Chương 33: Chapter 9 Such a Surprise(Part 2)

After changing into the outfit and applying a light touch of makeup, I finally stood in front of the full-length mirror. There was nothing particularly strange about what I saw. That was the problem. The gothic dress fit perfectly. The black fabric contrasted sharply against my pale skin, while the crimson ribbons added just enough color to keep it from looking dull. My silver hair had been styled into twin tails, and the lace-up boots completed the look.

The reflection staring back at me looked less like a person and more like a doll. An expensive one.

"Thank you, everyone. I couldn't have managed this alone." The officers responsible for my transformation beamed with satisfaction.

"No problem at all. This was a fun assignment." I thanked them again before leaving the changing room. Unfortunately, it seemed I'd be spending the rest of the day dressed like this. As I walked through the station, heads turned. People stopped talking. Some stared openly. Others pretended not to. I ignored all of them. Partly because I was used to attention by now. Mostly because acknowledging it would make everything infinitely more awkward. If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen.

Report the violation. Before long, I ran into Tachibana. The moment he saw me, he froze. Then he covered his mouth.

"Ms. Kuroe... no, First. You look... remarkable."

"Tachibana."

"Yes?"

"Are you secretly into younger girls?" His shoulders shook.

"I assure you, I'm not."

"Suspicious answer." We headed to the smoking room. After lighting a cigarette with magic, I leaned against the wall and watched the smoke drift upward. Tachibana stared at the flame.

"You make that look normal now."

"It'll be normal soon enough." The words hung heavily in the air. Because they were true. Whether society accepted it or not, magic existed. The Gates existed. Sooner or later, everyone would have to adapt. Tachibana lowered his gaze.

"We've finished our preparations. The equipment is ready. The personnel are ready." Then he paused.

"The truth is... I feel like we're forcing all of this onto you." I exhaled slowly.

"You're worried about the wrong person." His eyes narrowed.

"You've staked far more than I have." I pointed at him with the cigarette.

"This broadcast is your decision."

"If things go badly, I lose very little. Maybe I get arrested. Maybe people figure out who I am." I shrugged.

"But you?" I met his eyes.

"You could lose everything." His position. His career. His future. Tachibana was silent for several moments. Then he smiled bitterly.

"I became a police officer because I couldn't forgive myself." That wasn't the answer I expected. He looked away.

"When I was a child, a classmate died in a hit-and-run accident." The room fell quiet.

"The driver was never found." His fingers tightened around the cigarette.

"Nobody blamed me."

"Why would they?"

"I wasn't there." His voice remained calm. Too calm.

"Nobody could have predicted it."

"Nobody expected it."

"Nobody thought it was my responsibility." He laughed softly.

"But I hated myself anyway." The laughter vanished.

"Because I wasn't there." For a moment, I said nothing. Not because I didn't care. Because there was nothing useful to say. People often claim to understand another person's pain. Most of the time, they're lying. No one truly understands what another person carries. They can sympathize. They can imagine. But they cannot know. So I didn't offer comfort. I didn't tell him I understood. Instead, I simply nodded.

"You're an awkward man." Tachibana chuckled.

"I hear that often."

"Then let's do what we can." I crushed the cigarette beneath my heel.

"So we don't regret it later." As I left the room, I thought I heard him say:"Thank you." But I didn't turn around. Not this time.