"Little girl, I've found you. You're in the closet, aren't you?"
The man's sinister chuckle echoed through the room as he scanned Reiko's bedroom. His eyes locked on the corner closet, and he strode toward it.
Inside, Reiko's heart pounded. She fumbled desperately for something to defend herself with, her fingers closing around a flimsy hanger—hardly a weapon.
Onii-chan, I'm so scared…
She bit her lip, fighting back tears. As the daughter of prosecutors, she'd heard stories of what monsters did to little girls. The thought of that man getting his hands on her made her tremble.
He stopped in front of the closet. The room was sparse—bed, desk, a few decorations. This was the last place she could be hiding. Imagining her mother's regret and fear when he used Reiko as leverage, a cruel grin spread across his face.
"Little girl, Uncle's coming…"
His hand gripped the closet door, ready to yank it open. But then, clear footsteps echoed from the hallway.
Damn it!
Was she hiding in another room?
Terrified she'd slip away, he bolted out of the bedroom, chasing the sound.
Thud, thud, thud! Something clattered down the stairs.
He sprinted to the staircase, only to see a fist-sized rubber ball bouncing to the bottom.
"…A trick?"
His eyes widened, but before he could react, a sharp pain exploded at the back of his head.
As the man crumpled to the floor, Alex stood over him, gripping a makeshift club. He'd seen too many cases—heard and lived through them—where hesitation led to a counterattack. No chances here. He delivered another firm whack to the man's head, then bound his hands and feet tightly with rope.
"Reiko?" Alex called, rushing to his old bedroom.
No answer. He called again, his voice urgent. Finally, a trembling voice came from the closet. "…Onii-chan?"
Alex flung open the door. Reiko's eyes met his, and her composure shattered. She burst into sobs, throwing herself into his arms.
"It's okay, it's okay…" Alex said softly, lifting her out of the closet.
She clung to him like a koala, her arms locked around his neck. "I-I thought I was gonna die… that I'd never see you or Mom or Dad again…"
"He's tied up now. You're safe," Alex said, sitting on the bed with her, his voice gentle as he stroked her back.
Reiko's sobs quieted after ten minutes, her breathing steadying.
"Onii-chan, your jacket…" She sniffled, eyeing the tear-and-snot-soaked front of his coat. "I'll wash it for you."
Alex set her down and shrugged off the jacket, handing it over. "How'd you end up back here?" she asked, her red-rimmed eyes blinking up at him. "Didn't you already leave?"
"Thanks to that dumb dog," Alex said, a relieved grin breaking through.
"旺財!" Reiko grabbed his arm, panic flaring. "I didn't hear him when I got home. Onii-chan, is he—"
"He's fine," Alex reassured her. "I checked. He ate a drugged bun and passed out."
"That stupid dog!" Reiko huffed, her fear turning to indignation. "I told him not to take food from strangers. When he wakes up, he's in for it!"
"I only came back because I noticed he wasn't barking," Alex said, chuckling. "Guess he earned his keep this time."
"…I thought you came back because you heard my prayers," Reiko mumbled, a touch of disappointment in her voice.
"You watch too many romance dramas," Alex said, rolling his eyes. "Telepathy's not real. That's superhero stuff."
"Onii-chan, you're so unromantic," Reiko teased, her smile returning as she hugged his arm. "But you saved me anyway."
"Come on, let's call the police," Alex said, pulling her to her feet. "This guy drugged lucky, so he either scouted the place or knows Aunt and Uncle. He's no random burglar."
"He said he knew Mom and Dad," Reiko said quickly. "When he was trying to trick me, he even used their names."
"Police first," Alex said, leading her out of the room.
The intruder lay motionless in the hallway, bound tightly. As they passed, Reiko, still shaken, kicked him twice. Her foot caught his coat, flipping it open to reveal a green shirt underneath. A name tag was stitched on the chest: Kubo, followed by a string of numbers.
"A prison uniform," Alex said, crouching to inspect it. "This is Seiji Kubo."
"A prisoner? Why'd he come here?" Reiko asked, confused.
"Yesterday at the izakaya, Officer Megure mentioned a prison break," Alex explained. "Tokyo Detention House lost an inmate named Seiji Kubo. He kept saying his sentence was too harsh and swore revenge on the judge who convicted him."
"But Mom and Dad aren't judges," Reiko said, frowning. "Why target our house?"
"Maybe he was prosecuted by Aunt or Uncle…" Alex trailed off, studying Kubo's face. A memory clicked. "That's why his name sounded familiar last night."
"You know him, Onii-chan?"
"Five years ago, Aunt Kinna was invited to lecture at Tokyo University's law school," Alex recalled. "Kubo was one of her students. He even visited the house once."
"Mom would never have a criminal as a student," Reiko said, wrinkling her nose.
At that moment, Kubo's eyelids twitched. He was coming to. Reiko darted behind Alex, her bravado fading.
"…You're the one who hit me!" Kubo snarled, glaring at Alex. He thrashed, but the ropes held firm.
"Seiji Kubo, weren't you after the judge who sentenced you?" Alex asked coolly. "Why come here?"
"Why?" Kubo sneered. "If that meddling Kinna Kujo hadn't stuck her nose in, I wouldn't be rotting for twelve years!"
(Chapter End)
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T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 2 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
patreon.com/TripleCrown07
If you guys wanna check it out.