"Do I have to keep my hood on?"
"If you don't, we are returning immediately."
Sumire sighed, knowing it would be futile arguing with him. Then again, Sano did make it sound like if she stepped out of his house, she would die in an instance. If she stepped out of the house without wearing this protective close, would people swarm over her?
The cloak she wore right now conceals her presence. She found it very fascinating. It is not like she is invisible; people can still see her. But even if they do, they will look past her right away since her presence is small.
For the first time in so long, there are no watchful eyes on her; something is refreshing about this.
Sumire, however, underestimated her ability to stray off and wander. She thought she kept a good distance between her and Shin before she went anywhere, but when she next turned around, he was no longer around.
It did not take her long to reach the mansion she intended to investigate. If it is Shin, then surely he would head this way? Sumire did not waste any time before she headed inside.
However, the first thing she spotted was the amount of dust, indicating that nobody has lived here for a while.
The second was the small tent in the center.
The third was the kid inside the tent.
A deep sigh escaped her lips. It seems she won't be able to return tonight. San will get mad.
….
The next three days she spent cleaning the mansion, hoping to find any clues. But she found nothing. That should be a sign to leave, but her gaze fell on the boy with maroon-colored hair with a bandage on his forehead. He looked around nine years old, but she could tell from the bandages on his head and arms that somebody beat him badly.
Sumire crouched in front of the tent. "So I wonder when you will tell me your name and address."
"Old lady, didn't anybody tell you that asking somebody those things make you sound like a stalker or kidnapper?"
Her eyes twitched, annoyed. "A kidnapper? You were already here when I came."
"But staying makes it look like you kidnapped me."
For a nine-year-old brat to act clever like this with her-- Sumire shook her head. She needs to remain calm. "It seems I have the same problem as you. The moment I entered this house, I was unable to leave. All the doors and windows shut, it is impossible to leave. I tried shouting from the rooftop, but there is nothing but forest surrounding this building."
If she thought about it carefully, it was strange that she got separated from Shin that quickly. She was just in town, so how did she arrive in the forest so fast?
The boy looked down. "You are an adult; shouldn't you figure this out?"
"It is not like I haven't tried!" Sumire exclaimed. "But there is just no way out of here."
"Then how is the fridge filled with food?"
"That is what I like to know. The ingredients just magically appear overnight." Sumire trailed off. "The chances are somebody does have access to this place and are keeping the fridge supplied with food and mansion necessities."
There are even women's clothes and facial stuff in the bathroom now. It is strange.
"You know, if we have to be stuck here for a while, you can at least tell me your name."
"Kaito."
Sumire blinked when she heard his reply. "It took me three days to get a name; now, will this also be the day you eat my cooking?"
"How do I know you are not poisoning me?"
She rolled her eyes when she heard those words and sighed. "How can I poison you when I am not preparing the ingredients myself? You have stayed here longer than me, so you should know that."
Well, she understood why the kid was cautious. "If you won't tell me your name." She took out her phone. "I guess I will call my police associates to take you away."
"If you can get a signal on your phone, shouldn't you ask for help!"
Sumire paused. "Well, I did think that, but right now, I am in the middle of my own predicament." It took her at least a day and a half to get her signal working. She promised Sano that she would return that very night. If she returns now, he would most likely be angry.
Moreover, the police are still on the watch out for her, including the pesky media. The effect of that cloak has most likely worn off already. She is basically stuck here until somebody can fetch her.
Somebody who won't freak out on her. Atushi, Sano, and Hino? She can cross those three off. Shin- Sumire recalled the exchange from three days ago and sighed. What on earth was she thinking saying something like that to him? She must have gone crazy.
"You did something bad?"
"That is my line." Sumire pointed to his bandages. "You know if you don't change those soon, the infection will worsen."
".."
"You don't have to tell me your story, but at least let me change your wounds."
Sumire was about to give up when the boy suddenly extended his hand out. Her lips curve to a smile. So he is a good person, after all. She stood up and walked towards the cabinets, and she pulled out a navy blue-colored box.
"Has that always been there?" Kaito wondered.
"It appeared the day after I came here." It appeared at the same time as the female clothes. So whoever is in charge of this mansion learned of her presence.
Did they prepare the medkit because she looked like a weak female? That annoyed her, but it is a good thing. She cannot leave the kids wounds like that.
Sumire walked back over only to find the kid on the couch. She chuckled softly. Indeed he seems to be a good kid after all.
She undid the bandages, and her eyes widened, horrified at the sight of the injury. This isn't a normal wound. She figured he simply got attacked by thugs. But this looks like the work of pros. Still, who would hire experts to injure a kid like this? Sumire tried to think where she may have seen this kid before. He must be an important person if people chased after him, but still, nothing came to mind.
"Are you trying to figure out who did this to me?"
Sumire nodded. "Sorry, but this isn't something I can ignore. I am not a saint and will say I will help you with all your problems. However, this is one of the few things I cannot tolerate."
Her gaze darkened as a memory from the past appeared in her head. In that large house, she was mainly alone, but they would not treat her kindly whenever there was somebody.
"Miss, your very blunt."
Sumire chuckled. "So I hear," She trailed off and clenched his hand with a serious look on her face. "Will you tell me?"