Chapter 20 - Come Back To School Next Monday

"I want to drop the charge."

The old detective stared at Nick who had said something ridiculous.

"Drop the charges? It is not that simple. The case has already been sent to court. Once the prosecutor and the lawyer of the defendant got enough evidence, they will fight in the trial of the suspect."

"So I can't?" Nick made a troubled face.

The old detective sighed, "You can, actually. Unlike in other places, the police department here is lax as if they don't care about what's happening in the city. Furthermore, it is not publicized... yet. If it is publicized, it is the people we have to persuade why you would want to drop the charge after what happened to you."

"Then I want to drop the charge." Nick forcibly smiled, not understanding half of what the detective said.

The old detective was not swayed by this and glared at him.

"If you drop this charge. The criminal will still be at large. You're not the only victim here. What if someone gets killed because we didn't catch the criminal?"

'He's guilt-tripping me... and it's working.' Nick laughed awkwardly, "But I still want to drop the charge."

Seeing the resilience, the detective sighed and asked.

"What is the reason?"

Nick couldn't give a proper reason.

"If there is no reason then the charge will not be dropped."

"Wait! Um... it's because I realize that it's my fault and Teren Hark has been in constant bullying. If I befriend him and he still attacked me, then that would be the time we can catch him! Furthermore, we'll be more ready. If he didn't attack then that would be for the best, right?"

The old detective didn't want to admit it but he agreed.

"Also, the doctor said that there will be no permanent damage. I had some stitches but they say that only some of them will get scars. The one he stabbed onto me didn't hit my bone. So I will get better."

'It seemed like he's being forced. But I cannot confront him about that. I just have to move on my own and observe him and this Teren Hark.'

The old detective thought and remembered how calm Teren Hark and natural this suspect is.

'I've been chasing these cases of murder. Testimonies always say they're from the gang war but there is no gang war! There is only one gang in Heren City and it is the Handwing Gang. But the incident back in early summer still doesn't make sense. Maybe it really is just an internal conflict?'

"Fine" the old detective finally relented, "However, be careful and be ready to get as many pieces of evidence as you can."

Although Nick's request was finally approved, it didn't make him that happy.

"Yes, officer."

"Just call me Mister Derman from now on."

"Okay, Mister Derman."

Detective Derman nodded and turned around. As he got out, Nick's brother, Nathan saw him.

While still looking at the old man's back, Nathan entered the room.

"Is that your detective?"

"Yeah, Big bro, he was approved of my charge drop."

"Hmm..." Nathan frowned, "You should be careful of that old man."

Nick was baffled.

"Why?"

"It's because you're soon-to-be right hand of Boss Hark. That old man is sent here in this City to find out all the mysterious killing that actually came from Boss Hark. So he doesn't know that the police here tolerates the gang activities."

"..."

Nick was still unable to believe it. He was still waiting for his big brother to tell him that it was just all a joke.

"Oh yeah, when will you get out and come back to school?"

Nathan asked.

"The doctor said I can come back starting next Monday. However, it will still take time for me to completely recover. The doctor said that it is because that I have tough muscles so it stopped the blade. However, it is also because I have tough muscles that it will take more time to recover."

"That's enough. Starting Monday, you'll come back."

"Wait, Big bro. If he attacked me again, I wouldn't be able to defend myself in this state."

Nick just sighed.

"As I said before, As long as you don't provoke Boss Hark, he wouldn't do anything to you. Just make an apology, no tricks behind. Once you're back to neutral, that's when you start the boot-licking."

Nick laughed.

"Boss Hark gets easily shy when he is complimented. However, don't do it too much or he'll suspect that you're just spouting nonsense. Once that happens, he will trust you less."

"You... seemed to know a lot about him."

Nick then rubbed his nose smugly.

"He's only a boss for the whole summer but he's very active. You could say that he is the reason why the Handwing Gang is feared right now."

"Oh..."

"So you better be careful starting Monday."

Nick paused but seeing that his big brother was really pushing it to him, he had no choice but to agree.

"Also, I heard that you still don't have any friends. Don't be too pushy. Just take it slow and listen to the other person's feelings as well."

"..." Nick was speechless.

'Is this really my Big Brother who traumatized me when I'm training?'

.....

Back to the Mershen High, Lina's spirits were lifted.

'It seemed my doggy and the dognapper aren't talking to each other anymore. The faster you get together, the faster your relationship breaks.'

Iesa heard this and wanted to scream.

'We're not together!'

It was already the last period of school. Neither during breaks between classes nor lunchbreak did the two of them talked to each other or ate together.

Iesa was back to the emergency stairs while Teren eats in the classroom.

Lina didn't mind Iesa being in the "forbidden area" since she was just all alone.

So when school ended, she asked again.

"Teren, want to go home together?"

"Sorry, prez, but I have to head home quick so I'll run." Teren took his bag and left.

Lina frowned, 'Persistent.'

She then saw Iesa stand up and get out after Teren.

'Are they going home together? That didn't seem to be the case.'

She wanted to follow them but her friends already called her.

Meanwhile, Teren knew Iesa was behind her.. But the two couldn't speak to each other for some reasons unknown until their paths separated.