Before I start, Let me say something real quick.

This is a work of fiction. Any real life characters and events that bear resemblance to this story are purely coincidental. The characters and events that exist inside this story come from my brain.

That should keep me off some shady organization's watch list.

I think.

2:00 PM

BGM: Caged Heart

I sit with my hands folded at the center of the table. The young man sits on the other side, leisurely eating a sandwich.

Guard "Good stuff. Want half? I'm sure they haven't fed you since this morning."

Isuka "Thank you, sir. You're very kind."

He politely hands me the other half of his sandwich. It's loaded with avocados, cheese, and honey-mustard.

Guard "So, why are you here?"

Isuka "You don't know?"

Guard "They just asked me to keep an eye on you. Make sure that you don't try to kill yourself, or something like that. Although I doubt that would happen."

Isuka "They think I'm a computer hacker."

Guard "Are you?"

Isuka "I may have the skill required to be one, but no. I'm an anti-virus programmer."

Our small talk is cut short when somebody pounds on the one-way mirror from the observation deck.

Intercom "Stop talking. That girl is a hacker who has already breached several corporations."

Isuka "Where is your proof? I assume you have some, correct?"

Intercom "The interrogator will be there soon enough, don't get your panties in a bunch."

Isuka "How rude."

After a medical checkup, they stripped me, stuck me in a padded cell in a straight-jacket, and held me there until the next day. They dragged me out of the cell in my straight-jacket and brought me here. I've been here for roughly half an hour or so. They were kind enough to unlock my jacket, but I'm still wearing it.

Finding out that Takehito was the one they wanted was a big shock to me. I didn't even think he could program, but here I am, sitting in an interrogation room in an unknown location, moments away from questioning. I still can't bring myself to believe that he abandoned me just like that, but every clue points to that fact. I have nothing left to do but accept it.

Not a moment after the rude intercom shouted at me, two men enter. The first one is the lovely gentleman that pointed a gun at me. The other is a familiar-looking old man in a business suit. It's the same old man that tried to hire me yesterday.

Isuka "What, you couldn't hire me, so you arrested me? What a sore old geezer."

Old Man "No, no, that's not it at all. I'm a detective, you see. I was seeking you out so that I could catch you in the act of illegal hacking."

Isuka "I try to stay away from people like that for a good reason."

Old Man "And you did a good job of it. However, someone you know has not stayed away from those people. This person is known as "Yuto", which is just a pseudonym, I'm sure you know."

Isuka "You're trying to tell me that someone I know is a hacker for hire?"

Old Man"Yes. Specifically, your brother. "Takehito" isn't a name you hear every day, is it? Neither is "Isuka". Your brother used an abbreviation of his real name for his activities. Not a very smart decision."

That's what I thought. Takehito is gone now. He left me as bait for the law and vanished into thin air.

"I'm sorry. Goodbye."

I heave a deep sigh.

Isuka "Even if all of that is true, why am I here? And why am I wearing this thing?"

Old man "You're charged as an accessory. It's low, I know, but it's effective."

Isuka "What was your original intention if you caught Takehito instead of me?"

Old Man "Well, there's this nasty little group of cyber terrorists that we need tracked down. We were planning on using you as leverage against him to make him cooperate."

Isuka "How nasty is this group?"

Old Man "They've been hacking into the police database and stealing the addresses of police families. There have already been several families targeted. Robbery, kidnapping, and even murder. We haven't figured out their motive, but they have to be stopped."

Isuka "I'll do it. But I have two conditions."

The man in casual clothing speaks up, having been quiet the entire time.

Detective "You aren't in any position to bargain. Besides, you're not the one we're looking for."

Isuka "Please, hear me out. They are both simple, and easy to fufill."

Detective "Like I said, you aren't-"

Old Man "Tell me what you want."

I take a deep breath and speak my first request."

BGM: Standing Tall

Isuka "I want to go to school."

The room goes quiet.

Detective "What?"

Isuka "I said: I want to go to school."

Detective "I heard that part, but what do you mean by that?"

Isuka "My father hasn't let my attend a public school since 6th grade due to a heart condition. It's been online lessons and homeschooling for as long as I can remember. I want to attend a public school. I want to experience high-school life while I'm still a teenager."

The room is entirely quiet.

Old Man "That can be done."

Detective "Sir! I respectively ask that you do not grant her requests like that."

Old Man "What's the harm? It'll give her extra motivation!"

The old man lets out a long gravelly laugh at his younger partner.

Old Man "Now, then. What's this second request you have?"

Isuka "I want this detective here to pay for everything he damaged or broke on my property. That includes my heart."

The old man widens his eyes and laughs even harder. At one point, he even slaps his hand against the tabletop.

Old Man "Done!"

Detective "Sir! I object!"

The old man stops laughing and stares at his partner.

Old Man "How long have we been after Yuto?"

Detective "...Two years, sir."

Old Man "How many times has he escaped from us?"

Detective "...Several times, sir."

Old Man "Now. Tell me the odds of us catching him before the next attack."

The detective is silent. He stares back at his boss with fear written on his face.

Old Man "That's what I thought. I want this done as soon as possible, before another family gets hurt. The girl is as capable as Yuto. After all, our best lab techie wasn't able to access her laptop. And she's our best chance right now."

After a few moments of silence, I speak up.

Isuka "Does this mean I'm hired?"

Old Man "Yes. Guard, can you escort our new colleague to the evidence room to collect her items?"

Guard "Yes, sir."

I follow the polite young guard through the hallway.

BGM: Off

Once I'm done with this, I'm going to hunt you down like a dog, Takehito.

And then I'll find out why you just tossed me away to save your own skin.

Sorry for the short chapter. It's only the prologue, so I would like to avoid dragging it on too long. R&R Please!