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“And that’s our proposal,” Boss said, sliding the document across the table, smiling warmly.
Shoma grabbed the folder, pulling it the rest of the way over to his side. It was just everything the woman had said, but typed up on an official offer that he could sign here and now. He’d work for ABIS, assisting the man sitting next to him as some sort of protegé. It wouldn’t be that bad he supposed, after all Pewter was a man of science and created AIs well beyond even Shoma’s wildest dreams. In a different life, this would have been everything he ever wanted. But it was kind of hard to feel that way when he was basically being blackmailed and forced into this job in exchange for his sister’s freedom.
Amame sat quietly on his other side, wearing a simple t-shirt and pants, long hair hanging limply around her shoulders. She looked so sad and dejected, even more so now after she heard the offer.
“Not our proposal, your proposal. There has to be another way to secure her freedom without resorting to indentured servitude,” Pewter stated agitatedly.
Boss let out a sigh as the smile fell from her lips. “Look, I tried. Believe me. I don’t think she should be in prison any more than you do, but it doesn’t change the fact that she murdered someone and then hid crucial evidence about a second death. I’ve exhausted every avenue I have but this case made international news. Tearer had a rocket that exploded over Tokyo, I can’t exactly get the commissioner to look the other way.”
“But this-”
“Is the only way I got him to agree. Let’s not forget we found our sweet young boy making thermite bombs in his living room. Not exactly someone they want to leave unchecked.”
“Stop talking about me like I’m a child,” Shoma grumbled, crossing his arms across his chest, lips curving downwards in a frown.
“You’re eighteen, you’re absolutely a child.”
Shoma ducked his head, cheeks turning red with embarrassment. He hated being underestimated just because he hadn’t aged at all since he was twelve. How frustrating to have his mind constantly mature while his body remained the same.
Everyone around him got to grow up and live their lives while he basically secluded himself to keep his secret safe. His mom and sister knew obviously, as did Mizuki and now most of the members of ABIS, but other than that, he did his best to avoid the general public. He took his college classes online and if he needed something he’d either ask Gen to pick it up for him or he’d make sure to go early in the morning to avoid crowds.
“I wish I had a better option for you. And maybe one day I can figure something else out, but for now, this is best I’ve got. You work for us, lend us your mind, and your sister goes free.”
“Don’t do it Shoma. It’s not worth it,” Amame mumbled quietly.
“You realize if he refuses then you’re headed straight back to prison. And chances are likely you’ll serve at least another ten years before we can even try to get you out for good behavior,” Boss replied as she leaned back in her chair, attempting a look at bored indifference but her concern clearly shown through.
Shoma knew he should probably respect his sister’s wishes, she wouldn’t want him to throw his life away for hers. But would he really be doing that? Sure, he would be forced to work for a sketchy government organization, but at the same time it sounded like he would also be granted a little freedom to work on his own projects on the side. And he would be allowed to continue his schooling, his work hours being scheduled around his classes.
It also wasn’t like he didn’t desperately need the money too. For being forced into this job, they sure were going to pay well. He’d make enough money to take care of his bills, help his mom, make sure Amame didn’t have to go back to the maid café, and still have a little extra left over. It was more than either of his parents ever made combined. In the grand scheme of things, it wasn’t a bad deal.
“If I agree, Amame gets to go home today, right? She doesn’t have to go back to prison.”
“Yes,” Boss agreed with a nod of her head. “She’ll be released right here and now.”
“Seriously Shoma, don’t. Don’t throw your life away for me.”
“Are you serious? You did exactly that for me! How can I not do it for you?!”
Shoma was getting upset, he couldn’t believe what she was saying. After everything she did all those years for him and their mom and dad, and she wanted him to just walk away. Even now he was still finding out just how much she had done, with paying his rent and working extra hours at her job to pay for the parts for his projects.
“I’m your older sister, that’s what I’m supposed to do. I’m supposed to take care of you, not the other way around.”
“You’re wrong. We’re family, we’re supposed to take care of each other. It shouldn’t just be one way.”
“Shoma-”
“Let me help you! Please! I couldn’t do anything when I was a kid. And I couldn’t help you with Tearer, but I can actually do something now! Please, just let me help.”
Shoma was openly crying, tears streaming down his face and chest heaving, but he didn’t dare tear his eyes away from Amame’s. He was afraid if he looked away for even a moment, she would try to argue again. But as she stared into her brother’s eyes and saw the determination and resolve there, she faltered. She let out a slow breath, turning away and giving the subtlest of nods.
“Ok, you win. You can help, but you’re not going to do this alone. I’ll go back to Sunfish Pocket or work at Brahman or something, but you can’t do all this by yourself.”
“Why not? You did for years. I never knew how bad it was because you wouldn’t tell anyone. Please just let me do this. You don’t have to rush right back into working.”
“Yes I do! You need to go to school and-”
“Sorry to interrupt,” Boss began, not really seeming that sorry at all honestly. “But like I explained before, Shoma is going to be able to still attend school. In fact, we’re willing to pay for whatever his scholarships don’t pick up. He won’t have to worry about any expenses associated with school and if his workload gets to be too much, we can always adjust his schedule here. I’m doing the best I can to make this as fair as possible.”
“It won’t be so bad Mame, think of all the experience I’ll have once I graduate. I’ll already be way ahead.”
“That’s if they let you leave,” Amame said as she stared Boss down, still not fully believing the deal that had been presented.
“He’s not required to work here forever you know,” she replied easily.
“Amame, trust me that I’ll look out for him,” Pewter spoke up. “You have my word.”
His sister paused for a moment, studying the gray haired man’s features before nodding silently. For whatever reason, she really seemed to trust him. Though Shoma reasoned, he had given him no reason as to why he couldn’t trust him either. He really did seem like he had his best interests at heart, which was strange since he didn’t know him at all.
He had to wonder if it was Mizuki’s doing. She was fairly close to the oddly dressed man. Shoma even thought he remembered her saying something about how her father had dated him years ago, not that she knew it at the time. If Mizuki and his sister could trust him though, so could Shoma.
And if Shoma was really being honest with himself, he wanted to trust Pewter. The engineer was involved in the exact field that he himself wanted to get into and there was no one better that he could learn from. No matter how it came to be, this was the opportunity of a lifetime.
He’d also get the chance to work with Mizuki everyday which would be nice. Given his aging situation, there weren’t many friends from school that he was able to keep. After all, he could only use the excuse of genetics making him look young for so long. But he didn’t have to lie and pretend with Mizuki. Or anyone else at ABIS for that matter.
And maybe, just maybe, Pewter might be able to help him try to find a way to reverse whatever Chikara had done to him. It wasn’t a guarantee, but someone as smart as he was should be able to help. Especially since Shoma had gotten his hands on some of the research notes by hacking into the Horadori Institute network.
It wasn’t everything, not by a long shot, but he had gotten what he could at his skill level. But since he knew the way in to the computers, maybe Pewter could have one of his AIs follow the same path and get into the more restricted files. If they could do that, there had to be some sort of hope to fix what had been done to him.
But there was no way to get that help if he didn’t agree to their deal first. After all, why would someone help him for nothing? Even if Pewter was willing to help as a favor to Amame, it was likely that Boss wouldn’t allow him to. Or at the very least, he wouldn’t be able to use the tech that ABIS offered.
“Ok, I’ll do it. Give me a pen, I’ll sign.”
“I’m glad to see you’re willing to cooperate with us,” Boss answered as she slid a pen across the table.
“I am, but I want one other thing.”
“I hate to say this, but you’re hardly in the position to be bargaining and asking for things.”
Shoma watched as Boss spoke, a small smirk to her lips and an odd tone to her voice. Was that respect?
“I know that, but if you want my help you’ll listen.”
“Go ahead Shoma,” Pewter said. “We’ll listen. And if we’re able, we’ll do what we can.”
“I’d like you all to help me find out exactly what was done to me. And reverse it, if it’s possible.”
“Look, I feel bad about what happened to you, but there’s nothing-”
“I’ll help you.”
“Pewter!”
“What? He had his life destroyed by Chikara Horadori. You of all people should want to help.”
Shoma knew exactly what he was talking about. Mkizuki’s sister. Or sort of sister. Bibi. The girl who’s genetics were used to clone Mizuki, and who was later adopted by Boss. She probably hated Chikara nearly as much as he did. Not that he actually thought anyone really liked the deranged scientist.
“I get that,” Boss said with a huff. “But do you think promising something we can’t deliver is better?”
“I just want help. I want to know what happened. What he did, what he used. I’m not stupid, I know there’s a good chance that we can’t fix it. But if we can, if there’s any chance that I can have a normal life…”
“I know I don’t have any right to ask anything of you, but please, help my brother,” Amame said softly as she hung her head.
“You kids really know how to tug at my heartstrings,” Boss mumbled as she rolled her eyes.
Shoma smiled as he let the kid comment go. “Does that mean you’ll help me?”
“I don’t know, will you help us?”
Shoma nodded his head.
With another loud sigh, Boss agreed. “Fine. I’ll see what I can do to help.”
“Then I guess we have a deal,” Shoma declared, picking up the pen and quickly signing his name to the contract.
Everything would change from here on out. What initially felt like a punishment now had the lingering light of hope. Technically he was still being forced into this job, but perhaps it wouldn’t be all bad. His sister would be free, he’d make enough money to help his family, and there was the possibility of getting to grow up like everyone else.
He didn’t put a whole lot of faith in the last thing, after all it was highly likely that it would never pan out. But, if it did, it would make it all worthwhile.
Turning back to his sister, he could see the immense weight lifted off her shoulders with the knowledge that she would finally be going home. It would take a while before all of her light came back, but this was the first step. They both would heal, it was just a matter of time.