CHAPTER 4 Act 6

"How is your conversation going?"

"Not much. We decided that the Light Family would pay a fine to put this matter behind them. Mr. Wyte will give me information tomorrow. How about on your part? I can tell you're taking your time there."

"It is, but I need to take a break for a little bit."

"All right, I'm not going to ask you any more questions, but if it involves the Gale Family, please let me know ahead of time."

"O-Okay..."

I'm at the office with Mr. Arson, quietly sorting paperwork. The office isn't particularly large, but it can accommodate four people in a meeting.

Mr. Arson was already present when I arrived, and he had notified the Organization about his discussion with Mr. Wyte. As of now, the problem has been rectified without incident. However, because Ms. Shine has already informed me that the Organizations are now in turmoil, I'm certain that the Gale Family will convene an emergency meeting.

Zei has already moved her pieces, and there's nothing we can do. The next step is to figure out how to block the flow of information. If this does not cease, it will most likely lead to conflict and gradually sever the bond between Organizations and Families.

Mr. Arson remained silent in this room and did not ask any additional questions. We're both new Gale Family representatives, and he's been accustomed to me in the previous several months; though, I know he holds himself back in front of me.

Mr. Arson was once associated with the Scorch Family, which was affiliated with the Flame Family. Later on, however, the Scorch Family rose to become one of the well-known Organizations, at which point he quit his own. That is all the Gale Family has been documented.

"Um..."

We're nearly done, so I strike up a conversation with him.

"What?"

"Can I ask... why you quit your Family?"

He reacted all of a sudden and stared at me. I returned his gaze, but immediately he turned away his head.

"A few months have passed, and you're only going to ask me that today?"

"Why? Uh, I've been wondering about it for a while."

"Then what's the point of asking me that?"

"I was only curious..."

The documents are now completed, so he has taken a seat on the couch. Then I do the same thing, sitting in front of him.

"You know what, Ms. Auguron, I can see in your eyes that you're looking for an answer. Are you worried about something?"

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"...Is that what you see?"

I'm trying to make my expression as calm as possible, but he was right nonetheless; I'm worried about something.

"I'm not sure, but I do think the way you stare seems a little forced."

"Oh, I see..."

"And the answer to your question isn't worth mentioning. I leave them behind since it's the only choice. I don't have a home there."

"Erm, is that all?"

"..."

He's completely quiet. Does he have no trust in me?

"I'm sorry, but I didn't understand since you didn't explain everything in detail."

"What did you do if you knew about me? Does it have anything to do with Ms. Wyte?"

There's no denying that he instantly thought about it.

"What could I say? To be honest, I'm trying to connect your story to Zei in some way, and that's why I want to know your reason."

"Being eager to know everything does not imply that your problem has been answered. You must be patient at times, Ms. Auguron."

"It doesn't make sense. All I want is for you to answer me honestly."

"If you're also willing to share Ms. Wyte's history, or must I say, the story between the two of you."

I squinted my eyes eventually to see whether my guess was correct.

"Hn, I'm just guessing, but are you interested in her?"

"..."

He was silent in response.

"No, there's no need to discuss anything."

I immediately ended the conversation, but Mr. Arson continued.

"You get the wrong idea here, Ms. Auguron. I wanted to avoid her as much as possible."

"Is that so?"

Honestly, I don't believe his statement. It looks like it's the contrary.

"...But once again, let's just stop our conversation here, Mr. Arson."

I mustn't reveal Zei's objective or background to anybody, particularly not to this person. He most likely has a plan hidden someplace.

The silence began to envelop him, but he replied lightly.

"...These questions are personal matters, right? That's why, we don't have to get to know each other. This mutual relatio—partnership isn't all that bad."

"What are you talking about?"

"Nothing."

Then the unpleasant stillness returns to strangle my consciousness. I don't know what to say, so I think I should leave this room and go to class.

"Ms. Auguron..."

"Hm?"

I attempt to open the door, but I turn my head around as he calls me back. He glanced at me and said something.

"You know what, I'm sure there's an upcoming order from the higher-ups regarding the impending test."

"What exactly is it, and is there anything exceptional about the test?"

"Beats me... In a sense, are you not interested in how Mr. Seid performs?"

"No."

"What a direct response. Are you sure?"

"In any case, I don't care about him. If I wanted him in the Gale Family, I could foresee that it'd be chaotic, and he had already decided that he had no plans regardless."

"You're correct, but I'm not only talking about him, I'm talking about the other Organizations too."

"What about them? If they've got a plan, then so be it. There's nothing we can do."

"Aren't we planning anything as well?"

If the Gale family had ordered us, we had no choice but to do what we could. In the meantime, we must remain passive.

"Don't get yourself worked up, Mr. Arson. Like I said, we do not need to face other organizations yet. Mr. Seid may be different, but we cannot fight over a certain prey."

"Sure enough, but what about Ms. Wyte? Is she planning anything?"

"Why are you asking so many questions today?"

"Because there are several questions that need to be answered."

"As you said, be patient and let things happen on their own. The main thing is that we must prioritize our Organization first. If something strange is going on, please notify me ahead of time."

"Yeah, yeah, fine. What are you going to do now?"

"And what's with that?"

"Are you putting your family ahead of Ms. Wyte?"

I was confused at first by his remark, but then I realized what he truly wants.

"Are you concerned about me?"

"Not at all."

"You're kind of suspiscious."

He is actually. Although, I don't know if it is genuine or not.

"I don't know what you're talking about," he said in a bluff tone.

"Well anyway, there really isn't much I can do at this point, so I'll probably keep this to myself. Thank you for your cooperation, and see you in class."

"All right, I'll stay here for a while."

After that, I left Mr. Arson alone in the room.