Itsuki POV:

  After the briefing with Nobu Ichigo my role in the city was settled. I was able to choose my own way to approach my target but when I do they want me to use my skill to lure out everything about her. Any method is up to me. This girl, the first thing I want to know is if she really is a prodigy made by that man. If she is, tricking her would be risky, but if I pull a thread of truth it might unravel things by themselves. And that secret person who is in contact with that man from the city. That will be the first thing I want to discover.

  “I got an invite.” A high pitched robotic voice pulled me out of my thoughts.

  I opened my eyes as I sat in an armchair. Em moved to stretch her palm to give me a note. It was a note from Karma Winters inviting her to visit his lab. I shook my head and looked at the girl.

  “No.” I declined this invitation and tossed the paper in the near bin.

  Em didn’t say anything else but extended her palm. She gestured for me to hold my hand out. Which I did. I felt something small placed in my palm. Looking down at the small microchip she was given at our base. I wanted to toss this thing out but Em grabbed my hand to give it back to her.

  “He will notice that you have installed something. That’s why it’s pointless.” I refused to do this.

  Em stared at me. Then reached out for her phone and started typing.

  “He won’t notice.” She looked up as the sound came out from her phone.

  I shook my head

  “No.” I said with my voice stern.

  She stared at me but didn’t protest anymore

  I turned to get up.

  “I am going out to explore. Want to come?” I asked as I walked towards the door.

  Her eyes brightened as she grabbed a coat.

  It was late Sunday evening. The wind had died down and the sun was set.

  Apparently an update on the situation. Rory’s mother has moved to the city. Nobu had approved her move himself. Yesterday morning the girl and her mother were sighted together but from the report it looks like there is some sort of conflict between them.

  The information we have on this woman is her name: Evelin Aisaka. She is a well received lawyer that stood in court proudly and was hired by many influential names.

  A case in her early career recorded was the one jump-started her role as a big shot. A single case where at that time’s prime minister's daughter was prosecuted for leaking confidential documents to the opposite party. Which caused millions in damages. It was watched by big eyes and closely monitored at the time. Because of the big scandal no one was willing to take the case fearing the deferment of losing. This case almost sank the family and they received a lot of bad publicity. Miraculously she managed to salvage the situation and proved daughter to be innocent which made the lawyer to be one of the top lawyers out there. Influencing her reach at instant. The mother is one kind of woman. With her own influence.

  This makes me wonder what kind of character her daughter has grown into. Lawyers themselves are confident and fluent in reading people. Slighted cues and expressions. Plus information gathering. Her dad is known for his outstanding knowledge as a professor especially because he is from Akasia.

  There must be high expectations and they must be fulfilled.

  “Where are we going?” The sound of words came out of Em’s phone.

  “Did you get the keys from them?” I asked. Turning my glance towards the car park. Where cars were lined.

  Em pulled out keys from the pocket.

  I nodded.

  She pressed the button of the keys that made a sound of unlocking the vehicle. We both headed its way. Em was in the driver's seat and I sat next to her. The reason I let her drive is simple. It’s one of her duties.

  “This is the address you need to go to.” I typed an address in maps and placed it in the middle, so she can see. Before she began to drive she adjusted her seat by pulling it closer towards the steering wheel. It’s due to her being shorter than the average driver. When Em was done with settling in she started to drive towards our destination.

  My objective was to have a glance at the house Evelin moved into. Her home wasn’t that far away.

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  “Can you stop here?” I asked. Spotting a small bakery.

  Em nodded and stopped the car and carefully parked in the side street.

  I opened the doors and entered the place. There weren’t many people there at this time. It did look like the place was getting ready for a close. Which made sense as it was almost the end of the day.

  “Can I get a box of those?” I chose to buy a box of baked cookies. Pointing at it I flashed a smile towards the female clerk. She smiled back as she proceeded to get it for me.

  “Do you want anything else?” She asked.

  “Just the box of cookies will do.” I said. Taking out my wallet to pay for it.

  “That would be five twenty three in total. Thank you!” She said as she gave her the banknote. Then she exchanged it for the change and was about to give it to me but I only smiled kindly.

  “Rest you can keep it as your tip! This must be a long day for you!” I flashed my smile. Charming her.

  She looked at the banknotes. Then back at me. “But sir this is..”

  “Nothing. Keep it!” I originally gave her twenty in a banknote.

  The clerk slightly blushed. Averting her eyes.

  “Thank you!” She smiled at me.

  I reached to grab the box and flashed my smile before leaving the small bakery shop. Then I went back towards the car and entered it.

  “You like cookies?!” Em was staring at me. Watching me with the box in hand.

  I glazed towards it.

  “This is because we are going to visit our target's mother!” I glanced back at Em. Who’s eyes dropped when I said that. Me eating cookies is something she has never seen. That over excitement and disappointment her posture made me shake my head.

  “You get excited about the weirdest things.” I said.

  Em didn’t say anything else but continued her role as a driver.

  “Park the car a little away from the view from the house. We are going to walk there.” I gave my instructions.

  Em nodded her eyes on the road.

  The darkness of the night gradually approached. As it was November already. The darkness began to increase everyday. Soon it will get colder and winter will come. Somehow I felt looking forward to the first winter snow. This year it may be more special than the last.

  Em parked our car at the side of the road right before the street where the home was located. The night lamps on the streets glowed orange giving our path while walking. It was an area of street where one home was located after another. I walked with one hand slightly by myself moving as the other hand held the box of cookies I bought. I walked at a slow natural pace. Em was right beside me.

  A white two story house with big windows and a small front garden with a gray rooftop. Houses in this area looked all very similar to each other. My eyes lingered on it as I looked down at Em.

  “Right. We are doing the usual.” I instructed Em.

  She nodded. Understanding what I meant. Following my every word.

  We both entered the porch area on the small walkway. Not hesitating. I reached out to ring the doorbell. Three consecutive rings and then we waited. Moments later footsteps appeared and a woman opened the door. Her eyes were sharp. Hair perfectly pulled back in a ponytail. Wearing white smart shirt with black pants and indoor shoes.

  “Who are you?” A question was aimed at me. The woman's eyes looked straight at mine.

  I flashed my smile.

  “Good evening, madam!” I greeted the woman in my best brotherly tone. “My name is Itsuki and this is my little sister Em.” I said introducing ourselves.

  Evelin’s eyes shifted on Em. Who bowed towards her. They made eye contact.

  I moved my hands towards Em. “Here!” I gave the box to Em.

  She took it from me. Her big eyes sparkled. Then she stepped a little closer towards the woman in the doorway and I stepped slightly back. Giving her the way.

  “She just had some time out of the hospital and what she likes to do is go from house to house and sell cookies.” I explained the box with cookies to Evelin. “I’m sorry if we are bothering. I did say to her that this will be her last one for today.” I said smiling positively. Giving my explanation why we were here right now. One of my hands reached out to pat Em’s head, a loving brother's expression on my face.

  Em slightly glanced at me. Then back at the woman. Her hands outstretched, handing the cookies out to Evelin.

  This time the woman in front of us took a great look at Em and noticed the metal shining under Em’s face mask. It was holding her jaw in place. Her eyes flashed surprised for a moment but she quickly regained her composure and smiled.

  “Oh? Sweetheart! Wait here!” Evelin apologized as she turned away to get her wallet. We just stood there waiting for her to return. Moments later she was back and handed out two twenty banknotes.

  “Here!” She gave the money to Em and finally took the box of cookies.

  “Oh, madam! That’s a lot!” I said to her noticing how much she gave. My voice expressed concern.

  “Oh, no no! This is fine! Take this young lady somewhere nice!” She gave me a slight smile expressing her kindness.

  I smiled at her. Nodding in acceptance.

  “Thank you very much!” A sound came out of Em’s phone. And she bowed towards the woman again.

  Evelin blinked. Hearing the thank you with a smile still on her face.

  “No thank you for the cookies sweetheart!” Evelin cheerfully smiled at Em who looked at her brightly.

  “We have to go back to the hospital for the next couple of weeks but after that I want to take her to the amusement park. She really loves it there!” I smiled brightly as I glanced at Em. Then I looked Evelin in the eyes.

  “Aww! I hope she spends the best time there!” Evelin smiled at me and put on a polite smile.

  “Let’s go! Sis!” I tapped on Em’s shoulder.

  She happily turned around to leave.

  “Thank you madam again! Hope you enjoy the cookies.” I waved her goodbye.

  Evelin waved back at us and watched as we walked down the street.

  This woman is clever. She never gave her name. Still showing her kindness but being very careful and keeping the conversation without a way for me to poke for information about her. For the way she was dressed in this late evening did indicate that she was still on the clock but still comfortable enough to be around the house. I had ways to get more information but if I’ve done this it would make her suspicious. She never even came forward asking questions about what illness Em might have or why she looked the way she does. The fact she didn’t could mean different things. One. She is not an empath. Which could mean she doesn't express genuine emotions. What could that mean for the daughter? Strained relationship? Career oriented mother? Often away for work? Did that man make the environment so the daughter is closer to him than the mother?

  I was interested to find out.