We wrapped up all the paperwork with Maxson early in the morning so it could be submitted to the office.
Once we finished, we both breathed a heavy sigh of relief.
We headed to a restaurant — Taidan.
While eating, we talked about possible designs for the restaurant we were planning to build.
Until he asked me a question.
"You seemed to really enjoy yourself over there. How was it?" he asked, taking a bite of his sandwich.
I looked at him sharply and tilted my head slightly.
"I had fun. You? You seem really happy here… ladies' man."
I said it with a smirk as I sipped my juice.
He grinned and stared at me.
"Jealous?"
I almost choked on my drink.
I laughed a little.
"Oh please," I said, which only made him laugh harder.
Then he stopped and turned serious.
"I just gathered some intel on that woman. You know how it is." He winked at me.
I rolled my eyes and looked out the window.
That reminded me of the message I received yesterday.
Should I tell him?
Maxson has a lot of sources and is very sharp. He might uncover the reason behind the messages — and who's behind them.
But if I told him… he'd find out about me.
Well… it's not like I've been hiding it.
It's just… I don't want to add more problems to their lives.
Theirs is peaceful now.
I don't want to stir things up or make them deal with my issues.
But are they really his issues… or mine?
I remembered…
Back when Captain Zeid was about to marry his second wife, Kaito was chasing an artifact hidden in the White House.
If that artifact was one of the keys to whatever they were after, it must be incredibly important for what's to come.
Another issue? Me.
Why do they want me? Why do they want to pull me into their plans?
Even now, I still don't fully understand my role in their schemes.
But whatever it is… I need to be careful.
What if I told the Captain-Commander?
He'd definitely understand.
Besides, he might already know about my case — or have an idea why I came back to life.
And if he didn't… he could still help with this problem.
Especially since we'd already talked about the letter I received twenty years ago.
Maybe I should.
I just need to ask for a little time with the Captain-Commander.
---
After sending the letter to Squad One's station, I decided to visit Squad 4's station to talk to Zeid.
I also wanted to find out what intel they'd gathered about Kaito.
"What are you doing here?" Captain Chen asked, raising an eyebrow in surprise.
I smiled.
"I just want to talk."
"I don't have time," he said, brushing past me.
He entered their station, but I followed.
The guards tried to stop me, but I glared at them and kept going straight for Zeid.
"Wait — just a few minutes!" I said, grabbing his arm.
He stopped and pulled his arm away, glaring at me.
"What is this?" he asked irritably.
"Can we talk somewhere private?" I replied.
He clicked his tongue and kept walking.
"Hey—!"
"Follow me."
Ugh, still so grumpy. I thought he was changing.
But I followed him anyway.
We went to his office — barely changed since the last time I was there.
My eyes landed on a desk with a photo on it.
Mmm? A photo of me? (As Mira?)
I was wearing a kimono and smiling brightly.
I didn't know he still had a picture of me displayed in his office.
I didn't know… but I smiled.
He noticed and looked at me — saw that I was staring at the photo of his late wife.
He walked over, flipped the photo face-down, and looked at me with an unreadable expression.
I shook my head and smiled.
"Don't say anything. I know all about… how you used to have a wife who looked exactly like me." I even pointed at my own face.
"Tsk. Just tell me why you wanted to talk. What do you need?"
I sighed and looked out the window.
"I know this might sound strange, but I need a clear answer. I think it's important."
I turned to him.
"Twenty years ago, your first wife died. But before that, in the same year, someone sent her a letter using a crossbow. A threat? Something like that. Do you think it's connected to the Kaito case?"
He furrowed his brow.
Probably wondering why I was asking now — and how I knew about it.
But instead of questioning me, he answered.
"Yes, we've thought about that. But back when we were in Poz. When we found out Kaito and his brother were traitors. We only fully confirmed it recently after investigating them."
"About the intel you gathered… I know it's highly classified, but could you tell me what you know?" I asked.
He looked at me for a long moment before shaking his head.
"It's classified. That means I can't share any details."
I sighed again and walked back to the desk.
I picked up the photo and showed it to him.
"Twenty years ago, she died — and you never knew why Kaito targeted her. Why did they need her? Why was she the key?"
I stepped closer.
"Captain Chen, I know you're just doing your job. But right now, I also know you'll never catch who's really behind all this — because you're hitting a dead end. Even if the siblings or the duchess confess… do you think it'll be the truth? And even if it is… do you think you can find someone who's good at hiding? That's all I'm saying, Captain. You need an ace."
I said, pointing at the photo.
"You're saying Mira is our ace — to catch whoever's responsible for what happened back then?"
"And maybe even for what's happening now," I added.
He furrowed his brow again.
"Are you mocking me? Mira is dead," he said.
His expression changed when he said it — but he remained calm.
I smiled.
"But not me."
He stopped and stared at me.
"What… do you mean?"
"We can make a plan. I'll tell you when you agree to share the intel you've gathered."
I said with a smile.
He stared at me for a long time before sighing.
"How can I trust you?"
"How should I know? If I say I'm trustworthy and you don't believe me… then what's the point?" I replied.
"Tsk. Fine. I'll tell you. But why are you so interested in a case you weren't even part of? And how do you know these things? No one else knows except people close to Mira."
"That's exactly why," I said.
"I heard the stories from them."
"Tsk. Eisha?"
"Could be."
He stared at me in silence before finally looking away and exhaling.
"Sit down. I'll tell you."
I smiled.
"Yes!! Finally—"
"Be quiet, woman."