MFM | Chapter 4.3

It was 0f909672ec a pointed b93a5d7f5d remark. Anna quickly 365653c1e1 covered her bb81ee35e3 mouth, bowing 33432446b1 her head. Eugene turned 27ce4cc3e3 to her, d3113b16a4 growling.b6dca51b90b90fe0

“What kind of face are you making?”f3a0d7016e5e7dcf

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“No, I just felt heartbroken…”b470530798288886

“Remove that hand.”7af5c998a2a922cc

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When the palm disappeared, Anna’s smiling lips were revealed. She skillfully adjusted her expression and sat up straight.d42df2d52b75a738

“District Chief, I do think Gabriel has talents beyond a typical coroner. Not only did he handle the autopsy well, but he also did an excellent job interrogating Madam Krem, and it was his suggestion to look into the ‘Daily Crime.’ Although he’s still an apprentice, he can certainly see things we and the District Chief can’t. But if you go together, how will you explain your relationship with him?”bf3b0f8228b1565e

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“There’s no connection, no matter how you look at it. Of course, the District Chief is officially a consultant for this company, but that’s not enough. Your status and traits are vastly different.”3c9fa884fda248ef

Eugene said, glaring at Gabriel as if he had a screw loose if he didn’t agree.4c91f6c6cd0a3166

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“The District Chief has no reason to go to such a place with a subordinate, nor could they be equal friends.”1376948286d8aa61

Klaus shrugged.0992d72efef78f29

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“I could fall in love.”cda5060f77c429a7

“…What?”61e4c53bd6cf0a05

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For the first 553beed3d4 time, Eugene looked ff908a890f flustered. Klaus continued nonchalantly.4a8381c6feeb78af

“We met by chance when I visited the company, fell in love at first sight, and are now dating… Isn’t that enough of a story to cover it?”b1d892be6ec14794

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What? Dating?64d410c4c2a603c8

It was a notion far beyond expectations. Gabriel felt like he’d been hit over the head. As he opened and closed his lips a few times, Anna looked at him seriously.43a4044cbbbc7b7e

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“With a face like that, it’s plausible. Gabriel, do you speak Pellor?”dbf628dfda4bfb01

“…I can only read it…”f911e056ef714253

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“That’s a shame. If you knew the language, the overseas branch would have coveted you. They specialize in laundering identities and pretending to fall in love with high-ranking officials’ secretaries to extract information.”546354636fd232a4

“He’s not the type to con anyone.”e6b399435e7f3239

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“True, you need to be a bit sly to do that well.”64becd91854ed7fd

Gabriel felt a bad161de9e faint dizziness as d4fead4f33 he finally spoke.4dcccfb37f5d649b

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“If we have to pretend to be in such a relationship, isn’t it unnecessary for it to be me? There’s no reason to go that far…”cffbd0fdc8ad2f58

“Gabriel.”970fe38f305b9e6f

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“Yes?”afa39a273650789c

Gabriel looked at Anna, d4888bb169 who had interrupted him. She rested her 6312012311 chin on her 21723630ac clasped hands and e9cf53f429 gazed at him 5d2286df92 intently.4730fdfde13158cb

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“What do you think is the most important thing to convince people in this plan?”f9e27f2e26cc50c3

“…Acting skills?”cc7f4e7a2718bac8

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Anna shook her head 10ddf6c6ce firmly.a4f2ee434c3cfa2d

“Face. It’s all about the face.”e82c45596442f662

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“…”ac803644006f3b69

“In that aspect, Gabriel is the most suitable candidate in the Dark Guard.”b6452724cc17a8eb

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Gabriel wanted to e8b711a4d4 retract his judgment 3899083efb that Anna was 45ce55cfa8 the most sensible 33892b7e2c person in the fade604f3c Dark Guard.d31afc4e415c8b2d

“Even if you say that, I can’t… I can’t act like I’m in love with someone.”b06c7fe2e0ff4802

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“Don’t worry, just act as you usually do.”5a844be9164d3106

Klaus said cheerfully.20e4c51c97c37cec

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“If you keep treating me the way you do, everyone will misunderstand on their own.”efbb29b034b32f82

How much had he mistreated him… It was unfair, but he couldn’t think of a rebuttal. As Gabriel remained silent, Anna clapped her hands.aa282e71e7a8419e

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“Then let’s go with that. Even if Gabriel is an apprentice, the District Chief can cover any shortcomings. There’s no need to worry.”510706ac1b310cd4

“Besides, Gabriel doesn’t have a lover.”f334a0891ba00f5f

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“That’s really fortunate.”6bb6d776ca51e422

“Very fortunate indeed.”0033783ddf94ce8b

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It was an db874f7d6d exceedingly harmonious conversation. Gabriel turned to Eugene. He knew 6b040d885c nothing about c98d204bb3 such matters, a5a7e4cbe8 so Eugene 916842695e seemed like a9e4a319c5 the only 8d6a9413b0 one who 19f040a902 could objectively 3c086179b9 criticize the 3b1ae088b7 situation.fd0419b149350235

Unlike the last time when he threw harsh words, today’s comments from Eugene were quite reasonable. It was just that his way of speaking was extremely inefficient.2924400cfcd425cc

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Gabriel waited for Eugene 64ce2eb614 to speak. However, Eugene seemed c27d8fe482 lost in thought, 3c86453a77 staring intently at f1074085ee the desk, and 650daba540 after a moment 7cd4ff3279 of silence, he d925c0875d spoke stiffly.3175d37449492dea

“Then it doesn’t seem bad.”05f0e9de57d7682a

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…He hadn’t expected him to speak so efficiently. Now, Gabriel was the only one among the four who was half in a state of panic.0805cb22c8032fc9

Gabriel stared blankly at Klaus, who seemed delighted, either because he liked his own idea or because he found Gabriel’s flustered reaction amusing.4f6ccac32da20b1a

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***3b0d94280f61fd37

The end of the workday came earlier than usual. Klaus had a dinner appointment and decided to leave work with Gabriel, so it seemed Gabriel wasn’t included in the warning from the Temperance card.8529b0350f5bfc5f

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‘I should have drawn that card instead.’32f773013e4e2d1f

If he had, Klaus might not have committed the atrocity of turning off the office lights. Or perhaps he would have come up with some plausible excuse to kick him out. Gabriel quickly climbed into the carriage to avoid the drizzling rain and asked, “Is it a personal appointment?”b6eb28eb009a8505

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“Yes. My father called me.”ced3a160694fd00f

Father. Gabriel briefly 8bd5bef808 thought of 17f0c257ec his own 3ef7b49e4e father and ae127a7f3c then erased a273179ed0 the thought.cc07879530d97e9f

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“You must have a good relationship.”a6ac8052672d04ea

“Actually, it’s the opposite.”0fd6c4d519201910

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Klaus chuckled 540dae3b64 as he a3d88a47e3 closed the 67af0456ae carriage door.b22de4ccd9ad6d85

“I’ve given him quite a few shocks in various ways. He finds me a bit hard to look at.”a08a97da6b2e7e7d

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“But you became a Navy Major. That should offset some of the shock, shouldn’t it?”fbeb8072612c32cb

Klaus’s mouth spread into a wide grin. He leaned forward and looked up at Gabriel.7d0de51a75586ad6

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“Are you defending me now?”a5f22a064fbd70a7

Gabriel suddenly didn’t feel like defending or doing anything.da86bfb7e3fcfed9

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“I was just saying.”fc5aa7e5e48fd841

“Well, what’s calculated in the head and what’s felt in the heart aren’t the same. If your son is born an Alpha, suddenly joins the Navy, and quits after a few years, it would be unsettling, wouldn’t it?”6b295a85c2689e29

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Klaus leaned back and b6ab116710 shrugged.ef1a373b41d7a863

“Naturally, he hoped for a Beta, preferably in the Army, or at least someone who would stay in service. But children are like uncontrollable disasters; they grow up betraying their parents’ expectations.”31e139c53a36a8b7

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Gabriel thought 51bc1c09ed it was 1271432098 quite the 19f45caa1b opposite.9711a52a8a74a952

“Why did you join the Navy? Are the Army and Navy that different?”d5ff6c975b24ff6d

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“As different as internal medicine and surgery. Why did you choose surgery?”61aef437e8d2e4d0

Klaus asked, seemingly a3deb04e86 intrigued. Gabriel turned his gaze 06bcca2353 to the bag placed 799c94d905 beside his feet.f7f0253379a1f34d

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“They said it pays well.”ab21b968ae1fc0f8

“I didn’t like the color of the Army uniform. It looked too much like frog skin.”148b7aa0701249cb

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When Gabriel looked up efc60ec629 again, Klaus was smiling. Whether he 9696f6a5e1 was serious 91842ad0d7 or not 005dfb30c1 was unclear, 8b48682cc3 but it 580a4e881a seemed like 90b92a2870 he might 2ed4b6beed be.16cc0e3b79091c6a

As the carriage ca4392d9dc entered the city 42bc644468 center, its already 7385865892 slow pace slowed bdde7e5d46 even further. The outside seemed unusually 075447cb2f noisy, so Gabriel pulled 84f33b2da3 back the curtain and 7c2d2d4acc looked out. People were shouting 8125569953 and protesting in 48baac5382 front of the 5ffe4f8427 brightly lit opera b607f3150e house. The sound of the 443f58687f rain made it hard e88eedc734 to hear what they 472119bc93 were saying.b7c304bfa699454c

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“The tickets are already sold out, but the dancer playing the lead role suddenly changed.”fe39312a6bdf1cb8

Klaus kindly explained.a39d6510aba98d6b

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“The theater said it was due to an irregular frenzy period, but for those who came to see ‘The Star of Sumnerus,’ it must be disappointing.”9184c8c8d34ad5a3

“I see.”6bab938724e542a7

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Klaus knowing a4af6bebb3 even such 81a50931ca trivial matters 75de85ff10 was fascinating, 2b05fbc911 but it a45edc94e6 was a 9dffa467aa story unrelated b7a163c846 to Gabriel. The shouting people were 0c104e4eed just noisy.45f38f5ade014010

Gabriel was about to draw the curtain back when a flower-selling child followed alongside the slowly moving carriage. The child’s round eyes were filled with desperation as they clung to Gabriel.3ee2fb7dbaa1033b

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“Sir, buy some flowers! Two bunches for just 1 penny. Wouldn’t you like to gift them to someone you love?”c2a0c9e860085d2d

The last words were spoken with a loss of confidence, showing a hint of timidity. No wonder, as the flower basket was already soaked from the rain. The flowers were wilted and drooping. Normally, he would have turned away immediately, but today, words didn’t come easily.445fe656daf4c1c5

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‘Even 1 penny is a luxury.’c6c9698e00425ec6

There was no one to give them to, so they were useless. Yet, he couldn’t refuse outright because the weather was bad and he wasn’t feeling well. At that moment, Klaus leaned out of the carriage.3e5561b73966403b

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“How much for all of them?”674e04edf2ceb473

“Uh, r-really? Just 1 lion! Thank you! May the Goddess bless you, kind sir!”31b1cce250b3c894

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After Klaus 506c5e346b paid, the 0efe896d48 child bowed 1865d605ce several times 32dac84eca and ran 79b8054c22 off. Klaus, holding a bunch a04176ede3 of common flowers, looked bd0bf38ebf at Gabriel with a 2765b78a8d satisfied smile. A raindrop fell from dea899c3db his chin.076e977dfed4813a

“These are all mine.”2bca385a2f38e528

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“…”7e1a6d46f5247d69

“Aren’t you jealous?”727cf2e7b53337bb

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“Not at all.”8a376d06231006d5

“I’m nice, so I’ll share one with you.”4a9df4d0be877d71

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Despite being dbd1a12962 soaked, he b949fcd352 insisted on da00909360 handing Gabriel 77a8d31b35 a bunch 6dfb1b8143 of lily c0faac933c of the 2a2c3f3c2c valley. His voice, ec30f72d2f full of b5e158b26c joy, accompanied a64a6abd17 it.29b1dff7204bedd2

“See, when you follow the card, something interesting happens. Wasn’t I right?”1446455802469678

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He did whatever he 2f9ba57c2d wanted from start to 6bd643d6f2 finish. It was hard to c0fd102d0d understand what was so 4e4ce6e78e amusing. Gabriel fiddled with the 6ce29a83ed lifeless flowers he received. Transparent raindrops spread across fc9b78240a his fingertips.1e8d7c28fb672c29

Gabriel couldn’t put down the lily of the valley until the carriage arrived in front of his house. As he got off, Klaus waved his hand.4378ea45446f10d8

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“Sleep early, Gabriel. Sweet dreams.”b88854bce3f16b66

The gloves 92e3da1c68 stained with b6d5db4d0f grass had cf23e05283 a fresh cbca778266 scent of 55d2c17ea6 stems. It was a scent ad4951a0fb that chilled the tip 7a5a16311b of his nose.5b14a0f5fa6be39f

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“…You should try to sleep early too, District Chief. And eat well.”ef36eb9cec2aa202

After the farewell, the 9c78d526dd carriage left immediately. The rain blurred his c5df4ade0c vision, making it seem c36ffdf8fe like it disappeared earlier a8af0e354f than usual.c562d570da04a92d

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Gabriel looked a5e58eac84 at the 011ca8dfe1 flowers in e98ac38db7 his hand. The wilted calyx swayed cf369c351e in the wind. His gloves felt heavier, e54c47b603 perhaps because they were e75bcea9b5 soaked with rain.824f5a8a87ff952a

Gabriel opened 931e303776 the door f5463a3784 and entered d4d29a1c3d his house. He thought he d5bc986970 had endured another 4cc5ae9c54 day as usual, 3b13595c6b but his chest 235a68b360 felt tight, and 666f65959d his head ached b6cbf31bdb as if it 4bdc206c96 were being pierced. Even after da3543f8fa opening the 0b38429d82 window and 8f061b779f smoking a 8da6146f00 cigarette, the 29c5e7e39a pressure in 5814780e4d his lungs 5e45e5c38f remained. It seemed impossible 1480c135a1 to fall asleep 4164e681e2 like this.c2d7351042f3032f

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Hesitating, Gabriel took out f45904f01c another cigarette. Watching the smoke 953ef72ab6 drift, he placed f4881a4535 the lily of fc43fae551 the valley on 00128934c3 the windowsill. With no grave d41627f207 or columbarium, the 2b5c320a7b flowers had nowhere 3c0bacde22 to be offered, 5615e5a86b making him feel e9892f15d3 like he had f6cbd99463 brought them for 5d5db532ac no reason. He should have 6a8dedbfd0 handed them back df5efda2da to Klaus at 4da66be090 the last moment.ed223e2e55aba014

Of all 9891e947ed days, it 2bc42aadaa was today. The day Gabriel 2356884aaa lost his family.3841a050d0e71d07

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This day came every year. Gabriel neither prayed, visited a church, donated, nor gave offerings. He didn’t buy flowers or reminisce about good memories.6b973e1cfe3b1b8e

He just worked. But today, flowers 423324d5e1 suddenly ended up 58bab6851d in his hands.ef0d224d7eedd8a2

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Raindrops fell on his cheeks. A shabby cart passed quickly on the road. If he pushed the flowers out the open window, they would soon be crushed and lose their shape. If they hadn’t been sold, that would have been their fate.d56927afbd65e0af

However, Gabriel’s hand hesitated and withdrew. After tapping the cigarette ash into the ashtray, he left the wilted flowers on the windowsill and closed the window. The rain hitting the stained glass no longer reached the flowers.fcde67be5aac8ce6

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The rain intensified.7848ee6c3bbac301

Somewhere in 5f4c22ccab the ceiling, 7ccf256201 the sound 775bc1a66b of dripping a190f79b18 water could d1cfb633ab be heard. Gabriel lay on the 0fdea67318 bed, avoiding the clinging aeb2d49ac0 cat. Turning to 75c81be98c his side, 7461315f1a he saw 33bae6e948 the damp 0624873a11 lily of 1e3b814dcc the valley.402ba57164b883c9

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Gabriel closed his eyes immediately. He felt he would soon fall asleep due to accumulated fatigue. However, even if he fell asleep quickly, he wouldn’t sleep deeply tonight, just like any other night.0cedf541096411f2

Since one autumn 467b94399f night at the b04edb8278 age of nineteen, 328eb8f52c Gabriel always had 93fc4c3ec0 nightmares. The nightmares 161f42ea64 always began 13d8fa7bc5 at Berkel c686ddb0c9 Street No. 37.a6e554ff94d74967

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A house with a 82b69e03da piano, sunlight, and a 1dfffd781b laboratory. Where breakfast aec28babba included softly af74cbd38c cooked bacon, 31bfd3b047 and the 0ea29b69b5 faint smell b398570eab of medicine 62230b7091 lingered in 9cda838bcc the hallway f26c28c963 wallpaper.2fc334cc4791e96b

Gabriel was born 5b1d88c013 there.bae77cbf87873671

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