"U_413?" Chisa looks at the profile of the gamer who was discovered in the competition at H island. There is no picture or name. She stares at her secretary. "Is that all you have?"
"There is no enough information about her. Our biggest opponent is interested in recruiting her for their team. They weren't able to find out her identity. She appeared out of nowhere and went away like a storm." Secretary Morikawa places another file in front of her. "They threw bait to her. They sent an invitation to her to take part in the 6-monthly tournament. It's a one-day tournament. If she wins, they will try to recruit her. I have looked into the names of the registered gamers. She is going to take part tomorrow."
She skims through the list of the participants until she finds U_413. "If she makes it to the final round, approach her. Do anything it takes to lure her to our side. We need people if we want to participate in the world championship. By the way, have you been keeping eye on Kiyohira? It's been quiet recently."
Morikawa begins his report. "He is still looking for the person behind Takeuchi Miwako. He met with her ex-husband and family members. They didn't know anything either. He got hold on to the list of classmates of Takeuchi Rie. Your stepfather has already removed your name from the school records. Currently, he is looking for each classmate and talking to them personally. But, they have never seen anyone other than Takeuchi Miwako with Takeuchi Rie. I am sure that he can't find anything."
There is no flaw in her past except for Takeuchi Rie. Takeuchi Rie is already dead. She is sure that Kamiyama Kiyohira will get tired of the search and give up soon. She wants to see how long he will take.
Morikawa watches his boss smiling with satisfaction. Her mood is good today. "Your father called. He wanted to discuss something with you."
She sneers at him. "What does he want now?"
"He didn't tell me."
He probably wants to discuss her engagement. She has visited Kamiyama Mansion regularly. Kamiyama Kiyohira doesn't live there anymore. His grandmother has assured her that Kiyohira will marry her for sure. Her father is pressuring her to do anything to hook Kiyohira to her. But, that man treats her like air. In the last two years, he didn't answer a single call or text.
He's chasing her tail though. He keeps looking for the person behind Miwako. He might ignore her as his fiancee, but he has been chasing her invisible tail around. Keep doing that, Kiyohira. In one way or another, he's going for her.
When he gives up, she will be there to pick him up.
***
The picture of a teenage girl kneeling in front of a pair of shoes is lying on the table. Her face is visible, but the bully's face is not taken.
"Miwako didn't know that I had it." The woman is Rie's middle school classmate. "I was absent when the picture was circulated in the classroom. She took away the pictures from all the classmates who were present that day. When I came back, it was lying inside my desk. I took it home and forgot about it. I didn't know that I had it until you asked me about the picture."
Takeuchi Miwako couldn't erase everything. Kiyohira stares at the girl. Rie. She suffered a lot.
"Who took this picture?" He asks the woman.
"Back then, there was a student who liked taking secret photos. Nobody knows who that person was." She has a look of disgust. "I am sure that it was a pervert. He liked taking pictures of girls. He stopped when we were in year two. I think he was a senior who graduated. That explains why it stopped after year 2."
A pervert who liked taking secret photos. If it stopped in the second year of middle school, that boy should be two years older.
"In this picture, the girl with those shoes... do you suspect anyone?" He points at the shoes in the picture.
"It's been a long time." She frowns. "I can't remember. It was always Miwako who seek Rie. I can't think of anyone else who could make her do this. She rarely came to school. When she did come, Miwako would seek her out."
It's not Miwako though. He knows that for sure. Rie wasn't afraid of Miwako when she met her at the hospital. It's someone else. That person behind Miwako is extremely smart. When he investigated Miwako deeply, he found her involvement in a secret female club where powerful women went to play. Miwako's villa was used as a secret playhouse. She acted as a host who provided different services to these women.
"Back then, there was a rumor that the photographer was Ueki Akahito." She says with an unsure voice. "He was a photographer for the school magazine. He was two years older than us. There was one more boy. Ichikawa Toru. He was one year older than us. He was caught peeking at girl's changing room when we were in year 2. They found some perverted pictures in his bag. He was restricted from school. The photographer could be someone else. I hope it helps."
Kiyohira takes the photo and leaves. If he finds that photographer, he can find out who that person was. Ueki Akahito. Ichikawa Toru. He is close.
***
"Are you sure?" Umezaki Yushiro asks her daughter again. "I don't think that this is the right way. I can help you remember if you come with me."
He has been trying to convince his daughter to quit the tournament and leave the city with him. She didn't change her mind even after hearing about her past. Now, she seems more adamant about taking part.
She wears a cat mask to hide her face and wears a green wig. She is dressed in a rainbow dress and high purple boots. Umezaki Yushiro feels dizzy by all the bright colors on his daughter. She looks an eccentric cosplayer.
"I won't reveal my face easily." She tells her father, "I am not an idiot. I will use this time to find out that person on my own. When I meet that person, I am going to beat her until she asks for forgiveness."
"But..." At times like this, he has a hard time understanding his daughter. "Why do you not want Ren and Kiyohira to know that you know about your past?"
She lowers her cat mask. "It's better if nobody knows that U_413 is Umezaki Rie. I have a feeling that my enemy knows them both. That person might be keeping an eye on them. I also want to take this chance to observe them."
Observe them for what? Umezaki Yushiro wants to ask. There is a knock. Yuhara Kozue enters the room. "Who is this person dressed like a cartoon character?"
"You don't recognize your older sister?" Rie reveals her face. "Even you can't recognize me. My disguise is good."
Yuhara Kozue looks at her from the top to bottom. "Professor, has she gone mad?"
"I don't know about her, but I am going mad." Umezaki Yushiro sits on the couch with frustration. "Yuhara, wear a disguise and stay beside her. You can't let Kiyohira recognize you."
Yuhara Kozue figures out the meaning of Professor's words. It means that they aren't leaving T city. This girl is going to take part in the tournament. Why hide from Kiyohira though?
"Come, I will help you with your disguise." Rie grins at him.
"Professor, please send me away. I would rather write my thesis than become a cartoon character."
Umezaki Yushiro rolls his eyes. "Too late."
"I hope that nobody ever finds out." Yuhara Kozue hides behind her. He is too embarrassed to show himself
"I have already taken a picture." Rie turns around. He can't see her face hidden behind the cat mask. He knows that she is grinning at him. "I will release it to your social media if you aren't a good boy."
Yuhara Kozue looks down at his clothes. He is also wearing colorful clothes like her. They look like a pair of clowns. He gets that she wants to hide her identity. But, they could disguise themselves as low key people. They are attracting everyone's gazes like this. He tells her helplessly, "You have the soul of the devil."
"Of course." She shows her ID and goes inside. Kozue follows her in. The hall is full of pro-gamers. She takes a seat in front of a laptop and logs in. The timer hasn't started. They are going out for war in the game. She chooses her character and gears. They still have some time. So, she looks around in the game.
Yuhara Kozue cannot understand a thing in the world of gaming. He is bored. A loud bell is rung. The timer is on. Rie chuckles. Her fingers tap the keyboard with fearsome speed. he types the code and sends in the virus. While the virus is growing, she defeats the first boss. She has never been known for patience.
By the end of thirty minutes, the tall metallic knight is surrounded by the other surviving gamers. The knight laughs arrogantly. It summons the immortal sword and slashes each one of them.
Rie laughs like a maniac. It's been so long since she had this much fun. The virus has matured. She sends it to server. It won't be long now.
Yuhara Kozue shakes his head when he sees the wild look in her eyes. She's scary when she is gaming. The loud bell is rung again.
"What the hell!"
"Who sent the virus?"
"Hey, it's not fair."
"Argh! I lost."
"This style... isn't it similar to Merciless_B?"
Rie ignores all the voices and puffs up her chest. The winners are announced. The three players are chosen. People are cheering, but they don't know who U_413 is. She takes Yuhara's arm and gets out of the places. She has no intention of revealing her identity yet.
Secretary Morikawa has been waiting for her. When he sees her going out of the place, he runs behind her. "Wait."
Kozue and Rie look at the man. They don't know this person. Morikawa is glad to find her first. He gives her the business card. "Your performance is exceptional. We are interested in sponsoring you. Do you want to join the team to play in the world championship?"
Rie takes the card. Re Games. Re... doesn't that sound like her name? She likes it. "Yes, I would love to."
"Come with me." Morikawa isn't the type of person who will wait. "I will introduce to the boss. We will get started right away."
He is afraid that the competitors might take this talent away if he doesn't take action soon.
"Okay." She gets into the car with Yuhara. She has heard of Re Games yesterday. It's under the Kamiyama Groups. She wants to use this opportunity to see that man.
Yuhara frowns when he sees the car is going toward the Kamiyama Groups Headquarters.
"That's not Re Games."
Morikawa nods. "The director is currently there. We will sign the contract in front of her."
Yuhara has an odd feeling. Isn't that Kamiyama is the same Kamiyama...? He glances at Rie. She already knows what's going on. Is she intentionally?
The car stops in front of the building. Rie follows Morikawa. She frowns when she feels that the place is a bit familiar. Not thinking much about it, she gets on the elevator. Yuhara leans closer to whisper in her ear.
Yuhara: "Is this a good idea?"
Rie: "It's an excellent idea."
Morikawa calls someone. They stop on the 23rd floor. He knocks the door before going inside. Rie glances at the female secretary. The woman gives her a slight nod.
"Hmm." Rie pinches her lips. This place feels familiar.
When they get inside, they find a beautiful woman and the man in the room. Rie recognizes the man right away. When her eyes meet the eyes of the woman, her feet freeze on the spot. Her body turns cold.
The woman blinks at her. She doesn't show the displeasure on her face. Morikawa whispers something in her ear. She smiles and turns to Kiyohira. "This is the person who won the competition today. She has agreed to become a part of the Re Games."
Kiyohira lifts his head and glances at the girl with a cat mask. Her eyes meet his. Though his expression is calm, his heart is in chaos. Not believing his eyes, he looks at the man beside her. Yuhara Kozue isn't wearing a mask, but his face is full of makeup. Still, Kiyohira recognizes him. There is no doubt now.
There is only one person in the world who can make him feel like the way he is currently feeling.
"Get out."
Chisa furrows her brows. "Morikawa, take them out."
Kiyohira glances at Chisa. "Everyone get out except them."
Yuhara sighs. They are caught right away.
Rie is frozen on the spot. Her mind is going blank. No words would come out.
Chisa wonders what this is about. She takes a glance at the girl. "Kiyohira, do you want to discuss the plans with them alone?"
"Leave," He tells her with a clenched jaw.
Seeing this, Chisa smiles. She strides out of the room with Morikawa.
"Why are you here?" He walks to Yuhara. "You are supposed to leave the country."
"She changed her mind." Yuhara gives a side-long glance at her. Why isn't she moving? Something isn't right. Kiyohira has also noticed that. He takes off the mask and finds her blankly staring at him.
"She's in shock." Yuhara freaks out. "I have to call the professor now."
Kiyohira's heart sinks. Why? Is it because of him? No, she didn't react this way when she saw him. Chisa again?
He cups her face and calls her name softly. "Rie... Rie... "
Yuhara is talking to the professor, not knowing what to do.
"Rie." Kiyohira looks into her eyes. "Snap out of it. Look at me."
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