simply shook her head blankly and said softly:

"He's not that bad. It's fine as it is."

Upon hearing this, Yuuki Ken and Kyushu Makoto, who were standing nearby, shrugged in unison, expressing their regret.

Suzumiya Kameji's mother was clearly a typical country woman—conservative, timid, and stubborn, refusing to give up outdated customs and traditions no matter how much she was persuaded.

"So, Mom, you're such a coward!" Suzumiya Momiji couldn't take it anymore and quickly shook her mother's arm.

"Listen to me, those underground money lenders have borrowed money from that bastard old man again. They're definitely planning to take you hostage!"

"Oh, is that so?" Hoshino's mother's reaction was rather indifferent, more like she was numb to it: "He's caused trouble again."

"Stop taking that bastard father's side!" Suzumiya Momiji grabbed her mother's arm, furious, and said:

"Hurry up and pack your things, come with us to Tokyo!"

"Why leave?" Hoshino's mother was a little confused and stood there, refusing to move.

"Because those underground banks are threatening you!" Suzumiya Momiji stamped her foot in frustration.

"They've already said they'd harvest your organs, what are you doing? Staying here to be killed by them?!"

“But I don’t want to leave,” Hoshino’s mother shook her head stubbornly. “I’m used to living here.”

"Oh dear! I'm doing this for Mom's safety!" Ryouko tightly gripped her mother's arm, pulled her aside, and waved her arm vigorously.

Then, Suzumiya Kame said to the two of them:

"Please go and move your things first, I'll try to persuade her some more!"

Without much preamble, Yugami Ken and Kyushu Makoto went inside with the large cardboard box.

A flicker of surprise crossed Hoshino's mother's eyes; she clearly wanted to reach out and stop them. However, her long-standing submissive nature prevented her from uttering a single word; she simply stared blankly as they walked through the door.

"This family is really poor." These were Kyushu Makoto's first words upon entering.

The interior could only be described as "bare walls," with virtually nothing except for some essential furniture—and even much of the furniture was old and damaged.

However, Hoshino's mother is quite hygienic and cleans very carefully, leaving the floor almost spotless.

Kyushu Makoto went to the kitchen and moved some pots and pans, while Yuugami Ken took down all the small potted plants that were still alive on the windowsill.

Suzumiya Kasumi continued to patiently persuade her mother, while the two of them never stopped moving things.

Since we're already here today, we have to move out of this house whether we want to or not.

About an hour later, the two had emptied a large portion of the house. Together, they lifted a relatively nice dining table and prepared to load it onto the van.

Just then, a startled scream came from outside the door:

"Hey! Who are you? What right do you have to barge in without permission!"