Chapter 116 - Small Talk

"Well, it was the most natural thing to do for me," I replied. 

"No. People tend to change their behavior based on the other person's values. Hendricksons have been a family that is filthy rich and with that money comes the money leechers," he said, "So they come to lick our shoes no matter what. But it did not faze you at all." 

Well, it was because the hou-no mansion was this- big. That I couldn't decide on what expression to make so I just stared at it expressionlessly. 

But if he thinks of it as my merit then it's good. 

"My life is already on the edge so I can't risk falling off that only cliff. So, I had to be precautious of them," I said.

"They both have also been like this," he said, "Maybe that's why they both like you and that's why Master is going to be more precautious of you." 

So that's how it is. 

The one who kidnapped Lily was someone close to both of them and that same scene is reciprocating again. Harry being cautious of me is completely fine with me. 

I like that since he isn't blindingly trusting me. 

"So, are you suggesting to me not to do anything that might betray him or his sister Lily, is that what you are trying to say?" I asked. 

"No, no. I am not suggesting anything," he said as turned around, "I am warning you. If you ever do anything to deceive Master or Young Miss you won't be able to get away at all." 

"..." 

I see so that's what it is. 

It's not like they are suspecting me, they are suspecting the whole situation. After hearing the story I am guessing that me getting close to Lily is bothering his brother. Lily used to be close to someone who was deceiving both of them for his own gain and him getting close to Lily was the first thing that person did. 

To be honest I am not so different from that person. 

Harry is giving me information that is helping me find the person targeting me, so even if I am not intentionally I am using him. 

And Lily, I might not have used her till now. Not to use authority or to get my slate clean in school. 

Now that I think of it, why did he say that even though it isn't true? 

"Hey stop," I called out to the person, "I haven't even talked to Lily that much and me using either of them isn't plausible here." 

"Hmm…" he stopped, "Well your reasoning isn't wrong but it isn't fully true either. You might not be using them but I am not just saying if you are using them or not. That's not what I am implying." 

"Then what are you implying?" I asked him. 

"What I am implying is that Young Miss is trying to get involved with you," said, "But that's not the problem. The problem is you being involved with Young Miss." 

Again… I am lost," I said. 

"Your life is full of risk and if we take into account it," he continued, "It's more than fair to think for you to get hurt, and not just to you but also to those involved with you." 

"Oh, that's how it is." I said as I admitted it, "But I am trying to do that you know."

"I know you are," he said. 

"... Wait what…?" 

How does he know that? 

"You thought that I wouldn't know your situation after you have been invited here twice? Child, you haven't even seen the complete strength of intelligence we can find," he boasted himself or maybe his whole area of work.

"Yet you can't find the HYDRAs," I added. 

"..." he fell silent. 

"So, it's really true you can't find them" I further said, "But why can't you? Like in movies you have some connection and you find out about the villain boss." 

"Huh?! If that were this simple wouldn't we have gotten rid of those scums already…? Think, think." He exaggerated. 

"Then what can you do? Spy on kids like me…?" I asked him. 

"Do you really think the only evil organization is the HYDRAs?" He answered me with a question. 

"No…" I said. 

"Yes, there isn't just the HYDRAs that we have to take care of," his voice felt heavier but he didn't show that on his face, "There are an infinite number of wrongdoings happening across the country. It's not physically possible for the Police to reach each and every one of those."

"..." I felt like he wasn't finished yet. 

And my guess was right on point, "Our work isn't just to find the culprit but to stop it from happening."

"Confused," I said. 

"You think the only crime that happens is done after it's being broadcasted on television or reported to a pol

"Ohh I see that's how you operate," I said as I processed it all. 

But to accomplish that is still a great feat. Crimes that we can't even think about are being stopped before it could harm us. 

"Let me apologize for being a rice station?" He said, "Multiple crimes take place every single day and our work is to stop as many as possible from happening. Before the crime can be committed our main goal is to stop that from happening."

I am sorry about earlier," I apologized. 

Yeah, this was an honest apology. 

…

Soon after walking a million miles, I reached my starting point, from where I left my mother. 

This is hou-mansion is huge. 

If I had this much money to spend, the first thing I would do is to get a wifi connection and a room large enough for me to laze around. 

And I will install a lock that could only be open from inside. Like a 'safe'. So that no one can disturb my peace ever again. It's the sole thing that I wish for.

"That's where we part our ways," he said politely. 

"It seems like," I said. 

To be honest he is a nice person. 

"Allen!" I heard a familiar voice.

"Allen…!" I heard my mother's mother. 

No matter who calls out to me, the only voice that I could recognize with just once hearing is of my mothers. 

*Wave*

*Wave*

*Wave*

"..." I waved back at her as she waved at me. 

I walked to her as she was sitting beside Lily. 

I glanced at Lily for a bit and she signaled something like a peace sign. So, I am guessing she controlled my mother. 

"Allen, you know how much time I had to wait for you…?" mother said exaggeratedly as she leaned over the table.

"Yeah I can see all these cups on the table," I said. 

There were almost 4 cups and it smelled like green tea so she must have really waited for quite some time. 

"See," she said, "Even Lily was getting tired…" 

"Lily, did you get close to my mother this much time…?" I asked. 

"I don't know what you are talking about," she said as she hid her face from revealing it to me. 

"Allen, don't say it like that," mother defended her. 

"Oh so you are close enough to take her side," I said, "Lily you really are a player." 

"It's not like that Allen," I could see Lily shaking up. 

She sure is having fun with this. 

She knows that I don't want my mother to know about my situation so she is taking advantage of that. Clever girl. That's why I don't want more and more people getting involved with my life. 

The more they get involved the more they can use that to scare me. Even though many might not be knowing this but no matter what I don't want my parents involved. 

That's the sole thing that I fear. 

I can handle any situation but if it gets out of hand my family could get in danger. 

I have already seen shoutouts in school and then kidnapped once, what's next? 

My parents getting involved is something that I don't want to imagine. 

"Allen what were you taking so long for…?" Mother asked me as she held onto my arm. 

She looked a bit worried but also she was relieved, her holding my arm showed her concern and relief all at once. 

"Well…" I have got nothing. 

Literally nothing. I should have thought of this earlier. 

"Yes…?" She was waiting for me. 

I looked at Lily to help me out but she also seemed to get nothing. 

What have you been talking about since then till now?

"Excuse me, ma'am," someone called out to my mother. 

"W-What…?" mother seemed a bit shocked. 

"Here is the Price Mr. Allen has won in the General Knowledge Olympiad," he handed over a basket filled with all sorts of sweet things. 

What is happening? 

I again glanced at Lily, as I turned a bit I saw her giggling as she controlled it while covering her mouth. 

Oh… Oh… 

She really is clever. I have to be careful around her. 

"Yes… I won the Olympiad and the Hendricksons have organized it so they asked me to take the Prize from them Personally as they wanted to congratulate me personally," I said, "That's why they called me here and that's why I was feeling hesitant to tell you." 

"Allen, do you take me for a fool…?" mother's voice felt different.

TO BE CONTINUED…