loping along through the cosmos

41: FIELD TRIP TO HIRAYA

Ira came to visit the hospital on Wednesday with a cast so Justin was back to guarding her instead of Jade. Reverie was still in the hospital recovering while Theodore stayed in Hiraya with his mother to be nursed back.

As usual, Sinclair Academy suspended their classes for the rest of the week. Jade thought it worked in their favor, seeing that her plan to visit Hiraya would now be moved earlier. She thought almost everyone, if not all, would like to call for a meeting but their next meeting didn't happen again.

On Thursday, Jade contacted Lilith, who volunteered to go with her to Hiraya. Of course, where Lilith goes, Nazaire tags along. But to her surprise, Jenevieve also showed up to their meeting place - a block outside the cafe.

"I want to help too," she explained even though no one asked. "I want to understand my best friends."

Jade nodded with a smile, gesturing for her to get inside the car with Nazaire and Lilith. Kieran, who was wearing casual clothes for a change, opened the passenger seat door for her.

"Fino's not coming?" she asked.

"Still with the forensics," he answered before closing the door.

As soon as Kieran got inside the car, Jade asked again. "Why?"

"Still looking for the real owner of the gun."

"I know they could do that - and I'm sorry for asking this- but how come you're only checking the bullets now?" Jenevieve asked.

"We've checked before, of course. We're not that negligent," Kieran said in his defense. "But we always find the owner of the guns being the same person. You know, two firearms that produced the same distinct characteristics on a bullet were never discovered by any Ballistics Unit," he added. "Grooves, as well as minuscule deformities, mark a bullet every after it is fired through the barrel of a gun. These markings, these deformities are particular to only one gun as much as fingerprints are to a person."

"Then who's that same person?" Nazaire asked.

"A dead person from the West, Spica."

"Is that... possible?" Lilith looked confused. "Does that mean that they took the guns from a dead person?"

"Likely," Kieran tilted his head. "But it could also mean that they're just using that dead person's identity in their schemes."

Jade groaned. "This is so complicated. I wish they'll make a mistake in their plans and just reveal themselves without meaning to."

They arrived at the school after hours of traveling.

It was a weekday so there were students hustling and bustling.

Lilith watched Jade's reaction from the rearview mirror, to see if she recognized the place. Unfortunately, Jade remained unfazed. Does she really not remember?

"Here," Jenevieve gave Jade a backpack. "JP bought these for your disguise."

"He... bought me a disguise? Why?"

"You'll need it," Jenevieve said. "Theodore's the one who asked him to buy. Now, I need the men to leave this car so Jade can change."

"It's like I'm not an adult here," Kieran muttered but opened the driver's seat to get out.

"I think Jenevieve should be with me. We can go to their old homeroom teacher. You can go around the place with Lil and Mr. Evans," Nazaire suggested.

"Wait. Me?" Jenevieve asked. "You don't want to go with Lilith?"

"Lilith will just push me to talk to your homeroom teacher, who I am also not close with. You're the only person here likely to talk to her without raising suspicion."