Chapter 26 How should we explain (II)

"The Next Day"

We arrived at the International Science Institute and immediately headed straight for Professor Utonium's lab. To be honest, after a week of danger and sleepless nights, we were exhausted. But knowing that we were finally nearing the completion of our mission, a surge of excitement and anticipation filled us.

The moment we opened the door, we saw Professor Utonium and Ken sitting at the table, deep in discussion. Upon seeing us suddenly appear, Professor Utonium furrowed his brows and said, "You boys finally decided to show up. Now, tell me, where on earth have you been?!"

Before we could answer, Kagami carefully pulled a velvet pouch from his backpack. Inside were the three flawless gemstones we had gone through hell and back to retrieve from the other side of the world: a Burmese ruby, a Sri Lankan sapphire, and a Colombian emerald. The gems sparkled brilliantly under the sunlight, each one a hard-earned prize we had dug out from the harshest of conditions.

"Professor, Ken, we literally risked our lives to get these," Kagami said cautiously, "Please help us cut and set these stones into these three rings."

With that, I took out the Powerpuff Girls Z rings we had "borrowed" from the girls. These rings held irreplaceable significance for them, and we had decided to modify them, embedding the gemstones to turn them into engagement rings.

Ken, amazed by the gems and rings in our hands, couldn't help but exclaim, "My God, where did you even dig these up? These are world-class, top-tier gemstones!"

"Well, it's a long story… To put it simply, we went around the world. First to Myanmar, then Sri Lanka, and finally to Colombia, where we dug these up," I wiped the cold sweat from my forehead and said with a wry smile, "It wasn't exactly a casual trip."

"Around the world? Have you boys lost your minds?" Professor Utonium sounded incredulous, his expression turning even more serious. "And all this for some gemstones? Was it really worth it?"

Before I could respond, Ken jumped in, "Dad, don't say that. They clearly did this to give the girls a special surprise."

"A surprise is one thing, but did you even consider what the girls have been going through these past few days?" Professor Utonium's tone grew harsh. "You disappeared for days—you almost drove them insane with worry!"

Hearing that, the three of us lowered our heads, not daring to meet the professor's gaze. To be honest, we knew this whole ordeal would have been difficult for the girls to accept. But now, all we could hope for was that this surprise would make up for all their worries and anguish.

"Professor, we're really sorry. We know we went a bit too far..." I quickly explained, trying to ease the professor's mood, "But since we've come this far, we're begging for your help."

Seeing our earnest expressions, Professor Utonium sighed, took the rings and gemstones, glanced at Ken, and then nodded. "Alright, given the sincerity of your intentions, I'll help you cut and set the stones. But I'm warning you—don't pull something like this again!"

Ken patted me on the shoulder, grinning, "Don't worry, the professor and I will keep it a secret. But you better be ready with that surprise soon, or I won't be able to save you."

We nodded eagerly, knowing how vital Professor Utonium and Ken's help was to us. "Thank you so much! Professor, Ken, we're counting on you for this."

Professor Utonium's expression softened slightly, and a small smile tugged at his lips. "Alright, I'll let you off the hook this time, but don't go pulling stunts like this again."

The pressure on us eased just a bit. Now, it was all up to the surprise. Hopefully, it would be enough to make the girls forget the past week of worry and pain.

Over the past week, Momoko, Miyako, and Kaoru had been noticeably distant from us, and the atmosphere between us felt as cold as winter, suffocating in its intensity.

I tried inviting Momoko out for a walk, hoping to break the ice. "Momoko, how about we go for a walk together?" I asked, with a glimmer of hope. She barely lifted her head and replied coldly, "I don't feel like going," then continued focusing on her pastries, as if I didn't even exist. Even when I tried lightening the mood with small talk, she only gave me a half-hearted smile, and I felt a sharp sting in my chest.

Kagami's attempt to invite Miyako for coffee ended just as awkwardly. Gathering his courage, he asked, "Miyako, want to grab a coffee?" She responded coolly, "I'll go on my own." Her tone was full of impatience, making it clear she wanted space, leaving Kagami sighing in frustration.

For Shigeru, things were even worse. After training, he invited Kaoru to dinner, only to be flatly rejected: "I don't want to eat with you." Her tone was icy, and Shigeru was visibly downhearted. Every time he tried to start a conversation, Kaoru's responses were so cold it felt like she was freezing him out.

One late night, Kagami and Shigeru, both realizing things were getting serious, urgently came to me for advice. We gathered in a corner of the living room, ears pricked as we eavesdropped on the girls' conversation.

Momoko's voice trembled slightly, "These past few days have been so painful. Why did they do this to us?"

Miyako followed softly, "I don't know either. What was supposed to be a happy time has turned into something awful."

Then Kaoru's voice chimed in, full of frustration, "I just don't get it. How could they disappear like that and expect us to believe everything was fine?"

Hearing this, my heart sank, realizing their disappointment had reached a breaking point.

"We can't wait any longer!" Kagami whispered urgently, "We have to fix this, or they'll lose faith in us completely." Shigeru nodded, equally anxious. We had to come up with a plan to repair our relationship with them, or risk losing them for good.

Although we had been trying to explain our so-called "Colombian archaeology trip," they clearly weren't buying it. Honestly, even we knew that story was flimsy at best, but we couldn't exactly tell them the truth about risking our lives to mine gemstones — they'd definitely kill us if we did.

So, we decided to apologize through actions, not just words, to show our sincerity. Especially after overhearing them talk about an important social gathering they would attend soon, which could play a big role in their future careers.

After a few discussions with Kagami and Shigeru, we each decided on gifts to express our heartfelt apologies to the girls. Let me tell you, we really put a lot of thought into this. This time, we had to make sure they felt our sincerity.

For Momoko, I knew she loved pink and had a thing for high-end fashion. So, I chose a limited-edition pink summer coat from Hermès. The design was simple yet elegant, with intricate details that perfectly complemented her vibrant and youthful personality. I also picked out a Hermès Birkin pink handbag adorned with floral elements, luxurious yet understated, matching Momoko's style. These two gifts, carefully selected, would surely help her stand out at the upcoming social event.

Kagami, always thoughtful, decided to get Miyako a Louis Vuitton bag from the Yayoi Kusama collection, featuring the artist's iconic polka dot design. This bag was a blend of art and fashion, sophisticated yet quirky, which fit Miyako's tastes perfectly. He also chose a Hermès Arceau Millefiori watch with a water-blue dial covered in floral patterns — intricate, unique, and guaranteed to make Miyako shine in any social setting.

Shigeru opted for two distinct gifts for Kaoru. The first was a green Rolex sports watch, a perfect combination of practicality and luxury. Given Kaoru's love for sports, this watch could seamlessly transition from her active lifestyle to formal events. The second was a Hermès Haute Bijouterie Enchaînements Libres bracelet featuring turquoise stones, a bold and artistic piece that would enhance her presence at any gathering.

When the girls saw the extravagant gifts, their expressions shifted dramatically. Rather than the usual joy or surprise, their faces were filled with suspicion and doubt. Momoko, Miyako, and Kaoru exchanged a few meaningful glances, silently communicating their distrust.

Momoko gazed at the pink Hermès coat and Birkin bag with a furrowed brow. She knew the price tag on these items was no joke — especially the limited-edition coat, which was nearly impossible to find. She bit her lip slightly before turning her gaze toward me. "Yuzuhiko, where did you get the money for this? How could you possibly afford these things?"

Her question hit me like a ton of bricks, and I could feel cold sweat start to form on my forehead. I hadn't anticipated this. Before I could answer, Miyako was already holding the Louis Vuitton bag and the Hermès watch, her expression just as severe. "Kagami, did you rob a bank or something? These things cost a fortune! How on earth did you pay for them?"

Kagami looked stunned by her direct accusation and quickly stammered, "Miyako, of course not! I would never… I mean, this is just a token of my appreciation…."

But Miyako wasn't convinced. Her frown deepened. "Just this bag alone costs millions of yen, right? And the watch... You guys really expect us to believe you earned this from some odd jobs?"

Kaoru, meanwhile, stared at the Rolex and the turquoise bracelet in disbelief. Her suspicion was palpable. "Shigeru, what have you three been up to lately? You didn't rob a jewelry store, did you? Or worse, get involved in something shady?"

I could feel the tension rise, knowing our expensive gifts had only raised their suspicions further. Momoko's voice, tinged with frustration, cut through the air: "Yuzuhiko, these gifts are beautiful, but I'm more interested in knowing how you got the money for them." Her gaze bore into me, as if trying to extract the truth from my very soul.

I forced a smile, trying to stay calm. "Momoko, don't misunderstand. We really did work for this money. It's just that… well, we got lucky and made more than we expected." Even as I said it, I could hear how weak and unconvincing it sounded. And judging by the deepening frowns on their faces, the girls weren't buying it either.

Miyako shot Kagami a cold look. "What kind of job makes that much money? Were you digging for treasure or something?"

Kaoru, her arms crossed, added, "Or worse, did you do something illegal and brought these gifts as hush money?"

At this point, I was inwardly groaning. Not only had our "sincere" gifts failed to win them over, but they had only made things worse. The three of us exchanged worried glances, unsure how to dig ourselves out of this mess.

I took a deep breath and tried to sound more sincere. "Momoko, Miyako, Kaoru, you don't need to worry. We didn't do anything illegal. Everything we did was for you — and we'd never put ourselves or you at risk."

But the more we spoke, the deeper their doubts seemed to grow. We were rapidly running out of options.

Suddenly, I had an idea. "You don't believe us? Fine, I'll show you proof." I pulled out my iPad and opened YouTube, searching for the video of our heroic actions at the Bogotá airport. I found the clip titled "La hazaña de tres japoneses ayudando al ejército colombiano a derrotar a los terroristas (Three Japanese Men Help Colombian Military Defeat Terrorists)," which had already garnered millions of views. "Here, watch this."

As the video played, the girls' attention was immediately drawn to the screen. The shaky footage showed three blurry figures moving swiftly through a chaotic airport. Gunfire and explosions echoed in the background as we helped the Colombian military take down the terrorists.

One figure wielded a Katana, cutting through enemies with precision. Another fought hand-to-hand, taking out armed opponents with sheer strength and speed. And the third dashed around with lightning-fast movements, taking down enemies from behind.

"That's us," I pointed out, gesturing to the figure in the red cap — unmistakably me. "This is what really happened."

Momoko's eyes widened as she stared at the screen. "This… this really happened?"

Miyako, still watching in disbelief, turned to Kagami. "You… fought terrorists with a katana?"

Kaoru, her voice trembling slightly, looked at Shigeru. "You really did this?"

Shigeru nodded, scratching the back of his head sheepishly. "Yeah… I mean, it wasn't exactly part of the plan, but it happened."

As the video played on, the girls' expressions softened, but they were still visibly shaken. While they now believed we had faced real danger, their faces were etched with worry, their eyes filled with the weight of our actions.

Momoko, her voice barely a whisper, said, "Yuzuhiko… you really risked your life to get back to us?"

I could see tears glistening in her eyes, so I quickly tried to explain, "I know it sounds crazy, but at the time, we really had no other choice. We just wanted to get back to you as fast as we could."

Momoko bit her lip, taking a deep breath as if trying to hold back her emotions. Finally, she shook her head softly. "You idiot… What would I have done if something had happened to you?"

Miyako looked at Kagami in disbelief. In the video, the figure with the golden hair, wielding a katana, was unmistakable. She had always known Kagami was a skilled samurai, but never imagined he'd use his skills in such a dangerous situation. Her eyes filled with surprise, but there was also deep concern.

"

Kagami… you actually used your katana against terrorists?" Her voice trembled slightly, "Do you realize how dangerous that was? One wrong move and…"

Kagami chuckled softly, "I know. I'll be more careful next time. But I couldn't just stand by and watch innocent people get hurt."

Miyako's gaze softened, and she wiped the corner of her eye, "But you can't keep taking such risks… If you do this again, I don't know how I'll handle it."

Kaoru, staring at the figure of Shigeru in the video, was equally concerned. She knew he was tough — she still remembered when he took on an entire Yakuza for her — but this time, he was up against fully armed terrorists. Her feelings were mixed with pride and deep worry.

"Shigeru… are you crazy? These guys had guns, and you fought them barehanded?"

Shigeru sighed and smiled, "Yeah, I guess I was a bit reckless. But if I hadn't done it, I might not have made it back to see you."

Kaoru's eyes were filled with concern as she rubbed her forehead, "You idiot… Don't ever do something like that again. I don't want to end up visiting you in the hospital."

The three girls looked at each of us, their eyes filled with deep worry and unease. While they were impressed by our "heroic deeds," their greatest concern was for our safety. They didn't want us risking our lives for something like this.

"Please… don't ever do something like that again," Momoko finally whispered, her voice filled with pleading and frustration.

I glanced at Kagami and Shigeru, and we all nodded silently. We knew we had barely managed to smooth things over this time, but we also understood that the girls' concerns were genuine. From now on, we couldn't afford to be so reckless. After all, our safety meant more to them than any treasure or reward.

Seeing the lingering doubt on their faces, I knew that the video and our brief explanation weren't enough to completely dispel their suspicions. We needed to go the extra mile to make sure they understood our sincerity.

Clearing my throat, I began explaining again, "Look, we know this adventure sounds a bit insane, but we really didn't have much choice. The situation was urgent, and all we wanted was to get back to you as quickly as possible. You hadn't heard from us for seven days, and we knew you'd be worried."

I glanced at Momoko, who still wore a doubtful expression. I continued, "We know it was wrong not to keep in touch, but please trust that we did this all for you. These gifts — we didn't just pick them up randomly. We put real thought into them."

I moved closer to Momoko and pointed to the pink Hermès summer coat. "Momoko, look at this coat. It's not just any luxury item. It's elegant and refined, perfectly matching your style. The pink also complements your adorable pink eyes, bringing out that sweet warmth in your smile. Isn't this exactly your kind of thing?"

Momoko hesitated, her hand lightly brushing over the soft fabric of the coat, clearly torn. I then pointed to the pink Birkin bag, adorned with floral elements. "And this bag? I spent so much time picking it out. As Hyper Blossom, flowers are part of your identity — cute and full of life. The floral pattern shines in the sunlight, just like your smile."

Finally, Momoko's expression softened, and though she didn't say it, I could tell her heart was beginning to waver.

Seeing my success, Kagami quickly followed up. "Miyako, this Yayoi Kusama Louis Vuitton bag is perfect for you. The circular design reminds me of your transformation into Rolling Bubbles, playful and full of energy. Plus, the unique design matches your incredible sense of style and creativity. You'll be the center of attention no matter where you go."

Miyako's expression relaxed slightly, and she murmured, "It is pretty special…"

Noticing her reaction, Kagami pressed on, pointing to the Hermès Arceau Millefiori watch. "And this watch, its color matches your signature blue. It's stylish and sophisticated, just like you. Imagine wearing it at the upcoming event — everyone's eyes will be on you."

Miyako blushed a little, clearly flattered by the thoughtful gesture.

Shigeru, seeing our success, chimed in. "Kaoru, this green Rolex isn't just any sports watch. It's tough, just like you, and the green matches your lively green eyes. This watch is practical and durable, just like my support for you. No matter how hard your athletic career gets, I'll always be by your side."

Kaoru's eyebrows raised in mild approval as she inspected the watch, a smile tugging at her lips.

Shigeru then pointed to the turquoise Hermès bracelet, grinning. "This bracelet, with its turquoise design, is just like Powered Buttercup's symbol — strong and full of life. No matter the occasion, it'll make sure all eyes are on you."

Kaoru smiled softly and murmured, "It's not bad…"

Seeing the girls' reactions, I knew we'd finally managed to ease their suspicions a little. I added, "These gifts aren't just to make up for the fact that we didn't keep in touch. We also wanted to make sure you shine at the upcoming social event. You're the most beautiful, the most captivating, and we want the whole world to see it."

The girls finally smiled a little. Although their worries and unease hadn't completely disappeared, they seemed ready to accept our explanation and gifts. At least for now, we had succeeded in calming their doubts and bringing them back to us.

The next evening, the Tokyo Hilton Hotel was brightly lit, hosting a grand reception for political and business elites. This party was incredibly significant for Momoko, Miyako, and Kaoru. It was their first time attending such an important social event, which could have a crucial impact on their future careers.

The three girls each attended the party with the two luxury gifts we had given them yesterday. These gifts were not only accessories but also symbols of our sincerity. Momoko wore the pink Hermès limited-edition summer jacket, perfectly complementing her striking orange hair, making her look both sweet and noble. The pink Hermès Birkin bag with floral elements hanging from her arm was particularly eye-catching, becoming a bright sight at the party.

Miyako, on the other hand, carried her Yayoi Kusama polka-dot Louis Vuitton bag and wore the Hermès Arceau Millefiori (light blue) watch. Her outfit was understated yet elegant, exuding a unique aura of a fashion designer, attracting quite a bit of attention.

Kaoru chose the green Rolex sports watch paired with the Hermès Haute Bijouterie Enchaînements Libres Bracelet in turquoise. Her outfit was still full of sporty vibes but had an added layer of luxury, making her impossible to ignore.

The lively atmosphere of the party gradually heated up as political and business elites gathered, raising their glasses and engaging in lively discussions.

However, the spotlight of the evening seemed to unexpectedly fall on Momoko, Miyako, and Kaoru. Not only did the three girls captivate everyone with their charm, but the luxury items they wore also became the center of conversation.

As time passed, the connoisseurs at the party began to notice that every item on the girls was a limited edition, almost all rare luxury pieces. Many people started whispering and estimating the value of their outfits.

"Look at that girl's jacket," a high-level fashion brand executive whispered to a friend, pointing at Momoko.

"That pink Hermès limited-edition summer jacket—I remember it's one of only ten pieces worldwide, worth at least 5 million yen."

"The Hermès Birkin pink bag with floral elements she's holding is the most sought-after style this year, and it even fetched a price of 10 million yen at auction," another fashion expert added.

"My God, just with these two items, her outfit costs nearly 15 million yen!" someone exclaimed.

People nearby couldn't help but nod in agreement, then turned their attention to Miyako. "Look at that girl—her Yayoi Kusama polka-dot Louis Vuitton bag is also a limited edition, with a market price of about 6 million yen."

"And her Hermès Arceau Millefiori (light blue) watch—that's a specially customized version, valued at over 8 million yen," an experienced collector commented, glancing at the exquisite watch on Miyako's wrist.

"So, her outfit is worth around 14 million yen?" someone nearby gasped.

"This is not just luxury—it's like wearing a luxury car on your body!" an onlooker murmured softly.

Hearing these comments, both Momoko and Miyako's faces changed slightly as they began calculating these astronomical figures in their minds. They knew these gifts weren't cheap but hadn't expected them to be this extravagant.

It turned out that these gifts were almost equivalent to the price of a luxury car! Questions immediately filled their minds: where did the boys go, and how did they get so much money?

At this point, more people turned their attention to Kaoru. "And that girl over there—her green Rolex sports watch is Rolex's limited sports model for this year, priced over 5 million yen."

"Her Hermès Haute Bijouterie Enchaînements Libres Bracelet in turquoise is from the high-end jewelry series, an extremely rare piece priced around 6.5 million yen," another jewelry expert added.

"So, altogether, her outfit is about 11.5 million yen..."

Hearing these precise estimates, the three girls' expressions visibly became more serious. Although they knew these were luxury items, they hadn't expected their value to be so high. This made them wonder—what exactly had the boys done to get enough money to buy these things?

Could an archaeological part-time job really earn this much? Or were they not doing part-time work at all but rather engaged in some shady activities?

Momoko felt a pit in her stomach as she glanced at the bag in her hand, silently wondering: Am I really wearing a luxury car on me?

Miyako's mind was equally unsettled. She carefully touched the expensive Louis Vuitton bag, struggling internally: What exactly is Kagami up to? If people find out about these things, won't they be suspected of doing something illegal?

Kaoru felt similarly conflicted. She always thought Shigeru was reliable, but this time, their "gifts" were simply incomprehensible. She began to worry that the boys might have done something dangerous behind their backs.

When the three girls heard the experts at the party accurately appraise the value of their gifts, the doubts and uneasiness in their hearts deepened.

They knew those luxury items were expensive, but it wasn't until the prices were clearly laid out before them that they truly grasped the gravity of the situation. A question arose in the minds of Momoko, Miyako, and Kaoru simultaneously: What exactly had the boys done to come up with such a large amount of money? Had they really done something shady?

Among them, Miyako had the most complicated feelings about these concerns. She knew that Kagami, as an adopted member of the Midou family, was part of a family wealthy enough to rival a nation, with extraordinary resources and a remarkable background.

The Midou family's wealth was unimaginable to ordinary people; a random sum of money from them could be more than what an average person could earn in a lifetime.

But she also knew Kagami's personality very well. Despite having such a prominent family background, Kagami had never been willing to live off the family's wealth. Since high school, he had been a stubborn guy who didn't want to ask his family for money.

Miyako would never forget the winter when Kagami bought her a Christmas gift—a thick winter coat. The coat didn't look expensive, but it held special meaning for Kagami because it was the first gift he bought her with the money he earned from his part-time job.

It was precisely this self-reliant nature that made it even harder for Miyako to believe that Kagami would casually ask his family for money or use family funds to buy her these luxury items.

Kagami had always been so proud and self-respecting; he would never easily rely on someone else's wealth.

So, as she looked at the Yayoi Kusama collaboration polka-dot Louis Vuitton bag and the Hermès Arceau Millefiori (light blue) watch in her hands, she felt a mix of emotions. Miyako kept replaying Kagami's words in her mind, and the more she thought about it, the more uneasy she felt.

If Kagami wouldn't turn to his family for help, then where did the money for these luxury items come from?

Standing at the entrance of the Hilton Hotel, with the cold wind brushing against her, Momoko felt a growing sense of frustration. She tugged lightly at the strap of her Hermès Birkin bag, feeling more and more unsettled.

She couldn't stop replaying the boys' explanations in her mind, knowing their flimsy reasons didn't add up. The value of these luxury items was so high, it was unsettling.

She couldn't help but wonder: Where did they get so much money? What exactly had they been doing over those seven days? The three girls exchanged glances, their mutual understanding wordless but clear.

Although they didn't say it out loud, they all shared the same thought: Tonight, they were going to question the boys properly and get to the bottom of things.