{ Think about it again… please, don't do this. }
7:30 AM
Yesterday passed peacefully. I feel better now.
I don't know why, but the image of the two sisters stayed in my mind all night.
I think I'll go visit them after breakfast.
I went downstairs and found the maid already waiting for me.
I sat down on a chair, and just as she was about to leave, I asked her to sit.
"I want to discuss something with you… but first, let's eat together."
We ate while talking about several things—some related to the house, and other ordinary matters.
After we finished eating, I told her I would increase her salary as a token of appreciation for everything she does for me.
She refused at first, but I insisted.
Then I asked her:
"Do you hear or feel anything unusual?"
[I noticed a change in her expression… but I didn't want to pressure her.]
"No, sir… there is nothing unusual. Thank you for asking."
[I can easily tell when someone is lying. I'm used to it… but why doesn't she want to talk about it? I'll find out later.]
"Well, it's fine. I'm going to visit the sisters. I might come back late."
"Take care of yourself. May you stay safe."
I went back to my room and changed my clothes.
I started looking for my phone, which had been turned off for a while.
As I was thinking about the maid's silence, a knock interrupted my thoughts.
The maid?
"Come in."
"Do you need something?"
"No… but I want you to be careful."
"Huh? Is there a reason for that? I'm going for a visit, not a fight."
She raised her eyes to mine, tears streaming down her face as she sighed.
"Please take care of yourself… Master Kenjin… please."
I hadn't heard her call me by my name in a long time.
[Does this have something to do with what I asked earlier?]
I reassured her and told her I would be fine, so there was no reason to cry.
I blamed her reaction on the fact that I had been in poor health during the past few days.
And once again, I told her that I was fine.
But deep inside… I knew that wasn't true.
"See you tonight."
{ Think about it again… please, don't do this. }
I decided to walk there.
I've been using the car too much lately, so I thought walking would be good for me.
As long as I still have the strength…
Though, worrying about getting tired while walking… is that the kind of thought someone my age should have?
Whatever.
As I approached the sisters' house, I called the older sister on the phone I had previously given her.
Her name was Rina, if I remember correctly.
And the younger one was Miar.
Rina answered and opened the door, waiting for me as I approached.
I could see her from a distance.
A girl in her early twenties… someone life had treated harshly.
Fighting for her little sister in this world… that's something worthy of respect.
Honestly, she might be the only person I truly respect… aside from my father.
Miar welcomed me with a hug, pulling me to play with her.
Her sister asked her to let me rest for a bit since I had just arrived.
I sat on a nearby chair while Miar sat on my lap, telling me everything she had done since morning.
I don't know why… but when I look at her, I feel something screaming inside my head.
[How many children her age were killed… or violated… without justice ever being served?
Isn't this supposed to be my role…? Mine…]
Rina brought some tea and we started talking.
In short, I told her that I would soon leave this city and move to Istanbul.
Instead of sending them money every month, I thought it would be better if they came to live with me.
This city is filled with crime.
As soon as Miar heard the idea, she hugged me and thanked me excitedly.
"Thank you, uncle! That would be amazing! Sister, let's go!"
While I was watching her, the laughter was interrupted by Rina's response.
"I can't… I'm sorry. I know you're a kind man… but we can't live with you."
[Honestly, I don't blame her. Even I would refuse such an offer.
Living with a man you barely know doesn't seem like a reasonable idea—especially from a moral standpoint.]
The little sister started pushing her while crying, begging her to come with me.
I said nothing.
[I tried acting like a decent human being for once… but maybe that doesn't suit me.]
I stood up and asked Miar to come with me to a nearby shop.
We left her sister at home and went outside.
The little girl kept crying, asking me to convince her sister.
But I told her I couldn't force anyone to do something they didn't want.
We arrived at a clothing store that sold children's clothes.
I bought her a few outfits.
Then we went to a grocery store and bought some supplies—and a few things the little girl wanted.
About two hours had probably passed since we left.
"What do you think? Let's drop these things at home and go to the park."
"Okay, uncle! We'll play a lot at the park!"
"Of course."
"Let's go."
After walking and talking along the way, we finally arrived.
As we approached the house, Miar ran ahead while calling out to her sister.
When she entered the house, I could no longer hear her voice.
Suddenly—
A scream echoed from inside.
I dropped everything I was holding and ran inside.
A man was standing in the middle of the house, facing the other direction.
What was he doing?
…
[I saw Rina lying on the floor, bleeding… she wasn't moving.]
…
…Did she die?