Tokyo: My Superpower Refreshes Every Week
Chapter 49: A Touching Song_1

Chapter 49: Chapter 49: A Touching Song_1

The night passed without a word.

The morning spring breeze was a bit chilly. Aozawa wore a light blue jacket, its white zipper pulled up to his neck, concealing the T-shirt underneath. He had on white athletic pants and a pair of pure white sneakers.

He liked wearing white sneakers and wasn’t afraid of them getting dirty.

After all, Morimoto Chiyoda would clean them for him when he got home.

Aozawa strolled through the morning breeze to Ikebukuro West Exit Park. He wasn’t so much searching for new targets as he was looking for an opportunity to use his superpower during his walk.

Time Suspension was undoubtedly the strongest superpower he currently possessed.

In the world of stopped time, no one could discover what he had done. If he wished, he could stop time from two streets away and then jog all the way to the Prime Minister’s official residence.

He could kill everyone inside.

Even if it caused a global uproar, no one would be able to find out anything about him afterward.

A superpower user with Time Stop was just that formidable.

But Aozawa had no intention of doing so. Assassinations alone couldn’t change a country’s situation.

Not to mention, this country was secretly dominated by another, more powerful nation.

As long as the United States secretly exerted influence over Japan, killing these leeches would only lead to their replacement by a new batch. Japan would never have any hope of moving towards a leftist path.

Aozawa had no interest in changing this country either.

He only wanted to use his superpower to eliminate those he found disagreeable and enjoy the unbridled pleasure of eradicating evil.

Hands in his pockets, Aozawa mulled over his route for the day as he ambled through the plaza of Ikebukuro West Exit Park. It was a little past seven in the morning, and quite a few people were already seated around.

The free, arc-shaped wooden benches in the plaza were quite narrow, ensuring people couldn’t sit for long.

If they wanted a more comfortable experience, they had to go to a café and order a coffee to sip slowly.

Aozawa watched the young men and women coming and going. He also noticed a girl sitting alone in a corner of the crowd. Her eyes were closed as she played a somewhat old guitar and sang.

Her slightly hoarse voice drifted on the morning breeze. It sounded familiar, like a recently popular song.

Aozawa frowned slightly, unable to recall the name of the popular song.

He had little interest in music.

Yet, this time, his heart, which had never before been moved by music, suddenly stirred.

Perhaps it was the contrast with the noisy crowd that made the girl sitting alone in the corner so conspicuous, like a kitten in a cardboard box waiting for its owner on a rainy night.

That sense of loneliness and helplessness, so out of place with the surrounding scenery, drew him to the girl as if by an irresistible magnetic pull.

Noticing someone approaching, the girl sang with even more vigor.

Her voice, somewhat like a smoker’s, was a little husky—perfect for melancholic songs. Yet, the tune she played on her guitar was upbeat.

And she sang a cheerful song.

For the self-pitying Japanese public, such songs wouldn’t be popular.

Aozawa listened quietly.

The song ended.

He clapped, then pulled two one-thousand-yen bills from his pocket and placed them in the iron box in front of the girl. "You sing very well," he said with a smile.

Hearing his encouragement, a shy smile touched the girl’s lips. "Thank you," she said softly. "You’re the first person to tell me that."

Her skin wasn’t snow-white like that of Phoenix Academy Maggie and the others; instead, it was somewhat unhealthily, almost pathologically, pale. Her features weren’t particularly beautiful, nor were they ugly—she had the face of an average girl.

Yet, even in a crowd, one could still easily spot her. Her delicate frailty, like a willow in the wind, was too eye-catching and easily evoked a protective instinct in others.

Aozawa glanced at her and asked with some curiosity, "Why do you sing with your eyes closed?"

The girl hesitated for a moment before answering truthfully, "I’m blind. I’m afraid I’ll scare people if I open my eyes."

Damn it, I’m such an idiot!

Aozawa cursed himself inwardly. He then took out another two thousand-yen bills and put them in the box, whispering, "I’m sorry, I didn’t realize."

"It’s okay," the girl said, smiling faintly without showing her teeth. "I’m used to the darkness."

She showed no signs of self-pity for her blindness. "Sir, you’re a very kind person. When others hear I’m blind, their tone often carries a hint of condescending pity, unlike yours. You just feel guilty for what you said."

"My name is Aozawa, not ’sir.’ I’m about your age. You must be in high school too, right?"

"I’m Hibino Sumiko. I’m sixteen, and I’ve already dropped out of high school."

Her words struck Aozawa’s heart again.

Perhaps Sumiko didn’t mind, but I really hate how I keep reopening old wounds.

"I’m sorry," Aozawa said.

"Hehe," Hibino Sumiko’s spirits seemed good, and she even had the presence of mind to tease him. "We’ve only known each other for a short while, and you’ve already apologized to me twice. Should I start calling you Mr. Apology?"

Aozawa took a deep breath. After some thought, he asked, "You’re busking out here... don’t your parents know?"

"I only have my mother."

As family was mentioned, a flicker of loneliness crossed Hibino Sumiko’s face. Her heart was full of things she wanted to say, but she had no one to confide in.

She had no friends her own age.

Today, she had finally met someone willing to listen. After a slight hesitation, she couldn’t help but want to share more of what was on her mind.

"I wasn’t always blind. It happened in February. On my way home from a part-time job, I was hit by a car that ran a red light. The driver fled the scene. To save me, my mother had to borrow a huge sum of money from loan sharks.

"I survived, but I lost my sight. The doctors said there’s no chance of recovery.

"Our family’s financial situation became terrible. I want to do what I can to help my mother repay some of the debt."

Hibino Sumiko took a deep breath, trying hard not to cry. Crying in front of others would be too pathetic.

Aozawa was silent for a moment, murderous intent churning within him.

There’s so much injustice in this world.

"Do you remember anything at all about the driver who hit you?"

Hibino Sumiko looked puzzled, unsure why he was asking. Still, she answered truthfully, "I only remember it was a bright red sports car speeding towards me. It didn’t have a license plate. The police said there’s very little chance of finding them."

"Is that so? Do you know which loan company your mother borrowed money from?"

"Konishi Financial Company in Ikebukuro."

"Oh. Don’t worry, everything will get better."

Aozawa gently ruffled her hair. The intimate gesture made Hibino Sumiko tense up subconsciously, but she relaxed when she realized he meant no harm. "I hope so," she said with a smile.

"It definitely will," Aozawa replied with certainty. His mind was already set on his next target.

Konishi Financial Company.

If he couldn’t find the hit-and-run driver for now, the only way to help Hibino Sumiko through this difficult time was to take down the loan company.

As the saying goes, death cancels all debts.

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