*Aki's P.O.V*
Nanako freaked out at my question. She looked back at me with wide-open eyes and wrinkled eyebrows.
"What?!" She looked around to ensure that nobody has heard the shocking words that slipped out of my mouth. She proceeded with a tone that's both very serious and worried. "Aki, what are you planning to do?"
I realized that I had mindlessly revealed my thoughts out loud.
"It's just a hypothetical scenario! Of course I wouldn't actually break into someone's house!"
It sounded suspicious and vague. She's clearly not convinced. I have to come up with a reasonable explanation. And make it quick! More than five seconds and it would sound obvious that I'm making it up.
"You know, I was just watching a bunch of crime movies and tv shows lately. So, I was wondering what would dad prioritize if he had to choose between his family or the law!"
"Oh! Now it makes sense! I wonder. It must be a difficult choice to make!" Her softened expression tells me that my explanation went well. I should really be careful with my words so that I don't raise suspicion again.
I've been monitoring Takaya's movements since that night. I noticed that he rarely ever leaves his place. That's strange. I wonder if he's a college-dropout or just unemployed. It doesn't even matter.
All what's left for me to know is whether he lives alone or with other people. But that would be difficult since I don't have a car. Or a driving license. It's also impossible for my app to determine that. And I can't ask anyone to drive me to a random house. Well, except for my awesome friend!
I talked to Kyoko at school to update her about my plan. "Stage two begins now! But I need a ride.." I whispered to her during lunch break.
"Gosh I can't wait!! All rides at your service, milady!" She whispered back and laughed.
"Aren't you the best friend in the world!! Okay, then probably tomorrow. Very early at the morning! I'll send confirmation!"
"Ready whenever you are!"
Okay, the ride is taken care of. Now I have to come up with an excuse to get mom's permission to skip school.
Sickness? No.
Terrible headache? No.
Period cramps! Valid argument, but no.
All these reasons would make me 'too tired' to go out and implement my plan!
Actually, I don't have to skip school! I would just be going with Kyoko!
Whether or not I actually do go to school after my plan is something mom doesn't have to know.
Before heading to bed, I went to inform her. "Mom, Kyoko will take me to school tomorrow. Is that okay?"
"Oh! She really doesn't have to!"
Expected reaction. I replied: "I told her! But she says there's somewhere she wants to go with me so it would be easier if we go together."
"And where is that?" She asked.
"She didn't say. It must be a restaurant or a cafe."
Well, it wasn't entirely a lie. There is somewhere she wants to go with me. It's just not a restaurant or a cafe.
"Okay then. You two should take care!" There comes my approval!
"Confirmed" I sent to Kyoko.
"Roger" she sent back.
One last preparation is left for me to take care of. And it's the most risky.
I glanced one last time to ensure that mom is too busy to leave the office room. I took that opportunity to sneak into my parents' room then closed the door behind as quietly as possible.
I tiptoed anxiously to the closet. My dad's safe was right there waiting for me. Thank God that I accidentally saw him open it once without him noticing!
I press the buttons carefully. The beeping is too loud. Everything sounds too loud when you're sneaky. I wish I could mute it!
The last digit, here we go! I hope he didn't change the combination!
I pressed it, and just like that, the safe is wide-open!
I reached my hand to what I came for. My dad's emergency-gun. Honestly, it feels awesome to have a gun in my hand! I've always wanted to just touch it, but now I'm actually holding it!
I have no idea how to use a gun, but it's just for show anyway. I don't intend to use it! I'm sorry dad. It will be back before you know it!
Suddenly the door knob turned and nearly gave me a heart attack. This isn't supposed to happen! Dad shouldn't be home just yet!
I squeezed the gun into my pocket quickly then turned around while trying my best to look innocent.
Surprisingly, it wasn't dad. "Hey mom, are you looking for something?"
"I could ask you the same thing!" She reverted the question back to me.
"I was.. looking for your phone! I can't remember where I lost mine so I was going to call it."
My name should definitely be added in the Guinness World Records as the fastest person to come up with an excuse!
"Oh, my phone? It was with me" She gave it to me. "Here, you can call yours!"
I called my phone like I claimed I wanted. "I can hear it from my room! Maybe I didn't search well enough under the blanket! Thanks mom!"
Mission accomplished. I returned to my room with a great relief. I would have been in so much bigger trouble if dad had caught me!
I hid my burrowed weapon well then went to bed. It was another sleepless night. I've been both thrilled and worried that I couldn't stop thinking.
When it was finally morning, Kyoko told me that she's out waiting for me with the promised ride.
I left in casual clothes and took my school uniform with me, in case mom asks later.
I got into Kyoko's probably-rented car, as all the ones owned by her family are fancy and unsuitable to my plan. That's why I asked her to come in a car that wouldn't stand out.
I directed the driver to my destination and kept chatting with Kyoko all the way there.
"Girl, I'm telling you, that guy is definitely a virgin!" She laughed.
"Huh? You didn't actually have sex with him, did you?"
She answered: "I didn't! But it was, like, way too obvious!"
"How could you tell?"
"He would get, like, so red whenever I come closer to him. And he was getting seduced way too easily! He clearly doesn't know how to act around girls so he fell for our plan immediately!"
"The great hacker is an inexperienced guy? What a surprise!" I giggled.
"Right!! Oh, and you should have seen how he panicked the next morning!" She laughed sarcastically.
"Gosh!! What happened?!"
"He was too anxious for answers that he called instead of texting! He went straight to the topic and asked about what happened the night before. Girl, I could barely hold my laughter! It was so funny!!"
"And then? Tell me! Tell me!!" I asked impatiently.
She narrated: "I told him I don't know. He was like, what do you mean you don't know?! He totally stuttered, like, a lot while asking me if we had sex!! I told him I also didn't have any memories of the night. The poor boy freaked out that he told me he doesn't want to go on any more dates!"
We both laughed hard.
"That's how I was a hundred percent sure that he is indeed a virgin!" She stated.
"You're definitely right! His reaction seems so funny! I wish I could have seen it!"
After a little more chatting, we reached Takaya's place. It looked more regular than I had imagined. Nothing unusual, just a small house.
"Oh! So this is where he lives! It's very.. modest!" Kyoko commented.
"Yeah I know what you mean! I thought a hacker would be super rich or something!"
We kept watching the house from a distance. After a while, a middle-aged man left with a little boy.
Kyoko stared. "Gosh! Doesn't his father look hot!"
I raised an eyebrow at her and chuckled. "Are you going for his father now?!"
She chuckled too. "No, I'm just saying~!"
So, if no one else comes through that door, we at least know that he lives with his father and little brother.
We waited for a long hour and nobody else showed up. That's why I decided to get going.
"Best of luck, Aki!! Be careful!" Kyoko warned.
"I will! Thanks for the ride!" I left the car and slowly walked toward the door.
My heart is pounding so hard. I think I'm underprepared! On a second thought, I should've done this at night instead of during broad daylight! But that wouldn't work! People are more likely to be at home during nighttime!
I should've at least looked around in advance! But it would be difficult to come up with enough excuses to be fully prepared! I guess I have no choice but to take a little more risk!
I hope there's at least a backdoor to sneak through! I walked around the house and there comes my disappointment. There's no backdoor.
I considered jumping in from the window but the streets are not empty! And I'm not going to make such a stupid mistake!
"It's unlikely, but please be open! Please be open!!" I prayed under my breath then slowly tried to turn the knob.
Holy moly! It is open!!
I suppose they don't worry about thieves. That, or I was just lucky enough that they forgot to lock it!
Just when I thought this was too easy, the door made a loud nasty creak even though I had opened it slowly. The whole neighborhood must have heard that!!
"Hey, you're back already? What did you forget this time?" A distant voice said while getting closer and closer.
Gosh! I should hide! Quick!!
I looked around the unfamiliar place and went straight to the nearby kitchen as quickly but quietly as possible.
"Dad?" The voice is now closer than before.
"Hmm.. strange. Could it be the wind?" The voice wondered after hearing no reply.
I hear footsteps coming even closer. When it stopped, I peaked cautiously from behind the kitchen door. I saw the guy, whom I assume is my target, standing right there with his back facing me.
Now is my chance. It's now or never!
I left my hideout and sneaked up to him then pointed the gun at the back of his head.
"Your game is over!"