Second Road

Episode 39: Hannah

Between hoping and making sure of something that is certain. Between clarifying right and wrong, or is it possible that I am overconfident? Maybe it's just a sentence that just goes through my head, but if I don't say it, my head will explode.

Every second continues to pass and merge, creating its own melody without blemish and stain. It might be impossible to make the needle turn in a direction. But if I could, I'd like to start all over. The order of life that is now full of sentences that I do not understand, there are many intentions and meanings that are veiled behind the veil.

Um... guess what, what do you think I'll say next? What we're talking about now is about my previous little problem. But of course I know that you can't guess. But maybe I'll give you a chance for a second.

All right, you've been thinking too long. Let me just start. Look, I'm not mad. You're the one who thinks too long. Maybe you'll get a lucky guess later. So, can I continue?

***

A pair of jet-black sliced eyes looked at me fixedly, as if I had guessed what I was going to say. But, of course I haven't said anything. I will say something that will surprise him, I can't wait to see his expression later.

Meanwhile, Allen, my foster brother, continued sipping his tea that had started to cool. There was no more steam emerging from the surface, and you know, that cold tea tastes bad, bitter and bitter.

The man now looked so calm, as if he had won the war. But it's just beginning, and it's not a war either. It's just a conversation between the two of us and sister Hana that is at the core of everything.

I rewinded my body, trying to relax to start the first sentence. I leaned my back against the back of the already uncomfortable sofa. The texture is hard and the color has also faded. This is not the heyday anymore, maybe this sofa chair should be retired immediately and replaced with a new one.

"First of all, I won't say that I want to stay here again with Hana's sister" I said, giving a pause to breathe.

The opening sentence was not too bad in my opinion, as well as making it clear that I did not really expect to be able to live with him again. And compared to all that, I did not expect it, I already knew the truth of something.

"That's obvious, right? You already have me," Allen cut.

I frowned glancing at him, how could he be that confident? "Don't cut my sentence" I said

"Yes, I know, it's just to reinforce your words" he continued.

He was still busy with his barely empty teacup, then placed it on the small coasters that had accompanied the cup. His hand turned around, my untouched tea became his target, is tea really that good? And again, it's cold.

My brain returned to the thing I was focusing on, which was my conversation with sister Hana.

"Then something kept bothering me. I've seen your picture when I was in Chinchilla. And I thought, you know something about that," I said hesitantly.

The young girl I was talking to was silent for a moment, trying to digest my words. And for a split second later, his expression slightly changed.

"My photocopy? That makes sense, right? I told you once that this home belonged to them, it was possible that they were storing data about the residents of the parlour, "he said confidently.

"That's no ordinary photo, I'm sure there's someone else I know in the picture. Now be honest with me, what's your relationship with Miss Agnes?" I asked directly at the core of the problem.

The photo I mean, I saw it in Miss Agnes's study when I met her a few times while I was still a shitty experiment in chinhilla.

Silent for a moment, but I'm sure this sentence of mine already refers to the crux of the matter. So, maybe he knows what I mean. Or is it possible that he would be surprised when he heard that coming out of my mouth?

But it seems like my guess was wrong, he smiled back. It was as if there was no rejection that he would throw, as if he were going to say a sentence that I might be happy to hear.

"I really didn't expect you to say that. Haru, you're getting old. You're not the gloomy and quiet little Haru anymore" he replied with a slight laugh.

I just tilted my head, waiting for the answer. It doesn't matter if he calls me moody and quiet, I don't think so. But I don't know, there's a saying that says the one who judges you is someone else, not yourself. But, what do I care?

"Tell me, there's still something I want to ask after this," I insisted.

"In her study, Miss Agnes, when I was in chinchilla. And you're the first person I asked," I replied steadily.

The girl breathed a sigh of relief when I said that last sentence.

"Alright, listen. Me and Agnes are actually cousins. We lived together until I was ten. He took over the chinchilla and I took care of the parlour. And actually, everything you see is just a pretense. All the managers here are also fake," he explained with blank eyes, similar to the eyes of dead fish lined up in a traditional market.

"Already I thought, there was something about this parlour. Thank you, lady, I can hereby strengthen my argument" flung Allen with his trademark cynical smile. His fingers played the teaspoon that had been silent on the coasters.

"So what from the beginning you just guessed and said you knew something? You're sneaky, so Haru didn't say anything at all?" toilet sister Hana.

"It's business, miss. Haru was even too quiet to just say something like that to me" she replied.

"Well, you finally know. You can ruin Haru with your lying bad attitude, and you can still say that you are her brother? What a pathetic young man,"

Allen didn't listen to him much. Yeah, he's pathetic, or I'd rather call him a bitch. Or maybe, a little clever will describe itself with a better view.

"And again, this is also because of something we have to do. This is a pretense. Sorry for that, Haru. What you see and feel is just nonsense, nothing more. We were demons, pretending to look after abandoned children and finally letting the chinchilla tinker at them,"

A look of regret was clearly drawn on his face. Her soft eyes seemed to say that it was the truth.

"That's.beyond my expectations. But I think what I saw was real. I mean about the way you treated me and took care of me first. I think you're sincere," I got confused continuing my own words.

"Is that so? Thank you if you say that. But maybe everything else is just a lie, and I know what I did wrong. Also what you're feeling, and I know that I'm a bad person. Even if you hate me, it doesn't matter either. I also know that if I die later, my soul will not calm down. Heaven will reject me and hell will be happy to see me who is only half-and-half," added sister Hana resigned.

"Miss, you're even confident in your fate. That's why I don't like girls like you, too confident. That kind of personality of yours seems to have ruined Haru when you were taking care of him first" Allen replied.

Brother Hana did not completely change Allen's reply earlier. While Allen considered it a break-even point, the base did not want to lose.

"Then, there's something else I want to know. Why are they running parlors and chinchillas?" ask again.

"Simple, military power. Don't you feel any effect on your body?" answer without thinking for long.

"Hey lady, all she felt was pain. You have no heart. She was fourteen years old and you treated her that way" Allen said.

"Sorry about that. I know, but are you sure nothing happened? Moreover, you are the only subject that has reached eighty-seven percent. And you're being sought. Oh no, why are you here? What time is it?"

Hana's expression turned frantic.

"Another ten minutes are eleven o'clock in the afternoon" replied Allen, who had just checked his smartphone, there was an accurate time indicator.

"I suggest you leave quickly. The guys from chinchilla will be back here any minute. Haru, don't get caught" said Hana as she rose from her seat.

"Wait, this is confusing. Which side are you on? You told Haru to leave and didn't want Haru to get caught" Allen said.

"Yes, you told me to go, too" I added.

"That's because from the beginning I didn't want to do this. I know it's wrong, and it's my fault, too. Had I been a little smarter, there would have been no such terrible experiment. Me and Agnes were actually competing for it, and she won it. And there are actually more research centers and controlled parlors. It's just, it's not the right time to discuss it,"

"Go, now or never!"