The Enemy Beside Me + The Liar Beside Me (Book 1 and 2)

Chapter 7

ALLY CONTRADICTS ME AGAIN when I get back from the bog. He still insists it's not an authoritarian rule because if it were, I should've been arrested as soon as I had voiced my opinion.

'And if they were bullies, as you think so, they could've forced you to live in the streets or somewhere worse. But look, we are living normally. Sure, we can't afford high-class flats for now. But so does every citizen in this city. It's a place with a dense population.'

'They're dense, all right. Look, I have my QR code. I didn't sign up for that! Since when did I get a QR code?' He asks me to focus and try to remember what they did to my passport. 'They checked it with a...scanner.' He nods, and that is it.

Ally doesn't say a thing but goes to see Haru, who I bet is palpitating. She wouldn't want to get kicked out whilst carrying another life in her womb. Thinking about that, I conceal my anger. At least for now. I'll need to earn money and get out of here. Why would I stay in a country where I'm not welcome?

* * * *

Haru had brought me eggs marinated in soy sauce with red peppers, crushed garlic, and onion. She said sorry a thousand times. 'I don't feel well, so I couldn't cook a proper meal. It must be the baby.' I haven't spent a week here yet, but I can already tell Haru only speaks in Zone 1 when I need to focus on what she's saying. Not wanting to upset her, I nodded and thanked her for the meal.

I thought that would be it. I thought Haru would leave me sulking. But she stayed and stared at me as though I should know what she was thinking.

'Your uncle loves you,' she said, nodding to the closed door. I knew Ally was sighing because I could hear him. I wondered if he was sending a message to Mum. Or if he was rubbing his hands together. He's got sweaty hands that I used to make fun of when I was a kid.

'I know that,' I said. I didn't dare look at Haru. For some reason, I always feel self-conscious around pregnant women. It's as if I should say the right thing, or I might upset them. And if I upset them, the humans inside their wombs would feel the same. Now I would have two people disappointed in me, and that is not a nice thought.

Haru smiled tenderly. Everything about her is so soft. Her hair, although always tied in a neat bun, seems so fluffy that I have this urge to pat her head. Her pale hands, although small, are quick and soundless every time she does something. Even though I'd never cared about Haru, every time she had a chat with Mum, I'd always known why my uncle had fallen for her. She's his dream girl. He said the two of them had met when he got lost. Thankfully, Haru was there, and she guided him to his flat. It was love at first sight. Yeah, I know. It was corny.

'He's a kind person, but my husband isn't that good at talking. Evansu-kun, maybe you should see him at work. He's so quiet.' Haru shook her head whilst still smiling. 'I had told him it wasn't that bad here. He could make friends if he wanted to. But he's so careful that he has forgotten how to express himself. He feels guilty for what your people did. Please, try to understand. I know Evansu-kun is a good boy.'

I chuckled. 'You don't know that,' I countered. 'I mean, I am not a good person. I like being praised, Haru.' I paused, wondering if I should add 'san', as Uncle had taught me. But I did not, since I found it stupid. 'I don't even know who you are, and I don't care. Do you see me asking who you are and what your dreams are? Or what do you do outside this flat? No. Because I don't care about you.'

My teeth immediately sawed the inside of my cheeks. I didn't want to say any of that. Haru is innocent. She should not get caught in our drama, but I couldn't help it. I was too angry.

'Well then,' Haru said, kneeling close to me. 'Let me introduce myself. My name is Nakano Haru. You may call me Haru-san. Or Haru-chan. It's all right to call me by my first name. You're a good boy, after all,' she giggled. 'Haru-chan was what they called me back in middle school.' She fluttered her eyelashes as she reminisced about her youth.