Chapter 377: All Civilized People
After listening to Kawashima Ami's account, Kaede and Eriri understood, and also knew the reason why it hadn't been resolved until now.
"Not just a stalker, but also a crazy fan?"
Rubbing his chin, Kaede frowned, "This is even harder to deal with than a regular stalker. If it were just a stalker, as long as there's evidence and surveillance footage from nearby when they're spotted, calling the police would usually solve it. But with this kind of fanatic, if he hasn't done anything extreme and completely denies his actions, it's very difficult to handle. But Kawashima, your reaction now is very different from when we first met you."
"What can I do?"
Lowering her head, Kawashima Ami said helplessly, "Do you think I'm not angry? I finally achieved my current success in modeling, but because of this kind of person, I can only pause my work and even transfer schools and move out of where I used to live! And if my true private self is photographed and spread, wouldn't all my efforts be completely ruined?"
Emmm~~~
Kaede and Eriri exchanged glances, both revealing a smile of emotion.
Looking at Kawashima Ami, Eriri smiled and said, "So, you think that just one fanatical person who stalks and secretly photographs you every day can cause your public image to collapse in the hearts of all your fans? And it's an image you've created yourself? Actually, in my opinion, you don't have any fans at all. Those fans like your disguise, not the real you. Is there any meaning to that?"
Kawashima Ami retorted disapprovingly, "Who says it's meaningless? Isn't that also me?"
"Then, when you're disguised like that, are you truly happy deep down?"
Eriri looked directly into Kawashima Ami's eyes and said, "Anyway, when I used to hide my otaku side, I felt quite depressed. I don't feel that way now. Life goes on just the same, and no one seems to reject me. If hiding it doesn't affect your mood at all, then it's fine, but if it does, then it's better not to do it. The world is vast, but your own mood is the most important."
"R-really?"
Kawashima Ami looked at Eriri, who had just finished speaking, in disbelief: "You're clearly a young lady, aren't you? Haven't you ever considered what people around you think, or the impact on your family?"
Kawashima Ami had originally thought Eriri was so reckless because she had already taken care of everything around her, but it turned out to be because she hadn't thought to care too much?
"What's the big deal?" Eriri calmly picked up her teacup, took a sip of water, and said, "It seems you don't know yet, but both my mom and dad are total shut-ins, the really hardcore kind. Especially my mom, she's even more outrageous than me, she loves reading BL, and she even tried to persuade me to draw BL doujinshi of my dad, but I refused. Do you think growing up in such a family environment, plus the fact that I'm already engaged, I would care about other random things?"
"..."
Kawashima Ami fell silent, clearly realizing that her long-held beliefs had been dismissed by Eriri as childish and trivial.
Kaede's attention, however, was elsewhere. He suppressed a laugh and said to Eriri, "So, Sayuri-san really wanted you to draw BL doujinshi?"
"Yes, I don't think I ever told you, Kaede-kun, did I? I almost forgot about it."
Eriri recalled, "Besides Dad, the other male lead was a gender-bent Mom, because even in manga, Mom was still quite averse to NTR and such. But in the end, I rejected it, and Mom was angry with me for a whole day because of it!"
It was indeed quite outrageous.
While they were reminiscing about Eriri's past, Kawashima Ami's silence ended, and she looked up and asked, "Then... what should I do now?"
"It's simple, just deal with that guy who's stalking you." Kaede spread his hands and said, "If you're sure it's only one person stalking you, then it's quite easy to handle. There are many ways."
Kawashima Ami nodded, "Yes, it's definitely only one."
Holding up a finger, Kaede said, "So, the most direct method is to confront that guy face-to-face, and smash the camera he uses for taking candid photos. Since he's secretly photographing you, you won't be held responsible for smashing it."
However, seeing Kawashima Ami's expression after hearing this, it seemed unlikely she would take the initiative.
Shrugging, this was within Kaede's expectations. If she were truly daring, she wouldn't be in this situation now.
"If that doesn't work, I have another method."
Blinking, Kawashima Ami asked expectantly, "What is it?"
"Ask for help."
Kaede leaned back on the sofa and said with a smile, "If you don't dare to take the initiative, then ask someone capable to help you catch that guy in the dark, and then confront him face-to-face. Although this method is more efficient, I still hope you can solve it yourself."
Although Kawashima Ami wasn't sure who Kaede meant by "asking for help," Eriri had a guess and asked, "Kaede-kun, you're not suggesting we ask Kaguya-senpai for help, are you?"
"No, no." Kaede shook his head and said, "This small matter really doesn't require asking someone from the Shinomiya Family for help. We don't only know Shinomiya-senpai."
"Huh? Shinomiya? You don't mean *that* Shinomiya Family, do you?"
Kawashima Ami asked belatedly, "What kind of people do you two know? Shinomiya Kaguya... the young lady from *that* Shinomiya Family?"
"That's right." Eriri took out her phone, found a photo with Shinomiya Kaguya, showed it to Kawashima Ami, and said, "Look, it's Kaguya-senpai. We've known each other for about a year now, and Senpai is a very kind person. She's very different from how the media, who know nothing, portray her. But Kaede-kun, you said not to ask Kaguya-senpai for help, are you thinking of asking Chika-senpai for help instead?"
"Fujiwara-senpai is even less reliable, okay?"
Kaede rolled his eyes at Eriri, took out his phone, and said, "It's not a big deal. Wouldn't it be easier to ask the Ryūzu Group for help? They have a lot of people and a wide range of businesses; finding someone is very easy for them."
"No, that's even more outrageous, isn't it?"
Kawashima Ami felt cold sweat almost dripping down her back. "What kind of people do you two know? How do you even know yakuza?"
"Calm down, calm down~~"
Kaede found Ryūzu Momo's phone number and said with a light chuckle, "Don't worry, the Ryūzu Group has already transitioned to legitimate businesses. A bunch of tough guys are selling bubble tea there. It's just asking them to help find someone, there won't be any violent actions. We're all civilized people."
That's what he said, but why did Kawashima Ami find it so awkward to hear?
But in the end, she agreed and asked Kaede to make the contact.