episode_0010

At first, I was simply thrilled that someone from the outside world was coming to see me. Amidst the terrible tragedies that had befallen me in the past few days, I finally felt a glimmer of hope.

However, I had to keep my emotions in check.

For now, I had no idea when I would be released. To escape this place, I needed to dismantle the ongoing [conspiracies] and [schemes] in the outside world and prove my innocence.

So, barely managing to suppress my emotions, I desperately pondered what I should say during the visit.

As quickly as possible,

As certainly as I could,

I had to clean up the corrupt Hero Association.

“You have 10 minutes. An alarm will sound when the time is up, and your voice will be immediately cut off. If you don’t exit the visitation room right after, there will be consequences.”

I was given only 10 minutes.

No more time was granted.

It was a very short time, but it was enough to make plans for the future. Or so I believed without a doubt.

“You may enter.”

Even standing right in front of the visitation room door, my mind raced with countless thoughts.

Who could it be, coming to see me?

Not everyone could make it.

The conspiracy was still unfolding out there, so they must be caught up in the ongoing, chaotic disputes.

So, perhaps it was her who came to see me.

The epitome of goodness and righteousness.

The hope of everyone,

And my hope.

Squeak—

The door opened,

And I faced her through the thick glass.

“Justice.”

At this moment, no one could be more welcome than her. She, with her strong sense of responsibility and integrity, is a woman worthy of the name ‘hero,’ and she is the friend I trust the most.

We have overcome countless challenges together, and we’ve fought and desired each other just as much.

“I knew it would be you.”

I didn’t want to say such embarrassing words in such a shabby place.

But the mere fact that she was the first person I met in the visitation room was comforting enough for me.

Our relationship was a little more special than just colleagues,

And so, all the humiliations I had endured seemed to be washed away in an instant.

However, Justice, sitting demurely on the metal chair, remained silent for some reason.

Even though she was looking directly into my eyes,

She wore a very unfamiliar expression, her lips tightly sealed.

“…”

It was then that anxiety began to eat away at me again. Had we ever exchanged such glances before?

There was a time when we were distant from each other,

But I had never seen her wear such an expression.

No, it can’t be.

I tried to pick up the receiver while repeating that, but the receiver felt strangely heavy in my hand.

Suddenly, I became afraid. I felt like her first words would completely shatter my expectations and hopes.

Nevertheless, the 10 minutes kept ticking by,

So I had no choice but to put the receiver to my ear,

And the first words I heard were,

“…Why did you do it?”

—————————————–

It’s okay.

There’s no need to be disappointed.

In a way, it’s only natural. I was the fool here. I naively thought you and the others would be on my side.

Even if we’re close, we can’t always trust each other, right? You don’t know everything about me, after all.

“…Just hear me out first. I know what you’re thinking, but it’s all a misunderstanding.”

So, I just need to convey my innocence.

The years we’ve spent together are not short. If I speak from my heart, I believe my sincerity will reach Justice.

“What misunderstanding?”

“I didn’t kill him.”

But Justice rubs her head and stares at the floor, deliberately avoiding eye contact with me.

“…You didn’t kill him?”

“No, so please calm down and listen to me…”

“How can I stay calm if you were in my shoes?”

And as our eyes meet again,

I understand why she looked at the floor.

Her eyes are welling up. They grow redder and more moist, filled with intense emotions I’ve never seen before.

She takes a deep, labored breath and pulls out a large stack of documents and photos from her handbag.

There I am in those papers,

And the Director,

The mass murder we tried to stop,

And the information about REP (Risk Eliminate Project).

I stand up from my chair and quickly read through the materials she laid out. They contain detailed execution plans for REP and information about the targets.

“Why did you do this…?”

Even a cursory glance makes it clear.

With just this information, if one were to piece together the incidents, there would be no doubt that the culprit is one person.

“Why did you do this? We trusted you. How could you…”

The person at the center of all incidents.

Crow.

“…I didn’t do it.”

“Then what’s this?”

Justice slams the documents on the table, demanding an answer. With her lips tightly pressed, she sheds cold tears of betrayal, as if she might leave through the door any moment.

I need to persuade her, so I must keep talking.

But in front of her are well-organized reports and substantial evidence,

While in front of me, there’s only a blank space.

“There are traitors within the Association. The Director and I were trying to move the organization to a safe place before things got bigger, and during that time…”

“Crow, listen carefully.”

The words I utter are merely feeble sentences appealing to trust and emotions.