HA1 2.7 - Figure of A Father
Unagi was a specialist in using booby traps or mechanisms to injure or kill one or multiple targets. He carefully scanned the tunnel's ceiling before examining the three bodies lying beneath it.
"They were receiving the blasts at full. Something is stopping them at their place and distracting them." Unagi picked up a piece of broken buckshot lying on the floor before continuing, "Their fatal injuries were not caused by shockwave or heat wave, but buckshot bursts that caused a wound cavity bigger than hollow-point round."
Keizawa nodded his head a few times before saying, "It seems we are not dealing with Jean Hateur, but an ex-commando specializing in combat engineering, and we don't know his full skills set."
"Shieeeet!" Irene cursed before closing her eyes and clenching her fists hard.
Keizawa then let out a deep breath before turning his head towards Unagi. "Properly bury them. I will write letters to their families."
"Roger." Unagi immediately took out his cellphone and called in some men.
Stuart and his two colleagues were not Keizawa’s men. However, as manager of Kiotto Kafe, Keizawa had responsibility to ensure that mercenaries who stayed at Nichiko did not disturb public order. On the other hand, the authorities would not interfere with the mercenaries' vacation.
Keizawa also added a custom of writing letters to the fallen mercenary's family, if when they were at Nichiko they didn't cause uproar in public. It was said that this little custom earned Keizawa great respect from mercenaries who visited Nichiko.
With a long sigh Keizawa muttered inwardly, 'Stuart had two ex-wives and three children, while his colleagues are brothers who left a father. I must write a letter to them as soon as possible.'
---
This afternoon, Aizawa was dumbfounded because Hide suddenly returned home with curry rice from Tohru Ramen for her. Not long after that, Hide told her to stay well at home and then left again with a full-packed backpack and waist bag.
Aizawa cheerfully obeyed Hide's words. After having lunch with the delicious curry rice from Tohru Ramen, she then continued her activities like any other day, did school work and studied until it was time to take a bath.
However, when the sun fully down in the west and Hide had not returned, Aizawa started to get anxious, restless, and began to wonder if his brother left her and would never come back.
Previously, for more than two years every afternoon Aizawa had to close the curtain and turn on the lights in the whole house alone, as Hide would only return home shortly before dinner.
However, during the last few days, Aizawa didn't have to do this anymore because Hide was the one who went to close the curtains and turn on the lights all over the house. Therefore, when Aizawa had to go back to a routine that reminded her the lonely days she had gone through, she naturally sobbed and wondered what mistake she had made so Hide left her.
Luckily Aizawa didn't have to wait too long. Moreover, Hide panicked as soon as he saw Aizawa sitting and sobbing near the door. Hide immediately lifted and carried Aizawa, and after seeing the expression on Hide's face, Aizawa instantly realized that his brother would never leave her.
After calming Aizawa, Hide then shifted her mood by asking her to order a pizza for dinner.
Aizawa cheerfully received the smartphone and the money Hide gave her. Then, she searched a reference on how to order pizza online. Not long after Hide finished his bath, the pizza ordered by Aizawa arrived and dinner began afterward.
Long time ago, Aizawa asked Hide to buy her a pizza after she saw a pizza ad on the TV. At that time, the pizza was look super yummy, but Hide replied that pizza was not good for growing little girl.
However, now, when Aizawa reminded him that pizza was not good for growing little girl, Hide casually replied that pizza which was not good for growing girl had been prohibited from circulating, and all the pizza currently circulating was much tastier and also good for growing girl.
'Whoah... Big Bro is not lying. Pizza in current circulation is super yummy.'
Cheerfully, Aizawa chowed down a large bite of pizza topped with bacon, mushroom, and had sausage inside its crust.
Seeing Aizawa enjoying the pizza with a content expression, Hide smiled broadly.
"Aizawa, is the pizza delicious?"
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"Mhm... this pizza is super yummy."
"Then, you should thank Big Bro by kissing and hugging Big Bro tightly."
"U-um... but Mommy said girls should not kiss and hug carelessly to become a perfect bride."
"Don't worry, that rule doesn't apply to Big Bro."
"Really?"
Aizawa tilted her head while Hide nodded firmly. Not long after that, Aizawa put the pizza slice in her hand before kissing Hide's cheek and hugged him tightly.
Wasting no time, Hide kissed back Aizawa on the cheek and hugged her tightly. It was simple thing that in his previous life he could only imagine and dream of every night, while his heart was filled with regret and bitterness.
'In this life, I will make sure that happiness will always be with you.'
Hide murmured while desperately trying to hold back his tears.
---
Today was Aizawa's first day to study at Kitaro. Although Kitaro provided a shuttle service, in the first-week Hide chose to take Aizawa and pick her up directly. In addition, he also intended to bring Aizawa to thank the subway officer who took her to Kitaro a few days before.
Hide and Aizawa bowed deeply, while Takeshi, the subway officer who took Aizawa to Kitaro scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
"Well, this is not necessary. My first child is only four years old, while my wife is pregnant with our second child. So it's natural that I don't have the heart to see such little girl ride the subway alone."
"Uncle Takeshi, please accept this. These little gifts are nothing compared to the kindness you have shown to Aizawa."
While still bowing, Hide held a parcel of pickled peaches which Takeshi tried to refuse. At the same time, Aizawa also bowed while holding a parcel of assorted chocolate. Seeing the two children most likely wouldn’t give up until he received the gifts, Takeshi finally received the parcels.
"Thank you, you two sure knows how to make an adult like me flattered."
As soon as Takeshi received the parcel, relief immediately appeared on Hide's face. He then bowed deeply once more before saying goodbye.
Under Takeshi's gaze, Hide led Aizawa to subway train that would take them to south Nichiko. Carefully, Hide treated Aizawa as if she was the most precious treasure in this world, while occasionally Aizawa would turn to Hide and smile broadly.
'Why does he look more like a father than a brother?'
Takeshi looked at Hide in amazement, just before he and Aizawa disappeared behind the subway train’s door.
---
When Kaede Sensei found out that Hide and Aizawa's father was a senior programmer at an international game developer, she immediately asked Hide if his father could help Kitaro created a student archiving program.
Without a second thought Hide agreed to Kaede Sensei's request. It's just that he was the one who would make the archiving program. At first, Kaede Sensei doubted Hide's ability, but Hide cleverly issued a deadly move. He offered a free program complete with maintenance packet as long as Aizawa studied at Kitaro.
An archiving program or what was often called the Library Software was not complicated program. The basic scripts were even available online, so Hide didn't need to write it from scratch.
Hide was also quite familiar with Library Software. When he was in 7th grade he had succeeded in making a cashier program based on it, and Emily managed to sell it for 100 Dillar or 10,000 Ren to minimarts, cafes, and several shops whose owners she knew well.
It only took four hours before the archiving program prototype was ready for data input. Kaede Sensei looked at the black and white table on the screen before turning her gaze towards Hide.
"Can we really start entering student data into the computer today?"
"Yes, meanwhile I will work on the program display so that the staff will be more comfortable when working with it."
Kaede Sensei smiled broadly before saying, "Hide, we do not need an elegant or beautiful appearance. As long as we can access files quickly, that is more than enough."
"Don't worry Sensei, the part I enjoy the most is the graphic designs for the displays. Also, I will assist the data input while checking for bugs that may arise, and make sure this program is ready for use within a week."
To be honest, Kaede Sensei wanted to ask about Hide's school. Had he got permission to leave the class?
However, when she remembered there were more than eight thousand names that had to be inputted while Kitaro Music School only had two administrative staff, Kaede Sensei immediately hardened her heart.
"Following Sensei's request, data input will start from 92 students who are still actively studying, followed by 430 students who only take music lessons in the afternoon, and continue with graduates who still often come here to take short courses."
Kaede Sensei gave a small nod before saying softly, "Yes, but for now we'll have lunch first."
---
Kitaro did not differentiate the place or the lunch menu between the teacher and students, only the table was distinguished. Teacher dining tables were located at both ends and at the center of dining room.
When Hide entered the dining room with Kaede Sensei, Aizawa was already there. She had even started enjoying her lunch while chatting with a girl her age. Judging from the way they chatted and laughed, it seemed the two were quite on the same page, and would likely become friends. Seeing this, Hide breathed a sigh of relief.
Initially, he was worried about how to help Aizawa to integrate herself with her new school. At minimum, Hide hoped that he could be at Kitaro during Aizawa's first days. He considered various methods, but none of them could be considered a natural way.
Hide would not use his father's method by waiting for him outside the classroom, because that method made the whole class ridicule him. Although the method used by his father was now a sweet memory for him, it could not be denied that this method had made his heart languish at that time, and Hide did not want Aizawa experienced it.
Fortunately, Kaede Sensei gave him a way. So, without hesitation he maximized the opportunity. The problem with his absence from school, he would deal with it later.
When Aizawa saw Hide sitting not far from her table, she immediately smiled cheerfully. Aizawa already knew that his brother was helping the administrative staff at Kitaro. So, she was not surprised when she saw Hide.
'What a sweet child.'
Hide smiled back, while in his mind he remembered that when he was in elementary school he would pretend not to know his father whenever he came to school.
'The first biggest problem was solved halfway.'
Slowly but surely relief filled Hide's heart. He then cheerfully introduced himself to Teaching Staff who sat at the same table with him. Of course, from time to time Hide would steal glances at Aizawa who was laughing with her new friend.
*****