Chapter Text
It seems that both Kiyotaka and Matsuo have left now. They aren't at the diner nor is the car parked outside.
He should be coming soon.
It'll only be a few minutes, so I'll just wait.
The topic of conversation had already been decided a while ago, this is just a formality for the aftermath.
"Hello. Sorry for intruding," Tsukishiro walked in with that same smile plastered on.
He walked over and sat on the seat in front of me.
"Do you want to go through with the formalities or just get down to business?" Tsukishiro asked.
"I'd rather not have to stay here any longer," I sighed.
This diner office was just a temporary residence. I remained here so that the butler could come here without much trouble, it saved me time in the long run as well.
"Very well then. What do you want me to do with the people you hired to attack?" Tsukishiro switched to a serious tone as easily as if he was blinking.
"You were the one who recommended them. Do as you wish," I told him bluntly.
The attackers' hiring was a task I had given to Tsukishiro. His connections would allow for some more variety in options, so he was the obvious choice.
"I've been thinking about that. They're not a large organisation in the grand scheme of things, but they aren't small either. They can be useful in the future, so I've decided to pay them and leave them be. Using their services in the future wouldn't hurt," Tsukishiro explained.
I see. That seems like a rational move.
"The information given to them about the White Room was vague as well. The possibility of them leaking anything is close to none, but it is still a possibility. You will take care of them if anything problematic were to happen, right?" I inquired.
They were simply tasked to get Kiyotaka. The White Room wasn't explained at all besides the fact that it was a business of sorts. They didn't even know that I was in charge. However, they can still look into the White Room. It's a slim chance, extremely so, but it is still a chance.
"I've been in this business for quite some time. I know what to do," Tsukishiro responded slightly condescendingly.
Faced with his absolute confidence, I let the matter go.
"As for the other plan, how does it seem to go?" Tsukishiro now asked for the progress on my end.
"It's going according to plan. The butler is a person who would do anything as long as he keeps his position. It's certainly a common way to survive, so I can't mock him for that. Kiyotaka will probably develop an interest soon enough, there is still quite a few months to go," I explained.
Matsuo was a person who has skills that can be seen in many places, he isn't unique by any standards. The reason I chose him was due to his lenient and ambitionless nature. He would do whatever I and Kiyotaka asked if he saw it as a threat to his employment.
In a way, I see myself in him. The thing that separates us, however, is our core nature. He doesn't care about rising as long as he can stay where he is. The ambition he possesses isn't strong, that's the point of difference.
"I see. I trust your judge of character, so the butler doesn't seem to be a problem. Ayanokouji asking the butler to attend the school is a bit of a gamble, though, isn't it?" Tsukishiro pointed out.
"No plan can be predicted perfectly. However, even though Kiyotaka is extraordinary and unlike any other, he still has one thing he's predictable in. His endless curiosity. He'll see the outside world for a year, get accustomed to it, then he'll realise that there is a world of things he can learn which he will be torn away from him. That's the conclusion I've come to," I claimed.
Kiyotaka will become intrigued by the outside world. Attachment isn't possible, so the only thing I'm able to do is using his limitless curiosity against him. He'll research to see if there is any way to escape my grasp and end up finding Sakayanagi's school.
From there onward, he'll try and attend and will ask the butler to do so. If Kiyotaka wishes it, there's nothing he won't do to achieve it. Blackmail, coercion, threats, it's all a possibility. Then Matsuo will agree and do his best to achieve such a thing.
This entire kidnapping was nothing but a smokescreen to mask the overall plan. Making Kiyotaka think that no more hidden schemes will be done after this. He will suspect whether this is true, that's a guarantee, but he'll slowly believe it after no more odd occurrences happen.
This is the plan I have envisioned in my mind.
"You seem to understand him at least partly. Although, Ayanokouji, don't you think there's a chance that your son won't do such a thing? That's the focal point of your strategy, is it not?" Tsukishiro contested.
"That's a possibility. In that case, I will make the butler do something. It depends on the situation, so I can't really say what he will do, but he will be key if the first method doesn't come to fruition," I explained.
Tsukishiro had been working with me for a while, but I doubt either of us knew anything about the other. We were both trying to read each other's moves and intentions at every moment.
"I see. It seems that this is all that needs to be discussed. I will be off then," Tsukishiro quietly clapped his hands.
Getting up, he walked out without glancing back at me once.
I should leave soon as well, this place has served its purpose.
***
Ayanokouji and I were back in the car.
I looked back as I was putting on my seatbelt and noticed he was staring at me expectantly.
"Yes. We're going there now," I chuckled.
Ayanokouji stopped staring as I said those words and went back to looking at the scenery outside.
"Let's get moving," I said as I turned on the car and began to drive.
I wasn't planning to park right in front of it since that would ruin the surprise. So I'll just stop at the convenience store nearby.
We drove in silence as the sun began to set. Looking back on today, I'm a little glad that I could experience such a thing again.
People's lives flash before their lives in a near-death experience, but I wonder if that's really true. What purpose does the brain have to even do such a thing? I can't understand why, but I suppose that the brain itself is incredibly complicated. People who spend their whole lives researching it may not even understand a fraction of its constitution.
Soon, we reached the store and I parked there. The wind hit me like small knives as I got out.
"Is a convenience store the special place?" Ayanokouji asked as he walked up next to me on the sidewalk.
The street was serene and quiet now. The sun had already set by the time we got here, so most people were already home after a long day of work.
I looked at the convenience store while Ayanokouji waited for my response in silence.
"Could you wait out here for a moment?" I asked.
"I guess."
I went into the store, picked up the item I wanted and then walked out after paying.
"Did you want something?" Ayanokouji inquired.
"Yeah," I told him as I took out the pack of cigarettes I had gotten.
Although, in hindsight, I probably shouldn't smoke in front of Ayanokouji.
"You can have it if you want. I don't really mind," Ayanokouji alleviated my worries as if he was reading my mind.
After a day like this, I needed something to relax with.
The flame of the lighter transferred to the cigarette. As I inhaled and exhaled, the smoke made a large imprint on the air until it faded.
The graveyard is close to here, huh? It's been a while since I've visited, the last time was on her anniversary. Maybe I should soon, it'll probably be closed by now, though.
I used to think about it every day. The first thing in the morning was her and that was the only thing on my mind. But eventually, you go through the whole morning and don't think of them once. Fear of forgetting them all together may seep in, but I thought of it differently.
It made me realise that I could move on, at least partially. Grief doesn't fade away like smoke, it just stays plastered on, hiding in the shadows.
After reminiscing a little bit, I chucked the roll in the bin and walked with Ayanokouji.
We walked along the sidewalk until there was an alley.
"This way," I told him.
Ayanokouji followed me without a word, and we both walked through the dimly lit alleyway.
Soon, the dimly lit alley becomes a little brighter as we reach the source. It was a store sign.
"In here," I stop walking and open the door in front of me.
I walk into the store and walk down the stairs. I begin to hear some music. Some jazz or blues were playing. It's like this store exists in its own world, and each step I go down takes me further into that plane.
There is no one inside and I go to sit down at the main counter. It's quiet and secluded, but there is still a decent number of people when it reaches rush hour.
Ayanokouji reaches the bottom of the stairs and simply stares at me.
After standing there in silence, he eventually speaks.
"Is this the special place you told me about? The place where a person can find what they want? This establishment is called a bar, correct? There doesn't seem to be anything unique about this place," Ayanokouji looked at me waiting for answers.
"Astute observation. This is just a bar, nothing special here. You were tricked," I admitted.
Ayanokouji looked at me confused.
"Huh?"
"I decided on this a while ago. You see, there was a kid in front of me who thought he knew everything about life. I decided to trick him," I chuckled.
Ayanokouji's feet stay planted. He just looks at me without saying a word. There's no readable expression on his face that I can make out.
After some silence, Ayanokouji sits next to me.
"That was cruel," Ayanokouji sighed.
"I know. I apologise if I hurt your feelings too much," I patted him on the back.
Ayanokouji orders some bar fries and a soft drink.
"You did this because of my attitude, huh?" Ayanokouji questioned.
"That was part of it, in all honesty. I also just wanted to see if I could mess with you a bit," I chuckled.
Perhaps it was a little cruel.
"You really told me some fanciful thing. But I'm not disappointed. I didn't expect to have somewhere I wanted to go, so I think it was valuable just for that," Ayanokouji claimed.
"Well, don't be too upset. There's one thing you can count on, and it's quite simple. Ayanokouji Kiyotaka has not beaten me at poker. That's something that has remained until now," I teased.
"You're quite confident. Did you bring the cards with you?"
"Of course," I smiled.
"I'll get rid of that guarantee today itself then," Ayanokouji stated confidently.
We start talking about everything on our minds as we play poker. The books we enjoy, hobbies, and other trivial matters. The words come out of us as we eat and play.
"You told me that you would tell me how you learned lock picking, I want to hear it," Ayanokouji proposed.
Moving on to my stories, huh?
"Well, it's a little more boring than the other stories I have. A kid wasn't impressed with all my other skills, he was a little bit of a delinquent, actually. So I thought that lock picking was the way to appeal to him," I sighed.
"How interesting," Ayanokouji stated as if he didn't care about how boring it sounded.
"You told me that was one of the more boring stories. What's some of the interesting ones?" Ayanokouji looked at me expectantly.
"If that's what you want," I stated.
I drank the rest of my beverage and began to speak.
The music flows just like my words. My words come out as if I was telling someone something I would never tell anyone, even though that wasn't true. Eiichiro had always asked to hear about these things, but it was different from when I talked with him.
It's like these words flowed nowhere, I was just speaking them.
"Wait, what do you mean that a politician's son began to throw plates at you?" Ayanokouji said things like this at times.
"He thought I was boring. Actually, he was the kid I developed my first useless skill for. I learnt to juggle plates for him," I answered.
"Why plates?"
"That was what he requested."
"How many did you break?"
"We don't talk about that," I sighed.
After that, I moved on to the next story. Then the next, and the next. The words flow out of my mouth like the wind. I say them without worry, without restraint. The poker games get decided one after another, but I don't pay much attention.
I continue playing poker cards, but I hadn't lost yet. Ayanokouji listened to my words attentively, without boredom. It was as if he had just heard everything without getting tired.
"It's been a while since I've talked this much," I said after I finished another drink.
"Is that a good thing?" Ayanokouji played another card.
"I don't know, to be honest. I don't feel bad, so I guess it could be. We don't have much time left, so let's stay here for another game then go home," I stated.
"Alright then," Ayanokouji replied.
Ayanokouji didn't play his first card, however, he just stared at me.
"Is something wrong?"
"I've just been thinking. This is probably the last time I could ever do something like this, so I'm just a little disappointed that I have to leave soon," Ayanokouji said with no emotion in his words, but I doubt he was being untruthful.
I had realised something. I had been talking for so long, but Ayanokouji said nothing in return besides the beginning. He had multiple chances, but he didn't. I don't think it was because he didn't want to say anything, it was because he didn't have anything to say.
His father doesn't seem to care about him. His abilities and mindset aren't that of an ordinary person his age. He doesn't change his expression or show emotion. It's as if he's completely inhuman, but I don't think that's true.
I had realised why I was so curious about him recently. His nature was the thing that drew me to him, but he reminded me of myself in a way. A person with little to no ambition.
"Why is that?" I inquired.
"The things here I can't learn. There are experiences where the place I grew up can't replicate," Ayanokouji mumbled.
"You told me that as long as you could learn everything you were able to, you would be satisfied, right?" I asked.
Ayanokouji nodded.
"Then you've failed in that goal. If there are vital things that you could learn, but don't, you have failed. You should know that. I don't know where you grew up, but I can guess that nothing beyond your own expectations will happen. There's nothing in that place that can give you what you want," I told him bluntly.
***
I know that.
But even so, is there anything I can do about it? I severely doubt that there's anything I can do to escape that man's grasp. There's nowhere I could run.
I had told him that people choose to abandon their desires because they feel that they can never achieve them. That isn't wrong, I'm the same, but that's only partly true. In all actuality, I've also never had something I've wanted until now. That's the point of difference.
But still...
"Matsuo, what should I do?" I asked.
"You see, there's something I've learnt. If the other side of the world doesn't work, find something accessible. It may not be that far away either. It isn't possible for one to escape their past, I know that now, but it is possible to take a detour," Matsuo kindly told me.
Does he know of a place like that?
"I don't get something, though. Why are you helping me? Wouldn't this risk your position in your job?" I asked.
I believed that he would prioritise his own well-being over mine.
"Do you want to know something a little pathetic about me? I have spent my whole life terrified. Scared of things that might happen, might not happen. I spent decades like that, finding myself awake at night. I wasn't born with particularly high ambition or drive, and I always had that part of me that regretted not working for things. I'm tired of living like that," Matsuo told me with a slight bit of sorrow.
Regrets are common in human beings. It could even be part of their very essence. No action will always be fully seen as good in hindsight, so the goal isn't to pass with no regrets at all, but with as few regrets as possible.
"Why the sudden change?"
"Your father told me something. He hired me because I was a person who would do anything my boss ordered me to without fighting. I felt annoyed, not because of what he said, but because he was right," Matsuo wryly stated.
"Is that why you wanted to do things differently?" I probed.
"I suppose that his words were the catalyst. In all actuality, I probably knew this and ignored it my entire life," Matsuo sighed.
He looked a little better now, as if he had shaken off a large burden.
"I see. As for the place he can't reach, what is that place?" I inquired.
"A little quick to get to the end, huh? Let's finish the game first," Matsuo chuckled.
He would probably tell me anyway, so I guess it doesn't matter, but it wouldn't hurt to play into his game.
"So if I win, I get the answer to my question? Seems like a fair deal," I stated as I played my first card.
Card after card, move after move, we played the game. Poker is an interesting game as it incorporates luck into it, so even the best player can still lose.
The greatest defence can falter.
No king can reign forever, after all.
"4 kings. You win," Matsuo sighed.
"You really are good," I praised.
"I wouldn't say so. You beat me after only a day of playing, my skill got taken down quickly," he sighed.
"Now that I won, can I get the answer to my question?" I asked.
"I'll tell you now, the qualifications to get in are much higher than this bar," Matsuo advised.
"If I live my entire life and never go there, I'm a fool, right?" I used his words from before.
Matsuo simply smiled in response.
"It's an interesting place. Maybe a little too good to be true on paper, but it's your only option," Matsuo stated like he was building up to a climax.
This place, depending on what it is, may not like my normal self. If so, how should I act? Should I become what people consider more 'normal'? If I were to use this place to its full advantage, perhaps something along those lines is the logical thing to do.
"And the name of this place?"
The next words out of his mouth could decide my fate.
"The name? The place of this institution is..."