Chapter 58: Broken Body, Maddened Soul
"Hahahaha~ You're asking me how I want to die?"
Kobayashi Shou burst into laughter at Sakurai's words.
Standing up for someone else? You should at least check your own abilities first, right? Could he be so unlucky as to run into someone untouchable?
Hah, ridiculous.
Does this brat want to rely on the widowed woman standing behind him? Even funnier. That woman is a disaster — has anyone who got tangled up with her ever had a good ending? Ueno Yoko, such a strong woman, after getting involved with this woman, even her company began to plummet without brakes!
"You're asking me how I want to die? Planning to use your fists to hit me?"
Kobayashi Shou spread his arms wide.
"Sorry, but you can't do anything to me. This studio belongs to my family — what do you have to fight me with? Just give up, kid! It's not worth it to provoke me just to protect a murderer, you know?"
He wasn't just bluffing — in this territory, Kobayashi Shou truly had the power to stir up storms.
As he spoke, he glanced at Nakano Ichika, still sitting silently in her seat, his face showing contempt.
Just now acting all noble and aloof, and now that someone's stepped in, immediately playing the weak victim. Women are all like that — the moment they find a better option, they kick away whoever they're with — a bunch of trash!
Kobayashi Shou, just thinking about his first love who had left him for someone else, felt his rage flare up!
'Women really are a bunch of lustful sluts!'
"You'll find out soon enough."
Sakurai Saki took a few more steps forward, the smile on his lips unchanged.
Because of the blatant insults and clear threats from the other side, he no longer intended to spare him. Could just any dog or cat run up and provoke him? If so, what was the point of being an esper?
An invisible wave slowly spread out from his body.
The nature of "random abilities" was essentially a self-imposed restriction that Sakurai Saki placed on himself. When his abilities went out of control, he would unconsciously release a fully mastered offensive skill — this was the true reason why Sakurai Saki always had to suppress his powers.
The supernatural abilities that were repeatedly activated would be "mastered" by Sakurai Saki, and at that point, they would no longer have side effects. Controlling hundreds of abilities was difficult, but if each day only one random ability was used, then it became much easier. If he couldn't control the power immediately, then just repeating it over and over would do.
The "self-restriction" that Sakurai Saki set up was to be able to use his powers better — if he didn't do so, he would never be able to live like a normal person.
But when the desire for destruction increased, this became extremely dangerous!
The moment the words fell!
"Clang~!"
On the makeup table next to Sakurai Saki, a jar of lotion fell to the ground, shattering.
That sound seemed to trigger some kind of mechanism — the surrounding items began falling one after another, echoing with successive sounds of shattering.
The entire building started shaking violently.
"What the hell!? An earthquake!!? Right now!? But what about our work!?"
"With my legs shaking like this, how am I supposed to do eyeliner!?"
"My makeup's all running!! Oh no!!"
The scene immediately fell into a small panic.
Someone tried to reassure them: "Don't be scared, this quake isn't strong, we can still keep working."
That reassurance was quickly echoed: "Yeah, it'll probably stop in a bit."
There's a saying: if it's a small one, no need to run; if it's a big one, running won't save you.
Besides, in Japan, earthquakes happen as often as meals.
So — even though there really was an earthquake!
To a group of people who endured dozens of these each year, no one paid it much attention.
Except… one person.
'…Disaster! That damned woman!! This must definitely be because of her!!'
Kobayashi Shou fearfully backed up several steps, his pupils wide!
Thinking of the rumors circulating in the industry, cold sweat broke out on his back!
Her husband and child both died because of an earthquake!! This time it must be the same!!
Just because she was scolded a few times, she's planning to drag everyone down to die together!!??
This demon woman!!!
Sakurai Saki was just about to use the newly unleashed ability — Telekinesis — to crush Kobayashi Shou heart, when he felt someone grab his hand.
Turning his head, he saw a beautiful woman smiling gently.
"Don't be angry anymore, Saki-kun~ I don't hold those things against anyone~" Minamoto Mashiro softly held his hand.
Being cursed and insulted like this… it wasn't the first time.
Mashiro had heard countless gossips from neighbors, long since immune. She also understood her own constitution — it truly did bring misfortune to those around her.
"..." Sakurai Saki looked at that face, saying nothing.
As expected… she really resembled her…
Especially this personality.
Always enduring, never thinking of herself, no matter how much she was oppressed, she never fought back!
This kind of gentle, good person could truly drive someone mad with anger!
A good person returns kindness for hatred, but then what? How do you repay the kindness?!
If you only know how to give all the time, the only possible ending is tragedy!!
Sakurai Saki pressed his lips together, his teeth biting into his lower lip, the taste of blood spreading across his tongue.
Memories surged in his mind.
Inside, a violent fury surged within Sakurai Saki!
The desire for destruction skyrocketed, combined with the insults just hurled by the opponent — making it impossible for him to hold back anymore.
He ground out through clenched teeth: "He just said all that about you… and you're still telling me not to act??!!"
The tremors around them instantly grew more intense!!
"Rumble rumble~"
Even the walls began to shake slightly.
Kobayashi Shou, ignoring the cold gazes of those around him, panicked and tried to run from the room.
You fools don't even know what's about to happen… just wait and die!!
But because he ran too hastily, and the tiled floor in the dressing room had been cleaned too well, his foot slipped — and his head smacked straight onto the ground.
"Thud!"
Kobayashi Shou sprawled on the floor, struggled to get up, then burst into manic laughter.
"Hahahaha!! You really want me dead that badly, huh?? Murderer!! Killer demon!!"
He pointed straight at Minamoto Mashiro, shouting loudly: "Her husband died because of her!!! Everyone knows that, right?!! Anyone who stays in the same room with her ends up cursed!! This woman is a walking disaster!! She's the reason her son died young!!!"
"I have never harmed anyone." Minamoto Mashiro still wore a gentle smile, but her eyes were already brimming with tears.
Just then — a cold voice rang out: "There's an earthquake, everyone please stay safe while working."
The moment the voice finished.
A figure stepped out from the photo studio.
Ueno Yoko irritably pushed back her wavy, wine-red hair, glancing over the scene in the dressing room.
"...?"
For a moment, she didn't understand what was going on.
Sakurai-kun was standing next to Mashiro, while the trash Kobayashi Shou was slumped on the ground, face pale, looking like he had just seen something horrifying.
And the people around were all gathered, eyes cold — as if watching a cheap circus act.
Like they were watching a clown perform tricks.
Ueno Yoko raised an eyebrow: "What's going on here? Kobayashi, did you switch careers and join the circus?"
She shot him a look full of contempt. "If the clown's performance is over, then get the hell out!!"
Then she turned to the makeup artists: "And you all!! Can't work just because there's an earthquake?! Huh?! Standing there frozen — what, you enjoy watching clowns dance, is that it?!"
"Alright, alright!! We're starting right away!!"
"Oooh, just now was quite the entertaining show!"
The makeup artists snapped out of it, faint, ambiguous smiles tugging at the corners of their lips as they cast glances at Kobayashi Shou.
Gotta admit — that clown's performance was pretty entertaining!
As for the earthquake? They just treated it like a natural occurrence, something they experienced weekly; if lucky, having the ground shake a few times in a day wasn't even unusual.
It was just a pity they didn't get to see that handsome guy land a punch on that scumbag.
And that weird rumor? Sure, maybe it had some grain of truth… but it was like any other urban legend. Whether it was bad luck or good fortune, none of them took it all that seriously.
A few seconds later.
The tremor gradually weakened, then stopped completely.
Kobayashi Shou glared hatefully at everyone, his eyes full of venom.
He struggled to his feet, slithering out of the dressing room like a venomous snake, shoving open the door and leaving.
Just you wait!! I have hundreds of ways to make you all regret this!!
Sakurai Saki's face was cold as ice, his gaze locked on the man's retreating back — as if he were watching a walking corpse.
"All right, everyone, wrap it up early and go home." Ueno Yoko rolled her eyes around the room before heading back to the photo studio.
After she left, Minamoto Mashiro wrapped her arms around Sakurai Saki, gently patting his back: "It's okay now, Saki-kun."
Sakurai Saki quietly withdrew his power.
When the other party had said those words…
Above Mashiro's head appeared the word[True].
That meant, in her subjective perception, the deaths of her husband and child were not caused by her — she wasn't lying.
But this matter still felt suspicious… Did she really possess some strange kind of constitution?
...
The earthquake had come fast, and gone just as fast.
Nakano Ichika cautiously turned her head to look at Sakurai Saki.
A moment ago, she had been completely overwhelmed by the sheer intensity radiating from the two of them, unable to speak up.
"Mashiro-san, the shoot's done, let's go home," Sakurai Saki said, glancing at Ichika from the corner of his eye.
This matter didn't involve her.
No matter who had been standing there, Minamoto Mashiro would have stopped them, and Sakurai would have doing exactly the same things — it wasn't because it was Ichika that he'd acted this way.
"Nakano-san, how are you getting home?"
Minamoto Mashiro released Sakurai Saki and turned to ask the young girl.
It was already very late, and her manager wasn't around; letting a girl go home alone under these circumstances would be dangerous.
"Probably… by train?" Nakano Ichika replied uncertainly.
As she spoke, she pulled out her phone to check and saw that the epicenter of the earlier earthquake had been right near this area.
Although the magnitude wasn't high, out of fear of aftershocks, the trains had shut down earlier than scheduled — they had originally planned to stop service after midnight.
"..."
Now what? How was she supposed to get home? If she took a taxi… she probably didn't have enough cash on her.
"If you don't mind, Nakano-san, please come with us. Don't be shy."
Minamoto Mashiro spoke gently.
This girl attended the same school as Sakurai Saki; later on, she might even get pulled into the company by Ueno Yoko. Lending a hand now wouldn't cost anything.
Nakano Ichika was just about to refuse when she heard Sakurai Saki say: "Come with us — if you refuse now, you'll only make things awkward for us."
When someone has already offered a helping hand, carelessly turning them down will only widen the distance between you.
Sakurai Saki had never been one to reject the kindness of others.
As long as he paid them back afterward, it was fine.
Hearing him say this, Nakano Ichika no longer declined.
The three of them left the studio together.
The two girls walked ahead.
Sakurai Saki stopped for a moment, lifting his head to look at the moon hanging in the sky.
"The moon's beautiful."
He just wondered if that "Young Master Kobayashi," whose heart was now pierced by a thousand invisible needles, still had any mind left to appreciate such a sight.
...
At the same time.
On a city street, a figure in a suit was hunched over in agony, cold sweat pouring from his forehead — it was Kobayashi Shou, the man who had just left the studio, originally planning to hit up a nightclub for a little adventure.
But right now, his heart felt as though an invisible hand was squeezing it tight, followed by an excruciating sensation, like a thousand sharp needles stabbing straight through his chest!
It hurts! It hurts so much!
"Guuuh…" Kobayashi Shou bent over, curling up like a boiled shrimp.
Just a few seconds later, the pain overwhelmed him, and he collapsed to the ground, clutching desperately at his chest.
"H-help… help me!" he howled, gritting his teeth against the pain, trying to cry out as loud as he could.
But the people nearby only backed away in alarm, afraid of getting dragged into trouble.
In modern society, who still offers unconditional kindness? And even fewer people would ever "repay evil with virtue"!
They wanted nothing to do with a crazy man clutching at strangers.
"H-help…" Kobayashi Shou reached out a hand — but only halfway, his arm frozen midair.
Seconds later…
His body, wracked by intense pain, began slipping into shock.
Breathing became labored, like fluid rising in his throat.
Blood pressure plummeted, his complexion turned deathly pale, and his limbs gradually grew ice cold.
Minutes passed, but no one stopped to help.
The light in his eyes… slowly faded away.
In the final moments of his life, amid the fog of unconsciousness, Kobayashi Shou vaguely saw Minamoto Mashiro's face.
"So in the end, there's no escaping…"
As expected, once you got entangled with that woman… there was never going to be a good ending!
And just like that, Kobayashi Shou stopped breathing.
It wasn't until more than ten minutes after he collapsed, completely motionless on the pavement, that a kind passerby finally noticed something was wrong and called an ambulance.
During that time, on the bustling streets of Shinjuku, no fewer than a thousand people had walked right past him… and not a single one had stopped.
By tomorrow, maybe a news article would surface online, with a headline like:
[Modern Society's Coldheartedness: Young Master of a Famous Entertainment Company Collapses on the Street, Yet No One Steps In to Help]
Afterward, netizens would take turns condemning the situation.
And then the matter… would probably just end there.