Chapter 1
***28th January 20XX***
It was 6:00 pm right now. It would take me 2 hours by train to reach the city where the business meeting would take place. My boss had given me an early break so that I could be completely prepared for the meeting with our client tomorrow.
I went to the train station and got a ticket to access the boarding area, instead of using my train pass. I kept the ticket safely in my purse. I made sure to pass through at least 3 CCTV cameras in such a way that they got a clear view of my face. I boarded the train and took a nap as today was going to be a very long night.
I reached my destination by 8:30 pm. There was a crude shoe stall beside the train station. I got a pair of black boots. They were a size bigger than my normal shoes.
As my hotel was across the train station I reached it very quickly. I went to the reception desk and checked-in. I went into the bathroom of my suite and stripped bare quickly. I used a shaving machine to shave off all my body hair and then I took a proper bath. After coming out of the bath I put on some black slacks, a black shirt and a black hoodie. I used a hairnet to make sure that no hair would be left behind as evidence. I used a beanie to cover it up. I got into the new pair of boots I had just bought and I was completely dressed for the occasion.
By 9:00 pm I was out of the hotel again. I was also carrying a small duffel bag with me. I bought it from the flee market 4 days ago.
I took the fire exits on my way out, so that there would be the least chance of a digital proof against me. I had properly covered my face with a scarf and a beanie. I had also covered my hands with a pair of gloves. I did not look out of place because it was winter season right now.
I hailed a taxi two streets away from the hotel and asked it to drive me to Mofu car rental services. I had chosen this particular business because it has a very bad review. Also, you didn't have to show proof of identity while renting from them. I rented a decent looking Honda Fit and started driving back to my own city. I planned on reaching Akihito's apartment in four to five hours.
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The journey was pretty boring. No unplanned highway stops. No meeting or helping strangers along the road, so that they could become the key to solve this case. It was very bland.
I thought I would feel excited or scared as the time for the deed got closer, but I felt nothing. There was a profound sense of numbness in my veins. I feel that something is very wrong with me. Maybe the fact that my dear wife, who had been my girlfriend for over 5 years, was cheating with my best friend had broken something inside me? Seems very probable to me. I gave a small sigh and parked my car two streets away from Akihito's apartment.
I took out the small duffel bag almost in a reverential manner. It held the key items necessary for today's success.
I had bought a small bottle of pepper spray and ten 1-meter long nylon rope pieces for this occasion. I had bought both items from different stores. One was on the east end and the other was in the west end of the city. Also, I had paid for them using cash. I didn't buy a specific weapon as it may work against me. I was planning to use the knives I would find in Akihito's apartment. I was planning to use the spanner I found lying in this car, whenever an application of blunt force was needed.
The temperature outside was very cold, I pulled my beanie downwards and tightened my arms around my chest. I slowly but confidently walked towards my best friend's apartment. It was 2:00 am and only a few street lights were on. The silence and the loneliness made even my soul feel cold.
I knocked on the door and shouted in the friendliest voice I could muster, "Hey bro! It's Takahashi. Could you open the door? I need a place to crash tonight."
There was a silence for a few seconds before he finally answered from inside.
"It is really you bro. Let me put on some clothes quickly and I will come out to open the door."
He must have looked through the peephole. Any sane person would do that if someone knocks on their door in the middle of the night.
"Sure bro! Just hurry up. It's way too fucking cold out here."
He gave a boisterous laugh and said, "Sure. I will be back in a jiffy."
I thought about the situation inside and a small chuckle escaped my mouth. They must be thinking like crazy to find a hiding spot for Miyuki. After a few minutes, he finally opened the door. I gave him a bear hug and said,
"Something came up and I had to return back. Your house was near so I thought about spending the night here. I hope it's not a problem."
He gave his signature boisterous laugh and said, "It will never be a problem bro. I have started heating the water in the bath. Come on in and I will get you all warmed up and set for the night."
Hearing these words made me feel so disgusted that I wanted to claw away my ears, but I endured. The sweet revenge was almost in my grasps, I couldn't make any mistakes right now.
He turned around and bent down to get a pair of slippers for me. This was the moment. I firmly grasped the spanner and swung at the back of his head with all my might. Akihito gave a small cry and blacked out.
"Wow! that was a good swing if I do say so myself." I quickly bent down, opened my suitcase and used two of the nylon ropes to tie constrictor knots around Akihito's arms and legs. After making sure that he was tightly bound, I took a moment to praise myself for the beautiful knot I had just tied.
I took out a lock that I had borrowed from Miyuki's cupboard and locked the door to Akihito's apartment from inside. After making sure that everything was okay I walked towards the kitchen and found the fridge. There were a few cans of beer inside. I popped one of them and took a large swig.
"Now then darling Miyuki, where are you?" I said in the softest voice humanly possible.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone