Chapter 10: The Second Piece

After the incident, Haru has been subtly avoiding being alone with Yume. After his lust subsided, he realized that his fiancee is somewhat acting strange. And clingy. And so secretive. He onced asked her what is going on, but she just looked at him and did not talk. That hurted and alarmed him at the same time. When did she learn to keep secrets from him? And when did he begin acting so possessive?

"Maybe, you did something that she doesn't like..Girls are like puzzle beings. You have to figure them up. And when you thought you had, think again. ," Hayato chuckled on the phone. The man on the other line blushed furiously. Did his losing control resulted into this?

"But she's clingy. She wants me near her all the time."

"Then maybe, it's the opposite. You did something she likes."

The other man, blushed harder.

"Hey, when are you coming back? They found the another part of the artifact in the Sybil. We're heading there."

"That's my problem, she's not letting me leave her. Either that or she comes with me."

Hayato removed the phone from his ear just to look at the screen for a double take. Oh, it's really Haru.

"What's the problem? Just bring her with you."

"She's recuperating."

"Well, bye bye then. See you after our expedition."

"I am coming, tell captian."

"I thought so.",Hayato laughed.,"See you around lover boy."

"..."

After talking, Haru is hesitant to enter Yume's room. But something must be done. Entering, he found her sleeping. He unknowingly released a breath he was holding. He sitted beside her bed and stared at her for a long tims."

"What am I going to do to you? You don't seem like yourself. The doctors said you might be experiencing the after effect of your traumatic experience. But.. It just doesn't feel right. Please tell me. I want to understand."

He continued whispering to her. Unknown to him, the girl he's talking to is trying her best to speak to him and tell him everything.

'Haru, I am under hypnotism and you are my master. Whatever you say, i do not have any choice but to obey you. Except that rule that I cannot reveal I have been hypnotized.'

The woman is so frustrated.

Then out of the blue, she made up her mind.

*****************

"Yup, it is me."

"I know what you did. That will be the last time you are going to interfer with the plans. The next time you will be terminated."

The call ended leaving behind an emotionless person gazing faraway.

******************

Meanwhile in the Sybil side.

"Sir, coordinations are made to retrieve the moon piece. Experts are coming this way from the earth."

"Secure the area. We cannot have anyone blow our lab this time. Until we haven't extracted the moon piece no one can leave the site. All in red alert."

"Yes sir."

********************

In the Camp M., a certain girl is occupied in front of her personal computer. Opening and closing windows, countless data being displayed in the monitor.

"You've been so busy ever since that incident. Amy, take a break."

"Brother, I have something to tell you."

Looking at his twin sister being serious all of the sudden, Sano felt a bad premonition coming. This is one of the times when he wished his sister is not intelligent for her own good. And for his own piece of mind. Bracing himself for what is going to come, "Yeah? Shoot."

Since childhood, the twins have this practice of having their favorite game terminologies be dragged away when talking serious business. And now falls into that category.

Without preamble, the young one said,"The tip that resulted from Yume's rescue that time came from our side."

"..."

"You seem not surprised at all."

"Remember that AI tech we have problems last time? Our experts concluded that the puppet master is among us."

Amy paused for a while. Putting her hand in her chin thinking deeply. Sano just waited for her to sort her mind. He knows she will eventually talk. Then she put down her hand and lifted her head to look at him.

'That did not take long.'

"Brother something is going on. A puppet master of the enemy is among us? And then a tip giver helping us but won't show face? Totally off."

"Yeah. By the way, how certain are you that the tip came from our side?"

His sister just looked at him. Hard. There is a certain familiarity with someone whom you shared the womb of your mother with for nine months and who's been with you birth until now.

'Did she become more intelligent or I just become dumb?'

"Shrinking brain cells I guess.", Amy blurted out.

"I am thinking of the word 'dumb'."

"Haha. Nice one."

"Sis, promise me one thing."

"Anything except for treating me like a porcelain and cannot protect myself."

'Sh*t.'

"Got you again have I?"

"You are really growing up fast."

"We are both 20. Really Sano, stop protecting me when I don't want to be protected."

"Then promise me this then."

Again, a slight paused, "What?"

"That on a dangerous situation always choose to stay safe and alive."

"Oh, you don't have to tell me that. That's a given."

******************

A certain US Hospital.

A young man is gazing somewhere outside the window. A piece of paper is crumpled in his right hand and hurt is reflected in his eyes before collecting himself and putting back his aura of indifference.

He can still remember each word and lines written in the paper though:

-Dearest Haru,

I arranged to be transferred secretly so don't bother to look for me. Right now I cannot tell you what's happening but I hoped that I will be able to tell you everything eventually. Please trust me. Thank you.

-Love, Yume.