《Lucifer: The Bloody Christmas》 Chapter 1: The Bloody Christmas Killer December 12, 1999, It was a cold, foggy evening in Doshiqi Town.The streets were alive with the hum of winter preparations. The silver light of a full moon bathed the town in a tranquil glow, reflecting off the frosty streets. Everyone seemed eagerly anticipating the arrival of the Winter. But in the midst of this festive air, three burglars moved toward a quiet house on the edge of town. The burglars approached a window on the ground floor, carrying a lock pick¡ªthey avoided the door deliberately, knowing it might draw unnecessary attention from the streets. And their faces are common in the street loots. ''Careful'' one of them whispered as the lock pick guy worked on the window. ''Don''t rush. The couple won''t be back until midnight. We have time'' they planned to this rob the couple long time ago, just waiting for the golden opportunity. ''once we''re done here, I''m getting the fuck out of this town. I''m not staying anywhere near this place.'' With practiced hands, the window finally gave way, opening silently. One by one, they stepped inside. The house was massive, it was more likely a castle. no sign of life , its silence pierced only by the faint creak of their footsteps. Just as they stepped further in, suddenly a suspicious sound broke the quietness. ''Did you hear that?'' the third man whispered his voice tight with unease. The second man dismissed it with a ''Relax'' he pulled out a sharp knife which is used to skin the dead animals. He was professional butcher. ''I''ve got a knife'' He ensured their safely. ''If someone''s here, I''ll slit their throat, so just grab what''s valuable and leave.'' And the unpleasant sound beaks the silence again. They wondered if they had a child or caretaker in their house. One of them wished it is a woman. ''so we can have some fun.'' The third man rolled his eyes with a dead stare. ''There''s no one lives here but the guy and his wife here. and both of them aren''t home, So Focus. Let''s get the goods and get the fuck out of here.'' ''Look at this'' one whispered, He picked up a golf club adorned with gold accents. ''Fuckers must be loaded with money'' He bet. ''No shit''. Couples are both doctor and pharmacist no wonder they got a rich background. The buglers keeps exploring the house quietly, stealing things and expensive items. They were looking for cash but only things they could find was some jewelry. And expensive cloths. ''Check that door.'' the boss ordered. ''You two keep an eye on things down here. I''m heading upstairs.'' He took his sharp blade and went upstairs.The intruder moved swiftly through the rooms and he was pretty amused. rummaging through drawers and cabinets. His flashlight''s beam landed on stacks of cash and valuables, which he hastily stuffed into a bag. The room seemed like a treasure trove, with medals, trophies, jewelries and expensive artifacts neatly displayed on shelves. Grabbing few items for himself, he began pocketing them.But then for a moment he froze. A faint sound reached his ears from behind. His pulse quickened as he swung his flashlight in the direction of the noise. Nothing. The room stood still, silent. everything untouched. But the unease didn''t leave him. Gripping his knife tightly, looking for sound trace, finding no sign of life. Even though he wasn''t drunk, he wondered if it was his illusion.''I''m not imagining things? Am I?'' He tried to shake off the fear, resuming his task with shaky hands; he wished he was drunk so he could endure his fear, but now things were a little scary for him. Faster and faster, he grabbed the cash-loaded bag, but the oppressive silence bore down on him. Suddenly, from behind, something stirred. He tried to not look behind. But without his realization. A long leather raincoat swayed gently, hanging from a long rack, its hem almost brushing the floor. But it wasn''t just an ordinary coat. From beneath it, a figure, slowly lifting its head. The figure, shrouded in darkness, stepped forward, lowering itself from a small table it had perched on. The leather-clad stranger now stood upright, towering over the intruder.The burglar froze, his breath caught in his throat as the figure reached for an axe. The burglar thought he was imagining things, but still he wondered if someone was behind him. He turned, but its blade glinted menacingly in the dim light. Before the intruder could react¡ªThe figure surged forward, swinging the axe with terrifying precision. The blade of the axe tore into his face to jaw, cutting and crushing through the skull. Dragging and cleaving through bone and sinew, tore the chest, splitting his torso in a gruesome display. And the pressure of the dragging axe was so immense. When it hit his leg, it went flying off. Detached from his body. Imagine the unbearable torment of a goat having its skin peeled off slowly while still alive¡ªthe sheer pain would force it to scream in agony. But what he feels... what he endures... is far worse than that. A suffering so intense that even the tortured cries of that poor creature would pale in comparison. And with it...comes an inevitable, instant death. The scream that escaped his lips was short-lived as his body collapsed. Downstairs, the other two burglars heard the commotion. Alarmed, they grabbed their weapons¡ªa machete and a dagger¡ªand bolted upstairs. As they climbed, the axe-wielding figure appeared suddenly, hurtling down at them with frightening speed. The blade found its mark, embedding itself into the skull of one of the men. He crumpled instantly, his lifeless body collapsing on the staircase. The remaining burglar screamed for help, his voice filled with terror, but the figure moved swiftly. Grabbing him by the throat, it squeezed with a monstrous strength, silencing him before he could utter another sound.In the dead of night, beneath a moonlit sky, the town lay silent, shrouded in a heavy stillness. The only sounds were the soft rustle of the wind, which caused the windows to rattle faintly. Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on. The clock struck 2:29 AM as the young couple returned home, unlocking the door and stepping inside. They were at the wife''s parents place for a birthday party. The husband, carrying a few bags, spoke tiredly to his wife as they entered. ''I couldn''t buy anything for her mother. I''ll make sure to get something next time.''¡ª But while the lovebirds were having their sweet talks. The wife lays her eyes on the dripping blood on the stairs. And before she could respond to her husband. She screamed. Her body froze in place, her face pale with visible fear. Startled, the husband turned toward her. ''What happened?'' he asked anxiously, his eyes following her gaze. What he saw made his body numb. The blood polished the furniture; the living room was in disarray, with drawers left open and belongings scattered across the floor. The window had been forced open, and the cold night air seeped into the room. But the most horrifying sight was the dark red trail of blood dripping from the second floor, seeping through the cracks of the ceiling and pooling onto the floor carpet below. They realized their house was being robbed. At the time, The wife, trembling, grabbed her phone immediately and called the police. Meanwhile, the husband, driven by a mix of fear and determination, reached for a baseball bat from a nearby storage bin. He put those bags and stuff on the floor.''Stay here. I''ll go check upstairs,'' he instructed with a shaky voice. As he ascended the staircase, his eyes followed the blood trail on the stairs to the room. It smeared across the floor, leading to their bedroom. Someone was dragged all the way to the bedroom. With each step he took, his heart pounded louder in his chest. It could burst out any minute. Finally, he reached the door and pushed it open slowly¡ªhe peeked from the little space between the door.And the sight inside made him scream in horror, his voice echoing through the house. His wife, hearing the agonized cry, ran upstairs despite her fear. The husband puked at the sight. It was so horrifying. Her wife runs like crazy.''Honey!'' She rushed upstairs. ''What happened? Are you okay?'' She called out as she rushed toward him. She saw he was clearly terrified by something he just inspected, something not very pleasant. She turned toward the bedroom, and when she entered the room, She froze in her place, and the phone slipped from her hand. Her mouth was filled with disgust as she took a glare at the grisly scene. The couple stood there, paralyzed, as their legs began to shake uncontrollably. The wife''s trembling voice barely managed to speak; she picked up the phone and said,"Someone has been killed..." to the officers.The officer on the other side replied calmly, "Ma''am, please stay on the line. We are sending help." The couple remained silent, the silence of the house now broken by their shallow, panicked breaths. The police arrived, their sirens cutting through the quiet night as they approached the house. Upon entering and witnessing the horrifying scene, even the officers, hardened by years of experience, faltered for a moment. They quickly escorted the shaken couple outside for safety and sealed off the premises to preserve the crime scene. Neighbors began to gather nearby, murmuring amongst themselves as fear and curiosity spread through the small town. The flashing lights of the police cars cast eerie shadows on the faces of the growing crowd. Soon after, a forensic team and an investigative unit were summoned. Among them was the lead investigator, Mr. Kenzo, a man known for his sharp mind and unshakable composure. As he stepped into the house, he was greeted by the unsettling stillness of the crime scene.Kenzo methodically climbed the stairs to the second floor, his shoes echoing softly against the blood-streaked floorboards. Reaching the bedroom, he paused before entering. His sharp gaze scanned the room as he took steps forward¡ªbodies were dragged approximately 15-20 meters¡ªuntil he reached a large window. Outside, illuminated faintly by the moonlight, stood a tall, conical tree resembling a Christmas tree. What made the scene grotesquely macabre, however, were the three lifeless bodies hanging from the branches. Their forms swayed slightly in the cold night breeze, their skin marred by countless wounds and injuries. The sight was enough to make even the forensic team pause in horror.Kenzo''s eyes then shifted to the window beside him, where a chilling message had been scrawled in large, crimson letters:"Merry Christmas."His breath hitched as realization dawned on him. He turned to the team, his voice calm yet shaking. ''Mr. Santa did this, no doubt,'' he murmured under his breath. Addressing the team with authority, he instructed, ''Get those bodies down immediately. This is no random crime. This murder is done by Santa Claus. There is no doubt, one of the forensic workers said with annoyance. ''How did he kill these people? And didn''t anyone notice them breaking inside the house?''Kenzo believed Mr. Santa was a smart, calculative killer, so he must have seen through this, and probably he was ready from the very beginning, predicting everything possible. He is a straight-up monster. Kenzo''s eyes looked down and slowly closed while imagining the scenario of the crime scene. But the only thing he could see was a person who had an unpleasant smile on his face, as if he was mocking them, mocking him. "The Bloody Christmas Killer." Chapter 2: The Blood & The Night A few days earlier¡ªChristina Town, Feropia Early Morning, The chilly days of winter had already arrived. Manabu struggled to open his eyes, the warmth of his bed enticing him to stay cocooned beneath the blankets with a soft groan, stretching his legs and arms. Manabu is quite workshy, but he was good at certain things like math calculation, sports, and his personal favorite, teasing his friends. It was time for school. Now he had no choice whether to surrender to sleep or face the day. Only a few days remained before the winter holiday. forcing him to summon the willpower to get up. He got up and stretched again. And looked at the clock. It was 8 already. He¡¯s late. Manabu always tries not to rely on alarm clocks. He often boasted about this, finding a sense of pride in his unorthodox reasoning. ¡®Alarms aren¡¯t good for our health,¡¯ he would say to anyone who listened.¡®When we¡¯re tired, our bodies need extra rest. Alarms disrupt that, increasing stress. Scientifically, it¡¯s better to wake up naturally. For someone like me, who loves sleep, this helps me to defend myself in almost any argument with friends, but of course¡ªManabu mostly gets punished by teachers for being late at school.With a reluctant stretch, he dragged himself out of bed and headed to the bathroom. The cold air bit at his skin, and he shivered slightly as he reached for his toothbrush. Six years ago, winters weren¡¯t this harsh. He thought to himself, squeezing toothpaste onto the bristles. ¡®But now? The cold is unbearable. It¡¯s like it seeps into your bones. And water¡­ My beloved enemy. Bracing himself, he turned on the tap, the icy splash against his face jolting him awake. As he brushed his teeth, his thoughts wandered. Finished, he spat and rinsed, heading to the door to fetch the newspaper. ¡®What the¡­ Where¡¯s the newspaper?¡¯ He was quite annoyed by the news delivery guy because oftentimes he would just forget to deliver the paper. ¡®The delivery guy didn¡¯t show up today?¡¯With a sigh of irritation, Manabu retreated inside, rinsing his face one last time, letting the frigid water invigorate him before starting his day. But it was so cold his face turned red. He put his hands in his pocket and went to his bedroom, and under his couch he had a weight measurement plate. Manabu was particular about his diet. Every week, he meticulously checked his weight, keeping track of his progress. Pulling out the weighing scale from under his bed, he stepped on it and watched as the digital numbers settled at 64.61 kg. He was one kilogram underweight. Manabu is a 17-year-old teenager and probably will turn 18 at the end of the month. He is 5¡¯9 in height, and with shoes on, he might even reach 5¡¯10. Today, he skipped breakfast. Since he had woken up late, Manabu often sacrificed meals in the rush to stay on schedule.As he got ready to leave, his gaze fell on the framed photo of his grandmother sitting on his bedside table. He picked it up and cleaned the dust with his sleeve cloths. Her kind eyes looked back at him, a bittersweet reminder of her absence. She had passed away just seven months ago due to illness, and though time had moved forward, the void she left behind lingered. Manabu undoubtedly loved his grandmother the most. Since he had no parents, she was his world. ¡°Grandma, I¡¯m going to school, see ya.¡± he whispered, his voice soft but laced with a deep ache. Turning towards the room door, he rushed for school.It was 9 and a half. Manabu jogged at a relaxed pace, muttering to himself, ¡®Exercise, you know? Anyways.¡¯ Talking to himself was a habit of his, something he found oddly comforting. Sometimes, he even laughed at his own jokes, imagining himself as a second person in the conversation. Not that Manabu was lonely¡ªhe had friends¡ªbut there was something undeniably peculiar about him. Manabu liked talking to himself ever since he was a child. While on his way to school, he thought to call Taiju (Taiju Hiroshi is his best friend and study buddy). Pulling out his phone, he tried calling Taiju, but it went straight to voicemail. His phone was switched off. Shrugging, he dialed Mai instead. He wondered if they were together. At that moment, Mai and Taiju were on the school rooftop, furiously working on a laptop, deep in the throes of hacking. When Mai saw the incoming call, she turned to Taiju. ¡®Manabu¡¯s calling, pick up the call,¡¯ she said. Taiju grabbed the phone and answered the call, "Sup! Buddy We¡¯re at school. Where are you?¡¯ Taiju said with total concentration on the hacking.¡°I¡¯m on my way,¡± Manabu replied casually. ¡®What are you guys doing? Your phone was switched off.¡¯Taiju looked up, with a disappointed face, ¡®Yesterday, Mai broke my phone. She was playing games, but someone called right at the moment¡ªshe got annoyed and broke my mobile. She literally just threw my damn phone at the wall. By the way, we just managed to hack the guy¡¯s computer. Mai did this for me.¡¯ Manabu¡¯s voice perked up. ¡®What? Cool. How¡¯d she even do that? She is a freaking genius. Her big sister is also a programmer, right?¡ª Mai learned coding and programming from her elder sister. And by the time she grew, she became obsessed with it. She is fluent in programming, and she has also developed a few online websites for people too¡¯. Manabu was quite amazed by Mai¡¯s skills. Before Taiju could reply to a thing. Suddenly, Mai let out a frustrated yell. ¡®No! Damn it! Shit, shit, fuck, fuck! Fuck! Why!? No!? You asshole!¡¯Taiju sighed, trying to calm her down. ¡®Stop cursing!¡¯Mai slammed her hand against Taiju¡¯s laptop. And lifted it with no good intentions. Taiju immediately grabbed his laptop and saved his 1220 Das (Das are Feropian currency). He shouted, ¡®Why do you have to break everything?! Just calm down! What the hell just happened?!¡¯ Mai lay down on the school roof floor, crying dramatically as if she had faced the greatest defeat in her life, ¡®Five days of efforts, wasted! He managed to escape!¡¯ Manabu, listening to their chaos, chuckled. ¡®Alright, alright, forget about it. He was probably troubled too. So he just escaped. Mai, calm down.¡¯ Taiju asked how long it would take him to reach the school; Manabu realized he was almost there and it would take him 2 to 3 minutes. Taiju was fine and asked if Mai wanted something to eat so Manabu could grab it for her. But Mai simply sighed and said nothing. ¡®The answer is nothing¡¯ as Manabu hung up and resumed walking. A little further down the road, Manabu spotted Sayuri walking ahead and called out to her by her first name, ¡®Mion!¡¯ Sayuri turned around, frowning. ¡°Satoshi? What h...?¡±Ignoring her confusion, he grabbed her hand and started pulling her along. He instantly understands what she was thinking in her mind and replies. ¡®Come on, we¡¯ve known each other for ages. First-name basis isn¡¯t a big deal.¡¯ Sayuri followed, albeit reluctantly. ¡®How do you know what I was going to ask you? And why is he laughing?¡¯Manabu explained as they walked, ¡°For the past four or five days, someone¡¯s been trying to access Mai¡¯s device. At first, Mai couldn¡¯t figure it out, but she eventually caught on and hacked them back. The problem is, the hacker wiped everything on their end before she could trace them.¡¯ Sayuri¡¯s face grew warm as she realized Manabu hadn¡¯t let go of her hand, even as they walked through the crowded streets. People were starting to notice, making her blush even more. ¡®Manabu, ¡¯she muttered, tugging her hand back, ¡®let go. I can walk just fine, and people are staring.¡¯ Manabu blinked, glancing down at their hands before releasing her with an apologetic smile. ¡®Oh, sorry about that.¡¯ She wouldn¡¯t mind holding hands, but she is just a shy, introverted girl. They reached the school and then went to their own classes. Manabu and Mion Shared the same class, but Taiju and Mai were from different sections. Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website. Their school, DSH (Detens Scholar High School), is the most renowned institution in all of Feropia. It was established in 1910 in Feropia''s Christian Town and gained immense reputation within just ten years. Now, it holds the 9th rank in the entire country.At DSH, students are not just called ¡®Scholars'' by name but also by their quality, values, and morals, shaping them into the most qualified creatures in mankind.Manabu is in the Science section, which is divided into three classes, all of which focus on the same field. Their class commenced with the first period¡ªPhysics. The teacher, Mr. Futuba, entered the room¡ªhe is head teacher of the physics department. carrying the air of authority and familiarity. He wasn¡¯t just their main class teacher; he was also Naomi¡¯s father. Naomi, a girl who was more like a sister to Mion, had been her closest friend since childhood. (Naomi is also Manabu¡¯s close friend.) The bond between the two sisters was inseparable, and it was natural for them to always stick together, even as they grew older. And just like them, the brotherhood of Taiju and Manabu was quite famous on the school campus. Once school was over, Manabu and Taiju took off on Taiju¡¯s bike, zipping through the streets. enjoying the fleeting freedom of youth. Intentionally overspeeding and breaking rules of traffic. Taiju came from privilege¡ªhis father was a highly successful businessman, counted among the wealthiest elite in Feropia. With a portfolio of twelve high-rise apartment buildings, each towering between 30 to 40 floors, he was a self-made millionaire. His father had assigned one entire apartment to Taiju. He had to manage it, take rent, and keep an eye on other things, wanting him to learn the art of living independently. He wanted Taiju to take his own responsibility for life.In the evening, the gang¡ªManabu, Taiju, Sayuri, Mai, and Naomi¡ªwould assemble at Taiju¡¯s apartment. Their study sessions were a mix of focused reading and endless chatter, a blend of discipline and camaraderie. Despite their varied personalities, one thing united them: a shared and uncompromising sense of justice.Manabu, in particular, had an obsessive interest in criminal studies. He religiously kept track of news reports, crime records, and psychological profiles of criminals. Over time, this fascination materialized into a meticulously maintained notebook, a personal archive of sorts. Yet, Manabu was no ordinary enthusiast; his depth of understanding went beyond surface-level curiosity. He was a science student, and he aimed for forensic studies. He was particularly good at biology and mathematics. A shameful secret of Manabu was he had hidden in the washroom of his home, behind a cleverly concealed fake ceiling board that was undetectable to the naked eye, lay his prized possession: the notebook. Manabu alone knew of this secret spot. He didn¡¯t share it with anyone¡ªnot out of selfishness but because he feared others might ridicule him for it, dismissing it as an odd or juvenile obsession. The notebook bore a title that reflected his fascination: ¡°The Night and the Blood.¡± The name was inspired by one of Manabu¡¯s favorite novels, a thriller drenched in supernatural tragedy and psychological depth. Manabu reads lots of books, stories that fascinated him. He opened the diary. Within its pages, he had recorded the profiles of real criminals. Each entry detailed their crimes, mindsets, and stories. These weren¡¯t fictional characters from novels or manga; they were flesh-and-blood individuals, many of whom were still under active investigation. In their study sessions, the group often delved into topics of criminology and law enforcement, sharing insights and engaging in spirited debates. These gatherings were more than just academic discussions. Manabu¡¯s obsession with justice was deeply rooted in his bond with his grandmother. She had been his guiding light, her words of wisdom echoing constantly in his mind. His grandmother was a paragon of kindness, always seeing the good in people, even when others couldn¡¯t. She was everything Manabu aspired to be¡ªyet everything he believed he could never achieve. I was the cold bastard, he often thought, reflecting on his inability to emulate her warmth.His grandmother had been his role model, his idol, right up to her last breath. Even as she lay dying, her thoughts were filled with compassion and love. But Manabu could never forget the regret that consumed him the night she passed. They had argued. His grandmother had given a man a large sum of money, despite having no guarantee that he would ever return it. Manabu had called her a fool for being so blindly kind and stormed out of the house, anger clouding his judgment. Instead of staying by her side, he spent the evening riding Taiju¡¯s bike around town, trying to cool his frustration. When Taiju heard about the argument, he insisted on taking Manabu home. But by the time they returned, it was too late. They entered the house and found her lying on her bed, completely still. At first, they thought she was asleep. It wasn¡¯t until dinner, when they tried to wake her, that they realized the truth. Panic set in as they called an ambulance, but the doctor¡¯s words shattered Manabu¡¯s world¡ª''She had passed away hours ago. ¡®If only I had stayed with you...¡¯ he muttered to himself, staring at her empty room. That regret became an unshakable weight on his soul. He blamed himself, believing it was his fault for not being there. Since that day, he had changed. He became kind and helpful toward others, unwilling to take the risk of losing someone he loved again. But after his grandmother¡¯s death, something else stirred inside him. He dedicated himself to her ideals, not because he was told to, but because it was his own will. Yet, at night, the torment never left him. He would wake up screaming, haunted by nightmares that refused to fade. Ever since he was a kid, he suddenly started to have nightmares. He went to the doctor with his grandmother; they took his mental test and gave him medicines. But for a few weeks, Manabu isn¡¯t taking medicine in time. Nightmares would creep in during the dead of night, pulling him into the shadows of his mind. Memories blurred with dreams, and one event in particular refused to leave him. A family incident from ¡®June 21st¡¯ replayed in his head like a cursed film. He screamed to himself while asleep. He would whisper and call his mother. He He doesn¡¯t remember her face. He can¡¯t find her in her dreams, but her warmth always consoles him. That night he lost something precious to him. He tried to remember. But it feels like that part of his memory doesn¡¯t exist anymore. But her images never left him, and the weight of that night pressed on his soul like an invisible chain of regrets¡­ Manabu often takes sleeping pills for better sleep and wakes up late. Just as usual, he would get punished: clean the hall, water the trees, collect garbage from the playground, or detention classes. Chapter 3: Mr.Santa got a gift for you "The world is not just as it appears; reality is a complex tapestry woven with threads of illusion and truth." December 12th, Morning, 11:23 AM Winter vacation had closed the school for a few weeks, giving Manabu ample time to sleep in. That morning, he woke up late, trudging out of bed to grab the newspaper from the doorstep. As he brushed his teeth, he set coffee to brew, preparing a simple breakfast of half-boiled eggs and bread. While eating, he flipped open the newspaper and immediately froze at the headline: ¡°The Christmas Killer, Mr. Santa Claus.¡± At night, around 1-2 AM, three individuals were brutally murdered in a neighboring district. Intrigued, Manabu read further, noting an eerie detail that made his pulse quicken. The three victims were all criminals. His heart raced as he shoved the plate aside and rushed to the bathroom. He remembers them from his past researches, From the hidden ceiling compartment, he pulled down his secret notebook and flipped through its pages, a toothbrush still in his mouth. ¡®Gotcha!¡¯ Among the names in his file was one that now leaped off the page: ¡®Hatu Nauchi. Arrested for a DR (Drug & Rape) case in 2025, released in the same year for lack of evidence, Hatu was also suspected of fraud, money laundering, and drug-related crimes. Hatu had started his life of crime at 21, sinking deeper into illegal activities like substance abuse and trafficking. His most sinister crimes involved allegations of rape and drugging his victims to fatal overdoses, causing death in extreme pain. ¡®Fucking bastards.¡¯ Manabu is cursing, his disdain clear. ¡°Well Deserved! Monsters like them should die this way.¡± Manabu continues reading the document and other details. He brings out his laptop and researches online websites about these cases¡ªlast night Hatu hadn¡¯t been alone. Two others, younger men aged 19-20, had been his accomplices. They were not included in Manabu¡¯s notebook. He returned to the table and, using scissors, cut out the article about the Christmas murders from the newspaper. Taping it into his file, he wrote at the top: ¡®Mr. Santa Claus¡ªMerry Christmas.¡¯ Manabu shut the diary and put it back in place. In the afternoon, at Taiju¡¯s apartment, Manabu went to Taiju¡¯s place, sat in Taiju¡¯s room, sprawled upside down on the bed, his legs dangling over the edge. His head hung off the side, staring at the world through an inverted lens. Everything felt off¡ªhis body ached, his mind heavy from the lack of sleep. The night had been restless, plagued by a monotony that weighed heavily on his soul. His boredom was palpable, gnawing at him like an itch he couldn¡¯t scratch. Taiju had gone out to fetch snacks, leaving Manabu alone in the silence of the house. Mion, Naomi, and Mai were all busy elsewhere. Mion and Naomi had gone shopping with Uncle Futuba to prepare for the upcoming Christmas and New Year celebrations. Mai had decided to treat herself to a haircut at the beauty salon. The sound of the door unlocking snapped Manabu out of his daze. Taiju entered with a bag of snacks, a mischievous grin on his face. Without a word, he tossed a packet of chips at Manabu¡¯s upside-down face. Manabu caught it effortlessly, his reflexes sharp despite his visible ennui. ¡®Feeling bored?¡¯ Taiju asked, raising an eyebrow as he plopped down onto a chair. Manabu didn¡¯t respond immediately. He sat up slowly, his face a mask of indifference, yet his eyes betrayed the void within. He looked like someone who had lost all meaning in life, a man carrying an invisible burden. Taiju smirked. ¡°Did you catch today¡¯s news? There¡¯s a serial killer found in Doshiqi town. Goes by the name Mr. Santa. He¡¯s quite popular right now.¡± Manabu¡¯s gaze flickered with a hint of interest. ¡°Yup! I¡¯ve heard about him,¡± he replied, his tone flat. Taiju leaned forward, his voice dropping slightly. ¡°This guy¡¯s no joke. He killed about eight to ten people in just 2 months. And all were criminals!¡±¡°Eight to ten?¡± Manabu¡¯s brows knitted together as he finally showed a flicker of curiosity. Taiju grabbed a stack of newspapers from the desk, flipping through them until he found the pages he wanted. He handed them to Manabu. ¡°Check these out. November 27th and December 5th.¡± Manabu didn¡¯t read this news. ¡®These days I couldn¡¯t find the newspapers. Either the delivery guy skipped or someone would steal them.¡¯ Manabu thought in his mind. Manabu glanced at the articles and asked. ¡°When did this Santa start appearing?¡± Taiju leaned back, rubbing his chin. ¡°Early winter. Around November, when the first chills began. And in just two months, he¡¯s taken down eight criminals. Not ordinary people, mind you¡ªserious offenders. This guy¡¯s a calculated killer. A mastermind.¡± Manabu sat up straighter, his mind beginning to turn. ¡°So, Mr. Santa only targets criminals and bad people?¡±Taiju nodded. ¡°Exactly. But whether he¡¯s some kind of vigilante or just a psycho, I can¡¯t say. Do all bad people deserve to die? In his case, the answer is yes!¡± Manabu asked why he would say such a thing. ¡°If he only kills criminals, does that make him a hero?¡± Taiju shrugged. ¡°Depends on how you look at it. He is Justice in my perspective because all the victims were extremely dangerous and evil. There was a guy (one of Santa¡¯s victims); I can¡¯t recall the name again. He killed and violated many women and children. And He was murdered by Santa. So in my opinion, that guy deserved it. Didn¡¯t he?¡±Manabu flipped through the newspapers, quite an ambitious killer. ¡°He kills in different ways. It¡¯s as if the punishment fits the crime. There is a saying. ¡®The Finer You Do, The Finer You Get.¡¯ Maybe the Santa guy wants to bring peace to society, or maybe he just enjoys the thrill of killing. Criminals are probably challenging prey for him.¡±" Taiju began recounting some of Santa¡¯s victims. ¡°November 27th was the day, remember? Mai and I were trying to hack the guy. At night, two people were found dead on the exact same day as Karu Jouiki and Sora Jouiki, ¡®The Twin Assholes.¡¯ Senior members of the Joo-hai gang. They were wanted for cyber fraud, blackmail, and gang murders. They hacked the victim¡¯s private information, blackmailed them, and drove many to suicide. Their bodies were found in an apartment where they were hiding from rival gangs. At first, the police thought it was a gang murder and closed the case within two months. On the other hand, then there was Ashara Shoko. A single mother. Her husband left her because he thought she was a narcissist. They had a divorce, but their kid stayed with her because of a court ruling. A few months later, an arrest warrant was issued after her younger son called his father for help. He said, His brother died and Mom left the house. Father didn¡¯t waste time and immediately called the police. (Shoko used to abuse them ever since he left. Her elder son had died from the extreme abuse; she hit his head against the wall, and he died on the spot, and the younger one ended up hospitalized. She escaped, but the father pressed charges upon her. She disappeared in September and remained unfound for a long time, but on November 31st she was found dead in an apartment. The police initially suspected her clients, but no leads came up.¡±Manabu raised his eyebrows, looking at the newspaper. ¡®And what about December 3rd to 5th?¡¯ Taiju grimaced. ¡°That¡¯s when things escalated. December twenty-third to twenty-fifth was a mass murder. Six people died in one district. Later, police found, in February 1996, an arrest warrant was issued for those six¡ªRoshi Oto, Matsunaga, and Ogato among them. They were monsters. They tortured and killed seven to eight people, including a seven-year-old girl who they raped and murdered while high on heavy drugs.¡±Taiju¡¯s fists clenched, his voice filled with venom. ¡°Bastards¡­ That¡¯s the motherfucker I mentioned earlier. I saw the news back then, and I wished these motherfuckers death. They deserved it.¡± Manabu¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡®How did the police connect these killings to Santa?¡¯ Taiju grinned, ¡®The Gift.¡¯ Manabu tilted his head. ¡°What kind of gift?¡¯¡± Taiju explained, ¡®Santa always leaves a signature gift at every crime scene and a letter on them.¡¯ ¡ª Santa always has a gift for you¡ª¡®Last night, they found a Santa toy cart near the window. When you wind it up, it plays ¡®Jingle Bells.¡¯ The investigation team went back to previous cases and found similar gifts at those scenes too. They didn¡¯t think much of it then, but now it¡¯s part of the case.¡¯ Manabu was surprised by his knowledge of the case. Taiju indeed researched a lot. ¡°I thought you had no interest in such things.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t be silly! Everyone likes reading or researching these things.¡±¡°What if we¡¯re Santa¡¯s next victims?¡± Manabu¡¯s smile darkens with a dramatic, creepy face.¡°Don¡¯t say such scary things, but I¡¯m sure he won¡¯t hurt us since we are innocent. Manabu laughed and said, ¡°I was kidding, Anyways How is it going? Your martial art class¡± Hearing this, something seemed to click in Taiju¡¯s mind. ¡°Oh, wait!¡± he exclaimed, running off. He returned moments later with his belt¡ªa red master belt, Traditional handmade, A Dragon painted in golden and black design. Holding it up proudly, he explained, ¡®My master gave me this. It¡¯s handmade by him, above even the black belt. He said I¡¯m the finest student he¡¯s ever had. He specially made this for me, By his own hands¡¯ Manabu examined the belt, his fingers tracing the intricate design. The traditional Japanese dragon etched in black on the deep red surface caught his attention. ¡°It¡¯s super cool,¡± he remarked, genuinely impressed. Taiju, however, returned to the topic at hand. ¡®Anyway, Santa is incredibly smart. I¡¯m nothing compared to him. Also, people are even starting to support Santa because he only kills criminals. And just like the actual Santa Claus, he strikes when everyone¡¯s asleep and leaves a gift behind.¡¯ Manabu nodded thoughtfully, piecing things together as they spoke. Suddenly, Mai entered the room, her hair freshly styled. ¡®What¡¯s going on, Manabu?! You¡¯re here too?¡¯ she asked, her voice light and cheerful. Turning to Taiju, she spun around slightly, her hair glinting under the light. ¡®How does my new haircut look? Taiju?¡¯ Taiju turned around, his face immediately flushed. Adjusting his glasses nervously, he stammered, ¡°It looks really beautiful.¡± Manabu¡¯s lips curved into a sly smile as he glanced at Taiju, fully aware of the situation. He knew Taiju liked Mai, and what¡¯s more, he could tell Mai felt the same about Taiju. The problem was, neither of them could muster the courage to confess. Watching them struggle was both amusing and frustrating. Leaning close to Taiju, Manabu whispered mischievously, ¡®You liked it, didn¡¯t you~?¡¯ Taiju¡¯s face turned red. His cheeks turned a deeper shade of red as he tried to push Manabu away. Manabu simply laughed, clearly enjoying his discomfort. If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. Mai tilted her head curiously. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± she asked, her eyes shifting between the two boys. ¡°Nothing,¡± Manabu replied, still grinning. It¡¯s a brotherhood. Taiju, meanwhile, felt like he was melting from embarrassment. His mind raced as he stole glances at Mai, thinking, She looks pretty¡­Manabu let out a soft, weary sigh and said calmly, ¡°It¡¯s already the twenty-first. Just a few days until Christmas. Let¡¯s just celebrate Christmas together.¡± Everyone¡¯s waiting for the New Year. His voice carried quiet hope. They¡¯re hoping the new year will bring something good, hoping that the new year will bring the new light¡¯, glancing at Taiju and Mai.For all of them, the New Year symbolized more than just a fresh start. It was their final year at DSH. Then the separation¡ªthe threshold of their futures. Despite everything, they all carried small flickers of hope that this year would be better than the last, that they could leave behind the chaos and carve out something brighter. Manabu¡¯s words lingered in the air, a simple invitation wrapped in unspoken wishes.At the same moment, right where Mion stood, she gazed up at the sky, her eyes reflecting a quiet hope for tomorrow. Naomi, standing nearby, looked up as well and softly remarked, ¡°It¡¯s snowing.¡± The flakes drifted gently, painting the night in delicate white. The cold breeze carried with it a sense of serenity, marking this winter as the most beautiful one in recent years. Mion closed her eyes, her hands pressed together in a silent prayer. ¡°I hope¡­ I hope we all stay happy, together forever.¡± She whispered, her breath forming a faint mist in the frigid air. Her words were a quiet plea, echoing the unspoken wishes of those around her. All around, people smiled and shared in the season¡¯s joy, their hearts united in the same silent wish. ¡°I hope we all get to live a life of love. I hope¡­¡± But far away, under the same sky, a person stood still. A figure draped in a long black jacket, his presence as cold and cutting as the wind. His gaze pierced through the snow, fixed on the same heavens Mion and Naomi admired. And as his lips curled into a faint smirk, he muttered under his breath: ¡°Sometimes wishing for something doesn¡¯t bring anything.¡± Chapter 4: Lets confess ! 21st December¡ªThe cold morning greeted Mion as she lay still in her chilly bed, not wanting to get up. Similarly, Naomi was restless, her father calling out repeatedly, ''It''s 12 in the morning, and you''re still sleeping?!You''ve been glued to your phone all night, playing games! Where are you, Naomi? Mion!?'' Even though Naomi couldn''t sleep, she replied from under the white cotton blanket, ''Dad, let me sleep a little longer. I couldn''t sleep at all last night.'' Futuba shouted from the other room, ''You''ve been awake all night and now you''re going to sleep until 2 p.m.? No?! Seriously! I''m annoyed by you guys, Mion!, get out of bed!'' Mion lazily responded, "Dad, I stayed up late last night doing my homework." Naomi, clearly skeptical, snapped, ''What homework?! You did no homework!'' Mion groaned, ''Uhhhh! You are a noisy bitch! Can''t you just stay quiet!''''Huh!? What did you say?! Dad! She called me the B word!'' Naomi replied, yelling. Just then, the phone rang. Futuba''s hands were wet, having just finished cleaning, gesturing for Mion to get up and pick up the phone. Mion groggily sat up, still dazed from sleep, and picked up the phone. Slowly walked toward the telephone. Her eyes barely opened. ''Who is it? she mumbled while yawning. On the other end, Manabu greeted, ''Morning, is it Mion?'' Mion''s ears started ringing, trying to adjust to the sound. Manabu asked if they were going to hang out at Taiju''s place today. Mion replied, ''I think so, but¡­'' Before she could finish, Futuba intervened, "No! We''re going out today, remember?! How could you forget?!" Mion''s eyes snapped open as she glanced at the calendar, realizing it was December 21st¡ªthe day they had planned to go out for a while. Naomi and Mion had been talking about it for days. Futuba, having finally managed to get some time, had made the decision.Futuba took the phone from Mion''s hand and said, ''Sorry Manabu, we''re going out today. They''ve been saying for days that they want to go to watch movies, and since Christmas is near, we have to finish our winter shopping. Sorry, kid! They won''t be able to make it today.''Manabu responded, ''That''s fine, sir. You can spend your time with your daughters.'' Futuba, in a calm tone, said, ''Manabu, didn''t I tell you to just call me Uncle when we''re not on the school campus? Manabu chuckled. ''Alright, ''uncle,'' have a nice day.'' Manabu ended the call, "What a good boy." Futuba, though. Turned around, he noticed Mion and Naomi all ready to go shopping."Dad, it''s time!" "Get ready, hurry up!" Poor Futuba was confused, wondering what just happened. They cleaned up everything together and Futuba locked the door before leaving. They reached the place. Their initial plan was to catch the "Before Winter" movie, but since there was still an hour left before it started, they decided to go shopping to kill time. While walking through the bustling streets, a sudden scream rang out. A woman was yelling, her bag snatched by a thief who was now sprinting through the crowd. Just as panic began to spread, a tall man, nearly 6 feet tall, stepped in. His sharp, hunter-like face betrayed his age¡ªaround 40¡ªbut his movements were swift. He grabbed the thief by the throat, twisting his arm painfully, and slammed him to the ground with practiced ease. The bag was retrieved in seconds. Moments later, the police arrived and apprehended the thief, dragging him away. The grateful woman turned to the tall man and thanked him profusely. Curious about him, she asked for his name. The man introduced himself, his deep voice carrying authority, "Daima." He said. Mion, clearly impressed by the display, stepped forward and asked, ''Uncle, how tall are you?'' Daima replied, ''I''m about 6 feet, maybe a bit more. Why?'' ''I''ve never seen anyone taller than you in person before!'' What''s your name, young lady?" Daima asked politely. His voice is so mature. Mion greeted him politely, introducing herself, and just then Naomi interrupted, ''It''s time, Mion. Let''s go!''Daima nodded. "Alright! young lady, see you around." After the movie ended, the trio left the theater in high spirits, chatting and laughing as they wandered the snowy streets, buying clothes and enjoying the chill of the winter night. Futuba, however, was weighed down with shopping bags, trudging behind them like a pack mule. As Mion and Naomi walked ahead, they discussed plans for the winter and upcoming exams. Naomi turned to Mion, her curiosity piqued. ''So, do you have any special plans for this winter? Or is it just the usual?'' Mion thought for a moment. "No, not really. I just want to spend Christmas with Manabu and the others, maybe go out and have fun." Naomi raised an eyebrow, her voice carrying a teasing edge. ''Nothing else? No surprises? No¡­ hidden intentions?''Mion frowned, unsure of where this was going. Naomi sighed inwardly. She knew Mion liked Manabu, had liked him since childhood, but the girl was just too shy to confess. Naomi couldn''t understand why three simple words, ''I love you,'' were so hard for her to say. Suddenly a mischievous idea sparked in Naomi''s mind. She decided to push the matter further. ''Actually,'' Naomi began, feigning shyness, "I have a plan for Christmas." Mion''s interest piqued. "What plan?" Naomi pretended to hesitate, then blurted, ''I plan to confess to Manabu. I like him.'' Mion froze mid-step, her face paling. "Eh?" was all she could manage.Naomi smirked inwardly at her reaction but kept her expression innocent. ''Oh! What''s wrong?~'' deep inside her head, she was laughing, role-playing the devil. "Huh! Didn''t see that coming, did you?!" ''Wait,'' Mion stammered, her voice a mix of shock and confusion. "You like Manabu?! Why didn''t you tell me?!" Naomi shrugged, playing coy. "Because I was embarrassed. But now I''ve made up my mind. This Christmas, I''m telling him." Mion''s heart raced, her stomach twisting into knots. She didn''t know what to do. Summoning all her courage, she finally admitted, "Listen, Naomi¡­ I like him too." Naomi''s smirk widened in her mind. "He-he! check!". ''Like? Who?'' Naomi asked, her tone feigning ignorance. Mion hesitated but finally whispered, "Manabu¡­" Naomi asked again with a sarcastic voice "Huh?! Didn''t hear you, Can you please talk louder." Mion embarrassed, said it again "Manabu!" ''Another check!" Naomi smirked. Naomi tilted her head, acting innocent. "Huh!? Why didn''t you tell me earlier?!" Mion turned red, ''I didn''t know you liked him¡­"stammering excuses, Mion had a crying face. but Naomi brushed it off. Hitting for the next move ''I get it, But¡­ You should have told me earlier but it''s too late, Now what?!'' Mion started crying out of embarrassment. ''I don''t know~ Sis! What should I~ do?!'' She hiccupped as she spoke. Naomi brushed it off with an annoyed face, ''stop it! It''s no use'' She thought for a moment and said, ''here''s an idea. Let''s settle this like adults. How about both of us confess to Manabu. On Christmas Day. Let''s see who he likes. Deal?" Mion, hesitant and nervous, found herself agreeing despite her fear. "Deal," she muttered. Naomi walked ahead, triumphant, her thoughts smug and victorious. "Checkmate! Game over." It was decided they would confess together. Naomi wishes for no sudden plot twist in the middle of confession. Or her master plan was done for it. ''Twenty-fifth will be the best day!'' Naomi screamed in her mind. Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author. While Naomi and Mion strolled along the snowy path, engrossed in their banter and plans for Christmas, Futuba was far behind, sprawled out on the road under the weight of countless shopping bags. Passersby stopped to gawk, some whispering in confusion. One concerned man approached him. ''Are you okay, mister?'' the man asked, bending down. Before deciding whether to take him seriously or not. Futuba lifted his head and groaned dramatically. ''Call an ambulance¡­" The man walked away. ''Nope! We''re out!'' Meanwhile, the sisters continued enjoying their sweet little moment.While at Taiju''s house, Manabu and Mai were wrapping up their plans for Christmas. The group had decided to gather on the 25th, including their families, for an evening filled with festivities and a visit to the ''Christmas Event Twenty-fifth, Christina Town.'' Which is pretty close to Manabu''s place. As Taiju prepared the plans, he texted Mion: "Sup, home yet? We''re planning to hang out on the 25th. Bring Naomi too. Oh, and ask Futuba-sensei if he''s interested." Futuba, taking a rare moment of rest, spotted the message on Mion''s phone and responded himself."You can call me ''Uncle'' when not in school. And Yup! I''ll get them both." "Oh, by the way, sir! Is Mion or Naomi around?" "Uncle?¡ª''Sigh emoji''¡ªNo, they''re having ice cream." "Ice cream? In this freezing weather? Won''t they catch a cold?" "Girls are a mystery." "No doubt, totally agree." Taiju laughed. "Anyway, I''ll bring them. They''ll be there. Where exactly are we going?" Futuba asked "We''ll probably stick around, Christina. There''s a Christmas event going to be held close to Manabu''s home." "Alright!" Futuba was quite excited. "Alright! See ya around, ''Uncle'' bye!" "Hey! Wait¡ªwhat time?" ''Oh, I forgot!'' Taiju hit his face with his palm. "At 5 PM. Sounds good?" "I might be a little late, but I''ll send the kids on time." "Alright. Good night!" Futuba texts ''Good night!'' as well. Manabu also left Taiju''s place and went back home. He went straight to the bed after he kicked off his shoes, collapsing onto the mattress with a sigh. The room felt lonely, save for the picture of his grandmother on the desk beside him. He looked at her picture, the memories of better days surfacing like echoes from a distant past, "Manabu, dinner''s ready!" "Manabu! Can you help me for a second?" His grandmother''s loud calls turned into just whispering memories. Manabu thought for a moment, his lips moving to a quiet whisper, "No, Grandma¡­ I am not hungry." His head sank into the pillow, his hands pressing against his face as tears welled up. He remained still, unable to let go of the memories, before he finally slept. Meanwhile, Investigator Kenzo sat in his office, surrounded by paperwork, each file adding more weight to his already burdened shoulders. His phone rang, pulling him from his thoughts. He picked up, his tone sharp, "Hello?" A voice on the other side whispered something, and Kenzo''s anxiety bubbled up. "I''m working on that right now; just need a bit more time¡­Yes sir! I''ve found him but I need time for that, Yes sir! I''ll confirm soon." The staff, noticing his shift in demeanor, exchanged looks. Kenzo was always composed, but now there was a palpable tension around him. "Yes, We got the DNA; we just need to confirm the blood test." Kenzo continued, trying to mask his stress. A voice on the other end responded in a heavy tone, ''Don''t worry, Take your time but I want him safe and sound.'' Kenzo nodded, ''Don''t worry! Sir, I''ll make sure everything is done perfectly.'' Then the call abruptly ended. Kenzo exhaled deeply, his gaze drifting to the window, where the night outside had turned a pale, icy blue. He dialed a number, and after several rings, someone answered. ''Hello? Kami called just now! What''s our next step?!'' Kenzo asked, his voice filled with urgency. The voice on the other end answered calmly, ''Erm¡­ Did he? We have to wait a little longer. We got a problem, I''ll have to handle it first. And about the Plan¡ªI''ll let you know when you are ready for it. Right now, I have to go, Bye''. Kenzo responded with a sigh, ''I understand'' The call ended. He leaned back in his chair, rubbing his face, trying to shake off the uneasy feeling. Through the window, snowflakes drifted lazily to the ground. Mion was asleep while listening to music, Naomi was playing videogames. Futuba, exhausted, had already fallen asleep. Taiju, engaged in a conversation with his mother about his plans with friends on Christmas. Mai just had a bath, combing and drying her new hair shinny, The day had been full, and everyone was waiting for twenty-fifth. the world outside seems wonderful unlike white clothes, snow doesn''t get dirty. "Unless there is blood¡­" Chapter 5: The 25th Tragedy 25th of December¡ª The day has arrived. It was around 5 pm when Manabu stood before his mirror, trying on different outfits. After much deliberation, he finally settled on a white sweater and a black leather jacket. As he slipped on his shoes, suddenly a notification popped up on his mobile. So many messages from Taiju. He quickly picked up the phone. ¡°Be there by six for the Christmas event,¡± Taiju reminded. ¡°I¡¯ll be coming with my parents. You bring Mion and Naomi.¡± ¡®Got it!¡¯ Manabu replied. He quickly grabbed the keys, combed his hair, and took the wallet. He locked all rooms, twirling the key around his finger, and stepped out. While walking down the street, he texted Mion: ¡°Meet me in front of the station.¡± Manabu was pretty excited to meet Mr. and Mrs. Hiroshi (Taiju¡¯s parents) too. It had been a long time since Manabu had last talked to them. Both were busy with their businesses, so their encounters were rare. He arrived at the station around 5:45 PM and saw Mion waiting. She wore a yellow jacket and a white snow-matching muffler, her long, light, light pinkcascading down her shoulders in silky strands. In the winter¡¯s embrace¡ªshe was like Snow White. Manabu had arrived early, and when Mion noticed him, she nervously spoke in a soft voice, ¡®Huh?! Manabu, you came so early,¡¯ while adjusting her hair. ¡®You too,¡¯ he replied, and looked around and realized Naomi and Uncle Futuba weren¡¯t present. Manabu asked when they were going to arrive. ¡®Oh, Dad will come straight from his training programs in our school; he also took Naomi with him. Maybe they¡¯ll be arriving a bit late.¡¯ Manabu stood beside her, observing the festive surroundings. The streets were lively, people laughing and enjoying the winter air, and there were hardly any cars on the road. Suddenly something popped up in his mind. He asked, ¡®Hey, I had a doubt, Futuba uncle¡ªI mean, is he your real father? Like, for real? For real?¡¯ "No! No! My biological parents died when I was little¡ªthey were murdered. Some robbers killed them and took their wallets and belongings. I had a brother too, an older brother, but¡­ he died in an accident. His head was crushed. Manabu felt a pang of sorrow. ¡®I¡¯m sorry to hear that. I know how it feels to lose someone close to you.¡¯ Mion glanced at him and asked, ¡®About that! I¡¯ve only seen your grandma. What about your parents¡ªdidn¡¯t your grandma say anything about them?¡¯ Manabu sighed. ¡®I don¡¯t know much about my parents either. My grandma once told me that my father was a really powerful person. He was a kind of politician or something. She said my father was kind and caring, and he loved me the most. My mom and dad married out of love. And the part I like the most is, my grandma once told me¡ªmy dad didn¡¯t want to marry her at first. Even though they loved each other, he had trust issues. But my mom said she¡¯ll only marry him and only him. And she doesn¡¯t care; she¡¯ll do whatever it takes. ¡®Why do you love me if you don¡¯t trust me? And now when I am telling you that I love you, you are resisting?! It''s no use; you have to live your entire life with me. And I¡¯ll do whatever it takes to marry you, even if I have to kill you for that!¡¯ Left my old man no choice.¡± Mion laughed and said, ¡®That was cute.¡¯ "Ya! I thought the same! But I don¡¯t know what happened to my mom and dad. She never told me, Oh! and my grandma once mentioned I have a sister too, but when I asked later about it, she didn¡¯t tell me anything.¡¯ While Mion was paying close attention, suddenly she remembered she was planning to confess. She lowered her gaze, blushing, contemplating whether to confess or not. But it was now or never. She looked around, spotted a coffee shop nearby, and said, ¡®Let¡¯s have a coffee while we wait for the others! ¡± Manabu nodded, and they entered the cafe. The place was cozy and new, with a warm ambiance. A waitress came to them and showed them to their seats. Manabu wondered if this place was new and asked the waitress. ¡°Yes, it¡¯s been around for just eight months,¡± the waitress replied with a smile. ¡°Our customer service is excellent.¡± This place smells quite nice too; Mion likes this place already. Manabu asked her if she would like something. ¡®Anything you like,¡¯ she replied with a smile while enjoying the sweet smell of the shop. Manabu ordered two coffees. The waitress smiled, ¡°So your order is a ¡®couple coffee!¡¯ I¡¯ll be right back!¡± After a moment of silence, Mion cleared her throat and asked cautiously, ¡°What do you think about Naomi?¡± Mion just wanted to make sure of Manabu¡¯s feelings about Naomi before making a move. Manabu crossed his arms and leaned back. ¡®Why ask?¡¯ he wondered. Mion replies with laughter. ¡°No reason¡­ just curious. Ha-ha,¡± Manabu thought for a moment. ¡°Naomi is honest and kind. She¡¯s probably the exact reflection of my grandmother¡­ Ha-ha.¡± He chuckled. Mion smiled. ¡®Why are you smiling?¡¯¡°When I first saw you two as kids, I thought you were real sisters. You two are always together. Later, when I found out you¡¯re not, I was dumbfounded.¡± Mion nodded. ¡°We are like sisters. I just want Naomi to stay with me forever. I¡¯ve never had anything of my own¡­ I¡¯m an orphan. Naomi is my sister, and Futuba loves me more than my real parents ever could.¡± Manabu smiled and asked her to stay by Naomi¡¯s side forever, no matter what. Mion smiled and said, ¡°Of course. No need to say it.¡± Their coffee arrived, each cup decorated with a heart-shaped foam design. Mion stared at it, her face heating up.¡°Does Manabu even realize this means love? Will people think we¡¯re a couple?¡± she thought anxiously, fidgeting with her spoon. Just as she was about to stir and ruin the shape, she hesitated. ¡°No¡­ I don¡¯t want to. This looks cute though~ What should I do~?¡±Across the room, two girls were pointing at them, giggling. Mion felt embarrassed and blushed even more. ¡°They think we¡¯re a couple, don¡¯t they?¡± Manabu¡¯s voice interrupted her thoughts. ¡°Weren¡¯t you going to ask me something?¡±¡°Eh? W-what?¡± Mion fumbled, trying to recall. ¡°Um¡­ what do you think of¡ª me?¡±¡°As a person? Or a friend?¡± Manabu asked. ¡°Uh¡­ just in general, maybe¡­¡± Manabu smiled and said¡°I like you.¡± Mion¡¯s heart skipped a beat. But before she could respond, he continued, ¡°You¡¯re a great friend, and you¡¯ve helped me a lot.¡± Mion took a deep breath and said, ¡°Wait, listen, don¡¯t laugh at what I¡¯m about to say, okay?¡±¡°Uh~ Ok, go ahead, I promise I won¡¯t laugh.¡± ¡°If you don¡¯t like it, just ignore it.¡± ¡°O-ok-?¡±Mion took a long breath before she could confess. Manabu was sitting straight, excited to hear.¡°I¡­ I lo¡ª.¡± She failed, ¡°Wait! Once again, wait¡±. She calmed herself and self-talked, It¡¯s now or never. This time she must. She looked at him and sat straight, her hands on her thighs. ¡°I love¡ª" Before she could finish, Taiju¡¯s call was interrupted. ¡°Uhh! I was so close! Why am I so unlucky!¡± Mion screamed in her thoughts.Manabu answered the call, ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± Taiju¡¯s voice panicked. He was breathing heavily. ¡°Manabu, where are you?!¡± He asked. Manabu replied that he was with Mion inside ¡®Hot Cup Caf¨¦.¡¯ Taiju tells him to quickly turn on the news channel ¡®The News-24¡¯ or ¡®M-B News¡¯ if there¡¯s a TV nearby. Mion¡¯s expression tensed. ¡°What happened, Manabu?¡± Manabu got up and asked the caf¨¦ manager to switch to the news channel. The screen displayed a shocking headline: ¡°A teacher and student were murdered outside DSH (Detens Scholars High School). Is Mr. Santa¡¯s doing?¡±The reporter¡¯s voice echoed through the caf¨¦: ¡°At approximately 6:07 PM this evening, a brutal stabbing took place in the park near DSH School. The victims have been identified as 17-year-old Naomi, a student of DSH, and her father, Futuba, a respected teacher at the same school. Both were stabbed by an unknown person. And police found the exact Santa toy gift near the lifeless bodies of the victims.¡±Mion¡¯s entire body trembled. Her eyes widened in disbelief as tears streamed down her face. By the time Taiju and Mai arrived at the caf¨¦ along with Taiju¡¯s parents, Mion was barely holding herself together. Taiju¡¯s dad said, ¡°Manabu! We need to get to school.¡± Manabu nodded. He grabbed Mion¡¯s hand, but she couldn¡¯t move; her whole body was shaking¡ªparalyzed by shock. Manabu requests Mai and Taiju¡¯s mother to take her to Taiju¡¯s place. They quickly left for the school. They quickly went to school. Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators! At the scene, Kenzo arrived and asked for the details. One of the forensic workers, Sato Machimo, told him that the guy (Futuba) was stabbed in his chest and had died on the spot, while Naomi right now is in critical condition. She has been taken to the hospital. They were identified by some other students and the teachers. Kenzo stood nearby chatting with other police officers; one of the police officers said, ¡°It might be a personal case. But some claim it could be Mister Santa. And I think it might be possible.¡± Kenzo turned at him and asked with a curious face, ¡°Did anyone witness?¡± but the answer was unfortunately¡ªno one. Kenzo gets angry and asks for Sato¡¯s reason to get suspicious of Santa. ¡°Why would Santa kill them?¡± But Sato argues with him, ¡°Then why would someone kill a teacher? and for absolutely no reason? Can you explain? What could possibly be the answer? And if it¡¯s just a regular murder, why would the professional investigator Mr. Kenzo Kashizu arrive? Aren¡¯t you suspicious of Mr. Santa too?¡± Kenzo admits he had suspicion of Mr. Santa, but it¡¯s just his intuition. Then suddenly officers came to them with a gift on them. Kenzo quickly grabbed the gift with bare hands and said with a loud voice, ¡°What the hell is this doing here?¡± The officer quickly took back the gift and said, ¡°Sir! You cannot touch it barehanded!¡± Kenzo apologizes and takes his gloves out. He asked them to hand him the box. Kenzo opened it and found the same exact Santa toy cart. The police officers said they found it in Kenzo¡¯s handbag. He was carrying money and some other things, but none of them were stolen. Clearly it wasn¡¯t for money but something more than that. Kenzo was disturbed, and he put his hands on his face as if he was having a headache. ¡°Look at the victims backgrounds.¡± The officer nodded and started following his instructions. Kenzo said with a lower voice close to whispering, ¡°If it¡¯s actually Santa¡¯s doing, the victims must be criminals.¡± Mr. Sato agreed with him. He said if the girl makes it on time. She can be helped in our further investigation. Kenzo frowned. ¡°I know, but if she didn¡¯t, we would have no choice but to follow our intuition since we found no other clue other than the gift.¡± By the time Taiju¡¯s father, Taiju, and Manabu had arrived, they tried to talk to the police and informed them that they knew Naomi and Futuba. ¡°They are our family members! Let us in! We have to talk to the investigator.¡± He requested the police to allow them inside but insisted that no one else should be permitted entry. However, Kenzo saw them and asked an officer to let them in. The officers accompanied them, and they began asking several questions¡ªwhat their relationship was with Naomi, who Naomi¡¯s father was, and if they had any enemies. Kenzo walked at them and asked them to calmly explain. He questioned everyone thoroughly and then stated, ¡°A police officer will visit your address to speak with your wife and the other girl, the victim¡¯s adopted child, Mion. Further details will be provided later.¡± Manabu asked me. Kenzo, ¡°What about Naomi?! And Mr. Futuba?!¡± Kenzo replied, ¡°Look, kid, your friend is being taken to the hospital. We can¡¯t say anything right now.¡± Manabu clenched his fists and started biting his nails for pressure and anxiety. Kenzo sent an officer with them. Taiju¡¯s father told Manabu to calm down. They went to Taiju¡¯s home with the officer in the police car. Taiju rings the bell of the home. His mom opens the door, and Mai and Mion were sitting on the bed. A police officer walked inside with them and started asking questions. After the investigation. He said one of them might have to come with him. Taiju¡¯s dad decided to go with him and asked them to stay at home. Suddenly the officer gets a call from other officers. He finished talking and turned to them, with a sad and sorrowful face; the police confirmed Naomi¡¯s death and explained, ¡°Naomi was taken to the ambulance, but unfortunately, she didn¡¯t survive. Time of death: 8:12:30. We are sorry for your loss.¡± Mion, who was just sobbing until now, starts crying like a baby. Taiju¡¯s mother started to cry too. What a miserable moment. The police officer once again said, ¡°Once again, I¡¯m sorry for your loss. You guys have to hold on yourselves. Mr. Hiroshi, Was it? Their bodies have been sent for autopsy. Due to the case investigation, both of their bodies will be thoroughly examined, and you will be informed within the next 24 to 48 hours. After the post-mortem, the police department will not place any legal hold on the bodies. Therefore, you will be allowed to see them, and you can proceed with the burial. I know it¡¯s painfully hard, but until then, stay strong... I hope you understand.¡± And with those kind words, policemen leave. Mion sobbed uncontrollably in Taiju¡¯s mother¡¯s lap. Mai tried to hold back tears but eventually broke down too. Manabu tried to console them, but he was also broken by the tragic moment. Taiju was looking up to prevent his tears from coming out. All of them stayed the night at Taiju¡¯s place.At 4:32 am, midnight¡ªManabu and Taiju couldn¡¯t sleep at all. Mai and Mion, exhausted from crying, eventually fell asleep in Taiju¡¯s mother¡¯s lap. Meanwhile, Taiju¡¯s father wasn¡¯t in the home; he had stepped outside with the officer.¡± Taiju, lying on the sofa, whispered, ¡°Manabu, you awake?¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± Manabu muttered.Taiju¡¯s voice trembled with pain and emptiness. ¡°Can we talk for a while¡­ I can¡¯t sleep.¡± ¡°Me neither,¡± Manabu replied. Taiju expresses his grief and rage while talking about Naomi. ¡°The one who did this¡ªI swear, if I find him, I swear I¡¯ll kill that bastard!¡± Taiju was visibly broken. And watching him cry, tears silently rolled down Manabu¡¯s face. ¡°Damn, these tears won¡¯t stop.¡±¡°I called Naomi today, at Five¡­ She was so excited¡­ She always talks a lot, but she won¡¯t talk anymore. I thought she was annoying, but I can¡¯t get annoyed anymore¡­¡± Taiju¡¯s voice broke. And then, Manabu asked him to stop. Since he can¡¯t hold his tears anymore. Suddenly Taiju said, ¡®This isn¡¯t Mr. Santa¡¯s doing.¡¯ Manabu looked at him. ¡®What do you mean?¡¯¡°Santa only kills criminals¡­ Naomi and Futuba weren¡¯t criminals. It has to be someone else trying to cover himself by the name of Santa. It¡¯s a copycat.¡± Taiju was convinced that there is someone else in this case. And it¡¯s more than just a murder. Manabu realized what it meant. ¡°there is a third person¡­ Someone else did this? Someone killed them? Why?¡±¡°Who could it be?¡± Chapter 6: The Beginning of the story... 4th January, 1900¡ª Winter vacation is over. Manabu got ready on time, prepared his breakfast as usual, got ready for school, locked the house, and left. Since the 25th tragic incident, he had spoken less with Mion. She would rarely leave the house. She won''t pick up calls or hang out. Sometimes Manabu brings her food snacks; sometimes Taiju and Mai bring her food. She locked herself in her room. "I hope Mion comes to school today," Manabu thought as he recalled the events from the past. He still hadn''t recovered from the sorrow. "After the autopsy, we went to the mortuary to see the bodies. When we arrived, I saw Naomi and Futuba''s lifeless bodies. My eyes were filled with tears, but I didn''t cry. Mion stood there, crying silently, but she said nothing. Taiju stayed strong, but I knew even he had his true feelings hidden. Mai didn''t want to enter the mortuary at first, but she struggled to gather the strength to say a final goodbye to her friend¡­ At the funeral, almost all the students and teachers from school were present. This was how we had to say goodbye to Naomi and Mr. Futuba, forever. In the past few days, I''ve learned lots of things. I''ve confined myself to the house reading books all day. I remember reading a book a long time ago; there was a line¡ª''The day we die, everyone will cry. By the second day, they''ll understand, and by the end of the third day, they''ll move on.'' I tried to move on too¡­" Manabu arrived at school and couldn''t help but hope that Mion had recovered a little. As he entered the classroom, he heard students talking about Naomi. When he looked at Naomi''s desk, he saw students had left notes there: "Always be missed by us." "Rest in peace." "No matter where you are, this place won''t be the same without you." "Good people die, but their good deeds remain." Manabu gave a soft smile upon reading these notes and sat down in his seat. Mion still hadn''t arrived yet. Mai entered the class to greet him. She''s from the Commerce section. She was smiling softly. ''It''s been a long time,'' she said. Mai asked Manabu if he was alright, and just then, Mion walked in. She had a long face, not smiling. But still, Manabu was happy to see her again after a long time. The school bell rings, and Mai runs to her class. ''I have to go. See ya!'' Class began as the principal entered the room with some officers by his side. Principal Hojo spoke, his voice commanding attention. "Good morning to all of you. I know this has been a difficult time for many of you. Most of you already know, but for those who don''t, one of our classmates, Naomi, and her father, Mr. Futuba, your physics teacher, have passed away¡­ But no matter what, we must strive to keep ourselves composed and stay strong. We were all born into this world, and one day, we will all leave it. That is the truth¡­ Death is the only certainty. Therefore, we cannot let it break us. And¡­ you may have heard of the ''Santa'' case, which might be connected to these murders, but the police are investigating it thoroughly, and justice will prevail." Mr. Kenzo was standing outside of the classroom. He walked in and stood up on the platform and wrote down the phone number on the board. "Here is the department''s contact number, and this is my personal number. If you have any issues or are facing any troubles, don''t hesitate to call. We''ll handle everything immediately." He paused and let out a long breath, smiling, "I wish you all a happy new year and many more good wishes for the day ahead."Mr. Hojo then informed the students that for the next few physics classes, a substitute teacher, ''Ms. Kazuha,'' would be taking over and that arrangements for a permanent teacher would be made soon. And he left with wishes. Days passed, one after another, and finally, on January 17th, the principal introduced them to their new physics teacher. As the students settled down, the principal gestured toward the doorway and said, "Come in." A towering figure entered the classroom¡ªa man standing at approximately six feet tall with a broad, muscular frame. His deep, authoritative voice resonated through the room as he introduced himself. "How''s it going, kids? I''m Daima, your new physics teacher." Mion immediately recognized him; she had seen him before at the mall. Her eyes widened slightly as Daima''s gaze landed on her. "Oh, you''re the young lady. You remember me, don''t you? We met at the mall last time," Daima said with a knowing smile. Mion nodded in acknowledgment. "Yes, sir, I remember." Curiosity sparked among the students, and one of them asked, "Sir, where are you from?" Daima chuckled, folding his arms. "Well, I actually live in Joppo(A Feropian district), but originally, I''m from Lafiaza (Lafiaza is a country). My wife, however, is a Feropian citizen." The students found him fascinating; his demeanor exuded the perfect blend of authority and warmth. As chatter filled the classroom, the principal raised his hand, signaling silence. "There''s one more thing," the principal announced. "From today onwards, Mr. Daima''s son will be joining your class." He turned to the doorway and introduced the new student. "Everyone, meet ''Leon''." Stolen novel; please report. The room fell into a hush as the classroom door creaked open, and Leon stepped inside. All eyes turned to him. The first thing they noticed was his dark, inky-black eyes¡ªso deep they seemed almost otherworldly. His jet-black hair framed his pale, almost luminous face. Standing at 5''11, his presence was undeniable, an aura that made him seem like he didn''t quite belong in this world. There was a strange charm about him, something enigmatic, something¡­ unsettling. Leon''s lips curled into a faint smile. "It''s good to see you guys. I''m Leon..." As days passed, Leon quickly became one of the most talked-about students in school. He excelled in academics and athletics alike. It wasn''t long before people discovered that he was fluent in six languages. and he could not only speak them fluently but also understand them with remarkable precision. In short, Leon was soon labeled a genius. Everyone''s attention was grabbed by his charm and looks¡­ But what grabbed Manabu''s and Mion''s attention wasn''t his academic skills or his feats. He was also kind¡ªlike Naomi. That''s what grabbed their attention even more deeply. Taiju was quite impressed by him too. Leon was a skilled martial artist, and he became his training buddy on the school campus. One day, Leon found out about the tragedy that had befallen Naomi and her father, Futuba. It affected him deeply. He understood that Mion couldn''t shake the weight of it. Wanting to help, Leon tried to befriend Mion, hoping to offer her some salvation. He straight up tried to speak to her, but Mion didn''t acknowledge him at all, shutting herself off completely. Well, Leon didn''t give up so easily. He tried several times but failed every time. However, instead of giving up, an idea struck him. While learning about the school and other students.He learned about a rumor of Manabu and Mion dating¡ª"I guess I have to approach Manabu." Leon went up to Manabu after the lunch period and asked directly, "Are you Mion''s boyfriend?" Manabu, caught off guard, furrowed his brows and replied with a puzzled expression, "Ehh!? Boyfriend? Whose boyfriend? Who told you that?" Leon sensed the awkwardness and realized that Manabu was unaware of the gossip about him. "Nah, I was kidding. Anyway, do you know when Mion''s birthday is?" "February 29th. Why?" Manabu asked, still unsure of Leon''s intentions. Leon''s eyes lit up. "Let''s arrange something for her birthday. Maybe it''ll cheer her up." Manabu thought for a moment, "That''s a good idea. But what do you plan to do? Where would we even celebrate it?" Leon shrugged. "Do you know any place she likes? Or anything she''s fond of?" Manabu scratched his head, looking slightly embarrassed. "No, I don''t know." Being friends for so many years, not even knowing her favorite place is quite embarrassing.They were both stumped. Realizing they wouldn''t get any useful information from their classmates either, Leon concluded, "The only way to find out¡­ is to discover it ourselves." They spend a lot of time thinking and coming up with a plan. Thus, the four of them¡ªTaiju, Mai, Manabu, and Leon¡ªcame up with a plan. They decided that Manabu would take Mion on a date and try to learn more about her interests. Despite his reluctance, the group pressured him into agreeing, and they scheduled the date for January 28th. On the day of the date, Manabu stood waiting for Mion, feeling uncomfortably self-conscious. A small microphone was discreetly clipped to his collar so that Mai, Taiju, and Leon could listen in from a distance. When Mion finally arrived, Manabu''s heart skipped a beat. It''s his first time going on a date. She looked¡­ beautiful. A faint blush crept onto his face, though he quickly tried to shake it off. Mion gave him a small smile. "Let''s go." They walked together through the streets, wandering around the town until Manabu asked, "So¡­ Where do you want to go? Like, your favorite place?" Mion paused for a moment before saying anything. "Come with me. There is a place¡­" She led him to a cozy little cake shop named ''Sweet Bakery.'' As they stepped inside, Mion and Manabu sat down at a corner table. Meanwhile, from a safe distance outside, Mai, Taiju, and Leon observed them closely. Mion stared at the table, tracing patterns of the table design with her fingers before speaking. "When my parents died, I didn''t really feel anything¡­ I was too young. I don''t even remember their faces. I had an older brother who used to assault me, and when I insisted, he would force me or beat me." Manabu remained silent, listening. "I used to pray for his death¡ªDie! Die! Die! Die!... And one day, he did. A car accident crushed his head. I was¡­satisfied. But I became an orphan, left all alone in this harsh world, but then Naomi and Mr. and Mrs. Futuba came into my life. They treated me like their own¡­ Naomi as my sister, and Mr. Futuba as my father and Mrs. Futuba as my mother. They took care of me. They became my family. After a few years, Mrs. Futuba died due to heart disease, and Dad took care of the family on his own."Mion''s gaze drifted to the counter where cakes were displayed. "Every year, Naomi and Dad celebrated my birthday here¡ªI still remember my 13th birthday, 14th, 15th, 16th¡­17th. But this time¡­they won''t be here, Nit anymore." Manabu frowned. "You''re not alone. I''m here. Taiju is here. Mai is here. Mion looked at him with a sad smile. "I know¡­ but the people I truly needed, those who gave me a new life¡­ they''re gone." Manabu knew exactly what Mion was feeling inside, but there was nothing he could do to take away her pain completely. After spending some time together, they all went their separate ways around 6 PM, heading home. But now, they knew what they had to do for Mion¡ªfor her salvation. Leon took charge, creating an online group that included not just their classmates but also a few teachers. Together, they meticulously planned a surprise birthday party for Mion. Everyone contributed ideas, and excitement filled the group chat as the day drew closer. Chapter 7: The Birthday Present... "When it comes to selfish desire, humans are a greater evil than devils." 29 February, 1900¡ªMion''s birthday had arrived. She had completely forgotten about her birthday. But the teacher students were prepared to surprise her. After school, three girls from her class approached her: Yoko, Kushida, and Yuki. "Mion, come with us. We need to talk," Yoko said with a mysterious smile. Mion was confused at first, but they forced her to go with them. Confused, Mion repeatedly asked, "What''s going on? Where are we going?" They ignored her questions and led her to the same bakery she went to with Manabu, ''Sweet Bakery,'' the shop she cherished so much. As they reached the entrance, lights were turned off, the door swung open, and in unison, everyone inside shouted, "Surprise!" Mion froze, her eyes widening in shock. For a moment, she just stood there blushing, taking it all in¡ªthe familiar faces, the decorations, and the warm smiles. Her gaze then fell on the beautifully designed cake at the center table, and right beside it, a framed photo of Naomi and Futuba. Manabu stepped forward and wished her, "Happy Birthday!" Tears welled up in her eyes. Mai, standing next to her, gently wiped them away and said, "You''re not alone, idiot! We are your family, aren''t we?" Leon was really happy for her. Mion smiled through her tears and stepped forward, cutting the cake with trembling hands. As a sign of affection, she offered the first bite to Mai, whispering, "Sorry¡­ sorry for everything. You guys are my family, and I was too blind to see it. I''m sorry for being rude to you all." One of the students laughed. "No problem! It''s all cool¡­ Just let me have some cake already!" The room erupted in laughter, and Mion, for the first time in a long while, laughed along with them. As the celebration went on, Taiju and Manabu took a moment to mention, "Leon was the one who came up with this entire plan." Taiju said with a pretty loud voice. Mion turned to Leon, a look of gratitude in her eyes. "Thank you¡­ and I''m sorry for ignoring you all this time." Leon waved it off casually. "No! It was nothing, just chill! I just wanted to help my classmate." Mion smiled with little tears in her eyes and hugged him.The party lasted for hours, and everyone enjoyed themselves to the fullest. Eventually, it was time to leave, and one by one, the students departed. Mion, feeling lighter than she had in months, headed home. Mr. Daima looked quite satisfied too. Leon decided to hang out with Manabu and others for a while, so Daima left for home alone. As the group walked together down the street¡ªLeon, Taiju, Mai, and Manabu¡ªLeon was excited because he got Mion''s phone number and email address. Taiju, clearly impressed, patted his back and said, "From today, you''re officially part of our friend circle." The four of them ended up at Manabu''s house, lounging around and talking for hours. Eventually, Leon leaned back, and out of curiosity, he asked, "So¡­ what do you guys think? Who Mr. Santa could be?" Taiju shook his head. "Not really." Leon asked another question that came to his mind throughout their conversation, "You guys mentioned there''s a copycat, correct? Because the real Mr. Santa only targets criminals or bad people. But what if it was indeed Mr. Santa? And there is no copycat?" Manabu, resting his chin on his hand, thought for a moment before replying, "The chances of them being the same person are slim. Besides, what reason would the real Mr. Santa have to kill Naomi or her father? If you look at the crime records of Mr. Santa, he is not stable at one place, Joppo, Doshiqi, Christiana town, and many other districts and places. Killing Naomi and Futuba won''t make any sense for him, since he has no time to waste and no reason to kill them." Leon nodded in agreement. "Yeah¡­ I agree, that doesn''t make sense. But what if the police department never revealed the true records and is still hiding many things from citizens? What if Mr. Santa is killing innocent people too, but the authority is using his image as a criminal killer to reduce the crime rate in Feropia and is also trying to catch him?" Taiju was silent and quite shocked by the reasoning. If that''s the case, we''re doomed. Just as they were discussing the case, Leon glanced at his left-hand watch, and his eyes widened. "Crap! It''s already 8 PM. If I don''t head home now, my dad''s going to kick my ass!" Mai asked why he was wearing his watch upside-down; Leon replied there was no reason. It''s just his habit; maybe he is comfortable this way. Mai and Taiju realized the time as well. "We should leave too." They all parted ways, heading back to their respective homes. But as Manabu was closing his door, he noticed something; he felt an eerie sensation, as if someone was watching them, from the opposite side of the apartment. Out of instinct, he glanced around but saw nothing unusual. He thought he was imagining things and he should sleep. As he closed the door. Unbeknownst to him, a figure stood on the fifth floor of the opposite building, lurking in the shadows. The figure observed them closely, and without a sound, the figure disappeared into the darkness. The Next Morning¡ª For the first time in a long while, Manabu had a peaceful sleep without any nightmares haunting him. Waking up refreshed, he felt a faint hope lingering in his chest¡ªperhaps, after everything, Mion would finally be able to recover completely. As usual, he picked up the morning newspaper and started reading. A particular headline caught his attention¡ª"No More Murders Since Christmas: Has Mr. Santa Vanished?" Manabu smirked to himself and thought, Just like the actual Santa Claus, no more gifts (killing) after Christmas ends. Shaking off his thoughts, he got ready for school. Their college final year exams were just around the corner¡ªlikely at the end of March¡ªmarking their graduation. Despite everything that had happened over the past few months, Manabu remained focused. "Discipline wins," he thought with a grin. Upon reaching school, he found Mion already there, smiling¡ªa sight that brought genuine warmth to his heart. Just like before, their group was complete, and for once, life seemed normal again. Everyone had learned to move on. But¡­ Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road. 02, March, At 10:36 PM¡ª When Mion was preparing for her upcoming exams, she found herself distracted. For a while now, she had been thinking about taking up painting again. She wondered if she should continue studying¡ª Lost in her thoughts, a sudden notification on her laptop snapped her back to reality. An email¡ªfrom an unknown sender. The contents sent a chill down her spine: "Mion, meet me at the school gate tonight at 1:20 AM. I have something to tell you about Naomi and Futuba''s deaths. Don''t ask questions. Come alone." Mion''s hands trembled. ''Who is this?'' ''What do they know about Naomi and Futuba?'' ''How did he find my number?'' Her mind raced with questions. She thought for a moment, She wondered if she should call Manabu, but she knew better than to tell her friends. She couldn''t risk their safety. After a moment of contemplation, she made a cautious decision¡ªshe dialed Mr. Kenzo''s number written in her classwork copy. She remembers Kenzo telling them to report if anything happens. After a few rings, Kenzo finally picked up the call. "Mr. Kenzo," she whispered, "something''s wrong. I just got an email¡­ about Naomi and Futuba¡­ Can you help me?" ¡ª Kenzo asked who she was. Mion explained everything about her, about the mail and what it said. Kenzo''s voice was stern yet reassuring. "Mion! Don''t step outside until I get there. Tell me your address; I''m coming, and I''ll go with you. Stay put. And lock your windows and door; don''t open the door no matter what." Mion followed his instructions. Around 11:56 PM, Kenzo arrived at Mion''s house and rang her doorbell. Mion''s heart was racing. Kenzo just before the time went to the place with her while explaining what to do. "Once we get there, you''ll stay at the gate," he instructed. "I''ll hide in the bushes. If anything happens, I''ll take action immediately. Mion nodded silently, trying to suppress her fear. She tried to calm herself. At 1:23 AM, they reached the school gate, the street eerily silent under the flickering lampposts. Mion stood still as instructed, her heart pounding in her chest. She was looking at the time on her mobile anxiously. It was 1:30 already. Suddenly, from behind her, footsteps echoed against the pavement. A figure approached, clad in a black hoodie and a blue cap. Mion hadn''t noticed him at first, but as soon as he called out to her, fear overtook her body. "Mion!" She let out a terrified scream and stumbled to the ground. "Ahh!!" Kenzo bolted from his hiding spot, charging at the figure and tackling him to the ground. Without hesitation, he yanked off the cap; the intruder screamed in pain. revealing the intruder''s face. And it was Leon. Kenzo immediately said with a yelling tone, "Leon? You?! What the hell are you doing here at midnight?!" Leon blinked, equally startled. "Kenzo-san?!" Both of them stared at each other in disbelief and confusion, their minds racing.Kenzo yelled again, "What the fuck! Are you doing here at One Freaking Am, calling out to a girl? Are you out of your mind? Is she your girlfriend or something?!" Kenzo spat, glaring at Leon. Leon groaned. "What?! No! I just wanted to talk to her about something important! And why are you here?"Kenzo narrowed his eyes and said, "Mion called me, said a creep is texting her at mid-freaking-night, and he wanted to talk about something important at mid-freaking-night. Now what was the so-called important conversation you wanted to talk about?" Leon hesitated, then leaned in and whispered something into Kenzo''s ear. Kenzo''s expression immediately shifted from suspicion to shock. "Nah! No! Nope! No way! Hell no!" Kenzo shook his head in denial. But Leon persisted. "Uncle, they were Mion''s family. She deserves to know!" Kenzo crossed his arms stubbornly. "Absolutely not. She''s a kid, not a killer kid!" Mion, watching their exchange in confusion, finally spoke up. "Mr. Kenzo¡­ I want to know what happened to my sister and father. Please¡­ let him speak." Kenzo noticed her determined eyes for a moment. Leon requested once again, and finally, after putting some thought into it, Kenzo sighed in defeat. "Fine. But Leon¡ªonly the important facts. No unnecessary details." Leon nodded solemnly and turned to Mion. "Tell me, Mion¡­ What kind of person do you think our principal, Hojo Tetsuya, is?" Mion blinked at the sudden question. "I think¡­ he''s strict, but a good person. Maybe a bit too serious, but he means well." Leon''s gaze darkened. He exhaled deeply and then delivered the truth like a blade cutting through silence. "What if I told you that your sister, Naomi, and your father, Futuba¡­ were murdered by our principal, Hojo Tetsuya?" Mion''s breath hitched. She froze, unable to process the weight of his words. Her mind went blank¡­ "Hojo is Naomi''s killer and the Copycat." Chapter 8: The origin of the Copycat "Humanity is like a treasure, cannot be possessed by all.You may have a heart, but it is worthless if it beats with the coldness of stone." At Night, 9:23 pm¡ªAfter buying some groceries, Manabu was walking home, planning what to cook for dinner that night. As he walked through the dimly lit streets, his eyes caught a familiar jewelry store. A memory surfaced¡ª Mion once liked a pair of earrings displayed in the window. He planned to get them for her birthday but never forgot. Neither got the chance to get them on Christmas nor her birthday. Manabu sighed, pushing the thought aside. Maybe next time. If he could save up some money from his newly acquired part-time job and borrow a little from his FD and savings, he might be able to buy it for her. A small, thoughtful gift. With that resolve in mind, he continued on his way home. At the same day, mid-night, Leon called Mion out. Under the dim glow of the streetlights, close to school. Mion listened as Leon began to speak, "My dad and I came back from Lafiaza in October. We lived in Lafiaza for seven years. But after my mother passed away, he decided to move back to Feropia; I got admitted to DSH(Detens Scolers High School)soon after. My dad is a former investigator. He and Mr. Kenzo graduated from the same college and university. But my dad had a phobia of blood; he couldn''t stand it. So he decided to quit and became a teacher instead. When we came back to Feropia, Kenzo and my father planned a small get-together, and we arrived in Christina for ¡®The Christmas Eve¡¯." Leon¡¯s expression darkened as he narrated the incident, "December 25th, around 6-7 PM, we stopped near a shop because Kenzo was running late. My father was talking to him while I stood by the car outside. That¡¯s when I saw Naomi and her father, Futuba, walking down the opposite footpath. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary... until I noticed an old man in a brown jacket following them suspiciously; his face was covered by a face mask and cap. My instinct told me something was off. I just knew... something was definitely wrong. I followed them without telling my father, just in case. For more than five to six minutes, the old man kept following them. Nothing happened, and when I thought of turning back... but just near the park, I saw it." His voice broke slightly. "The old man pulled out a sharp knife and stabbed Futuba in the chest several times. Naomi, who was next to him, screamed loudly. I wanted to help, but I rushed to my dad as soon as possible." Mion¡¯s eyes widened in shock, her heart pounding. Leon continued, "Sorry, Mion, I was there at the moment, but I couldn¡¯t save them. I ran back to my father as fast as I could. By that time, Kenzo had already arrived, and I explained everything, and we rushed to the park, but by then, the old man had disappeared. Futuba was already dead from the stab wound blood coming out... But Naomi was alive; she was breathing. My dad called an ambulance immediately. And by then many people gathered there. I thought we could save her if we reached the hospital in time, but¡­ She didn¡¯t make it. Time of death 8:12:30" Tears welled up in Mion''s eyes, but Leon leaned closer, wiped her eyes. And tried to calm her. "But... how did you know it was Hojo?" She asked. Leon said that he saw his face that day. He told Kenzo about him, and they looked at the CCTV footage of the area, but unfortunately, they couldn''t capture his face clearly. But when Leon first joined school, he recognized him immediately. ¡°I told my father and Kenzo, but since we had no solid proof. CCTV footage didn¡¯t capture his face clearly. We decided to stay silent... because if Hojo found out that we knew his true identity, he might escape." Leon looked at Mion, guilt evident in his eyes. "I''m sorry, Mion. I kept this secret from you. I did try to tell this to you sooner, but you wouldn¡¯t talk. I''m sorry..." Mion slowly looked at him, eyes filled with tears, grabbed his hand tight and showed him gratitude. She thanked him for at least telling her the truth. But she still had a question left. She hesitated to ask but she wanted to know, "Why? Why, Leon? Why did Hojo want to kill them?". Leon looked at Kenzo; he was seeking his permission. Kenzo didn¡¯t say anything and sighed. Leon understood it as positive. He turned to Mion and wiped her eyes with his thumb. "Every action has its own reason, and a tragedy has its origin." Leon starts explaining everything from the very beginning. When Hojo was just an ordinary guy. Eight years ago¡ªin Narurami (A district of Feropia), there was an encounter case involving a notorious criminal named ''Mado Tetsuya''. He was Hojo¡¯s only and beloved younger brother¡ªbut unlike Hojo, who was a respected man, Mado¡ªwas a criminal, who always seeking shortcuts to earn money, begging for help from his brother, or doing illegal things for satisfaction. but never trying to improve himself. Despite Hojo''s efforts to steer him away, Mado got involved with a dangerous gang fight. Things took a turn when they killed a police officer in a brutal shootout. The entire police department was after them, and Mado''s name was added to the most wanted list. Hojo, desperate to save his brother, gave up everything and fled with him to Christina town. But the police tracked him down. Mado had to run for his life on 4th July¡ªwhen Mado was escaping and hiding from a police chase, he broke into Futuba''s apartment. And starts begging for shelter, but of course Futuba refused to let him in. Police surrounded the building. Just then, Naomi came back from her tuition. In his desperation, Mado grabbed her as a hostage, and Futuba didn¡¯t like it, not a bit. And did what any father would do.¡ª The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. ¡®Men are strange creatures. Men can run from a war¡ªto save their own lives. Men can shamelessly beg and can also give up on their lives¡­ But when it comes to their family and children, they can also become the wildest predator¡ªthey can do anything just to protect their family.¡¯¡ªAnd that¡¯s exactly what Futuba did. He strangled Mado without a second thought and pushed him from the 7th floor. And without any hesitation or remorse, he killed Mado Tetsuya. On the spot. Mion covered her mouth, trembling. She knew about the incident but didn¡¯t know it was Hojo''s brother. "The newspapers print the news: ''Father killed the most notorious criminal to save his 10-year-old daughter.'' The incident broke Hojo completely; he stayed depressed for months in his brother¡¯s absence. But in the end, he decided to take revenge. At first he killed Mado¡¯s friends because he thought they were the root reason why Mado turned out like this. And then the officers who were working on the case. Leon listed the victim''s name. ¡°First of all, Joyce¡ª29 years old, female officer, head of the case¡ªshot Mado in his leg. She was killed a year later after the incident.Next victim, Ramemodo¡ªage 37, involved in the operation, killed three years later, six months after his retirement.Kanao¡ªage 21, the officer who submitted the names of the criminals, including Mado¡¯s name, to the wanted list, making the encounter happen. And finally, after ten years of patience¡­ Hojo killed Futuba and his innocent daughter, our Naomi. The reason why Hojo waited so long was that he was afraid that he might get caught. If he keeps constantly killing people, the chances of him being caught would have increased. He knew that. So he stayed silent and played cool.¡± Mion clenched her fists, anger boiling within her. "But... Naomi wasn¡¯t at fault! And what Dad did was what any father would do to protect his daughter! What Hojo did is... is injustice!" Her voice cracked, tears rolling down her cheeks. "If Hojo loved his brother so much... why didn¡¯t he kill himself instead?" Leon placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Humans find salvation in revenge rather than redemption. It¡¯s not about justice; it¡¯s about satisfaction. That¡¯s our nature; that¡¯s what we are. Even though it was his brother¡¯s fault, he needed someone to blame... and he chose an innocent child and her father." Mion started crying, her body trembling with sorrow and rage. Leon wiped her tears gently. He tried to help her, but before he could say more, Kenzo grabbed Leon by the collar. "Enough talking! It''s almost 3 AM. Let¡¯s go home. And Mion, if you need anything, call me or the department. We¡¯re here for you 24/7." Leon gave her a small smile and said, ¡°Bye!¡± before leaving with Kenzo.Mion stood there for a while. Everything she had learned brought her nothing but deep hatred, darkening her expression. As she slowly walked back home, she whispered under her breath, "If you loved your brother so much... why didn¡¯t you kill yourself? ''Humans find pleasure in revenge rather than redemption? It¡¯s our nature...'' Maybe that¡¯s very true." The next morning, Manabu arrived at school, and as usual, the first period had already begun. But lucky him, their first class was physics and Daima. Let him in. Leon waves his hand. With a smile. Mion was in the class, but she was quiet. Leon noticed her long face. He approached her at lunch period as well as Manabu. And they asked if she was alright. She said she was fine, just a little headache. Leon smiled and advised her to take rest properly and lean close to her ears and said, ¡®Don¡¯t overthink; everything will be fine; I¡¯m here with you.¡¯ Mion smiled a bit and nodded. However, the next day something felt off¡ªManabu noticed Mion was absent. A flicker of concern crossed his mind.During the lunch break, Leon approached him with a casual air but a hint of concern in his voice. ¡°Do you know where Mion is? She didn¡¯t come today.¡± But Manabu didn¡¯t know. He thought she was ill since she had a headache yesterday. As they spoke, Taiju and Mai walked over, their faces beaming with a certain glow. ¡°We¡¯re officially dating,¡± Mai announced, and Leon¡¯s face lit up with a grin. He patted Taiju on the shoulder. ¡°Finally! So, when¡¯s the wedding?¡±Taiju blushed, scratching the back of his head. ¡°Huh!? Wedding!?¡± Manabu chuckled while Mai mentioned their plans for a date later that day. But then Taiju asked about Mion. But none of them were sure. Maybe not unwell. Taiju suggested Manabu meet her after school. ¡°You should go and check on her after school,¡± Manabu thought the same, but that day, he had to attend a club meeting. So he tried calling Mion, but¡ªno answer.A day passed, and still no clue; he tried calling her but got no response. Concern gnawed at him, and he decided to visit her home. When he reached her apartment, the door was locked. She wasn¡¯t home.Another day passed, then another. A week went by, and Mion¡¯s absence became a gaping void. Something was definitely wrong.On Monday morning, Manabu arrived at school, yawning and rubbing his eyes. As he walked in, he noticed a group of police officers standing outside the school gates. His brows furrowed. ¡®What¡¯s going on?¡¯ His concern grew; he was worried about Mion. In the classroom, he dropped his bag and immediately went to Taiju¡¯s section to ask him about the situation. ¡°Hey, do you know what¡¯s happening?¡± Taiju shrugged. ¡°No idea. They¡¯ve been here since early morning. Looks serious.¡± Soon, the first period began. Mr. Daima entered the classroom, but he wasn¡¯t alone. A police officer followed him inside. Mr. Kenzo stood outside, peering in through the window with a grim expression. Manabu was shaking; he just hoped it wasn¡¯t related to Mion. His gaze shifted to Leon, who was sitting with his head buried in his hands, sweat trickling down his temple. He looked unusually stressed¡ªan abnormal response. The police officer stepped forward and announced, ¡°Your school¡¯s respected principal, Mr. Hojo Tetsuya, was killed yesterday night. And¡­ ¡°The prime suspect is Sayuri Mion.¡± Chapter 9: Actually, Mr. Santa is— ¡°Hojo¡¯s murder wasn¡¯t just an ordinary death¡ªit was murder.¡± A murmur of shock rippled through the classroom. The tension thickened. Manabu¡¯s heart skipped a beat. ¡®Murder?¡¯¡°And the prime suspect,¡± the officer continued, Student had visible tension on their face. Visible fear was on Leon''s face. As the policemen said, ¡°It¡¯s Mion.¡± The whole class was shocked, as well as Manabu. The classroom erupted into gasps and whispers. Stunned silence followed. Manabu felt his stomach drop. Even in Taiju and Mai¡¯s section, the same news was delivered, leaving the students in disbelief. The officer continued, his voice cold and professional. ¡°Last night¡ªaround 7pm¡ªMr. Hojo was brutally killed at his residence. He was struck with an axe more than 20 times¡ª10 blows to the face and on the various parts of his body. The suspect allegedly carried the axe inside a violin case. Her fingerprints were found on the weapon.¡± the room filled with tension, Leon started to shake as the officer started telling the details. ¡°An old man, who lives in his neighborhood, had visited his house for just a coffee. but found the front door unlocked. Upon entering, he saw blood dripping down from the second floor; the smell of the blood filled the place with horror. He immediately contacted the police. We discovered the body around 9 PM. As of now, the suspect is missing, and we¡¯ve been actively searching for her since last night.¡± Manabu stood up abruptly. ¡°Are you sure it¡¯s Mion? She¡¯s not the kind of person who would do something like this! Why would she kill our principal?¡± The other students agreed to the statement and started arguing with the officer. But the officer slams his hand on the table to silence the room. He looked at Manabu with an annoyed face. But he took a long breath and composed himself. ¡°As I mentioned, she is our prime suspect based on the evidence, but that doesn¡¯t mean she¡¯s guilty. She could be the perpetrator or merely involved. We cannot conclude anything until we find her. So is there anyone who may have knowledge about where she could be? ...¡±No one spoke. The weight of the accusation hung heavily in the air. The officer looked at Manabu and asked the same question, but there was no response.Manabu didn¡¯t know what to say. Leon was being haunted by terror, and a visible fear had held upon him. He looked at Kenzo, who was standing outside, but he didn¡¯t seem happy at all. Leon couldn¡¯t keep eye contact with him for shame. Before leaving, the officer issued a warning. ¡°Fine, if any of you have or get any information related to Mion or this case, contact our department immediately. Do not attempt to interfere with the investigation; otherwise, you might have to pay a huge cost. Thank you!¡±As they left, the atmosphere in the room remained thick with unease. The teacher from the other classes gathers in the Science-A section. They were worried about Mion. Mai and Taiju came to peek for a while. Manabu clenched his fists. ¡®It¡¯s all fucking'' bullshit; she has no reason for it.¡±Manabu was so messed up in his mind. He was just so confused, ¡®Why is this happening? What is going on? Since Christmas, what is going on?!¡¯ He pressed his head for mental pressure he couldn¡¯t bear. Unable to believe what he had just heard. ¡°Mion, accused of murder? No¡ªit couldn''t be. Mion isn¡¯t like that!¡± His heart pounded in his chest as his mind raced through the possibilities.Leon, standing across from him, looked pale and exhausted, his eyes reflecting the weight of what he had witnessed. He witnessed something horrifying. After school, when all the students were leaving, Manabu was still sitting on his chair, looking up with pale eyes. Taiju and Mai approached him. But Manabu said he¡¯ll be alright and starts grabbing his stuff, putting it inside his bag. And simply walked away. Leon was outside of the class waiting for everyone to leave. Leon pulled Manabu aside and asked him to meet at the school''s backyard, away from prying eyes. "Manabu," Leon said, his voice low but firm. "I know where Mion is..." Manabu¡¯s eyes widened in shock. "What? You know? And you didn¡¯t tell me earlier? Where is she?" Leon tells him to stay quiet, and they went to the backyard. Leon kept his bag hanging from a little tree branch, rummaging through his bag and pulling out an envelope. "Let me show you something at first, before you ask anything." He handed over the envelope to Manabu and asked him to look through all of the pictures. Manabu snatched the envelope, his fingers trembling as he pulled out a stack of photographs. His breath caught in his throat. "These...these are Mion¡¯s pictures." He glanced at Leon, his confusion deepening. Leon took a deep breath and began to narrate his story¡ª "Yesterday, around 5 PM¡ªI was at a shop to buy a camera I¡¯d been saving up for. I even borrowed some money from my dad to finally get it. You may not know, but I love taking pictures of insects and nature. When I left the store, I ran into Mion." Manabu listened intently as Leon narrated¡ªshe barely glanced at him, just said, ¡®Hello, so sorry! I¡¯m in a rush, see ya!¡¯ and left. Leon''s eyes darkened. "I thought she was busy, so without saying anything, I followed her¡­" Manabu¡¯s expression shifted. "Wait¡ªwhy did you follow her? You were suspicious of something?" he asked suspiciously. Leon scratched the back of his head, embarrassed. He admits he likes Mion. "Look, buddy, nothing personal. I know she''s your girl, but... Ever since she hugged me on her birthday, I started to like her too. I thought maybe I¡¯d get to know her address. That¡¯s why... " Manabu didn¡¯t make it any more awkward for him. Leon cleared his throat. And says, ¡°She stopped by this house..." Pointing at one of the pictures, he handed it to Manabu. "Check the nameplate," he mentioned.Manabu¡¯s eyes looked through the image, and his blood ran cold. The plate read: Hojo Tetsuya. "What the hell... That¡¯s not her house. I know where she lives; it''s Hojo¡¯s residence¡­" Manabu¡¯s voice lowered as he realized what was going to happen. Leon nodded grimly. "Exactly. I was confused too. When I saw the nameplate. But then I saw Mr. Hojo standing on his balcony, smoking.¡±Leon zoomed in with his camera and saw someone was standing at the top floor; Hojo was smoking on his balcony while Leon took the pictures. Leon had chills through his whole body. If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. He mentioned at the moment his instinct runs crazy. He had quite the idea why she could be here, but he tried to convince himself she wouldn''t do something so insane. Mion, meanwhile, disappeared; Leon looked around from a distance and noticed the door was slightly open. Suddenly she switched off the electrical connection of the house. ¡ª"She had the key to Hojo''s residence¡±, Leon said. She unlocked the door without making any noise and slowly She entered the house. And Hojo also disappeared from his balcony. Manabu stared at the picture, his hands trembling slightly. All he could think was, ¡°How did she get those keys? What is going on?!¡±Leon swallowed hard. "I was so scared; I was so stoned¡ª¡®What should I do?!¡¯ ¡®What should I do?!¡¯ ¡ª Then I summoned some courage, and I followed her inside... without making a sound. I was scared, but... I needed to know what was going on. ¡®Even though I knew¡¯ Leon whispered. I was praying she wouldn¡¯t do what I was thinking. Even after what Hojo did¡ªMion can¡¯t do it, can she?" His breathing grew heavy. "And then... I heard it. A scream." Manabu flipped to the last picture of the envelope¡ªhis stomach churned at what he saw. Mion, in the middle of the room, an axe raised high, her face twisted with determination... and Hojo Tetsuya, covered in blood. His arm was severed, torn flesh and splintered bone jutting from the stump. An axe had cleaved through his face, leaving a deep, ragged wound that split skin and muscle clearly hanging apart. His throat was nearly bisected, blood coming out of his neck veins, the gash exposing his windpipe and the torn remains of his esophagus. His jaw hung loose, partially detached, with his tongue protruding through a gaping hole beneath it. Blood pooled beneath him, the air thick with the stench of iron, the smell of blood and death. The image was so terrifying, Manabu couldn¡¯t help but want to puke. He quickly put his hand on his mouth to get hold of himself.She kept swinging the axe. Over and over and over again.¡ª ¡°I couldn''t move. My whole body froze. At that time, I made a huge mistake. I didn¡¯t notice my camera was on auto flash mode, so when I took that picture, you could see visible light on her, the flash caught her eyes, and she turned." Manabu¡¯s heart nearly stopped. "She saw you?" Leon nodded shakily. "Maybe... But before she could react, I managed to get away. I ran like hell, and hid in some alley for hours before I dared to go home. I was crying while looking at those pictures and pestering myself.¡±¡ª¡®What have I done?¡¯ After 2 hours, Leon decided to returned home. But Manabu wasn¡¯t satisfied. He wanted to know the reason why she killed Hojo. Leon realized he still didn''t told Manabu about the night he met Mion. He explained everything to him about what he talked to Mion about, Hojo¡¯s history, and Mion¡¯s anger: ¡°Hojo was the killer of Naomi and Futuba¡ªhe did injustice to them, to her. And maybe that¡¯s why she killed him.¡± Manabu realized; everything had been happening under their noses. Manabu said it was Leon¡¯s fault, and clearly they were in a fucked-up situation. Anger bursts in his face, as realizes why Mion did this, ¡°That is exactly why she did this¡ªshe killed Naomi¡¯s killer. She served justice. But now everything is out of hand.¡± But then Leon denies, ¡®That¡¯s not true; we still have a chance to save her. I know where she is.¡± Manabu''s eyes widened; he grabbed Leon¡¯s shoulders and gripped tightly. "Where is she?! Tell me!" Manabu demands her location; repeatedly. ¡°You gotta stay calm, I know I made mistakes but this time we will get through this, Don¡¯t worry!¡± Manabu removed his hands from him. And starts scratching his head. Leon apologized once again but then asked, ¡°If you knew everything already, why didn¡¯t you tell the officer about it?¡± Leon immediately denies it. "No¡ªNo! Manabu, we can''t tell the police. Or we might get Mion in trouble; think about it¡ªpolicemen are already suspicious of her, and if we tell them her hiding spot, she will be guilty of Hojo¡¯s murder, and if we prove my father is actually ¡®Mr. Santa'', Mion will ge¡ª¡± Leon paused immediately, realizing what he said. He looked extremely uncomfortable. Manabu stared at him with fear in his eyes. ¡°Leon, what did you just say? ...¡±Manabu quite heard that clearly, but he didn¡¯t want to make him more uncomfortable; also, he got used to these sudden turns of events. He asked Leon to continue. Leon seemed quite uncomfortable, but he took a long breath and told the rest of the story, ¡°While I was on my way home, I was wondering if I should tell this to Kenzo or not since she committed a murder and definitely will be imprisoned. He needed his help.¡± He was regretting not listening to Kenzo. But out of the blue, he noticed Mion walking in his house. Leon was extremely scared¡ª"My heart almost stopped. ''Did she see me? Is she here to kill me?'' But then I realized... my dad was home alone." Leon rushed to stop her, but as he walked inside, he froze abruptly when he overheard a conversation between Mion and his father. Pressing his ear to the door. He listened intently. Mion¡¯s voice was strained. ¡°I killed him. Now what should I do?¡± ¡ªLeon said he overheard their conversation. Daima¡¯s tone remained calm. ¡°Did anyone see you?¡± He asked.¡°Probably not,¡± Mion replied hesitantly. Daima sighs in discomfort; He probably gave her some clothes to change. ¡°Change your clothes and get ready. You¡¯ll need to stay hidden for a few weeks. And until I say otherwise, you¡¯re not going anywhere. There¡¯s food arranged for you at the hospital.¡± Leon¡¯s heart pounded in his chest as the weight of the truth crashed down on him¡ªhis father was involved in all of this. Mion was approaching the door. Quietly, Leon crept upstairs to his room while Mion entered the bathroom to change. His mind refused to accept what he just heard. His father was not just aware of Mion¡¯s actions but was actively aiding her. As Leon turned to his room door, his eyes landed on something unusual¡ª¡°The storeroom door was open.¡± Leon tells him their storeroom is never left open. His dad always keeps the keys. But last night, it was open. He stepped forward, approaching the room silently, and looked back if he had time. his pulse racing. He slowly peeked inside¡ªand what he saw made his blood dry. Manabu found it hard to believe. Leon brings out his phone and shows some pictures from his gallery. Inside, the room was filled with Santa-related items¡ªa long black coat, numerous photos of victims, and even a picture of Manabu and his friends, including Mion. Sharp weapons were neatly arranged, and on the table lay the very gifts and toys that had been found at the Santa crime scenes. Manabu¡¯s breath hitched, his entire body frozen in shock. Leon turned to him, his face pale and voice hollow. ¡°My father is Mr. Santa Claus.¡± Chapter 10: What is going on?! Leon broke completely, his hands trembling as he covered his face, trying not to cry. Manabu placed a firm hand on his shoulder; he assured Leon everything will be alright. "Leon, it¡¯s no use crying; we have to do something, and faster." Leon wiped his tears and looked at Manabu. Manabu¡¯s gaze was fixed on him as he leaned closer, visibly he was concerned. "Leon, we have to save Mion. If we don''t, your dad might kill her since she knows everything about him." Leon nodded. Suddenly Manabu asked, "Where? Where did he take her?" Leon took a pause. said that after seeing all those things yesterday, he was at his limits, but then he heard the sound of the door closing. He rushed downstairs but found they were already gone. Leon went back to his room, quickly looked out from his window, and saw them walking down the road. He wondered what''s gonna happen next¡ª"I was sick of these damn games. I made up my mind. I will follow them to find out everything, what my dad has been plotting, for the sake of Mion." Leon scrolled through his phone gallery and showed Manabu a series of pictures. He followed them all the way and took these photos of their route. "They went to an old hospital. They both went inside, but that¡¯s all I could manage. I didn¡¯t have the courage to go inside or risk getting caught, but I saw my father coming out alone. Which means Mion is still inside." Manabu watched the pictures closely and sent them to his mail. After a brief silence, he made a sudden decision. "We¡¯ll go to the hospital tonight," he said. Leon exhaled in relief. "I was thinking the same thing."T hat was a pretty careless move for Manabu, but they couldn¡¯t waste time, or things might get out of hand. The longer Mion stayed missing, the more complicated things would get. Her life could be in danger. Their first priority was to save her. "We¡¯ll meet at the hospital at 2 AM. Until then, no calls or messages¡ªwe might get tapped by the police." Leon agreed and smiled, but he still looked a little nervous. Manabu patted his shoulder. "Everything will be alright," he said. ''Leon knew that already.''. They parted ways. However, unbeknownst to them, Taiju had overheard everything from the second floor, hidden behind the corridor wall. Without a word, he quietly left the school. At Night¡ª1:36, As Manabu left his house, making his way toward the hospital, recapping the whole incident to find some loopholes. Meanwhile, Leon had mixed his father¡¯s food with sleeping pills, ensuring he would be unconscious for eight hours. He packed two flashlights, his camera, and a bottle of water before stepping out into the night. After school, Manabu had actually gone to Mion¡¯s place instead of going home. Her house was still locked. Manabu tried to open it but failed. She lived on the 8th floor of an apartment building. Standing outside the door, he looked at the view while thinking about the situation they were in¡ª "Mion killed Hojo... Hojo was the Copycat. In short, Futuba and Naomi¡¯s killer. And Daima is Santa. Daima manipulated Mion into killing Hojo, which makes her the prime suspect... If Daima is proven to be Mr. Santa, Mion will be guilty of the Santa case too. In short, she''s doomed. We can¡¯t let that happen. Mion had a clear reason to kill Hojo, but why did Daima help her? According to Leon, Mion already had the key to Hojo''s house. So did Daima give it to her? And what about the violin kit she carried?..." As he pondered, his eyes fell on a distant instrument shop. He walked over and asked the shopkeeper about Mion. The lady shopkeeper smiled and said, "Mion is a sweet girl. A few days ago, she bought a violin from here. She told me she loves playing the violin." Everything was as clear as glass for Manabu. He looked at the time and decided to leave. At night¡ªhe finally reached the hospital. Leon was already waiting outside, holding his flashlight and carrying his camera to capture anything important¡ªjust in case. It might come in handy as proof. They stepped inside cautiously. The place was pitch dark, and their footsteps echoed through the eerie silence. They carefully explored the first floor of the aged hospital. It was built in 1786, but after ''The independence war of Feropia'' that took place 36 years ago, this hospital had become just an abandoned ruin¡ªbroken glass, beds, rusty equipment. They searched the first floor thoroughly, but it seemed like Mion wasn¡¯t there. One by one, they checked the floors. The second floor... empty. The third floor... still nothing. On the fourth floor, Leon started checking the rooms while Manabu whispered, "I¡¯ll go check the top floor. If we stay together, it will take us too long." Manabu ascended the creaky stairs and cautiously walked down the dark hallway, calling out in a low voice, "Mion!" After a few moments, he finally found her¡ªlying on the floor, unconscious. His heart skipped a beat. "Mion!" He rushed toward her, noticing a water bottle and some dry food beside her. Just as he was about to lift her up, a sudden blow struck his ankle, sending pain shooting through his leg. Manabu fell to the ground with a grunt, his flashlight rolling away into the darkness. Manabu gasped, his voice trembling with pain as he stared at the man standing before him. His heart pounded, and his chest felt as if his skin had been torn. "Daima?!" Daima smirked, his eyes glinting with amusement. "How are you, Manabu? You came all the way here to save your little Mion?" Before Manabu could react, a sharp kick struck his chest, sending him stumbling backward as a wave of numbness spread through his arm. He could barely move, managing to lift his head, pushing his body back, and pressing against the wall. Daima''s voice was unnervingly calm. "I knew my son had figured out everything. Since I wanted him to. Mion came to me asking for help, but unfortunately, the keys were the only thing I could manage. And when I left the hospital, I knew Leon would follow me and spill everything to you. Even today, he slipped sleeping pills into my drink. But now look¡ªhis funny little schemes brought him doom." He let out a low chuckle. Manabu''s eyes widened in horror. A deep sense of fear clawed at his chest, making it hard to breathe. "Where is Leon? What did you do¡ª" Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road. Daima gave a cold smile. "Leon is right where he needs to be. You don¡¯t have to worry about him." Manabu struggled to rise to his feet, but before he could fully stand, Daima pulled out a gun and aimed it at him. "I thought you were smarter than Leon. It could have been fun, but you ended up being just as foolish, letting your emotions drive you straight into my hands. Well, anyway, killing you won¡¯t change anything." Daima''s expression changed to confusion. "Why do you kill people?" Manabu pressed on, his voice raw with pain. "Is it because they¡¯re criminals? Or just for your own sick pleasure?" Daima chuckled and admitted without hesitation, "It¡¯s just pleasure, Manabu. Criminals were the most exciting targets to satisfy my urges. And if I kill a few of them, people don¡¯t care. Tell me, Manabu, didn¡¯t you even once think I was injustice? Even though I killed criminals? Did anyone ever think of them as human beings? The police didn¡¯t even show an effort to catch me. Except a few of them. What happens when justice gets caught?¡ª People go crazy, right?" Fury surged through Manabu. Without thinking, he lunged at Daima, aiming a punch at his stomach. But Daima barely flinched. Instead, he retaliated with a devastating blow to Manabu¡¯s chest again. The force was overwhelming¡ªlike being struck by a sledgehammer. Manabu''s ribs screamed in agony, his breath escaping in ragged gasps. His vision blurred, the world spinning out of control. He fell to his knees, wheezing, his mind screaming, No¡ªNo, NO! NO! Daima turned his gun toward Mion. Manabu''s body refused to respond, his limbs trembling under the weight of pain. He could only watch in helpless horror, his breath ragged, as Daima''s finger hovered over the trigger. ¡°You helped a lot, Mion. But I guess it¡¯s time for a goodbye.¡± Suddenly, a swift kick knocked Daima''s hand aside, sending the gun skidding across the floor. It hit the wall with a loud clang. Manabu gasped, his eyes widening. "Taiju?" Taiju knelt beside him, gripping his arm tightly. "What''s up, buddy? Try not to speak and breathe slowly. I¡¯ll handle the rest," he said, his voice filled with calm and concern. Manabu, struggling to control his erratic breathing, nodded weakly. Daima''s gaze sharpened as he took a step back, his lips curling. "I wonder if you followed your best friend just to save him by sacrificing your own valuable life, Taiju. I believe it would¡¯ve been smarter if you had just avoided getting involved. Curiosity kills the cat, you know?¡± Taiju smiled sarcastically, pulling out his phone. It was on hold with Kenzo. Taiju mentioned that after school, he overheard Leon and his conversation. ¡°I knew you two couldn¡¯t handle this alone, so I followed you here. And guess what? The policemen and Kenzo heard everything. I kept the call going in my pocket the entire time... Mr. Santa, your game is over." Kenzo was unbelievably shocked. He couldn¡¯t believe what was going on.¡ª''What was Daima up to?'' but Daima''s expression didn¡¯t change at all. But instead he said, "I suspect, even if the police are coming, it won¡¯t matter. Your little plans aren¡¯t worth it. Before they get here, I''ll decorate this place with your dead bodies. The nearest station is twenty-seven minutes away... and it won''t take me that long to kill mere insects like you." Taiju tightened his fists. "Underestimate me, and you''ll face your greatest loss." While he was talking, in an instant, Daima hurled a sharp knife toward Taiju, but Taiju dodged it skillfully¡ªThat was close. The fight erupted instantly. Taiju ducked low and delivered a powerful punch under Daima¡¯s armpit, striking a nerve. Daima staggered briefly but retaliated with a crushing blow aimed at Taiju¡¯s chest. Taiju barely managed to evade it. Fists flew in rapid succession, each strike more brutal than the last. Taiju fought with agility, but Daima¡¯s brute strength was overwhelming. Every punch he received felt like his bones were about to snap. Despite the pain, Taiju stood his ground, refusing to back down. Manabu, still dazed, spotted a knife lying on the ground. Summoning every ounce of strength, he grabbed it and aimed for Daima¡¯s leg. But Daima was quicker. He caught Manabu¡¯s hand mid-strike and twisted it cruelly. Daima smirked and aimed a punch at Manabu¡¯s face, but Taiju intercepted, grabbing Daima¡¯s wrist and twisting it sharply. Daima grunted, his grip faltering for a brief moment. Seizing the opportunity, he lunged for the gun on the floor. "Fuck!" Taiju rushed toward Mai and Mion, shielding them just as Daima fired. Five bullets tore through the wall, narrowly missing them. Manabu gritted his teeth, desperately trying to wrestle the gun away from Daima, but the older man was too strong. His grip was unbreakable, and Manabu could feel his bones straining under the pressure. Daima''s finger tightened on the trigger, aiming directly at Manabu''s chest. Panic flooded his mind. ¡ª ''No! Not now! Not like this!'' Suddenly, a gunshot echoed through the room. Blood splashed over their bodies. Taiju''s eyes widened in horror. "Manabu!" he shouted, scrambling to his feet, his heart pounding wildly. He rushed toward Manabu, his mind racing. Mai rushed toward him as well. Everything seemed to freeze for a moment; within the depths of unconsciousness, Mion drifted through darkness. Fragments of memory flickered in her mind¡ªbeing brought to the hospital, the food she was given, had something unusual in it. ¡ª ''Why won¡¯t you tell Kenzo?¡¯ ¡®It¡¯s for the better, trust me.¡¯ ¡®This is dry food and water for two weeks.¡¯ ¡®Leon, I¡¯ll be alright, don¡¯t worry.¡¯ She fell asleep after eating that food. Something was mixed with them. She had been unconscious for nearly twenty-nine hours without eating. Slowly, she stirred, her eyes fluttering open to the sound of a familiar voice calling her name. "Mion... Mion!" Her vision cleared, and she found herself on Mai¡¯s lap. "Mai...?" she whispered weakly. Then, her gaze shifted. She noticed Manabu and Taiju fighting Daima, but Taiju was dominating him. Then Daima rushed at the gun and started shooting around. Manabu rushed at Daima, trying to save them. Taiju rushed to Mai and dodged a few bullets. But then Mion¡¯s eyes landed on something strange. She noticed something. Her breath caught in her throat as she noticed a shadowy figure standing in the doorway, cloaked in darkness. Her head was still dizzy. ¡°Who is there¡­?" But then suddenly a gunshot echoed, and a flash revealed the face. Mion whispered the name. ¡°Leon?¡± He stood still, recording everything with his camera, an eerie, unsettling smile on his lips. His pitch-black eyes held a darkness that sent shivers down her spine. ¡®What is going on?¡¯ Chapter 11: The missing pages of the the chapter Taiju rushed towards Manabu, his voice trembling, as he turned to Manabu immediately. "Manabu!?" His eyes scanned Manabu¡¯s whole body anxiously, searching for any sign of injury, but Manabu was alright¡ªalive, unharmed. ¡°But blood on your¡ª¡± The realization dawned too late. Manabu''s hands trembled; shock covered his face in fear. His white sweater was now stained with crimson. He had shot Daima. Unintentionally, he had done something he had done back then. The weight of realization, of what he''d done, hit him like a freight train. His stomach twisted the moment he saw Daima¡¯s blood. He couldn¡¯t hold it and threw up. His breath hitched, his voice shaky and frantic. And he noticed Leon standing right in front of them, unfazed."Leon¡ªLeon, I didn¡¯t mean to¡ªI didn''t do it on purpose! It was a mistake¡ªLeon, it was a¡ª" Manabu¡¯s words trailed off, his mind spiraling. He hit a trauma; he had done something so horrible, once again. Just like before. He was terrified, he killed Leon¡¯s father, right Infront of him. He couldn''t breath properly; his lungs tightened. Leon had brought an inhaler, he tossed it toward Manabu. Taiju immediately picked it up and gave it to Manabu to inhale. Before this, even Taiju didn¡¯t know Manabu had asthma. He just did what he thought would be ideal to do in the situation. Leon slowly stepped inside, his eyes fixed on the blood staining Daima¡¯s chest. Silence hung in the air like a noose. Then, with an eerie calmness, Leon reached into his pocket and switched off his camera recorder. His lips curled into a sadistic smile. Taiju said, ¡°Leon, it¡¯s not his fault. Your dad tried to shoot us.¡± But Leon simply waved off the chatter and said nonchalantly, "Don¡¯t worry, this guy isn¡¯t my father anyway." The room fell into a void of silence. An unpredictable shock hit them. Manabu''s expression shattered into confusion. He looked up at Leon. "W-what?" Leon took a step closer, his voice cold and precise. "I¡¯m sure I made it pretty clear, didn¡¯t I? Daima isn''t actually my father, nor am I his son. So don''t worry.¡± But then Leon hid his face for a funny realization and giggled. ¡°Oops! I forgot! Maybe you should worry.¡±Before anyone could say anything, Leon smoothly pulled out a gun and pointed it at Manabu, his posture eerily relaxed, hands out of pocket. He stood tall as he said, ¡°You all have to go with me. To Lafiaza."By the time Mion gained consciousness, she stood up. Leon waved at her and warned her not to move. They all remained frozen. Mion still didn¡¯t understand the whole situation. Manabu''s mind raced, his thoughts a chaotic whirlwind¡ª¡°Hojo killed Naomi, Mion avenged her and killed Hojo, right after that, she went missing. Daima is Santa''s serial killer; I had just killed him, but Leon didn''t seem to care at all. Daima isn¡¯t his father? What is going on? Who is the actual Santa?" ¡ª Manabu whispered to himself, his lips barely moving. As Leon''s gaze met his. "I am Mr. Santa," Leon clarified. Leon answered his question about what he was whispering in his mind.Leon tilted his head. "You wanted to know, didn¡¯t you? I am Mr. Santa Claus." Taiju was getting angrier each second. He tightened his fist and looked at Leon¡¯s eyes; they had no emotions. "Stop joking around! You¡ªyou''re Mr. Santa?" Taiju yelled in rage. Leon barely blinked. "I am. So?" With a furious growl, Taiju lunged at Leon. But in the blink of an eye, Leon sidestepped, twisted Taiju¡¯s arm, and sent him crashing to the floor. Taiju''s hand landed on shattered glass, a sharp piece piercing his palm. He screamed in immense pain; Mai rushed to him, holding his injured hand. She was so scared at the moment that she started sobbing; Leon loomed over them. He stared at Mai and Taiju with wide eyes. His dark eye lenses barely reflected any remorse or emotions. Leon said, ¡°Let me tell you a fun fact: ever since I was a child, I was very aggressive. And in fact, I am far stronger than you. There¡¯s no one in this room who can outsmart me or outstand me, so therefore, OBEY ME!¡± Mion staggered to her feet, slowly starting to walk towards Leon, asking¡ª¡°Why? You said it was for Naomi... Why do you have a gun?" Her voice was desperate, pleading. Manabu grabbed Mion¡¯s hand and shook his head, denying her to get close to him. "Mion, step back." Leon clarified he didn''t want any harm, and he was just doing his job, but he had to explain later. He had his own reason for doing this all¡ª"Mion. Step back. I wouldn¡¯t want any unnecessary harm." Taiju gritted his teeth and smiled. "Time''s up!" Leon turned to him, with no change of expression. Taiju smirked despite the pain. "My phone¡¯s been recording everything. The police will be here any second." But Mion shook her head with a pale face. "It¡¯s no use..." She knew what was going to happen next. A voice cut through the tense air. Kenzo walked forward and giggled¡ª"Sorry! Taiju, you called the department. But sadly, only I heard you, since both were my phone numbers." Kenzo appeared from the shadows, holding up his phone with a sarcastic smile. Taiju was chained with disbelief. Leon looked at the time on his left arm, 3:45 pm¡ª"Manabu and you guys too, it¡¯s time to come with me. Kami''s been looking for you, and my job is to bring you to him. And I promise everything will be okay. But if you resist." Leon pointed the gun at Mion, ¡°You¡¯ll leave me no choice but to get a little harsh. Since my job is to get you by any means necessary. I can proof that Mion killed Hojo. And if I do, she¡¯s done for it. Also, she will be guilty as a partner of Mr. Santa. Also there is another option, I can kill her right now and get you guys arrested. For murdering Daima and her. And since Mion was involved with the DSH-Murder (Hojo Tetsuya murder case), I can make sure with the help of Kenzo that you guys look involved in the crime too. In short, I can destroy your lives in one blink of an eye. So do not ask anything and come with me." Taiju gritted his teeth and said, ¡°Feeling cocky? Huh!? You think you can fucking get away with this?!¡± But Leon ignored him. Manabu was quiet; he felt trapped; Leon was right. ¡ª There was no escape. Leon looked at Kenzo. "It¡¯s time; get them in the ambulance. And take their phones. Break the SIM cards as planned." Kenzo pulled out a gun and pointed it at them, commanding them to leave for the ambulance. "Move! Now."Manabu exchanged a helpless look with Taiju, then with Mion, who looked equally devastated. They had no choice. They had no idea¡ª''What¡¯s going on?¡¯ ¡®Who¡¯s waiting for us?¡¯ ¡®Who is Leon?¡¯ he questions swirled in their minds, unanswered and haunting.As they were herded into the ambulance, Leon remained behind for a moment. He changed his clothes, slipping into a black suit with white stripes and a neatly tied necktie. His expression remained unreadable. Then, without hesitation, he turned back to Daima¡¯s lifeless body, drew his gun, and fired several shots into the corpse. The bullets tore through flesh, releasing the last of his frustration. Each shot was cathartic¡ªan act of cleansing, not of grief.Kenzo stepped forward, watching in silence before giving Leon a nod. Everything was set. It was time to leave.¡°A doctor is inside,¡± Kenzo informed Leon as they walked toward the vehicles. ¡°He¡¯ll treat Taiju¡¯s wounds and leave on the highway. Taiju¡¯s hand will be fine. The ambulance will go straight to the airport. No one will stop it. The ambulance will pass through every checkpoint¡ªno questions asked. Stopping an ambulance is forbidden in Feropian law; unless there¡¯s suspicion or reason. But in case, we¡¯ve placed an officer in the front seat. He¡¯ll ensure the ambulance isn¡¯t delayed. Our men are waiting at the airport. Everything is done perfectly.¡±Leon listened without much reaction. He reached into his coat and handed Kenzo a few photographs.¡°Good,¡± Leon said. ¡°Take these. They show Daima murdering those criminals. Use Taiju¡¯s phone records, where Daima confessed to all the murders. Make it official. Prove him to be Santa. And at the end, report Manabu and the others as missing cases.¡±Kenzo nodded, glancing at the pictures. ¡°Our men have probably broken into their homes by now. They¡¯ll destroy everything¡ªmake it look like a kidnapping. In a few months, this case will be closed. They¡¯ll be missing forever in Feropia¡¯s history.¡± Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more. Kenzo stretches hard, and sighs in relief. Then he asked, ¡°Hey, Leon... did you plan all of this? Why didn¡¯t you tell me anything beforehand? I thought Daima was up to something again. I was damn terrified.¡± Leon laughed.¡°I didn''t plan everything. I planned to kill Daima myself, but Manabu pulled the trigger instead. Either way, the job¡¯s done.¡±Kenzo sighed, shaking his head. Then, after a moment, he stepped forward and pulled Leon into a brief, firm hug. Like an older brother bidding farewell.¡°Our job is finally done. See ya, Leon. Call me anytime, Your brother is always by your side.¡±Leon gave a small nod. ¡°There¡¯s still one thing left. Stay ready for it.¡±Kenzo exhaled, watching as Leon got into his car. The driver shut the door, and within seconds, the vehicle disappeared down the road. Kenzo stood there for a moment, staring at the empty street before pulling out his phone. He dialed the investigation department and relayed his report. He smiled to himself. ¡°Everything went exactly as planned¡­ I just hope things don¡¯t go south.¡±''Bigger dreams always demand greater sacrifices.'' the ambulance sped down the highway, sirens off. The doctor inside carefully stitched up Taiju¡¯s wound, bandaging his hand before advising him to rest. Once his job was done, he got off midway. The ambulance continued toward the airport. Manabu sat silent. His gaze remained locked onto Mion. The second the doctor left, he finally spoke.¡°Mion. Explain everything. From the beginning.¡±Mion stiffened. Her breath hitched. She was cornered. A wave of shame spread across her face, and her fingers instinctively moved toward her nails. She bit down anxiously¡ªbut Manabu grabbed her hand, his grip tightened. ¡°Mion,¡± he said sharply. ¡°Talk.¡±She couldn¡¯t meet his eyes. Her shoulders trembled. After a few moments, she spoke.¡°A few days ago... I received a mail. It was about Naomi and Futuba¡¯s deaths. It¡ªit was from Leon. He told me that Naomi and Futuba were killed by Hojo Tetsuya. He told me the reason behind their murders.¡±She explained every detail of that night. But then¡ªshe revealed something no one else had known. The missing pages of the chapter. ¡°Two days later, early in the morning, Leon visited my house... with Kenzo.¡±Manabu¡¯s eyes widened. A sudden realization hit him like a punch to the gut.¡ª''Leon knew Mion¡¯s address even before Hojo was killed. No! from the very beginning.'' Mion kept on¡ªexplaining everything.¡°Leon had a serious look on his face. I asked if I could help him with anything. And then¡ª¡±Her breath hitched. She could still hear his voice.¡®Mion, should we kill Hojo?¡¯A cold shiver ran down her spine. Leon had looked her in the eye¡ªcalm, unreadable. He told her a secret. A secret no one else knew. They had killed criminals before. Mion bit her lip hard, trying to suppress her tears. ¡°He believed some criminals deserve to die,¡± she whispered. ¡°He asked me again if I could help them. He said we could avenge innocent lives. Avenged Naomi.¡±She was shaking now, unable to hold back her emotions.¡°I¡ªI didn¡¯t know what to do! I didn¡¯t know what to say! I was under so much pressure!¡± Her voice cracked. ¡°I wanted justice for Naomi, but I was terrified. I didn¡¯t know what to do¡ªwhat should I do? What should I do? What should I do?!¡± Her hands clutched her head, her body trembling uncontrollably.¡°Calm down, Mion!¡± Manabu called, gripping her arms. Taiju leaned forward, worried. ¡°Mion, take deep breaths¡ª¡±But she wasn¡¯t listening. Her mind spiraled back to that moment. To Leon¡¯s words¡ª Calm, yet persuasive. ¡®Some criminals deserve to die.¡¯ ¡®Humans find salvation in revenge rather than redemption.¡¯ ¡®Mion, sometimes the law can''t punish criminals.They roam free, committing crimes again and again. If we don¡¯t stop Hojo, more people will suffer. More people will die. We cannot let that happen.¡¯ Mion pressed her forehead into her palms, she couldn''t find her ears, she was extremely paranoid. rocking back and forth. ¡°I was trapped... I couldn¡¯t think straight¡­¡±His voice won''t leave her eardrums; ''For Naomi ! For Futuba ! For everyone ! '' she starts screaming and scratching her head. Manabu¡¯s jaw clenched. After a few moments, Mion¡¯s breathing slowed. Manabu reached into his bag, pulled out his water bottle, and handed it to her. She drank it all, wet her throat. Then, slowly, she continued.¡°When I was at my limit, unable to decide, what to do, what to say. Kenzo interrupted him. He grabbed Leon and pressed down on his head. ¡®That¡¯s enough, Leon. You do not get to talk anymore,¡¯ he said. Then he dragged him outside. ¡®I told you¡ªit¡¯s not possible. Sorry, Mion, for disturbing you¡ª '' But... something inside me refused to let them go. I stood up and grabbed Kenzo by his arm.¡± Her voice turned hollow. ''I wanted to avenge Naomi. I wanted to avenge those innocent people. I made my decision.''¡ª "I¡¯ll do it.¡±Kenzo had turned to her, his expression changed, He seemed angry or maybe concerned.¡°Mion, this isn¡¯t a joke. You know that, right?¡± ¡°I am not joking. I made up my mind,¡± she whispered. ¡°For justice.¡±Leon had smiled then. A soft, eerie smile. He held her hands and whispered, ¡°For Justice. For Naomi. For everyone.¡±But justice, Manabu realized, had no meaning to Leon. Manabu¡¯s trembled in rage. He looked at Mion, she had become crazy, she isn''t the same anymore. All because of him. ¡°Among all of us¡­ he did the worst to you.¡± Taiju sat in silence. Mai¡¯s voice wavered. ¡°He toyed with our emotions. For what? Is he even human?¡±Leon had manipulated all of them. They were nothing but pieces in his game. He was the shepherd. And they were the sheep¡ªfed, skinned, and sacrificed at his will. Leon isn''t just a manipulator. He is a monster. Chapter 12: The Narrator A few hours later¡ª they reached the airport. They left the ambulance, but at first sight, they were shocked. It wasn¡¯t quite as they expected. This was a private airport in a restricted area. A car was waiting for them. The morning was cloudy. On the spot, an old man pushed Taiju from behind and told them to hop inside the car. They didn¡¯t resist since the old man had a gun. They got in, along with the old man, who immediately locked the doors. Meanwhile, Manabu and the others noticed a few people inside the garage carrying a dead body. They threw it into the ambulance and locked the gate. Their reaction was nothing but disbelief. The old man introduced himself as the owner of the place. "This whole area is mine¡ªonly mine," he said. He kept talking as he took out a cigarette and lit it, starting to smoke inside the car. Manabu and the others remained silent. The old man, growing bored, suddenly yelled at them, "Don¡¯t ya have a fucking tongue? Or do you need my help pulling your little tongue out?!" His voice was rough and aggressive. Suddenly, a loud ringtone interrupted the tension. The old man answered the call and put it on speaker. It was Leon. "Have they arrived yet?" Leon asked. The old man grinned and responded, "Don¡¯t you worry, boss! They¡¯re all with me. I promise, no fucking messin¡¯ around!" Mai, unable to handle the smoke, started coughing. Leon immediately realized and warned the old man, "You¡¯re smoking, aren¡¯t you?" The old man quickly rolled down all the windows and threw out the cigarette. Leon¡¯s voice carried a sharp edge. "If you smoke again¡ªwhether I¡¯m there or not¡ªyou¡¯ll regret it." The old man immediately apologized, and the call ended. He let out a loud laugh and turned to the group. "Boss is always concerned about me! You know, kid, Boss always scolds me whenever I smoke or drink, but sometimes, he dopes me home too. He¡¯s got some pure ideology. That¡¯s why he never smokes. Well, you¡¯re friends of his¡ªyou must know better!" The old man laughed again. After a few minutes, they arrived at the runway. A lavish private airplane stood on the track. The old man unlocked the doors and told them to get inside the plane. Before stepping away, he lit another cigarette, claiming it was his last one for the day. Manabu and Mion sat together, while Taiju and Mai took the opposite seats. They looked around; the interior was luxurious¡ªfar beyond anything they had ever seen. The seats were unbelievably comfortable, and the air smelled expensive, like wealth itself. Taiju glanced outside. The old man waved at him. Moments later, a car arrived. Manabu and the others watched as the old man threw away his cigarette, not even finishing it. He waved toward the car. The vehicle stopped, and Leon stepped out, accompanied by two others. The old man shook hands with Leon and hugged him, patting his back. Leon whispered something to him. The old man pointed at the plane¡ªperhaps at them. Finally, Leon walked toward the plane and stepped inside, dressed in a sharp formal suit, exuding an aura of authority. He sat right across from Manabu and Mion. The old man also got into the plane and opened the pilot¡¯s door. A black cat rushed out and jumped onto Leon¡¯s lap, curling up comfortably. The door closed. Leon stroked the cat¡¯s fur and said casually, "Moon¡ªour pilot¡¯s cat. Cute, isn¡¯t she?" But Manabu wasn¡¯t amused at all. He stared daggers at Leon and demanded answers. "Now talk. Who are you? Why did you do all this? What the hell do you want? And who is Kami?" Leon, overwhelmed by the barrage of questions, sighed. "Buddy, relax. We¡¯ve got plenty of time, you know. I¡¯ll explain everything¡ªbut one by one." The plane began taxiing down the runway and took off. They all leaned back in their seats. Leon glanced at their clothes and commented, "Your clothes are a total mess. I got new outfits for you in the next room. Go change." But they all refused. They wanted answers. Leon sighed again and finally began explaining the truth. "First, let me assure you¡ªthe Santa case has nothing to do with you guys. It¡¯s just a personal matter. A task, perhaps. You all are an entirely different matter. And Mion, I¡¯m sorry about Naomi, but I promise¡ªI didn¡¯t plan it. It was Daima. "But his words didn¡¯t make sense to any of them. "That¡¯s a lie!" Mion snapped. "You and Daima planned it together!". Leon raised a finger to silence her. He wasn¡¯t finished yet. "Around October, I came to Feropia for a major task. One of my missions was to bring Manabu to Kami. I was sent to eliminate criminals. But I¡¯m afraid I¡¯m not allowed to tell you more about that. Daima wasn¡¯t actually my partner in this plan. He is a serial killer¡ªand the smartest enemy I¡¯ve ever faced. With Kenzo¡¯s help, I convinced Daima that I was just like him. We planned to begin a serial killing spree, claiming our motive was to create ultimate fear inside criminals and people. I suggested we start with criminals. At first, he didn¡¯t object. But after some time, he must have realized I was onto something. That¡¯s when Daima made his move." Back then, on 25th December¡ªLeon was supposed to meet Daima. He had been keeping an eye on Manabu and Mion without their realization. But then he got a call. Daima called him to another location, right in front of DSH Children¡¯s Park. Leon had no idea what was about to happen. When he arrived, he saw two dead bodies. It was Naomi and her father. Everything happened so suddenly. Leon was in shock. "Why did you do this?" he asked. Daima smirked. "Because I couldn¡¯t handle my urges." He turned to Leon and added, "Someone saw me doing this, and he escaped. I couldn¡¯t see his face either." Leon stared at him, frozen. Daima was lying. He had done it intentionally. Leon immediately realized Daima was up to something. Then Daima walked closer to Leon and whispered, "You have to do something¡ªand fast. Or we¡¯re going to get arrested, right, Leon?" Leon didn¡¯t answer. He just stared into Daima¡¯s eyes. Daima was amused by his reaction. Leon then looked down at the bodies¡ªand noticed Naomi was still breathing. He knelt beside her, checking. She was still alive. He immediately called Kenzo. But she couldn¡¯t make it. Now, they were in a mess. Who had seen them? They were trapped. Daima was enjoying the tension. Leon continued, "Until then, reading Daima had become impossible. So I decided to set my main task aside for the time being and focus on Manabu. Fortunately, the first day I joined the school, Kenzo got a call. It was Hojo. Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work! Hojo told him everything¡ªabout that night. He provided our information to Kenzo. Kenzo made sure that Hojo stayed quiet for a while. He assured him, ¡®If they find out you saw them, they might kill you. And since we don¡¯t have enough proof against them, stay quiet and play it cool. I hope you understand, Mr. Hojo.¡¯" Leon¡¯s plan was cruel but nessasery. He framed Hojo. Manipulated Mion. Used Manabu. Orchestrated deaths. All to execute his perfect plan. Mion¡¯s tears fell. She realized the person she had trusted the most had only used her. ¡°As I realized those two were your closest, I began getting close to you. But you were so paranoid and isolated¡ªyou wouldn¡¯t even talk. So I had to take some major steps. I celebrated your birthday, reminded you of Naomi every day, became your friend, gained your trust¡­and the biggest lie of all¡ªHojo¡¯s so-called intentions. I framed him, digging up his past, twisting it until you believed he was guilty. I brainwashed you, Mion.¡± Mion''s eyes widened as his words settled in, each word striking her like a dagger. Hojo had long since let go of his revenge¡ª"But he saw something he shouldn¡¯t have. That''s why He had to die.¡± Tears welled in Mion¡¯s eyes. She pressed her face with her palm. The person she had trusted the most had used her like a pawn in his elaborate game. She was never his friend¡ªjust a tool, a necessary step in his twisted plan. ¡°Manipulating you to kill Hojo was enough to convince Daima that I was on his side. While he enjoyed the thrill, I played my move. Your actions, Mion¡ªyour proof of murder¡ªbecame my leverage. I used you and Daima to close the case and take Manabu with me." Mion¡¯s breath hitched. She finally understood. Leon had been orchestrating everything from the shadows, watching, manipulating. Even the moment she killed Hojo¡ªLeon had been there, right behind her, taking pictures. When she was finished, Leon put his hand on her shoulders to console. She burst out screaming, crying in pain. Leon used her image to deceive Manabu, to drag him into this nightmare. And when Manabu murdered Daima, Leon recorded it all, solidifying his control over them. Taiju and Manabu sat in stunned silence, their expressions darkening as the realization sank in. Leon gave a casual wave, his voice light as if discussing something trivial. ¡°I know, I know. I must sound insane or evil to you, but trust me, my goal was simple. Don¡¯t worry, Mion. I''m sorry for hurting you. But I had no choice.¡± He leaned back and said, "A sacrifice was necessary. Forget Naomi. Move on.¡± Mion¡¯s fingers curled into fists. The mere sight of Leon now filled her with rage. Because of him, Naomi was dead. Because of him, her father was gone. He had framed Hojo¡ªan innocent man¡ªto erase his own sins. And worst of all, she had been the one to kill him, unknowingly silencing the only witness who could have brought Naomi justice.¡°A sacrifice?¡± she muttered, her voice shaking. ¡°What do you think human lives are?¡± Her expression twisted in fury. ¡°You monster! You¡¯d do anything for your own benefit.¡± Leon met her glare, unfazed. If anything, he looked a little annoyed.¡°A monster? Don¡¯t be ridiculous. None of this was my fault.¡± He pointed his finger at Taiju and Mai. ¡°I never planned to bring two of you here¡ªjust Manabu. But Taiju overheard our conversation, and then he also dragged Mai into this mess. Was that my doing?¡± He scoffed. ¡°I expected things to spiral, sure. I knew Daima wouldn¡¯t go down without a fight. I knew things could get from south to west. But don¡¯t act like I¡¯m the only one to blame. And since they are in this mess by their own will, I can''t let them go. If necessary, I will kill them too.¡± Manabu remained silent, his expression unreadable. There were too many questions racing through his mind, but he knew Leon wouldn¡¯t answer them all. Leon had used a carefully crafted strategy of his own (a psychological trap). He had framed events in a way that manipulated their emotions, feeding Mion a twisted tale of justice and vengeance to push her into killing Hojo. And with Manabu, he had done the same, using pictures of Mion¡¯s crime to convince him that going to the police was pointless. He had left them with only the choices he wanted them to take. This was ''The Leon Strategy.'' A method so precise it blurred the line between truth and lies, making the false seem real. ''When people are uncertain about a situation, they would rather accept the false reality rather than live in uncertainty.'' People fear of uncertainty is their weakness, and Leon had weaponized that fear, shaping their perspectives to fit his will. He wasn¡¯t just playing them¡ªhe was writing their fates. Gently stroking the cat in his lap, Leon sighed, feigning exhaustion. ¡°I¡¯ve been explaining for hours. I¡¯m tired now.¡± He gave a lazy smile. ¡°Any more questions?¡± Manabu finally spoke. ¡°No. We¡¯ve gotten all the answers we needed.¡± His gaze locked onto Leon¡¯s. ¡°And now I understand¡ªyou kidnapped us for someone named Kami. Nothing personal.¡± Leon had expected anger, maybe even a desperate outburst, but Manabu seemed eerily calm. That wasn¡¯t expected. He wanted to justify himself, but he glanced at the two figures seated at the edge of the plane¡ªsilent enforcers, always keeping an eye on him. He wasn¡¯t as free as he made himself seem. Mion¡¯s fists trembled at her sides, her red-rimmed eyes filled with unspoken rage. Taiju and Mai glared at him, their expressions a mix of fury and disbelief. But Manabu¡­ Manabu seemed different. ¡ª Then, suddenly, Manabu said it. ¡°But Naomi¡¯s death was your fault.¡± Leon looked down; everything seems as he expected; things are gonna get even worse. ¡°You manipulated Mion,¡± Manabu was still calm unlike others. ¡°And you did extreme things to Mion. That''s what makes this personal.¡± Leon exhaled slowly. As he realizes he made new enemies. But in the moment a voice whispers to him. ¡®Head and tail, right and wrong, good and evil, win and loss, peace and war¡ªthey''re two sides of the same coin.¡¯ He glanced at them once more. Mion, Taiju, Mai¡­ and Manabu. They were no longer just collateral damage¡ªthey were now his personal problem. And if Kami found out, things would only get worse. ¡®Once the coin is tossed, it¡¯s a bet.¡¯ Leon watched Manabu with an almost amused expression, but deep down, he understood¡ªthis wasn¡¯t over. Not even close. But Leon just cannot give up on his goal. No matter what the reason. ¡®Either you win or lose; it doesn¡¯t matter. But¡ªyou must never compromise.¡¯ Chapter 13: The length of confusing confusion After a day-long journey, their plane finally landed in Lafiaza. As they stepped out onto the runway, a row of black cars awaited them in the distance. Leon emerged from another room and addressed them. "Change your clothes. Manabu, there''s blood on your sweater. Get rid of it. There''s a formal outfit prepared for you. Taiju, you too¡ªthere are separate changing rooms for men and women." Without a word, Manabu walked toward the changing room. Taiju followed him, avoiding looking at Leon. Mion and Mai headed toward the women¡¯s section.As they went to change their clothing, the two men sitting in the air host seat approached Leon and whispered something in his ear. He didn¡¯t respond and just looked at the time on his left wristwatch. Those men then walked over to the pilot and ordered him to open the plane¡¯s door. An older man turned and, in the distance, called out to Leon in a loud voice. "Boss! They¡¯re asking to open the door. Should I?" The two men pushed at the door. Leon simply nodded. The pilot obeyed immediately, unlocking the aircraft''s main exit. By then, Manabu and the others had finished changing. Before they stepped outside, Leon reminds them¡ª "The person you''re about to meet is known worldwide. In Lafiaza, he''s deeply respected. I don''t know what connection he has with you, but be careful how you speak. Don''t be rude. Listen to him, understand what he''s saying, and then decide what you want to do. And whatever happened in Feropia¡­ forget it. Otherwise¡­" Leon placed a hand on Taiju¡¯s shoulder and said, "Use your brain, friend, not your fists." Taiju removed Leon''s hand from his shoulder but didn¡¯t say a word. With that little chat, they exited the plane.As soon as they stepped outside, the crowd erupted into cheers, clapping and shouting in excitement. At least a dozen people had gathered to greet them. Among them, three individuals stepped forward. They were dressed formally, holding bouquets of flowers. They handed one to Manabu. They started analyzing his facial structure and hair color. One of them placed both hands on his arms and said, "He looks just like Kami. I''ve seen Kami''s face; I know how he looked back then. The white hair¡­ he¡¯s also quite handsome!" He hugged him, his voice trembling with excitement. He introduced himself. "I am Dr. Nicolain Marcquaro," he said. He was Kami''s friend and looked pretty glad. "We''ve waited for so long¡­ all of us."One of them suddenly pointed toward Manabu¡¯s friends. "Who are they?" Manabu simply kept it formal: "They''re my friends." Dr. Nicolain looked at his companions, embracing them warmly. He then turned and said, "They¡¯re guests! Manabu¡¯s companions!" in their language (Lafia). The crowd''s excitement grew even more. All together, they greeted them, shook hands with them, and led them toward the car. Manabu was confused. He glanced at Leon, who simply gave them a goodbye wave and vanished into the crowd. They were no longer his responsibility. A few moments later, Krisna Das (Roy) arrived in one of the black cars. The moment he stepped out, he walked straight toward Leon and pulled him into a hug. They were like best friends."Leon! My friend! How have you been?!"Leon, suffocating from the tight hug, said he was fine, but Roy studied him carefully. "Hmm... Brother, you¡¯ve lost weight¡­ Have you been under too much stress?" Leon scoffed. "I¡¯m perfectly fine. Something this minor isn''t enough to stress me out." Roy exhaled. "It¡¯s been five months¡­ No, six months? ¡ªSix? Anyways, it¡¯s been six months since you¡¯ve come back. Everyone''s waiting at home. Let¡¯s go."For the past month, Leon had barely spoken to them. His calls had become rare. Meanwhile, Manabu and his group were led to a separate vehicle while Leon rode alone in his own car that Roy drove. As they drove, Roy asked, "Do you want to eat something?"Leon shook his head. "I¡¯m fasting today. Take me to a seven-star restaurant."Roy chuckled. "Aren¡¯t you fasting?" Leon smirked. "Not for me. For my sister. It¡¯s her birthday today."Roy groaned and hit his palm on his head, letting go of the wheel. "Shit! I totally forgot! That¡¯s why Sumi hasn¡¯t spoken to me all morning!"Leon leaned back. "Last year, on her 8th birthday, she asked for a bag and a toy. I told her to pick one. She chose the bag as her gift. I got both. I¡¯ll put the toy inside the bag as a surprise."While Roy was concerned about what he should give Sumi, Leon said he¡¯d take care of that, not to worry.They stopped at a seven-star restaurant and ordered both fast food and a proper dinner. Before leaving, Leon placed an order at a nearby bakery¡ªa three-tiered cake. Meanwhile, Manabu and the others arrived at a house. It was a two-story building of moderate size. As they stepped out, their escorts gestured for them to wait inside. Dr. Nicolain had gone to bring Kami.They entered the house. The interior was striking¡ªantique furniture, a grand old-fashioned sofa, everything was so clean. A quite young maid was working there. She said, "Just call me for anything, and I''ll be there."They roamed around the house. The ornate drawers. The guest room was massive. The floor was covered in a deep cherry-red carpet, intricate patterns woven into its fabric. A chandelier hung above them, casting a warm glow.Manabu wandered toward the walls, where a series of portraits caught his attention. Something about them felt¡­familiar.One image stood out¡ªa husband and wife. The woman held a small girl, no older than five. Beside them, the father had his hand on the shoulder of a five-year-old boy. Manabu¡¯s breath hitched. His fingers traced the edges of the frame. He looked at the little boy and thought. "Who¡­ is he?"A memory tugged at the back of his mind. "I¡¯ve seen this before."Before he could dwell on it, a sudden commotion outside caught his attention. Kami had arrived. The moment he stepped out of the car, he ran straight into the house, his footsteps hurried and frantic. The people behind him followed. He was rushing while the others were pretty calm and smiling.Then, he saw Manabu.Their eyes met, and he froze, breathless. He was panting as if he had run all the way here. But he was just anxious. Then, suddenly¡ªHe threw himself at Manabu, arms wrapped tight around his body, trembling uncontrollably. Manabu hesitated before placing a hand on his shoulder. Kami looked up at him from head to toe, taking in a deep breath."Twelve years¡­ Twelve years¡­" He broke down. Tears streamed down his face, falling from his mask.Manabu held him. He had no clue about what was going on, his mind swirling with questions. "Who¡­ is he?" he wondered.Kami tightened his grip. "I''m sure you''re wondering what''s going on. I¡¯ll tell you everything."Manabu glanced behind him¡ªhis friends were watching. Kami saw them and said he already knew they would be here. He told them softly, "You all should listen too."Then, he gestured toward the maid standing outside the room."Prepare dinner. They must be exhausted."The maid said she had already prepared everything and was waiting for their command. But Manabu and his friends were incredibly confused¡ªjust completely bewildered. Everything was so messed up. They said they wouldn¡¯t be eating right now; there were too many things to discuss.Mion stepped in front of Kami and demanded, "Who are you? And why did you kidnap Manabu?!" Kami calmly responded, "Listen, Ms. Sayuri, if I¡¯m not wrong, I didn¡¯t kidnap Manabu. I am his father."Mion argued, "Regardless of who you are, no one should do something like this¡ª" But then she paused, realizing what Kami had just said.Manabu stood silently, his mouth wide open in shock. Mai tugged at Mion from behind. Taiju, scratching his head, whispered loudly, his voice laced with disbelief, "I think I¡¯m hearing things. Did the guy say ¡®father¡¯ or ¡®mother¡¯?" Mai, even more confused, argued back, "Why would he say ¡®mother¡¯? He said, "Father¡¯!" Taiju still couldn''t believe it. Mion turned and muttered, "Maybe this is some kind of scam." Mai remained silent, still drowning in confusion. So much confusing confusion. Kami, overhearing their conversation, let out a deep sigh and spoke, "I understand that you don¡¯t understand. But trust me, I am Manabu¡¯s father. The last time I saw him was twelve years ago. He was maybe four or five back then. But after an incident, everything fell apart, and we were all separated."None of them seemed willing to trust Kami. Manabu, still silent, looked into Kami¡¯s eyes. His eyes¡­ they¡¯re just like mine. The light orange shade, a blinding brightness¡ªit was strange, yet painfully familiar. A sharp sting ran through him. Kami¡¯s eyes were beautiful.Taiju agreed that their eyes looked the same, but everything was still so strange. Manabu couldn¡¯t help but ask, "Why do you wear that mask?"Kami explained, "My face... it¡¯s disfigured, completely burned. Children are frightened by it. That¡¯s why I wear bandages and a mask on top. The hairstyle of the mask is just like my actual hair, but the facial structure is a little different. This mask has become my signature look." Mion turned to Kami and asked, "Mr. Kami, do you have any proof that you''re Manabu¡¯s father?" Before showing them proof, Kami asked a valuable question, "What kind of proof does a father need to recognize his own child? And what does it take for a son to recognize his father after so much time?" Everyone fell silent. Manabu understood those words clearly. From the moment he saw Kami, he had looked into his eyes¡­ and his heart had filled. As if he had finally found what he had been searching for for thousands of years. Mion looked at Manabu, but it seemed like there was nothing more she could say.Kami continued, "And suppose I am his father¡ªwhat kind of crazy man would search for a single person for twelve years straight? Who else would go this far to find someone they don¡¯t know, someone they¡¯ve never seen? But a father would."Behind Kami, they all stood silently. Manabu looked at Dr. Necolain, who smiled and nodded. It became clear to them that Kami had indeed been searching for Manabu all this time. For twelve years.Mai asked, "Then why didn¡¯t you come to get him sooner?" Kami spoke softly, "I didn¡¯t know where Manabu was. Whether he was alive or not¡­ he might¡¯ve been dead. I was searching for you cluelessly. At some point, I thought you were no more. But I always heard your voice. Every time, I could hear you calling out, ¡®Papa¡­ Mama¡­¡¯ and I would start looking for you again. I never gave up on you, my son."Manabu¡¯s heart clenched. Tears welled up in his eyes, but he tried not to cry. He stood there, overwhelmed by emotions but unable to voice them.Kami turned and asked for the documents. One of the men standing behind him handed over a file. Kami took out a few papers and gave them to Manabu."This is the paternity test," he said.Manabu took the paper and looked through it carefully. It was a test from sixteen years ago, along with more recent paperwork, a DNA test, and Kami¡¯s identity card. This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it. Taiju, Mai, and Mion all looked over his shoulder. Mion¡¯s voice faltered as she read aloud, "Father¡¯s name: Satoshi Kamiuza...? Child¡¯s name: Satoshi Manabu?!?" They compared the papers to Kami¡¯s identity card, confirming the matching names and other details. The realization was almost too much to process. No one spoke a word. Mai smiled a little and said, "Manabu! He¡¯s your dad! Your dad found you!" Taiju quickly grabbed her mouth, whispering in her ear, "Let Manabu decide!" Manabu kept looking at the papers. One of the men behind Kami stepped forward and addressed Manabu directly, his voice filled with concern. "Mr. Manabu! this man right here is your father. He¡¯s been searching for you like crazy for twelve years. You were thought to be dead, but you¡¯re here. He didn¡¯t know if you were alive or not. If he had wanted to, he could¡¯ve abandoned the search, but he didn¡¯t. What kind of father would leave his child behind?" Everyone was trying to convince him. For Kami¡¯s sake. But Kami silenced them.¡ª"Let Manabu decide himself." Manabu looked at Kami, his eyes filled with disbelief and something deeper¡ªsomething almost unnameable. His heart ached as he stared at the man, the father he never knew. His mind raced, but the memories¡­ the feelings¡­ they just wouldn¡¯t come."I know him... I... I know this man," Manabu thought. His chest tightened. There was something about Kami¡¯s presence that felt familiar, like a missing puzzle piece he couldn¡¯t place.But despite the agony and confusion in his heart, Manabu couldn¡¯t say a word. The love, the pain, the years apart¡ªthey were all tangled inside him, like a knot he couldn¡¯t undo. What did it mean to have a father after all this time? How could he face the man who had been searching for him, yet had never been there when he needed him most? The gap between them¡ªbetween father and son¡ªfelt impossibly wide. But deep down, Manabu couldn¡¯t deny the connection that pulsed in his chest. Kami saw Manabu struggling. Suddenly, Taiju grabbed him and took out an inhaler from his pocket. Manabu inhaled, breathing heavily. Kami blamed himself for their stress and told them to rest. He had to leave. Suddenly, the doorbell rang¡ªloud, urgent, and nonstop.One of the men in the room, annoyed, opened the door. Without warning, someone ran inside. Everyone was stunned. Kami turned and saw Maria¡ªshe had arrived, completely out of breath from running. Manabu and his friends just stared. Before Kami could say anything, Maria leaped onto Manabu, hugging him tightly as she screamed in joy, "Manabu!!" "Oh great! Another character. More confusion," Mai muttered. Mion blushed, her jealousy flaring. A young, pretty girl their age had just appeared out of nowhere and hugged Manabu like that.Taiju steadied Manabu, keeping him from falling over.Mion grabbed the girl¡¯s arms and yelled questions at her face, "Who the hell are you?!" Maria yelled back, "Stop yelling at me, Miss! And I¡¯ve got the same question¡ªwho the hell are you?!" Mion introduced herself. Maria turned to Manabu and smirked. "Oh, I get it! You¡¯re my brother¡¯s jealous girlfriend!" Mion sputtered. "What do you mean by jeal¡ª" She froze; realization hit her like a sniper bullet. "Oh great. Now Manabu got a sister! Confusion over another confusion over confusing confusion," Mai said sarcastically. Maria is Manabu'' s sister. Mion turned to Manabu, eyes wide. "Manabu! What are these twists?!" Maria laughed. "I¡¯ll explain everything slowly. But first, I¡¯m starving." Kami sighed in relief and asked Maria to take care of them since he had to leave. Before he left, he hugged Manabu and Maria one last time. As he walked away, the maid approached Maria. "Ms. Maria, I think my time has come. I¡¯ll be returning to the orphanage." Maria blinked. "Why?" The maid smiled. "Master Leon has arrived today. My job here is done." Maria blushed. "Leon is back?!" The maid giggled and nodded. Maria, got extremely happy. Manabu said he had a question, if she don''t mind. But instead she turned to Manabu and before he could say anything, she punched his head. "Call me sister, dumbass!" The maid chuckled and asked again if she could leave. Maria nodded, allowing her to go, and the maid took her leave respectfully. As Maria was setting the plates and food, she refused to answer any questions before lunch. She pushed Mion toward the dining room and pulled out a chair for her. Sitting beside her, Maria asked, "Would you like anything to drink? There are tons of soft drinks and other options." Mion shook her head. "I¡¯m fine. Just water will do." Maria''s expression shifted, turning somber. She looked at Mion with her big lashed sobbing eyes. Mion noticed and, after a brief hesitation, asked for a can of soft drink instead. Maria immediately grabbed two cans, handing one to Mion while keeping the other for herself. As they ate, Maria turned to Manabu. "How''s Grandma doing?" Manabu stopped mid-bite and looked at her. "How do you know about my grandma?" Maria rolled her eyes. "Are you an Idiot? she''s my grandmother too. Of course, I¡¯d know. So tell me, How is she?" Manabu turned silent; and placed his spoon down and exhaled. "She passed away a few months ago." Maria froze, her expression darkening; she realized why Manabu got quiet suddenly. "I see¡­ How did it happen?" she asked in a softer voice. "It was my fault," Manabu said flatly. "She had a heart attack." Maria stood up and smacked him on the head again. "How the hell is that your fault?dumbass!" Manabu chuckled and nodded. "You''re right. I am a dumbass." Maria sat back down and started eating again. "What kind of person was she?" Manabu smiled remembering her, "She was kind and caring. An old lady with a big heart." Maria grinned. "And she had a pretty loud voice too." Manabu laughed, recalling memories of her. Taiju joined in, sharing how their grandmother once hit him and Manabu with a stick when he and Manabu got into a fight with other kids as children. Manabu then brought up a memory of how he once made Mion cry when they were little. His grandmother had comforted Mion by braiding her hair, which made her happy again. Mai also shared a story. "Once, your grandma shook a candy box machine until some candy fell out¡­ then she secretly gave it to me."Everyone laughed as they reminisced. Taiju added, "I could never tie my necktie properly. Every time it got undone at school, I had to ask her to fix it for me." As they shared these moments, Maria sighed. "She really was an amazing person. Look how much everyone loved her." A silence fell over them as they realized, once again, how much she had meant to them. They had all had cried at her funeral. Manabu placed a hand on his chest. "That¡¯s right. She was something I could probably never become¡­ but at least, I want to do something for everyone. Something that will make them remember me¡ªjust like we remember her. My old, noisy grandma." They continued talking for hours, sharing memories and stories. Mai, who had been somewhat reserved at first, gradually became more comfortable around them. Maria then shifted the conversation, asking about their life in Feropia, their friendships, and their families, hoping to lighten the mood. The conversation stretched long into the evening, even after dinner, as they sat around the dining table, lost in discussion. Manabu found himself invested in it. It had been a long time since he had experienced a real family dinner conversation. But then Maria asked a question that changed the atmosphere completely. "So, how was your journey to Lafiaza? Did you guys meet Leon?" The room fell into silence. The lighthearted mood vanished instantly, replaced by a thick tension that settled over their faces. Maria blinked in confusion. "Why did everyone go quiet all of a sudden?" Sensing the shift, Mai spoke up with a light tone, "Maybe we should change the topic." But their expressions remained serious. A sudden, heavy cloud had settled over them. Mai, noticing the tension, quickly changed the subject. She turned to Maria and asked, "Hey, is your hair naturally white? You and Manabu have the same hair color, and maybe¡­ you both are a little similar in behavior too." But Maria and Manabu both immediately waved off the comment and spoke in unison, "I¡¯m nothin'' like him¡ªI¡¯m nothing like her!" Mai raised an eyebrow, smirked, and giggled while clapping her both hands. "Yeah! totally. You two are nothing alike. Completely unique¡­ and unbelievably different," she said sarcastically. Ignoring them, Manabu walked over to the fridge and grab a soft drink, he opened the fridge and saw tons of dinks, he had never seen before. "Lion¡¯s Roar"¡ªthe name was unfamiliar to him. Some kind of local Lafiazian drink, maybe? Shrugging, he popped it open and took a sip. The moment the liquid hit his tongue, he spat it out. "What the hell?! It¡¯s beer!!" Manabu yelled. Maria¡¯s eyes widened, and she immediately rushed and snatched the can from him, throwing it back into the fridge and slamming the door shut. "It¡¯s nothing! Here, take this one instead!" she said quickly, handing him another drink. But Manabu wasn¡¯t letting it slide. He cracked his neck dramatically and gave her a suspicious look. "What¡¯s your age, sis?" Maria laughed nervously, avoiding his gaze. "What are you talking about? H-hehe¡­" Now even more suspicious, Manabu turned to Mai and Taiju. Without hesitation, they grabbed Maria by the arms, holding her in place while Manabu swung the fridge door open. His suspicion was confirmed¡ªmost of the drinks inside were beer or alcohol. Maria, at 18, wasn¡¯t legally allowed to drink. And even if she were allowed¡­ she shouldn¡¯t be drinking beer. Maria sobs dramatically in defeat and admitted, "I don¡¯t drink! It¡¯s just¡­ my friends ask for drinks whenever they come over, so I keep some stocked for them." Manabu crossed his arms and exhaled. "As far as I know, drinking under 20 is forbidden in Lafiaza. Are your friends over 20?" Maria looked away, clearly embarrassed. "...They¡¯re 17. Or my age, probably." Manabu shook his head in disapproval, but then, with a mischievous grin, he grabbed a bunch of non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks from the fridge. "Well, let¡¯s enjoy some real drinks ourselves!" Maria watched as everyone except her started chugging their drinks like it was a party. "Wait¡ªWHAT?! You¡¯re all under 20!!" But they ignored her, cheering together, "Who cares?!" They spent the rest of the night like that¡ªlaughing, chatting, and messing around. Eventually, exhaustion took over, and one by one, they fell asleep. Taiju, being the responsible one, didn¡¯t drink much, avoiding being hungover. When it was time to sleep, Maria showed them to their rooms. Mai and Mion shared Maria¡¯s room, while Manabu and Taiju were given a separate one. It was evening already; Taiju was tired as well. Maria suggests he take some rest. Taiju thought the same and dove onto the soft bed. Maria turned off the light and got ready. She takes her purse and leaves for the orphanage. Today is Sumi''s birthday. Chapter 14: Justify Your Innocence Leon arrived at his home with the gifts and food. His hands were full of bags and gifts, while Roy carried a large box of cake. With his hands full, Leon pressed the doorbell with his elbow. The maid, Noor, opened the door and smiled warmly upon seeing them, especially Leon. Noticing their hands were full, she quickly took a few bags from them. A group of children peeked outside; they rushed together forward with excitement, screaming in joy."Look! Brother is home!" They all jumped at him, "Brother!" Leon knelt and hugged them all together tightly. "I missed you all." A rare smile touched his lips as he ruffled their hair."There are more gifts in the backseat of the car; get them for me." And all of them run toward the car, open the gate, and bring everything one by one. Leon looked around, and Sumi was nowhere to be found. "Where''s Sumi, by the way?" One of the kids, Masao, replied, "She''s mad at you. You didn''t pick up her calls for a whole month. She locked herself in her room." Leon sighed and set the gifts on the dining table before calling out to Sumi. Silence. Noor approached with concern. "Master, she hasn''t left her room since morning. She refuses to eat or drink. She''ll fall sick if this continues." Leon unbuttoned his suit jacket, hung it by the door, and climbed the stairs, the children trailing behind him. Meanwhile, Roy opened the cake box, preparing plates and setting everything up on the table. Leon knocked on Sumi''s door. No response. He softened his voice. "Sumi! I''m back. Open the door, please. I''m sorry¡ªI was caught up in something important and couldn''t answer your calls." He pressed his forehead against the wooden door, and only then did he hear the faint sound of muffled sobs. Noor joined him, her voice pleading."Sumi, your brother is tired. He came back for your birthday. Look! He brought cake with him. Please open the door." The children chimed in, coaxing her, but the silence remained unbroken. Roy, having finished the preparations, came upstairs."Everything''s ready. We just need to cut the cake," he informed. But the problem is, Sumi wouldn''t come out. Leon rubbed his temple, exhaustion weighing on his head¡ªhe was awake four days straight without any sleep, not even a little nap. Just as he was about to knock again, the doorbell rang. Roy turned to go answer it. Leon exhaled and tried one last time. His voice dropped to a near whisper."Sumi¡­ Mom is here." Leon never lies to her sister, but he did it for her sake. Sumi gets up and slowly unlocks the door, quickly returning to the bed. Leon slowly pushed the door open. Sumi had already scurried back to her bed, clutching her panda pillow, and turned on the other side. He stepped inside quietly and sat beside her on the bed. He gently calls her, "Sumi¡­ let''s go, everyone''s waiting. I''m sorry, Brother is sorry."Leon leaned forward; he kissed her forehead, murmuring another apology. Slowly, she sat up, her eyes still puffy from crying. Without a word, she reached out, and Leon lifted her into his arms. The children peeked through the doorway, watching. Leon gestured for them to go downstairs. Noor led them away, while Sara stood in the hallway with a smirk, she teased. "She''s such a drama queen." "I am not!" Sumi snapped, glaring at her. Leon chuckled. "There you go. Tell her you''re a good girl." Sara stuck out her tongue and kept calling her the drama queen. Sumi wiggled in Leon''s hold."Put me down!" she jumped, immediately darting after Sara. "Stop right there, Sara! How dare you!" Sara kept teasing and laughing. "Drama queen just wants her brother''s attention! Drama queen! Drama queen!" Noor intervened. "That''s enough, Sara. Be polite. It''s Sumi''s birthday. Sara grinned. And she sits in her chair, "I was just kidding." At that moment, Maria arrived. She peeked into the dining room, "Sumi~," and as soon as Sumi saw her, she let out a delighted squeal. "Maria!"Maria knelt, catching the little girl in a warm embrace. Leon crossed his arms, watching and smiling. "We were waiting for you," he said. Maria stood and hugged him as well. "It''s been a long time, Leon. We missed you a lot."Masao, standing on a chair, leaned toward Leon''s ear and whispered mischievously, "She means she missed you a lot. She just won''t say it straight." Maria tugged Masao''s cheeks softly. "What do you mean? That''s rude!" Leon smirked, ruffling Masao''s hair. "You''ve grown taller."Roy took out a recorder, capturing the moment for memories. "Alright! Let''s cut the cake," he announced and grabbed a party bomb.Sumi gets down from her chair, grabs Leon''s hand, and pulls him to the cake. Climbing back onto the chair, she said, "Brother, blow the candle with me." Leon couldn''t refuse. But Leon requests others to join in¡ªMaria, Masao, Sara, Roy, Noor, Hima, and Elena. Together, they blew out the candles, and a joyful chorus rang out:"Happy birthday, Sumi!"Today, she turned nine. They cut the cake, feeding each other bites. Even Leon, who normally avoided sweets due to his diabetes, took a bite from Sumi''s hand. Roy snapped a picture of them all¡ªan image for the family album, a frame to hold their happiness. Leon looked at Sumi with kind and grateful eyes. "Just in a blink of an eye, they have all grown up," he hoped for their never-ending welfare.aterLater night, unwrapped gifts. Sumi found her favorite doll, candy, chocolates, chips, dresses, shoes, sandals, and even a new bedsheet. The children divided the snacks among themselves, but being kids, a few playful fights broke out.Sara, the eldest at twelve, was usually the most responsible, but even she had her childish moments, teasing the younger ones. Leon had brought her a small purse. Her eyes lit up. "Thank you! I love you, brother!" She kissed Leon on the cheeks and dashed to her room, pulling out her savings from beneath her bed, and filled the purse with her coins and notes. Leon smiled, watching her excitement.The night stretched on, laughter and chatter filling the air. Kids played till midnight with Leon. One by one, the children dozed off tired. Noah fell asleep on Maria''s lap. She carefully carried her to bed, laying her beside Sara and Sumi before turning off the lights. Leon, meanwhile, rocked the youngest, Hima, to sleep in his lap. With a final glance at the peaceful faces of the children, he gestured to Maria to switch off the lights and close the door softly. At the dining table, Maria and Noor were eating their meal. Leon checked the clock on the wall¡ªit was 1:27 AM. "I think, I should get ready." It was time. Maria frowned. "What now? Where are you going this late?". Leon says, "I have to testify in the private court of¡ªCentralized Political Unconventional Security. About everything I did in Feropia. I''ll be back tomorrow." He turned to Roy. "Look after the kids for me. Call me if there''s a problem. I should be done by tomorrow evening." "And maybe Kenzo will be coming. He might stay for a few days. Prepare a meal for him. Also¡ªmake sure Sumi understands; she might get angry again, so spend time with her. And Maria, don''t yell at the kids." Maria, stuffing food into her mouth, retorted, "I don''t yell. A little scolding is necessary. Otherwise, they''ll never learn anything." Leon shook his head with a kind smile and headed to his room. He changed into a simple blue shirt and jeans. At 2:10 AM,¡ªAM, his phone rang. The officers were waiting outside for him. Leon stepped out, they handcuffed him and he hopped inside the car... Soon after that, Maria went back home. She reached home and slowly opens the door, Manabu and the others were still asleep¡ªexcept for Mion, who was in the washroom. As Maria entered, Mion glanced up, rubbing her eyes. "Where were you this late?" she asked. Maria simply replied, "Just had some work outside." She was exhausted. Without another word, she went to her room, sank into her bed, and drifted into sleep. Meanwhile, Leon was completely quiet on the way to the court. The actual reason for the midnight court was to keep the information secret since it was an undercover project to stabilize the core of Lafiaza. Both officers, Morgan Brownhat and Investigator Paul, were unofficial members of the CPUS-Intelligence-Arms. Right now, their job was to keep an eye on Leon and help him complete his given task with the necessary accessories. Otherwise, they were also investigators of the CPUS-Intelligence. Morgan asked if Leon had slept well since his eyes had turned red. He knew Leon was the kind of guy who wouldn''t rest until his job was done. Leon denied it and said a coffee would do. Morgan opened his service coffee can and gave one to Leon through the bars of the car. Leon thanked him for his act of kindness. Morgan asked about his family¡ªhe knew Leon very well since he had watched over him most of the time; it was his main task given by the authority. Leon took a sip and said, "Today was Sumi''s birthday, and she turned 9 this month." Morgan knew each kid in the family. Leon had once introduced him to the children, and Morgan had enjoyed spending time with them. It reminded him of his own daughter, who also turned 9 before she died of cancer. Soon after, his wife passed away too. Leon looked at the front glass of the car and noticed Morgan''s baby-like sad face. He then invited him to Masao''s birthday on May 3rd. Morgan smirked, seeming happy. Leon laughed and said, "It''s just a payback since you looked after my family when I was in Feropia. And I also know about your daughter. Maybe this will cheer you up a little." "I bet," Morgan said. Paul also laughed, seeing Morgan being treated like an old man. They reached the court. Leon was handcuffed. On the stairs, many lawyers and officers were waiting. Today, four criminals were to be testified, and three of them had already given their testimony. Leon was the final one. It was 4 AM. The weather seemed heavy and cloudy; it could rain at any moment. Leon entered a massive, dimly lit room on the first floor. The place was so vast that it could easily accommodate 200 people with enough space to breathe. Its architecture was unbelievable. The room was in the middle of the Lafiaza Supreme Court, which itself stood at the heart of Lafiaza. Most laws and regulations were passed from here. It was an honor to stand in this part of Lafiaza, even as a criminal. Leon saw a staircase in the center of the room, surrounded by lawyers sitting all around it. He stepped onto it, and suddenly, three lights flashed. The judges had arrived.Their faces couldn''t be seen due to the light behind them. They were sitting at a high place. Leon looked up at them as his testimony began. But first, Leon was told the rule of the court: The questions asked must be answered only with yes or no. Arguments were not allowed; evidence would speak and argue on his behalf. The judge in the middle commanded: "All six officers who have been keeping an eye on Leon for the last few months in Feropia, step forward! Four were sent from our motherland, and the other two were Feropian investigators. Justify Leon''s innocence." First, Mr. Dazinba, who was supposed to monitor Leon three days a week for the first three months, stepped forward and submitted all the reports he had collected. The lawyers read them, and Mr. Dazinba spoke: If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. "Your Honor in my observation, Leon is innocent. He committed no crime, only followed the authority and focused on the tasks assigned to him. During my schedule, I never saw him commit any crime." No one argued back. It was clear that Leon was innocent for the 35 days of Mr. Dazinba''s schedule. "Next! Mr. Crawnald, a renowned investigator of our motherland! Step forward." He had been assigned to watch Leon two days a week for the first three months. His report also stated Leon was innocent. "Your Honor! Leon is innocent. He committed no crime in my sight and followed his orders according to my reports and schedule." One by one, all officers gave their statements. At the fourth place, Mr. Kenzo stood up. He looked at Leon, a bit nervous, then handed over his reports. "Your Honor! Leon is innocent. He committed no crime in my sight and followed his orders according to my schedule." Kenzo had watched Leon for the last three months, two days a week. Finally, the last officer stood up and justified Leon''s innocence as well. Morning, 10:30 AM¡ªthe court ended. Leon was free to go and had officially passed the court. He could now roam freely, at least for the time being. He walked out with Kenzo and stretched with a sigh of relief. Kenzo had been nervous, but they had passed together once again. Kenzo praised Leon for planning everything so precisely. Leon had actually committed unauthorized and unofficial crimes at someone''s request. Only Kenzo knew about it, besides Leon himself. To execute this plan, he had to catch a giant shark with just a snail¡ªDaima. Leon planned it all, according to the schedule. Six officers were supposed to spy on him without his realization. Leon had Kenzo''s help, of course. During the first three months¡ªOctober, November, and December¡ªthree officers spied on him continuously. So, he avoided raising suspicion. Meanwhile, he used Kenzo to approach Daima and manipulate him. It was risky to not be present in person, but Kenzo did a fine job of getting close to Daima. By December, Leon had started using Daima to execute his plans¡ªthe unofficial killings (requested killings). At the same time, Mr. Santa arrived. Leon was completely unsuspected of being Santa in the eyes of the first three officers, as he was following orders. But Leon had bigger plans. There was an interlinked connection between the officers. "When a guy spreads a rumor about someone, ten out of twenty will believe it blindly. And the same works the opposite way." For the first three months, Leon only killed officially encountered criminals and used Daima to execute the unauthorized ones. Kenzo helped record it. This made Leon appear as an obedient soldier in front of the officers. As a result, the first three officers fully trusted Leon''s loyalty to the authority. Naturally, they would relay their perspective to the next set of officers. Once Leon was in their good books, he started his real game. When Kami requested the authority to give an extra task to Leon to retrieve his son, Leon denied taking the task immediately. He told Kami to wait until he said so, buying himself time. Kami wasn''t bothered at all. By December, when he finally received his task from Kami, he had more freedom to move. Now, he could plot more carefully.He continued using Daima for the schedules of the remaining two officers while getting directly involved during Kenzo''s schedule. The day he called Mion? That was also Kenzo''s schedule date. The night he planned to kill Daima and take Manabu? Also Kenzo''s schedule. Leon was sneakily killing his enemies. Kenzo presented the proof he and Leon had fabricated about Daima. The Santa case was officially closed. Manabu and his friends were reported missing, and soon, the case would be closed as well. In short, everything went exactly as planned. After the Court, Leon was pretty tired and hungry. He was hungry too. He and Kenzo had breakfast together with Morgan and Paul. After breakfast, Morgan drove them home. By 1 PM, they arrived. Morgan waved goodbye and drove off. Kenzo rang the doorbell. Noor opened it. The kids had just woken up, and when they saw Kenzo, they got excited and hugged him. It had been years since they last saw him. Roy shook hands with him. "How''s everything going, Mr. Kenzo?" Roy greeted him like a friend. Kenzo, exhausted, said, "I was awake all night. I need some rest."Roy took him to his room. Leon noticed Noor seemed concerned. "What happened? Is everything alright?" he asked. Noor hesitated before saying, "Master Leon, last night, Ms. Maria left alone at 3 AM. I told her to stay the night, but she didn''t listen." Leon''s jaw hardened in anger. "Why? Why would Maria leave the house so late at night? Didn''t I say no one should go out alone after midnight? Who will take responsibility if something happens to her?" Roy returned in the middle of their conversation and confirmed the same thing."I told that her too but she''s really stubborn." Leon sighs in anger to calm himself. "I''ll talk to her later. But first, I need to meet Kami again." Roy sighed. "Again? Don''t you ever get tired?" Leon smirked. And took the car key "This is my last job. I promise. Then, I''m done for a week." And With that, Leon left in his car. At the end of the afternoon¡ª Maria woke up, and stretched while yawning. She had slept well. She starts Looking around, everyone was gone. "They woke up already?" she mumbled. Suddenly something smelled really good¡ªspicy and rich. She sniffed again, following the aroma. Tossing off her blanket, she walked toward the kitchen, where she found Mion cooking. No one was home but just her and Mion. Maria approached her and peeked over her shoulder. "Fish curry? It look tasty."Looking around, she noticed all the dishes were already done. "You did all this all by yourself?" she asked. Mion replied to her in a strange manner, "I couldn''t stand the smell of the kitchen. Seriously, what kind of drink did we have last night?" Maria smiled awkwardly. She had no idea either. But the curry smelled sweet, spicy and flavorful. Mion tasted it¡ªit was perfectly cooked. It just needed to simmer on low heat for a while. She covered the pot and pulled out a chair at the dining table, sitting down. Maria also took a seat. A question lingering in Maria''s mind, but she was hasitating to ask,¡ª''Should I ask Or not?'' she couldn''t make a decision. Mion looked at her face and could tell she wanted to say something. "What do you want to ask?" Mion said. Maria, startled, glanced around. "Who? Me?" Mion groaned. "Who else is here?" Maria asked. "Where''s Manabu and your friends?" Mion answered, "Manabu and others went to the Kami''s officer. Leon came to get them¡­ I didn''t go." That explained why Mion seemed in a bad mood. But Maria had no idea what had happened between them. Suddenly, Mion turned to her. "How was Leon? I mean¡­ how did you meet him? Tell me about him." Maria put a finger on her lips, and starts blushing while recalling. "I last saw Leon almost a year ago. Back then, he was very quiet and reserved¡­but now, it''s like he''s grown ants'' wings." Mion frowned. "I meant how did you meet each other, like what does he do? Have you ever seen him act strange or crazy? Maria glanced around before leaning in slightly, signaling Mion to come closer. "I''ll tell you a secret, but promise me you won''t tell anyone." Mion pinky-promised her. Maria whispered, "Leon''s actually a nice guy, but sometimes¡­ he does things that are so bizarre and wild that it makes me wonder if he''s actually a psychopath. Like you said." Mion raised an eyebrow. "Bizarre things? Like what?" Maria finds it hard and creepy to tell, but¡ª"Sometimes, when he''s angry, he bites his own fingers uncontrollably, until they bleed or the flesh comes out."She recalled an incident when she had gone into the bathroom to grab some hand soap. She had found the bathtub covered in blood. Later, she noticed Leon''s fingers¡ªhis flesh had been torn. And when she asked him straight, he said he was angry at someone, but he''s fine now.Mion, however, wasn''t really surprised. Since she was already convinced that Leon is insane.Maria continued, sharing another story. "One time, he was standing on the top floor of his orphanage during a rainstorm. At first, I thought he was crying. But suddenly, he started breathing abnormally and screamed like a madman. Then, out of nowhere, he collapsed." Maria''s voice turned softer. "I rushed to him. Everyone in the house heard his scream¡ªeven through the rain. He screamed so loud his mouth and nose started bleeding uncontrollably. It was embarrassing, but¡­ I was crying at that moment. He wouldn''t wake up, and the bleeding wouldn''t stop. After a while, a doctor came, gave him some medicine, and told him to rest."Mion sighed. I can''t trust an idiot like her; she''s no use to me¡­ Mion thought that Maria had no idea about Leon. But then Maria said something that caught Mion off guard. "I think Leon went to jail once." Mion froze and turned immediately. "What?! Jail? Why?" Maria explained, "I overheard my dad and some other people talking. At first I thought Leon to be either an undercover agent for CPUS-Intelligence¡­ or a criminal."The curry was ready. Mion quickly turned off the stove and sat back down. "Please continue," she urged. Maria tried to recall the conversation. "Leon was probably taken for some important mission or something. I overheard my father on the phone. He said they would need Leon¡­ and that he might be used for something called ''The Ostrich Project''." Mion gets confused since she had literally zero knowledge about Lafiaza. "What is The Ostrich?" Maria explained, It''s a local gang that has become massive. Apparently, their leader disappeared. She guesses that Leon was assigned to find the leader. "That''s why I thought he could be an investigator or a secret agent. But maybe he''s bound by a set of rules. Thinking of him as an agent sounds stupid¡ªhe''s just 18. But then I heard rumors, and my dad mentioned something else¡­"Maria hesitated to say, "He said some criminals were being legally released to work for CPUS-Intelligence." Mion tensed. Maria let out a nervous laugh. "I might sound crazy, but at some point, I started doubting whether he''s actually a criminal or not. The allegations against him were so messed up¡­ it almost seemed impossible for someone like him to commit." Her frown deepens, and she seems really comfortable.Mion''s curiosity deepened. "What allegations?"Maria hesitated and told her to forget. "They''re nonsense. Better to ignore them." But Mion wanted to know. "Tell me; I want to know." Maria grew even more uncomfortable. "Some people say¡­ he murdered a priest. And that he¡­ did something terrible to a girl." Mion leaned closer and got louder. "He did what? Maria, what did he do?!" Maria squirmed in her seat. "They say he¡­ raped her." Mion went completely silent. Even though she hated him, she still couldn''t believe it. Maria quickly changed the subject. "Forget it. Let''s talk about something else." Mion agreed, though the thought lingered in her mind. Then Maria said something even more unsettling. "When Leon was sent to get Manabu, he was strictly ordered not to harm or cause any damage to you or anyone else. If he did¡­ he might receive the death penalty from the authorities. That''s why I was really scared."That made Mion drown in her thoughts. She narrowed her eyes, deep in thought. "What? Wait... So, according to this¡­ Leon can''t harm us or anyone else, or he''ll get the death penalty.""But¡­ he has hurt people. He''s even killed them.""Then why hasn''t the authority taken action?"Mion started sweating. What if the authority only punishes him if he gets caught committing a crime? That means¡­ does the authority actually know what he''s doing?Mion''s heartbeat quickened. "Is CPUS-Intelligence aware of Leon''s actions? And his hidden intentions?" Her mind raced." " WAS HE JUST BLUFFING?!" Chapter 15: I have a condition At 1 pm... Taiju woke up much earlier than usual, his mind swirling with some thought. Mion and Mai were already awake, but Manabu was still deep in sleep. Silently, Taiju tiptoed into Maira''s room. Carefully, without making any kind noise he reached under her pillow and retrieved her phone. Mai watched him stealing the phone but said nothing. As Taiju stepped outside and close the door, Mai asked, "What are you planning to do with that?" Taiju gestured for her to stay quiet. His hands trembled slightly as he dialed number of his parents.The phone wasn''t locked. Taiju quickly dialed his mom''s number. Mion saw then standing in the hall blabbing something at the corner, asked him curiously and quite loudly¡ªwhat''s going on?. Mai grabbed her mouth." Don''t make any noise." She whispered in to her ears. The phone rings, holding the phone to his ear, Taiju stepped toward the window, hoping for better reception. No one picked up, he tried again and again but poor connection frustrated him, he tried one last time. This time, the phone rang. After few moments his mom answered the call, ''Yes? Who is this?'' His mother''s voice brought tears to his eyes. Taiju slid the balcony glass and stood outside, "Mother, it''s me, Taiju. And listen, we''re in trouble. We''ve been kidnapped."At first, she couldn''t believe it since it was so sudden, out of nowhere; she thought he was joking. But Taiju''s frantic voice gave her tension. Mai leaned in, speaking into the phone, interrupting Taiju, "Aunty, Taiju is telling the truth. We''re in Lafiaza."Silence. Then, a rustle on the other end of the line. His mother was thinking. She kept them on hold while she tried calling Taiju''s father, but he was busy at work and didn''t pick up. When she returned to the call, she was now worried, with clear anxiousness in her tone. "Where exactly are you? What''s going on right now?" Mai took the phone from him and answered, "Aunty, we''re at Colonel''s Valley, 34th Street, Lafiaza."Taiju''s mother grew even more anxious. "Are you serious? How did you even reach Lafiaza? And what about your passports? How is this possible?"Before she could say more, the doorbell rang. Mion moved to get it. Taiju, panicked, quickly ended the call, rushed back to Maria''s room, and slid the phone under her pillow as if nothing had happened. Mion opened the door. It was Leon standing outside, checking the time on his wristwatch. As the cold night air drifted in, he glanced up and asked, "Where''s Manabu? It''s urgent."Mion leaned against the doorframe and replied strangely. "Oh, he''s still asleep. What do you need?" Leon was a little confused by her strange behavior, but he ignored it and told her he had been sent on Kami''s orders. He was there to take them to Kami''s office and then drop them off¡ªthat was all.Inside, Manabu stirred awake. His head pounded¡ªlast night''s drinks had hit harder than expected. Groggy, he glanced outside and saw Leon at the door. Leon met his gaze and repeated his question, "Are you ready?" Manabu yawned while scratching his hair and chin and went back inside to get dressed. Taiju, however, grabbed his wrist. His voice was a little curious and confused, almost pleading, "Manabu, what''s your decision? You want to stay? I hope not. What are you thinking? "Manabu shook his head, a small yet firm gesture. He had already made up his mind. Whatever happened next¡ªhe would face it. With that, he calmed the others down and got ready. Taiju didn''t argue further; he was just hoping he would make the right choice. Mion said they wouldn''t be coming with them, since Leon will be with them. And strangely, Manabu didn''t force her either.Leon notes the time again¡ªand Manabu was ready at 2:13, exactly. They stepped outside. Manabu was still dizzy and tired; they noticed Leon''s silver-designed black car. ''The Doks master brand'' is a quite popular and expensive brand. Manabu couldn''t help but admire its design and look¡ªit was luxurious, expensive too. Leon kicks the tire of the car and says. "It''s just ''Twelve hundred thousand Baticon'' (Beticon is Lafiaza''s currency). And in front there was a special logic design. He gestured to the insignia on the front¡ªa Lafiaza''s coin with the white Wings of Liberty (white wings of liberty symbolize Lafiaza''s treasure). Any car bearing this symbol is untouchable in Lafiaza. No one would dare stop it. Since it can only be owned by the concern of the government of Lafiaza. "Enough chatter. Let''s go." Leon told them to grab seatbelts. As they drove to Kami''s office, Taiju asked, "Mr. Kami¡­ I mean, Manabu''s father¡­ What exactly does he do?" Leon answered, "He''s a politician. The right-hand man of the current president, ''Madaq Kibwarda.'' . Everyone in this country, your dad¡ªfor his kindness and unshakable sense of justification." Manabu rested his chin on his hand, staring out the window, lost in thought. A decision had to be made.Lafiaza was breathtaking. Despite the tension, Taiju and Mai found themselves staring out the window, mesmerized by the beauty of the city. This place is undoubtedly beautiful.Soon, they arrived at Kami''s office¡ªa grand building bustling with politicians, police officers, lawyers, and other officials. Leon led them inside, walking with a confidence that made others step aside. They took the stairs to Kami''s room.Inside, Kami sat silently in his chair. As they entered, he stood up, called for his staff, and ordered coffee for everyone. Mai politely declined, opting for black tea instead.Leon refused altogether¡ªhe wouldn''t be staying long. But Kami insisted him to for a short discussion. Leon had no issues with it. The drinks arrived. Kami request for Manabu to sit on the sofa and asked directly, "So, Manabu¡­ What have you decided?" Manabu took a slow sip of coffee. Then, in a calm voice, he replied, "I''ll stay."Taiju and Mai jolted in shock. They spilled their coffee. Taiju shot up from his seat, yelling, "Are you insane?! What do you mean you''ll stay?!" But Manabu wasn''t done speaking. "¡ªBut, in one condition. Taiju, Mai, and Mion must be sent back safely." Taiju stared at him, mouth slightly open, "unbelievable." Taiju hoped for something else, but after what he had just heard, he sat crossing his arms and started biting his teeth in rage. Mai didn''t like it either; she grabbed her cup and poured her black tea into Manabu''s coffee¡ªruining it.The liquid splashed onto his pants. If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. He jumped up, "Ugh! What the hell?!"Mai wasn''t done. She flung the rest of her tea onto his shirt. "Stay?! Have you lost your mind?! You want to stay behind while we leave?!" Kami remained calm, signaling his staff to bring tissues. They quickly cleaned up Manabu''s clothes. Still frustrated, Manabu turned to Taiju and Mai, "If you stay with me, your families will get involved. Do you have any idea what they must be going through right now? We''ve been missing for days!"In that moment of tension, Taiju accidentally blurted out, "I¡­ I already told my parents where we are." Kami had an idea; he proposed an alternative willingly. "Then why not bring Taiju and Mai''s families to Lafiaza? I can provide them with the best facilities here. They can settle in, and you three can enroll at ''The Nosco Loc College and University'' . I''ll arrange everything for you, along with Manabu."Taiju and Mai hesitated. They didn''t want to stay, but they couldn''t leave Manabu alone either.After a long silence, Taiju asked for some time; he couldn''t decide right now. "I''ll talk to my parents." Manabu hadn''t wanted to drag them into this mess. But before he could say anything, Mai grabbed both his lips together, sealed his mouth, and glared at him. "Enough of your nonsense. Just shut up already! Not another word." Just then, someone knocked on the door. Leon quickly walked up and opened the door wide. Outside, some government officials and a few members of CPUS-Intelligence had arrived. Leon fully opened the door, and Kami requested they come inside and get comfortable. The staff cleaned the sofa for them, and they all sat down. Kami quickly introduced Manabu to them. Among them, the most senior member stood up and shook hands with Manabu. "I am Fredrick Charles, senior investigator of the Centralized Political Unconventional Security Intelligence. It''s my pleasure to meet you." Manabu introduced himself formally. The guy already liked Manabu''s formality and behavior. "Unlike your dad, you''re smart. Maybe it''s time to replace your old man. In the future, I would like to work with you in place of your father. I''m quite bored of his small talking old man." Fredrick laughs his teeth out.Now it was time for Manabu and his friends to leave; Fredrick shook hands with his friends. But they had to wait a little longer since Leon had some discussions with them. Fredrick gives his best wishes to them before leaving. Now the discussion begins. Manabu and his friends waited outside without causing any trouble.Outside, an older man was smoking without saying anything. They waited quietly. But the man looked at Manabu and began to laugh. Manabu didn''t understand, but the man turned to him and extended his hand, offering a handshake. "I''m a friend of your father. You don''t know me, but I know you really well." Manabu accepted his humble offer; he was glad because Kami finally found both his son and daughter. "Peace! Now, he can get retired like me. Since now it''s time for the son to feed his old boring father!" Manabu awkwardly smiled because he didn''t know him, and the man was speaking so loudly everyone was staring at them. The man introduced himself¡ª ''Colonel Da Graham''. He had been a soldier and a colonel in a war 30 years ago, playing a crucial role. Now, he was retired and living a simple life."I wanted to make my son a soldier, too, but he died in the war," he said. Taiju, annoyed by the old man''s chatter, said, "Who the fuck is he?" Mai pinched him on the waist, telling him, "Shut up, let him be."A few minutes later, the old man started smoking again inside the government office. Taiju thought to himself, "What a careless guy. Smoking in a place like this." Leon checked his wristwatch: 3:49. It was getting late, but he would drop them home. Colonel saw Leon and smiled, rushing toward him. "Leon! My tiger! How''s everything going?" Leon politely responded, "I''m doing great, finished my job, got my salary (bounty payment), and now I''m going to drop them home." Seeing the cigarette in the Colonel''s hand, Leon took it and threw it on the ground. "I told you, smoking isn''t good," he said. The Colonel laughed childishly, "I''m old now, and if smoking had any effect on me, I would''ve died in the war 30 years ago." He laughed loudly. Leon ignores his chattering and glanced at his watch again¡ª3:51. "I think I should go now." The Colonel didn''t stop him and waved goodbye.Leon drove them all the way home. On the way, Manabu, still curious, asked, "What were you discussing inside?" Leon responded, "Why do you want to know?" Manabu was just a bit curious since he still didn''t understand his actual role in everything. But Leon didn''t answer directly and just said it was a personal matter, strictly not to be shared. Manabu didn''t ask any more questions. Leon dropped them home. While driving, He felt a throbbing pain in his head. He felt empty and weak. He was exhausted. Once inside his house, he took off his clothes and hung them on a hanger. Maria was playing with the kids, but when she saw Leon''s condition, she hurried over and helped him lie down in bed. Leon''s body was burning up, possibly with a fever. Maria rushed to get a thermometer to check his temperature. Leon said he didn''t need it and just needed a bit of rest. Maria didn''t argue and left him to sleep.Kenzo, who had been outside, saw Leon''s condition and commented, "He''s been working nonstop for the past 3-4 days without sleeping or any kind of rest¡­ sometimes, it''s hard to watch him struggle like this. He might not last long at this rate." Maria replied, "Then you should talk to him, help him understand." But Kenzo knew that wouldn''t work, not anymore. "At least not after what Leon went through today. He''s been through so much pain. He''s witnessed the lowest and most selfish sides of people. He wants to endure this pain, so his family doesn''t have to. People don''t die easily. It''s a painful process. But Leon is doing everything he can for his family." Maria came back with the thermometer and found that Leon''s temperature was 112¡ãF. His body had become incredibly weak. Maria quickly gave him some medicine, and Leon slowly sat up, took the medicine, and then fell back into a deep sleep. Maria tucked him in with a blanket, feeling grateful to have Leon as part of her family. She knew how much pain he had been through, both physically and emotionally. He never took advantage of others, even in his suffering.Kenzo, after some thought, said, "What you''re saying is true, but from Leon''s perspective, it''s quite different. What Leon really thinks is this: ''When a person goes through pain, gets hurt, and suffers... how can I stay peaceful? They are no different from me, so how can I enjoy my life while others suffer in vain? What do I have to complain about?'' This is his main perspective. He tries to help others, but he''s just a human, not a superhero. That''s why he struggles. People like him are rare. He can''t do everything, but he tries his best. At least for his family''s welfare." Maria smiled big and said, "That''s why I like him so much." Kenzo always told her to stay with Leon, especially after he would leave for a long time. She agreed, "I''m always ready to be there for Leon when he needs me. I guess we should let him rest now." "You''re right," Kenzo said.They closed the door, letting Leon rest. After a long time, I was able to sleep peacefully. All his work was done, and he could finally rest in some peace... Chapter 16: The Opthalmologist of Rosemary The golden sky painted the morning of March 30 with a textured glow¡ªIn the quiet town of Zbargan, Rosemary, Dr. Alversanola lived a happy life with his small yet tightly-knit family. His family included his mother, father, wife, sister-in-law, and even his mother-in-law, forming a home filled with warmth, gratitude and companionship. A dedicated ophthalmologist by profession, Dr. Alversanola had spent his entire life in Rosemary¡ªhis birthplace, his sanctuary, and the center of everything he held dear. Each morning, at precisely 9 AM, he arrived at his clinic, a man of unwavering discipline and responsibility. Before leaving for his clinic at the end of the street, he placed a gentle kiss on his loving wife''s forehead¡ªa quiet beauty of love that had become second nature to him. His kindness and integrity earned him the respect of all who knew him. Upon reaching his clinic, he noticed an elderly man patiently sitting outside on a public bench, his hands folded over his old long stick. His name was Muhammad Ishaq a formal patient of his. As Dr. Alversanola approached the door of this clinic, the old man slowly stood up and greeted him with a quiet smile. The doctor smiled and unlocked the clinic''s door. When they went inside he asked the man to wait for little longer. With no complaint, the elderly gentleman nodded and sat back down. Meanwhile, the clinic''s head nurse arrived, It was a young boy of no more than thirteen; Yuru. The child''s eyes held a quiet desperation¡ªhis parents were both gravely ill, requiring expensive treatment, but he had no means to support them. His pain and helplessness moved his heart, he decides to help the poor child, offered him to become a nurse at the clinic, ensuring he would earn a fairwage. The boy, overwhelmed with gratitude, whenever he gets his wage of the month, he would clung to the doctor, cry for moment with the tears of joy and gratefulness, wipe his tears and setting to back work from the next day with quiet satisfying smile that genuinely melts doctor''s heart . Not once did Dr. Alversanola scold him for any mistakes, nor did he overburden him with tasks. The boy, eager to prove himself, would begin cleaning the clinic the moment he stepped inside. With a gentle nod, the doctor then turned his attention back to Muhammad Ishaq. He beckoned the elderly man inside, who, despite his slow and deliberate movements, carried an air of quiet dignity. Following the doctor''s instruction, he pulled out a chair and settled into it, "Doctor, I had come to you before regarding my friend. You tested my eyes and prescribed me glasses, I don''t quite recognize the name. and it was really helpful, I could not read books and see everything clearly, everything was fine. But suddenly once again, after nearly eight or nine long months, my sight has begun to dull once again." Dr. Alversanola listened to him while maintaining his usual calm composure. He leaned closer, meticulously examining the patient''s pupils, assessing their dilation and responsiveness. He was afraid that the old man had either presbyopia or astigmatism. Since these cases were common at the time. He called Yuru and tells him to bring the whiteborad, without a question Yuru retrieved a whiteboard on which words were inscribed in varying font sizes, ranging from the minuscule to the boldly prominent. "Stand at a distance and read these aloud," the doctor instructed to the old man. The elderly man turned to the board squinted, struggling to see the words. He could barely discern the letters at 72pt (25.50mm) and 100pt (approximately 34mm), whereas, during his last visit, he had managed to read even the 48pt (17mm) size text without difficulty. Dr. Alversanola sighed inwardly, his suspicions confirmed. "You have presbyopia," he informed the man with a grave yet gentle tone. "It is a common affliction among individuals aged fifty to sixty. And unfortunately, much like the graying of hair or the frailty of bones, it is an inevitable consequence of aging. Your condition has progressed, and we''ll need to adjust your prescription." the doctor scribbled a new prescription for bifocal lenses, also known as double-vision glasses, altering the lens power to accommodate the deterioration. The old man made a long face for dissatisfaction. "The human eye is among the most delicate of all bodily organs, its tissues are exceptionally soft and fragile. Much like our inability to permanently halt the progression of age, certain conditions¡ªsuch as this¡ªor myopia, hyperopia, or astigmatism¡ªcan only be managed or cured by advance surgeries but cannot be cured permanently. Moreover, our country lacks advanced surgical equipment of sufficient quality to provide an alternative solution. And because of the war the situation have worsen." The elderly man absorbed his words with quiet acceptance, nodding as understanding settled upon him. "I understand, Doctor," he smiled, and with a respectful nod, he took his leave. Dr. Alversanola watched him go, a lingering sense of melancholy pooling in his chest. He sighs.¡ªHe likely does not trust me¡­and most likely he won''t return anymore. He looked at Yuru while leaning back on his chair. Looking little closely he notice a fresh wound adorning the His ear. His brows furrowed in concern. He walked at him and grabbed his ears. "Have you been fighting?" he inquired, yet he don''t act unkind. Yuru occupied with meticulously cleaning the surgical equipment, did not immediately respond. He scratches his eyebrows and denied. But Alversa was not convinced. He examined the wound more closely. It was fresh and had little blood stick to it. Without a single word, he takes antiseptic and bandages from the medicine shelf, then carefully cleaned the injury with fatherly care, ensuring the boy fells as seldom pain possible. "This is not a serious injury, but you should be more careful," he rubbed the dirty sticky skin, dabbing the area gently. Yuru said nothing, but smiled in gratitude. At that moment, the rhythmic sound of knuckles rapping against the door. A soft cough followed before a familiar voice chimed in. "How wholesome, Doctor Alversanola," his wife mused as she stepped inside the clinic, her lips curling into an amused smile. "You always treat children with such tenderness¡­ And yet, when I ask for one of our own, you refuse. That''s quite rude" With a teasing, she strode toward him, grasped his tie, and pulled him close¡ªso close that their lips nearly touched. Alversa''s whole body shakes, his composure slipping into mild embarrassment. The boy averted his eyes, pretending to focus on his work, slightly distracted. "Didn''t I told you to not flirt with me at my clinic," Alversa pushes her behind. Quite a gentle touch¡ªHusband~. His wife only loved to discomfort him. She placed a neatly wrapped package before his chest. "You must be hungry, here''s your breakfast, you left it on the table. And as your responsible and caring wife, I am really heartbroken. And when you return home, I expect a handwritten apology letter on scented paper with your expensive pen. No excuses. Otherwise," she wrapped her hands around him and whispers, "tonight''s punishment will be far more harsh then the last time..." And she gently bites his ear playfully and leaves blushing. Dr. Alversanola momentarily stunned. Yuru failed to pretend and couldn''t control his laughter any longer. covered his mouth with his hand. The doctor, now slightly exasperated, pinched Yuru''s waist. Yuru yelped, squirming away with a fit of uncontrollable giggles. He was particularly ticklish, and even the slightest prod would send him into a frenzy. You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story. Alversanola never eats breakfast, lunch, snacks alone¡ªhe need a partner to share. He gave more than two toasted break and an egg to Yuru. However, when it came to sweets, he was far less generous, often hid them away for himself or later. As the evening settled and the last of his appointments concluded, he closed the clinic at five. On his way home, he saw a group of children playing cricket in a narrow alleyway. A flicker of nostalgia just him. "Young those days!" He approaching them, just for one shot. "May I take a single shot?" The children exchanged glance with each other and requested, "Join us for a match, Doctor! We''re one player short." Even better, Dr. Alversanola agreed immediately, and spend time in a carefree five-over match. From that day onward, it became a routine; every evening, he would play cricket with them. When he finally arrived home, he noticed house was empty¡ªhis parents, his in-laws¡­ everyone was gone. He panicked. He called his mother-in-law''s residence, but no one answered. Before he could contemplate further, someone whistle from behind. Turning, he found his wife standing behind him, clad in nothing but a soft cotton robe. She was wet and had wearied nothing inside. "Hey, husband," she purred. "They won''t be back until tomorrow. I sent them to my mother''s house." Na?ve as ever, Dr. Alversanola frowned. Didn''t realized the trap."Why?" His wife smirked, stepping closer, her fingers curling around his wrist as she pulled him toward the bedroom. "You''re so innocent, still unaware gonna happen? I recall telling you," she whispered in his ear, "that your tonight''s punishment would be really hard." Before he could react, she shoved him onto the bed, straddling him with predatory ease "Where is my letter, dear husband?" Dr. Alversanola stiffened, realizing too late that he had fallen into her trap. She leaned in, her fingers deftly undoing the buttons of his shirt and jeans. "I guess you wanna get devoured after all,¡ªTonight," she whispered, her body on top of him. "you will learn your lesson." With a sultry chuckle, she pulled the strings of her robe, letting the fabric slip away and turns the lights off¡ªto get the moods on. 4 April, at 2:12 PM¡ª Leon remained bedridden, his body in unbearable pain, weighed down by exhaustion and fever. He had some medicine Maria brought for him. Suddenly, his feverish sleep was abruptly disturbed by Maria¡¯s loud screams and yelling. She was scolding them for breaking Sarah and Sumi''s bed, tearing through the silence of the house. It hit Leon''s ears and made his headache worse. "All day long, you run around like wild animals! Can¡¯t you sit still for once? And look at this mess! The bed is ruined! Clothes are scattered everywhere! What is this place, an animal park?" Leon groaned in annoyance, pressing his palm to his forehead, and tried to get up even though his muscles felt like tearing apart. His vision swam slightly as he staggered out of bed and made his way toward the children''s room upstairs, where Maria was yelling at Masao and some other kids in frustration. She was scolding the younger ones for breaking the bed racks of Sumi and Sarah''s bed, her voice harsh and loud. Leon carefully walked upstairs, trying not to collapse on the stairs. He stepped up while holding the handrails. He slowly pushed the door open and snapped, ¡°Maria! That¡¯s enough! Stop yelling at them!¡± Leon¡¯s voice was rough, laced with irritation and exhaustion. Maria turned, her expression softening immediately as she noticed Leon¡¯s pale complexion. ¡°You should be resting,¡± her anger turned into wifely concern. But Leon didn''t give a damn. ¡°What happened? Why are you shouting?¡± Maria huffed, crossing her arms. ¡°They¡¯ve trashed the room again! Masao jumped on Sumi''s bed so much that the damn thing broke.¡± Masao was already on the verge of tears, his small hands clutching the hem of his shirt. He was trying to hold his tears back, but at last, he burst out crying. He ran straight to Leon and started complaining about Maria, wrapping his arms around his waist. "She''s been saying things to me! She''s a bad sister! She doesn''t like me! She can''t stand me! She can''t stand me!" Leon lifted Masao into his arms even though he couldn''t even stand properly. Maria''s jaw was wide open in shock after what Masao said. She''s cooked. He looked at Maria and said, ¡°They¡¯re just kids, Maria. You don¡¯t have to scream at them for every little thing.¡± Maria scoffed. ¡°Little thing? You think cleaning up after them, cooking for them, going to college, and handling everything on my own is nothing?" Leon didn''t back down and yelled. ¡°I told you not to yell at them! They look up to you. Scaring them won¡¯t fix anything.¡± He warned her for the last time. The children, realized Leon is most domaine person and made things even worse. All of them rushed toward Leon¡ªexcept Sumi and Sarah, and hid behind him; as if Maria was a kidnapper, and start complaining altogether. Maria made a long face because of their act. Leon knelt on the floor and gently put Masao down, ruffling his hair. "Listen,¡± he said in a softer tone. ¡°You guys need to be careful when you play, okay? Maria gets tired, and we don¡¯t want to make things harder for her, do we?¡± The children nodded, their wide eyes still brimming with unshed tears. Leon wiped Masao''s eyes with his sleeve and pressed a gentle kiss to his forehead. ¡°It¡¯s okay, I''ll get it fixed. But be careful next time.¡± Maria, still standing with her arms crossed, looked at them, tears of frustration visible in her eyes. Without another word, she walked out of the room, wiping her tears roughly. Sumi and Sarah tried to stop her, but she wouldn''t listen. She walked downstairs and busied herself in the kitchen, her movements rushed and rough. She started washing the dishes while mumbling. ¡°Day after day, the same damn routine. Cook lunch and dinner for them, clean, take care of them, go to college, wash the damn dishes¡ªand on top of that, take care of Leon. As if I enjoy cleaning. And what do I get as a price? Yelling. As if I''m their machine.¡± Leon, hearing her complaints from upstairs, told the kids to apologize to her. All of them went downstairs together, peeking at her from the kitchen doorway, their little faces full of guilt. Sarah went inside, dragged a chair, and started taking the plates from the drying rack. Sumi pushed all of them inside. "Why are you all standing like morons?!" They all walked in one after another, stepping inside, awkwardly reaching for the dishes to help her. But Maria said nothing. Not a word, not even a glance of acknowledgment. They roamed around her all day, but she didn¡¯t even acknowledge them. While she was folding their clothes upstairs inside their room, Masao slowly pushed the door open and walked inside. Everyone was just peeking in, including Sumi and Sarah. He sat beside her on the floor and called her,Sister¡­? Sister? Sister! But she didn''t even look at him and kept wearing the long face. Masao apologized over and over, "I¡¯m sorry. I won¡¯t do it again. I''ll listen to you. So please talk to me. Look, I''m sorry! Sister?!" Maria¡¯s grip on the spatula tightened. Masao started rubbing his eyes. ¡°Sister, I¡¯m really sorry¡­ I won¡¯t jump on bed ever again. Please talk to me.¡± After his repeatitive apology, She finally talked back and tells him to stop wimping like a girl. She pushed some unfolded clothes to him and said, "Help me fold them." Masao smiled and immediately started folding the clothes. "You''re doing it wrong. Let me show you." The atmosphere turned wholesome. Sumi pushed the others inside from behind, once again. "How long are you all going to stand here like idiots? Go help her, or I''m going to beat your little asses!" Sarah chuckled and joined them too. They clumsily helped as Maria taught Masao how to fold clothes properly, her frustration melting away in the blink of an eye. Leon had gotten up to get some water. As he reached the kitchen doorway, he listened to their laughter and chatter, all together. A small smile tugged at his lips. He knew Maria wasn''t a girl who would stay mad at someone for a whole day, especially children. She would probably leave at 6 PM with a smile on her face, back to her home. Kenzo had returned to Feropia yesterday. Noor and Roy were out buying some vegetables and meat for dinner. Leon walked around upstairs, drawn by the rhythmic sound of rain against the windows. He walked to the roof on the second floor. After Roy''s room, there was a door made of glass and wood. He pushed aside the heavy curtains and opened the door. A cold breeze hit him immediately. The whole roof was soaked in rain, droplets sliding down the glass. A cool breeze seeped through, carrying the crisp scent of rain. There was a rocking chair. He dragged it in front of the door and sat on it¡ªan old wooden piece he had insisted on getting when he bought the house. Everyone teased him, calling it a ¡°grandpa chair.¡± But he didn¡¯t care. He loved simple things. He just wanted a simple life like this. Quiet and peaceful. Sighing, he settled into it, letting the steady back-and-forth motion lull him into a trance. Outside, the rain poured harder, sending a shiver through his skin as the cold air seeped in. Slowly, his eyes fluttered shut. And just like that, Leon drifted into sleep, the sound of rain whispering through the night... Chapter 15.5: The Nightmarish Creature When Fredrick from the Department of CPUS-Intelligence Arms arrived to meet Kami, they had something important to discuss about. Meanwhile, Manabu and the others waited outside for Leon. Fredrick turned serious, almost immediately; as Manabu left the room. He placed several photographs in front of Kami and requested Leon to take a look. ¡°Take a look. This is the picture of Morgan¡¯s 9-year-old daughter, Misha¡¯s dead body." Misha was slaughtered by Vincin himself as an act of revenge. Because Morgan arrested his younger brother. ¡°Vincin took a sharp butchering knife and butched the girl, when she was conscious¡ªshe was alive , with no hope of escape. Her mouth wasn''t bound; so she could scream , her hands were tied, but not with any pillar or chair but she was crawling on the ground, try to crawl away from him. She screamed in agony as Vincin butched her each part of the body, he butched her even after she was dead. He snapped photos of her dead body and her body bore at least twenty-nine cuts, she died on the sixteenth slash; yet Vincin wasn''t satisfied he kept butching her ripping her apart totally. In the end, Vincin severed her head from the body, and discarded it with the photos in front of Morgan¡¯s house and disappeared.¡± Leon¡¯s reaction was one of imbalance, he recalled the incident when Morgan cried like madman for her daughter. He took a deep, shaky breath. He looked like he was on the verge of fainting. Fredrick asked if he was feeling uncomfortable, but Leon was alright¡ªhe said... Fredrick then revealed more pictures, spreads them on the table... "Last night, Vincin was slaughtered in the same way he slaughtered Morgan¡¯s daughter. Someone used the exactly same looking butcher knife to kill him and his friend." Fredrick had a theory he was unsure about. The truth is, They had just tracked Vincin¡¯s location days ago, a secret operation that nobody else knew about. The murder was not just a random act; Fredrick suspected Morgan may have been involved. "Since Morgan has every reason to want Vincin dead, and what''s more interesting is that Vincin¡¯s murder weapon points straight back to Morgan¡ªThe butcher knife! The knife used is the same kind that Vincin used to kill his daughter. It''s possible that someone¡ªfrom our investigation team, exposed Vincin''s location to him and he avenged her daughter! What else could be the answer?" Kami raised a hand to her chin, thinking deeply. "Who? Who could have leaked that information? And Why wasn¡¯t I informed about Vincin earlier?" Fredrick¡¯s response was simple¡ª"Secret." He emphasized that they had been keeping the details confidential, hoping to announce them at the right time, but now they were unsure who had leaked the information. He then turned to Leon. "Do you know who might have done this?" But Leon is unfazed as always, Fredrick puts a grim smile on his lips but Leon said¡ª"I suspect Morgan, but right now, we have no proof of what he actually did. Whether he did it or not, We must treat him like a subject..." Fredrick nodded and tells that¡ª"Morgan has been placed in special custody. We are still investigating the case But to be fair, even if Morgan did carry out the murder, I have no issue with it. Vincin deserved it, but unfortunately as ann investigation must take action unwillingly." Fredrick then packed up the documents and returned them to his briefcase. Kami, still lost in thought, wondered aloud, ¡°How could such sensitive information reach Morgan?¡± Fredrick informed them that they have been investigating the whole department, ¡°We¡¯ve had custody of about twenty investigators, but so far, no evidence or clues have surfaced. However, recently, we found someone who claims to have witnessed the murder last night. His name is Shaun, and he''s an odd guy.¡± Leon and Kami both turned their attention to Fredrick. ¡°Shaun was found unconscious near the murder scene. He was about two houses away from the location when the police found him early in the morning. His mental state was far unstable.¡± Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon. Shaun¡¯s family claimed he had never acted this way before. It seemed that whatever he saw that night had traumatized him, causing a break in his mental state. The police tried to interrogate him, asking who was the person he saw last nigth but Shaun inturrupted, ¡°Not a person... not a person... A creature, a nightmarish face. It was ''The Lam'' the reaper. He held two butchering knives, and it cut through them right in front of his eyes. Each slash dug into their bones and flesh, and the blood splattered all over the reaper. They screamed, but nobody was there to help. Only me; a terrified human being cannot fight a reaper. Then the creature turned, he stared at me, and I saw its face¡ªno mouth, just hollow eyes white eyes, just the whole pupils. Two horns sprouted from its forehead. Then, it reached out from its cloak¡ªdozens of hands, like the hands of death. I could hardly comprehend it. I didn¡¯t want to see it, then suddenly I... I fell unconscious on the ground.¡± The police were bewildered. No one believed him; they all thought he was mentally disturbed. But Shaun insisted he was not mad. Fredrick seemed uncertain whether Shaun had truly seen the angel of death or if it was just a hallucination, a psychological manifestation caused by fear; making us hallucinate things, like a person will look like different person. It remained a mystery. But¡ª"Maybe that''s something decided by destiny." As Leon escorted out to drop Manabu and others back to their home. While driving his car; his mind began to relive the memories of Misha¡ªhe innocent smile, her laughter and Morgan''s screams holding her photos. It had been a year since her death. On the night of her 9th birthday, she was kidnapped, and later her headless body was found floating in the water. Misha had been such a sweet girl, and Leon had adored her. Morgan was her older brother, and Misha was like a niece to him. As Leon drove, the memories overwhelming him. His eyes began turn red as he recalled the tragic event, teas filled his eyes, whenever he recalls the day¡ªthe kidnapping, the helplessness, the horror of losing someone so pure. Somehow, Morgan had learned the location of Vincin. A senior officer had leaked the information to him out of sympathy. And Morgan had come to Leon, asking for him to kill Vincin. "Leon, please... kill that bastard just like he killed my daughter. Please..." Leon didn''t hessitate at all, The decision was made. Morgan¡¯s grief was undeniable. And¡ª "The death of a single pure soul is equals to death of the whole humanity..." Vincin had been on his way to his house with friends when Leon, armed with two butcher knives, approached them with heavy steps and wide eyes with tears. Just when they stopped in front of Vincin¡¯s house and we''re having conversation. Suddenly, Leon walked from the shadows. He was gripping the knives tightly, his movements swift and deadly. He walked towards them with heavy steps, and with a few swift motions, the deadly blades did their work. His whole body was stained with blood, and Vincin¡¯s life was snuffed out in an instant. They gets scared watching Leon walk towards them with naked knifes. They tried to run inside the house but Leon threw his knife, and it struck his friend''s cranium, puncturing the skull. Vincin gets shocked for a moment but his life was on line, Leon rushed forward, sinking the blade into the muscle and ribs, slicing through the back. His hands moved like an animal, the cold steel cutting through the layers of flesh. The sounds of tearing flesh echoed as Leon''s hands became drenched in Vincin''s blood. Vincin''s body collapsed to the ground, the weight of his own blood pulling him down, and Leon continued his butching. With the blade, he slashed at Vincin''s abdomen, cutting through the dermis, fat, and muscle layers. His hands, now a mangled mess, were severed at the wrists, and his facial tissues¡ªcheeks, nose¡ªwere torn apart by the violent swings of Leon''s butching. The ribs were exposed as his chest cavity was shredded, the muscle fibers rupturing. Vincin''s legs were hanging, the femur and tibia barely attached to the shredded skin, swinging loosely with each movement. His entire body was bathed in blood, but Leon made sure to avoid the jugular and heart, prolonging his suffering. Leon could feel the blood pumping from his own body as he continued to cut into Vincin. Despite the carnage, Vincin¡¯s eyes remained wide, and he was still breathing, although barely. He clung to life, but the pain was unbearable. Leon stopped; his hands were tired. The other guy died almost immediately. Leon looked up and breaths heavily. And looked back at Vincin¡ªDead but alive... "Do you know what we criminals fear the most? It''s not the consequences of our actions but It''s the uncertainty of being seen by someone. Fear of being witnessed. Fear is an instinct, a primal emotion. The body reacts before the mind can think. Our fear works the same, But don''t worry..." Leon whispered, "THERE ARE NO WITNESSES." Vincin¡¯s pupils dilated in shock as he took his last breath, the final signs of life fading from his body as his systems shut down. Chapter 17: Dont fool yourself, Mion Around midday, between 1 and 2 PM, Maria was at home while Manabu went with Kami to Nosco Loc College and University for admissions. Meanwhile, Taiju and Mai were talking in their room when suddenly a thought struck them¡ª"Eh? Where''s Mion?" Taiju assumed she had gone with Manabu for admission, but Mai recalled Mion telling her that she had no interest in studying anymore and wanted to focus on painting. "Then why would she go with Manabu?" Mai wondered. Taiju scratched his head and replied, "Maybe she just went to keep him company. What else could be more reasonable?" While they talked, Roy pressed the doorbell. He had just returned from picking up washing powder to do the laundry. Meanwhile, he had left Noor with the kids at the orphanage. For a moment, Maria thought it was Manabu, but she turned back and asked, "Why are you here? And where''s Leon?" Roy answered, "He went out for a job." Maria turned to him with an unhappy expression, narrowing her eyes. She said, "Wasn''t he just feeling better yesterday?". Roy simply raised both hands in an I don''t know~ sign and walked away from the kitchen. He entered Maria''s room while Taiju and Mai were talking and greeted them. Roy and Taiju wore the same style of glasses, which Roy considered a sign of friendship. While they were talking, Taiju asked, "By the way, where are you from? And what''s your full name?" Roy replied, "Uhh¡­ I''m from Ura (URA is a country), and actually, my full name is Roy Das. By the way, I''m 32." Hearing this, Taiju grabbed his head like¡ªwhat?? And Mai was uhhmm...confused¡ªAs expected... Roy looked no older than 20, but he was 32? How was that possible?! Taiju couldn''t believe it. Then Roy leaned closer and whispered to both of them, "Has Leon done anything to you two?" Taiju was unsure what to say. Roy simply gave them a piece of advice about Leon: "Leon is practically a good guy, but sometimes... he does strange things. So, better stay calm in front of him." Taiju and Mai didn''t want to discuss anything about him, so they just sighed deeply and pretended not to hear. Then Roy asked them about the pink-haired girl who had been staying with them. But neither Mai nor Taiju had any idea where she was¡­"Maybe, She went to complete a job." Meanwhile¡ªLeon was walking somewhere, his hands in his pockets, dressed in a black shirt and black jeans. But someone was following him¡ªit was Mion. She wore a white hoodie with the hood up and trailed behind him. Her long hair was now cut short, reaching just her shoulders. She had a knife on her; she put the knife in her hoodie pocket and started following Leon from a distance. After following him for a while, she saw Leon enter a sex bar. Mion gritted her teeth. "Bastard." She followed him inside. Leon entered a room, but Mion couldn''t enter there. Instead, she sat outside and ordered a cold drink. After some time, Leon finally came out, accompanied by a woman. As they walked outside while chatting, Leon suddenly slapped the woman in the face really hard, and she fell. He said something to her, but because of the noise, Mion couldn''t hear him. Leon left alone, and the woman picked up her purse, pressed her hand on her cheek, and walked away. But something seemed off; Mion decided to go inside that same room they had been in. She got up, opened the door, and found three dead bodies inside. Foam oozed from their noses and mouths¡ªthey must have been poisoned. Without a second thought, Mion immediately ran after Leon, pulling the knife from her hoodie''s pocket. Leon stood outside, speaking into a tapping device, informing the officers about the situation. But then, from behind, Mion rushed and stabbed him just in his belly, close to the navel. "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!" Leon screamed, insanely. Hearing his loud and intense scream, investigators panicked rushed. Mion tried to stab Leon again, but he grabbed her wrist, twisted her arm, and threw her away, then escaped. Mion got up and tried to chase after him, but the investigators grabbed her hands from behind. She reacted instantly¡ªkicking one of them in the balls and slashing another''s wrist with her knife, leaving a scar, and escaping. Mion was chasing him, but¡ªunbelievable! How could he run this fast?!¡ª He was running at an impossibly fast speed, even with the injury. The chase led them to the main road. Leon jumped over cars; Mion chased after him, carefully avoiding the cars. But then¡ª A speeding vehicle hit Leon. He rolled over the hood, shattering the windshield, and crashed onto the ground. His mouth and nose started bleeding. Yet somehow, he still stood up and kept running. Like a fish struggling to breathe on land, yet refusing to die. "Fucking lizard tail! " At this point, the police spotted them fighting in the middle of the road and rushed immediately. Leon fell to the ground, suddenly numb from the accident. Mion jumped on him with killing intent. She raised her knife to stab him again, but Leon twisted her arm, kicked her in the belly, then kicked the knife away. It flew into a nearby open manhole at a road construction site. Then he pushed her down and escaped. By the time the police caught up, they had restrained Mion. She was breathing heavily on the ground, glaring at Leon as he ran for his life¡­ Mion was arrested, and they filed an FIR (First Information Report) against her. The police took her to the station... Leon reached Maria''s house and continuously rang the doorbell. Blood dripped from his wounds. He was panting heavily. The moment Maria opened the door, she saw his bloodied body and gasped. "Leon!" she screamed and held him. Tears welled up in her eyes. She called for help. "No! No! No! Somebody please¡ªsave Leon! Leon''s bleeding." Hearing her cries, Taiju, Roy, and Mai ran over and found her carrying Leon''s body. They helped Leon to the bed. Maria kept crying and mumbling to him "I told you¡ªI¡ªI told you, but you wouldn''t listen to me... Roy, Roy, Roy, please do something; he''s bleeding¡ªhe''s bleeding¡­" Leon instructed Roy to Stitch his belly right here, "Stitch me up." Roy immediately grabbed a first-aid kit and stitches from the washroom. Leon took off his shirt and lay on the bed. Maria was having panic attacks but kept repeating the same thing. She started hiccupping while talking, "I told you, Leon, I told y¡ªyou." Roy told him to get a grip since it was going to hurt. (Roy, an animal doctor who also treated humans in his village, cleaned Leon''s wounds and began stitching him up) Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel. Leon bit his own finger when Roy started stitching the cut on his belly. Maria grabbed Leon''s hands, panicked¡ª"No, no, no, don''t bite¡ªdon''t bite your finger...Roy! Roy! He''s in pain. Please be ca¡ªcareful¡­" Roy tells Taiju to pull Maria back since she gets paranoid whenever she sees blood. Taiju and Mai pulled her back just like Roy said and tried to calm her. Leon gritted his teeth, enduring the pain. The stab wound was severe, and his body ached from the car accident. Luckily, the knife hadn''t cut through his liver. Leon screamed in pain. After a few moments, Roy finished the stitching. But then they noticed a serious injury on the right side of his body. Leon said he had been hit by a car but insisted he was fine. Maria got up and insisted he go to the hospital. Roy advised the same. Maria was clearly the most worried about him. "W¡ªwho did this to you Leon?" she asked. Leon answered, "Mion." Everyone''s eyes widened in shock. "Why? Why would Mion do this?" Maria thought. Things had suddenly taken a serious turn. Right at that moment, Manabu and Kami arrived with the investigators, saw Leon, and learned everything¡­Kami immediately ordered his driver to start the car. According to the two investigators following Leon:¡ª"Leon was on an encounter task, but Mion suddenly attacked him, and then he got hit by a car. Mion was now in jail." Kami got into the car to go to the police station. But Manabu followed and buckled his seatbelt, insisting on coming along.Kami told him to stay, but Manabu refused. And so, they both headed to the police station together. They reached the police station, and inside the cell, Mion lay on the floor. Her face was bruised, and her clothes were dirty from the fight. Her hands had blood on them. The moment Kami arrived, he ordered the officers to bail her out.¡ªThe jail door opened. Manabu stared at Mion¡ªher hands were stained with Leon''s blood, yet her face showed no emotion. On the way back home, Mion remained completely silent. When they arrived home, she rang the doorbell. Roy opened the door. Upon seeing her blood-stained hands, his expression changed. They headed to Maria''s room... Inside, they saw Maria sitting beside Leon''s bed, wiping his wounds and blood with cold water, while tears fell silently. Leon had sustained deep scars from the accident.The moment Maria saw Mion, she stood up, trembling. She asked Mion to justify herself¡ª "Mion, w-why did you do this?! W-What did he ever do to you?! He was just d-doing his job! What if he had died?!" she hiccupped while speaking. But Mion remained unfazed. "I actually did try to kill him, but unfortunately, he survived," she said coldly. Leon looked up at her, his eyes turning red with anger. Mion took a step closer.¡ª"Daima killed Naomi¡ªbecause of you. If it wasn''t for you, Daima might have spared her life. Everything¡ªevery disaster¡ªhappened because of you... You used me to kill an innocent man. You turned me into a monster. It''s you who stole everything from me." Manabu tried to stop her, but she snapped at him as well,¡ª "Naomi was your friend as well. You even told me never to abandon her, but now her murderer is right in front of you, and what did you do? Nothing..." She turned her head toward Taiju and Mai and asked the same question. "What did you guys do? Nothing... You just moved on." Manabu said nothing. Taiju and Mai also remained silent. Mion smirked at Leon and said¡ª "You can''t do anything to me. All you do is talk big, but you''re powerless. And I''ve figured you out; you were bluffing about exposing our photos as well. You can''t do anything, can you?" Her voice grew louder and louder, "Manabu has found his family, Mai has her own family, Taiju has his mom. Then why only me? Why am I the only one left with no one?!¡ªNaomi and Futaba, they were all I had! And you took them away from me, and I won''t forgive you!" She vowed¡ª "I will kill you. I promise." Leon raise his hand to put a stop on her and without flinching, he said¡ª "I already explained everything to you, but it seems like I was right after all,¡ª''Humans would rather choose revenge than redemption since redemption is a burden, and revenge is salvation.'' You realized my bluff that I used to keep you composed, but it seems like you won''t stay in one place. That''s why, from now on, I won''t compromise. And you vowed to kill me, right? Mion, I promise you as well... YOU WILL TRY." Mion gritted her teeth in rage. She wanted to kill him right here and right now, but before things could get even worse, Kami grabbed her hands and led her upstairs. Manabu, Mai, and Taiju followed them upstairs. Kami made Mion sit on the couch and demanded to know what Leon had done to them since he had no clue, and Manabu never mentioned it. "Because of fear?" Without hesitation, Mion confessed everything to Kami¡ª She explained how Leon had been deceiving the entire Investigation Department, even CPUS-Intelligence. "He killed the only people I called family. He''s worse than a monster. And I swear I won''t leave him. I''ll chase him to hell." Kami could understand her mental state and why she''s do desperate to kill Leon. She couldn''t help herself. Her tears carried the pain and suffering she had been through. A misery¡­ Funny world. Manabu, Taiju, Mai were silent. But then Kami spoke: "Mion, thank you for informing me about what Leon has been doing under our nose. It''s a big help, but you can''t kill him right now. You shouldn''t kill him. Forget about everything that happened and let the department do the work." Mion stood up and started to walk out. "It''s no use, I get it... No one understands what I''ve been through. It''s fine, I''ll seek vengeance myself." Manabu grabbed her wrist and said, "Mion, we do understand, but killing him isn''t the only way... He has a family too. If you kill him, you''d be no different from a monster." But Mion removed Manabu''s hand. "That''s why I must do it more than ever. To make him pay. And I guess you plan to follow your grandmother''s ideology, but unfortunately, THIS IS REALITY." She loomed over Manabu¡ª"Being realistic with reality means adapting to the cruel ways of the world. Look at me, Manabu, do you find the old Mion in me anymore?! No¡ªbecause she''s dead. Only her feelings¡ªher pain remains." She started to walk again and opened the door. But suddenly, Kami smirked on her words, "Be realistic with reality" He laughed,¡ª"That sounds like Leon himself talking... You are no different, and this revenge will get you nothing." Mion turned to Kami, narrowing her eyes. "What do you mean?" Kami had known Leon for a long time, and for Mion''s sake, he advised her to avoid him. Mion was blinded by her anger. She needed to control herself. He explained her: "The anger that is bursting inside you right now is because of Leon, for Leon, directed at Leon. Don''t fool yourself into thinking that you are in control of your own emotions.¡ªHow can one willingly control an emotion that has been developed because of someone else''s will?¡ªThe anger inside you isn''t even because your own free will. Don''t fool yourself into thinking Leon isn''t in control of what''s happening right now. And don''t forget, he used your very own emotions to kill the principal...¡ªWas that actually your emotions? Your free will? Didn''t he had to pursuaded you to do something so horrible? He knows exactly what a human needs. And what he has learned and witnessed in his life. Trust me, is barely comparable.¡ªHow could you compare the size of a ring in the middle of an ocean? ¡ªSince Leon said he won''t hold back¡ªhe won''t. So, Mion," Kami walked toward her and placed his hand on her head. "Revenge is important¡ªbut only when you know what you''re doing; what you''re after." Kami hugged her, her heart melted because of the warmth of Kami''s arms. He whispers: "Mion...For now, stay calm and take your time. Leon is very important to CPUS-Intelligence Arms. We need him. To find the leaders of The Ostrich, Triba, Vincin, we need him along with the other criminals... And once we achieve what we desire, you can simply give your testimony and tell the court about his deeds¡ªlegally sentencing him to death right in front of you for his injustices. Or... you can kill him yourself." Mion stood still. His words were meaningful and true.."You have to get control over yourself..." Mion looked up at Kami and asked, "Would you help me achieve what I want?!" Kami nodded and ruffled her hair. She calmed her anger for now. Kami told her he wanted her to grow into a bright person. Manabu put his hand on her shoulder and smiled. Mion turned and immediately hugged him, apologizing for being rude. "It''s fine!"¡ªManabu said Taiju and Mai smiled. "At last, she understood!!" "Don''t fool yourself ever again, Mion!" Manabu said, joy written on his face. Chapter 18: Lets settle the discussion April 10, At Leon''s Residence¡ªFor the first time, Manabu, Mion, Mai, and Taiju visited the place. Maria had brought them. As they stepped inside, they saw many children playing in the house. The moment they entered, the children froze and stared at them. Maria smiled at the kids and said, "This is your big brother or uncle, Manabu." The children looked at each other and exclaimed, "Maria sister''s brother!" before running toward Manabu, hugging and cuddling him. Their warmth felt so soft and relaxing¡ªManabu could cuddle them all day. Meanwhile, Sarah stood nearby, noticing that Mion didn''t seem to be in a good mood. Concerned, she asked, "What''s wrong, big sister? Why do you look upset?" Mion hesitated before replying, "No, I''m fine. It''s nothing." Maria hadn''t spoken to her for the past few days. Mion glanced at Maria, but Maria remained completely silent, not even looking at her once. Mion could tell she was still upset about what had happened before. But holding onto grudges for so long didn''t feel right either. She wanted to befriend Maria again, but she didn''t want to apologize to Leon for what she had done. So, she decided to stay quiet for now and planned to make it up to her later. Maria led Manabu and his friends upstairs. Roy was in his room, listening to music through his earphones. But when he noticed Manabu and the others arriving, he removed them. Upon seeing Mion, he lowered his gaze and quietly left the room. Meanwhile, Noor was baking a cake and preparing tea and coffee for them. The children were helping her in the kitchen. Maria requested Manabu and his friends to sit in the children''s room. At that moment, Sumi came upstairs and peeked into the room. Seeing her, Maria called out, "Sumi, come in and sit with us. Talk to everyone." Sumi was naturally shy around people. She walked in with her head lowered, quietly sat beside Maria, and hugged her. Then, slowly, she lifted her head and looked at Manabu. Manabu smiled at her. Sumi turned away, blushing. Maria introduced her, "She''s Sumi, Leon''s younger sister." Mai greeted her with a joyful look. She loved children, and Sumi was like a honeycomb of sweetness. She looked so innocent that Mai wanted to keep cuddling her. Mai gestured for Sumi to sit with them. So, Sumi got up and sat between Mai and Mion. Observing their hair, she curiously asked, "Why is your hair so weird?" Pointing at Mion, she said, "Your hair is very cute but short." Then, turning to Mai, she added, "And your hair is short and red, which means you must have a really bad temper." Taiju gave her a ten out of ten and said sarcastically, "Actually, Mai does have quite a temper." He laughed along with Sumi. Mai, however, shot him a deadly glare. In the middle of his laughter, Taiju suddenly stopped. "Uhh¡ª" Before the conversation could continue, Roy returned, carrying a tray of refreshments. He didn''t seem moody, nor did he say a word. He handed out coffee and tea to everyone, then placed a plate of cake on the tray and cut it into pieces. "Please," he offered. While they enjoyed the cake and tea, Manabu took a piece and asked Maria, "Maria, I''ve been hearing a lot of bad rumors about Leon. Are they true?" He took a bite. Maria looked at him and replied, "I don''t know myself¡­ Leon said he''d tell me everything, but after going to the hospital, he never came back. It''s been three, maybe four days. He''s still in the hospital¡­ His hand got fractured, and the doctor told him to rest." Manabu listened, thoughts bouncing around his head. He had already joined college and resumed attending. It was quite a good experience for him. And just a few days ago, Mai and Taiju''s parents had arrived in Lafiaza at Kami''s request. Taiju''s parents knew Kami and respected him greatly. However, they couldn''t accept the way their children had suddenly been taken to Lafiaza and kept there. Kami then offered them Lafiaza citizenship, but Taiju''s father immediately refused. Later, Taiju''s father gave him two options: "Return to Feropia with us or stay in Lafiaza with Manabu and the others. You should decide for yourself. Since you''ve always wanted to study in Lafiaza, right, Taiju? And now you''re already on Lafiaza''s land. The choice is yours¡ªeither come back with me or stay here and study with your friends. I will cover your expenses either way." Taiju thought about it deeply. Meanwhile, Mai''s parents refused to accept her request. Their daughter had been kidnapped before, and they were still wary. However, Kami reassured them, offering to take full responsibility for her education. After much deliberation, when Mai''s parents couldn''t come to a decision, Mai''s elder sister asked, "Mai, do you want to stay here, or do you want to leave? Do you feel safe here?" Mai looked at her parents, hesitating. But before she could speak, her sister said, "Don''t worry about them. Sometimes, to achieve something big, you have to take big steps. These old people won''t get it." However, their parents interrupted, "What are you saying?! Keeping Mai so far away from us¡ªare you out of your mind?" But Mai''s elder sister was firm. "I''m saying this for her own good! If she wants to study in such a great country, what''s the problem?! And Taiju, Manabu, and Mion are all here. She will be fine!" Taiju looked at Mai. She actually wanted to stay with them. To support her, Taiju turned to Mai''s parents and said, "Aunty, Uncle, Mai will stay with me. I promise there won''t be any problems." Kami also reassured Mai''s mother, "Look, sister, nothing will happen to your daughter. And if she gets citizenship here, you can also move here in the future if you want." Mai''s parents wanted the best for their daughter but weren''t ready to let her go alone. Then Mai herself pleaded, "Mom, please! I promise I won''t hang out with any bad people. If I do, Taiju will tell you. I will always be with them, and I won''t do anything reckless." Finally, after much persuasion, Mai''s parents agreed. Overjoyed, Mai hugged her sister and started jumping in excitement. Her elder sister laughed and said, "When you finish your studies, take me with you too." Mai grinned mischievously. "Aha~ Will I? Can''t you do something for yourself?" This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. "Ehh! After all that arguing with Mom and Dad for you, is this how you treat me?" her sister panicked dramatically. Mai giggled. "Relax, I''ll take you, Mom, and Dad¡ªall of you. And also¡­" Blushing slightly, she leaned in and whispered to her sister, "This guy standing next to me, Taiju¡­ He''s my boyfriend. And I really love him, and he loves me too." Mai''s sister covered her mouth in shock, blushing. "Brother-in-law?!" She fully supported their relationship but gave Mai one piece of advice, "No physical stuff before marriage, okay? Always save your first time for your husband. Got it?" Mai gave a thumbs-up and laughed. Later, Taiju''s parents asked Kami, "Mr. Kami, where will the kids be staying?" Kami replied, "They will stay at my elder daughter Maria''s house. You''re welcome to stay for a few days too since you''ve traveled such a long way. If you want, I can also arrange another place for you." But Taiju''s father declined. "That won''t be necessary. Just being able to talk to you is a great privilege. And Taiju, best of luck." Taiju hugged his father and sincerely thanked him for raising him with so much freedom and support. His father smiled and hugged him back. "You dummy, is this even a big deal? If my son wants something, how can I refuse? Alright, let''s head home." After that, both Taiju''s and Mai''s parents stayed at Maria''s place for two days before returning. Manabu also spent a good time with his uncle and aunt (Taiju and Mai''s parents). Kami arranged for them to travel in business class and covered all expenses. And they went back to Feropia after 2 days¡ª In the middle of the conversation, Sumi asked Manabu, "Big brother, where have you been all these years?" Manabu placed his hand on his cheek, thinking about how to explain it. Maria then explained to Sumi, "Manabu uncle was separated from us years ago due to an accident. After that, no one could find him. After many years, my father, your grandfather, found Manabu uncle again." Manabu nodded and gave a gentle smile. Sumi then told Manabu, "Uncle, don''t get lost again. If you have to go somewhere, tell me. I know everything about this place. If you need to get food or anything else, take me with you." And she sat on Manabu''s lap. Manabu placed his hand on her head. But then, when Manabu saw Roy, he asked, "What''s your name?" Roy realized that Manabu hadn''t introduced himself to him yet. He stood up straight and replied, "I am Roy, and I am the caretaker of the children here. Also, Leon''s helper." Manabu looked at him and then asked Taiju to sit on the bed. He also gave Roy a chair and said, "Please sit here. You''ve been standing for too long." Roy shook his head and refused. But then, he stood there silently for a while, glancing at Mion and then at Maria. Roy wanted to say something but couldn''t. Maria noticed his restlessness and asked, "Roy? What happened? Do you want to say something?" Roy then removed his glasses, looked at Sumi, and said, "Sumi, go outside for a bit. Your mission is to make sure no one enters the room except for Noor. Okay?" As Sumi got a new mission and quickly ran outside. Now Roy bit his lips for a moment. He looked a bit weird. Seeing him, Manabu wondered¡ªwhat''s his deal... Roy then took a deep breath and said, "I was ordered not to say anything, but I will share some information." Roy pointed his finger at Mion and asked her to sit on another bed with Maria. Mion didn''t respond and quietly sat next to Maria, facing away. Maria did the same. Then Roy said, "CPUS-Intelligence is a massive organization that was established right here, maybe 300 years ago, even before Lafiaza was born... It''s not just an organization but a rule imposed on the world, affecting everything globally. Leon was arrested two years ago. For a murder and rape but I''ll tell you the true story. And maybe after this, Mion¡ª You would be able to forgive Leon..." Hearing this, Mion looked at him. Roy begins: "I met Leon a long time ago, when he was just about 15... maybe. I got introduced to him through Kenzo. I''ve known him for a long time... The rumors about Leon are all fake. They''re just media and public exaggerations to spice up the story. Leon never harmed anyone, but the murder allegations against him are real." Mion asked Roy, "Then what actually happened?" Roy replied, "There is a small town in Lafiaza called Prisha Town... There was a priest there who was highly respected by the people. But that man was not a good person. He used to run a sacred place (God''s house), but he molested many children there. There was a girl studying there whose parents had passed away, and the responsibility of raising her was taken by that priest. That girl was none other than Sarah... At that time, Sarah was just 9 or 10 years old. She was a good friend of Sumi, and they used to play together. But Sarah was a victim of severe mental torture and was harassed every single day..." Hearing this, Mion swallowed hard. She herself had been a victim of harassment, and she knew how much it could mentally destroy a person... Roy continued, "Sarah was threatened that if she told anyone, she would face severe punishment. Out of fear, she never spoke about it. But one day, Sarah gathered the courage to tell Sumi everything. Hoping for help, Sumi informed Leon... That day, Leon''s anger reached an extreme level." In the meantime, as Roy was explaining, it started raining heavily outside. Roy slowly stood up and opened the window. The cold air from outside entered the room, making it feel chilly. Looking at the rain, Roy said, "That day, too, it was raining this heavily..." He turned back and sat down on his chair again, keeping the window open. Roy continued, "At that time, Leon used to be very quiet, extremely depressed, and barely spoke to anyone. His anger issues were even worse than they are now¡ªprobably a thousand times worse. That night, in the middle of the heavy rain, Leon took an axe, hiding it behind his clothes. He left Sumi with Noor for safety... Leon was filled with rage and went to the priest''s house. He knocked on the door and asked, ''Where is Sarah?'' The priest replied, ''Sarah is asleep. Who are you?'' Leon pushed him aside and stormed inside, opening every door to search for Sarah. Seeing the axe in Leon''s hand, the priest sweats crazy in fear and tried to escape. But I grabbed him and locked the door... Leon finally found Sarah¡ªshe was in that bastard''s room¡ªon the bed, completely naked and vulnerable state, crying... Seeing that, Leon''s eyes filled with tears. Immediately, he locked Sarah''s door from the outside¡ªso she wouldn''t have to witness what was about to happen... The priest was terrified upon seeing Leon and he was crawling on the ground and grabbed Leon''s feet, begging for forgiveness. Leon voice loudens, eyes filled with tears. He screamed and asked: ''Do you even know what it means to be a father?! This girl has no family... she has been under your care. Your like her guardian¡ªDo you even have any idea what''s the meaning of raising a child?!'' I was standing there. The priest push me aside to escape. Everything became eerily silent and slow¡ªFor the first time of my life. I''ve seen Leon like this.... Just as the priest opened the door to run outside¡ªLeon swung the axe over his shoulder and delivered a deep laceration to the priest''s thoracic vertebrae, severing part of the spinal column. The impact sent a jarring vibration through the bones, and the sickening sound of shattering vertebrae still echoed in my ears. With that single strike, a painful scream brust out from the priest''s throat, reverberating through the rain to the entire town. Then, gripping the priest''s hair, Leon yanked his head backward. And with a forceful drag of the axe he exposed the cranium, then he split the scalp apart, peeling back the skin and exposing the cranial bones. The parietal and frontal bones became visible beneath the torn layers of flesh. ¡ªI''ve seen corpses before. I''ve been involved in brutal gang fights. But for the first time, I felt like throwing up.¡ª As the priest writhed crazy in agony, Leon swung the axe again, striking him directly in the face. The impact crushed the maxilla and split the lips apart, severing the soft tissues at the corners of his mouth. The priest''s upper and lower jaws were nearly cleaved apart, his skull barely holding together as blood poured from the gaping wound. His face was no longer recognizable¡ªjust a mess of exposed bone and torn flesh." I stood there, unable to speak. Leon took deep, shuddered and turn to me saying, "Roy, take the children¡ªSumi, Masao, Yumi, and Sarah¡ªand leave. Take them far away with Noor. There''s an orphanage in Martyr''s Valley. It''s run by a few older kids now¡­ go there for shelter. Just leave this place..." Roy protested, his voice trembling with anger. "What about you? Do you think you''ll just walk away from this? You''re going straight to prison!" Leon exhaled sharply. "I know. But you need to leave. If you stay here, you''ll go down with me." Roy snapped, his frustration boiling over. "You''re insane! Completely out of your mind! You could''ve just taken Sarah and left! Why the hell did you have to kill him?!" Leon met Roy''s furious gaze, his voice steady but distant. "If not Sarah today, then someone else tomorrow¡­ I don''t know what I did, or why I did it. My mind wasn''t working. I couldn''t think of anything else¡­ What if it had been Sumi?" Roy fell silent. Leon gestured for him to leave quickly. Without another word, Roy unlocked Sarah''s room, covered her eyes, and carried her away. Just before leaving, he turned back one last time. Leon stood there, gripping the bloodstained axe, staring at the mutilated corpse on the floor. "And I left him behind." Roy now looked at Mion and Maria, his expression heavy with the weight of the past. "Leon was never arrested for rape, only for murder. And he didn''t do anything evil. Anyone else in his place would have done the same thing." Mion''s mind reeled. The horrifying scene played over and over in her thoughts. Her pupils constricted in shock. What Leon did¡ªWas it justice? Chapter 19: If you were at my place... What would you do? After that incident¡ª "I escaped here with the kids and everyone... The boy who used to run this orphanage left after finishing his studies. Since then, we have taken responsibility for this place... Leon was imprisoned for two years... But then, suddenly, after two years, I got a call from Leon. He had somehow gotten out of jail." Manabu asked, "But how?" Roy stopped Manabu and said, "Chill kid! I''m telling you. Well¡ªLeon wanted to see me, so he came home in the evening... Seeing him, everyone got emotional. Sumi hugged him and cried. Even I felt like crying. That day, our home was named Leon''s Residence... Leon met and played with all the kids. And then after few hours¡ª" Roy looked at Maria, "Your father, Kami, came to our house. Morgan was with him. Leon introduced Kami to us¡ª ''Roy, this is Mr. Kami. He is our state mayor and an important member of CPUS-Intelligence. Because of him, I got out of jail.'' Leon told me that while he was in prison, some officers suddenly came and took him to a special confession room. Inside, there were about 15-20 criminals. Then, several armed officers and CPUS-Intelligence Arms officials arrived¡ªKamiru Satoshi, Christopher, and Royaliva (a female officer). And then, the discussion started..." First, they revealed everyone''s names and biodata to establish a sense of fear and authority. Then, they got to the main point. Royaliva spoke first: "You all have been brought here for a very important task. While I am speaking, everyone must remain silent. Not a single sound. Now, all of you have been selected by CPUS-Intelligence. Have you heard of it?" A few raised their hands. "Anyways," Royaliva continued, "you will all be working under us. This could involve spying, gathering information, eliminating targets, tracking people, or even being involved in a cold war. In short, we will use you as slaves. We will take away your freedom..." Hearing this, fear spread among everyone. No one values anything more than their own life. But then, Royaliva said, "But¡ªthe freedom we take from you will be returned." Royaliva raised her voice, stood up, and declared, "You will work for a limited time, and it may involve life-threatening risks. But after a certain period, you will be freed. And I mean¡ªyour entire sentence will be erased, and a lifetime settlement will be arranged for you. This will be legally bound by a contract!" All the criminals were terrified, but Leon wanted to take the offer. From his perspective, if he didn''t take the deal, he would rot in prison or be executed anyway. So it was better to take the deal¡ªat least he could do something for his family. "This is a life-risking matter, and even if we die, these authorities won''t care. They won''t have to answer to any court. Maybe this is written in the contract, and we will only know later..." At that moment, Kami stood up and said, "However, in this case, the authorities will not be responsible for your death. You will sign the contract, and we will not be held accountable for anything in the future. This is entirely your decision, and you alone will bear the consequences of your death..." Just as Leon expected, everyone started debating: "What happens if we die?" "This is unfair! Are you saying we''ll just die?" "Doing this job or not¡ªit''s the same thing! You''ll assign us dangerous tasks on purpose! You just want us to die while keeping us as slaves!" Royaliva grew irritated by the noise, pressed her hands to her ears, and suddenly screamed for ear pain. (She had issues with loud noises and couldn''t tolerate them.) Hearing her scream, everyone fell silent. She turned her back and shouted, "You bastard brats! If you don''t want to do this, then get the hell out of here! Motherfuckers! Didn''t I tell you not to make a sound?!!" She took deep breaths, trying to calm down. Christopher placed a hand on her back and told her to sit down. Without a word, she sat. Then, Christopher stood up. He held the highest position in the Investigation Department of CPUS-Intelligence Arms. In a calm voice, he said, "Anyone unwilling to work under this contract may leave through that door. But those who stay must follow some crucial rules. First rule¡ªUnder this contract, you cannot commit any crimes or illegal activities unless you are assigned an elimination task or you kill someone in self-defense. Second rule¡ªYou will be monitored 24/7, even outside of assigned tasks, without your knowledge. This is to prevent any possible crimes." Then, Christopher continued, "Now, those who wish to proceed, please step forward and sign your papers. You may also provide your fingerprint if needed." After saying this, Christopher sat back down. Leon was the first to step forward. He picked up a pen and asked, "Where do I sign?" Royaliva looked at him and said, "Leon, right? Sign on these papers¡ªanywhere marked with a blue box." Leon signed the papers. Kami and Christopher exchanged a smile. Leon couldn''t understand why they were smiling. This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it. Then Kami said to Christopher, "I told you, Leon would be the first to sign the contract..." Christopher silent claps and praise, "Your deduction and foresight are impressive, Kami." Now¡ªAccording to the contract rules, by tomorrow morning¡ªeveryone who signed would be released from prison, and their belongings would be returned. And within 5 days(120 hours), they would receive their first task... And just like that¡ªLeon became an operative for CPUS-Intelligence Arms. His monitor, or sniper eye, was Morgan, who would oversee him on every mission. He could be replaced anytime¡ªnothing was certain. "In this battlefield, no one is eternal... Everyone is temporary." And with that, Roy''s story ended. Everyone was staring at him. Maria finally understood everything. Manabu also realises. "Now I see... Leon was afraid that CPUS-Intelligence would find out about his illegal crimes. If they did, he would face serious punishment¡ªor maybe even the death penalty. Just like my dad said..." Roy then looked at Mion and asked, "Mion, do you still think Leon is a bad person? He went through so much for his family. I request you¡ªplease don''t create more trouble for him. Leon had nothing to do with your friend''s death. It was just misfortune¡ªbad luck. He has never been happy in his life... So, Mion, forgive him." Mion sits quietly, lost in thought. She curls her toes, deep in contemplation. Thoughts were bouncing around in her head. She was confused¡ªso many experiences at once; she couldn''t handle it. She hears everyone¡ªeverything at once: "For Naomi! For Justice!" "Do you even know what it means¡ªto be a father?" "Even Leon has a family too." "Forget Naomi, Mion." "Hojo is the copycat." "It was necessary." "Forgive him, Mion." The words swirl in her head, along with vivid images of Leon''s actions. She can''t decide what to do. But then, her body starts trembling as a sudden panic attack overtakes her. She loses control over her own body. Still Roy kept asking her¡ª"Mion?! Do you think, Leon is guilty?" Manabu notices Mion''s sudden shaking and stops Roy. Both of them look at her. She tries to calm herself and presses her face with her palm. Then she says, "I need some time to..." and gets up, starting to walk toward the door. Roy wanted to convince her right now, so he tried to stop her but Manabu grabbed his hands and says, "Roy, stop! Give her some time..." Mion opens the door, and right outside, Sumi is standing, blocking the entrance with both hands, preventing the younger children from entering. Sumi tells them, "I''m on a mission, and I can''t let anyone¡ª" she turns suddenly, noticing Mion''s shadow. Mion softly asks, "Where is the washroom, kids?" Sarah immediately grabs her hand and says, "I know! Come with me, sister, I''ll take you! And Sumi, don''t move; complete your mission." And they head downstairs... Seeing Mion leave, Roy says nothing and thought¡ªShe just needs more time.... Sarah opens the door for her. Mion thanks her and steps inside the washroom. She opens the tap and splashes cold water on her face, trying to calm herself. Sarah immediately gets a towel and hands it to Mion. She takes it and wipes her face, staring at her reflection in the mirror. She takes slow breaths in and out to clear her mind. Behind her, Sarah stands and asks, "I knew you weren''t feeling well. Do you have a headache?" Mion shakes her head. "No... I''m alright..." For a moment, she keeps staring at the mirror, recalling everything Roy had said to her. She closes her eyes, deep in thought. What should I do? And then, when she opens her eyes¡ªshe finds Naomi standing in the mirror''s reflection. She wondered¡ª''If you were in my place¡­ what would you do, Naomi?'' But Sarah thinks Mion is talking to her. Confused, Sarah asks, "About what?" Mion turns around and says, "It''s nothing. I was just talking to myself. Your name is Sarah, right?" Sarah gives a bright smile and nods. "Do you love your brother Leon a lot?" Mion asks. Sarah''s smile widens, and she nods enthusiastically. "How much?..." Sarah stretches her arms out, "This much! No¡ª" she tries stretching them even wider, "This much! No¡ª" It still wasn''t enough to express her love for him, "I love him the most! More than Maria-sister and Sumi! More than anyone in this world!" Mion smiles. "I see..." Just then, the door opens, and Leon enters. The children, including Sarah, rush to see who can reach him first. Sarah wins since she was downstairs closest to the door, opening it first. As Leon steps inside, he grins and lifts Sarah up in one arm. "Sarah opened the door first!" Then Sarah notices something¡ªLeon''s right hand is in a sling, secured tightly to his body. She asks, "What happened?" Leon replies, "I just had an accident. It''s a shoulder immobilizer sling." Mion walks out of the washroom and stops at the doorway. Seeing Leon smiling like this feels strange. He has an innocent yet rough face¡ªhe looks like a guy who just returned from war. Could this man really hurt someone? she asks herself. Just then, Leon notices her standing near the washroom door. As soon as he sees her, his smile fades. Meanwhile, Manabu and the others come downstairs. Seeing them, Leon greets, "Good evening." Manabu responds, "We came in the morning. Maria wanted us to visit once, and it was nice to be here with the children..." He signals toward Mion. It was time to leave. She lowers her head and quietly stands beside them. "Maybe it''s time for us to go. I have studies to do. We''ll visit again if we get the chance..." He waves at the kids and says, "Kids, take care. We''ll see you later," Manabu says. The children respectfully say their goodbyes, but Masao wants them to stay for a while since he didn''t get enough time to speak with them. However, he doesn''t stop them. Masao held Manabu''s hand and says, "Uncle, come whenever you want! We''re always home since we don''t go to school. Leon-brother teaches us at home." Manabu smiles and pats Masao''s head. Maria also leaves with them since she has college tomorrow. Before they go, Leon tells the girls, "Maria, one last thing. Lafiaza''s situation right now isn''t safe. Several gang rapists and murderers are roaming around. Anything could happen. So, don''t even dare to go out after 9 PM. At least take Taiju or Manabu with you. This applies to Mai and Mion as well. Nighttime in Lafiaza is equal to a nightmare. Ever since the war, things have changed¡­ So everyone¡ªtake care." After saying that, Leon turns and walks inside. Mion watches him silently go upstairs, saying nothing. Manabu calls out, "Mion, let''s go." Mion nods, and they all put on their shoes and leave. Roy accompanies them for a bit on the walk but then heads back. Noor comes downstairs, carrying plates, and takes them to wash. Leon is sitting in his rocking chair, gazing at the sky from the window. He carefully places his hand on the wooden handle of the chair. Luckily, his hand wasn''t fractured, but his bone had been dislocated. The doctor had instructed him to keep his arm in the sling for a while. Hima walks up to Leon and reaches up, wanting to be carried. Leon lifts her onto his lap and rocks the chair gently. Hima glances at his right arm and points at the sling. Leon understands her curiosity and says, "It''s nothing. I just got hurt." Hima hasn''t learned to speak yet, but she can make noises. Still, Leon worries that¡ªshe might turn out to be mute. But¡ªLeon pats her head and whispers, "It''s alright. It''s alright to be different... There''s nothing wrong with being different from others..." She rests her head on Leon''s chest and arms. As he rocks the chair, trying to put her to sleep, he ends up dozing off too, with a sweet little angel on his chest¡­