Chapter 169 - Chihua's Pride

Thursday afternoon, Hanon have a job on his own which only he could do. With the unique Spirit of Vision, this was a perfect job for him.

Teren had asked him to see what will happen to the girl named Trisha Jane. Teren have already had his suspicion on her before he even learned her true nature.

'He asked me what's his future.'

Right now, Hanon was with the students from the Public, visiting Trisha Jane, their Boss. It was just a coincidence but because of the students there, Hanon took this chance to smoothly know some of Trisha's past if her mother would reveal it to make small talks.

In the guest living room, they all comfortably sat on quality sofas. As students coming from poor households, they felt nervous. But Chihua didn't let himself gets distracted as he observed the 'assistant inspector'

Chihua had always trusted his instinct.. You could say he's sharp when it comes to these things. Looking at Hanon, he felt something dangerous. Of course, even if he trusts his instincts, it doesn't mean that he should immediately act on them. He uses his head too.

"Here's tea."

"Ah, thank you, Ma'am."

"I hope you enjoy it. I'll go first and ask Trisha if I can get her to get out."

The rest nodded.

"Won't you come with me, Mr. Hanon?"

"No, I'll wait. It'd be rude if I'm there."

Trisha's mother smiled for Hanon's consideration. When she walked away, Chihua looked at him and asked.

"Is this about the incident, Assistant Inspector?"

Seeing how Chihua could easily talk to an adult, the other four sighed. Before, they were also domineering and have a great sense of pride. That is, until the Boss beat them, making them see the reality where they're nothing but losers. The side effect was that their confidence felt rock bottom. They were able to pick it up though, steadily.

"Yes, I have some questions for her."

"... does it need to be her?"

"Hm?"

"I'm kind of her right-hand man and I'm the one who arranged the event where the incident took place. I think it's better if you were to question me."

Chihua reasonably said.

Hanon smiled. Only if the situation is that simple then that is really logical. When a company does something bad, the head will take all the responsibility. It's her duty to place people suitable for their jobs. Not only that, but Hanon's true objective is another matter.

He did not reply to Chihua's suggestion. Chihua took it as the Assistant Inspector not considering that suggestion. This troubled him but he couldn't force an adult to do his bidding. What will do? Have a fistfight?

The old Chihua who haven't met Trisha would consider that. However, when they met Trisha, the Public also met the Handwing Gang. They learned that adults do things... differently.

Hanon had a lot of things to think about, especially, since he's in the middle of work Teren told him to do. However, he didn't like the awkward atmosphere. His great communicative skills began working as he asked.

"You said that you're a right hand of Trisha? What is she like in school?"

However, Chihua just stayed silent as if it was a protest.

"I see, so you don't know much about her."

Hanon smile and provoked a little. He found a compromise. These students were not his so he wasn't that friendly, furthermore, he could use this opportunity to learn more about Trisha. The more information on the target he had, the clearer and farther the vision he will see.

"Don't know much about her? I'm her right-hand man."

"But it doesn't seem like it."

Chihua frowned. Even if he's cautious, he's still much younger and had less experience. His guts were telling him to stay quiet but his pride as the Boss's Assistant pushed him past it.

"Hm, if there's anyone else who knows more about her, it's me. Boss is the toughest gal I've known. No matter the situation, she strikes head first! However, she's not a musclehead either, she's considering the consequences of her action."

'She's a little weird too...'

Chihua omitted that part since he didn't dare say those words, especially inside the subject's residence.

Hanon listened quietly and looked at the other four who didn't say a thing. They were nodding as well. Unless they have planned this and they have good acting, what Chihua's saying should be true. Therefore, Hanon listened attentively.

He didn't know that Chihua prides himself on being second and being close to Trisha the most. He luckily found the weak spot on the first try.

"She seemed to be doing good in school, although a little bit mischievous."

Chihua stopped talking when Trisha's mother just arrived.

'D-did she hear what I've been telling about her daughter!?'

He was immediately hit by a sense of shame and guilt as he cast his head down.

"Ah, I think it's good that someone knows my daughter's other side." Trisha's mother indirectly said that it's fine and continued, "But it's unfortunate but Trisha is not answering my call. If you could go there yourselves to convince her, that would be better."

"If it isn't a bother, can I talk to her? Even with a door in between." Hanon raised his hand with a gentle smile.

Trisha's mother felt like Hanon was someone she could trust so she nodded and brought him to the front of Trisha's room.

"Trisha, an Assistant Inspector wants to ask you some questions. Even if you don't come out, you just have to answer, okay, sweetie?"

But right after the mother said those words, the door opened, and Trisha came out with a confident smile.

"Hm? An Assistant Inspector? What do you want from me?"

Hanon frowned at this unexpected turn of events. He glanced to see that the mother's reaction was of surprise at first before turning to a joyful smile.

Without taking a moment to hesitate, Hanon looked at Trisha with his Spirit. Although he couldn't see her past, he could see her future. Maybe, there's a pattern which he will be able to make up for the situation.

But what he saw paralyzed him...

'Teren... what did you do?'