Chapter 92, Twentieth Round (11)
The Phoenix's expression only turned ugly for a few seconds. When he turned to where there were people, he regained his usual perfect and gentle smile, as if he didn't care too much even if his sugar daddy had a new love.
However, before he could even leave the booth, the manager, quite tactfully, brought over a handsome young man with blond hair and dark skin.
As the blond youth gradually emerged from the darkness, Kiyoko Yamaguchi's gaze remained fixed on him.
"Hello, nice to meet you. I'm Fox, it's a pleasure to meet you." The blond youth sat down beside her with a warm smile that seemed completely at odds with his code name. "It's an honor to be called upon by such a beautiful woman like you. May I exchange names with you?"
Kiyoko Yamaguchi sat up straight, a smile appearing on her face: "Of course, but I'm not interested in code names. If we're going to exchange, let's exchange real names, how about it?"
The fox paused for a moment, then blinked and looked incredibly cute, especially its large, droopy purple eyes, which reminded one of wet, puppy eyes rather than the long, alluring eyes of a fox.
After realizing what had happened, the blond youth laughed again. This time, his smile seemed much more genuine, and he was clearly much happier. Even the tension he had just felt had disappeared considerably.
“Then please allow me to introduce myself again.” The blond youth looked earnestly into her eyes, took off his gloves, and extended his hand. “Hello, nice to meet you. My name is Amuro Tooru. May I exchange names with you?”
Kiyoko Yamaguchi's smile deepened as she reached out and grasped the warm hand: "I'm Kiyoko Yamaguchi. You can just call me Kiyoko; I prefer a more intimate way of addressing me."
Phoenix knew Kiyoko Yamaguchi quite well, and seeing this, he was almost certain that Kiyoko Yamaguchi was very satisfied with this damned newcomer.
He wanted to step forward and interrupt to try and get some more help, but he didn't dare. In the end, he could only grit his teeth, maintain a relieved and encouraging smile, and prepare to leave.
"Why is your hair a little wet?" Kiyoko Yamaguchi had already started stroking the fox's beautiful fur, and was now slightly frowning as she pinched the two tufts of short hair sticking up beside the blond youth's ear as she asked.
“Oh…” The blond youth paused for two seconds, looking at her apologetically, and said, “I’m sorry, I accidentally got some dirt on my hair just now, so I took a shower and dried my hair before coming over. My hair isn’t completely dry yet.”
“I see, that’s why you’re so warm and your face is so clean and moist…” Yamaguchi Kiyoko cupped his face in one hand to admire it carefully, and gently stroked the blond youth’s hair with the other hand, saying tenderly, “You have to take good care of your hair and face from now on, okay? It would be such a waste if something so beautiful got damaged, and I would be very angry.”
After speaking, those dark eyes, which held little emotion even when smiling, gazed wistfully at the phoenix over there.
It happened to be during a break in the music, and it was relatively quiet, so the people around them heard their conversation.
Like Kiyoko Yamaguchi, almost everyone was watching Phoenix.
Phoenix: "???"
No, why is everyone looking at him?!
How could he possibly make a move before Kiyoko Yamaguchi gets tired of playing with the fox?! Is he out of his mind?!
Damn it! Nobody else has any idea how terrifying Kiyoko Yamaguchi really is!!!
Damn it! Someone must be framing him!
He was about to explain when the intense music that had just switched and Kiyoko Yamaguchi turning back to continue talking to the fox gave him no chance. Moreover, it wouldn't be a wise decision to disrupt Kiyoko Yamaguchi's playtime and mood at this point.
The phoenix's expression twisted slightly, but he managed to maintain a smile and left with the manager.
Once inside, the manager turned to Liu Yue and said, "Liu Yue, I didn't tell you at first because I thought you understood the importance of the matter and wouldn't do those things now. But I didn't expect... Have you been a bit blinded by victory lately? You should calm down. There are TV reporters coming to interview you later, so you mustn't show any bad behavior."
Of course, Kenji Hagiwara also hid listening devices here. Not only did Wataru Date, who was in charge of directing from outside, also curiously put on wireless headphones in the dark. His slightly long bangs perfectly covered the headphones, although it wouldn't be too strange even if he were discovered.
"I didn't do that! Someone framed me! And don't call me Ryugetsu! I'm the Phoenix now!" The Phoenix, in a fit of irritation, smashed a cosmetic bottle and turned to look at the manager, her eyes red. "What happened to him? I will definitely prove my innocence. I absolutely cannot let Yamaguchi Kiyoko misunderstand that I wanted to destroy her pet!"
Kenji Hagiwara and Wataru Date paused in surprise.
A pet? And to make a phoenix so afraid, it seems that Kiyoko Yamaguchi is not as simple as she appears on the surface.
"I checked the security footage while the fox was taking a bath. Only the two of you were here waiting for Ms. Yamaguchi; everyone else had gone to work." The manager's tone was irritated. "You usually have your own break room, so why did you come here specifically today? Everyone knows what you're up to. Besides, the hallway security footage shows that only you went to that room. When everyone left together earlier, they said there was nothing strange. Who else could it be but you?"
Kenji Hagiwara and Wataru Date thought that it was entirely possible that Rei Furuya had orchestrated the whole thing, and that it was even highly likely.
The manager continued, "I originally thought you would just say a few harsh words to scare him, but I never expected you to set a trap and pour black paint on his head. If it weren't for the fact that foxes are active and quick-witted, he wouldn't have just knocked over cosmetics and taken a bath! You would have completely ruined him! It might even have been life-threatening!"
Phoenix finally figured it out and slammed his fist on the table in anger, saying, "If it's a trap, then anyone could have set it! Damn it, I should have hired a detective to prove my innocence. How could I possibly throw paint on his head?! Kiyoko Yamaguchi would kill me!"
The two argued inside for a long time, and even went to the scene to examine the paint and traps all over the ground. If it weren't for the special time and place, Phoenix would have really wanted to find a detective or call the police to check fingerprints.
After all, this was a matter of life and death for him.
The manager didn't believe him at all. Just as he said, there were many people here, and anyone could set a trap, but only Phoenix would do it and dare to do it.
Kenji Hagiwara's ten-minute waiting time is up. Except for guests with special status and those who pay to continue their service, such as the blond young man who is still chatting with Kiyoko Yamaguchi, the rotation system allows ordinary male hosts to move on to the next table after ten minutes.
However, there was a break during this time. He said goodbye to the reluctant guests and, instead of waiting outside with the others to be called, quietly went into the inner room.
Phoenix smashed many things. The manager had just left. Only Phoenix sat in a chair, propping his forehead up with a terrifying expression, deep in thought.
"Phoenix-senpai, are you alright?" Kenji Hagiwara walked over and whispered, "I'm sorry, I overheard some of your conversation before coming in. Although I don't know the specifics, I'm certain it wasn't you who did it. After all, how could someone as powerful as you use such methods to harm a mere newcomer? I think someone must have framed you, just out of jealousy of your fame. It's absolutely despicable!"
The phoenix turned to look at him, staring at him for a few seconds, its expression a mixture of admiration and resentment.
Indeed, although this newcomer was very flamboyant, unlike the fox, the peacock always admired him and her goal was to become a famous male escort like him, known to everyone.
Moreover, this guy seems to be very perceptive, with excellent observation skills, and is both bold and meticulous. He's also a big fan of his, so he might actually be able to help him.
A smile slowly spread across the phoenix's face: "Thank you, Peacock. I didn't expect you to still believe me. Actually, it's like this..."
Kenji Hagiwara listened intently to his words, struggling to suppress his disgust.
In fact, it was the Phoenix Incident that led the Metropolitan Police Department to decide to take immediate action to regulate Kabukicho.
It was a major criminal case caused by a 21-year-old woman named Kayumi Taka and a 27-year-old male host whose original name was Ryuzuki.
Takayumi was originally a bar owner. She was rich, capable, and quite beautiful. After meeting Ryuu, she devoted herself entirely to this male escort, even selling herself in a brothel to support him in order to maintain his business.
They are probably a couple, and may even be living together. Takayumi also said that Ryugetsu promised to marry her soon, and then the two of them would leave Kabukicho and start a normal married life.
However, after Ryuki was chosen by Kiyoko Yamaguchi, he gradually and openly began to dislike Kayumi Takagi. In the end, it was completely exposed that he had only ever treated Kayumi Takagi as an ATM and that he would never marry her. He was just lying to her.
When Takayumi found out, she felt both hatred and love for him, and decided to kill him and then commit suicide.
But halfway through the killing, seeing Liuyue pleading for mercy in pain, she wavered a bit. In the end, she sat down next to Liuyue, who was covered in blood and unconscious, and called the police while smoking.
It was Wataru Date and Wataru Takagi who were on duty to arrest Kayumi Takaka at the time, so Kenji Hagiwara was also aware of this.
Kayumi Takagi's parents paid Ryuzuki 5 million yen in compensation, pleading with her to mitigate her sentence. However, Ryuzuki wished Kayumi would remain imprisoned for life and no longer valued the 5 million yen. She refused to write a petition to help Kayumi reduce her sentence and even went so far as to worsen her crime.
Takayumi was ultimately sentenced to five years.
Ryugetsu, after recovering from his injuries, returned to Kabukicho a month later, making a comeback under the name Phoenix, becoming even more famous and eventually the number one host.
This incident further fueled public opinion and became the final straw that led the police to decide to reform Kabukicho.
Before they arrived, Kenji Hagiwara and Wataru Date had discussed that the Phoenix must be punished as it deserved, and that they absolutely could not allow this disgusting thing to continue to fester.
Matsuda Jinpei even said he would find an opportunity to give the Phoenix a good beating.
But... why hasn't he arrived yet?
Miwako Sato has already entered as a guest.
Logically speaking, shouldn't Matsuda Jinpei be entering as a guest now?
Kenji Hagiwara recalled his near-death experience and realized that the year Matsuda Jinpei's accident was approaching. He couldn't help but hide in the bathroom and make a few phone calls to Matsuda Jinpei after their conversation.
I can't get through.
They didn't even reply to my emails.
Kenji Hagiwara's face darkened completely.
*
As agreed, Phoenix went out to pick up Rena Mizunashi and the staff carrying the camera behind her and brought them into the club, introducing them as they walked.
The only places they could film were the bar on the first floor and the booths on the second floor. Moreover, having received the news, Kiyoko Yamaguchi also took the fox to a private room on the third floor. So, Phoenix finally led Rena Mizunashi to the most luxurious booth on the second floor and began the final interview.
"Actually, I hope people don't see us as having some strange profession. To be honest, we are just people who sell gentleness and love in this numb and confused world."
The handsome young man with long, smooth, golden hair in the video wore a gentle smile, and his voice and tone were very pleasant.
"As long as you come, you will definitely find someone you like, and we will definitely provide the most perfect service."
Rena Mizunashi raised the microphone: "But that's just work after all, and it can't be linked to real life. Your relationship with Ms. Gao Jia, your cohabitation, and even your promise to marry her constitute fraud, right? Mr. Phoenix, have you seen those comments on the internet? Everyone is very angry about this. Do you have anything to say?"
Phoenix gave a helpless smile: "Sigh, actually, I accepted this interview to explain to everyone that I think everyone has misunderstood. Although we did live together, I did not have a formal boyfriend-girlfriend relationship with her, nor did I promise to marry her. It was just her wishful thinking."
He said in a natural tone, "After all, think about it, we both know each other's jobs very well. It's just a normal physical relationship. How could we maintain a normal boyfriend-girlfriend relationship and promise to get married? How could I be that kind of person? And is someone who can do something as terrible as murder, and even calmly smoke and wait for the police to arrive next to me covered in blood, really mentally sound? Can you really believe what she said?"
Rena Mizunashi: "..."
At that moment, she really wanted to turn this phoenix into a real dead bird.
The phoenix shuddered for a moment, turning its head to look around with suspicion, but found no danger.
"What's wrong?" the gentle female anchor asked him with concern.
Phoenix immediately realized they were still in front of the camera and flashed a perfect smile, saying, "It's nothing, it's just that the weather has been a bit chilly lately, and I suddenly feel a little cold. Everyone watching on TV should also remember to keep warm."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
