Chapter 602

The living room fell into a subtle silence, with only the lingering rain outside dripping softly against the window.

Shirakawa Mai had already slipped into a silk nightgown, lounging lazily on the sofa, while Uesugi Muneyuki stood by the window, his back to the room, as if scrutinizing the night outside.

The invisible auras of the two pressed upon Miyawaki Sakura, making her almost unable to breathe.

Are you hiding something from us?

"Sakura," Shirakawa Mai spoke first, her voice still gentle but edged with an unavoidable sharpness: "The frequency of your 'chance encounters' with Muneyuki, and your reaction to tonight's 'danger,' are far too coincidental. We're not fools. You, or whoever is pulling your strings—what exactly do you want from Muneyuki?"

Uesugi Muneyuki also turned, his gaze calm yet piercing as he looked at her: "Concealment solves nothing. If you don't tell the truth, we cannot judge how to 'help' you next—or whether we should help you at all."

Miyawaki Sakura's face instantly turned ashen.

The moment she had dreaded most had arrived. She stood there, isolated and helpless, fingers clenched tightly around her skirt hem, the expensive stockings now feeling like icy restraints. Should she continue weaving lies into a fragile shield, or stake everything on trusting these two seemingly in-control figures before her?

The inner turmoil raged fiercely. The Public Security warning still rang in her ears; she could not bear the consequences of leaking secrets.

But…… Detective Kino had just nearly let her fall into a deadly trap, while Uesugi Muneyuki and Shirakawa Mai before her possessed a background and energy that even Public Security feared.

Remaining loyal to Public Security might lead her to a dead end; confessing, perhaps…… perhaps still offered a sliver of hope.

Mr. Uesugi—even Public Security fears him!

And if Mai-sama, with her energy, could truly protect me?

Finally, the yearning to survive overpowered her fear of Public Security.

Little Sakura seemed drained of all strength, her legs giving way as she slumped onto the single sofa beside her, tears sliding silently down her cheeks.

"I…… I'll tell you……" Her voice trembled with tears and a shudder of relief.

She began to recount the past she had buried deep, unwilling to revisit.

Miyawaki Sakura's childhood wish was simply "I want to become someone enviable." Though born in Kagoshima, she had always been dissatisfied with her living environment, and when asked about her aspirations in high school, she unhesitatingly chose "University of Tokyo," making her middle-school teacher laugh.

From childhood, she had longed for bustling metropolises, always dreaming she was born in Paris, New York, or at the very least Tokyo—not the countryside of Kagoshima.

The widespread New York Syndrome and Paris Syndrome among Japanese people.

Uesugi Muneyuki remained calm, gesturing for her to continue.

Obviously, Miyawaki Sakura's ordinary family background and mediocre academic abilities could never have gotten her into Tokyo University, yet fueled by her dream of Tokyo, she had moved there at age thirteen.

Though I lack talent, I am adorable, aren't I? Cuteness is invincible!

This world cannot lack kawaii!

Holding onto this dream, Miyawaki Sakura repeatedly hit walls in Tokyo, naively believing her outstanding looks and fierce career drive alone would elevate her into high society, accepted by this international metropolis—but in reality, she daily worried over rent and having enough to eat.

Too many girls have come to Tokyo this way.

Ultimately, driven to desperation, Miyawaki Sakura joined the underground idol audition, becoming an underground idol, living in a sunless basement, dancing by roadside trees, waiting for her chance.

The monthly salary for underground idols is only fifty thousand yen.

Even with six idols crammed in the basement, fifty thousand yen still isn't enough for Little Sakura to live like a person in Tokyo.

This gap—only those who've felt it know.

From yearning to rise above others to only being able to become the rancid bottom feeder of underground performances, Little Sakura's resentment is easy to imagine.

Uesugi Muneyuki, upon hearing this, exchanged a glance with Mai Xuejie.

"Then why……" Mai Xuejie asked strangely.

"Because later…… the group ran into trouble…… because the management was involved in organized crime and fraud…… I was arrested……" She choked, "They said I was a minor, so I could avoid prosecution…… but…… Public Security found me…… they said they could give me a chance, as long as I worked for them, I wouldn't get a record…… I…… I didn't understand anything, I was terrified…… so I signed the agreement……"

She described how Public Security manipulated her, forcing her to join YKC48 as a pawn to investigate their parent company's dark secrets.

"Until…… until I met Mr. Uesugi…… Public Security…… they…… thought Mr. Uesugi you were important, could help them…… so they ordered me…… to find a way to approach you, gain your favor and…… support……" When she uttered the three words "beauty trap," her voice was mosquito-thin, shame making it impossible to lift her head.

Still acting.

Uesugi Muneyuki exchanged another glance with Mai Xuejie, looking at the girl before them, they shook their heads in helplessness.

Still acting!

This little cherry blossom is truly dark!

"Sakura-chan, I ask you, that I ask you—are you forced into becoming a Public Security informant, or did you choose it willingly?" Uesugi Muneyuki asked half-smiling: "Let me guess—being forced is true, but Sakura-chan, your words…… I suspect besides being forced, you should also be quite…… eager, wouldn't you say?"

"!!!" Sakura-chan's face instantly turned ashen.

"Answer me, Sakura-chan—Public Security likely did approach you first, that's correct, but you yourself should also…… have wanted to become a Public Security informant willingly?" Uesugi Muneyuki continued.

"Because……" Miyawaki Sakura's hidden thoughts were exposed, her face gray-white, she whispered weakly: "Because…… seek wealth and honor in peril……"

"Can't hear…… speak louder! Still trying to ride Mr. Uesugi with that whisper?!" Mai Xuejie snapped, slamming her hand hard on the coffee table, flustered and exasperated: "Listen! Sakura-chan! Do you want it, or don't you?! Senior's word is command! Say it out loud!"

Seeing this, Sakura-chan also threw caution to the wind.

Victory or defeat hangs in this moment!

"It was me who volunteered! At the time, that group of underground idols—only I agreed to become a Public Security informant, because seek wealth and honor in peril! For a girl like me with no background, no family, no money, becoming Public Security's dog is the greatest honor, tooth sound!" Sakura-chan shouted, clenching her fists: "Otherwise, how would I rise above others? I've had enough of basement life! I want to live in a tower mansion! I want to be a big star! I want to become, step by step, someone everyone envies—just like Mai-sama ah ah ah!"

After saying all this, as if she had expended all her strength, she could only lower her head, awaiting final judgment.

To her surprise, the anticipated anger or contempt never came.

Uesugi Muneyuki and Shirakawa Mai exchanged a glance, that look filled with understanding, even…… perhaps a hint of silent agreement that the plan had succeeded?

"Indeed." Uesugi Muneyuki softly exhaled four words, unable to suppress a laugh.

Shirakawa Mai then nodded thoughtfully: "Pretty much what we suspected. Public Security wanted to use little Sakura as a bridge to connect with you, Muneyuki, even, as leverage to threaten you."

Uesugi Muneyuki walked up to Miyawaki Sakura, looking down at her, but his eyes held no blame, only an extreme calmness of analysis: "Do you know, Sakura? You, and the Public Security pulling your strings, have made one fatal mistake—you thought I was an outsider, someone you could freely use."

He paused, his voice dropping: "You wanted to investigate the dark secrets behind the idol parent company, while I want to uncover the truth behind that failed bomb attempt at the Imperial Palace months ago and the subsequent strange deaths. Based on the clues I hold, these two may well be entangled by the same dark vine."

Miyawaki Sakura startled, lifting her head.

Mai Xuejie interjected, the corner of her mouth lifting in a meaningful smile: "So, things just got interesting. Public Security wants to use you to approach Muneyuki; Muneyuki also needs Public Security's grip on underground intelligence to investigate the Imperial Palace case and other leads. And you, little Sakura—you want to break free from control, want true safety, even…… perhaps you want more? For instance, do you want Muneyuki?"

Uesugi Muneyuki: "……"

Could this be what Mai Xuejie meant by sacrificing one's charm?

Miyawaki Sakura's heart pounded wildly, as if she had seen a crack split open in the darkness, light spilling through: "Mai-sama?"

Mai Xuejie's eyes sharpened, as if she had already thought everything through: "Since they want a 'beauty trap,' then we... will turn their scheme against them."

"Turn their scheme against them?" Miyawaki Sakura murmured.

"Exactly." Mai Xuejie said firmly: "You continue to play the role the Public Security wants you to play, pass on to me the information they want you to pass on, and obtain the 'support' they want you to obtain. But at the same time, you are also our eyes and ears. We will tell you what to say, what not to say, and how, from the Public Security, to obtain what we need."

Shirakawa Mai smiled and added, her tone carrying a hint of encouragement: "This means you are no longer a pawn to be moved at will. You will have two 'masters,' and smart children know how to squeeze out the maximum benefit for themselves in a tight spot, don't you? This is far better than trembling alone under the Public Security's threats."

Miyawaki Sakura looked at the two people before her—calm, strong, and seemingly having already seen through everything. They turned a desperate deadlock into, in an instant, a three-way game full of risk yet brimming with infinite possibilities.

She took a deep breath, wiped the tears from her face, and for the first time, a flame ignited in her eyes—not a pretense, but her own, burning with resolve and ambition.

"I... I understand." She whispered, yet with unprecedented resolve: "I will do as you say! Mr. Uesugi, Mai-sama, I entrust Sakura's life to you! Please, please guide me!"

Having said that, Xiao Ying stood up resolutely and knelt in a formal dogeza before the two of them!

"Hehe~hehehehahahaha~" Mai Xuejie finally couldn't hold back, burst into laughter, pointing at Xiao Ying and saying to Uesugi Muneyuki: "Muneyuki, look at this kid, she's not stupid, hey! Hahahaha~Alright, alright, Sakura-chan, you may get up now!"

"Since the Public Security Police hope to use you as leverage to blackmail Muneyuki into helping them, we might as well turn their scheme against them—let you and Muneyuki have something happen, after all, that bunch of Public Security Police won't honestly tell Muneyuki everything if they don't have something on him." Mai Xuejie said amusingly: "So the question arises, Xiao Ying, are you still a virgin?"

"Eh?!" Xiao Ying froze.

"I'm asking you, are you still a virgin? If yes, then yes; if no, then no." Mai Xuejie asked lightly: "The difference lies in whether Muneyuki will take responsibility."

"I am, I certainly am!" Xiao Ying exclaimed, her expression becoming even more excited upon hearing this, she glanced at Uesugi Muneyuki and felt all her schemes and intentions rush back!

Let him take responsibility?

Excitement!!!

Truly, when mountains and rivers run out and doubt there's no way, willows darken, flowers brighten, and another village appears!

Sakura's Biography, restart!!!

(Chapter End)