The Tragic End of a Man Who Spent a Fortune on a Fashion Health Girl

This is the story of "Norio Takahashi," a man I know.

I, Takahashi, am a 42-year-old single truck driver.

When I say truck driver, I mean a delivery driver for a courier service, so my job is to deliver packages to individual homes and companies.

I chose this job because I thought long-distance transportation would make me sleepy and wasn't suited for me.

Ding-dong...

"Hello, this is the delivery service."

"Yes, come in..."

The door opens...

"I have a package for you. Could you please sign here?"

"Yes, of course. Thank you for your trouble!"

"Thank you. Excuse me..."

Although I lost my parents a year ago, I live in their mortgage-free house, so I can afford a somewhat comfortable life.

I've never had a girlfriend before, but there was someone who supported me emotionally.

Her name was Akemi.

I met her half a year ago at a fashion health shop after a friend took me there following our year-end party.

Akemi is cute, honest, kind, and has a great style.

I fell in love with her instantly.

Secretly Going on Dates Outside the Shop

I spent my entire salary on Akemi.

As I started visiting her on every day off, Akemi gradually opened up to me, and even though it was prohibited, she gave me her contact information.

Thanks to that, we could go on dates outside the shop.

We haven't traveled yet, but we've been on dates to the movies, the park, and shopping at department stores, and I even saw her to her apartment once.

However, although I received erotic services at the shop, we didn't have sex.

Akemi told me that she would consider it after she quit this job.

She seemed to have some debt. Her family's Japanese confectionery shop went bankrupt, and her parents were too frail to work, while her sister was attending university and working part-time, so they had no financial leeway.

That's why she said, "I have to do my best."

(What a filial and brave woman... I have to support her! Maybe she'll even marry me someday...)

Long-term Vacation

Then, one day...

I checked the shop's website to visit Akemi, but she was listed as being on vacation, and her next working day wasn't specified.

Hmm, I wonder if she's unwell...

I called the shop, and they told me she was on leave due to poor health. They recommended another girl, but I wasn't interested in anyone else.

I couldn't cheat on Akemi.

Worried, I went to her apartment and hesitated to ring her doorbell. But I thought it would be rude to show up suddenly, so I sent her an email instead.

"Akemi, are you feeling alright? I'm worried about you, and I'm in front of your apartment now, but I'll head home. Please let me know if there's anything I can do for you."

A week later, Akemi finally returned to work, so I went to the shop to meet her.

"I'd like to request Akemi, please."

"Certainly... Please take this number tag and wait in the lobby."

After about five minutes, my number was called, and I was guided to a room.

"Ah, Akemi, it's been a while! I'm glad we finally met. How's your health?"

"I'm sorry for worrying you, Norio. I collapsed from overwork..."

"You're definitely overworking! Shouldn't you take a longer break?"

"Maybe, but... My parents can't work, and my sister has her own life, so they can't give me more money. That's why I have to work..."

"I understand... Hey, what if I bring you money every month? That way, you can reduce your working hours a bit. You're pushing yourself too hard..."

"Thank you. You're the only one I can confide in..."

"Don't say that. I'd do anything for you, Akemi!"

"I'm so happy..."

Norio Starts a New Part-time Job

In addition to his daytime job, Norio started working part-time at a convenience store.

He took on the night shift at the convenience store, early morning stocking at a supermarket, and even cleaning work on his days off.

Every month, he gave Akemi between 70,000 and 100,000 JPY.

"Thank you so much, Norio! I really appreciate it!"

A few months later, Norio's body started showing signs of strain.

With only three hours of sleep each day, he was reaching his physical limit.

Due to sleep deprivation, dark circles appeared under his eyes, and he started feeling numbness in his arms when unloading cargo.

(At this rate, I'll be the one collapsing... But I want to marry Akemi someday... What should I do? Ah, I know!)

Deciding to Sell His Home

This month, I managed to give her 150,000 JPY.

"Norio, thank you so much for this month! You're the only one who thinks of me this way."

"Ah, well... It's nothing."

"You don't seem very energetic. Your complexion isn't good, and you seem to have lost weight."

"Yeah, actually, I have something to talk to you about..."

"What's wrong?"

"Akemi, how much debt do you have left?"

"Huh? I'll be done with it after another 1,200,000 JPY... Why?"

"If I pay off that 1,200,000 JPY for you, will you quit this job?"

"Huh? Well... I..."

"Then I'll take care of the debt. Please wait for me."

"Are you sure?!"

"Yeah, I think I can manage it by selling my house. I can't bear the thought of you being with other men... I'm doing this because I love you."

"I'm so happy! I never expected you to feel this way about me! I'm so glad I met you, Norio. I love you, too!"

"Thank you. Please wait for me..."

Selling His Home

And so, I sold my house.

I sold it for 1,100,000 JPY and borrowed the remaining 1,000,000 JPY from a consumer finance company.

Since I had asked for Akemi's account information, I transferred the money to her and moved into an old apartment.

"It's a bit cramped, but I'm sure the kind Akemi will understand. Let's live together in this room and be happy!"

I informed her of the transfer via email and waited for a reply.

But it never came...

(I wonder what's going on... Did she get sick again? I was planning to propose to her on the day she quit her job...)

After waiting a few days with no response, I became worried and went to the shop.

There, I was told by the front desk staff that she had quit three days ago!

"Do you know where she is?"

"No, I'm sorry, but we can't disclose private information..."

I rushed to her apartment, but no one was there.

The door was locked...

(What's going on? Ah! Maybe she went back to her hometown to pay off her debt...)

For now, I'll wait a little longer for a message from Akemi...

And so, a few more days passed...

Akemi's Arrest!?

One evening, while having dinner in the cafeteria after work...

I was stunned to see Akemi on the news!

"Here's today's news. We bring you an update on a fraud case that occurred in the city. A 26-year-old woman, Mika Nakao, who worked at a sex shop, has been arrested for defrauding her customers of a total of 100 million JPY. Nakao, who went by the name 'Akemi,' allegedly deceived her customers by citing her parents' debt and other reasons. She has admitted to using the money for entertainment at host clubs. More details to come..."

"Akemi... This can't be true...! She was such a kind person; there's no way she'd do something like this! She must have been tricked by some scoundrel! I refuse to believe it!"

Conclusion

Norio finds it hard to accept that Akemi was involved in such an incident and believes she was deceived by someone. He continues to wait, intending to propose to her when she completes her sentence.