*Yukisaku City, 2 p.m., Wednesday, sunny*
- why? Why can't you find money in our unfair world? Takumi Nagato's boyfriend shouted in his head.
— I'm 14 years old, I don't have anyone, what should I do? No money, nothing!
— There's a cafe, maybe you can come in and ask for some food, otherwise I'll completely die from stomach pain — Takumi thought after seeing a sign about food.
"I'm not going to get there," Takumi said, and his eyes began to turn pale, the whole world turned slightly pale.
"Am I dying?" The falling Takumi said.
— Tuns-tuns, hey, be careful! — said a passing man who caught Takumi and saved him from falling.
Takumi looked into the eyes of this man and was surprised by the coldness, Takumi could read people just by looking at their face.
—S-thank you, more mmm," Takumi said.
— What's wrong with you? A boy," the perplexed man asked.
"I—I-I'm hungry!" Damn, I'm very hungry! Takumi replied with a very strong tone and a slightly trembling voice.
— Do you want me to give you something to eat? Just tell me, where did you get such magic from? — this guy suggested.
"Magic?" What are you talking about? Don't I have any magic? Magic does not exist, and I do not need to eat, I will refuse. — Takumi turned around and walked on, but in a moment he almost fell again.
— So what? Will we talk at the table? — the guy caught Takumi once again and again made an offer to feed him.
—Okay,— Takumi agreed through gritted teeth.
Takumi and the stranger took a taxi towards the center of Yukisaku and they had a conversation inside the car.
— So, how old are you? the stranger asked.
—Wh-what?" Are we going to talk right in the taxi? Takumi was a little embarrassed.
— Relax, this is the car of the Committee of Investigations, the organization in which I work.
— Organization machine? Committee of Investigations! Aa-a-aa let me out! I didn't break anything and I didn't steal food! Takumi got nervous.
— I asked you to relax, no one wants to hurt you and you are not a serial criminal, so relax and enjoy the ride.
— Answer my question. — there was silence in the car.
— I'm 14 years old.
— Why go out alone, and even so hungry? Don't they feed you at home? The stranger was perplexed.
— Who are you, anyway? Why am I in your organization's car and going somewhere with you?
— My name is Haruki Kazuki, I'm a member of the committee, my task today was to find you, and now I've found you! Haruki replied.
— I haven't heard anything about such a committee. — I was looking out of Takumi's window.
— I understand, you shouldn't have heard or known anything about him, we are engaged in magical investigations, well, we can also do simple ones, but there are police for this, and it's also not interesting to solve ordinary cases, it's too simple.
"What kind of magic is that?" You're talking nonsense! Takumi objected and looked at Haruki.
— You'll understand soon, maybe the special Patrol will want to arrest you, but we need you, so now you have to listen to me — Haruka's voice asked calmly.
— Oh, my God... I don't understand anything
— The committee has been looking for you for 2 weeks, it's very insulting for our organization, so behave more respectfully, I tried so hard to find you, no need to run away.
—Okay," Takumi agreed.
— So, you are 14 years old, so why are you starving?
— My parents are dead. I'm alone. My relatives refused to take me. I ran away from home and am homeless. I don't want to be in an orphanage. Takumi said, and his eyes filled with pain.
— It's sad. How long has this been going on?
— About a month.
— Well, there! You have a great chance to turn your life around for the better! Haruki was delighted.
— I don't even know.
— Don't worry, there's no reason for you to think about it. We're almost there.
The car became quiet. For another 10 minutes they continued their journey in silence, sometimes tapping their feet on the cabin and touching their knees. Wide expanses stretched around, entwined with thick silence.
— We've arrived! You can come out! Haruki said with a smile on his face.
— I'm on my way out.
— Here's the restaurant, let's go! Haruki pointed his finger in front of Takumi's eyes.
Takumi saw a huge sign "KOTIN" and realized that this is the most expensive and high-quality restaurant in Yukisaku.
— I think I'll go! Well, I'll take a walk further! — Takumi was about to leave, but Haruki grabbed him by the hood.
— Don't be shy, let's go! Let's go! Haruki was dragging Takumi with a sulky look.
— Don't drag me to such a posh place! I couldn't go there even with a good life! Ahh! Takumi shouted.
— Stop it! Xxah,— Haruki said mockingly.
Haruki went into the restaurant with Takumi and took a table on the fourth floor, the whole restaurant "KOTIN" has 13 floors. The cost of repair here starts from one hundred dollars.
— Listen! Who are you? A conman? I don't have any money! — whispering, leaning in front of the table, Takumi said.
"Relax, we'll talk, we'll discuss an important matter with you," Haruki said confidently.
— You and I can't have important things to do! Takumi objected.
— You'll see! With a smile, Haruki went to call the waiter.
Takuma began to make an escape plan and was thinking how to escape from this terribly rich restaurant, he got up from the table, but turned around and saw Haruki already making an order.
— Takumi, where are you going? Have a seat.
— Yours took it.
"How did he come back so quickly? How?" thought Takumi.
— So, I ordered golden shrimp in batter, soup borscht from fresh vegetables, two seafood salads and cappuccino with a sprinkle of edible gold. It's all for you, I'm not hungry.
— Me? Ahh! Golden food sprinkles? What? What the hell? How much did it all cost?
— Well, it cost 6 thousand dollars, for me it's small, — said Haruki.
— 6 THOUSAND DOLLARS? YOU'RE GONNA PUT ME IN JAIL, RIGHT? CONMAN!!!
— Relax, Takumi. You'll eat and we'll walk and talk.
Takumi awkwardly picked up his fork, his hands shaking with nervousness. He stared confusedly at the golden shrimp in batter, borscht of fresh vegetables, two salads with seafood and cappuccino decorated with edible gold. Despite the fact that all this cost a huge sum of 6 thousand dollars, Takumi felt like a fish in water.
They were on the fourth floor of the restaurant "KOTIN". The building was exquisitely decorated, decorated with crystal chandeliers and gold patterns on the walls. The windows offered picturesque views of the city, which stretched to the horizon. While Takumi was enjoying his extravagant lunch, a real fuss was going on in the restaurant. Superbly dressed waiters deftly maneuvered between the tables, offering their guests delicious dishes and drinks. The noise of conversations and the light sound of classical music filled the air, creating a special atmosphere of refinement and refinement. The boy Takumi, shyly averting his eyes from his plate, could watch all this splendor. His heart was filled with admiration and gratitude for the opportunity to plunge into such a luxurious experience that will remain in his memory for a long time. After his meal, he looked at Haruki.
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— Thank you, even though I don't know who you are, but thank you. Thank you for finding me, thank you for taking me and feeding me, I'm ready to thank you with anything," Takumi thanked.
— great. We can go and, as I have already said, we will walk.
"But before we go, I want to say that my leg hurts," Takumi said.
— Let's go already! Haruki shouted at him.
Takumi slowly got up from the table, leaving behind the dishes on which his delicious dishes had recently been. He looked pale and haggard, his face was distorted with pain. It seemed that his leg was causing great suffering. Together with Haruki, they began to descend, systematically stepping on the steps. For Takumi, every step was a real test. He could hardly stay on his feet, sometimes stopping for a moment to cope with the piercing pain.
— What's wrong with you? My leg didn't hurt like that recently," Haruki said.
— This is her attack, I have such attacks when I am very nervous.
It was especially difficult to descend from the fourth floor of the restaurant. The staircase is marble, elegantly decorated, but for Takumi it seemed like an endless barrier. He held onto the railing with his trembling hands and slowly stepped down. The air is filled with the rapid rustling of shelves and the sounds of quiet footsteps on the stairs. Takumi gave the stairs his own rhythm, extinguishing every pain, step by step.
— Here we are on the first floor! Your life is a whole test for you! Haruki laughed.
— Okay, it seems to have let go. Let's go! Takumi said confidently.
Takumi got up from the bench and they headed for the exit, leaving Takumi saw skyscrapers and successful people around.
— Let's go that way! Haruki pointed to the right.
—Let's go,— Takumi agreed.
— You said something about magic, but it doesn't exist! Takumi started the conversation.
— You see, my magic allows me to see and control someone else's aura of magic, a powerful aura of magic is coming from you, let's go around the corner and I'll show you — Haruki suggested.
— Okay. But you can't change my mind!
Takumi and Haruki turned the corner. Haruki touched Takumi's shoulder and some sparks appeared and lines formed around Takumi.
"W—what is this?" Damn it! Takumi was scared. At the same second, Takumi turned into a woman of 60 years.
— Holy shit! Your magic allows you to change your appearance! Apparently, the structure of organs and cells also works! You're the one we were looking for! Haruki was surprised with a smile. It was clear from him that Haruki was playing the role of sarcasm and he was portraying emotions, but Takumi did not understand why he was doing this and behaving like a child?
— Why torment, why are you playing emotions? Takumi asked a direct question.
Abruptly, Haruki removed the smile and joy from his face.
— You see, come on, I'm a mental patient, I don't experience emotions and feelings, I have to play a role so that my environment doesn't die of despondency, I've been like this since birth.
— I see — Takumi wasn't particularly surprised.
— So magic exists.. Takumi was also not particularly surprised.
— For the first time I see such a reaction when people find out about their magic — Haruki said.
— And how to get back? Takumi asked questioningly.
— And now! — I touched Takumi and he accepted the real himself.
Haruki took out his phone and called the driver.
— Alo, drive up, the last place is the Committee office, yes, that's right!
After 2 minutes, a car drove up to them and took them to a Restaurant.
— Where are we going? Takumi asked.
— To our main headquarters, to the headquarters of the Committee of Investigations.
— I see.
All the way, Takumi and Haruki silently looked out the window and enjoyed the view of the city center. The car stopped and Haruki got out of it.
— Hello garage! Get up, come on! — Haruki tried to wake up the sleeping Takumi.
— Aah! What? Did I fall asleep?
— Let's go already! They are already waiting at the headquarters!
Takumi quickly jumped out of the car and ran after Haruki, while he was running, he saw an underground parking lot and there was an inscription on the walls "Committee of Investigations". Takumi realized that Haruki wasn't lying to him about the committee on magical investigations.
— Come in! — Haruki was already standing in the elevator.
— Elevator? Why not the stairs? Takumi asked.
— Because our headquarters are located underground.
— Wow, cool!
As soon as Haruki pressed the door closing button, the doors instantly closed and the elevator rushed down, there was a feeling that he was falling into the shaft. Takumi fell to the floor, but Haruki stood there as if nothing had happened.
— Who the hell are you! Takumi exclaimed in surprise while the elevator was going.
— You'll get used to it.
The elevator stopped. The doors opened into a beautiful room, the lighting was soft, a man with glasses and a stern look stood on the threshold.
— Well hello, Takumi Nagato, 14 years old, lost his parents, social status: homeless, glad to meet you, — he said and stretched out his hand to help get up.
— Oh, khkh, thank you! Takumi stood up.
— Do you know so much about me already? Takumi was surprised.
"Of course, we've been eavesdropping on your conversation with Haruki.
— Ah, well, then it's clear.
— Come to the sanitary unit, our doctors will examine you and treat you if something happens, there we will get acquainted — Haruki suggested.
Takumi went to the office of the sanitary unit and they immediately began to examine him, the whole committee came into this office and the chief investigator of the committee was the first to start a dialogue.
— My name is Yukio Sato, I am the chief investigator of our committee, we want you to become a member of our committee and start helping us, it would be an irrational decision to refuse: a special patrol will arrest you.
— Mm, my name is Kazuto Yamamoto, I hate weaklings, I adore strong men, if you interfere with us, I'll shoot you.
- hello! I'm Ryoma Takashi, one of the committee's investigators, I don't know what else to add.
— Well, Takumi has two more members of the committee absent, they come only to perform tasks. You'll get to know them later," Haruki said.
— Do you have a boss here? Or is the chief investigator the head? Takumi asked.
— I'm in charge here — a middle-aged man suddenly appeared in the doorway of the office.
— My name is Masao Ito, I am the head of the Investigation Committee, are you ready to join us?
— Yes, damn it! I don't know! How much time do I have to think?
"One minute," Masao Ito said.
— Ah! Well, I agree, okay! Takumi exclaimed.
Masao walked up to Takumi and touched him with his finger, a seal appeared on Takumi's palm.
— Uh! What is it? Takumi was indignant.
— Print. All members of the Committee have it. This is my magic, with the help of it I can control your powers and magic.
— Welcome to the Committee of Investigations! — all the investigators hugged and shouted to Takumi.