Chapter 561: The Shop


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    However, he looked so convincing that any would mistake him for telling the truth. It wasn''t just that he seemed convincing but he also sounded convincing.


    Ishikawa couldn''t notice anything different. So, she believed what he said without thinking much about the matter.


    "Also, I wanted to enjoy the delicious food he brought in peace," Hiro added.


    "Indeed, the food here is quite delicious. Also, it''s rather peaceful here."


    "I couldn''t agree more." Hiro nodded before continuing to slurp the noodles before him. The slurping sound was muffled by the sound of the television reverberating in the shop.


    "But why is it so vacant? I mean, with such good-tasting food and ambiance, shouldn''t it get a ton of customers? But there are so few people here," Hiro had been feeling curious about it for a while. So, now that they were talking about the shop, he couldn''t help but bring in the matter.


    Around many ces, people would visit the business just based on its attraction and appeal. So, it was rather strange to find such a good ce to get so few customers.


    Though he was concerned about theck of customers, Hiro wasn''t bringing up this matter because he wanted to be surrounded by people. Rather he enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere of the shop due to theck of customers.


    But for a business to flourish, it needs to attract customers.


    At the same time, if a business doesn''t receive customers, it''s bound to get ruined.


    A momentary hesitation shed in her eyes as she heard Hiro. Then she said with a soft sigh, "It''s because of some hooligans."


    "Huh, hooligans?" Hiro repeated.


    "Yeah, some people keep disrupting the business. Theye in a group and threaten Grandpa. Sometimes they even injure him or break the furniture." Ishikawa said, her tone indignant.


    ''Probably due to such repeated disruptions, the customers got too scared to visit and it negatively impacted the restaurant.'' Hiro deduced.


    "Then why didn''t hein about it to the police?" Hiro asked.


    "Once he tried, but they became even more agitated. Also, the police couldn''t do anything to them." She answered in a helpless tone.


    ''I know that there are times when the police can''t do anything. But to be able to get by despite engaging in such grave offense..., Is someone influential behind it?'' Hiro pondered.


    "The police couldn''t do anything?" Hiro asked.


    "Yeah, they have ties to a big criminal organization. And rumor says that they are supported by politicians. So, even if Grandpa Yoshidains about the matter, nothing changes," Ishikawa''s voice started to crack as she said.


    It was evident that she felt infuriated at those bunches that troubled the shop owner. Plus, she was also aggrieved by the sufferings the shop owner had to go through.


    But Hiro couldn''t understand why those bunches targeted such an old man without any reason. There must be more to it.


    So, with that thought in mind, he asked, "But why are they troubling him like that? Are they causing a ruckus for no reason whatsoever?"


    Now that he asked, Sumire became even more hesitant, "Grandpa Yoshida, borrowed some money from a person during the pandemic. But it''s not like he''s running away with their money. So, can''t they be a little considerate and let him pay?"


    A lot of time has passed since the pandemic. So, even if he had borrowed quite a substantial amount of money, he should have been able to pay it up.


    But he hadn''t paid the money till now?


    There''s something more than what eyes could meet and what ears could hear. Hiro felt a bit skeptical when he heard her.


    "You said that this shop existed even before I was born, right? So, what made him want to borrow money from someone else? I mean, shouldn''t he have earned enough?"


    It didn''t matter how he thought about it, he couldn''t bring himself to agree with what she said. He could tell that there was definitely something more to it.


    Ishikawa became even more reluctant as she heard him. For a while, she couldn''t bring herself to speak and remained utterly speechless.


    "It''s because his son wanted to start his own business. So, he needed money."


    Just then while Ishikawa was hesitating to answer another voice chimed in. Following the voice, Hiro found a rather fair-looking girl with jet-ck hair and hazel eyes standing before him.


    With a thin frame and innocent-looking face, she red at Hiro with her fiery eyes.


    Although she appeared gorgeous, at the moment, one could clearly see that she wasn''t in a good mood.


    However, when Sumire turned to greet her, the look on her facepletely changed, "You''re here, Yuki."


    "Yeah, Grandpa told me that you havee," she responded in a cheerful tone, disying an amicable smile on her face.


    "Yuki, let me introduce you to my friend over here," Ishikawa said amicably.


    "I know, he''s Takahashi Hiro. The one who you and others talk about a lot," Yuki cut her short as she revealed Hiro''s identity casually.


    Although Hiro had lifted down the mask, he had his face covered enough. Yet to be able to recognize him so easily was an incredible feat.


    Hiro''s eyes opened wide in marvel as he listened.


    Even Ishikawa revealed a look of surprise as she found it baffling. Her observation ability couldn''t be taken lightly.


    "How did you know it was him?" Ishikawa asked in surprise.


    "You wouldn''t be here with other guys alone. Also, the broken arm and his physique," she answered nonchntly.


    It wasn''t just her observation skill but her ability to deduce and analyze was also incredibly sharp. The more Hiro heard her, the more he was amazed by her.


    To be able to deduce urately with only a few simple cues, Hiro could tell that this pale- looking girl before him possessed some extraordinary talents.


    Marveled by her, Hiro slowly lifted the ck baseball cap he wore and revealed his face, "As you said, I''m Takahashi Hiro. It''s a pleasure to meet you." Hiro greeted her politely with a


    smile.