Sheryl's thoughts were distracted the whole time which made her unable to listen to Hazel's epic journey. While sitting beside her, Hazel couldn't help but feel dejected because her dearest sister kept ignoring her. Hazel noticed her mind was out of this world, like a flying mosquito.
Hazel's sulky expression continued as she pouted due to Sheryl's manner. She tried calling her name but Sheryl didn't respond to her. This time, her face slightly turned red while she pressed her lips to suppress her anger.
"Sheryl!" Hazel yelled as she waved her hand on Sheryl's view.
"H-huh? Pardon?" Sheryl responded.
"I have been calling your name for how many times now, and yet, your mind wanders off. You didn't even listen to my story." Hazel complained.
"Is something bothering you?" she added.
"S-sorry, I was just…"
She was about to reason out but then was interrupted when someone opened the door of the room Hazel is now staying in right now. After Head Kelly confirmed that Hazel is alright and needed a few rests for complete recovery, she was transferred to a guest room a few rooms away from Emma.
When Emma heard that they found a new Female Blood, she immediately went to visit her and so they became friends. They would often visit each other to suppress their boredom and to get to know each other while supporting one another.
The person knocking the door went inside revealing himself. Head Benjamin looked around first as if he was searching for someone before welcoming himself in.
When he saw Sheryl, he approached her, whereas he asked, "Have you seen Hans?"
Though Sheryl was the one being asked, Hazel immediately replied, "Oh, ya mean that pretty boy? Nah, we never saw him after we went to his office to thank him nor visit me. He even shoved us out!"
Head Benjamin shrugged his shoulder then made his remarks while he shoved his hands inside his pockets, "Well, that's pretty normal. He never settles to make friends."
Sheryl slightly rolled her eyes and added, "And workaholic at most."
Hazel was bewildered as to what they meant by it, but soon she was able to understand while she opened her mouth then slowly closed it as she placed her fingers on her lips. Sheryl then took the opportunity to ask the Head while the silence went on.
"Head Benjamin…"
The Head quickly replied to her, "Yes?"
Sheryl was undecided to her decision; however, she knew he was once close to Hans so she wouldn't want to miss this opportunity.
"Can I talk to you for a minute?" She asked him politely, yet, with a serious manner.
The Head nodded then turned to step out of the room whereas Sheryl followed, leaving Hazel with nothing to say since she knows her place is far from theirs. As soon as they reached an isolated area so no one could hear them, Head Benjamin faced Sheryl that made her slightly jolt then the Head asked.
"So, what do you want us to talk about?"
Sheryl looked around to see if there were any other hunters around them and when she's assured that the coast was clear, she asked.
"Do you know what Hans has been up to these days?"
"What do you mean?" He asked.
She stared at him as she tried to scan if he knew what she meant. When she determined that Head Benjamin didn't quite understand her, she opened her mouth to rephrase her words.
Hans, who was still on the phone with an unknown caller, talked and discussed as to where they decided to meet. As soon as the caller confirmed their meeting place, Hans immediately went out of the exit lane of the mansion. When he was out of the rarely used exit, he made sure that Sheryl, who he noticed to have followed her attentively, would be unable to catch up to him so he made a quick turn and ran to where his unregistered car was located.
When he reached the back of the mansion, he went into a bush as he removed them revealing a car that was covered with an army styled cloth to keep it unnoticed since it camouflages with the bush. He took off the cover revealing an ordinary car coloured in light grey.
Hans took out his keys and pressed the button. Once the lock was opened, he went to unlock an old abandoned gate which no one is even aware of, except for the few of the higher ups. He then went inside his car and drove his way to the meeting place.
He carefully drove to a not so crowded place near a café as he continued searching for the caller. When he saw a woman cautiously standing at the edge of an alley wearing a cloak, he took his dark old jacket and hat as he covered half of his face with a mask.
As soon as he arrived at the edge of the alley, he asked the woman in monotone. "You made sure no one followed you, right?"
The woman nervously turned but soon calmed when she saw that it was Hans. She nodded as she handed him a piece of paper.
"You know you didn't have to do this. Why are you doing this much? This could put you in a more serious danger."
The woman held her chest as she pursed her lips, unable to say anything. She was about to answer him, but instead she held back again then she slowly removed her cloak revealing a blonde-haired vampire.
Sheryl and Head Benjamin were still in a manner of conversation wherein she was about to rephrase her question about Hans who has been acting weird.
"You and Hans were once close, right, Head Benjamin?"
Upon hearing those words, Head Benjamin couldn't help but feel an arrow just hit him on the chest. However, he answered her question with an irk of irritation as blood slowly drooled out of his mouth, "Y-yes, so what does that got to do with this?"
"Okay. Since both of you USED to be FRIENDS, have you ever noticed something weird or suspicious about him?" Head Benjamin once again felt like he was hit by an arrow as he heard the words 'used' and 'friends' in Sheryl's statement.
He replied to her, "N-no, n-nothing. Not-thing suspicious at a-all."
Sheryl held her chin as she tried to analyse the situation earlier. However, she got distracted when she noticed Head Benjamin leaning on the wall as he held his chest, whereas his soul slowly dissipated away from him.
"Are you alright, Head Benjamin?" She asked him confusingly.
"Y-yeah, I'm fine." And the Head replied dejectedly.
He then continued to murmur stuff, "We're no longer friends… So what? It's not like I wanted to be friends with him again or something."
His murmuring soon ended when something struck his mind, "Wait, are you trying to tell me that Hans is acting suspicious?"
Sheryl felt a sudden shiver down her spine as she slightly raised her shoulder by surprise. However, she was reluctant to say anything so she avoided his gaze and clenched her fist to the side.
"Nothing much. I was just curious." She said with full of doubts in her thoughts.
It made Head Benjamin cross his arms as he slowly raised his eyebrow, "Now you're the one who's acting suspicious. Spill it."
Upon hearing the Head's commanding tone, she shivered in fear. But her doubts still won over her than Head Benjamin's order, so the Head hunter repeated his words more sternly.
"I saw Hans go out to his office. I thought it was just his normal day out or mission, however, I find his actions questionable. So, I went to follow him and I was right. He used the exit which is rarely used by us (hunters) and as I followed him further, he disappeared out of nowhere."
She closed her eyes tightly while she spilled the beans fast enough for the Head not to hear but to her dismay, Head Benjamin was quick to catch up. She pursed her lips when she saw Head Benjamin raise his eyebrow again. Then the Head held his chin while thinking of the possibility of Hans to use the abandoned gate of the mansion and where he was supposed to go for him to act discreetly.
He looked at Sheryl who had been looking at her fingers as she rolled them nervously while biting her lips. He sighed then placed his hands inside his pocket, "Let's observe him for now. Just act as normal as you always do and make sure he doesn't notice you by then."
With that, she nodded in agreement as she excused herself and went back to the clinic. Head Benjamin went to meet his pair as well; he saw Emma leisurely reading some medical books since she wanted to be of help for the clan. Even though she was so indulged by the book, it didn't fail her to notice her pair. Emma quickly closed the book then sprinted her way to greet him and the Head greeted her back happily. He looked at the mark of Emma and saw the rosebud slightly open, he wasn't able to hear Emma's words as he gave out a disappointing look.
Emma might have been getting cozy with him, yet, she hasn't fully accepted the fate she has which affected her to fully become a full-fledged hunter. Although Head Benjamin wanted his pair to fully accept them, he wouldn't want to force her, especially when she still has the lingering feeling of becoming a normal human. However, he will do anything to support Emma and will be there to protect her no matter what.
Despite being unable to accept the situation, Emma still wants to protect and be of help for the clan, especially to her pair.
"U-uhm… Head Benjamin?" she called out his name as she slightly blushed seeing his handsome face.
The Head snapped back to reality and immediately replied then he rubbed his neck while he smiled at her awkwardly.
"Y-yes?"
Emma has yet to know her ability, hence, Head Benjamin was willing to do anything to assist her. She tugged the Head's clothes and was about to ask, but got interrupted when she saw Jasper peeking. When saw the scene and a flustered Emma, he immediately gave a mischievous grin.
"Heh~?" he playfully looked at them which made Emma quickly remove her hand and blushed even more.
"Oh my, oh my, oh my~ How rude of me to interrupt such a lovely moment. I see, I see, I see~ Although, I would love to excuse myself however… I hate to admit that I cannot do that as of the moment."
Jasper playfully and dramatically sighed with regrets for being unable to let the couple continue their romantic moment. Thus, the paired faces were gloomy with discontent as if the person they're seeing now is nothing but a clown. Head Benjamin took the chance to change the topic.
"What brings you here, Young Master?" he asked without hesitating.
Jasper replied, "Ah! But before that, when are you gonna stop calling me that? Call me, Jazz-Jazz, like how you used to?"
But to his dismay, the Head filled the room with silence. So, the disappointed Jasper continued.
"I see… That's fine. Anyways, how are you feeling, Emma?"
And Emma responded positively, "Never been better."
Jasper forged his way near the pair while saying, "Good. Because starting tomorrow you and Hazel will distinguish your ability. Therefore, you will receive a test for you to be able to identify your abilities."
Upon hearing those words, Emma was bewildered, which made her ask, "What do you mean, Young Master?"
...