Scene 15.

"Mrs. Koizumi I."

.

.

.

.

.

.

"Secrets."

[Domino City, Japan. Friday. 12/21/1990. Morning. Hongo Orphanage, Main Entrance].

"Well, Makoto, it's been a pleasure seeing you again. Um. Take good care of the boy, okay? Well, I guess I'll see you again on Sunday, hehe. Ciao. Ciao," Miyuki told me before she left.

"Goodbye, Mrs. Fuchi," I bid her farewell with a slight bow.

Then, my gaze shifted to the black car driven by the Fuchi family's old chauffeur, Noburui, who was currently waiting for his lady by the rear door, and then back to Miyuki, my old friend Miyuki, who had changed so drastically over the years. A faint hint of doubt settled on my features. A specific question that had been tormenting me for over ten long years circled in my mind without stopping.

#Chazz#

Noburui closed the car door forcefully once the lady had entered the car.

Then, my body involuntarily moved towards the car.

#Chazz#

By the time I reached my destination, Noburui had already taken his place and was starting the engine.

#Burrun-Burrun#

However, apparently, Miyuki saw me approach and then rolled down the window accordingly.

#Clac-Clac#

Once the window was fully open, I saw Miyuki lean her face out of it.

I wasn't able to say anything immediately; a glimpse of hesitation kept me from acting intrusively.

"Is something wrong, dear?" Miyuki asked with an uncharacteristic expression of nervousness on her face.

I didn't keep her waiting for too long and answered, "When will you tell him, Miy-Mrs. Fuchi? I know I shouldn't ask about the reasons behind all this, but don't you think the boy deserves to at least know the truth? Miyuki, you...".

"Shut up! That-that's not your damn concern, Makoto! When and how I'll tell him is my business! Humph! Mr. Noburui, let's go from here already! Now!" Miyuki sharply ordered her servant.

"Ri-right away, my lady!" the chauffeur obeyed.

#Burrun-Burruuun#

Not a second later, the car definitively left the orphanage. A trail of gray smoke tainted the area. "Cough, cough." I coughed.

"Well, well. Just as I remembered. God, that attitude of hers, hehe." I squinted my eyes, lost in my memories of youth. A small smile graced my lips simultaneously.

Between one memory and another, I headed towards the entrance of the orphanage and finally inside.

"It's not so easy to change, Miyuki. It's not so easy to stop being who you are," I murmured to myself with a touch of irony.

"Argh! Let go of me already, you damn brat from hell!" Suddenly, I heard Hotaru's furious voice to my right, presumably in the kitchen.

"Uh? What on earth is happening here?" I wondered.

When I reached the kitchen and saw those two brats fighting like cats on the floor, I couldn't help but let out a scream. "Both of you to your rooms right now! No breakfast!"

.

.

.

.

.

.

To be continued...