● Illusory ●

Chapter 22

I paused, then nodded, deciding that it would be best to leave it to Yuuko. She's Seiko's sister after all, and Kalle would probably only answer to family. I'm just some person he's probably trying to ward off anyways. He'd probably just give me fake answers and send me on a goose chase just for the hell of it.

Though, as Yuuko left me, my urge to confront Kalle myself didn't die. In fact, it only grew. It wouldn't leave me alone, and kept telling me to talk to him anyways, just to see what kind of answers I get, and maybe to tell him that I'm tired of all the questions about my past. I'm changed now, right!? What does it matter if I've already owned up and apologized!? My past isn't the me that is here in the present!

I don't know, maybe I'd never get any answers from him, like there's no answers as to why my powers surged with my overflowing emotions last night. Either way though, I was going to confront him no matter what.

I want to see what kind of answers I can get out of him.

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The Next Day

Nadine

The car ride to Agloe building was long as always, but unusually silent. In all my years of having Yuuko by my side, she's always said something during these rides to Agloe or even other places, but today she didn't even say a peep. It made me concerned, but I didn't bother her about it. Maybe she was just having a bad day today, and didn't want to rant about it. I can understand.

Though, when we exited the car in front of Agloe and informed Xavier--who was our escort today--of what time the meeting should end, Yuuko pulled me aside before we could open the elaborate doors of the building, taking both of my hands into hers. There was a concerned look on her face, one that warned me of possible danger for reasons unknown. "Nadine," she started in a serious tone, the absence of her usual use of 'Miss' before my name surprising me, "Listen, I recently heard something about Mr. Powell's son that we may need to investigate. It has something to do with my sister, and it's quite urgent."

I paused a moment, then nodded. "What's it about though, Yuuko? Does Kalle know something about where she went?" I asked. Yuuko only blinked.

"Eh...maybe. It might to lead to that. It's just....Alex said Lilly had told them something about Kalle possibly hurting her, and I wanted to get some honest answers from Kalle," she admitted, "After all, if we're being truthful here, the Powells are kind of shady."

I sighed. "You're not wrong, Ko," I agreed, absentmindedly calling her by her old nickname. I then gave her an assured smile. "I'll see if we can pull Kalle aside and talk to him. Both of us can."

Yuuko smiled then, a rare occurrence that seemed to only happen every eighty-four years. It was a delight I've always liked to see. "Alright, thank you....Deenie," she said, before we both ended up giggling over my old nickname. I believe it was the only nickname I have ever liked, other than 'Diamond'.

Our hands stayed intertwined for a moment, before they disconnected as we entered Agloe, returning to our roles as serious women here to do business. Once inside, we were met in the lobby by Mr. Roland Powell, Kalle, and the youngest Powell, Marika, as well as a few guards dressed in white cloaks with their hoods hiding only their eyes and hair. I was used to the presence of these guards, though nonetheless they always seemed unsettling to me. I almost always felt like they were vengeful ghosts that constantly watched my every move. Either way, I knew they were only additions to Mr. Powell's odd and weird aesthetic.

"Ah, Miss Neverland, it's wonderful to see you again," Mr. Powell greeted me, before turning to Yuuko, his smile faltering slightly, "And you as well, Miss Kobayashi."