After breaking up, my ex asked me to win her back

Kiryu Hina, who to outsiders seemed to be struggling against thin air, finally resorted to all sorts of measures, tapping into various channels and even stooping to deceive and steal.

Starting with Kagura Hikaru's stepmother and moving on to nearby witnesses, Kiryu Hina diligently chased down leads to a certain train station, obtaining surveillance footage from the time in question as well as testimony from station staff.

It had taken her just three days to complete the investigation and compile a report. In the world of detective novels, this kind of efficiency is top-tier.

When she marched into the Student Council office and slammed the evidence onto Ayakoji Chiyoko's desk, Kiryu Hina could finally hold her head high and confidently assert, "Kagura Hikaru has been controlled by that woman. We have to rescue him!"

"Hmph, hmm... Despite your feeble appearance, you're quite capable, aren't you?" Ayakoji Chiyoko mocked as she examined the eyewitness testimonies and inserted the USB drive into her computer to watch the video, all the while never ceasing her ridicule.

"Feeble? Are you talking about me?" Kiryu Hina pointed incredulously at herself.

She had run herself ragged, gathering all the evidence as quickly as possible under the intense pressure targeted at her by Kohinata Motoyo. It could be understood, albeit grudgingly, that not praising her effectiveness was an unwillingness to acknowledge her excellence.

But feeble?

What a joke. Such an accusation was unequivocally unacceptable to Kiryu Hina!

"You're well aware that many details could have been quickly obtained by remotely contacting Kagura through your phone. Not to mention, he's directly involved."

On the laptop screen, footage from the station's security cameras played. On seeing a figure, resembling Kagura Hikaru, stumbling and nearly leaping off the platform, Ayakoji Chiyoko's pupils constricted. Her fists clenched tightly, only to casually unfurl them a second later, feigning nonchalance while saying deliberately calmly,

Facing Ayakoji Chiyoko's skepticism, Kiryu Hina had a reasonable counterargument: "Kagura is now under that woman's control; she probably checks his phone every day. Text messages are too conspicuous."

"In plain terms, you've lost your nerve. Because of your past failures, you're afraid to confront Motoyo directly, scared of losing to her again. And you're also well aware that Kagura doesn't favor your side."

"You...!" Kiryu Hina had to admit, she felt stung, "Do you have any sense of boundaries?"

"Oh, sorry, I was just simply trying to insult you. Didn't expect such a big reaction."

"Fine, fine, fine, I get it. You're asking to be slapped, right?"

With a feigned smile, Kiryu Hina rolled up her sleeves, only to catch Ayakoji Chiyoko looking over emotionlessly, her head tilt practically saying: Are you sure?

Kiryu Hina's movements froze suddenly as she recalled that the formidable woman in front of her was reputed to have martial prowess.

A wise person knows when to retreat. Sliding her sleeves back calmly, Kiryu Hina smoothly changed the subject, "Enough of the chit-chat. You've seen what there is to see, what do you think?"

Seeing her counterpart finally show sense, Ayakoji Chiyoko refrained from further pursuit, her expression becoming serious once again. She looked at the paused footage, where Kohinata Motoyo was extending her hand towards Kagura Hikaru, who was lunging towards the train tracks.

No matter how you look at it, it was the heroic act of saving someone from danger.

Knowing this, the relationship between Kagura Hikaru and Kohinata Motoyo suddenly didn't seem so incongruous.

"It's merely the misattribution of arousal. Confusing the heartbeat with love, the emotional dependence that the survivor feels towards their savior, coupled with past affections leading to impulsive decisions..." Ayakoji Chiyoko pondered aloud.

But the real question was, why was it all so coincidental?

Kohinata Motoyo showed up at the right station at the right time and just so happened to save Kagura Hikaru. On the surface, it looked like a coincidence, but was it truly?

If one assumes high intent, some details become terrifying upon closer inspection.

People like Kohinata Motoyo could achieve many incredible things just with their minds alone, and given her character, which was the type to stop at nothing for what she was obsessed with.

Ayakoji Chiyoko's gaze grew dark, "Do you think... Kagura Hikaru's illness could have been her doing?"

Upon hearing this, Kiryu Hina's expression also stiffened.

However, she soon said somewhat helplessly as she twirled her hair, "I don't think it was that person who did it."

"Oh? After such betrayal, you still believe in your former friend's character? That's truly admirable."

"Cut the sarcasm. What I believe in isn't her so-called character."

Kiryu Hina cursed, "Such a scheme involves too much risk for Kagura Hikaru. No matter what, we all loved the same person, and she wouldn't dare take such a risk."

"Can you be sure?"

"I can't, which is why I plan to investigate it later."

Satisfied with the promise of the detective dog, Ayakoji Chiyoko finally nodded and returned her focus to the testimonies.

During that period, Kagura Hikaru's illness seemed to be worse than any of them had anticipated. If it weren't for Kohinata Motoyo, perhaps they would only be looking at a photograph in mourning at a funeral now.

Such an imagination displeased her, utterly displeased her. She couldn't connect Kagura Hikaru with a black and white photo.

From this perspective, they all must thank Kohinata Motoyo, assuming she truly hadn't interfered in the matter.

Regardless, the situation had now become very clear.

Kohinata Motoyo had saved Kagura's life, who in return repaid the favor, and the two of them had found happiness together; the matter seemed to be that simple.

Thinking of this, Ayakoji Chiyoko was somewhat desensitized, the spark of desire that had just ignited within her showing signs of extinguishing.

She couldn't see any moral grounds to intervene.

Even if Kagura was now showing symptoms of a dependency on Kohinata Motoyo, that was just a remnant of his past poor mental state, and forcibly separating him from her would not only make things worse but was also likely to lead to a repeat of past patterns.

If Kohinata Motoyo had a plot, that would be another story, but if not, these two seemed to be a match made in heaven, as if the heavens themselves were trying to bring them together.

Rescuing an ex-boyfriend who had nearly committed suicide on the tracks and rekindling an old flame sounded exactly like something out of a nighttime TV drama.

As a friend, Ayakoji Chiyoko sincerely hoped Kagura would lead a better life, and realistically, maintaining the status quo was what would serve his best interests. They really shouldn't disturb each other's lives anymore.

It wouldn't just be impolite, it would also come off as hysterical, like a sore loser.

The question was, how could she persuade Kiryu Hina to give up as well.

Ayakoji Chiyoko looked up and saw her deep in thought, her expression that of a classic villain scheming, dark, astute, and cunning—she was practically a Tamamo-no-Mae.

At this moment, she didn't want to know what kind of dirty thoughts were churning in that pretty head. She felt like knowing it would dirty her heart as well.

...Ah, what a hassle.

She sighed in her heart.

Kagura, you really must thank me later, at least, treat me to a meal at Yakiniku Jumbo.