SWNOVELXO Side Story 9
Side Story 9. Debt
Amidst the howling of a dog, as adorable as a young girl’s cry, people scattered in small groups from the bustling streets of the outer district, heading home. Among them was Yamanaka, walking irritably on his way back.
“Too short-sighted… Do they really think killing the ghosts in the ruined district will solve everything? And since when has that woman ever shown kindness?”
He couldn’t believe things would go so smoothly. That woman wasn’t that generous. Three years ago, she had used all her assets and connections to the inner district to muscle her way into managing the outer district. Yamanaka didn’t trust her at all.
“There’s definitely something shady going on. I need to deal with it before anything else.”
Walking the midnight streets, he arrived at his lavish mansion in the outer district. Surrounded by walls at least three meters high, the spacious garden even had a pond, and the three-story residence was nothing short of extravagant.
As he opened the iron gate to enter, something rushed at him from the side.
“Uh, Yamanaka-san!”
For a moment, Yamanaka stiffened, thinking it was an assassin or a robber. But upon recognizing the voice and face, he relaxed—only for his expression to twist into cold disdain.
“Oh, it’s just you, Tou-san. What brings you here so late?”
“I have a favor to ask! Can you extend my debt repayment by a month?”
The middle-aged man with a gaunt, pitiful face prostrated himself on the asphalt road, desperately pleading. Seeing his tragic state, Yamanaka sneered, his fox-like features twisting grotesquely.
“Oh come on, Tou-san. You borrowed money from me. I need you to pay up by tomorrow, just like we agreed. And don’t tell me you don’t have it—you always pay the day before the deadline, don’t you?”
Tou was a baker. When he first opened his shop, he had borrowed a large sum from Yamanaka to secure flour supplies. Though the debt was substantial, Tou had always repaid it faithfully every six months. His bread was popular, and he had been a reliable customer.
“I had it! I was going to pay you today! But on my way here, I got robbed! If I use the rest of my savings, I won’t be able to buy flour from you anymore!”
Instead of sympathy, Yamanaka burst into laughter, clutching his stomach.
“You got robbed?! Hahaha! You should’ve been more careful at the end of the month! Can’t complain if you’re targeted and robbed, right? You know how it is!”
This part of the outer district, where the upper and middle classes lived, was relatively safe—but only by outer district standards. Walking around unprotected with large sums of money was just asking for trouble.
“I used to have Idate as my bodyguard… But after he got driven out of the outer district, I hired a new one—only for him to team up with robbers and steal my money!”
Yamanaka recalled hearing about Idate’s expulsion. He was a decent guy, but his refusal to exploit people as a bodyguard made him enemies. He had also been a thorn in Yamanaka’s side.
“Hah! Tough luck. Guys like Idate—skilled but soft—are rare. You’ve been lucky till now, but you drew the joker this time. Give it up. I can’t lend you any more money.”
“But I don’t have the money!”
“Oh, but you do. Here’s an easy solution—you’ve still got flour left, right? Just mix in some filler. You’ve been stupidly using pure flour all this time, haven’t you? No wonder the other bakers hate you.”
Tou’s bakery was popular precisely because he stubbornly used pure flour, unlike others who secretly diluted theirs. The difference in taste was obvious, earning him resentment.
With a filthy grin, Yamanaka slung an arm around Tou’s shoulder. The outer district would eat his bread even if it tasted off—no need for such stubborn honesty.
“…No. I can’t betray my customers. Fine, I’ll bring the money tomorrow…”
Shaking off Yamanaka’s arm, Tou trudged away with his head down.
“Sure, sure. Do your best to scrape it together, then.”
Yamanaka clicked his tongue, watching him leave. Stubborn fool. He’d probably borrow from someone else, but that path only led to ruin. He’d end up homeless with his family.
Once Tou was gone, Yamanaka waited. Peering around, two thug-like men emerged from a street corner. Just as expected—he smirked.
“Hey, business seems good, huh?”
“Yamanaka-san! Heheh. Made a nice profit. Here ya go.”
One of the men pulled out a wad of cash—far too much for mere thugs.
“Tou’s an idiot. Should’ve just used filler. Can’t believe he’d rather earn his competitors’ hatred over something so trivial.”
“Right? Never thought he’d lose his family over this. Here’s your half, Yamanaka-san.”
Yamanaka pocketed the money without hesitation.
“Yeah, received loud and clear.”
These thugs worked for the underworld group controlling the area. Yamanaka paid them protection money to avoid being robbed—while also collaborating with them to target his own debtors.
“Didn’t think anyone would still fall for this kind of trap nowadays.”
“Seriously! Couldn’t stop laughing. And with Idate gone, his old clients are easy pickings too.”
This was Yamanaka’s scheme—leak info on debtors, have them robbed, split the profits. Those who couldn’t repay sank deeper into debt.
That’s why his interest rates and deadlines seemed fair. To outsiders, he was just a generous lender.
Only honest, kind people fell for it—perfect for profit. Idate had been the only obstacle, but now that he was gone, business was booming.
“Now, Tou’ll probably try borrowing more. In that case… Oh, his daughter’s about the right age. Or maybe a better use…?”
An idea struck him—what if he had Tou set fire to the Amatsu Market? It was just the ruined district, after all. No real crime there.
“Not a bad idea. Burn their food and cores. Or maybe their fields, just to mess with them.”
“What’s up, Yamanaka-san?”
“Nothing. Good work. How about a drink?”
“Sure thing! Thanks!”
Smirking, Yamanaka led the thugs into his mansion.
[Accelerator]
Something like a shadow passed behind him—but it was too fast to notice.
Tou walked dejectedly through the midnight streets. Light spilled from the houses in this affluent part of the outer district, along with cheerful voices.
“Dinner’s ready~!”
“What’s for dinner?”
“Let’s have some drinks!”
The lively sounds only made Tou’s heart heavier.
“What should I do…? Use filler? I can’t do that…”
Some bakers mixed in inedible junk. The taste would suffer, and betraying his customers’ trust was unthinkable.
But without repayment, he couldn’t buy flour. Sales would drop, and he’d default on the next payment too.
Lost in thought, he noticed a small girl sitting on a trash can under a streetlight, swinging her legs. Cute but oddly dressed, she didn’t belong out here at this hour.
“Hey, miss? It’s dangerous at night. You should go home.”
Ever the softhearted, Tou spoke with concern. The girl giggled, covering her mouth theatrically.
“Gogogogo. Landlord, it’s not like I can’t pay rent! Gogogogo.”
Her words made no sense. Was she kicked out for not paying?
“Uh… did your landlord evict you?”
“Not at all! Of course I intended to pay! Gogogogo.”
Before he could react, she pulled out a wad of cash—his stolen money.
“W-wait, is that mine?!”
The stains, the folds—he’d carried it just hours ago.
“Fufu. Will this cover your debt?”
“Y-yes! But—where did you—? Thank you! Who are you?”
Trembling, he took the money, staring in disbelief.
“I’ve already dealt with Numata, who controls this area. You can take it without worry.”
“Thank you, thank you! How can I repay you?”
Realizing she wasn’t what she seemed, Tou bowed deeply.
“Simple. First, don’t speak of me. Second… I have something I’d like you to handle.”
Dropping her act, the girl smiled mysteriously—and made an astonishing proposal.