Vol 2 Chapter 4.2 (2/2)

Safu had been checking the day's cla.s.s schedule on the EL display on her desk. She hesitated a little at being spoken to so suddenly.

”That sweater looks really nice. I can tell just by looking at it that it's really warm.”

”Th― thank you.”

”No worries. But now I've learned something new.”

”Huh?”

”Black and pink go pretty well together. I had no idea they did.”

It wasn't anything like a proper conversation. It was abrupt, and one-sided. But at that moment, in Safu's soul, the gentle-faced boy had risen and left an imprint.

What a strange person...

He was a strange person. He was different from the rest. So one day, he'll probably go a different way from the rest of us too. He'll probably leave, throwing away without a second thought everything we've clung onto, everything that we've been taught to prize most importantly.

She had had the feeling before.

So when s.h.i.+on had pa.s.sed the selection examinations for the High Inst.i.tute's Gifted Curriculum, only to lose his privilege shortly afterwards to move away to Lost Town, Safu wasn't surprised. Her premonition had just come true. There was nothing to be surprised about. But she wanted to know why. She wanted to know the meaning behind the eyes s.h.i.+on made ever so often.

What are you looking at? Who are you looking for?

Don't let your eyes wander so far away. Look at me. I'm right in front of you.

They were such simple words, but she could never bring herself to say them. They were such strong feelings, but they showed no sign of getting across. Communications devices were progressing in quality day by day, and card-type mobile phones, wearable computers and electronic paper all existed and were used in the real world― but all of them were useless to her. They served no function to communicate her soul to the one that stood beside her. It riddled her with anxiety.

She was frustrated at herself for not knowing any words of confession, and at s.h.i.+on for not even trying to sense her feelings. But even so, she had bared her soul just before departing on exchange. She was embarra.s.sed at herself for being so direct, but it was the only way she could say it.

I want you. I've always wanted you.

Simple and direct words. It was the best confession she could muster. But it had been brushed away all too easily.

I always thought of you as a friend.

What an Oscar-award-winning answer. It was so ridiculous she had wanted to dissolve into peals of laughter. So funny, it was almost painful.

You numbskull, idiot, grow up a little, won't you?

She criticized him in her mind. But she had still been able to tell him what she wanted to say. That was good enough. Her load was one millstone lighter. In two years, when I get back from my exchange, I'll start over again. I'll look at him face-to-face again, when I'll be two years more mature. Her soul would remain unchanged. She still ached for him with longing.

But s.h.i.+on for the most part, had not even been looking at Safu. His soul had been captured by something else, and he had forgotten about her. For the first time, she had seen this calm and serene boy of few words being ruffled right before her eyes.

s.h.i.+on's emotions had lost their equilibrium, and he had been in agitation.

She had tried to follow s.h.i.+on's gaze, through the station, through the crowd of people, but she had not been able to see anything. Whoever it was that she couldn't see had probably been the person s.h.i.+on had been searching for. And right now, that person was probably by his side. Although she had no evidence, she was certain it was true. It was no use wondering who that person might be. He was an unknown persona.

Is it Nezumi, I wonder? That was what Karan had said.

A mouse?

There was. There had been a mouse. Before they had parted at the station, a small mouse had climbed up onto s.h.i.+on's shoulder.

”Nezumi.” She tried saying it out loud. Only the image of a lab rat came to mind. The wind blew. She felt cold around the neck. Should I go back to get my scarf? Right as she was about to change direction, a dark shadow appeared before her.

”Are you Safu-san?” She was called by her name. A faint chill ran down her spine. These uniforms― they were law enforcement officers of the Security Bureau.

Why were Bureau officials―?

”Safu-san, am I right?” One of the men repeated his question. It was a question he already knew the answer to.

”Yes.”

”May I see your ID card?” After confirming the card that Safu showed them, the officials looked at each other and nodded. Their tone of voice was courteous, but were not friendly in any way. It was mechanical, with no human warmth. Her chill got worse.

”If you don't mind, we'd like for you to come to the Security Bureau with us.”

”What?”

By the time she had raised a small cry, she had already been flanked by officials on both sides and taken by the arms.

”Please get in the car.”

”No, let me go!” She struggled. Their grip didn't loosen.

”Stop it! What are you taking me for? Tell me why,” Safu demanded.

”Get the h.e.l.l in there and you'll find out soon.” Their words became rough. It looked like they intended to forcibly escort her. Safu let her body relax.

”Alright. Please, just don't use violence on me.” She took a step forward.

”Ah―!”

She pretended to trip, and let her body fall forward. The men's hands loosened. She rammed herself into the man to her right. He staggered back a few steps. Safu swung her bag around, and whipped it at the other man. She sped through the s.p.a.ce between them.

She had to get away. If she got captured, she would never be able to see s.h.i.+on again.

What it meant to be forcibly escorted by the Security Bureau― she knew by instinct, not logic. I'll never be able to see him again.

She saw a shadow at the end of the alleyway. It was too far away to make out clearly, but she could see that it was holding something light-coloured in its hands.

Her baby-pink scarf.

”Madam.”

Her feet stopped.

Madam, no. Don't come this way.

She tried to whirl around, but she was grabbed by the shoulder. Her wrist was wrenched and twisted behind her back. A shooting pain. Her mouth was covered as she opened it to scream.

Stop.

The men didn't speak a single word anymore. Silently, they proceeded to capture Safu. A feeling of terror raced through her whole body.

I'm scared. No. Help me. She struggled to get free. She heard the sound of her coat ripping. A b.u.t.ton tore off and rolled onto the street.

Help me. No―help―

She felt a shock in her neck. Her body went numb, and she couldn't move as she wanted to.

”No... help me...” She was fading out of consciousness. The night scene before her blurred.

s.h.i.+on.

Before she could murmur the name, Safu was dragged into the darkness.

Karan saw the shadowy figures tangled in a struggle. She heard a small cry. She instantly recognized it as Safu's voice. She hesitated for a moment, then broke into a run. But her legs didn't move as she willed them to, and she tripped and fell, and struck her knee hard on the pavement.

By the time Karan had gotten back up, the men were dragging Safu's limp body into a car. It was like a silent shadow play performed on an empty street. But what was unfolding before her under the evenly-s.p.a.ced street lamps was none other than reality. The men were not acting in a fiction― they were carrying out their a.s.signed mission, without a single word.

Security Bureau.

Her breath caught in her throat. Curled up on the pavement, she was unable to move. It was not pain, but fear, that prevented her feet from stepping forward.

One of the men glanced this way. Or at least she thought he did. Her body shrank in horror. Karan was curled up outside of where the light shone, so in this darkness it would be difficult to see her. But with night-vision goggles, the time of day was of no concern. They could see into the darkness as if it were midday. They could probably see Karan crystal-clear.

She was terrified.

But the men swiftly got into the car. The black station wagon silently glided forward, and disappeared from Karan's sight within seconds. Karan lifted herself up and clenched the scarf in her hands.

”Safu.”

She said her name out loud, and the real terror of it finally set in. Her hands shook. She staggered home, and locked the door. The faint smell of bread soothed her a little.

Safu had been taken away by the Security Bureau. It had almost been like a kidnapping.

Why? Why did she have to get captured? Is it because of s.h.i.+on? If it is, then why is it Safu, and not me? Why on earth―

She didn't know. She didn't know anything.

Cheep.

A small mouse poked its head out from under the gla.s.s case. It was holding a morsel of cheese bread in its paws.

”Nezumi.”

Would Nezumi be able to help her? Would he bring her salvation? Would he take the hand she extended out to him?

Toward the small animal with grape-coloured eyes, Karan extended her palm.

-- END OF CHAPTER 4 --

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