ITIWAFRBIAHS Chapter 21

"Well, this is something."

The detective sank into his office chair and let out a long sigh. Covering his face with one hand, anyone who knew the young man would mistake him for someone else - it was such an uncharacteristic behavior.

He leaned deeply against the backrest and pressed his eyes tightly. Then he smiled bitterly.

"I have no idea how this will turn out."

The detective's gaze fell on the card list placed on his desk. On the first page of the card list was written in elegant cursive script "Employee Work Rules."

Work Rules

18. Never mention this work rules list in front of your employer.

"......"

Inside the small photo studio, it was quiet.

When Lucas Moore walked in, the elderly man who had been busily going back and forth to the darkroom fell into a deep sleep and lost consciousness. The man passed by that figure collapsed with his head tilted on the chair beside the counter without interest and entered the darkroom.

The darkroom was full of film that hadn't been put in chemicals yet. The man found exactly what he needed to handle among them. But the film had already partially entered work, leaving only half.

Lucas Moore eventually found the photos he was looking for among the photos being developed. The last photo taken was hanging first. The man grabbed and pulled out the hanging photo, not caring about any potential damage.

It was a photo of a familiar man and a familiar woman taken together.

"Ha."

The man couldn't help but make a sound due to the strange emotions welling up. As unpleasant sensations whirled through his head and heart, the man gritted his teeth.

Rose's fiancé tore the photo roughly in half with trembling hands.

With the strong determination that since there was nothing I could do about the missing former Sunset, I should at least meet my adoptive mother, I tried requesting a visit. Event, let me see an event!

But I was rejected at the speed of light.

"Emma Sawyer's current condition is very unstable, so conducting a visit would be impossible."

The stern-faced officer cut me off sharply. This person has been consistent from earlier. Still, should I try talking one more time within limits that won't interfere with their duties? At times like this, appealing to family affection is illogical but maximally effective!

"Um... I am her daughter though."

"Until the charges are confirmed, meetings with the affected party are difficult. Moreover, you're not her daughter but in a legal guardianship relationship, aren't you?"

"......"

Right. How competent. You know everything. Being this competent, I wonder why they didn't know about Hazel White's escape. Is it the original story's forceful logic?

The officer added in a much more softened voice.

"We fully understand your anxiety about the suspect's escape and we're truly sorry. But since Hazel White escaped with just her body without weapons or money, she won't be threatening. Rather, she's probably trying to secure her safety because of testimony issues at trial, so you don't need to worry about such aspects."

"Couldn't she obtain weapons or money?"

"That would be difficult. She said she has no connections in this region."

She might be hiding connections...! Rather, the fact that she has no connections is more suspicious! Moreover, in genre fiction, escaped people usually become stronger!

But the officer was stubborn.

"If you're very anxious, how about returning to your residence instead? Since we're inspecting transportation leaving town, that mansion, which can only be reached by road from town, will be safe."

It was a reasonable point. I could easily imagine the development of wandering around town and encountering Hazel White (former maid Sunset). Of course, it could lead to an event where friendship blossoms between us, but since the possibility of kidnapping and attack events couldn't be ruled out, I decided not to make a fuss.

My life is most important. Let's escape first! Strategic retreat!

Of course, before escaping, I earnestly requested that they contact me if Hazel White was found. The officer answered firmly.

"Of course. We'll contact you as soon as new news comes in."

This officer seems somewhat stubborn but appears to be a principled person, so he'll keep his word. I convinced myself while hurrying out of the police station to get in the car.

"...Could I use the phone just once?"

And I opened the police station door again five seconds later. Since he might be waiting, I should contact my fiancé first to say I'm returning early. I unconsciously tried to contact him with a smartphone that doesn't even exist.

I nodded and borrowed the phone.

So... the phone number for the building my fiancé told me about was this. After a brief connection tone, a familiar voice was heard shortly after.

-Hello.

"Ah, Lucas Moore!"

-Miss Rose?

His voice suddenly became sweet. The favoritism of a handsome man - so this is the taste of being a romance novel protagonist. Kya. A catharsis that makes you forget even urgent situations!

Anyway, let me explain the situation quickly. I told him that I came to the police station for a visit and heard the news of Hazel White's escape, and that I should return home first just in case.

My fiancé's voice responding became lower, full of worry.

-Oh my, I'll return right away too. Don't worry and just return to the mansion quickly.

"Yes, yes."

-And I'll pick up the developed photos from the photo studio, so don't worry about that.

Right, the photos! The situation changed so quickly that I'd forgotten. To be so considerate too - he has virtues I lack. He really is a male lead!

"Wow, thank you!"

-Not at all. It's natural as your fiancé.

My fiancé asked gently if I had any other plans in town, and I answered that I had no other business.

-I understand. Then I'll return as quickly as possible.

"Yes. Ah, if people suddenly start murmuring and looking at something, turn around and run full speed in the opposite direction!"

This was advice meaning not to get caught up in the typical opening where trouble breaks out in such situations.

-......

"Lucas Moore?"

-Of course, Rose.

My fiancé answered somewhat late. Then, as if he'd been holding back, he added a few words of disapproval about the officers' carelessness and hastily hung up. He must really be trying to move quickly. I became even more satisfied with that active side of him and politely returned the phone to the police officer.

Let me move quickly too!

I was carried by car and raced to the mansion at high speed. In the process, I suddenly realized that a likely kidnapping suspect in romance novels would be an unfamiliar coachman and was wary of the driver, but we simply arrived safely at the mansion at an amazing speed.

Come to think of it, I don't know any of the drivers' faces, so any of them would have unfamiliar faces. I felt awkward and thanked the driver before getting out of the car.

And after seeing off the driver who left to park, I slowly walked across the garden toward the front entrance.

It's been a while since I walked leisurely without any thoughts like this. Though it's only been a few days, it's been too spectacular since the poisoning attempt. But if I get over this hurdle, it'll be oil king life with a handsome spouse by my side. Let's hang in there!

Walking with clenched fists, I noticed a familiar mess. It was the rose trees my fiancé had destroyed yesterday. I don't know if the workers haven't had a chance to touch them yet or if my fiancé said he'd do it himself, but anyway, they were still in the same refreshingly ruined state.

"Huh?"

But looking closely, there were differences. The completely destroyed rose tree trunks were covered and hardening with something like sap. The trees probably aren't dead yet. They're trying hard to survive.

I felt pity and decided to give them some plant nutrients.

Thinking of plant nutrients naturally brought the boy gardener to mind. Though he did give my fiancé tools, seeing this state, he'd surely be shocked. He really loved roses - what if he gets angry and appears again when we discuss with my fiancé about planting different trees instead of roses?

I imagined the boy trying to summon a black water dragon and couldn't hide my amusement and poignancy. The poignancy was directed toward the feelings the boy would have when recalling that scene ten years later. Recovery will definitely take time.

Feeling my emotions gradually shift from amusement to melancholy, I hurriedly quickened my steps toward the front entrance. There's a lot to do. First, I need to give Jeril this gift too!

Of course, I should take care of common sense priorities first, so before giving the gift, I informed him about Hazel White's escape. But for hearing news about someone who accused his mother of being the culprit, Jeril was remarkably calm without much disturbance. And for some reason, he wasn't even cross-dressing.

"I see. Be careful just in case."

That was all Jeril said. Hmm. Since the topic of being careful came up, what perfect timing to give him a self-defense (lethal) pistol as a gift!

"We should. Ah, and this is a gift!"

And when I handed him the gift, Jeril's reaction was unexpected. I definitely thought there would be lines like "What's your ulterior motive?" or "I'll take it for now, I'm accepting it for the thought!" but he silently accepted it.

"Th-thank you."

He even answered obediently! His ears were red, visible in Jeril's movement of slightly avoiding eye contact. I sensed something was wrong.

Uh, wait. This isn't a reaction for a standoffish character...

This ominous intuition reached its peak when Jeril unwrapped the gift, confirmed the pistol, and after more than five minutes of silence, said the following:

"Rose."

"Yeah?"

"Let's run away as far as possible, to another region."

Jeril's expression was frighteningly hardened when he looked up. And I was horrified.

I feel like I've been steadily building family events with my stepbrother until now, but why has the flow suddenly turned into a love escape proposal from a second male lead?

Where on earth did you fall for me, Jeril?! Why did the romance route get completed on its own!

"Uh... when?"

"...Tonight."

Even tonight. What kind of crazy talk is this? I almost took back the gun I just gave him.

F-first, let me try rational persuasion calmly.

"Look... if we run away, we'll need to earn something to eat and live, but are you very confident about getting a job? Do you have qualifications or..."

For reference, I don't. All I have is a TORFL Level 1 qualification certification. Oh, what's TORFL? It's a Russian language qualification exam, but there's no Russia here! In other words, I'm a no-education, no-use surplus human resource here!!

"I've already looked into places where we can hide."

Jeril answered, biting his lip.

"Where?"

"...I can't say right now. I'll tell you while we're moving. I can't speak where this mansion's belongings are."

That's absolutely not happening for me. I can't understand this situation.

Why the mansion's belongings though? Because you're worried about being tracked? Then you really mean to leave with just our bodies...? No, even if I had chosen you as the male lead, I would have refused this. Absolutely not.

My mind is becoming confused. It seems rational persuasion followed by refusal won't work, so let me change methods. This time I'll dig into the reason for running away...!

"But why are you saying we should leave the mansion now?"

"Because those whispers suddenly stopped being heard since yesterday. This is an opportunity - it might not be long."

Ah, it was because of that dragon. Honestly, I was somewhat relieved. It seems the main reason wasn't asking me to elope abandoning my fiancé. It would be much easier to persuade.

Hmm, so until now he was so tormented by noise that he had severe nervous breakdown, feeling only anger and anxiety, but now that it's not being heard, he's productively thinking of ways to never hear that sound again forever.

But how did the conclusion come out as running away? That's too one-dimensional. Didn't you think the dragon might chase after us?

"How are you certain it won't be heard if we leave here?"

"...The frequency decreased the farther away I got."

"It might chase after us."

At my words, Jeril's face turned pale. Jeril muttered while gripping the pistol I gave him painfully tight with one hand.

"That's why we should run away now while we can't hear it...!"

"Calm down, just calm down first..."

Uh-huh, that's not it. Calm down, calm down. First put down the gun... Ugh. I shouldn't have given him the gun right now. He's acting exactly like someone who's been tormented by apartment noise for five years and is anxious it might start again after it suddenly stopped.

I decided to mention the immediate problems that would arise if we left here first. The first was naturally family.

"No, there's also the trial... We can't just leave Mother here. She's currently a suspect, and if we all disappear, bigger problems might arise."

Jeril looked at me dryly as if examining something. Then a rigid voice flowed out.

"Why are you worried about Mother?"

"What?"

"She's not even your real mother anyway. She just acted like a mother. And she might have tried to poison you."

Hey, even you as her biological son saying that... I appreciate you thinking from my perspective, but still. I rubbed my nape and answered.

"Well, it's not confirmed she's the culprit... She might not be. Of course we should prepare for the worst case, but still, when dealing with people, thinking and treating them positively seems to lead to fewer regrets."

Because in romance novels, believing in someone falsely accused until the end is one of the best capture routes... but saying this would make me sound too trashy, so let me stop this thought.

Jeril became silent.

"......"

"So let's wait until the trial ends and then think about it. Then I - huh? If I cover my ears, it stops being heard perfectly. Even if it's heard again, wouldn't that work?"

"That's ridiculous. That was just coincidence."

He said that, but I could see the strength drain from Jeril's hand holding the pistol. He looked somewhat confused but didn't seem like he'd suggest running away again.

Mm, good. I got through it. Excellent. Today too, I successfully got through without falling into another route, without any bad ending scenarios!

Kya, on such a rewarding day, I should have chicken and a beer.

Was it coincidence that my fiancé came with chicken as soon as I thought that?

"Rose, I thought you might not have eaten, so I brought something. I ordered hastily so it's not from a very famous place, but..."

No. It's not coincidence. It must be destiny between chicken and me. Though there's no beer, the appearance of the fried chicken was truly fantastic. I was about to take the chicken as if enchanted. But suddenly my fiancé pulled the chicken back.

Uh, my chicken...

"Ah, sorry. I should have given you the photos first."

"No. It's fine."

The photos can wait - sir, please put that chicken in my mouth quickly...!

"Here are the developed photos."

"...Thank you."

If I don't check them, he probably won't give me the chicken. I gave a strained thank you to my fiancé who was looking at me with expectant eyes and tore open the rectangular envelope containing the photos.

And the moment I saw the first one, I was struck with shock. The first photo of my fiancé I took...

The photo was all blurred.

His features were completely ruined.

"Miss Rose?"

Oh, no. It's fine. Stay calm. The next one will be okay. I quickly flipped to the next photo.

This one was a mess too. What is this, a photo of the garden? Green and red were scattered around the photo like an abstract painting.

"......"

I quickly flipped through the photos. It would be harder to find one that was properly taken.

Moreover, the ones taken during the basement great adventure were even worse. Most were photos showing only one light glowing roundly in the dark. Except for one shot of a wall, they were at a total destruction level.

Even among the remaining photos, the ones with working people photographed small all had bright red eyes. This was my first time seeing such severe red-eye effect.

Looking blankly at these shocking and horrifying terrible photos, my fiancé said with a very regretful expression.

"Unfortunately, the photo we took together was lost due to problems during development. I properly claimed damage compensation. We can take photos together again, so please don't be too heartbroken."

"...Yes."

He seems to have misunderstood something. That's also a problem, but that's not the important thing.

Could it be... was I equipment-dependent?

Was all my photography skill equipment-dependent?

No, that can't be! There's no way that's true!!

I definitely took good photos. How good was I? My online friend who used to photograph a certain popular idol would ask me to substitute for her when she couldn't make it to events!! She even paid me generously per shot! I was objectively skilled!

Then the negative self in my head rebutted.

What? You fool, it wasn't skill but equipment dependence! Your technique already went to America! It ran off to America hand-in-hand with modern equipment!

Then what about my photo book?

That went to America too!

"America..."

"Pardon?"

"Nothing... Ah, thank you. The chicken looks delicious too..."

I entered the reception room with my fiancé in a dazed state. And I slowly tore into the chicken. The chicken that should have had fantastic umami taste tasted like plain water. Or was it? Maybe it was tears? Or perhaps the taste of my photo book's grand dreams that flew away.

"Rose, is there some problem?"

"No... It's fine. The chicken is delicious. Thank you very much..."

I muttered mechanically and finished the meal. Until the meal ended, my fiancé seemed to say words of concern, but I don't remember.

And I staggered to my bedroom like a zombie and collapsed without even washing.

Me, me being clumsy...!

Let's just sleep today. The shock was too great. I'll think about everything tomorrow.