Accident

Mamoru exhaled deeply as he finished recalling what had happened. Afterward, Nagawa asked a favor about sending him photos and videos of Ki occasionally. At first, he was reluctant, although Nagawa was forced to break up with Ki.

It was still a mutual breakup; they are not a couple right now. So for him to send photos and videos like this is unusual. However, staying in touch is for the best.

He doesn't know how useful Nagawa will be, but he is someone who will surely help Sumire in the future.

Ki just said to discuss everything he has been hiding. But considering her current reaction to Nagawa Sano, it would backfire.

"Then Ki also, you're hiding something from me, right?"

At those words, she stood up and turned away from him. Mamoru grabbed hold of her hand. "Ki, it's okay no matter what happens-"

"But I slept with someone."

He felt his body turn cold the moment those words left her lips. It is not like he did not come to that conclusion himself. He does not know how to react but actually hears her say those words.

The girl struggled to break free from his hold as she sobbed. "I- I am so ashamed. I, no matter how lonely and sad I have been. I have never gone that far. What was I thinking? Why did I follow a stranger to his home even if I was hurt? No, why did I drink the alcohol? I can't face you, Ru. Even though you have taken such great lengths to protect me whenever I do anything stupid."

So she even knows about that. But listening to her vague rambling, he feels frustrated. This entire time he has kept her safe from harm, and that is why she could behave carelessly without a single worry in the world. But this one time, how could he have messed up so badly?

He has indeed had a lot of work recently, but at the end of the day, his main priority is Ki. He got so caught up in finally finding some leads to her parent's case that he ended up neglecting her for a bit, thus the lax security around her.

Mamoru pulled the girl into his arms and hugged her tightly. "Ki, I won't judge you for what happened. I understand that you feel mortified and ashamed. I won't tell you that it's okay; it will make you feel worse if I do that. But I can say this, I promise you. That will never happen to you again unless that is what you desire."

Right he will not interfere if Ki engages in such actions with the person she likes. 'I ought to meet up with Yuhi. Ki is in a fragile state right now. Even if she does not see him, he should get Yuhi to drop by when she is sleeping.'

After hugging for a few minutes, Sumire pulled away, embarrassed. "You always see me cry; it's unfair."

Mamoru only laughed at her words. "It's nice to have such a special privilege."

"You're so silly, Ru, but thank you for listening to me. I did tell Masaru-senpai earlier, but rather than advice, it felt like he would hunt down the guy and kill him if I described what happened."

His sweat fell at those words. Ki, just telling Masaru is enough to sign off the other party's death. It will not surprise him if Masaru has already located the other guy. Rest in peace, poor man.

Before he could reply, however, the girl's phone rang. Sumire picked it up and exhaled deeply. "I understand. I will be, no; we will be right there." She quickly corrected herself.

Mamoru waited until she finished, and the girl passed him her phone. "Serial killer strikes at an orphanage?" He read the title on the news page.

Wait, orphanage?

...

At Bungou Orphanage

When they arrived at the orphanage rather than the police, the ones at the crime scene were people wearing a blue uniforms. If Hyou4 are here, did people realize this is an unusual case? Normally, civilians would report anything like this to the police.

People recognized them and led them inside the main room. There was Kiragi Asuka hunched down beside a body covered in a brown sheet.

"Sumire, Mamoru."

"Asuka is this-" Mamoru looked at the sheet.

"I thought this might be the man you were searching for. Can you identify him?"

Sumire immediately removed the brown sheet, and naked underneath was a man with silver-colored hair. The only thing that remained of his bartender outfit was his necktie. There was blood all over his neck; no, there was a large hole where his brain should have been.

"It's him," Mamoru mumbled.

To think they were about to go to the orphanage tomorrow and have a talk with him. Should they have met with him sooner? It feels like the large clue they had in their hands just disappeared.

Sumire did not seem surprised. "It's better to die than to be interrogated, huh."

"Sumire?"

The girl walked around the room and stopped at his computer. She didn't say anything, but she kept staring at it.

Asuka sighed and waved her hand. "Unlock it for her." She told one of the subordinates.

Her men seemed confused but obeyed her. The moment the computer was unlocked. Mamoru watched as Ki started to browse through the internet history. This girl is truly cut out for this type of work. Or maybe she is just nosy?

"Ah, I thought so."

"What is it?"

"Previously, we suspected he was pickpocketing the funds, which is the case. But he was using it to help fund the orphanage. At a glance, he seems like a good guy. But look at this-"

Mamoru glanced over at the screen and saw some type of schedule. "Is this a training schedule for the children?"

"A schedule to turn them into killing machines, yes. This guy was raising killers. But it seems like the orphanage director had no power, is that not right?"

An elderly-looking woman stepped into the room with a pained look on her face as she bowed. "I was in the other room when the murder happened. I was going to discuss it with him again, to reconsider. Our orphanage has not been doing well for a long time. He believed that by raising the children as killers, they could go on hunts and bring more money. I stumbled upon him getting killed."

"You called Hyou4," Mamoru mumbled. "Did you know he is an ability user? No, you know the existence of ability users." He corrected himself.

"The children here are all power users. When I first found out, I wanted to report it immediately. But he stopped me; he said we could make use of them. I am equally as guilty."

It's hard to blame this woman. From its looks, she is in her sixties; what can a sixty-year-old woman do against a twenty-five-year-old man?