Bureau of the Past

A picture of the president slid into the frame on top of two pictures of Sanae and Risa performing.

"That's right," the mask said. "Our president's daughters were born sixteen years ago and we never knew."

I glanced at Sanae and Risa, whose faces were pale as if they had seen a ghost. Even Butcher seemed shocked, in addition to Aki and Umi. Everyone's jaws dropped. When I called Sanae in the morning, she told me they had already seen the headline, but seeing it like this only made it worse.

"You might be wondering why he hid something like that. It's only natural for a married couple to want kids, right? Right? Nope!"

Suddenly, the president's picture moved aside and a picture of an unknown woman appeared.

I don't like where this is going.

"Meet Mariko Tanaka, a maid who used to work at the president's home and the mother of the president's daughters."

Eh?

The crowd next to the person recording the video started roaring on the streets. We could barely hear what the mask was saying anymore.

Sanae and Risa started trembling; I didn't know if it was out of fear or anger—or both. Butcher approached them and placed his hands on their shoulders.

Wait. Didn't the president get married sixteen years ago? Maybe he wasn't married yet.

The mask continued, "Some of you might be thinking that he probably wasn't married yet since he got married sixteen years ago. And you're correct."

See?

"However, he had been engaged for one year already."

Shit.

"This is a lot to swallow, huh? And although a lot of people believe me because of my prior exposures, the majority won't. But it's as easy as this: if what I'm saying are all lies, the president can easily prove it by taking a DNA test along with his supposed daughters. But since I'm not lying, I suggest you confess before I release the evidence I have gathered, Mr. President."

Did he really threaten the president? Just who is this guy?

The mask sighed. "Gathering evidence wasn't easy, you know? There are no documents and barely any traces—"

Suddenly, the screen went black. A couple of seconds later, the screen displayed the normal advertisements it was supposed to show. They had cut him off.

It took them a bit, huh?

Everyone at the table remained silent. Sanae teared up a little, while Risa and Butcher comforted her. Aki, Umi, and I glanced at each other not knowing what to say for a while. I stood up, headed to the bathroom, and knocked on the door.

"Astra?"

Even though she didn't reply, I could hear her sobs. I knocked again.

"Astra, please let's talk—"

She opened the door. She had deactivated her HoloForm, returning to her real appearance. I was startled at first, but I felt normal after a second.

"Am I scary?" she asked. "Do I look funny?"

"You look different. You come from a different planet; I can't help but look at you with curiosity. Is that bad?"

"Not really…. But people used to be scared or they would make fun of me after I arrived on this planet. Then I decided to get the surgery once I turned sixteen and leave my past… well, in the past."

"Everyone did that?"

"Most of them. Some were very nice to me, so I was able to enjoy my childhood thanks to them."

"And you want to leave your past behind because of the bad experiences?"

She nodded. "That's the main reason. But I also want to become a new person. A person born on Earth."

I smiled. "Well, that's your decision and we'll support you through it. Still, I find it cool that you're from another planet."

"Really?"

I nodded. "I'm sure most people do. You were just unlucky to stumble upon those bullies."

"What about the people that get scared?"

"You can't hide the fact that you're different. It's normal for some people to get scared; they might have seen different species in videos and pictures but not in real life. Just give them some time and they will get used to it. You could even perform with your real—"

"No, thanks," she interrupted. "I already said I want to leave it in the past."

"Right, sorry. I have a request, though. But I'll tell you later."

Confused, she stared at me.

I continued, "I promise you this situation won't affect you at all."

She smiled and nodded. She reactivated her HoloForm and her appearance was quickly camouflaged under optical panels to reveal the real, new, Astra.

We returned to the kitchen and Aki smiled at Astra. It was close to the bathroom, so they heard everything. Astra sat down and I stood still. Sanae swept her tears away with her arms.

"Sorry," she apologized. "We don't know them at all, so there's no reason to cry. Still, it's shocking. And I don't know if I should feel angry, disappointed, or happy that we finally know who our parents are."

It's still not certain but, from the way the people and the reporters reacted, it probably is.

"We are together in this," Risa said.

"She's right," Butcher added. "Not only do you have each other, but you also have me and your friends."

Sanae sobbed. "Thank you, but what do we do now?"

"The person in the most trouble after this is the president," I replied. "I got threatened last week by some guy. It sounded similar to the mask from the video, but I'm not sure if they are the same."

"You got threatened?" Aki asked, worried.

I nodded. "He asked for one million terras not to spill our secrets."

"And why didn't you tell us?" Umi asked.

"Not to make you anxious; you already had a lot going on with the performances. Don't worry, I hung up and went straight to the police. But even they don't know what to do. Now I wonder if he was going to spill everything anyway."

"Probably," Butcher replied. "It was smart not to listen to him."

"Well, I didn't have the money anyway, so…," I giggled.

Suddenly, my glasses started vibrating. It was an official call from the government.

Oh god.

I answered. "Hello?"

"Mr. Kaito Miyahara," a feminine voice said. "We are calling from the National Bureau of Business Treasury to request your presence today at the Central Saitama Court at seventeen o'clock. Please confirm your attendance."

About to ask why, I stopped myself. Who am I kidding? Everyone knows why already.

Hesitant, I replied, "I will be there."

"Understood. Please make note that skipping the session after confirming your attendance will result in another infraction that you will need to justify. Thank you for understanding."

The call abruptly ended. I let out a long sigh and sat down.

"Who was it?" Aki wondered.

"The department of business treasury. They want me to be in court at seventeen."

"I see…. I guess Sanae and Risa didn't have contracts because they weren't registered as citizens, right?"

"Precisely."

"You didn't know your last names for sixteen years?" Umi asked Sanae and Risa.

They shook their heads.

"That means you didn't go to school?" Astra asked.

They shook their heads again.

"Enough questions," I said. "We need to think about what to do—"

My glasses vibrated again. I already had them on, so I quickly saw it was another call from the government.

What now?

I sighed and answered. "Hello?"

"Kaito Miyahara?" a man asked.

Wait. Where have I heard that voice?

"Yes," I replied. "Who is this?"

"I'm glad you answered. I'm Satoshi Okazaki, Japan's president."

I jumped out of the chair and sputtered.

"Mr. President! I didn't think you would call."

"There's no need for such etiquette, please call me Mr. Okazaki. How shall I call you?"

"K-Kaito is fine."

"Okay, Kaito, I imagine you already saw the news."

"I did. Me and the girls were surrounded by reporters just coming out of our homes."

"That sounds awful. I hope everyone is fine."

"We are."

"Wonderful."

We stayed silent for a moment. Should I say something?

"Kaito."

"Y-Yes?"

"I imagine you know why I'm calling."

"Because of Sanae and Risa?"

He stayed silent.

"Mr. President—I mean, Mr. Okazaki?"

"Excuse me," he giggled. "Yes, I'm calling because of them. However, I wouldn't like to speak about such an important matter through a call. Is it fine for you to come to my home? You, Sanae, and Risa."

"W-What? Are you sure? I don't think being seen going to your home will help alleviate the situation."

"Worry not. A car will pick you up and bring you here without being noticed. Is that okay?"

Thoughtful, I remained silent.

Is it necessary? He's the one in the most trouble, but it wouldn't be bad to have the president on our side. And Sanae and Risa will be able to get registered as citizens and maybe fix their relationship with their parents. Should I ask them? I should.

"Please give me a moment," I said.

"Sure."

I put the call on hold. Did I really just put the president on hold?

"Sanae, Risa. The president wants to talk to the three of us at his home. Is that okay with you?"

Pale, they stared at me. Neither was sure of what the best decision was. I would've felt the same if I was in their position.

"Go," Butcher said. "Go and confront him once and for all. Let him know how much you've struggled and make him jealous that I had the pleasure of raising you."

"Butcher…," Risa reacted, perplexed.

Sanae and Risa looked at each other before nodding.

"We will go," Sanae concluded.

With a smile, I resumed the call.

"I'm really sorry for making you wait."

"No worries. So, did you make a decision?"

"Yes, we will come."