A dark past to a bright future

Chapter 21

Iris: What's the other reason?

Souji (after finishing his food): It's because of my father. Before I reached the last year of primary school my father gave me this katana but I couldn't use it until high school.

Ruby: We had to know how to use a weapon and learn self-defence. However, because of someone's sudden change, he learns how to kill.

Iris (tone a bit different after taking a sip of her coffee): But killing isn't that bad.

Souji (touches Iris's shoulder): Iris?

Iris (normal voice): Did I say something?

Ruby: Are you alright?

Iris (smiling): I think I'm half asleep still.

Souji: Are any of your accounts linked to anything?

Iris: My alt is linked to my surname as well.

Ruby: Sakura links to cherry blossom and some trees are pink.

Souji: No wonder your house is mixed with different colours of cats.

Ruby: Wait. When did you two chill in her house?

Souji (after sighing): I broke into her house because I was worried. This girl was out cold.

Ruby: Wow. Did you take any pictures?

Souji (shows a photo of sleeping Iris hugging a teddy on his phone to Ruby): Only one.

Ruby: That's cute. (notice after looking at Iris) She's asleep.

Souji: How could she fall asleep holding a cup?

Ruby (looking at the time): We still have time before class starts.

Souji (standing): Let's go to that quiet area no one goes to. (while picking up Iris) Can you pick up my sword bag?

Ruby (while standing): No problem.

(quiet area)

Ruby (sitting on a sofa putting her cloak on Iris while she's lying on her lap): There we go.

Souji (holding Iris's coat): You sure you want Iris to lay on your lap?

Ruby: I don't mind. (start stroking Iris's head) However, I'm starting to get worried.

Souji: Same. When I was about to nudge her shoulder she instantly woke up having killing eyes while gripping my wrist tightly.

Souji: Did your bone break?

Souji: No. I was able to bring her back to her senses.

Ruby: That's good. I'll try to contact my dad as soon as possible so he can make an appointment to check Iris.

Souji: Thanks. By the way, did you bring the trackers?

Ruby (show two in her hand): Yep. Your father drops them off to me before I reach the college.

Souji (taking Iris's phone out of her coat pocket): I'll put one in her phone. Can you put the second one in the pendant?

Ruby: Okay. (putting a tracker in Iris's pendant behind her mum's picture) It's funny how we have one in our phones and weapons.

Souji (put the tracker in Iris's phone after taking it apart): It helps my dad and his team to watch us. (in his mind after Iris's phone suddenly started ringing) Why is her father calling?

Ruby (look at Souji): Everything alright?

Souji (passes Iris's coat to Ruby): I have to do something real quick.

Ruby (while Souji walks away): I'll call you to let you know that Iris woke up.

Souji: Okay.

(outside building)

Souji (after answering Iris's phone): Hello?

Iris's dad (from phone): Who are you? Where's my daughter?

Souji (tone changes at the same time his eyes dim): So you actually care about your daughter?

Iris's dad: Excuse me. You don't even know me and you're saying that. What has that stupid girl told you?

Souji: She didn't say anything I did my own research. Also, how dare you call your own daughter stupid. You should be ashamed of yourself. Before I end the call do you want me to give your daughter a message?

Iris's dad: Yeah. Ask her when she'll be able to give me some money.

Souji: Excuse me. Can you say that one more time?

Iris's dad: Maybe I wasn't loud enough. I said to ask her when she'll be able to give me some money.

Souji: So I didn't miss hear. (voice deepens) How disgusting.

Iris's dad: What do you mean? Why would a stranger be worried about her?

Souji (voice normal): This stranger is a friend of your daughter and I can't believe you asked me to say that to her. If you actually have a brain you should be supporting your daughter.

Iris's dad (mad): Mind your own business.