Chapter 219 - Infamy That Will Go Down in History
The first one to leave the holding cell was Producer Kurosawa.
It seemed he had already finished his interrogation before I arrived, and he said he was going to be transferred to the detention center to engage in a "slightly rough plea deal."
Specifically, after paying a pile of money to settle the matter, he planned to use his authority as a TV industry insider to intimidate the police and the victim, making the whole incident disappear.
The police would be in a tight spot if their scandals (like their deep ties with Gondo's group) were reported, and the girl who was the victim probably had no choice but to accept the settlement money considering her future entertainment career.
"The mass media is the Fourth Estate, you know! Ufufu!" — I can't forget the face he made as he laughed.
To be blunt, I think he's pure scum, but he gave me a thumbs up and said, "I'll put a media blackout on Nakamoto-san's matter too while I'm at it," so I'll rely on him here.
Whether they're evil or not, I'll use whatever I can.
That's what they call adult wisdom... As I was thinking such thoughts unbefitting of a former Hero, Gondo muttered softly.
"If the mass media is the Fourth Estate, then us yakuza are the Fifth Estate, huh."
With both hands clasped behind his head, Gondo continued.
"I'm on good terms with the chief of this station, so I'll be out of here in no time."
"This town is completely rotten, isn't it."
"What about you, boss? Got any connections to lighten your sentence?"
"......"
That connection was currently the one I had come to help, who was now caught himself.
In other words, there is currently no one inside the police force who can back me up.
"How about it? If you agree to become our group's exclusive brawler, I could pull some strings for you."
"I've told you many times, I'm not becoming a yakuza."
"Is that so. I think you'd make a fine gangster, boss."
"Hah?... What about me makes you think I have the qualities to be a yakuza?"
"A guy who, on his first meeting, storms a gangster's office, then the next day pressures me into making fake ID for a white high school girl who entered the country illegally, and then gets engaged to a current high school student — what about that guy is law-abiding?"
Certainly, a man who engages in such atrocities is a yakuza bastard who can't even offer a word of protest.
"From what I can see, boss, you look like you've got experience killing people too. You're suited for this business, I swear."
"...That's not something to be happy about. And hey, you've got me wrong. I'm a man of justice, you know?"
"In what way?"
"Look, the reason I got caught this time was originally to help someone out—"
Just then.
Jangling his keys, a middle-aged guard called out my name.
"Nakamoto! You're next for interrogation! We're going to have a long talk about those 'Uterus Rub Tickets' or whatever!"
At the outrageous charge, Gondo's narrow eyes flew wide open.
"...U-Uterus Rub Tickets...? What the hell is that thrilling word...? And wait, didn't you get caught for fighting...?"
"What, you didn't know? This guy made a minor girl produce 'Uterus Rub Tickets' and 'Ass Slap Tickets' in the same vein as 'Shoulder Rub Tickets.' It would honestly be better if he was just making regular child pornography. He's evil enough to make you vomit."
At the chatty guard's words, Gondo's shoulders trembled.
"I-I can't believe it... If that's true, then you really can't be a yakuza, boss... You're on a whole other level above us... A guy who could be the protagonist in a convenience store true crime manga someday... A sex offender who'll go down in history...!"
Bathing in praise that wasn't the least bit gratifying, I left the room and was led straight to the interrogation chamber.