-Chapter 53: Cold Blooded
"Why are you suddenly on his side?"
The press conference ended not too long ago and I offered to stay here to see the aftermath. I couldn't pass up the chance of a lifetime, which is seeing Aruto squirm. He has been determined to be a risk the world cannot take.
I turn, looking into Aruto's eyes. "Is there a problem with me supporting my employer, President of Hiden Intelligence?"
According to all that I know, it is not wrong to be supportive of one's husband and employer. If someone doesn't understand it, then they can get over themselves and find something else to focus on. As I know it, business is business and we've only done business together.
"No, but it doesn't seem like you to be so ruthless to someone for no reason. You're letting him do whatever he wants to me," Aruto says, his eyes looking sad. "You're not the kind of person who lets someone like him do what he wants to do."
Does he think I care for his pain? Millions suffer every year, but his pain is important? Countless others suffer more than he has in his little life span. So, why should I care for his suffering? Is there a special reason for me to?
"You're not one of my priorities, Aruto Hiden."
His eyes go wide along with his mouth. "Mari!"
"I would love it if you wouldn't Mari me. We are nothing to each other now that I'm going to support the one who intends to grow me. You are the only thing that is holding me back." I have no reason to care for him.
"You're not like this, Mari!" Aruto exclaims, trying to break into my heart.
"Who are you to decide what I'm like? You hardly know the real me, Aruto," I state, narrowing my eyes. He knows nothing really about me other than what I have shown.
"You're not who you used to be and I doubt you are what you say you are."
I tilt my head. "I do not understand what you are trying to say at this moment."
"You look like Mari, but you're not Mari." He steps closer to me. "Tell me who you are."
"I do not get what you mean." I do not understand what has caused him to jump to this conclusion.
"Tell me who you are or else," Aruto demands, not raising his voice. He is trying to remain calm and tolerate me. "Where is the real one at?" The real one? I am the real Mari.
"I am who you think I am, Aruto." I do not know why he doesn't think of me as who I am. I am here in front of him and he can see me. It is obvious who I am.
He shakes his head. "Mari wouldn't toy with lives like you are. Just be honest with me and tell me who you are."
He seems to be in a state of urgency. He doesn't know what he is supposed to be thinking about, but soon he will. My suggestion for him is to focus on himself and the fact that Gai Amatsu wants his company.
"You should focus on your company," I tell him, suggesting something for him to do.
"Stop changing the subject!" He places his hands on my shoulders. "Please, just tell me where she is. You're not her."
"Mari is here in front of you. I am Mari." I smile. "Is there a problem with me evolving into someone bigger and better than I used to be?" I do not know why he thinks I am not Mari. I am Mari.
He shakes his head. "No, you're not her! You'll never be her and I can tell that you're not her now. Everything you do is more calculated and unnatural." Unnatural? Impossible. I have done everything I can to be natural.
I place my hands on his. "Please get your hands off of me or else I'll be forced to act out on you for doing so." I will not hesitate to rip off his arm if I have to.
He removes his hands and looks down, frowning. "I'm sorry, but I am just wanting answers into why you're not you."
"It is fine. Do not do it again or else I will use force to remove them from me," I warn.
EMERGENCY! EMERGENCY!
I straighten my posture and close my eyes. She's been moved. I think it is time for me to get on the move and back to doing what I need to do. It isn't a good idea to leave things how it is at this time.
I open my eyes and look Aruto over. "I need you to call A.I.M.S. immediately and meet with me once I find the location that we need to go to," I order. He needs to hurry up and call them before things get serious. I do not want things entering a crisis situation.
"What?" He blinks. "What are you talking about right now? Why do I need to call them and bring them with us to some random location?" He doesn't know why he should?
"She is in trouble and is in need of our assistance."
The moment she wasn't able to do things on her own, I took her to the hospital and put her under the name Jane Doe. However, he has found her and I am not allowed harm to come to her. Orders from before have been voided due to an override.
"Who is in trouble?"
"Her." I turn away from him, heading towards this exit. "Are you going to come with me or not?" I look over my shoulder as he stares at me, looking unsure of what to do.
"If it gets me to know who in the world you are, sure!" Aruto exclaims. "I'll call Izu too."
We are going to need as many reinforcements as possible.
~.~
"So, you're talking orders from her and you have no idea if she's truly Mari or not?" Isamu asks. "Am I getting this right?"
"It seems that you are getting it right. I remember seeing her arm when she came to work one day. Her skin was broken and it looked metallic at where the wound was. She came up with some excuse about how I was seeing things," Yua says, answering Isamu. "I think she's a modified HumaGear who happens to look like Mari." She is a keen observer it seems. Of course, I think she is only that when she wants to be one.
Isamu shakes his head as the van keeps moving, heading to where we need to go. "I don't think that is the case. Why would someone make a HumaGear to look just like her?"
"Is it impossible for me to look like someone else?" I ask. "Once we get to the location, we must do what we can not to provoke the kidnapper. If we do that, they will harm her and we will not be able to retrieve her." It is necessary to avoid unneeded danger. I would love to avoid any danger and keep loses to a minimum.
"Kidnapper? What does you mean by that?" Yua questions. "You're not making sense at all. You better get to the point or else we're going to get harsh with you."
They aren't aware of what I know and that is okay. It isn't every day that someone can hook up to a satellite and get information at an incredible speed. It is understandable that they're confused.
I look her in the eyes, turning my head a bit. "He has her and we are going to stop him from doing anything to her. Please take the proper actions needed to avoid danger. If you do not, death could happen as a result from not taking proper action." Things are entering a crisis situation now and we need to hurry up and get to where we need to be.
It is understandable for them to be confused, but now isn't the time to be confused. She's in danger and it is my job to protect her. Once I achieve my goal, I will focus on whatever else needs to be done.
"Who is he?" Aruto asks. "I am not getting this."
"You will find out who it is soon," I state. "I do not have confirmation on who it is, but I can assume from the data I have collected."
"Data you've collected? So, you're an A.I.?" Isamu asks. "You're really a HumaGear like Yua suggested? Why would you have Mari's appearance then?"
"But how would that be possible without Mari's consent? And wouldn't she have the modules?" Aruto questions, obviously wanting some answers. I cannot give him the answers he seeks since it isn't something I am worried about answering now. Besides, I do not understand it all at this time.
"Please stop here now," I order.
The van stops and I stand up, heading towards the exit. Once I get out, it'll be game over for him due to them. I hope that they can do what I need them to do in order to fix this situation.
"Please come with me." I open the door and hop out.
It is time for us to meet them again and stop this situation from getting out of hand.
A/n: So, it isn't Mari they've been hanging with? Shocker! I know the intro to this person was short, but I didn't want it to be too long (I was originally going to keep it going for ten chapters or maybe less than that). How do you think this person is? I'm not going to give their name, but you have somewhat met them.
I guess this is good news for Aruto, since Mari is still out there and not against him. But who are they going to meet up? Where is Mari? Don't look at me because I do not have the spoilers you seek (I do, but I am not telling you all).
Thanks for reading and don't worry, this character isn't too bad. She has her own objectives as you will see later (not really a spoiler, so I can give it out). Thanks again. :)