The news report on the massacre at the abandoned school cast a dark shadow over our conversation.
I felt a shiver running trough my spine, recalling all the images of the dead bodies in my mind like a train.
I pretended to be surprised about the news.
The images on the screen showed the gruesome aftermath, and I could see the tension in Hiro's eyes as he watched.
The reporter was talking about the fact that the police found all the dead bodies in the school.
It seemed like an anonymous person who was passing by sent the alert after seeing a a group of men running away from there with clothes full of bloods.
I was pretty sure that this was nothing more than an excuse.
Someone knew what happened inside of that school… or , maybe, the police already knew…
"This is the world we live in now," Hiro said softly, his voice tinged with sadness and fear. "It's like we're living in a nightmare… and I'm pretty sure that this has something to do with…" He added, while eating some snacks that Hana brought.
He stopped himself to don't say Haruto's name since he didn't want his sister to know.
Luckily , he was able to eat normal food.
Hana, who had been quietly eating her snack, looked up at the screen and gasped.
"This is terrible. I can't believe something like this could happen here… so many people are dying and… all on this period.,." She said, while looking down on the floor with a sad look on her face.
I placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "It's horrifying, but we have to stay strong. We'll get through this together... that's why we should stay at home."
Hiro turned to me, his eyes pleading. "Kai, I need you to promise me something. Promise me that you'll never put yourself in dangers situations… the world is getting scary out there."
I nodded, determination hardening my resolve. "I promise, Hiro. I'll do everything I can to stay safe. I also promise to protect Hana." I said, while looking at her.
Hana's eyes widened a little and she smile warmly at me, while a small blush appeared on her face.
Then, her eyes filled with tears and she reached out and took Hiro's hand.
"Don't worry , brother… I also promise you that I'll stay safe." She said, while squeezing his hand.
Hiro gave a weak smile, grateful for our support. "Thank you, both of you. It means more than you know."
As we sat in the hospital room, the weight of the situation settled over us like a heavy blanket.
Then, our attention moved again to the news , and we heard that the reporter started to speak about the possible culprit of the mass murder.
A small drop of sweat fell from my face.
Basically, the reporter said this probably was a gang punishment for traitors since they found a strange sign on the arm of a victim.
I then remembered what I've done… and let out a sigh of relief.
Hiro and Hana looked at me in a confused way.
I looked at them, embarrassed.
"Well, I'm just happy that what happened was nothing more than gangsters' thing… luckily there were no innocent people involved." I said, trying not to sound suspicious.
"Yes… you're totally right…" Hana said, with a glimpse of sadness in her voice.
Then, the atmosphere about us relaxed a bit and we talked about normal things like school etc.
I knew that the path ahead would be difficult and dangerous, but I also were determined to uncover the truth and protect every friend of mine.
Later, as Hana and I left the hospital, my mind raced with thoughts about Haruto and the information Hiro had shared.
I knew I needed to confront Haruto and get to the bottom of his involvement.
But first, I had to contact Detective Saito and share what I had learned and ask about the gang to find any kind of information .
Once we were outside, Hana turned to me, concern etched on her face. "Kai, what are you going to do now?"
"I need to talk to Detective Saito. He needs to know about Haruto and everything Hiro told us. We can't let this go on any longer." I said, while looking at the floor.
Hana nodded. "I'll come with you. We can go to the police station together."
She really wanted to help me… or she was scared to stay alone.
I appreciated her support, but I knew this was something I had to do alone.
"Hana, I need you to stay safe. I'll handle this. If anything happens, I need to know you're okay." I said, while looking into her eyes and placing a hand on her shoulder.
Her expression darkened a little.
"Why, Kai?" She whispered with a low but sad voice.
"What do you mean?" I asked, confused by her words.
"Why are you always like this? Why do you always want to do everything alone, Kai?" Hana raised up her eyes to me and I saw tears falling from her eyes.
I felt really sorry, without any particular reason.
"Hana… I just want to protect-" I said but she stopped me.
"Stop it, please… why do you care so much about me? What am I to you?" Hana asked, with tears falling from her eyes.
My eyes widened at her question.
"You… you are.. Family." I mumbled, trying to find the right words.
She has been my childhood friend since forever… so…
Hana looked down on the floor for a second before looking back to me again.
"Kai… you're such an intelligent and brilliant guy, I always admired you. Always… but how can you be so dense in this situation? Can't you see trough me right now? Can't you see how much it hurts me not seeing you…?" Hana whispered.
Her body was trembling.
"I… I know you have a girlfriend… and despite that… you kept treating me the same as always… but maybe it was just my imagination… I don't want to be a sister to you, Kai. I want more…" Hana kept speaking, with a low voice.
My eyes widened, not expecting something like that.
She basically confessed her love to me.
I felt so sorry for her, to the point where I could literally cry.
"I was to stupid to realize… maybe if I would've confessed before… you wouldn't have been in danger now… I want to save you." Hana said f while looking deeply into my eyes.
I needed to turn her down.
She hesitated, then reluctantly agreed.
I wasn't allowed to love someone like her, and more than that, I had Hina.
When I was about to speak to her, Hana stopped me.
"Please, don't talk. Don't hurt me more. I want to stay with my doubts forever. Truth would be more painful." Hana said, before running away.
"Hana! Wait!!" I exclaimed , trying to chase her, but someone stopped me.
I felt the touch of someone on my shoulder.
My body shivered.
I turned my head back and saw a very familiar figure.
My eyes widened.
"Hello, Boy!" A man said.
It was detective Saito.
When you speak about the devil…