Four: The Mastermind had appeared (Part II)
1446 Words
A slow smile formed on his lips as he watched Sirius’ chest rise and fall in peaceful sleep.
Putting the writer to sleep earlier hadn’t been difficult at all, even though Sirius had struggled against him at first.
His gaze shifted back to the television, where the news was reporting the recent murder of one of his former friends.
“So far, we have not gathered any solid evidence linking the three cases,” the reporter announced.
A familiar face appeared on the screen.
He smirked.
Seeing one of his old friends again amused him.
“They won’t find any evidence… because I already cleaned everything up,” he whispered softly.
His hand reached out, gently caressing Sirius’ cheek.
“Rest well, my dear… next time, we’ll write a new chapter for your novel.”
He pressed a kiss on the writer’s cheek before quietly leaving the apartment.
---
“My dear—!”
Sirius jolted awake, his breath uneven as he rushed straight to the bathroom and threw up.
Disgust twisted in his stomach.
He couldn’t stand hearing that endearment… especially in that voice.
“Sirius, are you okay?”
Julius’ worried voice echoed from outside. He had been at the apartment for quite some time, checking on him. When he arrived earlier, Sirius had still been asleep, so he assumed the writer was simply exhausted from working on his novel. He had even prepared breakfast for him.
But when he suddenly heard noise from the room, he couldn’t help but panic.
“I’m fine,” Sirius replied after washing his face.
Julius let out a relieved sigh. “I’ll be downstairs preparing breakfast. Just come down when you’re ready.”
He headed back down, while Sirius stepped out of the bathroom, letting out a deep breath.
It must have been a dream.
He didn’t even know who that man was.
---
Sirius made his way to the kitchen and found Julius waiting for him.
“Come on, let’s eat so you’ll have energy for your writing later,” Julius said, placing a plate of food in front of him.
Sirius sat down quietly. “Thank you,” he murmured before starting to eat.
After a moment, he spoke again.
“How’s Edward’s investigation going? Is there any progress in the case?”
Julius shook his head. “They found evidence, but there’s nothing in it.”
Sirius frowned, sympathy crossing his face. “That’s unfortunate… I feel bad for the victims.”
“Yeah,” Julius agreed. “That’s why he and Gwen are doing everything they can to solve the case and give justice to them.”
“Gwen?” Sirius asked, confused.
“Edward’s co-worker,” Julius explained casually.
Then Sirius suddenly remembered something.
“Oh, by the way… someone reached out to me. They said they were our batchmate back in high school. They invited me to a small tribute for our classmates who passed away.”
Julius choked on his coffee.
“Who messaged you?” he asked quickly after recovering.
He had deliberately avoided telling Sirius about that tribute—because he didn’t want him going.
Sirius shrugged. “I forgot the name.”
Julius quickly finished his food and stood up. “I have to go to work.”
But in truth, he was heading straight to Edward’s station.
Sirius offered to clean up since he didn’t have much to do anyway. While he was busy tidying the apartment, his phone suddenly buzzed.
He immediately checked it.
His eyes widened in surprise.
“Meet me later at Bling Like This Café. After lunch.”
He sighed and placed his phone down.
He still had four hours before one o’clock.
---
After cleaning and eating lunch, Sirius rested for a while before getting ready.
He told himself he was prepared.
But as he stood in front of Bling Like This Cafe, doubt crept in.
For a moment, he wanted to turn around and go home.
Through the glass, he caught sight of a familiar figure—and his anxiety only grew stronger.
He lightly slapped his cheeks and took a deep breath.
He could do this.
He had lived like this for years.
Gripping the strap of his sling bag tightly, he stepped inside.
---
He slowly approached the table.
One of them smiled upon seeing him.
“Sirius…” Mrs. Kim whispered, her voice trembling.
He looked at her, then briefly glanced at his father, who sat silently beside her.
“I didn’t expect you to reach out, Mom.”
He took a seat across from them.
“How have you been all these years, son?” she asked.
Sirius didn’t order anything—there was already food prepared in front of him.
His favorite.
Even the cappuccino.
They still remembered.
“I’m doing well. I just signed a new contract for my novel,” he replied calmly. “Your bodyguard should have reported that to you.”
He knew she had been keeping tabs on him.
A scoff came from his father, but Sirius ignored it.
He already knew what was coming.
“That’s good to hear,” Mrs. Kim said with a forced smile. “Are Julius and Edward taking good care of you?”
“Yes,” Sirius answered.
But deep inside, he didn’t like being their responsibility.
“When are you coming home?” she suddenly asked.
Sirius froze. “Mom—”
“Don’t force him if he doesn’t want to,” Mr. Kim interrupted coldly. “It’s not like he’s worth anything anyway.”
There it was.
The insults began, just as Sirius expected.
“We already let him do what he wanted—even though I never approved of that ridiculous creative writing course. And now that he earns a little, he acts like it’s something to be proud of. Unlike his siblings, who actually have brains.”
Sirius let out a quiet sigh.
He was being compared again.
Just like always.
Since he was a child.
Sometimes, he wondered if he was even his father’s real son. Rumors had once spread in their mansion—that his mother had another man before she got pregnant with him.
“Hon, we’ve talked about this,” Mrs. Kim said, trying to calm her husband.
Mr. Kim fell silent.
She changed the subject.
“How’s your head? Does it still hurt?”
Sirius frowned. “I’m fine, Mom. Why are you asking that?”
She smiled faintly. “Nothing. I’m just checking on you.”
Sirius glanced at his watch.
“Is that all you wanted to say? I still have things to do.”
He stood up.
“I’ll take my leave.”
Before his mother could stop him, he turned and walked away.
All they could do was watch him leave.
---
As soon as Sirius stepped outside, he let out a breath of relief.
Being around them always made him feel suffocated.
Lost in thought, he didn’t notice the woman exiting a nearby law firm—until they bumped into each other.
“Ah—!”
She nearly fell, but Sirius quickly caught her.
“I’m sorry! Are you okay?”
The woman stared at him, her cheeks flushing.
“Uh—oh!” She quickly stepped back, fixing her posture.
Sirius scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
“I’m really sorry. I wasn’t paying attention.”
“It’s okay—Oh my! Sirius Kim?” she gasped.
He frowned slightly. “Do you know me?”
She nodded. “It’s me, Megumi Lee. Do you remember?”
Sirius tried—but nothing came to mind.
Megumi quickly realized.
Right… Gwen had told her about his condition.
“I’m sorry, I should’ve introduced myself properly. We were classmates in high school.”
“Oh…” Sirius nodded slowly.
“Sorry. I don’t really remember people from high school. I don’t see anyone from that time… except Julius and Edward.”
Megumi smiled warmly. “That’s okay. At least now you have someone new to remember.”
She took out a card from her wallet and handed it to him.
“Here’s my calling card. Call me if you want me to tell you about our high school days.”
Sirius nodded, a small smile forming.
“I will. There’s a lot I want to know.”
Megumi waved goodbye before heading to her car. She gave him one last wave before driving off.
Sirius watched the car disappear, a faint smirk on his lips.
He slipped the card into his pocket and continued walking toward the public library.
He wasn’t planning to go home just yet.
---
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