Kazuma pulled Chiyoko along as they rushed back home. From a distance, they could already see a large freight truck embedded into their front wall.
From the looks of it, the front gate and entryway were completely totaled, and the empty room on the sunny side of the second floor was likely unusable as well.
Several traffic officers were on the scene, taking photos of the wrecked truck.
A well-dressed man carrying a briefcase was waiting just outside the police cordon. As soon as he spotted Kazuma and Chiyoko, he approached and handed Kazuma a business card.
"I'm Tanaka Jōji, an attorney representing the Maebashi Transport Association. I'm here to handle the compensation for this unfortunate traffic accident."
Kazuma glanced at the card, then at the man's outstretched hand. "Attorney? Transport Association? Unfortunate traffic accident?"
Tanaka nodded. "Yes. One of our association's drivers violated regulations by driving under the influence, which caused this accident. We will provide full compensation for your losses. Should you wish to pursue additional legal action, I will also be handling those matters."
Kazuma let out a noncommittal "Oh," thinking that this lawyer at least seemed like a decent guy—he didn't have any of the usual shady vibes.
So Kazuma asked, "When can I expect to receive the compensation?"
Maybe I can use this payout...
Before Kazuma could even finish the thought, Tanaka replied with a cheerful smile, "If everything goes smoothly, you could have it in as little as six months."
Kazuma's fledgling plans crumbled in an instant.
"Six months?" he echoed.
"Yes. The main process involves the insurance company. All our association's vehicles are fully insured. Once the damage assessment is completed, the compensation will be budgeted into the next fiscal quarter and then disbursed." Tanaka explained enthusiastically, "Major Japanese corporations begin their fiscal year on April 1st. This year's first quarter budget has already been finalized, so the earliest payout would be in the next quarter."
Kazuma immediately caught the key phrase. "Earliest?"
"Yes. And with Golden Week right around the corner, if there are any delays in processing, it might not even be completed this quarter." Tanaka adjusted his glasses. "Japan's a bureaucratic society these days. You never know what procedural delays might arise."
At this point, Kazuma was certain this was sabotage by the yakuza.
Think about it—his home was in a residential neighborhood, nearly 200 meters from the nearest main road. There was no way a truck this size would just happen to drive into this narrow alley and just happen to crash into his house.
With no money for repairs and compensation delayed at least half a year, he and Chiyoko would be living in a broken house with no front door...
Fury boiling over, Kazuma grabbed Tanaka Jōji by the collar. "You bastard! Unfortunate accident?! This was deliberate!"
Tanaka remained calm, offering a faint smile. "Then go tell the officers over there. Have them change the accident report."
Kazuma glanced at the officers still collecting evidence. Before he could respond, Tanaka continued, "If the driver is convicted of DUI, his career is over. No one would believe he agreed to take that kind of fall under someone's orders. Kiryu-san, I understand your frustration, but any action you take now will be meaningless."
Kazuma lowered his gaze, studying Tanaka. For a moment, the lawyer's expression seemed... complicated.
"The world isn't won by those in the right," Tanaka said softly, with a trace of regret. "It's won by those who know how to use the rules."
Somehow, Kazuma sensed that those words came from a lingering sliver of decency in the man's heart.
With a grunt, Kazuma released his grip.
Straightening his clothes, Tanaka said, "I can assure you that the compensation will meet all legal requirements. Beyond that... I can only wish you good luck."
Before Kazuma could reply, a familiar figure entered his view.
Itō Yūsaku—the flunky from Sumitomo Construction's Relocation Department. The bruises from the beating he and Chiyoko had given him were still visible on his face.
"My, my, what happened here?" Itō Yūsaku exclaimed in mock surprise as he surveyed the wreckage. "Goodness, Kiryu-kun, your luck really is terrible. Your old dump of a house is completely wrecked now. Looks like we'll have to adjust the contract again."
Turning to Kazuma, he added, "Our previous appraisal was based on the original house. Now we'll have to appraise it as a pile of rubble."
With that, he pulled a brown envelope from his briefcase. "Of course, if you sign the contract right now, we'll honor the old price and buy this... 'rubble' as if it were still the original house."
Kazuma wanted nothing more than to punch that smug face. But before he could act, Itō had already stepped back, casting a glance at the nearby traffic officers.
"Ah, good thing the police are here today. Otherwise, I might be assaulted by a violent delinquent again! So scary!"
Kazuma's fists clenched tight, joints audibly popping.
He wanted to hit this guy. Badly.
Adjusting his glasses, Itō sneered, "Hmph. See? All a delinquent like you can rely on is violence. But in modern society, it's about knowledge and brains. Trash like you will be crushed and discarded. Maybe your sister could find more... 'productive' work in Kabukichō or Ōbanbashi."
"That's enough," Tanaka snapped. "There's no need to stoop to such petty provocations."
"Oh? If it isn't my dear senior, Tanaka-san," Itō said with a mock-surprised tone. "Still as sanctimonious as ever. I thought after handling so many accident claims and making so many families weep, you would've dropped the act by now."
Tanaka's voice turned cold. "Everything I do is within the law—and I do my best to help families impacted by these accidents."
"Really? Maybe you should ask those families how grateful they are," Itō shot back.
After a brief silence, Tanaka turned to Kazuma. "I'll take my leave. It seems you still have matters to discuss with Mr. Itō."
"I don't," Kazuma said, glaring at Itō. "I've got nothing to say to him."
"Really?" Itō smirked. "When Ogawara-san was still in charge, you could've signed and made millions. You passed on that. Now, it's only a few hundred thousand, but still—if you don't sign, you'll miss out again. You really think Tanaka-san here will get you a big payout? His job is to minimize the compensation, you know. Isn't that right, senpai?"
Tanaka remained silent.
"I'm not signing," Kazuma said firmly. "I do regret not signing when Ogawara-san was handling it. But there's no point in dwelling on that now."
Suddenly, Chiyoko stepped forward. "We'll sign!"
She grabbed the envelope from Itō's hands.
But Kazuma swiftly snatched it back and tossed it into the nearby storm drain.
"Big Brother!" Chiyoko cried, on the verge of hysteria. "Just sign it! I'll start working after I graduate. You just focus on getting into college!"
"Don't be ridiculous!" Kazuma shouted. "How much could you possibly earn?"
Itō let out a shrill laugh. "Oh, that's easy. I've got some connections—I can introduce Kiryu-san to some very lucrative work."
"Shut up! Get back to your company! Tell your bosses—unless it's the original price, they can forget it! I'm not selling!"
With that, Kazuma grabbed Chiyoko and pulled her past the wreckage toward what was left of their front gate—only to be stopped by two traffic officers.
"The main structure of this house may be compromised," the lead officer said. "Until repairs are complete, it's not safe to live here. Do you have anywhere else to stay?"
Kazuma replied calmly, "I'm sorry, officer. We don't."
As soon as the words left his mouth, the rain began to fall, a cold drizzle soaking his hair and shoulders.
After a pause, the officer said, "Then at least stay in the part of the house farthest from the damaged area. Also, are there no adult guardians living here?"
"No," Kazuma answered.
"Then please sign this accident report," the officer said, handing it over and stepping aside to shield Kazuma from the rain. "Come in, no need to stand out here getting wet."
Kazuma entered the battered entryway. Chiyoko rushed inside ahead of him, off to who-knows-where.
Kazuma read through the accident report carefully. With his knowledge, he couldn't find any loopholes. In the end, he could only sign.
The officer took the signed form and patted Kazuma's shoulder. "Times are tough. Hang in there."
Then he waved to his team. "Wrap it up."
As the officers packed their gear and prepared to leave, Chiyoko emerged, broom in hand. She began sweeping the rubble from the entryway with all her strength, tears streaming down her face, mixing with the falling rain, spattering against the floor.
(End of Chapter)