Chapter 222: Okino Yoko's Answer

Sera Masumi truly did not expect this.

She had clearly pointed out Okino Yoko's behavior to her face.

And the important things she had hidden were brought to the table one by one in front of her.

As a result, Okino Yoko's approach turned out to be not adding a title when addressing Akikawa Kyousuke.

"I remember, Miss Sera, that when you used to call Kou, you always called him 'Mr. Akikawa,' right?"

Okino Yoko looked seriously at Sera Masumi and asked again.

Generally, only people with a relatively close relationship—or when a senior addresses someone younger—will drop the title when referring to others or call each other by their first names.

And now, Sera Masumi's way of referring to Akikawa Kyousuke was obviously much closer than what Okino Yoko had heard before.

---

"No, what does this have to do with what happened this time?"

"Of course, it has something to do with it. I just suddenly feel that, Miss Sera, you seem particularly interested in Kou-chan."

Okino Yoko poured milk into her coffee cup and then gently stirred it with a small metal spoon.

Completely different from Sera Masumi, who showed no concern at this moment, Okino Yoko's eyes, as they watched Sera Masumi, were full of cunning.

---

However, Okino Yoko did not give Sera Masumi time to respond and instead spoke directly:

"Since that's the case, it seems it's not impossible to tell Miss Sera the truth."

"Wait a minute, did you misunderstand something?"

Sera Masumi quickly stopped Okino Yoko, who was clearly starting to think in a strange direction, and unconsciously raised her voice.

"Perhaps it really is a misunderstanding."

Okino Yoko stared at Sera Masumi in front of her, her eyes full of amusement.

"But Miss Sera, didn't you also misunderstand something?"

"From what you're saying, it seems you knew that the people chasing after Mom and Kou-chan were powerful, and you deliberately investigated by involving yourself."

"You, Miss Sera, were the one who asked me about the car accident case, but I never said anything about asking you to investigate it."

---

Sera Masumi was silenced by Okino Yoko's words.

The situation at that time was indeed as Okino Yoko described it.

It was only after hearing that Okino Yoko had been absent from filming last year and investigating the dates of her absence that Sera realized Okino Yoko was connected to the car accident.

Though looking at it from Sera Masumi's current perspective, that phone call was probably made deliberately by the scheming artist in front of her.

She had known that Sera could connect the dots about the car accident last year based on the information revealed in her few words.

That's why she made that call on purpose.

However, it's impossible to prove anything without evidence.

As Okino Yoko said, she really hadn't asked for anything.

Everything was Sera's spontaneous behavior.

---

"Additionally," Okino Yoko spoke again,

"In last year's car accident case, Miss Sera helped the Metropolitan Police Department handle the case, didn't you?"

"Judging by Kou-chan's physical condition and injuries at the time, he shouldn't have been able to withstand the interrogation by the police and detectives, should he?"

"I heard that Kou was even considered a suspect for a while. Does this have anything to do with you, Miss Sera?"

---

Okino Yoko's words once again left Sera Masumi speechless.

One major reason she decided to uncover the true culprit behind the car accident was because she had initially mistaken Akikawa Kyousuke for the perpetrator during the accident.

Indeed, Akikawa Kyousuke was considered a suspect.

One significant reason was that he had concealed the fact that he had taken sleeping pills before the accident.

However, Sera Masumi only learned after knowing Akikawa Kyousuke better that he had done this to deepen the suspicion surrounding the true culprit.

Although Akikawa Kyousuke was partially responsible for this incident, he was also to blame for failing to identify the half-life of triazolam in time.

Thus, Sera Masumi wanted to make up for the mistakes she had made and express her apologies to Akikawa Kyousuke.

---

Just as Sera Masumi fell silent because of Okino Yoko's words, she realized with horror that Yoko seemed to have regained control of the conversation.

Sera Masumi's unique dark green eyes narrowed slightly, and her sharp gaze focused on Okino Yoko in front of her.

---

"Miss Yoko, I don't deny what you said.

But, please answer my questions too.

The reason the organization targeted Mrs. Ryoko and the consequences after Akikawa revealed his surname, Okino.

Don't say you don't know these things.

If things spiral out of control because of this incident, then everything will be your fault, Miss Yoko, for hiding the truth right now!"

Sera Masumi said to Okino Yoko.

---

This wasn't just for Akikawa Kyousuke.

She wanted to know this mainly because she wanted to speed up her progress against the organization with her mother.

Sera Masumi noticed that after saying this, Okino Yoko fell silent again.

The artist in front of her, who was perfect in both appearance and figure, silently watched her with her blue eyes identical to Akikawa Kyousuke's.

Okino Yoko was no longer playing dumb.

However, she also didn't seem inclined to speak.

---

Sera Masumi suddenly realized the difference between Okino Yoko and Akikawa Kyousuke.

She didn't have the foundation to make Yoko trust her.

The information about the organization was too complicated, and merely mentioning its name could attract their attention.

That's why Okino Yoko had no choice but to reveal the truth this way.

---

"Miss Yoko, I can understand how you feel.

I also have family members who were victims of the organization, so I am desperately eager to fight against them."

Sera Masumi lowered her voice and whispered to Okino Yoko.

---

After hearing Sera Masumi's words, Okino Yoko spoke again.

"So that's it.

If that's the case, maybe Miss Sera can be trusted."

---

'She believes me?'

Okino Yoko trusting her so easily left Sera Masumi slightly bewildered.

She had originally thought she'd have to argue with Yoko for a long time before the star in front of her would speak.

'Did she see that I wasn't lying, or was this part of her plan?'

Sera Masumi pondered in her heart and then heard Okino Yoko say:

---

"My mother was once a member of that organization."

'So it's true!'

Sera Masumi couldn't help but sigh in her heart.

It seems her judgment about the organization pursuing Akikawa and his mother for so many years was correct.

---

"As for what Miss Sera said about the former surname...

This is an extremely fatal issue for both the late Mrs. Ryoko and Kou-chan, so it must remain hidden.

I believe with your intellect, Miss Sera, you already understand what this means after I revealed it."

Okino Yoko spoke seriously to Sera Masumi.

(End of Chapter)