Hard Paper

-Chapter 35- •Paranoia•

It's the weekend. Kuro's walking to his house. Yes, his house. The house that once kept that broken family inside which he's left in alone. Still on very little rest from working all night on his laptop, his eye bags are as dark as ever and on the walk to the house, intrusive thoughts arise

Kuro: "How did it become like this...? Nin got Shiko roped in so much. He almost slipped up. I helped cover it up as always. The people that lost their lives... Sure they weren't all good but I helped their deaths disappear... dirty work.. so much dirty work..."
Coming onto the area he lives in, the street is quite quiet and Kuro looks to be the only one walking. He hears a crack, much like someone stepping on a twig and immediately looks back. Nobody is seen. He turns back towards where he was walking and takes a deep breath. He doesn't have much an expression but he looks alert and somewhat bothered.
"I'm not. Paranoid."
He continues to walk. A little bit later he hears a snap, a bit like someone taking a photo. Again, he immediately looks back. Of course, there isn't anybody. His face twitches a little, annoyed, he yells out
Whoever is out there, come out NOW. He looks around while not moving from where he is. Nothing. Not a sound. Not a single person in sight. He turns back again and after a few steps, turns around and rushes to a guy closing the distance on him. He quickly lays him against a car face first and holds his arm behind his back

Guy: OW OW OW OW OW! Time out! TIME! OUT! He taps the car with his full hand a couple of times

Kuro: WHO are you and WHY are you following me?. He says loudly yet holding his voice back a bit to not get it echoing in the street and cause a scene to neighbors

Guy: CAN YOU- Relax a bit kid? I'll talk! I don't get paid enough for this, let alone from THAT woman!- he says, also holding his voice back. After a few seconds of thinking, Kuro pushes the guy on the car once to intimidate him and lets go. The guy stretches his arms and shakes his body a bit to collect himself

Kuro: Now, Speak. He says seriously, looking impatiently annoyed. The guy sighs and gives Kuro his card. Kuro takes it, confused. The guy fixes up his glasses

Guy: Name's Takato Shinichi. Age 27. Investigator. He glances around and gets all quiet Normally I shouldn't be telling you classified information... he tells Kuro to come close with his hand. Kuro shakes his head no and raises his eyebrows once, telling the guy to just speak already. Takato rolls his eyes and stands up straight. He sighs
I've been sent by your mother to check up on your life. All I know so far is what school you go to and that you earn your own money one way or another. Your name, age and that kind of info were given to me beforehand anyway... Kuro crosses his arms and tilts his head, raising his eyebrows

Kuro: You look cheap. And what the hell does that woman even want with me anyway? He looks at the guy up and down. Takato grumpily crosses his arms too

Takato: Ya know man, kids like you really suck the fun out of everything. He opens his arms and shows himself. He's wearing a beige long coat and a long sleeved gray shirt inside. Pants are black and look cheep, his glasses frames don't look so great either And you think your mother would be able to pay for anyone higher priced than me? Kuro shakes his head to one side as if saying *fair point* And plus! I wouldn't say I'm cheap- he looks away a bit I'm economical... Kuro rubs both the sides of his head with one hand, trying to calm his headache

Kuro: Yea okay, great excuse... You didn't answer my question though. What does she want with me? He lets go of his head I haven't heard from her in 2 years if you'd even call those days "hearing from her" when she lived under the same roof as me. Takato looks at him with an expression that just feels like he's thinking *yikes*