Chapter 7: A Meaningless Ending
Yuki was so curious that he suddenly placed the glass of milk in his hand onto the table.
Yuki:
"Y-yes… yes, I'd like that, sir."
The doctor nodded and put on his signature smile.
Dr. Mitsuni:
"Well then, let's go. You can call me Mitsu."
(He leaned closer to Yuki's ear.)
"That's just between us."
Ren muttered from behind.
Ren:
"Like a five-year-old…"
The doctor smiled and winked at Ren. Ren returned the wink, then Mitsuni turned to Yuki and stood up.
Ren:
"Yeah, Yuki, we didn't really get a chance to talk, so let me briefly introduce myself. I'm Ren Shiokona—Lady Akira's right-hand man."
Just then, two voices spoke at the same time.
Yuki looked up in surprise. Standing before him were the twins, Shin and Zen.
They approached Yuki, then turned to the doctor.
Shin / Zen (together):
"Umm, Doctor Mitsu? Weren't you going to introduce us?"
"You totally kept us waiting."
(Turning to Yuki)
"And you…"
Yuki stared at the two identical boys in disbelief.
Yuki:
"A-are you… twins?"
Ren stepped closer to Yuki.
Ren:
"Never seen twins before?"
Yuki shook his head.
Yuki:
"N-no… not really. I've only heard about them."
Shin spoke up.
Shin:
"Well, now you've seen them."
Zen continued.
Zen:
"We're Sora's little brothers."
Dr. Mitsuni grinned. Just as Ren was about to speak, the headquarters' door suddenly opened.
Everyone stood up and froze as they looked toward the entrance.
The person who had arrived was Daichi Naoya, Sora's partner.
And he was covered in blood…
---
At the top of the stairs, Haruto—forgetting that he was out of breath—immediately headed toward the training room where Kaito was.
Just then, Kenji called out from behind.
Kenji:
"Hey, Haruto, what's with the rush?"
(Grinning)
"What, did Lady Akira finish early?"
He placed a hand on Haruto's shoulder. Haruto spoke awkwardly.
Haruto:
"S-s-you… ah, Kenji… I'm not saying anything anymore. Anyway… shouldn't you be with the others?"
Kenji lowered his head and moved the hand from Haruto's shoulder to his own neck.
Kenji:
"Apparently Tatsuya has some special tea—I don't remember the name. He went to the kitchen. The others were busy with the kid, so I slipped away."
Haruto thought to himself.
(As if they were actually waiting for you there.)
Kenji:
"Haruto? Haruto, hey!"
Haruto snapped out of his thoughts.
Haruto:
"Honestly, Kenji… I knew things were going to get bad, but not this bad."
Kenji looked confused.
Kenji:
"What are you talking about? Just spit it out."
Haruto frowned and spoke seriously.
Haruto:
"Kenji… she gave us two days."
"She wants us to prove the kid's Kuiri-absorption ability—the one we told you about."
Suddenly, a loud sound echoed.
THUD.
Something had fallen.
Kenji and Haruto flinched and looked toward the training room door.
Kaito was standing there—he had been listening.
Realizing he'd been caught, Kaito quickly tried to act normal.
Kaito:
"Haruto… what did you just say?"
"Two days?"
"The kid gets hurt over the smallest thing. Did you tell him?"
Haruto lowered his head.
Haruto:
"No…"
(Lowering his voice)
"I-I didn't get the chance."
Kenji tried to lighten the mood.
Kenji:
"Dude… were you spying on us?"
Kaito looked embarrassed.
Kaito:
"W-what are you talking about?!"
Kenji whispered.
Kenji:
(He definitely was.)
Just as Haruto was about to turn back to Kaito, a scream echoed through the hall.
Sora:
"DAICHIIIIII—!"
---