Which family to choose ?

Her ponytail twisted and turned with force of wind , her mind in shock from the sudden run, Hikari looked like a fool .She had no idea what was going on for a moment .

Another second , she pulled Takahashi , forcing him to stop. She shaked his hand off.

..." Who are you racing with ? Slow down , will ya ?"...

..." If I didn't drag you , you would probably have been gone with that kid. "...

..."You are not wrong ."...

..."Seriously , what has gotten into you. You have known him only for couple of minutes."...

..."He felt familiar that's why ."...

..."Is it not your first time meeting him ? "He suspiciously scanned her expressions like he would usually do on his job....

..."Why are asking me this . Isn't it obvious ."...

She reciprocated his gaze , feeling irritated .

..."And can you not look at me like that . You are making me feel like a suspect , no rather a criminal."...

..."You said so yourself , 'he felt familiar '. " He continued to examine her ....

..."I did say that but it didn't mean I knew him beforehand. Speaking of which I didn't even get to know his name ."...

..."You will get the opportunity to ask when you meet him again . "He blurted out unconsciously....

..."How can you say that . Do you perhaps know something ." Now it was her turn to interrogate him....

...He averted his eyes to avoid her stare , regretting his slip of tongue....

..." It's not like that. Anyway we have to met with Mr Suzuki ."...

*Can I tell her that he is the son of the man we are going to investigate. Her empathy bar will rise to its maximum , making the plan go into vain again. It's her chance to show Mr Tanaka she is not a useless doll . I don't want her to mess it. *

Seeing him changing the subject , she sighed. *He sure know something . It must be related to the case if he is hesitant to share it. I will find out eventually , no need to rush. *

..."Let's go. " She said....

_______________________________________

..." Host families are the people who had been victims to the gang . This document enlist them. There are plenty for you to choose from."...

Both of them picked the document and began to read it with attentiveness.

The families were arranged alphabetically , with the number of it's members , education, their occupations , likes ,dislikes , habits and other info written accordingly. A family photo was attached as well.

Hikari turned over pages after pages. Her tiny brain unable to process it , she took it for a picture story book , finding fun in looking at each photo .

..."Ugh , not a decent photo to be seen " she groaned....

*This photo , all are loaded with jewelry , are they involved in smuggling ? Why the police isn't capturing them ? If they are having problems , I can help them out on the condition that they give me this fat woman hand in reward . So much gold , enough to set the rest of my life.

This photo , they were staring straight at the camera during the photo . Are they in a staring competition? Not gonna work on me though , I will glare back at them till they retreat. I am the champion of it. Humph

These people , are they related to Mr Tanaka . I guess he mistakenly attached his family photo. Make sense as they all have same poker face .

Hahahaha , is it a fail invention of haircut . What a joker family !

These people don't know how to smile at the camera . Gotta keep this photo to scare the kids if they won't sleep.

Are they planning to make a cricket team. So many children . Must be difficult . Poor souls. Don't worry , I will make sure to donate some money . Of course from Takahashi pocket. * Feeling their grievances , she wiped the crocodile tears .

Is she his wife or daughter ? Daughter maybe . Who will marry a man ready to knock at death door ? They must have mistakenly attached the photo with the kids and father only , not the mother. Yeah , that must be it. *

Seeing the last page , she flipped it over in frustration of hope. There a family photo caught her eye.

A woman sitting on a chair , her husband and son standing beside her. They had a satisfied expression , smiling gently at the camera.

She felt a sense of Deja Vu . Her head started to hurt when she tried to remember it.

She glanced quickly at their name and it read , ' ' Yoshida Family '.

Mr Suzuki examined both of them , Takahashi selecting a family with heed while a certain someone playing around. He felt like selecting in her stead or else it will take forever .

Feeling Mr Suzuki gaze on her, Hikari raised her head and looked at him in confusion.

Cough ! he cleared his throat to hide his embarrassment . He didn't expect her to react to his intense staring.

*Her senses are sharp with fast reflexes . I don't know why Mr Tanaka isn't satisfied with her.*

..."That , have you finalized on a family . If not , want me to help ?"...

Hikari scratched her head , then put her finger on Yoshida Family.

..." Let me see, Yoshida Family . Oh ! this family , two membered now after losing their son. They are not prying ones so they are a safe choice . "...

He beamed after hearing her choice . He took the mug and took a sip.

..." I was worried for nothing. Why did you choose them , Hikari ? "...

..." Because they are good looking... "...

Cough , cough . He choked on the coffee While Takahashi burst into laughter . Trying to control his laugh , Takahashi quickly patted Mr Suzuki's back .

Feeling better , Mr Suzuki glared at her.* Ah , now I get why Mr Tanaka picks on her *

Hikari sensing something wrong with Takahashi laughter and Mr Suzuki glare , quickly amended her answer.

..." You didn't let me finish . I was saying they are two membered thus my disguise will be saved."...

Seeing Mr Suzuki ease his facial expressions , she continued.

..."Also they have decent faces .The Parents are middle aged . Perfect parents for a young girl like me . They won't have to say they adopted me . Siblings are annoying , always fighting for small reasons . Only child means being free of shackles like responsibilities , siblings etc . In short, heaven awaits me there. "...

..."Forget I asked" . Mr Suzuki massaged his temples ....

*What she said makes sense , but coming from her mouth why does it resemble nonsense made on the spot ?*

..." Now that you are done here , why don't you go pay them a visit . They are reclusive people , hardly welcoming strangers . "...

..." Isn't it to soon ? Okay I will go . later then Takahashi "...

She waved him goodbye and left the office.

..." Are you done with selecting one ? "...

..."It's Richard . " Takahashi looked sad ....

..." It would be convenient then. You won't have to explain the situation to them . " He replied while picking the files ....

..."Should you be saying this after what happened to him ? I don't know how to face his family let alone live with them for the mission . " Sorrow and regret dripping from his voice , he looked truly pitiful....

..." His family should feel honored . Besides it was his own choice , we didn't force him. " He didn't like the sound of him feeling regret....

..." Honour.....

...His own choice......

...Huh"...

...You people truly have a way with words ....

...sigh , Why am I even arguing with you . I am the same as you . IT IS ALL MY FAULT . If only I didn't come back , he wouldn't have fallen prey to them. He was suffering but he didn't let me know . ."...

Truly no one can bear losing someone dear to them . Even if they weren't related by blood , having same interests and mindset brought them close enough that his departure left an empty space behind , in his memories and life that could never be filled, Like an endless bottomless pit devouring even the darkness.

Mr Suzuki wanted to pat his shoulder to cheer him up but he quickly left the office , leaving him embarrassed with his hand in the air .

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