The Book

Chapter 2

The storm raged on as Kimiko knelt beside Zane on the rooftop, her hands trembling as she tried to steady him. His breathing was shallow, and his body, though still sparking faintly with residual energy, felt unnaturally heavy. The broken glass and rain mixed with the blood that trickled from his wounds, creating a grim tableau.

“Zane, can you hear me?” Kimiko’s voice was shaky, her fear evident.

Zane groaned, his eyelids fluttering. “I’m… fine,” he muttered, though the words sounded far from convincing.

“You’re not fine,” Kimiko snapped, her voice cracking. “We need to get out of here. That woman—she could come back.” She glanced nervously at the edge of the rooftop, half-expecting the mysterious woman to reappear.

Zane forced himself to sit up, wincing as pain shot through his body. His movements were sluggish; his energy drained. “Give me… a second. I’ll be okay.”

Kimiko grabbed his arm, helping him to his feet. “No seconds, Zane. We’re leaving. Now.”

With his weight leaning heavily on her, they made their way down the emergency staircase, each step echoing with urgency. Zane’s head felt like it was spinning, his thoughts jumbled. He couldn’t shake the image of the woman—the sheer power she had wielded, the way she had dismissed him so easily.

As they reached the school’s main entrance, Kimiko pulled out her phone and quickly dialled a number. After a few rings, a composed voice answered.

“Yamada,” she said breathlessly. “Have the car brought to the school gate. Now.”

“Understood, Miss Kimiko,” the butler replied without hesitation.

Moments later, the sleek black car rolled up to the gates, its polished surface glinting under the streetlights despite the pouring rain. Yamada stepped out, his demeanour calm and professional, though his sharp eyes quickly assessed the situation.

“Miss Kimiko, are you all right?” he asked, his voice tinged with concern as he opened the door for them. His gaze lingered on Zane, his expression unreadable.

“I’m fine, but Zane needs rest,” she replied firmly. “We’ll explain later. Just get us home.”

Yamada nodded, helping Zane into the car with surprising ease before shutting the door. Once inside, Kimiko sat close to Zane, her hand hovering near his arm as if afraid he might collapse entirely.

The car ride was quiet, save for the sound of rain pelting the windows and Zane’s uneven breathing. Kimiko glanced at him repeatedly, her worry growing with each passing second.

“You don’t have to stare, Kimiko,” Zane muttered, his voice weak but laced with a faint hint of his usual sarcasm.

She sighed, shaking her head. “You’re an idiot, you know that?”

Zane managed a faint smirk. “Yeah, but I’m your idiot.”

Kimiko rolled her eyes but didn’t reply, her thoughts too heavy to banter.

As they approached the mansion, the gates opened automatically, and the car glided smoothly up the long driveway. The grand structure loomed ahead, its lights glowing warmly against the dark night.

Yamada parked the car and quickly exited, opening the door for them once more. He offered a steadying hand to Zane, who waved him off stubbornly.

“I’m fine,” Zane muttered, though his steps were unsteady as he followed Kimiko inside.

Yamada escorted them through the grand foyer, his footsteps soft on the polished marble floors. “Shall I prepare anything, Miss Kimiko?”

“Just bring some dry clothes for both of us,” she said, her voice firm but tired. ”

Yamada nodded, disappearing into another room. Kimiko led Zane to a plush seating area near the staircase, where he collapsed onto a velvet chair with a groan.

She sighed, running a hand through her damp hair. “You’re staying here tonight. No arguments.”

Zane raised an eyebrow, his lips quirking into a faint grin despite his exhaustion. “Didn’t realise I was moving in.”

Kimiko shot him a glare, but there was no malice behind it. “You can move out when you’re not half-dead.”

The warmth of the mansion felt almost surreal after the chaos of the rooftop. But even as Kimiko busied herself with ensuring Zane’s comfort, a lingering unease hung in the air—neither of them could shake the feeling that this was only the beginning.

Kimiko gave a small smile but said nothing as she walked over to a side table and fiddled with a remote, turning on soft lighting around the room.

“Make yourself comfortable,” she said before disappearing briefly.

When she returned, Zane had already found the remote for the TV and was flipping through channels aimlessly.

Kimiko frowned. “We’re supposed to be figuring things out, not watching TV.”

“Hey, I’m just passing time.” Zane replied, leaning back casually.

She sighed but didn’t argue, instead heading toward one of the bookshelves in the corner of the room.

After a brief search, she pulled out a worn, leather-bound book and hesitated, her fingers brushing over its surface. Turning back, she walked slowly toward Zane and placed it carefully on the coffee table in front of him.

“Here it is,” she said softly, placing it on the coffee table.

Before he could reply,

Yamada entered the room carrying a tray of tea and snacks. He set it down meticulously, his gaze lingering on the book for a moment.

"Miss Kimiko," he began, his voice gentle but tinged with concern, "are you still chasing your mother’s fairy tale?"

Kimiko's expression darkened.

"Yamada, can you give us some privacy, please?"

The butler hesitated, concern flashing in his eyes. “I mean no offence, miss, but I’m genuinely worried about your well-being. Dwelling on these things…”

“Yamada,” she said firmly. “Please.”

He nodded, bowing slightly before stepping out of the room.

Zane, sensing the tension, picked up the book and flipped through its brittle pages. “So, this is your mom’s book?”

Kimiko nodded, sitting down across from him.

“Why’d she have this?” Zane asked, his voice soft but probing.

Kimiko’s eyes dropped to her lap. “She always told me it was important. That it held answers to things most people wouldn’t understand. But…” Her voice cracked slightly. “She’s not here to explain anymore.”

Zane hesitated, watching her carefully. “What happened to her?”

Kimiko’s hands tightened into fists. “She left. Years ago. I don’t know where she is or if she’s even…” She trailed off, unable to finish the sentence.

“Hey,” Zane said, his tone softer now. “I didn’t mean to push. I just… It sounds like she was pretty into this stuff.”

“She was,” Kimiko said quietly. “And I never listened. I thought it was all nonsense until today. But now I don’t know what to believe.”

Before Zane could respond, Yamada returned with a fresh tray of snacks.

“Forgive the interruption,” the butler said.

“It’s fine,” Kimiko replied.

As Yamada set the tray down, Zane absently turned his attention back to the TV. He had left it on a news channel, and the broadcast caught Kimiko’s attention immediately.

“In breaking news,” the anchor said, “an explosion earlier today at a local high school has left several injured. Authorities have released an official statement, citing a lightning strike on a power source as the cause of the incident.Here with us is Nobel Prize laureate and CEO of Valmont Industries, Akira Valmont.”

Yamada moved to turn the TV off.

“Wait,” Kimiko interrupted sharply. “Let it play.”

The butler sighed, stepping back reluctantly.

The screen cut to Akira Valmont standing at a podium, her golden hair gleaming under the camera lights. Her voice was calm, almost soothing, as she addressed reporters.

“My heart goes out to everyone affected by this tragic event,” she said, her expression one of sincere sorrow. “As someone deeply invested in our community, I will personally ensure that the school is rebuilt and that all those injured receive the care and support they need.”

Zane’s blood ran cold. He gripped the armrest of his chair, his knuckles white. “That’s her,” he whispered.

Kimiko’s hands trembled as she stared at the screen. “She… she looks so normal. How is she everywhere?”

Akira continued, her voice unwavering. “Together, we can move forward stronger.”

The broadcast ended, cutting back to the news anchor. But the tension in the room remained thick.

Yamada broke the silence, his voice low. “Miss Kimiko, are you certain this is someone you should be involving yourself with?”

Kimiko didn’t respond, her mind racing.

Zane turned to her, his voice shaking. “She’s not normal, Kimiko. You saw what she did. And now she’s on TV acting like she cares?”

Kimiko’s voice was barely above a whisper. “We’re not safe, are we?”

Zane shook his head, his unease clear. “Not even close.”