197 If I get my hands on you

his parents are gone. it's god's sent opportunity. he looks for his mother's phone. but, he can't find it. yuta narrows his eyes. his mother took her phone along with her. being young is crappy. he doesn't even have his phone or laptop. he will ask his father to get them for him.

his father's phone is on the table. this phone isn't configured to his needs. but, he can make do. yuta begins working on it. even a useless item can become a weapon in the hands of a former assassin.

he checks the dark web for the unfiltered news. his eyes widen in shock when he checks the forums. the dark hackers has been unrooted. whether it's the outer circle or the inner circle, there's nothing left of dh. the dark web is in an uproar. everyone wants to know who did it. though some people are praising the legendary hacker who could wipe out the dh, there are some who are abusing and threatening that person.

he doesn't need to think hard. he holds his head. why is his mother so rash? she didn't take such a big step in his previous life. was it because of ren's kidnapping or is it the maddox's visit? he massages his forehead. as much as he knows maddox, that man likes challenges. he has a sadistic lust for power. usually, he will wipe out the small bugs before they have the chance to grow. if he finds someone with potential, he likes to play with them. he loves manipulation and playing with lives.

yuta has never liked playing a chess game for seeking power or manipulating people to get what he wanted. it doesn't mean that he didn't do those things. 

this isn't bad. they have a little more time. nina's death is also a warning to his mother. since ren is still alive, it means that maddox still wants his mother. perhaps, her insane and rash actions are attractive to him. it's not a secret that maddox is attracted to his mother. she has a soft spot in his heart. it was the same in his previous life. if his mother hadn't used his daughter against maddox, she would have lived.

something isn't right. she did the same in this lifetime. but then, she doesn't know the identity of maddox's daughter. did she find out more about maddox back then? what is that man is trying so hard to hide? 

too many speculations lead to confusion. he needs facts now. first, he will see whether yuki is connected to maddox or not. 

he puts down the phone where his father had left it. it's still too early to leave the house. he doesn't spy on his parents. they are probably talking about the mess in t-city. he lies down on his bed. even if yuki is maddox's daughter, he will do his best to find a way to resolve everything without killing her. 

however, sacrifices have to be made if one wants to protect something precious. what will he lose in this lifetime for gaining what he has now?

in t city, kinoshita iori waits in front of the van until the paramedics are done checking on ren. as soon as he steps out of the van, she takes him behind the van and says, "take it off, kawamoto san."

"take what off?" ren stares at her. what is wrong with this girl?

"your costume, kawaamoto-san." she peeks at the cops and her cousin. what are the chances? she doesn't have a car. wait! there's one way. "kawamoto-san, wait here. i will be back soon."

ren can't guess what is going on. he unzips the zipper and gets out of the costume. his clothes are sticking to his skin. the blood doesn't belong to him. he can't stop thinking about her. he should have been nice to her. he should have not said that he didn't find her cute. he would never treat anyone like that again.

iori goes to her cousin who is nearly done with her work. "elder sister, can i borrow your car keys?"

"why?" yamashina chiyo asks curtly.

"it's still raining. i am tired and cold. i want to sit inside the car and turns on the heater." iori smiles at her cousin. 

"where's the guy?" chiyo looks up at iori.

"he's with the paramedics." iori lies through her teeth. oh, she's a professional liar. if she doesn't lie, how will she get what she wants? she's a reporter, for god's sake. her cousin will be a little angry this time. she will make up with her cousin. 

"good job." chiyo hands over the car keys. "wait in the car. i will drop you at your home."

iori thanks her cousin and dashes to ren's side. "kawamoto-san, we don't have time. come with me."

"where are we going?" ren follows her anyway. doesn't the officers need his verdict statement? 

"i called takeshi. he asked me to keep you away from the officers until he calls me again." iori opens the car's door and pushes him inside. this is big. hopefully, the reward will be good. she will have the interview. as long as she can come back to t city, she will do anything. 

yamashina chiyo doesn't notice that her cousin is stealing her car and the witness away until someone shouts. "where is she taking the witness?"

she blinks her eyes and looks in the direction of the car that is already turning around the corner. it vanishes from her view. all eyes turn to her, asking for an explanation. she doesn't know what to say. that's her cousin and her car. the witness doesn't belong to her for sure. she's just a forensic investigator. this is why she doesn't like humans. dead are more reliable. they can't steal someone's car and the witness.

she curses her little demonic cousin. "you better run away fast, cousin. if i get my hands on you, you won't see the next morning."