CHAPTER 8 Act 3
In such a way, calling Mr. Seid's phone number or asking him what and why he went to meet with my parents is naturally suspicious and awkward. Though accidentally, I'm here with that guy, asking him the question directly, ignoring the idea.
"What did they tell you?"
"..."
However, he didn't answer right away.
"You'd best not be silent because you're making things appear suspicious."
"Wouldn't it be better if you ask your parents first, rather than me, Ms. Zei?"
"I want to hear your answer, Mr. Seid."
However, to be honest, I didn't dare to ask my parents since I knew they would end up asking me more questions instead, so I'd rather hear the answer from him.
Despite the fact we have no classes, I'm at the school's cafeteria with Mr. Seid. We ran into each other by chance this morning. We were seated at opposite tables and conversing behind each other's backs. We had no idea what each other was doing here, but I asked him the very first thing that was bugging my mind.
"...To tell the truth, I wasn't expecting to see them there, especially your father; we're both completely clueless, but I assume your mother wanted to talk to me about a lot of things, that's all."
"What particularly did you all talk about?"
"You're being nosy, Ms. Zei."
"But it's a simple question, you don't need to be evasive."
"..."
He made a muted reply, indicating that he had no intention of telling me.
"Fine, it's none of my concern. Wasn't that what you wanted to say—?"
"They wanted to meet my parents personally, which meant they wanted their time."
Unexpectedly, he answered the question.
"So they invited you to simply tell that?"
"..."
"Okay, it's uncomfortable when you suddenly get silent; aren't you going to respond?"
"It's not what you think, Ms. Zei. Listen, we met for a few minutes and then I left, so I can't tell you exactly what they wanted to tell me."
"...What made you leave?"
"Because in the first place, I wasn't invited by them. I happen to be there with my sister when they invited us to join them, but I pretended to be sick so I left."
"Wait, is that it?"
So my conclusion was a mistake.
"From your reaction, Ms. Zei, it was apparent you didn't ask your parents, is that correct?"
"..."
My silence simply serves to answer his question. He can guess what it means, but he continued with another inquiry.
"Now that I noticed it, Ms. Zei, why are you alone here at school?"
"If you're that curious, well I'm waiting for someone, but it doesn't seem necessary right now, so I think I'll take this time to discuss the people you have an interest in."
Now that he's here, we can perhaps talk about that prior matter of creating his Organization.
"Very well, did you notify few of them ahead of time?"
"I personally tasked some people with delivering letters; and yesterday, I went to see whether they received it."
However, not all of them because I'm still unable to contact Mr. Zane.
"...well, do you want to monitor some of them now?"
"Have they given their responses yet?"
"Unfortunately, none of them has ever contacted me."
"Then I don't have to see them," he notably remarked.
"That...," I paused for a second but said, "you're overly fastidious, Mr. Seid."
"I want people that are determined and eager to give me everything."
"..."
I'm still not sure what his objectives and plans are to ensure that everyone takes part and complies under his command. However, even if I'm not a fortune teller, I can see that all of his people will surely have complete trust in him.
"Update me tomorrow; if they don't respond by tomorrow, then abandon them and find someone else."
He was blatantly testing my limits.
"You're a little too demanding."
"Then don't ask me again."
"...!"
"I'm sure you know what to do. If you're actually competent at this, you won't need to ask me these questions....Therefore, I'll leave the decision to you."
He instantly got up on his feet and attempted to walk away.
"So you are saying you trust my choices."
"No, we'll find out," he started walking, but before that, I called out to him once again.
"...Where are you going?"
"That's not something for you to know."
"Hold on, one more question. What's your score on the exam?"
If I had to guess, supposing that the President summoned him at school, Mr. Seid was here because his exam papers were handed to him today, guaranteeing that the paper was correctly given to him.
"Ah right, I'm here because of that. I went to the Student Council room and they said I earned a perfect score." He said this while having a lack of expression.
"Hoh..."
I'm impressed with how he handled the exam questions considering that he was only a transfer student. Even though my score was practically greater than everyone else's, he was still one step ahead of me. But...
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"...It appears that you didn't care, Mr. Seid."
Nevertheless, he was naturally indifferent.
"Hmm, do you think so...? But other than that, I have one concern."
"Concern? That's a strange thing for you to say."
Typically, Mr. Seid was apathetic to everything.
"This school was strange to begin with, but I feel like I'm beginning to embrace everything, which sounds entirely ludicrous."
"Are you implying that this was a bad thing?"
"This is bothersome." He conveyed dejectedly, but he quickly changed the subject, "And another thing, there's a lot going on, perhaps starting tomorrow."
"Tomorrow? Did President Reginald tell you that?"
"No, the President was not present, but I spoke with Ms. Leyand earlier, and from what I can tell, she was distracted and working on something."
"So the President wasn't there, huh."
"Yeah, and Ms. Leyand is always enthusiastic. She even told me that Ms. Hollows also received a perfect exam."
In that sentence, I remained utterly silent. This is something I was not aware of. If that's the case, what will happen to Mr. Seid's class?
"It's intriguing to see what will happen tomorrow, right Ms. Zei?"
I still didn't respond, so he went on.
"Regardless, are you not going to leave?" His tone becoming vapid.
"Why should you care?"
"Is that so?" He mumbled, as he started to walk away. "...See you later, Ms. Zei."
His footsteps faded gently into my ears as it quickly vanished.
I'm planning to stay for a while since I'm here to see someone...which is my father, before he departs. Because my father didn't have time to see me yesterday, I'm here at the school to see him. My mother said that my father would be here, and she insisted that I needed to see him at least. I have no objection to the idea, but it makes me feel anxious.
And out of the blue, someone calls me from behind.
"I'm sorry to interrupt you, young lady."
I'm pretty sure it's one of my father's subordinates. He's such a busy man that he sent his own subordinate to simply be here.
"What is it? Is he not going to see me?"
"Apologies for missing your expectation, but Sir Wyte wanted to deliver this."
He placed a letter on the table, which I plainly understand what was this meant.
Without hesitation, I opened it.
{Zei, I know you're trying to avoid me even if I'm there, right? But in any case, I'll go right to the point: I don't have control over your actions from now on because you decided to split up with us, the Light Family, on your own. That was truly a crazy decision, but there was nothing I could do about it now that it's been done. Finding yourself and your path is a good thing. I'll watch you from behind. Good luck.}
"Has he already left?" I questioned my dad's subordinate.
"I'm afraid I can't answer you, young lady."
"I see..."
Telling me this in letter didn't feel sincere at all.
"Tell dad that I'll wait for the time where we can talk personally."
"I understand. Have a nice day, young lady."
And with that, the person was gone in an instant. Since I had nothing else to do, I went home after that.
The next day, school resumed, and another semester began. Nothing unusual occurs during class, and everything appears to be ordinary, as everyone can observe.
Time flew by, and the day's lessons were over. I didn't mean to go home right away since I had something else planned. I now need to confirm the responses of the people to whom I addressed letters the day before. I left a number printed at the bottom of the letter, asking them to contact me if they would agree. Now I must wait.
I was heading silently down the hallway when I incidentally ran into Ms. Lisa Hollows again, the Aqua Family's Representative.
"Ms. Zei Wyte..."
She had a stern tone when saying my full name. I passed by her but immediately realized what she wanted, so I asked her.
"Hm? What is it?"
"I now know everything."
By this means, she was unequivocally aware of what was going on at school.
"What do you mean?"
But I pretended to be clueless.
"Destroying the Organization is your thing? I'm startled literally."
"Is that so?"
She knows what I'm capable of.
"Even though you've revealed yourself and your appearance has changed, you're still hiding your old self and creating problems for organizations, aren't you?"
"Did you think my appearance changed?"
"Didn't you used to have long hair?"
"I suppose you could put it that way."
She hesitated but still continuing, "...Whatever the case, are you creating your own Family?"
I anticipated this information would be leaked quickly, and I'm sure all of the Representatives were now aware.
"I don't have time to deal with you, Ms. Hollows, well then."
I was about to part ways with her to avoid getting questioned further, but she called out, "Mr. Seid!"
And that made me stop, "...What about him?"
"He requested—"
*Bzzz*
My phone began to vibrate unexpectedly, and when I checked it, two messages appeared on the screen.
"I'm sorry, Ms. Hollows, but I have to leave you."
I'll deal with her later, so I instantly left her speechless.
I received another message but from Mr. Seid which contained the location where we should meet up.
"Excellent timing."
Now, the first thing I need to do is tell Mr. Seid about the two text messages. He immediately replied to me with: {That's good.}
The next step is to contact those two people that we need to meet at this location. In particular, those 'two messages' have given me two names, which they identified themselves with.
"Is it here?"
When I arrived at the location, the first thing I saw was an old building. It appears that nobody ever traveled along this route. I walked further, and I saw Mr. Seid fiddling with his phone, but he instantly put it down when he sensed my presence.
"What are we doing here?"
"You will know."
After that little talk, we casually stood and waited there, not conversing with one another once again. I don't know why, but I'm becoming used to this awkward atmosphere.
A couple of seconds passed before someone other than us broke the silence.
"I suppose you are, Ms. Zei Wyte?"
Even without looking at him, I still know he's that person, Kai Hunt. I'm confident he'll agree to us since he's thirsty for retribution.
"Is that him?" Mr. Seid asked.
"Yes, he's Mr. Kai Hunt, first-year from Gale Family."
"Wait a second—"
Right before Mr. Hunt could speak, someone else spoke to us.
"Erm, can I ask a question if you don't mind?"
She approached us with a gentle tone. Nonetheless, she is the other person, Caith Feild. Looking at her up close, I guess I'm fairly astounded.
"Here's the other person, Mr. Seid. From Life Family, Caith Feild, second-year student."
"I see, so they're both associated with Families."
It's ridiculous to imagine that the people who want to join us are affiliated with Families.
"Yes, we only have these two, and others haven't contacted me, so I believe it's just them for now, but what are you going to do with them?"
"I haven't met them, and I'm not very good at talking to people, so please Ms. Zei, tell them about me."
"There's no need to tell them everything; the letter I provided is well explained, and I'm amazed they didn't question the letter as is."
The letter I sent was brief but precise in its explanation of the Organization Mr. Seid was forming.
"Now that they know, shall we move?"
Without additional questions, the two appear to catch up to us and abandon the introductory remarks. Mr. Seid was already walking ahead of us, so we trailed behind him.
We moved inside the building, though I couldn't help but to return my gaze to the two people behind me; they were merely silent, which made me feel odd at a certain point.
"Do you have any questions?" I asked.
"We can save those questions for later," but Mr. Seid interrupted.
"Do you prefer silence, Mr. Seid?"
"I don't like noisy people."
"..."
In less than a minute, since we were following his steps, we didn't notice that we were heading to the underground. It's dark but only a fraction of light is visiting the place. And there right before my eyes was an old room...for prisoners.
I'm not sure what we're doing here, but it makes me feel uneasy. And the fact that there are just four of us here adds to my skepticism.
"Here we are," Mr. Seid said in a gruff tone. He stopped and immensely looked at the two.
"U-uhm, where is this place by the way?"
Ms. Feild is, predictably, the first person to become terrified. Regrettably, they have had plenty of opportunities to inquire but have yet to do so. However, I'm not sure if Mr. Seid will answer them, or if I can.
"You don't need to ask; I just want you to blindfold yourself first."
Mr. Seid gave me two handkerchiefs and two sleep masks to fully cover their eyes.
"W-wait, what are you trying to do with us," Ms. Feild shrieked.
Mr. Hunt, on the other hand, stated solemnly, "I have total trust in your word, Mr. Seid."
Even myself, has no idea what Hans is trying to get. But I'm sure this is making me nervous. It gives me the eeriest feeling and creeps down my spine.
"Get the two of them stand there and wait for my instruction, Ms. Zei."
Mr. Seid left us, but he returned a few minutes later with two people beside him. Those folks have a cover over their entire head and appear to be tied with rope and handcuffed. What a cruel thing to see.
"I'm glad you came back, Mr. Seid."
I thought he was going to leave us.
"I'm not intending to run away here if you're thinking that way. In any case, give those two these knives."
He handed me two sharp knives, and he turned to face Mr. Hunt and Ms. Feild.
"What are you trying to suggest, Mr. Seid?" I asked, even though I knew exactly what he was thinking.
The two folks on Mr. Seid's side were suddenly on their knees, shivering in horror and despair, calling out to me, probably because they heard my voice. Of course, I was shocked, and I have no idea what they were trying to say since they are like a child who no one understands their words.
"I can't understand them."
"Indeed, since they can't speak, Ms. Zei."
"...Why? Don't tell me—"
"Yes, they don't have their tongues."
My voice is being pushed down somehow. I'm too afraid to ask any more questions. It seems that if I did, my brain would not catch up with things.
In stillness, Mr. Seid drew the two unknown people closer to Mr. Hunt and Ms. Feild with force.
"Mr. Hunt and Ms. Feild, right? There's just one thing you have to do... Kill these two."
The commanding words in Mr. Seid's mouth was unsettling and frightening to hear.