Chapter 46: Sighing
At that moment, Tatsuya entered the infirmary, holding two bouquets of flowers.
Tatsuya:
"Hey… hello. Get well soon."
Ren nodded. San, on the other hand, turned his face away.
Tatsuya swallowed, as if he were about to step forward and say something—but then, embarrassed, he stopped himself.
Sora:
"Mr. Tatsuya… you knew about this, didn't you?"
Tatsuya lowered his head awkwardly and began to speak.
Tatsuya:
"It was just… just—"
(He raises his voice, lifts his head with teary eyes, and presses a hand to his chest.)
"It was to protect the headquarters! I mean… Lady Akira found out later, but it was already too late. They… they had already infiltrated the place. Ah…"
(He's out of breath.)
San clenched his teeth, then spoke in a calm voice.
San:
"So… did it work, at least?"
Sora and Daichi watched them silently. They still weren't used to San's serious exterior hiding a cat-like, mischievous inner self.
Daichi let out a deep breath.
Daichi:
"Anyway… San, you were last seen going to the file room with Ms. Yoona. I mean, Tina."
Sora:
"It's as obvious as day that she's queer, San."
Tatsuya clenched his fists.
Tatsuya:
"Anyway… ah… I should probably go."
Ren broke the silence.
Ren:
"Sometimes the things you believe are good don't feel bad to you, Mr. Tatsuya. But if you didn't do this willingly… then it isn't your fault, sir."
Tatsuya listened to Ren in surprise. A tear slipped from his eye, and at that moment, he gave a faint smile.
Tatsuya:
"Hah… thank you, Ren. Oh, by the way, Ms. Yoona got up, but I don't know where she went."
(He looks at Sora and Daichi.)
"Do you know?"
Both of them shook their heads.
Sora:
"Actually, forget her… I haven't seen the twins or Yuki since this morning either. Haruto said they're fine, but they need some time alone."
Tatsuya:
"I see… ahh…"
(He lowers his head and turns it slightly to the side.)
"Well then… I'll be going. I need to deal with the other heirs."
He took a step and stopped just as he reached the door.
(He glances sideways.)
Tatsuya:
"At the very least… I should apologize to those who are still alive."
With that, he left the room.
Ren:
"AAAAA!"
Daichi, San, and Sora all flinched at once.
San:
"WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?!"
Daichi:
"Why are you yelling?!"
Ren immediately turned to Daichi.
Ren:
"Do you remember, Daichi… on the first day Yuki arrived, you told me you saw Hiroshi. After that… I don't remember anything."
Daichi froze in shock. A bead of sweat slid down his forehead; his eye twitched.
Sora didn't understand. At that moment, he noticed San whispering to him.
San (whispering):
"Daichi doesn't remember, Ken. Ren remembering in this state… it's like a joke."
Sora nodded in agreement.
Sora:
"Heh… yeah, really."
He straightened up. San still didn't understand.
Sora spoke with a light laugh.
Sora:
"Heh hah… we really are a bunch of lunatics…"
(A short but strange silence settles over the room. Everyone is tense—yet, somehow, still alive.)