{ If you can, please don't do it again }
Night had fallen, yet my mind remained uneasy about Rina. I knew she would be fine, but I wouldn't rest until she returned safely to her sister.
Dinner time arrived. The three of us sat at the table. Miar began talking about her sister's cooking and how delicious it was.
° Uncle, when Rina comes, tell her to cook for you. Her food is really delicious. °
Alright, I'll tell her when she's with us.
The maid laughed along with Miar, and Uncle Joe joined in the laughter and joy filling the house. I think this was the first time I had sat in such a happy place in days. It reminded me of dinners with my father (the uncle who raised me) and my siblings.
[Joe, optimistic, full of emotion...]
Since his passing, none of my siblings have visited me.
Was I disliked, or not?
I don't know. How did they never come to see me? I haven't spoken to or contacted them since then. I suppose it's what they call pride.
[The pride of a corrupt man who thinks only of himself… what a joke.]
Dinner ended, and with it came bedtime. Miar didn't want to sleep in the guest room despite my insistence; she insisted on sleeping in the same room as me.
This, too, was something I hadn't experienced since living with my family.
[I suppose loneliness had been stealing my soul, and I didn't even feel it.]
I went to my office to review some documents before sleep. While I was searching through the files, Rina looked at me with a puzzled expression.
Did you make all of this?
Yes, it's for work.
Amazing… you work a lot.
Somewhat, yes.
What do you do in your free time, Uncle?
I like reading books and newspapers.
Continue… what do you think about playing in the garden when you finish your work as usual?
Sure… why not?
Rina began laughing and hugged me in delight at my answer.
But on one condition: you must go to sleep before me, because I'll be a little late.
I don't want to!
That's the condition if you want to play with me.
After several attempts, she agreed to sleep in my bed. Meanwhile, I spent hours searching for things I might need for work when I return. I didn't notice myself until I fell asleep at my desk while working.
{ If you can, please don't do it again }
Kinjien… you killer… you criminal… you will die a horrible death… there is no escape from a miserable death surrounding you… I will take my revenge… you corrupt man… just as you destroyed my family… I will move death with my own hands.
Death will take you.
° Uncle, Uncle, wake up, wake up! °
Huh? Was I dreaming? Another nightmare?
No… it feels more sinister than a regular nightmare.
Miar looked worried and told me I had been talking in my sleep.
I'm fine. Sorry if I startled you at this hour.
What time is it now?
It's 5:15 a.m.
Go back to sleep; it's still early.
I went to my place and covered her. She told me to sleep too, but I told her I had slept enough.
[Lie… I just don't want to see that nightmare again.]
[No matter how strong you are… inside you is something that will shake the confidence you flaunt.]
Even I… have felt since the last case that my body is breaking under the weight of the guilt I carry. I didn't care much in the past, but this short period with Miar and Rina has shown me something I cannot see… or perhaps I pretended not to see.
[If the devil saw my deeds… I think he would be surprised. Am I truly human?]
[Even he would not punish his own kind… unlike me.]
Whatever the outcome, I must endure the pain of what I have done all this time.
Despite all the things I have helped with and the people I have been with… no one will remember me on the day of my death.