Chapter 34: Who Is That Woman?!

Why did Ken get in the car?

And he’s sitting in the front seat!

The driver is a woman, right?

Natsume Mio felt as if her heart was being squeezed by an invisible hand, and her breathing became rapid.

She had originally just planned to take a look downstairs at his house before going to work at the convenience store, since it was on the way.

But who would have thought she would run into a scene like this!

Who is that woman?!

She looked very mature, and her dress was also very capable.

Ken’s relative?

No, I haven’t heard of Ken having any relatives in the three years of high school. He’s all alone at home, otherwise he wouldn’t have been so poor before.

Natsume Mio’s brain was working at high speed, and various possibilities flashed through her mind.

But every inference eventually pointed to an answer she couldn’t accept…

Ken, is it possible that he already has another woman?!

She had a reason for thinking this.

In the memory of that dream, Ken had gotten into another woman’s car!

The white Toyota slowly turned around, its wheels crunching slightly on the gravel at the side of the road.

Natsume Mio quickly stepped back and hid around the corner.

She watched helplessly as the car drove towards the main road, a strong sense of powerlessness welling up in her heart.

What should I do?

Chase after it?

How could I possibly catch up…

Even if I did, so what?

I… I and him… we don’t have any relationship at all…

I have no right to control who he hangs out with…

Just as her mind was in a mess, she noticed that the car didn’t drive directly onto the main road, but turned into a small alley at the intersection ahead.

She was very familiar with this area.

In that dream, she and Ken had walked countless times in this residential area, holding hands, and had walked every small path.

In a more secluded corner of a citizen’s park here, they even…

It was a moonless night, pitch black. She covered her mouth, her heart pounding with fear.

Fortunately, no one came by for a full half an hour. Just thinking about it made her face flush and her heart race.

Natsume Mio quickly walked into another alley. After a few turns, she happened to see the white Toyota slowly driving over. The speed was very slow, obviously looking for something.

It finally stopped in front of the parking lot of Myo-o-in and then drove in.

Natsume Mio hid behind a thick tree trunk and secretly observed the situation over there.

…

Sakamoto Ken and Kaji Keiko got out of the car.

A young man in a monk’s robe was sweeping nearby. Seeing Sakamoto Ken, he quickly walked over.

“Ken? Long time no see. Why did you come to the temple?”

“Daigo.” Sakamoto Ken smiled and waved at him. “I have something to do today. This is my editor. I’m borrowing your parking lot.”

He introduced to Kaji Keiko, “This is my friend, Daigo. The Daigo from Tiga.”

“Hahaha, hello, hello. A very interesting name.” Kaji Keiko smiled with her eyes curved and said.

“Big sister actually knows Tiga!” Daigo was slightly surprised.

“Big sister also believes in the light~” Kaji Keiko put her hands together towards the young monk, bowed slightly, and said, “Hello, nice to meet you. Sorry to trouble you.”

Daigo waved his hand. Seeing that she was a beautiful big sister, and she even knew Tiga! He then flicked his stylish bangs and said, “It’s fine, it’s fine. There are plenty of empty parking spaces. Park wherever you want. Hey, wait? Ken, what did you just say? This is… an editor?”

Kaji Keiko smiled and introduced herself, “Yes, I’m Sakamoto-sensei’s editor-in-charge.”

“Eh… is it a publishing house or something?”

“Shueisha,” Kaji Keiko nodded and said.

“Shueisha?!” Daigo’s eyes widened in an instant. He looked at Sakamoto Ken in surprise. “Ken, you’ve debuted as a manga artist?”

Sakamoto Ken nodded. “Yeah, I guess so.”

“Has it been published yet? I have to see your manga!” Daigo said.

“It’s still being serialized on the web, but the week after next Monday, you’ll be able to see it in Weekly Shonen JUMP.”

“JUMP?!” Daigo’s voice rose a few notches. “You’re amazing! I’ll definitely go buy it then! By the way, what’s the name of the manga?”

“Chainsaw Man,” Sakamoto Ken said. “My pen name is my real name. You’ll know it when you see it.”

“Alright! I’ll remember it!” Daigo gave Sakamoto Ken a thumbs-up. “I told you Ken, you’d be amazing in the future!”

Sakamoto Ken waved at him, then turned to Kaji Keiko. “Editor-san, where should we talk?”

Kaji Keiko thought for a moment and asked, “Sakamoto-sensei, is your home convenient?”

Sakamoto Ken hesitated for a moment, but still nodded. “It’s not impossible, but the room is a bit shabby. Don’t mind it.”

“It’s fine, it’s fine,” Kaji Keiko quickly waved her hand and said. “I just want to talk to you face-to-face about some of the company’s arrangements. It’ll be quick.”

“Alright then, the apartment is over there.” Sakamoto Ken said, and then led the way towards the old apartment building.

The two walked side by side on the quiet path. Kaji Keiko looked back at the temple curiously and asked casually, “By the way, you even know the monk at this temple?”

“I’ve known Daigo for several years. He’s been a monk here since he graduated from junior high.”

“Didn’t he go to high school?” Kaji Keiko was a little surprised.

“This temple was founded by his father. At that time, his father was seriously ill and was in a hurry for him to come back and familiarize himself with the temple’s affairs, preparing for him to inherit the family business.”

“Oh…” Kaji Keiko nodded. “So, Daigo-san is the head priest now?”

“No,” Sakamoto Ken shook his head. “His father’s illness was cured later.”

“Oh, oh, that’s a real pity… ah, no, no, no, sorry, sorry, I misspoke…” Kaji Keiko realized she had said the wrong thing, quickly covered her mouth, and her face showed an embarrassed expression.

Sakamoto Ken couldn’t help but laugh. “It’s fine. We used to joke with him like that all the time.”

Kaji Keiko finally breathed a sigh of relief. She looked at the imposing temple building and sighed, “It looks like this temple has been around for a long time. It was actually founded by his father…”

“His father is 87 years old,” Sakamoto Ken added.

“Ah?” Kaji Keiko was even more surprised. “Then Daigo-san, this year he’s…”

“Daigo is the same age as me,” Sakamoto Ken said. “His mother is not even 50 this year. She came to the temple to bury her husband’s ashes and met Daigo’s father. His father is amazing, right?”

“Ha… I see. That’s really amazing…” The corner of Kaji Keiko’s mouth twitched slightly. It was hard to comment. She asked again, “So you two often played together when you were young?”

“Not really. I haven’t lived here for many years,” Sakamoto Ken shook his head. “But we’re very familiar with each other. There was a time when I often came to the temple to scrounge for food.”

“Scrounge for food?” Kaji Keiko looked at him in confusion.

Sakamoto Ken shrugged and said in a flat tone, “Yeah, I was poor at that time and could barely afford to eat. Thanks to Daigo’s family and the old lady at the convenience store next door for their help.”

As they spoke, the two had already arrived at the apartment building.

Sakamoto Ken stopped and pointed at the building in front of them with its rusty iron sheet outer walls.

“I live here,” he turned to Kaji Keiko and said.

Kaji Keiko carefully looked at the building, which was probably twice her age, and calmly said “hmm” before following Sakamoto Ken inside.

(End of Chapter)