"So from what you've told us, it sounds very much like a malicious frame-job." The two officers nodded vigorously, now utterly convinced that was the only plausible explanation.
One of them jotted something down, then added casually, "By the way, Watarase's family member is right here in the car. Would you like to meet her?"
Suze turned. In the back seat sat a blonde woman in a tailored gray-white suit, radiating the sharp aura of a corporate predator. His smile widened like a cat who'd spotted cream.
"I think that's absolutely necessary."
He had Yuri take the Miyajima mother and daughter home first, then slid into the patrol car after the officers without a second thought.
[Name: Watarase Otoha] [Tags: Beauty, Pantyhose Lover, Career Elite, Mommy, Widow] [Current Thoughts: Why did he suddenly get in the car…] [Profile: A cold, flawless professional at work who terrifies subordinates with her perfectionism. At home, however, she's a warm, cheerful mother who's always laughing. Married young, gave birth to twin daughters, then lost her husband in an accident not long after. Hasn't had a partner in over ten years—her current fiancé keeps delaying the wedding. Craves family affection with an almost desperate intensity.]
One officer spoke to her. "This is Suze. Please check if he ever had any conflict with Watarase Itsuki."
Otoha's face froze in embarrassment. Wasn't she just supposed to glance at him from afar? Why bring the suspect right into the car?
"Hello. I'm Watarase Otoha, Itsuki's mother." She straightened her expression and extended a soft, manicured hand, deliberately omitting the fact that she was only his adoptive mother.
"Pleasure." Suze took her hand, gaze openly traveling up and down her body.
The woman was stunning: elegant features, elite poise, coffee-colored ultra-sheer stockings hugging long, toned legs. Sexy without ever crossing into vulgar—perfectly balanced on the razor's edge.
"How exactly do you know Itsuki?" she asked directly, calculation flickering in her eyes.
Despite the favorable first impression, a seasoned woman like her wouldn't let looks cloud her judgment.
Itsuki wasn't exactly blessed in the appearance department, yet she truly loved him like family.
"Know him? Sorry, I've never met your adopted son." Suze sidestepped the trap with a smile.
Otoha's expression shifted. She shot a wary glance at the officers.
What the hell were these two doing, casually leaking private information?
Suze chuckled. "Relax, Mrs. Watarase. The officers didn't tell me about your remarriage."
She inhaled sharply, forcing calm. "Then how do you know Itsuki is my adopted son?"
"Because he told me himself."
Otoha felt dizzy. "Didn't you just say you don't know him?"
"The Itsuki I knew never used his real name when we talked." Suze sighed theatrically. Before she could press further, he continued, "Itsuki and I were secret online friends. He cried to me about how his dad was remarrying, how he couldn't take it anymore. He said he wanted to run away, to meet me one last time before he disappeared forever. And… well, I guess that's exactly what happened."
Otoha's heart seized. "What do you mean 'that's what happened'?! Is Itsuki really in danger?!"
Morishita Masao had confessed, but they still hadn't found a body. Given all the evidence, the probability Itsuki was alive was actually quite high.
Yet Suze's tone made ice crawl up her spine.
Although she'd only met Itsuki twice, she truly saw him as her own child.
Suze's voice remained calm. "In my opinion? Yes. And even if he isn't dead, he'll never come home. This whole setup was his golden cicada shedding its shell, wasn't it?"
One officer slapped his forehead. "That's it! A living person couldn't just vanish without cooperating. He staged the whole thing!"
The other nodded furiously. "Exactly! We have to find Watarase fast—he just lost his family, he's emotionally unstable. He could be in real danger!"
Otoha's mind buzzed. Her fingers dug painfully into her thighs.
So Itsuki left because of me? If I hadn't remarried his father, if I hadn't shattered his old life—he wouldn't have done this!
Guilt crashed over her like a tidal wave. Her eyes lost focus.
Then Suze laughed—cold, mocking. "Heh. The longer we wait, the more thoroughly he disappears. Perfect, right?"
Saying that in front of a missing boy's mother was practically begging to be hit.
But Otoha didn't get angry. Instead, every suspicious word Suze had spoken flashed through her mind.
She lunged forward, grabbing his shoulders, voice cracking. "You know where Itsuki went, don't you!"
The violent motion tore a small run in her coffee-colored stockings, making her look suddenly disheveled, almost fragile.
Suze didn't flinch. He smiled wider. "Of course I know. But why the hell would I tell you? He tried to frame me and Masao for murder. Let him rot alone in some dark gutter."
Otoha froze as if lightning had struck her.
You're just a high schooler—how can your heart be this vicious?
Her first instinct was to defend Itsuki.
Then she thought: if the plan had succeeded, the boy in front of her might have gone to prison for life.
She understood.
"Please," she whispered, lips trembling. "He's still a child. Don't act out of spite."
The image of Itsuki hurting himself somewhere alone made her chest ache so badly she couldn't breathe.
Itsuki, please don't do anything stupid!!
Suze savored the sight of a proud, beautiful mother crumbling for her son's sake, then finally spoke.
"I could help you find him…"
He glanced pointedly at the two officers.
Otoha understood instantly. She bowed toward them. "Could you gentlemen please give us a moment alone? I need to speak with Suze-san privately."
The officers exchanged looks and stepped out without protest.
"Name your price," she said the instant the doors closed, placing herself on the chopping block. "Anything. Just bring Itsuki back to me."
If Suze refused to cooperate, the police were powerless. Her only hope now rested in his hands.
Originally, he'd only planned to hypnotize the family to avoid future trouble.
But the moment the True Eye revealed Otoha's profile, his plans changed.
Beautiful grieving widow. Elegant career woman who hadn't been touched in over a decade. A mother who would do anything for her son.
The patrol car, the anxious beauty in the back seat…
Now this was exciting.
You wanted to cuck me? Fine. I'll cuck your entire family.
No wonder killing Watarase Itsuki hadn't felt like enough revenge.
He hadn't gone nearly far enough.
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