I take no pride in resorting to this method. But sometimes pride isn't something one can afford to consider when it's at the expense of a life. And that's how it will go down.
I had invited Hina for a date. Things were stalling between us. Especially ever since we started speculating that Saishi and Haru were seriously seeing each other. At some point, even Hina got serious. But I didn't. And needless to say, I owe no explanation for why. I haven't gone around to school for a while now.
'Hisatoki Juvenile Detention Center!'
That was something I had to dig my heels deep into. And when everything comes full circle, I hope someone can connect the dots as to why I had to do what I did. 'Cause I highly doubt anyone would want to take the word of a criminal.
I still had time till Hina showed up. It was a weekday. We were skipping school. Lately, everything feels like a blur to me. I don't properly remember what I even do anymore. The last few days were just passing by, and yet I don't know, it feels like it's been an endless loop. Props to Hina's mom, and to some extent, my mother for living in a life where they're targeted every day, but go on as if nothing's dangerous. And on that note, maybe even my dad. After all, he's letting mom do what she wants even after knowing the consequences involved with the job. Maybe that's how adults lead their life.
Or was it human nature? To have the thought of death lurking around every day, a kind of excitement. Thrill. I could imagine both our mothers enjoying that kind of fear. Maybe that's what keeps them engaged with that kind of life. But what about my old man? Well, I don't think he's of the same breed. Or else why else would he work for an MNC? Instead of forming a dynamic duo with my mother at her workplace?
Speaking of which, I had snuck into my mother's room for the second time in recent memory, and for good reason. I needed details about the detention center. But she didn't have anything concrete to help me out with. But I had some articles scoured around about it. I wonder if it's on purpose she left them behind. But wouldn't that mean she was expecting too much of me? Surely, she wasn't thinking of using me as a ploy to get her work...Agh! How naive of me? Who am I even kidding?
So all this time, everything was a part of her plan. No wonder she was so good at chess. I wonder what goes inside that brain of hers? But sadly for her, it was a case of Stockholm syndrome. I let her use me. If she was in the pretense that everything was going according to her plan, to some extent, that's true. But it works in my favor. It saves me time on research on the target, and I can focus solely on brainstorming and putting the pieces of the puzzle together.
I was craving for something, and luckily, foreseeing this development, I had a dark chocolate bar ready at my disposal.
Let's see...
Hina's dad met her mother, and they were together for a brief period of time before he abandoned her. From that time, till now, nothing substantial has occurred in her life, except for 2 years ago, when Hina's mother hit the jackpot and made it big, with all her hours of hard work finally being rewarded, and rightfully so. But that's when things went south, in terms of personal life. Both of them were targeted by some high-ranking members. Thinking logically, they would either try to scare her by threatening Hina's life and to some extent injure her. But that's the maximum extent.
Else, the most likely scenario is, they could actually remove Kyouko-san's existence since Hina wasn't the kind to avenge her mother. Not saying that she wouldn't, but couldn't. She was a kind girl, and at the end of the day, that's how she would be. But what's surprising is most of the attacks were targeted at Hina. That meant this wasn't a power struggle anymore. If that's the case, it was of the other kind. Hina's existence was a hindrance. To whom? And why?
Let's go back to two years ago. What changed was Hina and Kyouko-san suddenly being put in the spotlight. A single mother, and her daughter. To some lustful men, it would be an opportunity to make a move on Kyouko-san. In that regard, Hina would be a problem, since Kyouko-san solely focused and dedicated her life to Hina.
But think of it this way. If you were to try to eliminate Hina, who was the sole reason for Kyouko-san's existence, that also meant that she was what was keeping her sane. Once you crossed that line, it meant you had chosen death. So that was also a no-go. That only meant one thing.
As Sherlock Holmes quoted:
'When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth!'
Considering everything, and eliminating the unknowns, and factoring whatever was deemed far-fetched, yet not out of the realms of possibility, there only existed one final conclusion. And that was...
"Nao!"
"Huh? Oh!"
Hina popped up out of nowhere, and from the looks of it, she was serious about this date. Damn, she looked cute! Ahem, don't get carried away.
"What are you doing? You were spacing out, as usual. It's creepy!"
"Is that so? After all this while, this is the first I've heard of."
"Well, I don't know why, but I figured out I must say it, at any cost. It almost felt like this is the last time I can ever talk to you like this. Strange, right?"
"Yeah, looks like you're watching too many dramas."
"Maybe."
Unlike before, she was way calmer and composed. That's strange. I wonder what happened, while I was gone.
"Nao, let's go!"
"Ohn right!"
OUR FINAL DATE!