Chapter 2: Parallel Paths

"Here you are Miss Hyousetsu, enjoy." The nice old butler said. He set down her usual honey mint tea and chocolate mousse cake.

She just came back from the Public Safety Bureau after receiving an email that she was accepted as their new forensic pathologist. She was also able to meet Akane Tsunemori who scored the highest during the exam. It's funny how one point can make a big difference. She smoothed out her gray pencil skirt that she paired with a black long-sleeved V-neck and black stilettos.

She loosened her jet black hair that was tied in a bun and it fall past her shoulders. She brought out a book with an oil painting of a house entitled Crome Yellow by Aldous Huxley on the cover page.

Halfway through her phone vibrated with an unknown number calling. "Yes, who's this?" She said bringing down the book.

"I can't say I'm not disappointed in you." The person said.

Hermia placed the cup back to the saucer that was almost on her lips. "Wrong number. Good bye."

He chuckled. "What fools these mortals be."

She recognized the line said by the fairy named Puck from one of Shakespeare's comedy. Was the person from the other line mocking her just because her name was derived from one of his plays?

"Midsummer Night's Dream." And as she spoke she instantly knew who it was. "Mr. Shogo Makishima, so glad to hear from you again."

"Sorry to interrupt your afternoon tea." His usual calm voice is heard even through the phone.

Hermia sat atop a skyscraper that overlooked the whole city, it was bordered by tall glass windows and there were only a few people there.

She took a sip and savored the taste. "You're welcome to join me."

There was a long pause followed by footsteps. Then the footsteps suddenly stopped beside her. Makishima gave her a sideways glance and sat on the chair in front of her. "Hello again, Mr. Shogo." She greeted warmly.

A serious look replaced his calm demeanor. Hermia couldn't read him, it was usually an easy thing for her but she knew he was different from the moment they met at the empty court.

"A few days ago we were on the same side but now," she started, "I can't say we still are but I'm not on the other as well."

He wore a green pullover and sat with his back straight. "No one can stay neutral without both sides targeting them. If one isn't with the other they are still branded as a threat. You cannot choose not to choose a side."

"What you said about the Sibyl System reminded me of a chapter in Orwell's novel called Nineteen Eighty-Four." Her hands clasped beneath her chin.

"Oh? How so?" His eyes gleamed with interest.

"I quote, you cannot let your mind wander around so freely within a range of a telescreen." She added with a low voice. "The smallest thing can give you away. A nervous tic, an unconscious look of anxiety, a habit of muttering to yourself-anything that carried with it the suggestion of abnormality, of having something to hide."

"It kind of resembles the present, doesn't it? Except in the book they didn't achieve their goal in 2050." She shrugged. "I have too much conscience to risk innocent people's lives just for the sake of satiating this intense desire of mine. I guess you can say I'm too nice to even do such a thing."

"So, you choose to be part of the flock than be a shepherd." He said more of a statement than a question. "Believe me when I tell you, those who are the nicest usually become the most notorious criminals."

Then a knowing smile made its way on his lips. "I've only known one person who liked using books as a reference on their daily lives, aside from me." He stood up. "I do hope, the day will come when you're going to use the contents of that briefcase."

"Am I not entitled to any consequences for disappointing you?" Her gray eyes watched his amber ones. She still doesn't know what's running inside his head.

He started walking past her. "All that happens means something; nothing you do is ever insignificant."

She shook her head, it was the very line she'd just read from her book a few minutes ago. The Bureau will have their hands full with Mr. Shogo, the question is, how will they catch him and what will he do next? She smiled, she never knew taking the job would make her a spectator to his grand orchestra.