Chapter 202: Breaking News ( 202 )

Words : 1118 Updated : Oct 3rd, 2025

Chapter 202: Breaking News ( 202 ) Yamashita Corporation Main Building – Night The lights in the executive floor glowed dimly, casting long shadows across the glass walls and polished marble. Yamashita stood near the wide window of his office, arms folded, his gaze distant. Behind him, the quiet hum of the city buzzed below. "...Strange." He turned slightly. "He’s always been punctual," Yamashita muttered, almost to himself. "Never late. And when he says he’s coming... he comes." One of his senior aides nodded, standing respectfully near the doorway. "Yes, Mister Yamashita. He’s never missed a call or appointment. Not once. Certainly not like this." Yamashita’s brow furrowed. "Try calling him again." "We’ve already tried, sir. Multiple times." A pause. "His phone... it’s off." The silence that followed was heavier than before. "...That’s not like him." Yamashita remained silent for a moment, eyes narrowed as he stared at the polished surface of his desk. "Check his personnel file," he said quietly. "See if he listed any other contact. Maybe his wife?" The aide nodded. "Yes, sir. We already looked." "And?" "There’s only one name listed under emergency contact... A woman named Harusawa Kyouko." Yamashita’s brow arched slightly. "Harusawa Kyouko?" He leaned forward. "Isn’t his wife’s name... Nakagawa Satomi? She’s listed as co-owner of Harusawa Corporation, if I recall." The aide nodded again. "That’s correct." "...Harusawa..." Yamashita echoed softly, fingers tapping once against his desk. "Harusawa Corporation." He stood slowly, the name sparking a faint memory. "Harusawa... ah. Yes. That company." A pause. "But who is she?" he murmured. "And why would she be his emergency contact?" "Well... whatever," "Try calling her." "Yes, sir." The aide turned briskly, heading toward the outer office. Yamashita stayed where he was, still staring ahead. Outside the ICU, the hallway was quiet again. Kyouko sat alone in the waiting area. Her hands rested on her lap, fingers loosely clasped. The vending machine’s gentle hum filled the silence. Then... Her phone buzzed softly. She glanced down. Unknown number. She stared at it for a moment. Then turned her eyes away. Her phone buzzed again. Another unknown number. She turned it down. A moment passed. Then—another. And another. And another. Kyouko let out a quiet breath. Her hand trembled as she reached for the phone. She answered. "...Hello..." Then a man’s voice came through the line. "Ah... is this Miss Harusawa Kyouko?" "...Mm..." "This is Yamashita Corporation. We’re just calling to check if—" "Haruki..." Her voice broke. "...he’s in the hospital." Another silence. Kyouko closed her eyes, holding the phone tightly. She didn’t want to cry again. But just saying it aloud made everything real again. "Which hospital!?" Another voice cut in—firmer, sharper. Her lips trembled. "...Tokyo General Hospital..." The words barely came out. Soft. Cracking. Her throat tightened. And then— The tears returned. She ended the call. Her phone dropped to her lap. Both hands rose to cover her face as her body folded forward, shoulders trembling. She couldn’t hold it anymore. She sobbed. In silence. Alone. Kyouko reached slowly for her phone. Her fingers trembled slightly as she scrolled through her contacts... Until she found the name: Takahashi Hanako Her mother. She tapped the screen. Meanwhile, in Okinawa... Hanako sat beside her husband in the living room, sipping tea as a soft breeze drifted through the open window. Her phone lit up beside her. She glanced down. Then smiled. "...Kyouko." She lifted it gently, tilting it toward her husband. "Your daughter is calling~" Kitayama gave a soft grunt behind his newspaper. "Good. It’s been over a month since she called." Hanako chuckled softly and picked up. "Hello~ Kyouko-chan." A pause. Then a trembling voice answered. "...Mom..." Hanako straightened. Her smile faded. "Hmm? What’s wrong? Why do you sound like that?" "...Mom... Haruki... Haruki..." And then— She heard her daughter crying. Tears, breaking through the line. "Kyouko! What’s wrong? Are you hurt? Tell me!" "...Mom... Mom... Haruki..." Hanako stood up quickly, her free hand clutching the edge of the table. "What about Haruki? What happened?" A broken whisper came through the phone. "...He... He had an accident. He’s in the ICU now..." "What!?" Hanako’s voice rose sharply. "Haruki-kun?" "...Yes... Mom..." Hanako’s face paled. She turned quickly toward her husband. "Dear! Haruki! Haruki-kun had an accident!" Kitayama lowered his newspaper instantly. "What!?" He stood up and took the phone from her hand. "Kyouko!! Are you hurt!?" "...No... Father... Haruki... H-Haruki..." Her voice cracked. Kitayama’s tone tightened, but remained firm. "Calm down. If you keep crying like that, how can I understand what happened?" But from the other end, all he could hear was Kyouko sobbing. Deep, broken sobs. He gritted his teeth. "We’re going there. Just wait. And don’t you dare try to drive in that condition! You hear me!?" He ended the call without waiting for her reply. Then immediately reached for his phone. Ring. "Kazuma," he said. "Call our staff. Tell them to prepare the jet." "Mm?" Kazuma’s voice came through, confused. "Now. I don’t want to wait another damn minute. I’ll tell you the details once we’re on the plane. We fly to Tokyo tonight." Upstairs, Kenji was just finishing a quiet conversation with Hitomi when he heard his father’s voice echo sharply from below. He paused. Frowned. Then quickly headed down the stairs. "Mom? What’s wrong?" Hanako turned to him, her face tight but composed. "Haruki-kun. Kyouko’s son-in-law... he’s been in an accident." Kenji’s eyes widened. "What!?" He didn’t need to ask more. He already knew what Haruki truly was to his sister. He turned sharply toward the staircase. "Hitomi! Start packing our clothes!" From above: "Mmm...!" Her voice carried back with a mix of urgency and calm. Just then, Riko and Daichi came downstairs—halfway through a snack, still in their casual clothes. "Papa? What’s wrong?" Riko asked. Daichi followed behind, looking concerned. "Yeah... why is everyone yelling?" Kenji looked at them both, kneeling slightly to their height. "Your uncle Haruki... he’s had an accident." Riko’s eyes went wide. Daichi stiffened. "...Hah...!" they both gasped in unison. That night— The quiet of Tokyo General Hospital was interrupted by the arrival of a sleek black convoy. The headlights cut through the dark parking lot as the doors of a long black sedan opened in sync. Yamashita stepped out, surrounded by his personal assistant, bodyguards, and his driver who remained by the vehicle. He walked , dressed, polished shoes clicking against the tile as he entered through the hospital’s main doors. Without slowing, he headed straight to the front desk. The receptionist looked up, startled by the sudden presence of such a composed and commanding group. Yamashita’s voice was calm, but firm. Controlled. "Nakagawa Haruki." He paused. "Which room is he in?" ( End Of Chapter )

Chapter 202: Breaking News ( 202 )

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