Chapter 993: The Plea of Fukatsu Harumi

Before dinner, the Kotone Inn became a bit more lively.

Quite a few tourists were gathered in the recreation hall, either playing ping-pong or messing around with game consoles.

Akaso Kaze also changed into a yukata and walked into the recreation hall, hugging a bath towel.

Passing through the recreation hall led to a cliffside valley; the inn had built a winding staircase leading down to the open-air hot spring below, where the rising steam made it feel like a fairyland on earth.

It really is more atmospheric to soak in a hot spring during winter, especially in this deep mountain forest of snow; the only pity is that there is no mixed bathing.

Akaso Kaze entered the water, soaking comfortably in the pool, leaving only his head floating on the surface.

As the sun set, the silver-clad mountains were covered in a layer of twilight hues. The beautiful scenery was fully in view, and the relaxation effect was far better than an ordinary hot spring; Akaso Kaze almost wanted to soak like this for the whole day.

However, soaking in a hot spring for too long is actually bad for the body.

After the hot spring, heavy snow began to fall again in the village at night. Akaso Kaze was invited by the producer, Bando, to have dinner together.

"Cheers!"

Everyone drank a few glasses. After chatting about the new play, Editor Yasuda and Akechi Eri looked over one after another.

"Lord Akaso," Anzai Ema, who had just been tentatively asking Akechi Eri to arrange more screen time for her, looked at Akaso Kaze with a smile and said, "I heard that you also opened an entertainment company?"

"That is correct." Akaso Kaze nodded.

"Lord Akaso," Anzai Ema seemed not to have heard what Akaso Kaze said. She leaned in closer, putting on a cute expression, and said, "I heard your company has a new play to film this time. Can you recommend me, Lord Akaso?"

"I don't participate in casting." Akaso Kaze said indifferently.

His face was full of refusal.

"Don't say that. You are the big boss, after all; the director will definitely take your opinion into account."

"We'll see when the time comes." Akaso Kaze looked at Anzai Ema, who was pouting in dissatisfaction.

He had never encountered this kind of woman before; she seemed to be the princess of a large enterprise.

Really, why would he recommend an actor for no reason, let alone an enterprise princess who was neither a professional actor nor had a particularly good personality?

Perhaps feeling that there was no chance with Akaso Kaze, Anzai Ema unhappily drank her wine in silence.

Akechi Eri watched this scene, smiled lightly, and toasted Akaso Kaze.

"Come to think of it, Lord Akaso is only in his 20s, yet he has already built such a reputation and family business." Akechi Eri looked at Akaso Kaze with sparkling eyes and said, "If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I really wouldn't be able to believe it. Geniuses really do exist."

"Actually, it's nothing. Aren't there quite a few high school detective prodigies?" Akaso Kaze smiled faintly.

"They are far behind you," Akechi Eri laughed. "Honestly, Lord Akaso is very suitable to be the prototype for the male lead in my story this time, even though it is a female-led drama."

"Let's skip that," Akaso Kaze said, smiling as he changed the subject. "However, why did you come here to discuss the new play?"

"Because Miss Eri has been creating in this village for many years," the female editor, Yasuda, replied. "We heard the hot springs here are quite good, so we all came over."

Akechi Eri smiled faintly: "By the way, are you going to soak in the hot spring later?"

"I already went during the day." Akaso Kaze replied.

"Night is different from day, and it's a bit cold. You'll sleep better after soaking in the hot water."

"Is that so? Then I'll see later..."

Akaso Kaze looked at the snowy night outside.

Since there was nothing to do at night anyway, going to the open-air hot spring again seemed nice.

After finishing dinner, Akaso Kaze left his seat, preparing to return to his guest room.

"P-please wait, Lord Akaso!" Fukatsu Harumi suddenly hurried over, calling out to Akaso Kaze with a hesitant expression.

"Miss Harumi?" Akaso Kaze asked in confusion, "Is something the matter?"

"Actually," Fukatsu Harumi looked back at the room where they had dined, biting her lower lip, "I have something I would like to ask of you."

"What is it? You can tell me slowly now."

Inside the guest room, Akaso Kaze looked at Fukatsu Harumi, who was sitting across from him at the table.

"Five years ago," Fukatsu Harumi said softly, clutching the corner of her clothes.

"In the year I was a junior in college, a senior was accused of selling prohibited drugs at school. Drugs were found in her locker. To clear her name, she jumped from the school building and died just like that."

Akaso Kaze frowned slightly.

He remembered this incident; it seemed like someone was about to die again.

"The senior you are talking about, could it be the one mentioned earlier at the Kimono Sleeve Sakura?"

"Yes," Fukatsu Harumi nodded gently. "Her name was Suzuka Sakurako. She was a kind senior who loved cherry blossoms. I knew her too well; a senior with such a soft personality could never have sold drugs at school!"

As she spoke, Fukatsu Harumi looked earnestly at Akaso Kaze: "Lord Akaso, I beg you, please reinvestigate this matter."

"Although I would like to help, however," Akaso Kaze said, frowning, "it has already been five years. I'm afraid it's a bit too late to investigate now." ===== CHAPTER 995 =====