Forced Marriage, True Love

35. Clue

I smiled as I kept working on my design. If Tohru-san manages to convince the Sohma Hospital staff, things will be easier. However, I stilled the next moment as a thought crossed my mind. If Shinta Takagi's death really is a pre-planned murder, that means Itsuki-san's underlings are in that hospital. Given how Itsuki-san managed to twist the truth of Taki and his friends in such a way, manipulating the doctors in the hospital to lie would be easy as well.

I sighed as I held my head. In the end, it looks like I would really need Suzume-chan's help. I really didn't want to drag her into this, but I had no choice. 'See you soon... Suzume-chan.' I thought with a heavy heart as I kept working on my design. "Should I tell Taki?" I whispered. No need. Maybe, instead of him, I can tell Yotsuha. She'd definitely notice my message. After all, Taki and I go back to the mansion nearly three hours after she comes back from school. It would be better if I message her instead of Taki. And so, I quickly messaged Yotsuha before I continued working on my design.

***

I sighed as I stretched myself before pushing away a few locks of my hair off my face. "Finally over." I said while smiling at the final design. After saving my design and pushing the papers into my bag, I quickly packed my bag. There were just five minutes left for office hours to be over. I had to leave quickly, or else Taki would find me.

I quickly ran to the main door of the building and exited before anyone could notice me. I walked over to the main road, and luckily, a taxi passed by at that time. I hastily asked for a ride and got inside.

After telling the driver the location, I tried to call Taki. However, his phone was busy, so I messaged Taki that I would be coming home late today as I had to meet up with someone. However, when I realised that the message had not been delivered to him due to low network bandwidth, I called Yotsuha.

Luckily her school hours were over. After three rings, Yotsuha picked up the call. "Onee-chan?" "Yotsuha, I'll be coming home late today. Can you inform the same to Taki?" I asked. "Onee-chan, why don't you tell him that yourself? Aren't you in the office?" She asked. "No. I had some urgent work and had to leave immediately. I don't know how long it will take. I'm thinking it will be at least nine in the night by the time I come back." "Nine?!" "Yotsuha. Just listen to me. I'm not able to call Taki. So can you tell him not to wait for me and go home?" "Okay." "Thank you Yotsuha."

***

"Mitsuha onee-chan!" Suzume-chan squealed happily as she ran towards me and engulfed me in a warm, bear hug. "Suzume-chan! It's been a while. How are you?" I asked. "I'm great. How are you onee-chan?" "I'm fit and fine in front of you."

"I got something for you." I said as I handed over a cover to her. On my way, I noticed a bakery and bought three pastries and a box of chocolates for Suzume-chan. "Pastries?!" Suzume-chan's eyes widened in glee as she quickly pulled the out of the cover. "Chocolate! Butterscotch! Black forest! And even a box of chocolates!" She exclaimed like a child as her eyes widened as big as stars while I chuckled at her cute reaction.

Suzume-chan beamed in glee as she opened the chocolate pasty and started eating. "Hmm. Delicious!" She said happily. I smiled and gently patted her head, making her lean towards me. "Onee-chan's the best!"

"Suzume-chan... can you tell me something about your mother?" I asked, making her still. "My mother?" She asked. "I'm only asking. If you don't want to tell me, it's alright. I'm sorry I pushed you."

Suzume fell silent as she looked down, placing her pastry down. Goodness! Did I overstep my place? "Suzume-" "Suzume-san! There you are! I've been searching all over for you." I suddenly heard a familiar voice, making me look up. That person was also equally shocked to see me here.