Chapter 8: Something Undefined
Kaito, Haruto, and Kenji rushed toward the direction of Sora's voice.
All three froze in shock.
Sora was pressing a cloth against the wound on Daichi's head, carefully cleaning it.
Sora:
"Why didn't you tell us, Daichi?"
Dr. Mitsuni, holding a first-aid kit, pushed past Haruto and Kenji and hurried to Sora's side.
Kaito frowned.
Kaito:
"You could've asked us for help, Daichi."
"Weren't you just supposed to go there for an inspection?"
Haruto turned to Shin and Zen.
Haruto:
"Why don't you show Yuki your room, huh?"
"I'm sure he'd like to see it too."
(Turning to Yuki)
Yuki lifted his head slightly.
Yuki:
"Uh… yeah. I'd like that."
Just then, Tatsuya arrived carrying a tray. Steam rose from the famous uva tea.
He looked around in confusion.
Tatsuya:
"What's going on here?"
"Daichi, you—"
As Yuki left with the twins, he briefly locked eyes with Kaito.
Kaito quickly looked away.
Tatsuya:
"You should've informed us. And also—"
Sora cut him off sharply.
Sora:
"MR. TATSUYA, THIS IS NOT THE TIME TO SCOLD HIM!"
"CAN'T YOU SEE HE'S BLEEDING?!"
Tatsuya glanced at Haruto and Kaito, then turned to Kenji.
Tatsuya:
"Daichi, when your punishment period is over, come see me."
Kenji leaned between Kaito and Haruto and whispered.
Kenji:
"He sounds gentle when talking to Yuki, but when it comes to work…"
"He turns into a rock-solid tyrant."
Kaito rolled his eyes.
Haruto forced a smile.
Haruto:
"It'd be better if you two watched the kids."
"I'll go prepare the bathroom."
Kaito's eyes widened.
Kaito:
"HEY—WHAT?!"
"Why me?!"
(Pointing at himself)
Haruto replied seriously.
Haruto:
"I'm preparing the bath."
"The staff's already exhausted. Just look at Mr. Naichi—he's practically passed out."
"Or Lady Yona… or even Mr. Re—"
Haruto suddenly stopped, looking around in confusion.
From behind, Dr. Mitsuni's voice rang out.
Dr. Mitsuni:
"Don't worry. Ren went to report everything to Lady Akira."
Haruto thought to himself.
(Why can't I ever tell when people leave around here?)
Kaito shouted at him.
Kaito:
"HEY, IDIOT!"
Haruto turned just as Sora's voice echoed again.
Sora:
"Haruto! The kid's clothes are torn and covered in blood!"
"Give him one of the twins' outfits for now!"
Haruto nodded and turned to Daichi.
Daichi winced.
Haruto:
"How are you feeling, Daichi?"
Dr. Mitsuni finished wrapping the bandage.
Daichi:
"Honestly… my head hurts too much to talk."
Dr. Mitsuni grinned.
Dr. Mitsuni:
"Come on, it's just a tiny little cut—"
Sora's fist stopped right in front of Mitsuni's mouth.
Sora:
"YOU CALL YOURSELF A DOCTOR?!"
Mitsuni ignored it, still smiling.
Sora:
"His forehead is split open from end to end!"
Daichi smiled weakly despite the pain.
Daichi:
"Sora… calm down…"
Sora cut him off.
Sora:
"YOU BE QUIET!"
"WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL US?!"
---
Kenji and Kaito reached the twins' room.
They could still hear Sora yelling in the distance and smirked.
Kenji:
"That girl… she could make a healthy person sick."
Kaito smirked too.
Kaito:
"Everyone here being insane is practically a requirement."
He stopped in front of the door.
Kenji, already out of breath from the stairs to the second floor, leaned in behind him.
Kenji:
"Me too?"
(Whispering)
"You're a real jerk."
They opened the door—
—and both froze.
------
Downstairs in the kitchen, Chef Taro was preparing vegetable curry rice.
At the same time, he worked on his special dessert: banana mochi pudding, its yellow color bright from the fruit and starch mixed in.
Taro:
"This child… he's just like him…"
A small smile appeared on his face as tears welled in his eyes.
He placed a hand over his heart.
Taro:
"I miss you…"
---
After Sora finally calmed down, an assistant standing beside Ren and Ten approached Daichi, holding several documents.
Assistant (smiling):
"Mr. Daichi, we've heard about your condition."
"On behalf of all staff, we wish you a speedy recovery."
Daichi nodded.
Daichi:
"Thank you. I know how busy everyone is."
The assistant spoke sadly.
Assistant:
"It appears today's attack is connected to this case."
Tatsuya approached from behind, his expression serious.
He looked at Sora, then turned to Daichi.
Tatsuya:
"Daichi, there are things you need to explain."
"And now is the time to listen."
"We'll be heading to the meeting room shortly."
Haruto returned from the bathroom and glanced at the chaos downstairs, barely reacting.
(Are they really interrogating him when he's not even fully conscious? Seriously?)
As Haruto headed toward Kaito and Kenji, a name echoed from below.
"SENTENYA."
Haruto froze.
He turned sharply and looked downstairs—but no one was near him.
Grinding his teeth, Haruto quickened his pace.
(What does that mean?)
Dr. Mitsuni suddenly spoke to Daichi.
Dr. Mitsuni:
"What do you mean by that?"
Daichi let out a long breath.
Daichi:
"I saw him…"
"He was exactly the same…"
"The same person…"