Cases Uncovered

15 | Cyphered Truth

"I'm willing to commit mistakes, if there's someone else who's willing to learn from it"

-Heiji Hattori

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Chapter 15:
Cyphered Truth

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RAINE

Upon spotting a familiar name on a paper atop the office table, recognition struck me instantly. I realized I might have previously received something from that individual.

"Jerico Tan," I muttered to myself while staring out onto the balcony.

The surroundings were bathed in a soft golden light, and the air carried a warmth that hinted at an impending storm. The streets below lay quiet, populated only by a few figures, likely engrossed in their own household affairs.

"He gave me something. Where did I put it?"

A sense of unease crept over me, aware that somewhere in the shadows, someone could be watching, monitoring my every move. I have my suspicions about the individual who may have approached my new flatmate yesterday. Caution tinged my thoughts as I reflected over the situation.

To avoid detection, I swiftly retreated inside and closed the balcony door.

In the kitchen, I noticed Zane standing quietly in the corner. I'd been trying to talk to him since earlier, but he seemed distracted again... as always.

"Not interested?" I asked.

Maybe that person is getting sleepy again. Who would drink coffee after experiencing something new like what happened last night?

"Hurry up because we have somewhere to go later," I added. I prefer having a companion when I go out, as I'm not keen on conversing with strangers.

"What? I need to sleep," I heard him mumble as I continued searching for whatever Jerico Tan had given me.

We're already planning to go out together later. He shouldn't say he doesn't want to if he doesn't want to see me angry.

"Did you say something?" I inquired softly, feigning deafness.

Besides conversing with others, I also dislike altering my plans.

"Hey! The fridge is open!"

"Ah!" he exclaimed as he shut the refrigerator's door while still clutching my frozen dish.

So my new companion likes to curse, huh?

Before long, I recalled what it was — a letter he had given me a few days ago.

"Would you like to just move to a different apartment?" Even without saying it, I sensed he still felt uneasy — not because he had a woman with him in the house, but because he might not be accustomed to my ways.

"Why? Don't you want a guy around here? You said it's fine, right?"

"Yes, it's fine, but is it fine with you?" I added.

"It's okay, but isn't this risky?" he asked, taking a seat at the kitchen table where he often glanced over at me in the living room.

"I can always lock my bedroom door, and I know how to defend myself," I replied. He doesn't know me well, but I believe he understands that. If he tries anything untoward, he might regret it. "I trust you because your sibling is a woman."

"Okay, it's up to you. Let's just make sure not to get drunk inside the flat," he said.

"I don't drink anyway, so it's fine," I replied. Perhaps it is him who's the one who drinks.