Tokyo, the shady intelligence of private detectives

In a private setting and with an ambiguous atmosphere, it seems only natural that something might happen.

However, Masahiro Hanyu needs to be extremely careful with Takizawa Reika.

"No need, I just brewed some tea, it suits me better to drink it now!"

Reika Takizawa's skin wasn't particularly fair, but it was smooth like silk, shimmering with a healthy glow amidst the rose petals.

She struck a yoga pose in the hot spring, and because she wasn't wearing any clothes, her allure was amplified tenfold.

"Hanyu-kun, are you really not coming down? Don't be nervous, there are no cameras here."

She said the same thing at her home, but Masahiro Hanyu didn't believe her.

"Takizawa-san, are Mrs. Yayoi and Mr. Yamagami acquainted?"

Takizawa Reika pulled her legs back into the water. "Yamagami-kun! Mrs. Miyashita's ex-husband?"

Masahiro Hanyu nodded. "It seems Takizawa-san is quite familiar with your mother's friends!"

Reika Takizawa changed to a supine position in the water, saying, "My mother sometimes takes me with her to parties."

"Yamagami-kun used to date my mother, but none of her friends, including Mrs. Miyashita, knew about it."

Masahiro Hanyu stood up, holding his teacup. "So, is Yamagami-kun the regret your mother wants to make up for?"

Takizawa Reika sat up, half of her ample breasts exposed above the water.

"Hanyu-kun, are you suspecting that my mother went to see Yamashita-kun?"

"No, Mrs. Miyashita and Mom have a very good relationship. Even though Yamagami-kun is single, Mom won't go looking for him."

Masahiro Hanyu paced back and forth in the room with a teacup in his hand, but still couldn't find the hidden camera. Perhaps he was just overthinking it!

No matter what, he wouldn't risk touching Takizawa Reika.

"This is just Takizawa-san's judgment. After all, neither you nor I know what Mrs. Yayoi is thinking. It is necessary to continue investigating this lead."

"I'm not familiar with Mrs. Miyashita, so please ask Mr. Takizawa to find out which temple Mr. Yamagami is currently training at?"

The hot spring was filled with steam, and the lights shone softly through the mist.

Takizawa Reika, enveloped in steam, rolled over and said, "Hanyu-kun, you are truly outstanding."

"I learned the necessary things just by meeting Mrs. Shirakawa."

"I will do my best to find out about Yamagami-kun."

Bamboo tubs and wooden ladles are placed beside the hot spring, exuding the exquisite beauty of the Paradise Hot Spring.

Reika Takizawa reached for a wooden ladle, scooped water from the pool, and poured it onto her chest and shoulders...

Her posture in the hot spring became increasingly alluring. Yuzuru Masahiro turned around, pulled the curtains open a little, and looked out the window.

Takizawa Reika's flexibility was astonishing; he couldn't bear to watch any longer.

He understood this woman's desires; all she did was try to achieve her own goals.

The atmosphere in the room was ambiguous and awkward, but fortunately it didn't last long.

Mrs. Shirakawa knocked on the door to announce that the hot spring bath would continue, but this time it would be outdoors, and dinner would also be served at the same time.

Gokurakuyu Onsen is divided into indoor baths and open-air baths.

Deep within this courtyard, the open-air bath is surrounded by low bamboo fences and greenery.

Standing by the pond, the view is expansive, and you can look up to see the vast forest of Mount Takao.

The evening breeze rustled the leaves, mingling with the sound of the flowing hot spring water.

The open-air hot spring pool is built with natural stones, and spring water gushes out from the bottom of the pool, with white mist floating on the surface.

When Masahiro Hanyu and Reika Takizawa arrived at the open-air hot spring, the others had not yet arrived.

Staff from the hot spring brought over a bamboo frame and stretched a four-foot-high bamboo curtain over the surface of the open-air hot spring pool.

The staff placed two floating round tables, one large and one small, on either side of the bamboo curtain, and then brought out dinner and placed it on the round tables.

It was only then that Masahiro Hanyu realized that he was the only man at the party that day.

On this side of the small square table is his hot spring and dining area.

The bamboo curtain is semi-transparent, allowing people on both sides to clearly see each other, and they are all in the same pool, connected underwater.

Reika Takizawa moved closer to Masahiro Hanyu, whispering in his ear.

"If Mr. Yuzuru needs it, I can ask Mrs. Shirakawa to remove this bamboo curtain."

Yuzuru Masahiro gazed at the bamboo forest in the distance. "Takizawa-san doesn't seem to be in a particular hurry to find Mrs. Yayoi."

Reika Takizawa slowly untied her bathrobe. "I always believed that if my first appearance on screen was successful, my mother would come back to see me."

"Unfortunately, Yuzuru-kun is unwilling to cooperate with me!"

Underneath her bathrobe, Takizawa wore nothing. After hanging up her bathrobe, she walked to the other side of the bamboo curtain and slowly entered the water.

"Hanyu-kun, are you planning to wait for Mrs. Shirakawa to come and serve you before going into the water?"

Masahiro Hanyu didn't rush into the hot spring. He first looked around and didn't see any cameras.

At this moment, the people attending the party arrived; there were eight ladies in total.

Mrs. Shirakawa introduced each of them to Masahiro Hanyu one by one.

Lady Miyashita appeared to be in her forties, with a gentle appearance and two faint crow's feet at the corners of her eyes.

In front of Masahiro Hanyu, the eight ladies took off their bathrobes and went down into the hot spring bath next to the bamboo curtain.

Her movements were natural and relaxed throughout, without the slightest awkwardness.

They were indeed worldly women, Masahiro Yuzuru thought to himself.

The pool water was warm, and wisps of white mist rose from it. Through the bamboo curtain, the spring scenery on the other side was hazy and dreamlike.

The steam blurred their figures, and the ladies' light laughter mingled with the scents of bamboo and flowers, all intertwining in the hot spring.

Dinner at Masahiro Hanyu's place consisted of four dishes and a drink, simple yet exquisite.

Pickled tomato octopus, Saikyo-style grilled silver cod, cold yam puree with natto, and chilled tea rice with perilla plum.

The sake was Dassai Junmai Daiginjo, served chilled. It had a rich rice aroma and a crisp taste, perfectly complementing the four dishes.

This was all arranged by Mrs. Shirakawa. She not only understands men physiologically, but also has a clear understanding of their lives.

The woman who was once flamboyant and unrestrained in front of the camera still dares to talk about bold topics.

They talked about the past, about men, and about embarrassing things that happened during filming, without any reservations about Yuzuru Hanyu and Takizawa.

At a suitable time, Takizawa Reika and Mrs. Miyashita started chatting.

She quickly learned the information she wanted.

Mrs. Miyashita's ex-husband, Tomoo Yamagami, is now a monk practicing at the Shinsuke Kankiji Temple on Mount Touka.

Mount Tokazu is located in the suburbs of Tokyo, so it's fairly convenient to get there.

Masahiro Hanyu drank his wine, listened attentively, and analyzed the information he had gathered based on intelligence.

The two pieces of information—a group stay at a hot spring inn and a love song—led to the clue of Yamashita Tomoo.

Mrs. Yayoi's whereabouts are likely related to Yamagami Tomoo.

It seems necessary to make a trip to Huanxi Temple and meet the monks on the mountain.

"Ladies, it is an honor for me to attend this gathering today." Masahiro Hanyu raised his glass.

"To express my gratitude, I'd like to propose a toast to all the ladies!"

There was a third piece of information, and he needed to continue searching for clues.

Mrs. Shirakawa's light laughter drifted over, "I thought our nonsense had startled Yuzuru-kun."

"It's been so long, and I haven't heard you say a word."

"Come on, Yuzuru-kun, raise your glass first, let's join in."

After finishing his drink, Masahiro Hanyu put down his glass and said, "Ladies, to celebrate this meeting, I'd like to offer you a small dessert."

"Do you like Sendai edamame mochi?"