4-64: Mother

4-64: Mother

What was I about to do just now?

She knew the answer, but she still asked herself that question.

She just didnt know what she should do.

Why did things turn out like this? What was she supposed to do? Questions like that just kept on repeating.

She knew more than anyone else that this wasnt something that she should be doing.

But there was no other choice.

Still, she hesitated because she wasnt the only one who would suffer.

She was just a normal person with normal morals.

She could sacrifice herself to save those dear to her.

But it was difficult for her to sacrifice other people.

She had cleared the place with her authority, but all she could do after was to stare at the food served.

All of the dishes were prepared by the inns chefs. They had carefully selected the ingredients and used their finely honed skills to prepare them.

With polished aesthetics and flavor, the food before her was less food and more art.

She was proud of that.

But it was none other than her who was about to ruin that piece of art.

And through that hurt other people.

She hadnt done anything strenuous, yet her heart was beating loudly.

As though it was urging her to hurry, or yelling at her to stop.

Her heart raced, yet her body remained cold.

Her profession taught her how to keep her calm even in public, yet now, sweat poured down from her ceaselessly.

Her body trembled, and her breathing grew ragged.

She had been drinking tea just a moment ago to calm herself, yet her throat felt dry.

But even then, she had to do it.

She had no choice but to cling to that glimmer of hope, even though she herself did not believe in it.

For to abandon was not an option she could afford.

Thats why

She gently took that small bottle out of her pocket, and with trembling fingers, placed her hand on the lidUpdated from novelb(i)n.c(o)m

Thats enough, Proprietress.

!?

!?

Thats why Shinichi called out to her. Because once she crossed the line, she would no longer be innocent.

That wouldnt be good for either of them. Not for Shinichi, who would be witness, and not for her, who would be the criminal.

If you intend to keep going, I will have to stop you by force. What will you do?

Shinichi picked up the small bottle she dropped and showed it to her.

It was curious how she took that, but her eyes opened wide, then she looked at his face and the small bottle, then broke down with her hands covering her face.

Her heart that was being crushed by her conscience finally broke, and she sobbed loudly amidst guilt and relief.

I-Im so sorry, I cant believe what I was about to do!

I can more or less guess what happened. I dont intend to blame you, but theres no time left, so I will ask you directlyWas that kid taken by these people?

Suddenly, a group of unconscious men bound in ropes appeared out of nowhere.

The men looked scary, but their expressions were contorted in fear.

H-How!?

I thought something was strange after coming back from my little tour, so I did a little digging and found out that there were people that were neither guests nor employees, and the kid was also missing, and you were acting suspicious So, who are these people?

They called themselves the Yamamoto Group. When I noticed Kouta taking longer to come home, these people came out of nowhere and showed me a picture of Kouta tied up. I heard his voice too!

So they told you to do as they asked or your sons life would be in danger?

Yes, Im so sorry. I really was a step away from making a mistake!

I told you its fine Did they ask you to put this medicine into our food? Sleeping medicine, huh. No, this might as well be coma medicine.

Results quickly came up when he ran the name on the small bottle through his foster.

Apparently, a small amount of it was all that was needed to make someone sleep. And the person would remain asleep until the drug was completely expelled from the body.

Hah, these villains really are all the same regardless of the world.

Just what nefarious schemes did they have in mind?

It was all too easy for Shinichis mind, the evil gods mind, to imagine whatever schemes these villains could conjure.

Whichever of the possibilities it was, it was nothing good.

A sharp light appeared in Shinichis eyes.

Whatever came after this, these men only had themselves to blame.

It was over for them the moment they targeted his people and Shinichi found out.

Not only did they try to lay a hand on us, they even kidnapped a kid and threatened the mother. Ah, how pitiful. Now that youve stepped through that landmine, dont think youll be getting off scot-free.

As the boy laughed without a hint of pity, the proprietress trembled.

For better or for worse, the impression she had of him turned out to be correct.

To the vile scoundrel, there was indeed no death god worse than this boy.