"Humanity is a rare treasure, not possessed by all. You may have a heart, but it is worthless if it beats with the coldness of stone."
The words hung in the air, rendering everyone speechless. Mion, however, wasn't surprised, having already sensed the depths of Leon's depravity. Sasha's voice, steady but tinged with a deep hurt, broke the silence.
"Last year, I met Leon for the first time. I was returning from school. When I entered my room, he was there, casually reading a love story novel I had bought."
Sasha's voice quivered as she recalled the encounter. "Who the hell are you?! And what are you doing in my room?!"
Leon had looked up, completely unfazed. "Your dad told me to wait here."
Recognition dawned on her. "Oh, you are the new transfer student, aren't you?"
Leon nodded. Sasha remembered how she had heard about him—the boy who caught a troublemaker on his first day, earning him instant fame.
Leon asked, "Why was that guy running?"
Sasha had explained, "He was supposed to be suspended for fighting in school, but he tried to escape. Because of you, he got expelled."
Leon merely shrugged. "That's rough."
Just then, Kami had entered the room, breaking the tension. "Oh, you guys are already getting along."
Sasha had turned to her father, confusion written all over her face. "Why did you call him here?"
Kami had replied, "Well, he will be your new teacher."
Sasha's world had tilted. "What?! He is so young, and he is my classmate!!"
Kami had insisted, "But he is actually smarter than anyone around here. And since he is your age, he will be a great choice. He can understand you better."
Sasha had felt a mix of embarrassment and disbelief. "My classmate is my teacher? How lame!"
Leon had offered an alternative. "If you don't like it, I have a friend who is a little older. Maybe he can teach you."
After a moment, she had reluctantly agreed. "It's fine, you don't have to bother him."
"We used to learn violin together, opera, dancing, and surprisingly, he was a master in everything. He was strong, handsome, and perfect. I didn't even realize when I fell for him... I actually liked him at first, maybe even in a romantic way, but I made a mistake. That's why you should never fall for someone based on their looks alone. After some time, Leon told me not to get too close to him. When I asked why, he didn't answer."
A few days later, her father had a meeting and told her to bring the guest inside. Leon had been there, but the guests had refused to let him stay.
"We cannot let a guy like him interfere with our meeting, no matter what."
Maria had felt a surge of anger. Leon had left without a word. A cop had told her, "You don't have to show sympathy to him, he's a criminal."
Confused and worried, Maria had asked her father about it. What she learned shattered her. Leon had been arrested for attempted rape and murder. His victims were a priest and a nun. Since then, she had hated him. Hated herself.
Taiju, curiosity piqued, leaned forward. "You said he was arrested. How is he here, and if the cops know, why don't they arrest him?"
"The government released him for a national issue. They're using criminals for covert operations, and in return, they're promised freedom from their cases." Maria's voice was filled with disdain.
Manabu felt a creeping understanding. The puzzle pieces of Leon's fearlessness, his brazen killing, and his father's inexplicable trust in Leon started to come together. Yet, a nagging doubt remained. Was this man truly their father? Was he evil, or was there more to the story?
As they walked back to the house, Maria continued speaking. "Manabu, call me Maria. I prefer that name. Sasha was given to me by my foster sister, a nun. I was raised in a church and orphanage until Dad found me, just like you."
Manabu's voice was edged with frustration. "And you trusted him just like that? Are you sure he's our dad? Are you an idiot?"
Maria's eyes were steady, filled with a conviction Manabu couldn't ignore. "I knew you'd doubt him, but don't worry, brother. He's a kind man. He helps everyone. He plays with kids, pays for poor children's education, and feeds the poor. He is our dad. I can see ourselves in him."
Manabu sat back, conflicted emotions roiling inside him. Mai interjected, "Why does he wear that Buddha mask?"
"Well, his face is burned. He wears it so kids won't be afraid," Maria explained.
As they sat around the dining table, Manabu's curiosity surged. "Tell us more about Leon."
Maria nodded. "We were talking about Leon… Taiju, wait. First, why do you stay with him if you know what he's like? Did he blackmail you or something? You didn't tell your dad, did you?"
Maria looked puzzled. "About what?"
"Like murder. Did you see Leon killing people?"
Maria shook her head. "No, I never saw him kill anyone."
Taiju pressed on. "Then why keep in contact with him?"
Maria's eyes softened. "Because of his sister. She's just seven years old. I'm afraid he might do to her what he did to that woman. I keep contact with him to protect her."
Manabu saw the kindness in her eyes. "I promise you, we'll make everything right. I'll help you."
Maria smiled gratefully. "Thank you, brother."
After a moment of silence, Maria continued, "Well, brother, you wanted to know more about Leon. I don't know if he has done things I'm unaware of, but I'll tell you the story of what he did that I do know about…"
Maria began recounting her encounter with Leon last year, in March. Her father had brought Leon home, and their initial meeting had been surprising. Leon was charming and attractive, but he quickly revealed his tendency to bully her.
**Flashback:**
Just a usual day, we were doing our homework, and Leon struggled with a math question. So, I tried to solve it but I couldn't.
"Hah! You said you could solve it? White rabbit?" Leon taunted.
"Mmmmmm! I tried my best, but that's all I can think of, you dumb. If you're so confident, why don't you try it yourself?" Maria shot back, frustrated.
"I didn't need your help. You offered," Leon retorted.
"Idiot!" Maria exclaimed.
"Thanks, Mrs. Old Lady," Leon replied with a smirk.
They stood face-to-face, tension crackling between them like two game characters about to fight.
"You're an idiot, a total idiot. Cocky, damn idiot!" Maria fumed.
Leon stared at her and said, "There's something in your teeth."
"What?" Maria asked, momentarily distracted.
Leon walked away. "See ya."
Maria watched him leave, blushing. She had been close to his face, and for a moment, she felt an inexplicable attraction. "Why should I care about someone like him?" she thought, hugging her pillow and trying to convince herself that Leon was just a friend. "Just a friend… Is he just a friend?" she wondered, feeling confused.
**Flashback Ends**
One day, a few officers came to meet her father. When they saw Leon, they refused to let him stay, calling him a criminal. This revelation shocked Maria, who had only seen Leon as kind and never aggressive. She confronted her father, demanding to know the truth.
Her father explained that Leon had been arrested for the brutal murder of a priest and the attempted rape of a nun. The news had spread like wildfire, and people had turned against Leon with intense hatred.
**Flashback to Leon's Arrest:**
As Leon was led out of the church in handcuffs, people hurled shoes and dirt at him, cursing him. He smiled amidst the chaos, seemingly unaffected by their animosity.
**In Court:**
"The courtroom was tense, every eye fixed on the young man standing before the judge. At just fifteen years old, Leon seemed unbothered by the gravity of the situation, his expression calm, almost indifferent. His composed demeanor only heightened the unease in the room.The judge, a man known for his stern yet fair approach, leaned forward. "So, Mr. Leon, your guilt has been proven beyond doubt. Is there anything you want to say? Are you feeling guilty for what you did to Mary?"Leon looked up, his gaze meeting the judge's. There wasn't the slightest hint of remorse in his eyes. "No, Your Honor. Not at all," he replied, his voice steady, almost casual.A murmur ran through the courtroom. The judge, trying to maintain his composure, pressed on. "You're aware of the pain you've caused? The priest's murder, the traumatized nun, the devastated community?"Leon's face remained impassive as the judge continued, his tone growing more incredulous with each word. "You killed an honorable man, Leon. You assaulted a woman, leaving her in such shock that she's lost her memory and is now hospitalized. Mary's brother, her family, the orphanage kids—they all suffered because of you. People are demanding justice, they want you to pay with your life. And yet, you feel no guilt?"The courtroom held its breath, waiting for any sign of regret from Leon. Instead, he remained unperturbed. "You're being too loud, Your Honor," Leon remarked, his voice calm but laced with contempt.The judge's face flushed with anger. He struggled to contain it as Leon, sensing his advantage, pressed on. "It's shameful that someone like you is sitting in judgment of me," Leon said, his words cutting through the tension. "Why are you so obsessed with this case? Did something similar happen to you?"The judge stiffened, caught off guard. "It's about justice," he replied, his voice wavering slightly. "And since you're just a kid, I'm inclined to be lenient, not to press too many charges—""But something doesn't add up, does it?" Leon interrupted, his eyes narrowing. "You hate me, don't you? You hate me enough to kill me right here, but you can't…"The lawyer attempted to intervene, "Objection, Your Honor—""Objection overruled," the judge snapped, his patience wearing thin. "My job is done, let me speak with him."The judge turned his gaze back to Leon, his eyes hardening. "Not just me, Leon. Every single person in this room hates you, enough to kill you…"Leon smirked, unfazed by the judge's harsh words. "That's true," he conceded, "but you're different from the others. You don't just hate me because I'm guilty; there's something else, something personal. Something about this situation reminds you of something, doesn't it?"The judge's face paled, fear flickering in his eyes as Leon's words hit their mark. "Maybe you couldn't save someone dear to you," Leon continued, his voice taking on a mocking tone. "Maybe it was a friend, a close sister… or your wife, perhaps? You couldn't protect her, could you? She was violated right in front of you, and the pain was too much for her to bear. One day, she just couldn't take it anymore and left you forever. Am I wrong?""You're wrong," the judge shot back, his voice tight with barely controlled emotion.Leon's smile was cold and cruel. "How shameful. The man who couldn't protect his own wife now sits in judgment, pretending he can protect others."The courtroom was silent, the air thick with tension. The judge's hand trembled as he reached for the drawer in front of him. His face was a mask of anguish as he pulled out a gun, the metal glinting under the harsh lights. He loaded it with shaking hands, unable to bear the torment any longer.But before the judge could act, Hardy, Mary's brother, sprang to his feet. His face was contorted with rage, his teeth gritted as he aimed a gun of his own. The shot rang out, echoing through the courtroom. Leon's scream of pain followed as he crumpled to the floor, blood pooling beneath him.Chaos erupted. Lawyers and onlookers rushed forward, trying to restore order. Amid the commotion, Leon was quickly taken away, his body limp as he was rushed to the hospital.Later, Maria confronted Leon, determined to uncover the truth. "Show me the wound," she demanded, her voice trembling with a mixture of fear and anger.Leon, lying on the hospital bed, narrowed his eyes at her. His shirt was pulled back, revealing the fresh scar from the gunshot. "Satisfied?" he sneered, his tone dripping with venom.Maria stared at the scar, her heart pounding. "Why didn't you try to stop him?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.Leon's expression hardened. "If you keep pushing, Maria, I might have to kill your dad."Maria recoiled, fear flashing in her eyes, but Leon wasn't finished.Sasha, who had been silently fuming, couldn't hold back any longer. Her voice shook with fury as she confronted him. "So, you're going to kill him? And what about Sumi? Is she your real sister, or are you going to do the same to her as you did to that woman?"Leon's eyes blazed with anger. In one swift motion, he grabbed Sasha's hand, his grip painfully tight. "Watch your mouth," he hissed through gritted teeth. "She is my sister. Don't you dare speak of her that way. You don't need to look after her—I never asked you to. She's fine with me. I'll leave when I'm done with all this, but until then, stay out of my way."
Leon released Sasha's hand, leaving her rubbing her wrist, shaken but defiant. The words hung in the air, a stark reminder of the darkness that clung to Leon, and the fear that he instilled in those around him.
Everyone listened in stunned silence, grappling with the reality of Leon's dark history and Maria's complicated feelings. Sasha called him "A Devil" trying to convey the depth of her revulsion.
Maria's face was streaked with tears, her cheeks flushed with distress. Her eyes, red and swollen, bore the look of a child deeply wounded. Manabu, feeling a pang of sympathy, wrapped her in a protective embrace. His voice was steady as he reassured her, "Everything will be fine."
Maria looked up at him, her gratitude evident through her tear-streaked face. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice barely above a trembling murmur. But as he held her, Manabu's thoughts were far from the comfort he was providing. Beneath the surface, his trust was minimal, and his focus was razor-sharp.
Manabu's internal conflict was palpable as he pulled away, his eyes hardening with resolve. "I don't trust any of you except my friends. Leon is a dangerous man. We can't provoke him. We need to set a trap. If what she said is true, then one mistake could land him in jail for the rest of his life. I'll catch him red-handed."
His gaze shifted to the side as he added, "And about Kami— I don't know who he is, but he's in a position to control someone like Leon. It's better if I deal with Leon before things get worse. Maria might be either faithful or a traitor, but she's useful. She'll help us for sure."
His expression darkened further as he clenched his fists.
"That bastard tried to interfere with my life. He's my prey now. I just need one evidence against him and then I will kill him myself "
To be continued...