Expanded Universe Version of Betty Crocker – Universe Profile & Timeline (Based on 1920s Radio Commercial, Excluding Later Lore)
Universe Profile:
The Betty Crocker Expanded Universe (EU) is a world where Betty Crocker, the iconic figure first introduced in the 1920s radio commercials, exists not only as a household name but as an enigmatic, almost mythical figure who has a deeper connection to the world of food, family, and culinary tradition. In the original 1920s radio commercials, Betty Crocker was presented as a warm, caring, and expert voice offering cooking advice, but the EU expands her story, exploring her origins, role in society, and her mysterious influence over the food industry.
In this expanded version, Betty Crocker is an early 20th-century culinary innovator who not only revolutionized home cooking but was also part of a larger, almost secretive movement dedicated to preserving and spreading the art of cooking as a form of both cultural preservation and empowerment. Her name, Betty Crocker, comes to symbolize a guiding force in the kitchen—a voice of wisdom, comfort, and tradition. She is portrayed as an expert in both the culinary and social spheres, influencing everything from family life to the nation’s agricultural practices. Betty becomes not just a brand but an iconic figure whose advice and recipes become crucial to shaping the cultural landscape of the era.
Set against the backdrop of a changing America in the 1920s—marked by the Jazz Age, the rise of mass consumerism, and shifting societal norms—the Betty Crocker Expanded Universe introduces a story of innovation, adventure, and the importance of food in connecting generations, communities, and even the wider world. Betty Crocker herself is not just a voice on the radio but an influential, highly respected figure who travels across the United States, engaging with chefs, homemakers, farmers, and industry leaders in an effort to advance her vision for an ideal American kitchen and kitchen culture.
Key Features of the Expanded Universe:
Betty Crocker – The Culinary Icon and Cultural Guide: In the EU, Betty Crocker is an actual person—an incredibly skilled and innovative culinary expert who was carefully chosen to represent the Betty Crocker brand. She becomes a spokesperson not only for the brand but for an entire movement to elevate the role of cooking in American life. Betty is portrayed as a confidante to American families, offering expert advice, helping navigate the intricacies of food, family, and societal change. She is shown to have a deep personal connection to the common people, actively engaging with communities in ways that transcend her role as a mere corporate mascot.
The Kitchen Revolution: The 1920s was a time of significant change, with the rise of new technologies and shifts in the American household. Betty Crocker’s name becomes synonymous with a movement dedicated to empowering American housewives and homemakers with easy-to-follow, yet delicious, recipes. Her advice helps guide families as they transition from traditional cooking methods to modern conveniences, like pre-packaged foods and the rise of electric kitchen appliances. Her innovative approach encourages a sense of creativity, but also nurtures the sense of comfort and nostalgia that food brings to the home.
Betty Crocker’s Culinary Circle: Behind Betty’s persona lies a secret, informal “Culinary Circle” composed of top chefs, agricultural experts, and homemakers from across the country. This group advises Betty on culinary trends, health and nutrition, food preservation techniques, and the future of food production. Their goal is to blend traditional recipes with modern innovation to help families adapt to the changing times. The circle works in secret to create cutting-edge recipes and food preservation methods that are passed down as "Betty’s Best Recipes," always with a healthy respect for local, regional ingredients and cultures.
The Secret Ingredient: In the EU, Betty Crocker’s fame is partially due to a secret ingredient she stumbles upon during one of her travels—a rare, almost mythical spice or flavor enhancer, believed to be able to transform simple dishes into extraordinary meals. The true nature of this secret ingredient is closely guarded, but it is said to hold mystical properties—capable of bringing good fortune, healing, and prosperity to those who use it. Betty herself is aware of its power and ensures it is only distributed to those worthy of its culinary magic. This mysterious element adds an air of intrigue to her character and the food empire she helps build.
Betty Crocker as an Advocate for Women: Beyond her culinary role, Betty Crocker becomes a champion for women’s independence, particularly within the realm of household management and entrepreneurship. She encourages women to pursue cooking as both a source of personal fulfillment and a means of contributing to the economy, advocating for their empowerment through culinary arts. Betty’s persona becomes a symbol of the changing role of women in society during the Roaring Twenties and beyond.
Betty’s Global Culinary Adventures: While Betty Crocker is often depicted in the context of American homes, the EU explores her travels around the world to discover new ingredients, techniques, and flavors. She is depicted as an adventurous traveler, visiting remote regions of the world and learning culinary secrets from indigenous cultures. These global adventures enrich her cooking philosophy and bring new, exotic dishes into the American home.
The Betty Crocker Radio Show: The Betty Crocker Radio Show, introduced in the 1920s, serves as the cornerstone of Betty's influence in the EU. As Betty’s presence on the radio grows, her advice extends beyond just food, influencing broader social issues related to home economics, community health, and even political advocacy for food safety regulations and workers’ rights. The show becomes an influential platform for educating the public on issues such as nutrition, sanitation, and the importance of sustainable food practices.
The Rise of Corporate Rivalries: As Betty Crocker’s influence grows, so too does the competition. Rival food companies, hoping to capture a piece of Betty’s culinary kingdom, begin to create their own culinary spokespeople and start using aggressive marketing strategies. Betty, however, remains steadfast, using her status and wisdom to maintain control over her brand and continue promoting her wholesome, traditional image. The ensuing rivalry adds a layer of corporate intrigue and drama to the otherwise wholesome world of Betty Crocker.
Expanded Universe Timeline:
The Birth of the Culinary Movement (Year 1 - 1920s):
The Creation of Betty Crocker: Betty Crocker’s name is conceived by the Washburn-Crosby Company (which later becomes General Mills) as a way to humanize their brand. In the EU, Betty is presented as an actual person—a skilled and beloved chef whose name is chosen to symbolize the ideal American homemaker. Through a combination of clever marketing and actual culinary expertise, Betty Crocker becomes the voice of the kitchen, speaking directly to American families through the radio and print ads.
The Rise of the Betty Crocker Radio Show: Betty Crocker’s radio show becomes a cultural phenomenon, reaching millions of homes across the country. Betty’s warm, friendly voice is synonymous with cooking advice, helping families navigate the complexities of food preparation. The show promotes easy-to-make recipes, which contribute to her growing popularity and influence.
The Formation of the Culinary Circle: Betty Crocker establishes a secret network of chefs, agricultural experts, and food innovators known as The Culinary Circle, which helps shape the future of home cooking and preserves the integrity of the culinary arts. The Circle operates in secrecy, ensuring that their cutting-edge ideas remain exclusive to Betty and her listeners.
The Age of Transformation (1930s - 1940s):
Betty’s Travels and the Secret Ingredient: As Betty Crocker’s fame spreads, she embarks on a series of global travels, discovering rare spices and cooking techniques that would revolutionize American cooking. One of these discoveries is a secret ingredient, a flavor-enhancing substance that becomes synonymous with her cooking philosophy and is whispered to have magical properties.
Betty Crocker and the Empowerment of Women: Betty becomes an advocate for women’s independence, encouraging them to take ownership of their culinary knowledge and to use it as a means of empowering themselves in both the home and the workplace. She begins speaking out on social issues like women’s rights, worker’s conditions in food production, and nutritional education.
The Age of Rivalry and Legacy (1950s - 1980s):
Corporate Competition: As Betty’s influence grows, rival companies begin to create their own culinary personas to compete with her brand. Betty Crocker faces challenges from new players in the food industry, leading to an escalation in marketing battles and innovative product launches. Despite this, her brand maintains its dominance, continuing to represent both quality and tradition.
The Betty Crocker Legacy: By the 1980s, Betty Crocker’s persona has transcended the original radio show and print ads. The name Betty Crocker has become an institution, with Betty’s influence continuing to shape American cooking. Her legacy lives on in cookbooks, educational programs, and global food cultures, even though the radio era has passed.
The Modern Era (1990s - Present):
The Revival of Betty Crocker: While Betty Crocker’s image has evolved with time, her legacy as an iconic culinary figure is celebrated across generations. Her name still symbolizes comfort, home cooking, and innovation in the food industry. Betty’s influence continues to endure, especially as her original radio persona is remembered as a cultural touchstone for home cooking and food marketing.
The Betty Crocker Expanded Universe reimagines the iconic 1920s radio personality as a larger-than-life figure with an intertwined legacy of food, culture, empowerment, and secretive innovation. Her influence extends beyond cooking, touching on themes of social change, corporate intrigue, and personal growth, all within the framework of a rapidly changing America.
1:
Satoko had a hard time again tonight.
Haunted by nightmares, she ran out of the house.
Stumbling, she made her way to her usual spot.
To free her mind.
2:
In the usual spot in the park, a shadow was visible.
With its back turned to the entrance, it was sitting on a swing.
Satoko walked closer to the shadow illuminated by the streetlight.
The closer she got, the more annoyed she felt, as if her place was being taken.
Satoko stood right in front of the shadow and sat on its lap.
The shadow buried its face in Satoko's back.
Satoko covered her face with her hands.
Both of them breathed heavily, their shoulders heaving.
In the secluded park late at night, with no one to hear them,
They cried out loud.
After about an hour, they felt a little better.
They each returned to their rooms in their rundown apartment buildings.
Only their names were known, and nothing more was asked.
That was their "way to unwind."
3:
A strange cry echoed in the park.
Hiroshi thought about passing by without getting involved.
He was an unpopular video streamer who had come to this rundown apartment complex to shoot a ghost video.
His solo courage test videos didn’t attract much attention, but he was supported by a core group of fans.
It was when he finished shooting in a vacant room and stepped outside.
There was a commotion in the rundown park within the apartment complex.
He tried to pass by unnoticed.
As he moved through the darkness, the figures slowly came into view.
Two people were sitting together on a swing, crying their hearts out.
Excited, Hiroshi took out his camera from his bag.
4:
It was Rino who noticed they were being filmed while they were comforting each other.
She quickly turned her face away, and both of them collapsed off the swing.
Hiroshi kept taking pictures of the moment.
"Stop filming!" Rino shouted.
Realizing something was wrong, Satoko raised her body and looked at Hiroshi.
Their eyes met through the camera.
Their faces were strikingly similar.
5:
It all started a year ago.  
Satoko moved to this rundown apartment complex with her mother to start over.
Now, Satoko was being bullied.
She didn't know why.
She thought it was her fault.
She had no place where she belonged at school.
However, she didn't want to worry her mother.
She decided to put on a brave face.
But this backfired.
The bullying escalated from being ignored to physical violence.
They recorded it on video and threatened her with it.
Even so, Satoko never showed her emotions.
Especially not at home.
The pain she couldn't tell anyone about built up inside her.
Night after night, she couldn’t sleep, and both her body and mind were worn out.
One night, when she felt like she was about to explode, she sneaked out of her room.
She wandered, searching for a place where she could throw away her emotions.
Before she knew it, she found herself standing in front of the swing set in the park within the apartment complex.
There, her emotions broke free.
6:
The curtain fell on Rino's professional boxing career.
She challenged the champion and lost by a KO.
At the hospital, she was diagnosed with a detached retina in her right eye.
She had the advantage until the final round.
But in the end, she fell for her opponent’s taunts.
She was drawn in by the beauty of her opponent, who attacked like a wild beast.
She convinced herself, “I can tame her.”
She forgot her position as an out-boxer.
Her opponent was an infighter, and she took hit after hit.
When she came to, Kazuha, the winner, was raising her hand high.
She regretted her recklessness and tried to play it off with a joke for everyone at the gym.
This was her last challenge before turning thirty.
She was prepared, but she couldn’t lie to herself.
Rino lost all motivation and felt she had no place to belong.
She slipped into a rundown apartment complex without telling anyone.
She intended for this to be her final home.
Every night, she woke up, tormented by flashbacks.
Kazuha’s form as a fighter was beautiful.
The blows from unseen angles were seared into her mind.
Whenever she wished to become a winner, she was brought back to reality.
The moment she sat up, she felt like she was suffocating.
She left the room in search of air.
Unconsciously, she found herself sitting on a swing.
For some reason, she could breathe.
Along with a flood of tears.
7:
That night, she felt like she was drowning again.
She could feel herself breaking apart.
I have to go there.
Summoning all her strength, Rino headed for the swing.
In the dim light, she saw a figure sitting there.
Someone else had taken her spot.
She approached with rough breathing and dragging footsteps.
Barely managing to reach the swing, she said,
“Give it up!”
She placed a hand on the figure's shoulder as she uttered the raspy words.
The figure, startled, tried to shake off her hand.
An elbow jabbed into Rino’s stomach.
Anger surged within her at the unfairness.
Rino struck the figure in the side.
The figure lost balance and fell face-first to the ground.
After taking the swing, Rino realized something.
The figure wasn’t moving.
Could it be?
Rino hurriedly lifted the figure up.
That’s when she noticed—the figure was a woman.
And she had a face that looked just like hers.
8:
Suddenly, the sound of labored breathing and dragging footsteps could be heard.
It was clear, even amidst the sobbing.
As the footsteps drew closer, her body froze.
Something placed a hand on her shoulder, accompanied by a muttered incantation right behind her.
She desperately shook it off, but her legs wouldn’t move.
Cowering and trembling, she suddenly felt a shock to her side.
When she opened her eyes, she found herself looking down at her own body.
Satoko felt as if her soul had left her.
9:
Satoko remained frozen in place.
Realizing that this could be her end, tears welled up.
The other self opened her mouth.
“Thank goodness! You’re alive.”
Knowing that she was still alive, tears flowed once again.
“I’m sorry!”
The other self was crying and apologizing.
It was like looking into a mirror.
Until the sky began to lighten.
Finally, they exchanged names.
She felt more at peace than ever before.
10:
Hiroshi started running with the camera in hand.
The two of them were exhausted from crying.
Satoko couldn't get back on her feet and continued to hurl slurred insults at Hiroshi.
Rino stood up and chased after him.
She tripped and fell several times along the way.
In the meantime, Hiroshi jumped on a bicycle and managed to shake off Rino.
11:
Satoko felt a creepy sensation after being secretly filmed.
"Who did it, since when, and why?"
Her heart rate increased, and anxiety surged through her.
"It's Rino's fault."
Desperately trying to shift the blame, she wiped her tears with her arm.
She couldn’t get up from her curled-up position.
When Rino came back, she tried to help Satoko up.
Satoko refused Rino's help, pressing her arms against her face.
As Rino gently stroked her back, Satoko blamed her.
"They probably came to film me," Rino repeatedly apologized.
Rino then shared her past.
Satoko listened in silence.
That day, Satoko went home with her tears still flowing.
12:
Hiroshi transferred the data from the camera to his computer.
When he watched the video, he could clearly see the two figures.
Not only did they look alike, but they were also both beautiful.
The length was perfect for a short video.
He put on his headphones and started editing.
He replayed the part where Rino noticed they were being filmed.
Satoko was shouting something.
After filtering out the noise, he could clearly hear the words.
"If you reveal this, you’ll die!"
He couldn’t make out anything else.
Feeling uneasy, he tried face recognition.
The result hit on the name Rino.
13:
Hiroshi didn’t know who Rino was.
She was famous as a beautiful boxer.
There were even feature videos of her from past TV programs.
She retired last April after being injured in a match with Kazuha.
After that, only threads expressing concern for her well-being could be found.
Rino, who looked just like Satoko in the park at night, with contrasting expressions on their faces.
Hiroshi felt that this unexpected combination would make for an intriguing video.
Hiroshi was skilled at video editing.
His videos weren’t popular because he wasn’t good at choosing themes.
He edited the video, turning it into a music video with a popular song.
He added the tag “#FormerBoxer.”
14:
When Hiroshi woke up the next morning, there was a notification on his phone.
The video had gone viral, reaching 100,000 views.
It seemed that the quality of the footage was the reason for its popularity.
The comments were mostly about the appearance of the two women.
Excited by the large number of views for the first time, Hiroshi decided to skip university and started working on another video.
He chose a different song.
He edited the video so that Satoko’s shout matched the highlight, and the scene where Rino staggered was blended into a dance sequence.
Exhausted, he fell asleep, and when he woke up again, it was late at night.
Around the same time as the previous day’s upload, he posted the new video, hoping for similar success.
Hiroshi's mind was consumed with thoughts of gaining more views.
15:
Satoko went to school as usual.
She spent the class trying to keep a low profile.
Her mind was filled with thoughts of what had happened that morning.
She was worried that someone in her class might have filmed her.
That fear kept overwhelming her.
By the afternoon, Satoko began to feel unwell.
She felt sick during class and ended up vomiting on her desk.
She decided to handle the situation herself.
She borrowed a bucket and a rag from the restroom and returned to the classroom.
She felt discomfort in her stomach and her vision became blurred.
She had tried not to stand out, but as a result, she drew even more attention.
It took her some time to get the cleaning supplies, and when she returned to the classroom, she felt the cold stares of her classmates.
As she wiped her desk and crouched down to clean the floor, Satoko's condition suddenly worsened, and she collapsed on the spot.
At that moment, the people around her realized the seriousness of her condition.
16:
Satoko collapsed, causing a commotion throughout the school.
She was transported to the hospital by ambulance.
Reactions varied.
Some were suspicious, others sympathetic, and some even laughed.
Kanako was pleased to have filmed the entire incident involving Satoko.
She was one of those who despised Satoko.
Unlike Hiroshi, she posted the video with malicious intent.
She was aware of the popularity of Hiroshi's video.
She linked her video to his and spread it widely.
Kanako underestimated the online community.
17:
Rino waited for Satoko every night.
They lived in the same apartment complex.
However, they didn’t know where each other lived.
They had deliberately avoided sharing such details.
Even when it rained, Rino waited until dawn without an umbrella.
Even when she developed a high fever the next day, she still waited the same way.
On the fifth day, someone came looking for her.
As she sat on the swing, a voice came from behind.
When Rino turned around, she shot a murderous glare.
She tried to stand up from the swing.
But all she could do was cling to the chains.
Her face was gaunt with dark circles, and she was utterly exhausted.
Even so, she attempted to attack the visitor.
But she had no strength left and fell forward.
The visitor caught her firmly in an embrace.
The visitor was Hiroshi.
18:
"I won't forgive you!"
Rino muttered weakly.
"You're Rino, right? Are you okay?"
Hiroshi asked anxiously.
He noticed that Rino's body was unusually hot.
"I'll call an ambulance!"
Hiroshi suggested.
Rino groaned and refused.
"Don't! I don't have any money."
"If you stay like this, you'll die!"
Hiroshi said firmly.
"Just let me die like this!"
Rino said with a trembling voice.
"Satoko is in danger. Please help!"
Hiroshi pleaded.
"It's your fault!"
Rino flared up and grabbed Hiroshi by the collar.
Hiroshi began to explain.
"I'm sorry for filming without permission."
"I thought the video would go viral because the two of you are beautiful."
"It became really popular and is getting attention from all over the world."
"You uploaded it without permission?"
Rino asked in disbelief.
"I did."
Hiroshi answered, looking embarrassed.
"Don't mess with me!"
Rino tightened her grip on his collar.
"Please watch my video."
Hiroshi took out his tablet and played the video.
The two of them were really dancing and looking cool.
Their expressions were well-edited and scattered throughout.
Surprisingly, it was a video that could leave a good impression.
"It's surpassed a million views. It's still growing!"
Hiroshi said, looking at Rino's face.
"This is just a candid video!"
Rino lowered her eyes and answered with frustration.
Deep down, she began to feel a different emotion towards Hiroshi.
She found his honesty somewhat endearing.
"I'm really sorry."
"Please forgive me."
"I'll pay you both once I get some earnings."
"I was an unpopular streamer."
"This incident has increased my subscribers."
"People are revisiting my past videos too."
"It's all thanks to you two. I'm really sorry."
"I'll cover the medical expenses."
"Please, go to the hospital."
Hiroshi begged Rino.
"In that case, take me to my room!"
Rino leaned on Hiroshi's shoulder, and he helped her to her room.
19:
Rino's room was bare.
There was nothing but a sleeping bag and camping gear.
Sportswear was hanging on the walls.
Rino herself was soaking wet.
"What should I do?"
Hiroshi asked, confused.
The sleeping bag was wet too, and he wasn't sure what to do.
"Just take me to the sleeping bag."
Rino muttered wearily.
"Okay."
"I'll help you dry off, so please change your clothes."
"I won't look."
Hiroshi suggested.
When he turned around, Rino was already asleep, softly breathing.
Hiroshi, now even more puzzled, started looking for something to use to dry the sleeping bag.
He found some towels hanging on a plastic ribbon.
He used them to wipe down the sleeping bag.
It took three towels to absorb the moisture.
"I've dried the sleeping bag."
"Now, please change your clothes and get some sleep."
Hiroshi called out to Rino.
"Thanks. What's your name?"
Rino replied weakly.
"It's Hiroshi."
"Thanks, Hiroshi. I'm just going to sleep like this."
Rino tried to go to sleep without changing.
"Wait a minute."
"You'll get worse if you sleep in wet clothes."
"Please change."
Hiroshi urged.
"My body won't listen to me. Can you help?"
Rino smiled as she asked.
Hiroshi couldn't refuse when she smiled at him with such earnest eyes.
"Okay. Just a moment."
He laid dry towels on the floor and helped Rino lie down.
He found a windbreaker and helped her put it on.
Then, he took her to the sleeping bag and tucked her in.
"Thank you."
"I'll contact you when I wake up."
"Leave your contact information."
Rino started to fall asleep again.
But there was nothing to write on.
He looked around but found nothing.
Hiroshi decided to go to the convenience store.
20:
Rino opened the convenience store bag and was surprised.
There were ten expensive nutritional drinks inside.
She had slept in the dry sleeping bag and had completely recovered.
But she gratefully accepted the drinks.
"I remember hearing that Satoko was in danger."
She vaguely recalled hearing that from Hiroshi.
Concerned, she called the number on the note.
"Hello?"
"It's Rino."
"Thank you for helping me."
"How are you feeling?"
"I'm completely recovered! The drinks really worked."
No way, Hiroshi thought in surprise.
It’s only been half a day.
She sounded much different than before.
Those nutritional drinks really work! he thought.
Hiroshi suddenly remembered something.
"Is it okay if I come over now?"
Hiroshi wanted to tell her about Satoko.
"Uh… I’m not mentally prepared yet."
Rino blushed.
"I want you to see Satoko's video."
"As soon as possible."
Hiroshi was trying to persuade her.
Rino realized she had misunderstood and started to sweat nervously.
"I'm ready anytime!"
Rino replied confidently.
21:
Hiroshi arrived in about 30 minutes and rang the intercom.
Rino opened the door.
"Good morning."
"I'm glad to see you're feeling better!"
Hiroshi said, slightly out of breath.
Rino blushed, still feeling embarrassed from the earlier misunderstanding.
"Come in," Rino said, inviting him into the room.
Hiroshi noticed that Rino's demeanor was different.
She was wearing makeup and a dress.
Even with natural makeup, her beauty stood out.
"How much time do you have?" Hiroshi asked, thinking it would only take about 10 minutes.
"I'm free, so it's fine!" Rino replied cheerfully, though her voice was a bit tense.
"Aren't you going out?" Hiroshi asked curiously.
Rino paused to think and then answered sharply,
"I usually wear dresses!"
In her mind, she added, "But I only have one."
Hiroshi decided to change the subject.
"This is what I wanted to show you," he said, taking out his tablet and playing the video.
The video showed Satoko in a difficult situation.
Rino's expression hardened.
"Hiroshi, was this you?"
She asked in a voice that seemed ready to explode in anger.
"It wasn't me!" Hiroshi desperately denied.
"Then what is this?" Rino asked, irritated, pressing closer.
Hiroshi continued to explain.
"I don't know either."
"It was posted under Satoko's name."
"It got linked to my video and spread on social media."
"The comment section has been flooded, and it’s been reported."
"The post was deleted for violating the platform's rules, but it's still being reposted on other sites."
"Is Satoko being bullied?"
Rino finally understood everything.
She realized why Satoko needed to unwind and why she refused to be filmed.
She regretted only talking about herself, and tears welled up.
"Rino..."
Hiroshi began to speak, but then he stopped.
Rino's eyes were red, and her eyelashes were wet with tears.
Hiroshi thought Rino was beautiful, no matter what expression she had.
22:
The video of Satoko was heartbreaking.
It showed numerous acts of cruelty that trampled on her dignity.
Rino thought that Satoko had endured it well.
As Rino watched the video, tears streamed down her face.
Hiroshi, too, was moved to tears.
"I can't forgive these people!" Rino said, clenching her fists.
"Hiroshi, can you find out who did this?" Rino asked.
Hiroshi realized that Rino intended to get revenge.
"I can find out," Hiroshi answered honestly.
"Find out right now!" Rino said, her anger barely contained.
"What will you do once you know?" Hiroshi pressed.
"I won't cause you any trouble," Rino replied bluntly.
"Violence will only work against you."
"Why?" Rino asked.
Hiroshi explained, "The person repeatedly posted under their real name."
"Using a high-performance camera was also a mistake."
"They've angered your fans."
"The person has been identified and is now being exposed online."
"Then why can't I retaliate?"
"The culprit is Satoko's classmate," Hiroshi said, cutting her off.
"Kanako is the one who posted the video," Hiroshi said, showing her a photo.
It was a picture of Kanako with an evil smile as she filmed with her smartphone.
"Nowadays, we can identify people from the reflections in their eyes."
"She was careless with her uniform and name tag."
Hiroshi sighed.
"Even though she's the perpetrator, she's still a minor. As a former professional boxer, you can't afford to get involved."
Rino was struck by Hiroshi's sharp warning.
"But there's one more problem," Hiroshi continued.
Rino felt that Hiroshi was the type of person who liked to drag things out.
"Kanako disappeared after the online backlash."
"But she's still updating her social media."
"And the content..." Hiroshi hesitated.
Rino looked at the posts and gasped.
Kanako had self-destructed, been identified, and was being attacked online.
She seemed to have a strong personality, and her replies were sharp.
Over time, her posts turned into resentful messages against Satoko.
There were insults, threats, and even images of knives.
She had identified Satoko's hospital and even her room number.
It was as if she was threatening to attack Satoko at any moment.
"The posts have already been deleted."
"I received copies of the content."
"Her account has been suspended, and Kanako's whereabouts are unknown."
Rino looked at the dates and felt uneasy.
"Hiroshi, when did this happen?"
She asked cautiously, and Hiroshi answered calmly.
"Last night."
Hiroshi really did like to drag things out, Rino thought.
"Start with the conclusion, idiot!"
Rino shouted.
Hiroshi wanted to say something in protest but instead apologized to Rino.
"I know that hospital. Hiroshi, lend me your bike!"
Rino looked him straight in the eye and held out her hand for the keys.
"What are you going to do at the hospital?"
Hiroshi didn't understand Rino's intentions.
"I'll figure it out when I get there!"
Hiroshi nodded quickly and agreed with Rino.
"Also, it has a combination lock."
"I'll show you how to unlock it," Hiroshi said as he left the room.
"Oh, really? Fancy," Rino replied as she followed him out.
Hiroshi decided not to mention how Rino was slightly off.
23:
The area around the hospital was in turmoil.
Several police cars were parked outside, and yellow caution tape was strung around the entrance.
As Rino approached, feeling uneasy, the crowd began to murmur.
She saw a figure outside the rooftop fence.
There was another person inside the fence, moving very erratically.
The figure hanging on the outside was Satoko.
Rino realized that the person inside the fence was Kanako.
The surrounding police officers were tensely monitoring the situation, trying to bring it under control, but Kanako, with an almost inhuman strength, was pounding on the fence.
It was clear that she was putting Satoko in a dangerous situation.
“How long has this been going on?” Rino asked the crowd.
“About two hours,” came the response.
Satoko seemed to be reaching her limit.
Rino quickly thought, then retied the laces on her sneakers.
She was glad she had changed into her tracksuit before coming.
“I’m here to try to talk the suspect down.”
“We haven’t received any such instructions.”
“Please check again. I was told to go up from here.”
“Understood.”
As the officer grabbed his radio, Rino swiftly ducked under the tape.
“Thank you for your hard work!” she said, saluting the officers as she ran up the stairs.
The officers shouted after her, but Rino, with her former boxer agility, dodged their pursuit and finally reached the rooftop.
The police were focused on Kanako, giving Rino the chance to slip between them and get between Kanako and Satoko.
“You’re Kanako, right?” Rino said.
Kanako’s eyes widened as she stared at Rino, but there was madness in her gaze.
She was holding something sharp and rushed toward Rino with abnormal speed.
The police shouted, “Get back!” but Rino calmly dealt with the situation.
“You’ve been causing my friend a lot of trouble, haven’t you?” Rino didn’t miss her chance and delivered a precise uppercut to stop Kanako’s movements.
Kanako lost her momentum and collapsed on the spot without even having time to react.
At that moment, Satoko’s strength gave out as well.
“Satoko!” Rino climbed the fence with great speed and caught Satoko just before she could fall.
After that, Rino’s memory faded.
「Heartless Woman part 5」
91:
Hiroshi was typing on his laptop keyboard.
Rino had asked him to investigate Saeko's past using a photo of her face.
"Why don't you ask a detective instead?"
Hiroshi had initially pushed back against Rino's request.
"I just need information from the internet. There might be someone who looks like her. I want you to identify her among the boxers I fought against."
Rino added.
"I'll give it a try, but don't get your hopes up," Hiroshi replied, though he felt a slight urge to live up to Rino's expectations.
"Thanks, Hiroshi! I know you can do it! So, I'm counting on you! Oh, and it's kind of urgent!"
Rino cheerfully said before hanging up.
"I've really become her errand boy," Hiroshi muttered with a wry smile as he powered up his laptop.
Using the photo and name of Saeko that Rino had sent, along with Rino's list of opponents, he decided to narrow down his search.
First, he ran the photo through a facial recognition program, which returned nearly a thousand hits. Most of the results were actresses, likely due to the beautiful features.
Narrowing it down with "boxing" and "Rino" significantly reduced the results, but the search didn’t seem to work very well.
Resigned, Hiroshi decided to investigate each entry in the list one by one.
When he searched "Momiji, Rino, boxing," very few images or videos were accessible despite the large number of hits.
In fact, most of the content seemed to have been deleted.
There were many posts on message boards, with several threads each having nearly a thousand entries.
It seemed that a brawl incident had become a major topic of discussion.
At the end of one of the threads, there were complaints about video removal requests and account suspensions, and the thread ended in chaos.
One thread titled "Thank You, Momiji" caught Hiroshi's eye.
The first post in the thread grabbed his attention.
"On [date], Momiji passed away peacefully.
To all who were moved by her fighting spirit, please gather here."
The link led to a photo of a smiling Momiji.
She appeared to be in her early twenties, dressed in Muay Thai attire, and her face looked just like the photo of Saeko that had been sent to him.
It seemed that posts had continued even on the anniversary of her death last year.
Hiroshi decided to send an email to the thread's creator.
"My apologies for the sudden email. My name is Hiroshi.
I’ve been asked by a friend of Rino, who fought against Momiji, to find someone.
I’m reaching out because the person in question, Saeko, closely resembles the Momiji in the linked photo.
I apologize if this is a case of mistaken identity."
Shortly after, a reply came from the thread's creator.
"Thank you for reaching out.
Handle: Kaede.
I’ve been the long-time head of Momiji's fan club.
I am aware of Saeko.
However, due to concerns about information leakage, how about meeting in person to discuss further?
I look forward to your response."
It was only natural, Hiroshi thought.
Kaede had specified a café near Tokyo Station as the meeting place.
A link to Kaede's SNS account was also included.
Hiroshi replied, confirming his availability along with a link to a video of Rino's matches.
That night, Hiroshi charged his smartphone and went to bed.
The next morning, when he woke up, he saw a friend request from Saeko.
Surprised, he immediately accepted it.
Almost instantly, his phone rang.
"Hello?"
"Is this Hiroshi? I'm Saeko, Momiji's daughter. I heard from Kaede that you were looking for me."
Her voice was young but polite.
"Oh, I see. Kaede told me we should meet to discuss things later. My name is Hiroshi. I was asked by a friend of Rino's to look for you..."
Oh no, I wasn’t prepared for this. I didn’t have a story ready.
"Is it from Satoko?" Saeko asked unexpectedly.
"Yes, that's right. Do you know her?"
"Yes, I'm quite familiar. But isn’t it Rino who’s looking for me?"
This was completely unexpected. Unaware that he was being probed, Hiroshi revealed the whole story.
Saeko's sweet and friendly responses gradually lowered Hiroshi's guard.
Including the circumstances of how he met Rino, Hiroshi confessed everything to Saeko.
Finally, they agreed that Saeko would join them when they met Kaede, and then ended the call.
Before he knew it, two hours had flown by.
Looking at the clock, he realized it was already past 9, and he had completely missed his first class.
92:
Rino had been feeling down ever since she received the email from the Chairman yesterday.
When Satoko reported this to the Chairman at the gym, he told her, "Let's just leave her be for now."
Rino skipped her practice at the park and asked Satoko to go to school in her place the next morning.
Satoko felt a bit nervous about going to school for the first time in a while.
Her heart was pounding as she walked into the classroom, but the atmosphere in the room was different from before.
Thanks to Rino, her classmates were all smiling from the morning, and Satoko felt a sense of relief from the positive vibe.
"It feels so enjoyable..."
She thought to herself, but then she noticed that Saeko was absent.
"Maybe she caught a cold?" Satoko worried, but she also felt a bit relieved that Saeko wasn't there.
It seemed her body was still on guard against Saeko's presence.
The morning classes ended, and it was lunchtime.
Usually, Rino would have a meal of nutritional supplements and milk and then take a nap, but today, Satoko had brought a simple homemade bento.
While eating alone, a few female students called out to Satoko, and they ended up having lunch together.
"Lunch while chatting is the best!"
Feeling that way, Satoko thoroughly enjoyed the time from the bottom of her heart.
After school, Satoko visited the gym alone and started her practice.
She reported to the Chairman that Rino was still feeling unwell.
Suddenly, with a loud noise, the gym door was flung open.
Startled, Satoko turned around to see Saeko standing there, firmly planted like a statue.
Her hair was hanging down in front, obscuring her expression.
When their eyes eventually met, Saeko slowly approached. She seemed different from usual.
Saeko stopped in front of Satoko, sniffled, and brushed her hair back.
Her eyelids were swollen, and her eyes were red.
Tears ran down her cheeks, leaving distinct tracks behind.
Saeko wiped her tears with both hands and forced a smile.
"Let me see Rino."
Those words froze Satoko in place.
Her mind went blank, unsure of how to respond.
"Let me see Rino."
Saeko repeated her request.
Tears once again began to fall.
"I don’t think you can meet Rino anymore."
Satoko managed to squeeze out the words, but she couldn’t grasp Saeko's true intentions.
What did Saeko know?
Saeko took a deep breath, trying to calm herself.
However, her smile was eerie and somehow lonely.
"That's enough, Satoko."
Saeko's voice trembled, but she maintained her composure.
"I know everything. Hiroshi told me. He told me that Rino is inside you, Satoko."
Satoko gasped at those words.
The atmosphere in the gym froze.
Rino remained silent.
Watching Satoko’s reaction, Saeko continued.
"That's cowardly, Rino. Why don't you tell me directly? You’re just running away, aren't you? Did you forget about me?"
Her voice, though trembling, was filled with anger.
The Chairman noticed Saeko's unusual behavior and took a worried step forward.
"Saeko, that's enough. Calm down," the Chairman said, trying to reach out, but Saeko cut him off without turning around.
"Leave me alone, Chairman. I'm talking to Rino. I noticed it long ago, that Rino was inside Satoko. I just didn't have the proof. But I kept waiting for Rino to notice me. But you, you forgot about me and only remembered when you accidentally found a photo of my mother, didn’t you?"
Saeko's voice was filled with anger and disappointment.
She stepped closer to Satoko, her eyes mixed with anger and sadness.
Satoko could do nothing but stand there frozen.
Rino, feeling the urge to respond to Saeko's words, remained silent within Satoko.
"My mother endured six years of terrible treatment without running away. And you, you destroyed everything in the end, and then forgot all about it..."
Saeko's voice carried pain and resentment.
The other gym members were overwhelmed by the intensity of her emotions.
The Chairman tried to speak again, but Saeko brushed off his attempt.
"I... I was planning to challenge you in boxing. I was thinking of encouraging you if I ever got the chance to meet you. But that's enough. Now, I just came to tell you how I feel."
Saeko wiped away her tears and took a deep breath.
Her face showed a resolute expression.
"Coward!"
With those words, Saeko forcefully opened the gym door and walked out.
Left behind, Satoko stood silently.
She could feel Rino's presence trembling quietly inside her, but Rino still said nothing.
93:
The grilling at the gym was intense.
The Chairman had found out that Hiroshi had been used to investigate Saeko, and he was furious that the information had been leaked.
His words, a mix of anger and disappointment, lashed out at Rino like a whip.
Even Satoko, unable to hold back her emotions, threw sharp words at her.
Unable to bear the criticism from both inside and outside, Rino lowered her gaze and apologized in a trembling voice.
However, her apology disappeared into the void and did nothing to quell their anger.
The questioning grew even sharper, cutting deep into Rino's heart.
She had reached her limit.
"Let’s leave it for tomorrow!"
Rino shouted and, without waiting for their reactions, bolted out of the gym.
"Don't run away, coward!"
Satoko's shout echoed in her head, but Rino just kept walking through the night streets.
As she continued down the road, Rino pulled out her phone and called Hiroshi.
"Hiroshi, can I come over now?"
Her voice was barely audible.
Hiroshi immediately replied, "Sure."
When she entered Hiroshi's room, Rino silently looked down and sat heavily on the bed.
"What should I do, Hiroshi... I really messed up."
Rino's voice was trembling.
"I talked big, but now everyone's turned their backs on me. I'm weak, and in the end, I just kept running away."
Hiroshi, choosing his words carefully, asked, "Was it because of what I told Saeko?"
"No... but it’s true. There’s nothing I can do about it... I don't even know what to do anymore..."
Rino lost her words and buried her face in Hiroshi's bed.
Overwhelmed by emotions, her tears flowed out like a broken dam.
Sensitive to her distress, Hiroshi quietly handed her a towel.
Rino took it and continued crying until the towel was soaked through.
After a while, Hiroshi, gathering his courage, gently placed a hand on Rino's shoulder.
"Don't touch me so casually."
Rino warned.
Surprised, Hiroshi quickly withdrew his hand.
After she had finished crying, Rino suddenly returned to her usual expression and looked up, sniffling.
"Thanks, Hiroshi. I feel better now."
"I didn't really do anything..."
"Hey, can I have some ice cream?"
Rino asked cheerfully.
And then, Rino began to vent.
"Coward... Isn't that awful? If Saeko's serious, I'll go confront her myself. I can't help forgetting things, can I? But, you know, I feel relieved. I can tell Saeko didn’t do it. I’m sure of it. When I get back, I need to ask Satoko what really happened with Saeko!"
Rino's gaze sharpened. For a moment, Satoko was taken aback by the sudden coldness in her expression.
94:
Rino ran full speed on her way back to the shabby housing complex.
She desperately hoped that this was just an ordinary case of bullying orchestrated by Saeko.
But that hope crumbled, and as everything fell into place, the most troublesome option remained.
There was only one person it could be.
Even Satoko, who had been so confident, was now silent.
When she got home, she decided to tell the truth. As much as Satoko could handle.
They met again in the park that night.
Satoko stood with her arms crossed, avoiding eye contact and remaining silent.
Seeing her like that, Rino felt sure that Satoko was hiding something.
"First of all, I apologize! I'm sorry!" Rino bowed her head.
"I don't forgive you," Satoko's voice was low and heavy.
"I see. But I already apologized," Rino responded calmly.
"Are you running away again? Coward!" Satoko stomped the ground, venting her emotions.
"You’re like a broken CD. I’ve already cleared my head at Hiroshi’s place, so that won’t work anymore! Satoko, you’ve lost!" Rino taunted her with exaggerated facial expressions.
"We're friends, right? Can't you trust me? It’s like you’re accusing me of lying if you need to hear the truth." Satoko kept kicking the ground, creating a small hole beneath her feet.
"So frustrating!" Satoko kicked harder, sending a small stone flying into Rino's face.
Satoko gasped but then quickly looked away again.
"Satoko, you’re my best friend. I don’t doubt you," Rino said quietly.
"Then why are you taking Saeko’s side?" Satoko demanded.
Rino placed her hands on both of Saeko’s shoulders.
"Saeko was protecting you, wasn’t she?" Rino asked, and Satoko flinched, nodding slightly while still looking down.
"You realized something, didn’t you?" Rino asked gently.
Unable to hold back her tears, Satoko covered her face with her hands and began to cry.
She kept nodding repeatedly, in small movements.
"Good girl! This conversation is over!" Rino smiled and then shifted to a more serious expression.
"But the one who really needs to apologize is me."
Rino gently pulled Satoko's hands away from her face and made eye contact.
"The target was me from the beginning. I’m truly sorry for getting you all involved." Rino spoke directly, without looking away.
"I believe Saeko is behind everything," Rino added.
"How do you know?" Satoko asked, still sobbing.
"Because her methods are exactly the same," Rino replied quietly.
"You might not want to remember what happened with Kanako, but the Kanako I saw didn’t flinch even after having her bones broken by the police. She waited patiently, taking her time. Every move I made was calculated. She probably even anticipated that I would possess you."
Satoko was at a loss for words, staring at Rino in stunned silence.
"Let's go over the details... another time," Rino said after taking a breath.
"If Saeko was the mastermind behind the bullying and was manipulating the class, there are ways to fight back. But if Saeko is innocent, then we don’t know where Saeko is hiding."
"Satoko, listen carefully. Before I became Rino, I was a police officer. And I’ve died twice."
"The first time, Saeko died as well."
Rino’s words were heavy and deeply resonated with Satoko’s heart.
Satoko’s face contorted in fear, overwhelmed by what she couldn’t understand.
As Satoko sat down and began to cry, Rino simply watched her in silence.
95:
Here’s the English translation of your text:
---
Rino returned from the park and woke up to find it was the middle of the night.
If Saeko went to school, there was no doubt that Sayoko would notice.
It might already be too late.
A sense of dread washed over her.
Driven by a sense of urgency, she sent an emergency short message to the three of them.
"Urgent: Meet at the gym at 6 AM tomorrow."
The Chairman quickly responded with, "Understood."
Next was Hiroshi.
"Rino-san, did something happen? How about 8 AM?"
No, Hiroshi, that’s not it.
She replied, "Be on time," and received a reluctant response, "Alright, alright, I got it."
That settled it. I'll deal with him later.
Unexpectedly, Saeko's reply came quickly.
"No way 😜"
"…"
Rino immediately responded.
"I'll tell Momiji in the afterlife. I'll tell her to make sure her stupid daughter listens."
Sure enough, an enraged Saeko called her.
The first time, Rino ignored it.
She ignored the second call too.
And on the third call, she answered after just one ring.
"What the hell, you coward!"
Without saying a word, Rino hung up.
As Saeko continued to call relentlessly, making it impossible to even type a message, Rino blocked her number.
Next, she faced an onslaught of emojis on social media.
Struggling with the settings, she typed a message offline and sent it online.
"Stop your whining. Be at the gym at 6 AM tomorrow. Don’t run away, coward!"
Finding it too annoying to keep checking, Rino turned off her phone and took a nap.
The next morning, when she turned her phone back on, it was flooded with missed calls, and there were nearly 1,000 messages on social media and email.
It was still ongoing.
Saeko might be waiting outside the house, but that could be interesting too… Rino thought with a smile.
She got ready, slipped a flashlight from her bag into her pocket, a modified store-bought one with increased brightness—her only weapon at the moment.
Rino left the house just as Ema was returning home and headed for the gym.
Saeko wasn't in front of the housing complex. Hoping she would come to the gym, Rino ran.
She arrived at the gym at 5 AM. The lights inside were already on.
Was she too late…?
Rino cautiously entered with the flashlight in hand.
The Chairman and Hiroshi were already there.
The Chairman had come immediately after receiving the message, while Hiroshi had arrived at 4 AM to wait.
Hiroshi, you're more reliable than I thought.
Now, they just had to wait for Saeko.
At 5:30 AM, a shadow appeared at the gym door.
It was Saeko.
The door swung open, and Saeko rushed inside.
Rino relaxed her entire body, exhaled quietly, turned on the flashlight, and in an instant, blinded Saeko.
Saeko lost her sense of direction and stumbled, and Rino caught her.
"Thanks for coming. I misunderstood you, but you were protecting Satoko all along, weren't you?"
Saeko struggled and hurled insults, but gradually she weakened and became quiet.
"I get it, now let go."
As Rino loosened her grip, Saeko suddenly lunged forward and pressed her lips against Rino's.
After a long kiss, Saeko said one thing.
"Don't get the wrong idea. It wasn’t for Rino."
Rino blushed, her eyes widening in surprise as Satoko shouted.
"It was my first kiss! Saeko stole it!"
Rino muttered softly.
"Mine too."
96:
The gym was enveloped in a tense silence.
Rino took a deep breath and began to speak quietly to everyone in front of her.
"Satoru, can you hear me?"
She asked as she looked around.
She was certain he was there.
"I know you're here. Come down."
As if responding to her words, multiple footsteps echoed from the stairs.
Satoru and several trainers appeared.
Seeing Satoru, Rino gave a small nod.
"You managed to return to active duty. That’s good news!"
Satoru smiled wryly at Rino's words, but before replying, he held his watch to his ear, checking something.
"Kaoru-san, are you here?" Rino asked, and Satoru nodded with a weary expression.
He then informed Rino, "She's coming in now."
Rino turned her gaze toward the gym entrance.
A black van pulled up, and from the back seat, Kaoru, dressed in a black suit, stepped out.
She was accompanied by several aides.
"Congratulations on your promotion, Chief Cabinet Secretary," Rino remarked with a sarcastic smile.
Kaoru exhaled lightly and glared at Rino.
"You've kept everyone up all night," Kaoru said as she stepped forward, her demeanor resolute.
"You know you're under surveillance. This is a serious situation, right? It's truly aggravating."
"I'll say this upfront. If anything is discussed here, everyone will be arrested."
Rino responded calmly to those words.
"That’s why I called you here before you started work. Why don’t you start talking, Kaoru-san?"
"I can't!" Kaoru’s immediate response didn’t surprise Rino at all.
"Or should I be the one to talk?"
Kaoru's face twisted as she glared sharply at Rino.
Seeing this, Rino sighed and said, "That was a joke."
"She's involved. The target is me. My judgment faltered, and I involved civilians. Just tell them what you can. I