[100] Back to the first problem

That morning, Kaoru felt his body still heavy and tired when the sound of the phone ringing disrupted the calm after a long night. Gently, he moved Asuka's arm from where she lay asleep beside him, then reached for his phone on the bedside table. He answered, his voice lazy and still half-asleep.

"Hello…?" Kaoru tried to focus, though his eyes still felt heavy.

On the other end of the line, a very enthusiastic voice greeted him. "[Mr. Kaoru! I've got news from that collector!]"

Kaoru pulled the phone slightly away from his ear; the voice was too loud for such a peaceful morning. He sighed and replied, "Yeah, calm down a bit. What's up?"

"[Sorry, sir! Ah, yes! So, the collector is willing to sell the phone you're looking for, but he wants a face-to-face meeting to finalize it.]"

Kaoru, though still feeling sluggish, knew this was an opportunity he couldn't pass up. His old phone was one of the few items connecting him to his past, and he didn't want to lose it.

"Alright, tell him to meet me at the following location," Kaoru replied calmly, mentioning a secluded yet safe meeting spot in Tokyo.

"[Yes, sir! I'll contact him right away!]" The voice on the other end sounded excited, then the call ended.

Kaoru put down his phone, exhaling a long sigh. His gaze shifted back to Asuka, still fast asleep beside him. A small smile appeared on his face. Despite the intensity of the night before, the warmth they shared always gave him a sense of peace. Before leaving, he leaned down and placed a soft kiss on her forehead, making sure not to wake her from her deep sleep.

Carefully, Kaoru stepped out of the room, letting Asuka rest a little longer. After getting ready quickly, he grabbed his jacket, preparing for his meeting with the collector. Although it seemed simple, Kaoru knew that in this world, any encounter could lead to the unexpected—especially when rare items and untrustworthy people were involved.

As he stepped out of his apartment, Kaoru made an effort to keep his mind clear. The world outside was never as straightforward as it seemed, and anyone he encountered, including the collector, could bring new complications.

In a small café on the corner of Tokyo, Kaoru sat at a window-facing table, watching the bustling city outside. Although the café was located in a fairly quiet area, the modern atmosphere and grand nighttime ambiance of Tokyo were still palpable. Kaoru, dressed formally in a crisp black shirt paired with a suit, looked like a CEO fresh out of an important meeting. With his tall, solid build, he drew the attention of everyone passing by the café, even though he sat quietly and barely moved.

Occasionally, Kaoru glanced at his watch, then at the cup of coffee the waiter had just brought over. He wasn't the type to dress formally like this often, but since he was meeting someone who might have a rare item that was very important to him, he wanted to make a good impression. His appearance that night exuded authority, reminding anyone who saw him that he wasn't just anybody.

Despite his calm appearance, Kaoru's eyes remained vigilant. Years of experience as a hero, now also a businessman, had sharpened his instincts for reading situations. This meeting with the collector might seem like a simple transaction—buying an old phone—but in the intricate world of 2082, even simple things could turn complex.

The café door opened quietly as someone walked in. Kaoru glanced up briefly, trying to identify the figure who entered. An older man in a thick coat and fedora hat walked slowly toward him. His steps were calm yet calculated, and from the way he scanned the café before approaching, Kaoru could tell this was likely the person he was waiting for.

The man stopped in front of Kaoru's table, looked at him briefly before removing his hat, and gave a slight smile. "Mr. Kaoru, I presume? The collector sent me to meet you."

Kaoru sized up the man from top to bottom, then gave a brief nod. "Yes, that's me. Please, have a seat."

The old man sat down slowly, placing a small bag on the table. There was a mysterious aura about him, though his smile appeared friendly. Kaoru remained silent, letting the man take the initiative.

"I've heard about the phone you're looking for," the man began. "It's certainly rare, but I managed to locate it. It's still in remarkably good condition for an item from 2022."

Kaoru listened attentively, his gaze steady. "I'd like to see it," he replied without hesitation.

The man smiled, then opened the small bag he had brought. From inside, he pulled out an old phone, the exact model Kaoru had. The phone looked well-preserved, despite clearly being decades old. He placed it on the table right in front of Kaoru.

Kaoru stared at the phone for a moment, feeling a bit of relief. But, as he expected, nothing in this world came easily. He lifted his gaze, meeting the man's eyes.

"How much is it?" Kaoru asked directly.

The man chuckled lightly, as if he'd been anticipating the question. "The price? Oh, that's just part of the deal. The collector wishes to meet with you personally, Mr. Kaoru. There's something else he'd like to discuss with you—something that's not just about this phone."

Kaoru's eyebrows knitted in caution. "What do you mean?"

The man leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms calmly. "Let's just say the collector has other interests."

"Wait, is this about…"

"Yes, you've guessed it. The collector was also in Gosha Village during the festival when that missile exploded. The collector wishes to ask you for something in exchange for the payment—and he also wants to express his gratitude. Thanks to you, he and his grandson are still alive."

Kaoru gazed sharply at the man across from him. The fact that this collector knew about the incident in Gosha Village and the missile explosion during the festival made the situation more serious than he'd expected. This collector was not just an antique dealer or an ordinary collector—he had information and might be more deeply involved in larger matters.

"So, this isn't just about an old phone," Kaoru muttered, leaning back in his chair, trying to remain calm despite his mind racing with possibilities. "Tell me more."

The man across from him smiled, seemingly pleased that Kaoru was beginning to understand his intentions. "Yes, the collector is very grateful for your actions in Gosha Village. Without your courage, that explosion could have taken many lives, including his grandson's."

Kaoru frowned. "His grandson?"

The man nodded. "The Collector's grandchild was at the festival when the incident occurred. Thanks to you, they survived the explosion. The Collector deeply values this, and he wants to meet you in person to express his gratitude… but he also wants to request another favor as repayment."

Kaoru knew where this conversation was heading. People like the Collector rarely gave something without hidden intentions. Any kindness that came from them was always accompanied by a request that was difficult to refuse.

"What does he want?" Kaoru asked, his voice calm yet firm.

The man folded his hands in front of his chest, his expression growing more serious. "The Collector wants you to handle a problem involving supernatural forces—something threatening his business and the safety of his family. He knows you possess… particular abilities to handle such threats."

Kaoru looked at the man with a cold expression. This was beginning to sound like a matter far beyond a simple transaction. Supernatural forces, threats, and now a special request from someone with considerable influence. "And if I refuse?"

The man gave a slight smile, as if he had anticipated the question. "The Collector is a fair man. If you refuse, he won't force anything on you. However… you should know that this request isn't just for personal interests. If this threat is left unchecked, its impact could spread, potentially harming innocent people."

Kaoru paused for a moment, contemplating. The situation was becoming more complicated. He was weary of conflicts that kept pulling him back into the supernatural world, but on the other hand, his moral responsibility as a hero had never faded. The threat the man mentioned might be larger than it seemed, and if left unaddressed, it could endanger many innocent lives.

After a few seconds, Kaoru finally sighed. "Alright, I'll meet the Collector. But I want to know more about this problem before I agree to anything."

The man nodded. "Of course, you'll get all the information you need when you meet him."

Kaoru reached for the cup of coffee, now cold, and took a small sip, trying to steady his thoughts. "Where and when can I meet the Collector?"

The man smiled in satisfaction, then pulled a small slip of paper from his jacket pocket and placed it on the table. "Here's the location. He'll be waiting for you here tomorrow night. The Collector is not one to delay important matters."

Kaoru picked up the paper and glanced at it. The location was an old mansion on the outskirts of Tokyo, a secluded place far from the city's bustling crowds. "Alright. Tomorrow, then," Kaoru replied briefly, slipping the paper into his pocket.

The man stood up, put his hat back on, then gave a slight bow before stepping out of the café. Kaoru remained seated, gazing at the nearly empty cup of coffee in front of him.

The old cellphone might have been only a minor excuse in this entire scenario. But Kaoru knew that in a world filled with supernatural intrigues, nothing was a coincidence. He would need to prepare himself for something far larger than a simple transaction—something that would likely pull him back into the conflicts of a world he had long tried to avoid.

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Chapter 100! Finally, from most of the stories I have made, only this work has reached 100 chapters.

I would like to express my deepest gratitude to loyal readers of my work, this achievement is not only thanks to me but also to the readers who always motivate me.

Sorry if there is nothing special in this chapter because the draft I have is finished so I can only upload one chapter. Then I am very busy right now so I apologize to the readers.

In the future, I will continue this work with better story quality. Just wait!

All Respect from Author Poponioko