Chapter 290 - I didn't believe in the rumours

His mother smiles at him. "I don't dislike this idea."

If his mother agrees with him, then there's no doubt that his father will also agree. Yuta bites his lower lip. "Thank you, Mother."

"There's no need for thanks," Rie says to him with a singsong voice, imitating an anime singer she's a fan of. She raises her head toward Kiyohira and grins at him. "Now that I think about it, our family is abnormal enough. We shouldn't even bother trying to be normal."

Kiyohira rolls his eyes. When did she try to act normal? Since the moment he met her, she had always been acting weird. He still can't forget the memory of her grabbing a c.o.c.kroach. A shiver runs down his spine. He still can't find the courage to do that.

"I have decided to take hold of Re Games." Rie takes a seat on the couch, pulling Yuta with her. She settles him on her l.a.p and runs her fingers through his hair, disheveling his hair in the process. Yuta wonders why her mother is still treating him like a little boy when his secrets have been revealed -- and why is he still acting like one.

"It's your father's dowry." Rie smirks at Kiyohira, "Husband, is it okay if I try to take hold of the dark hackers?"

Yuta raises his head and looks up at his mother. He hasn't expected to talk about these things nonchalantly. Her face is elated, beaming with mischief. 

Kiyohira shakes his head and says, "Do whatever you want. When did you ever need my permission?"

"Maddox did create a good place for hackers." Rie continues, "Though I don't intend to get caught again, I want to gather those people again. It's better than letting them fall in the hands of the Consortium. I don't understand the business world. So, I need Takeshi. Ren is really good with game designs and cybersecurity. I will brief him about this matter. I am sure that he will be excited."

It seems like she's been planning this already. Yuta realizes that he's been duped. His parents must have discussed it. They are letting him know now.

"Things can't be that simple." Kiyohira sits beside them. He puts his arm around his wife's shoulders, squeezing her shoulders slightly. His eyes narrow as he gazes in the distance. "We need to know who our enemies are. Yuta should write down everything that he learned in his previous life -- names, locations, and events that happened before his death."

Never mind! They have been planning already. His mother must have asked his father to talk to him. Slowly, they would have made him divulge all the secrets. He's been duped, right? Why did he think that his parents didn't have any plans? Yuta lets out a breath. "I will make a list then."

"And don't hide things about your creepy girlfriend." Rie tilts her head slightly; and then, she pinches his cheek. "Jot down anything that you remember about Valerie, Maddox, and Mira. We can't have any loopholes. Remember Mira knows a lot about us. If she's going to be our enemy, we also need every information that we can get our hands on."

Yuta thinks about what her mother said. Who is Mira as an enemy? Then again, she can't be called a friend. It's illogical to call his murderer a friend. His mind has been pulled between Maddox's teachings and his mother's ways. Though his mother hasn't always been right, he can't find the strength to disappoint her anymore. "I don't know much about her either." 

"Really?" Rie coils her arms around him. "It's fine then. We are looking into her and her family already. Want to hear what we know?"

To know more about Mira? The girl had told him that he's her enemy now. Yuta curls his fingers. Why did she look hurt and betrayed? She's the one who keeps abandoning him. "Mother, tell me who she is."

Rie glances at Kiyohira. "You should tell him."

Kamiyama Kiyohira nods at her. "I remember Christopher from middle school. When I thought hard about it, I remembered Ayaka too. There were some rumours that I heard back then. But I didn't think much about it."

"What rumours?" Yuta questions him curiously.

"Someone saw Christopher bullying the boy who had feelings for Ayaka." There's a pause. "I also heard rumours like Christopher had tried to kiss Ayaka in the meadow. I hadn't seen it myself. So, I didn't believe in the rumours."

Weren't they siblings? Yuta frowns hard. When he saw Ayaka's dead body in the Kirishima House, he had wondered why Mira killed her. It was clear to him that the murderer was Mira. Daniel Nagasaki seemed too distressed when he was on the phone call that night. In contrast, Mira was too calm. 

He could recognize it.

"I was curious after hearing that she was your girlfriend." Kiyohira sighs. "Then again, you told me the name of your murderer. How could I not look into her?"

"He did?" Rie quavers. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"I promised my son." Kiyohira gives her a look. "Do I have to tell you everything?"

"Of course." She scowls at him. "Fine, I won't be mad at you since you are being a good father."

Yuta purses his lips into a thin line. If his father wanted to keep the promise, he shouldn't have said it in such a way now. His mother won't stop questioning him, would she?

"My son." Yuta feels goosebumps when she cajoles his name. "Yuta, my little baby, tell me who killed you in your previous life."

He admits that his mother can be scary sometimes. This is one of those moments. He needs to get away. If he says that it's Mira who killed him, he can't imagine what would become of him. "Father, why don't you continue?"

"I only listen to my wife's commands." Kiyohira winks at him. "At the moment, she's talking to you."

His father is never on his side.