### Chapter 50: The World of Love-Struck Minds He Doesn’t Understand

Late at night, in the second-floor reception room of the Fujino Detective Agency.

The soft white light cast gentle spots on the pristine floor. The new furniture was arranged neatly, with a lingering scent of wood shavings.

Shizaki Mieko sat on a white sofa, gazing around the room in astonishment.

Is this really the reception room of a detective agency? It feels even more luxurious than the lounge at the record company where their band signed!

"Miss Shizaki Mieko, please have some tea."

Fujino, sitting on a white armchair diagonally opposite, handed Shizaki Mieko a cup of freshly brewed black tea.

"Thank you…"

Shizaki Mieko accepted the tea with a slightly tense demeanor. "May I ask, Detective Fujino, have you found out who Tatsuya likes?"

"I have."

Fujino nodded, then added with a hint of intrigue, "It's someone you would never have guessed."

"Could it be Yumi Koizumi?"

Shizaki Mieko furrowed her brows, showing a hint of agitation. "I thought their relationship was just media hype. I didn't expect…"

"Not her."

Fujino quickly interrupted Shizaki Mieko's speculative guess.

"If it's not her, then who could it be?"

Shizaki Mieko was puzzled.

"In fact, the person Tatsuya Kimura likes is none other than your band's manager, Mari Terahara."

"Eh?"

She was taken aback, then asked again, "You're saying the manager Mari Terahara?"

"Yes."

Fujino adjusted his glasses and placed two photos on the coffee table. "According to my investigation, Tatsuya's true love is indeed her. There's no one else."

"That's impossible, absolutely impossible."

Shizaki Mieko laughed lightly, shaking her head in disbelief. "I could believe that Tatsuya likes Yumi, but Mari? That's just not possible."

Mari Terahara was the manager of the band she was currently with. Although she showed concern for Tatsuya, he never seemed to appreciate it and often mocked her. It didn't look like he had any romantic feelings for her at all!

"Do you know Tatsuya Kimura well?" 

Fujino asked, seeing the disbelief on Shizaki Mieko's face. 

"Of course!"

Shizaki Mieko raised her head proudly.

She was quite familiar with Tatsuya Kimura. Although she didn't know every detail about him, she knew enough.

Otherwise, she wouldn't have confessed her feelings and been rejected.

"Then you should also know that before joining your company's band, Tatsuya was performing in an underground band, right?"

"I know that."

Shizaki Mieko nodded. "Tatsuya mentioned it before."

"But what does that have to do with who he likes?"

"It has everything to do with it."

Fujino leaned slightly forward and placed a file on the coffee table.

Shizaki Mieko looked at the report on the table, puzzled. "What's this?"

Fujino explained, "This is all the information I've gathered recently. The evidence indicates that Tatsuya's affection is indeed directed towards Mari Terahara."

Shizaki Mieko clutched the report tightly, feeling uneasy. "But Tatsuya always seems to look down on Mari…"

Fujino smiled, asking with significance, "As someone close to Tatsuya, don't you know his character?"

"Tatsuya's character…"

Mieko bit her lip. "Tatsuya seems cheerful, optimistic, and a bit insincere… Could it be that…?!"

She trailed off, her expression turning to one of shock.

"Exactly."

Fujino nodded and placed two photos on the coffee table. "Here are photos of Tatsuya and Mari from their time in the band."

"It's really Mari, but it doesn't look like her…"

Shizaki Mieko examined the photos with curiosity.

The man in the photos was undoubtedly Tatsuya Kimura, but the woman… who was she? She didn't recognize her.

Fujino confirmed, "That person is indeed Mari Terahara."

"You're saying this is Mari?"

Shizaki Mieko looked at the woman with freckles in the photo, surprised. "The change is too drastic."

"The reason for such a drastic change in appearance is that she had cosmetic surgery."

Fujino nodded and continued, "Tatsuya and Mari knew each other a long time ago. They were in the same underground band, went through a lot together. After the band disbanded, he joined your company, and he insisted on bringing Mari along."

Shizaki Mieko nodded and asked, "But if they knew each other before, why does Tatsuya now seem to dislike her?"

"If I'm not mistaken, it's because of the cosmetic surgery."

Fujino pointed to the photos on the table. "The lyrics written on the back of the band's photo, 'I Want to Convey This to the Bare-Faced You,' are the best evidence. If I'm right, these lyrics are meant for the post-surgery Mari Terahara."

He recited the lyrics from the photo, "Despite your appearance changing so much, I still love the old you…"

"I think what he said to you wasn't just to brush you off. He's actually waiting for the old, bare-faced Mari Terahara to return."

"Is that so…"

"So, the reason he rejected me is that he's already made space in his heart for no one else?"

As Shizaki Mieko spoke, she seemed lost in thought, with a hint of blush on her cheeks.

"Based on the investigation results, that's the case."

Fujino nodded silently, pulling out two tissues and handing them to Shizaki Mieko. "From the moment this case was assigned, the result was already set. Whether it's Yumi Koizumi or anyone else, it's the same for you."

"I know, I understand. But… I just can't let go…"

Watching the tearful Shizaki Mieko, Fujino sighed quietly.

Indeed, the world of love-struck minds was something he didn't understand.

The sound of the young woman's sobs echoed in the second-floor room of the Fujino household.

After a while, she calmed down, bowed to Fujino, and thanked him. "Detective Fujino, thank you for finding out who Tatsuya really likes."

"No need to mention it. I was just fulfilling my client's request."

Fujino smiled lightly and then awkwardly added, "By the way, when will the remaining 450,000 yen of the commission be settled?"

He pulled out a POS machine. "This time, you can pay by card."

*End of Chapter*