Reflecting on my past actions often serves as a harsh reminder of certain truths about myself, most notably, the fact that I'm an idiot.
Twenty minutes have elapsed since he departed to retrieve the umbrellas, a journey that ordinarily takes a mere ten minutes to complete.
I lift my gaze ever so slightly, tracing the raindrops cascading from the somber sky, attempting to pass the time.
"The sky... is gray today," I sigh, mindful that I ought to be en route to my brother's nursery school, yet here I remain, delayed by my inadequacies.
In the distance, I spot a familiar silhouette, clutching two long sticks, sprinting toward me.
He raises one in the air, frantically waving it as he draws closer. Emerging from the fog, I stare for a long time but fail to recognize the approaching figure. Strange isn't it?
Yet, it appears he won't be needing that second umbrella.
As he stands before me, slightly drenched, an awkward smile creeps across his face as he hands me the umbrella.
"Here, I'm sorry it took so long," he mumbles, the rain droplets still dripping from his hair onto his lips.
"The rain really made the roads really difficult to navigate." He extends his hand, offering the umbrella with a mixture of apology and uncertainty.
Silent, I accept the umbrella, popping it open before venturing straight into the rain without batting an eye.
"Hey! I know you're angry, but won't you at least listen to what I have to say?" realizing that he was brutally ignored, he shouts from behind, snatching his own bag and attempting to catch up.
However, he is a stranger to me.
The only person I know is the fool I dispatched to fetch the umbrellas, who should have returned ten minutes ago.
If he has lost his way or encountered an "incident" along the route, I suppose I'll have to make the effort to find him tomorrow.
But for now, my immediate priority is fetching my brother, Rei, from school.
"I'm really sorry, Anna! Please don't ignore me!" he cried out, his voice laced with sobs.
Well, perhaps I had grown weary of this charade too. I continued my brisk pace without turning back.
Don't get this relationship wrong though.
It's not a mother and son bond; rather, I've learned how to handle him in most situations, and he refrains from talking back because he clearly knows I'm right.
It's the perfect dynamic for training him outside of his home. No wonder his mother appreciates me so much.
However, let's not entertain any peculiar thoughts, as he may occasionally let his imagination wander and this it's something more than what it is.
We strolled together beneath our umbrellas, making our way down the sidewalk with purposeful strides.
Our destination lay ahead, urging us to move swiftly.
As we passed a familiar Cafe, the delightful aroma of freshly baked shortcakes and creamy coffees greeted my nostrils, almost intriguing salivation.
However, Hyouta's lack of self-control became evident as I could see some saliva gathered in his open mouth.
Ronadtz cafe, a recently opened establishment that boasted the largest gathering area and an intricate and lavish design, resembling those upscale stores known for their exorbitant prices and small portions.
Places that catered to the wealthy and sophisticated.
I halted temporarily and directed my attention toward this eerie building. Straining my eyes in vain to peer through the thick tinted glass composing the doors and windows.
There was one unsettling aspect about this particular cafe, no one ever seemed to visit.
It had been operating for over a year, and yet, I had never witnessed a single customer entering its doors.
To be honest, I had not a single clue as to what the nature of the activities that take place within those walls would be.
The sole reason I even considered it a cafe was because of the elegant sign board displayed prominently at the entrance.
Despite always displaying a closed sign during the day, the air in its surroundings was filled with the delightful scent of baked pastries and freshly brewed coffee.
Come 7 p.m., The sign would flip to "open," but still, no one ventured inside. It remained a peculiar mystery that intrigued the students at my school; the enigma of Ronadtz's success.
I lightly nudged Hyouta's stomach with my elbow, signaling him to pick up the pace, while stealing a final glance at Ronadtz's shop sign.
As we crossed the bustling main street, the gate of Shento Nursery School loomed before us.
A single glance was enough to send shivers down my spine.
Not because of the school itself, but due to the holes in the gate bars.
Through those gaps, I caught sight of a stern-faced woman, glaring at me from the entrance.
I halted in my tracks, my gaze fixed on those eyes peering through the openings. Unfortunately, our gazes met, and I knew things had already taken a turn for the worse.
Miss Izora, an inexperienced but highly efficient nursery school teacher embarked on a new chapter of her journey in Shento Elementary and was assigned to the nursery class.
Without a doubt, she excelled in her duties and soon caught the attention of numerous parents.
However, Shento is an institution that prioritizes your experience and portfolio arguably more than your actual practical skills.
An outdated but still reliable method.
Even with her level of skill, the fact that she could acquire such a position after just returning from her service in the army was simply inconceivable.
This still remains one of the mysteries the school holds, and this mystery has caused many burning eyes of envy to turn on Miss Izora.
"The regulations of the school are starting to become flexible to accommodate unfair employment" was the thought at the back of the minds of all her colleagues.
No matter how friendly they tried to be, this tune wouldn't stop resounding in their heads.
Her background appears so simple and suspicious that it passively radiates "cover-up". Of course, that's what everyone else thinks of it, however, my case is a far cry from their petty perceptions.
The reason I detest having direct confrontations with her is because I saw something, on one horrid night I stepped out to visit the store.
I had seen something I really shouldn't have. Whether or not it's important to her, I don't know but that doesn't change the fact that the worst-case scenario ensued after that.
She was aware.
I could have sent Hyouta inside, but I knew that would only exacerbate the situation.
Besides, he had an unexpected sharpness about him in moments like these; I knew he wouldn't willingly go in like that.
Waiting her out was another futile option, shattered the moment our eyes locked.
It seemed I had no choice but to march straight into the valley of the shadow of death.
I knew there would be a staff in charge of staying back with all the kids with Kate's guardians but I never expected she would be the one assigned. Or did she particularly get assigned because of me? That would be even worse.
"Hold my bag. If I don't make it out, tell my mother she really needs to quit drinking, or I'll come back to haunt her," I said, patting his shoulder with a smile.
I knew this lady probably wanted something, today was finally the day we sat down and talked about that.
However, something unexpected happened.
A hand gently patted my head from above, and simultaneously, the figure stepped in front of me, tossing my bag back.
"Hyouta.." Confusion washed over me. Since when did he gather the courage to casually pat my head?
"Don't worry, I'll go. I don't think it's as serious as you think. And please, don't make me deliver a message like that to Auntie. She'd kill me," he retorted, stepping into the compound before I could respond.
I observed as he entered the gates and confidently approached the person who frightened me the most.
Her expression softened slightly, and she adjusted her sitting position by crossing her legs.
Realizing the situation before me, I snapped out of it and hurriedly followed him.
After all, Rei was my younger brother, and I shouldn't rely on others to shoulder my responsibility. When I caught up to him, we both halted a few feet away from Mrs. Izora.
"Good evening, ma'am. We're here to pick up Rei Zhong. We apologize for our lateness, but we had legitimate reasons," Hyouta confidently stated, his tone carrying a hint of remorse.
However, we were met with a silent and uninterested expression.
"We understand it may be an inconvenience, but could we fetch him ourselves? The weather prevented us from arriving earlier," I contemplated using the weather as an excuse to lessen our culpability. Still, there was no response.
She continued to stare at us for a few more seconds before letting out a loud sigh.
"Anna Zhong, right?" she asked in an elated voice.
"Your brother was already picked up by your neighbors, it seems. They also arrived late and offered to take him home to relieve the burden on the gatekeeper. I was merely instructed to inform you. Now, if you'll excuse me," she declared, picking up her bag and striding past us. Her words were direct and concise, without any unnecessary sugarcoating.
However, if any neighbor were to pick up Rei, it would be Hyouta's mom. Now coupled with the fact that Hyouta was an only child, This story didn't add up.
As I turned around to confront her, a voice beside me interjected, cutting off my words.
"Miss Izora! The only neighbors Rei knows are my parents. However, I am an only child, so it's highly unlikely they would come to pick up any children. Could there be a mistake on your part?" he questioned, suspicion evident in his gaze.
As I mentioned earlier, it is in moments like these that this guy's sharpness and perceptiveness shine through.
She paused momentarily, turning her head to glare at us. This woman would be the prime suspect when it comes to any suspicious activity in the school from her previous feats, so I was certain there was more to this situation than she was revealing.
My sole concern now rested on the whereabouts of my little brother.
"I don't have time for meaningless arguments. You are not the only people living near her house, and thus not her sole neighbors. Please refrain from hindering me with trivial matters, otherwise, you will have regrets" she retorted, shifting her gaze back ahead and picking up her pace slightly.
It was evident that this woman was attempting to flee from something, and her excuses no longer held any semblance of coherence.
Without thinking, I began sprinting towards her in an effort to restrain her.
I reached out my hand and grabbed the back of her collar, seemingly startled, she lost her grip on her bag, it crashed to the ground its contents scattering everywhere.
"I'm his older sister! I know that these are the only individuals who could have potentially collected Rei and taken him home. And it's not them. Where is Rei!?" I bellowed at her, my anger and anxiety evident.
The fear I once felt towards her had long been replaced by an overwhelming surge of fury and worry.
Behind me, I could hear hurried footsteps, likely belonging to Hyouta. He would probably attempt to restrain me, but I refused to release this woman until she revealed the whereabouts of my brother.
Unexpectedly, she immediately tensed up, and something deep inside of me began to warn me to let go of her as quickly as possible.
However, driven by my rage, I maintained my grip, losing touch with reason.
"I was willing to let you off if you had simply been a smart girl, if you just stayed put," she said, her voice oozing with intense hostility and lunacy, unlike anything I had ever experienced.