Chapter 07 — Unveiled Secrets & More

◽In Jerry’s Living Room◽

JJ leaned back against the couch, brown hair and pupils marking his JJ persona. His tone was calm but sharp enough to cut the air.

「So, Hana… what brings you out here?」

Hana crossed her arms, her gaze firm. 「I’ll get straight to the point. My parents almost fought because of you.」

JJ tilted his head slightly, expression unreadable. 「I see… Question is, your dad—was he a sniper?」

Hana’s eyes narrowed. 「Why would you ask that?」

JJ leaned forward, elbows on his knees. 「Like I said before, I once knew a John Allen. Just trying to confirm if it’s the same person. In return… I’ll answer five questions you’ve got for me.」

Hana’s lips twitched. 【Not bad…】

「He was. He even earned the rank of general.」

Her words trailed off as JJ’s gaze shifted—his expression darkening, cold, almost murderous.

「J-J…」 she whispered.

JJ sighed, the intensity fading just as quickly. 「Oh… so they’re the same person.」

Curiosity replaced her tension. 「You know my father? Tell me more.」

JJ scoffed lightly and stood, peeling off his hoodie and shirt. Both Hana and Emiko froze—eyes wide at the network of scars across his chest.

「Well, Hana… I know enough that you don’t know the dark side of the Perfect Child Project.」

Hana’s heart skipped. 【No… that means Father was involved too…?】

Emiko’s thoughts churned. 【That explains his body… and those eyes. I can’t even imagine what he’s endured.】

JJ pulled his shirt and hoodie back on and clapped his hands once, snapping them from their trance.

「Still think I’m lying about your dad? Or do you want proof of why I hate him—specifically, and not your whole family?」

Hana inhaled slowly. 「Okay… first question. Who are you?」

JJ leaned back, tone even. 「Jerry Samuels. Son of a very powerful conglomerate family.」

Hana frowned. 【So he’s one of those—born rich, born strong, confident because of his name.】

「Alright… second question. If you’re from a powerful family, why do you have scars like that?」

JJ smirked faintly. 「You want it censored… or uncensored?」

Hana blinked. 「Uncensored.」

JJ’s eyes dimmed. 「Over thirty million. That’s how many I killed in the Second Scramble for Africa. Add thousands more from WW3. So, Hana… you’re talking to a war veteran.」

Both Hana and Emiko gasped.

Emiko’s voice trembled. 「You’re… really a war veteran?」

JJ chuckled softly. 「Yeah. Born on battlefields. Fighting’s all I know—thanks to the body I inherited from my mother.」

He gave a teasing grin. 「It’s also why… you loved it last night.」

「JJ!」 Emiko hissed, face red as she smacked his arm.

He laughed. 「Alright, alright. I’ll stop.」

Then he turned to Hana, grin returning. 「And that blush… maybe a little too much, don’t you think?」

「W-What?!」 Hana stammered.

JJ leaned closer, hand lightly cupping her cheek. 「No way. A clean woman often hides the dirtiest thoughts.」

Hana stiffened. 「I—I have no such thoughts.」

JJ smiled knowingly. 「No need to hide it. That’s why we’re dating—honesty, right?」

Emiko’s heart tightened. 【If that’s true… then I’m just in the way.】

Hana exhaled softly. 「Fine… I’ll admit it. So what if I do?」

JJ released her cheek. 「Then join us.」

Hana blinked. 「Huh?」

Emiko frowned. 「Us?」

JJ nodded casually. 「Yeah. That’s what I meant.」

At that moment, laughter echoed from the hall. Shizuko and Sora burst in.

「Papa! Papa! Papa!」 Shizuko called, running straight for him.

JJ chuckled. 「Calm down, marshmallow. Then speak.」

Shizuko noticed Hana and froze mid-step. 「Oh… hi, miss! You must be one of Papa’s guests.」

Hana bowed awkwardly. 「Y-yeah… I’m Hana. Nice to meet you.」

「You too! I’m Shizuko,」 she said proudly.

「Hi! I’m Sora!」 Sora chimed in.

Shizuko turned to JJ. 「Papa, tell Sora Godzilla’s stronger than King Kong.」

「Nuh-uh! King Kong’s stronger!」 Sora argued.

JJ raised his hands, grinning. 「Sorry girls… not even I know. But that three-headed dragon? Definitely stronger.」

Both girls stared flatly.

「Thought you were cool, Papa… guess not,」 Shizuko muttered, pouting.

「Next he’ll say filing taxes is an extreme sport!」 Sora added as they ran off.

JJ laughed softly, glancing at Emiko. 「Did I just get demoted?」

Emiko giggled. 「Pretty much.」

JJ leaned back, smile softening. Hana’s gaze lingered on him. 【He has children… with her? No, that can’t be right.】

「Third question,」 Hana said quietly. 「Your daughter—Shizuko. Where’s her mother?」

JJ’s face hardened briefly. 「Insensitive… but fine. Her family forced her into another marriage. A wealthy one. They were racist toward me. Shizuko doesn’t know—it happened six months after her birth.」

Hana’s eyes dimmed. 【To have your child rejected for something like that…】

Emiko bit her lip. 【I thought she passed away… so that’s the truth.】

JJ reached into his pocket, pulling out a small photo. His voice softened. 「That’s Maria. The first person who saw me as human—not a weapon. The first to teach me love.」

Hana’s voice dropped to a whisper. 「What happened to her?」

JJ’s tone grew heavy. 「The bullet meant for me… she took it instead.」

Both Hana and Emiko gasped.

Without hesitation, Emiko leaned forward and wrapped her arms around him. 「I… I’m so sorry for doubting you.」

JJ smiled faintly, pinning her lightly to the couch. 「Sympathetic Emiko? There’s a first for everything.」

「JJ! The kids might see us! And—your girlfriend—」

He laughed, cutting her off. 「I wasn’t kidding. She could join us. So, Hana… nay or yay?」

Hana closed her eyes, steadying her breath. 【I hate this… but if it gets me what I need…】

「Third question,」 she said. 「If I do… will you tell me everything about the PCP?」

JJ’s smirk widened into a grin. 「All the data files will be yours—tomorrow.」

Hana’s jaw tightened. 【It’s for business, not pleasure.】

「Fine. Let’s get this over with.」