Chapter 19: Spreading

“Good, good. It’s spreading smoothly.”

I moved to another floor of the building where the new product presentation was being held and checked the internet on my smartphone in an empty area. The articles and videos I had posted on social media beforehand were spreading more and more.

Along with that, the information-focused influencers I had prepared in advance seemed to have started making posts here and there. The major figures had not moved yet, but once the incident at this company became more widespread, they would surely take action as well. I had already anonymously sent them the video shown at the presentation, along with the evidence and audio files.

Short videos had become popular recently, so I had also uploaded different versions there. Catchy slogans, hashtags designed to attract attention, SEO strategies, and everything else—I had prepared as much as I could over these past three days, and thanks to that, the posts were spreading smoothly.

Who would have thought the know-how from my previous job would come in handy here…

Of course, I did not make the posts using my own smartphone. I had done it from an internet café. Most large internet cafés require identification or a membership card before you can use their computers, but smaller ones like the one near my old home allow you to use them without either. This way, even if something happened, I would not cause trouble for Yuuka’s family.

“Ka, Kakeru-san…”

“Kakeru, how did it go…?”

When I returned to the mansion in the other world, Aoi-san and Yuuka were waiting for me with worried expressions.

“The plan worked. It has only just started spreading, but if this turns into a huge scandal like it should, Gondo’s past embezzlement will be investigated and judged again.”

“…!!”

After looking into it, I found that the criminal statute of limitations for occupational embezzlement was seven years. Civil claims, however, could be made for twenty years after the embezzlement occurred, meaning he would likely be properly held accountable both criminally and financially. As long as there was evidence Aoi-san had left behind, the fact that time had passed should not be a problem.

The company itself would likely suffer a major blow to its reputation and might also be forced to take responsibility. They would have to answer for spreading the lie that Aoi-san had committed suicide.

The people working there might have been inconvenienced by what I did, but judging by how I saw Gondo screaming at his subordinates backstage and how terrified they looked, there was a high possibility that his workplace bullying and sexual harassment had continued even until now. In that sense, I had prevented further victims, so they might actually be grateful.

“Look at Gondo’s panicked state. Maybe I should upload this too. Besides, his hell is only beginning. Not only will he be judged in court, but he’ll also be relentlessly criticized online. Socially speaking, he’ll be as good as dead.”

“He deserves it. Serves him right.”

“…………”

I showed Aoi-san the video I had recorded with Yuuka’s smartphone. It showed Gondo’s reaction after the previous video appeared on the screen—he was panicking and shouting in desperation.

Considering everything he had done, this might still not be enough punishment, but seeing this should at least ease Aoi-san’s heart a little.

Besides, Gondo’s hell was only beginning. He would not only receive a criminal record through the trial, but he would also be torn apart online. What he had done was extremely malicious, and in this current Reiwa era, he would surely be exposed thoroughly.

I wanted him to experience what it felt like to be the target of online outrage, just like Aoi-san and her parents had been.

I had also exposed the people online who had viciously insulted Aoi-san and her family. From now on, they would likely become the ones being criticized.

It was a little unfortunate that only the victims themselves could file requests to reveal the identities of online offenders and seek compensation, though.

“I’m sure this will clear Aoi-san’s name, and her parents—who kept believing in her and fought for her all this time—will finally receive some relief.”

“…Yeah.”

Tears overflowed endlessly from Aoi-san’s eyes. With this, her parents should finally have received at least a little bit of justice.

…Although, the media would probably come to her parents’ house now.

They would probably realize that the person who visited them a few days ago was the one behind this entire incident. From now on, I should avoid meeting them directly and secretly support them if they ever needed help.

“Oh.”

A slight impact struck my chest.

Suddenly, Aoi-san hugged me.

“…Th-thank… you…”

“Yeah. I’m really glad things worked out.”

Just like I had done with Yuuka, I gently patted her head.

Her body was small and fragile, with little strength. Although her mind belonged to an adult, at that moment, she looked like a girl her own physical age.

She must have suffered alone for so long.

I was just glad that the lingering regrets from her previous life had finally been resolved.

…Wait, now that I think about it, is patting a woman’s head actually okay?

Aoi-san suffered because of her boss’s harassment. I can’t exactly go and become a harasser myself.

She doesn’t seem uncomfortable, so it’s probably fine.

I almost became a criminal myself there for a second…

…Huh?

“!”

“Kakeru!”

“K-Kakeru-san!”

Yuuka and Aoi-san’s voices sounded strangely distant, and my consciousness began to fade away.

Come to think of it, I was in the middle of my second consecutive all-nighter, wasn’t I…?

◆　◇　◆　◇　◆

“Hmm…”

When I opened my eyes, I saw an unfamiliar ceiling.

It was the ceiling of my new room in Yuuka’s mansion.

So that was it. The tension I had been holding onto until then finally snapped, and I must have lost consciousness right there.

I thought it was pathetic that I collapsed after only staying awake for two nights, but when I thought about it carefully, while I had been used to pulling all-nighters in my previous life, this was actually the first time I had ever done so in this other world.

I thought this slightly younger body of mine would be able to handle it, but with everything I had been running around doing, it seemed my body had reached its limit.

I went through reincarnation into another world, only to die from overwork in my second life as well? Absolutely not. From now on, I would have to be more careful and know my limits.

Well, I’ll reflect on that later—

“…Umm…”

Right now, I was lying on the bed.

And beside me, Yuuka and Aoi-san—who had apparently been taking care of me—were asleep with their heads resting against the side of the bed.