𝐌𝐈𝐃𝐍𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓 𝐁𝐑𝐈𝐃𝐄 • k. ayato

18

☄. *. ⋆

Sat in front of [Y/N] was the wife of one of the people that had disappeared. She was clearly tired and despondent. Her eyes had lost their shine long ago, but out of all the people [Y/N] had interviewed today, this one seemed the most nervous. Her movements were tight, but she nevertheless was rocking back and forth; albeit slightly. She seems to be staring into some distant space as she was fidgeting with the ring on her finger.

"I do apologize for disrupting you at this late hour, but this matter is of great importance," said [Y/N] as she leaned back into her chair.

The wife did not reply, staying silent, and so [Y/N] continued to speak, "As you might already be aware, I come as a representative of the Tri-Commission. We are currently investigating the disappearance of your husband, therefore I expect you to cooperate with me."

As she said this, she gestured to her assistant standing behind her to show the woman her identification card, just in case her uniform wasn't enough proof.

The wife nodded, averting her eyes away from [Y/N].

This sent loud signals off in [Y/N]'s head. Was this old woman scared because [Y/N], the lady who had the reputation of the devil's advocate in Inazuma was here? Or was it because she was being investigated? Nevertheless, she decided to give the poor woman the benefit of the doubt, as she had met those with anxiety before, and she did not wish for something barely controllable to be an incriminating factor.

"If you understand, I shall proceed with the questioning," said she, placing her hands neatly on her knees. Having noticed this, the assistant opened a case file of the missing man, "This man is your husband, yes? It is within our knowledge that he worked alongside the other servants that went missing. Could you tell me; when was the last time you saw your spouse?"

The wife's teeth chattered, "H-He... left early in the morn... around 5 o'clock," at long last, the old woman opened her mouth.

[Y/N] nodded, "Did he seem any different? Was something bothering him?"

The wife immediately shook her head, "He... was the same as always... Eager to work for the higher-ups... To waste away his life taking care of people he did not know..."

The look on the woman's face was strange, and her answer was even stranger. She seemed scared and anxious before... but now she seemed so angry, so horribly hideous. Such behaviour quickly alerted [Y/N]'s senses.

But she made an effort to keep her expression neutral, "Oh? You say he was keen, but reports say that he left his house looking more than furious," [Y/N] smiled at the change of atmosphere. Of course, upon first laying eyes on this old woman did she understand that this was going to be a different kind of interview.

"Your neighbours were more than happy to tell us all about the arguments you two had. Pray tell, why was a man seen coming into your home hours before your husband got off work? Why did he leave only when your husband was minutes away from finishing work?"

The old woman stayed silent, only her body began shaking more and more with each word that rolled off [Y/N]'s tongue. It did not make it better that each thing [Y/N] said was laced with a smile and a patronizing tone. 

Her assistant knew where this was going, and she was not thrilled in the least.

"Were you having an affair? At such an age? Hm, was this the reason your husband went and disappeared?" She laughed, "I see, so you were such an insufferable person to be around, huh? My, you truly ha—"

Before she could continue her mocking (however unprofessional it was), the old woman stood up. Face dark and eyes full of fiery rage that was ready to burst forth, "WHAT DO YOU KNOW? YOU NOBLES ARE ALL THE SAME! I WAS ONLY DOING WHAT I HAD TO TO HELP MY HUSBAND! None of you knows what it's like having to savour each and every little bit of mora you get! NONE OF YOU! You people only drive us like horses to do your work!"