Four: The Mastermind had appeared (Part III)
1209 Words
“Edward.”
Julius called out to his friend, who was deeply focused on reviewing several case files. Edward flinched slightly at his sudden presence.
“What is it?” he asked, looking up.
There was something off about Julius. His expression was tense—like he wanted to say something, but not here.
Without another word, Edward grabbed his arm and pulled him toward the balcony. Once they were alone, he let go.
Julius let out a deep sigh.
“Sirius already knows about the event at YG Academy…”
Edward froze.
“How? I didn’t mention anything to him.”
“Exactly,” Julius muttered, running a hand through his hair. “I didn’t know what to say when he brought it up earlier. I don’t know what to do anymore.”
They had always been careful—especially around Sirius. As much as possible, they avoided mentioning anything about their high school past.
Edward stayed silent for a moment before speaking.
“Let him attend.”
Julius looked at him.
“We’ll just make sure he brings his medication. And June already promised that nothing will trigger his memories, right?”
Julius exhaled deeply.
He didn’t have much of a choice.
“…Fine,” he said reluctantly. “But I need to talk to Gwen about Myrus’ case first. My news crew needs updates.”
Edward nodded and accompanied him to Gwen’s office before heading back to his desk.
---
“Sirius, over here!”
Megumi waved as soon as she spotted him.
Sirius smiled and walked toward her.
They were currently at Treasure U Cafe, just a few steps away from the law firm where Megumi worked.
“Have you been waiting long?” Sirius asked as he sat across from her.
Megumi shook her head. “Only about two minutes.”
They ordered drinks and cake before continuing their conversation.
“So… we were in the same batch in high school?” Sirius asked.
Megumi nodded. “Yes. Actually, we were even part of the same club back then.”
She paused, recalling the memory.
“I was forced by Edelita to join the Theater and Arts Club because she had a crush on you. She followed you everywhere.”
Sirius blinked.
“Edelita… is that Edelita Corazon?”
Megumi nodded again. “Do you remember her?”
Sirius tried to search his memories—but nothing came.
“Not really… I feel like I’ve heard the name before. How is she now?”
Megumi sighed.
“She passed away.”
Sirius froze.
“I’m sure you’ve heard about the victim who was turned into a statue.”
His eyes widened.
“That was her?!”
Megumi nodded.
“She became a famous actress. That was always her dream. She joined plays—your plays—because of it. She was actually about to give up before… you encouraged her to keep going.”
There was a softness in Megumi’s voice.
“She always said you were the reason she started dreaming again.”
Sirius lowered his gaze.
“Condolences… I didn’t know.”
Megumi smiled faintly. “It’s okay. She would’ve understood your situation.”
Their order arrived.
Sirius took a sip of his matcha drink.
Megumi watched him closely—then something clicked.
“You used to hate matcha,” she said.
Sirius smiled slightly. “People change as they grow older.”
He took another sip, then a bite of the matcha cake.
Megumi leaned forward a little.
“By the way… how have you been all these years?”
Sirius hesitated, then began.
“My life’s been… complicated. My novels kept getting rejected, but I never gave up. I even rebelled against my parents.”
He let out a small laugh.
“When we met the other day, I had just come from seeing them. Of course… my father had a lot of unpleasant things to say.”
Megumi felt a pang of sympathy.
“And yet… you’re still smiling.”
Sirius shrugged lightly. “Life takes effort. I guess I survived somehow.”
Megumi laughed. “You’re still the same.”
They continued talking—about random memories, about life now.
Then suddenly—
“Do you remember Marina Santiago?”
Sirius stiffened.
Of course he did.
How could he forget that night?
The alley. The blood. The lifeless body of the nurse.
“Kind of… why?”
“She used to be friends with me and Edelita,” Megumi said casually.
“Used to?”
Megumi nodded. “They had a falling out. Edelita got jealous because you started paying more attention to Marina. But I told her it was natural—you worked closely with Marina since she was your assistant.”
She took another bite before continuing—
“Serone even threatened her that time—”
She froze.
Her eyes widened.
She quickly covered her mouth.
Too late.
Sirius had already heard it.
“Who’s Serone?” he asked.
Megumi shook her head quickly. “It’s nothing. I don’t even know him.”
She forced a smile, pretending nothing happened.
But inside, panic crept in.
I shouldn’t have said that…
---
“I have to get back to work,” Megumi said abruptly after checking the time.
They paid for their orders and stepped outside.
“I’ll walk you,” Sirius insisted.
Megumi agreed.
They walked in silence until they reached the law firm.
“Thank you. I’ll go in from here,” she said.
Sirius smiled. “Alright. See you next time.”
He turned and left.
Megumi watched him disappear before entering the building.
“Is that your boyfriend?” the receptionist teased.
Megumi shook her head. “No, just a friend.”
“Really? Introduce me next time—I like guys like that,” the receptionist grinned.
Megumi laughed. “Sure, maybe next time.”
---
Meanwhile, Sirius had just arrived at his apartment.
He lay down on the couch, staring at the ceiling.
Minutes passed.
Then—
A figure leaned over him.
At first, it had shocked him.
But after a few days…
He had gotten used to it.
“What do you want?” Sirius asked coldly.
“I won’t report you for killing that nurse,” he added.
The man smiled.
“Well… she’s not the only one I’ve killed.”
Sirius sat up abruptly.
“What?”
“Who are you?!” he demanded.
The man leaned closer.
Too close.
“You already know me… my dear,” he whispered.
Sirius pushed him away.
“I don’t kn—wait…”
His eyes widened.
“…Are you Serone?”
The man’s smile widened.
“Bingo.”
Sirius immediately grabbed his phone to call Megumi—
—but Serone snatched it from his hand.
“What are you doing?!” Sirius exclaimed, fear creeping into his voice.
Serone’s expression darkened.
“Didn’t I tell you?” he said coldly. “The moment anyone finds out…”
He threw the phone across the room.
“…you’ll be next.”
He grabbed Sirius’ wrist tightly.
“Listen carefully,” Serone whispered.
“If you ever try that again…”
His grip tightened.
“I won’t hesitate to kill you.”
- Writer
