"You can't trust me yet?"
"Yes, I think that's a fair proposition, or accusation, be what it may in your eyes."
"You mean, after what you've put me through, you still don't trust me, and instead just to give me orders via a third party?"
"Well, considering how things went down the last time, should I not choose this method?"
"Well....Fine...It's not like I have a lot of cards on my hand, but are you sure about this?"
"About what?"
"About what is going to happen. I assume you should already have an idea or two about the way it's gonna boil down."
"Well...what do you mean by that? How could I possibly know, what you're contemplating? You always go off on your own.. and to think you'll suddenly ask me such a thing...You make it sound like I'm an accomplice of your deeds. I'm just a consultant, a contractor, a conductor...."
"Fine, I get it. Stop it with those terms. It's sickening."
"Is it hard to accept inferiority? I suppose you should be used to it by now."
"Well, considering that everything you do is foul play, something I don't think my morals can ever tamper, I'm not really sure if you're truly the superior being, in that sense. But apart from that, it's very strifning to accept it. I'll be honest."
"Your honesty is well appreciated but it's of no use to me. What I need are results. Show me what you can do, and you shall get what you seek."
"Heh. I'd rather have a documented transcript of what you just promised."
"We can do that. But it may end up in a backfire, like it or not."
"I'll take my chances."
"Oh, you're not backing down. You have indeed changed. For better or for worse."
"Well, I'll look into the consequences when I need to. Even though I know how things are going to end, I'll still take my chances."
"You know how things are going to end and yet...you choose to stray down that path... knowing well that you shall suffer either way...Do you happen to idolize Ikari Shinji by any means?"
"Oi...How did you end up at that? Seriously, you're accusing me of stuff I don't have any relevance to."
"Well, it's only fair enough that I clear any confusions I may have right now, then further down the line, in case things go south. Who knows...maybe someday,
I might have to go to trial against you."
"And this is helping you...how exactly?"
"Well, if I tell you that then I can no longer be an attorney, right?"
She kept a finger on her mouth and winked at the same time. It's only one of the few times that she's actually herself. Moreover, it's one of the few times she acts like a normal mother. That's what I feel. I wonder if Rinko-san has anything to do with this. And if she indeed has anything to do with this, then I'd like to thank her a lot.
"Well, it would make things a lot easier if you
can smile like that every once in a while."
"Oh, my...do you...happen to have feelings towards me? Do you see your mother, as a woman by any chance? Do you have a mother complex?"
"Oi...Stop it!"
"Right! Pfft!"
She let out a series of endless laughs that she kept holding onto her stomach. She was in so much happiness that tears rolled down her eyes. It's the first time I've seen her like that.
"What? Is there something on my face?"
"I wonder how long it's been since I've seen you smile like that."
She slowly regained her calm, cold and composed demeanor. Looking out the window, with her back facing towards me...
"Probably back before you were even born."
I knew I had no right to question her any further and even if I did, it wouldn't work anyway since she's gonna put up a rock-solid defense. Rather than saying that she's been open with me, it's more appropriate to say that this has been a slip-up from her end.
"Well, let me be clear. Even if you did have feelings towards me, you'll end up crying even further, since there's no chance in hell that I'd choose someone like you over my husband, if I had to."
"Thanks for straight away rejecting me without even knowing my actual feelings. If I had the chance to..."
"If you had the chance to kill me, then you would go ahead without having any second thoughts. Is that right?"
"Well, how did you even land upon that conclusion? Well, I'm, proud to say that your hunch is off by a long shot."
"Interesting, what is it then?"
I just got up from my place and walked away towards the exit. As I did, unexpectedly...
"In your next life..."
The words I held beck had been uttered by this woman. She didn't even bother to sneak a peek at me. She was certain that those were the very exact words I had in my head.
"Naofumi!"
"Yes, mother?"
"Would like to entertain yourself for a game of chess? If you do happen to beat me, I'll let you on some fine details that should make your ordeals sail smooth like butter."
"I smell there's something fishy."
"Well, take it or leave it, it's your loss."
"Aight..."
We went on a series of back and forth matches. 7 matches passed by...
"I think that'll do."
This woman was yawning after relentlessly and mercilessly going to war with me in this tactical battle. In the end, it was all for naught. I slid the door behind me and closed it completely shut.
So, in the end, I must do it. But, can I ever go back to these peaceful days?
The opening of a door echoed through the hallway, exactly halfway from the place I was standing around.
Sakura returned.
She ran into the washroom. The sound of puking echoed in the hallway. It took a while....5 minutes...10 minutes...She finally came out. Our eyes met. Slap!
She slapped me in the face and ran back to her room. The sound of footsteps died down, and just like that, I was left standing there.