Chapter 6: Pocket

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Translator: Soafp

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It was Saturday, the day to buy some new clothes. As I stood in front of my wardrobe, contemplating what outfit I should buy, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of excitement bubbling within me.

Today was the day of my date with Hana, and I wanted to look my best for her.

After much deliberation, I settled on a casual yet stylish ensemble—a crisp white shirt paired with dark jeans and a sleek leather jacket.

It was a look that I hoped would impress Hana without appearing too formal.

With my outfit chosen, I tucked my wallet and keys into the right pocket of my spring jacket before heading out the door.

The sun was shining brightly overhead, casting a warm glow over the bustling streets as I made my way towards the shopping district.

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As I walked through the bustling streets, my mind was consumed with thoughts of tomorrow’s date with Hana.

The anticipation of spending the day with her filled me with excitement, and I couldn’t help but smile at the thought of all the adventures we would embark on together.

But first, I had a task at hand—finding the perfect outfit for our date. As I strolled past the various shops lining the street, I couldn’t help but browse through the displays, searching for something that would impress Hana.

Despite my eagerness, I found myself hesitating in front of the boutique windows, unsure of what to choose. The array of options was overwhelming, and I couldn’t seem to settle on a particular style or color.

After some deliberation, I decided to hold off on making a purchase.

Tomorrow is our date, and I wanted to make sure I found the perfect outfit to match the occasion. With determination in my heart.

As I wandered through the streets, my eyes couldn’t help but notice the increased police presence in the area.

Patrol cars lined the streets, their flashing lights casting an eerie glow against the surrounding buildings.

Officers stood watch at various intersections, their stern expressions hinting at an underlying tension in the air.

Curiosity piqued, I couldn’t help but wonder what had prompted such a heightened police presence. Had there been an incident nearby? Or perhaps some sort of public event that required additional security measures?

“…I don’t know what it is, but it shouldn’t matter to me.”

Shaking off the distraction and refocusing on my original mission.

As I resumed my stroll down the bustling streets, lost in my thoughts about the date and the peculiar police presence, I suddenly felt a bump against my shoulder, causing me to stumble slightly.

“Ah, my mistake.”

Turning around, I caught a glimpse of a mysterious figure disappearing into the crowd before I could fully register their appearance.

“What was that?”

Feeling a sense of unease creeping over me. I shook off the feeling and continued with my shopping.

As I was about to resume my shopping, I felt a gentle tap on my shoulder, prompting me to turn around. To my surprise, I was met with the sight of two police officers standing behind me.

“Good afternoon, young man. Yesterday, there was a fight in the vicinity, and we’re conducting a search. Would you mind if we performed a brief body search?”

Surprised by the sudden request, I hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to respond. While I had nothing to hide, the idea of being subjected to a body search by the police was still unnerving.

“Um, sure, officer. But may I ask why you need to search me?”

One of the officers nodded, understanding my apprehension.

“We’re just conducting a routine search to ensure everyone’s safety and to gather any potential evidence related to the incident. It won’t take long, and we’ll be as discreet as possible.”

With a deep breath, I reluctantly consented, hoping to cooperate as best as I could. The officers proceeded to pat me down methodically, checking for any concealed objects or weapons.

After a thorough search, they stepped back and pulled something out of my pocket.

It was a switch blade.

My eyes widened in shock as I stared at the forbidden object in disbelief. How did it get there? I couldn’t recall ever purchasing such a weapon, let alone carrying it with me.

“I swear, officers, I have no idea how that got there. I’ve never seen that knife before in my life!”

My protests fell on deaf ears as the officers exchanged a knowing glance, their expressions grim and unyielding.

“Save it for the station, kid. You’re coming with us.”

“Please, listen to me. I really have no idea how it was in my pocket.

“Yeah yeah. You are not the first one who said this.”

With a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach, I realized that I was in serious trouble. How could I possibly explain this to my family? And what would happen to my plans for the date with Hana tomorrow?

As the officers led me away, my mind raced with a flurry of unanswered questions, each one more daunting than the last. It was a nightmare come to life, and I had no idea how I would ever wake up from it.

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I found myself seated in a dimly lit room at the police station, the cold metal bars separating me from the outside world. Anxiety gnawed at my insides as I waited for someone to come to my aid.

A police officer approached me, his expression stern as he requested my parent’s contact information.

“Please provide us with your parent’s contact details so we can inform them of the situation.”

With a heavy heart, I reluctantly recited the phone numbers, each digit feeling like a weight upon my conscience. How would my parents react to this news? Would they believe me when I told them about the switchblade that mysteriously appeared in my pocket?

As the officer disappeared to make the call, I sank back against the cold, hard bench, feeling utterly helpless and alone. The events of the day had spiraled out of control so quickly, leaving me trapped in a nightmare of my own making.

All I could do now was wait, hoping against hope that my parents would arrive soon and help me navigate this seemingly insurmountable crisis.

But with each passing moment, the weight of uncertainty bore down upon me, threatening to crush whatever semblance of hope remained.

As seconds turned into minutes, and minutes stretched into hours, the suffocating sense of uncertainty seemed to grow with each passing moment.

Alone in the stark confines of the police station, time felt like an endless void, swallowing me whole as I grappled with the weight of my predicament.

I replayed the events of the day over and over in my mind, searching for any clues or explanations that could shed light on how a switchblade had found its way into my pocket.

But the more I tried to make sense of it, the more elusive the answers became, leaving me with nothing but a sense of bewilderment and frustration.

“Wait a second.”

I muttered to myself, a spark of realization igniting within me.

Could it be that the switchblade had been planted on me during that brief but impactful collision?

The more I pondered the possibility, the more it seemed to make sense. The timing was too coincidental, the circumstances too suspicious to be dismissed as mere chance.

“But why?”

What possible motive could they have for orchestrating this elaborate deception?

As I was pondering, I heard the door open and my parents walked in.

“Mom, Dad!”

I called out to them, my voice tinged with a mixture of relief and apprehension.

As I glanced up at my parents, their expressions painted a tumultuous picture of emotions – disappointment, anger, and sorrow mingled together in a stormy tableau.

“Ryota…. I am so disappointed in you.”

My father’s voice resonated with a depth of disappointment I had never witnessed before.

The weight of his words hung heavily in the air, piercing through me like a dagger, leaving me speechless in their wake.

My mother’s eyes shimmered with unshed tears, her voice choked with emotion as she struggled to find the right words to convey her sorrow.

“….”

But nothing came out.

“Please, listen to me. I have no idea how that switch blade came out of my pocket. I swear, it is not mine.”

“ENOUGH RYOTA. You have caused enough havoc.”

Why…

Why would he not believe me…

Why would he not believe his own blood related son…

Tears welled up in my eyes as I struggled to make sense of the situation. The room felt suffocatingly small, the walls closing in around me as I grappled with the overwhelming sense of betrayal and isolation.

“I’m telling the truth.”

I insisted, my voice barely a whisper, drowned out by the weight of my father’s condemnation.

But my words fell on deaf ears, lost amidst the tempest of emotions raging within the room. With a heavy heart, I bowed my head in defeat, the bitter taste of injustice lingering on my tongue.

“How long does he have to stay here, officer?”

“He has to stay at least for a week. We have to ask him some question regarding the fight and where he got this switch blade.”

“You mean…the fight that happened yesterday?”

My mother finally spoke.

“The very same.”

The officer confirmed with a solemn nod, his expression grave.

“… I wasn’t involved in that fight. I don’t know anything about it.”

I protested, desperation creeping into my voice.

The officer regarded me with a skeptical gaze, his eyes narrowing slightly as he studied me.

“We’ll need to ask you some questions down at the station. It’s standard procedure in situations like this.”

His tone was firm but not unkind.

My father, his expression a mixture of disappointment and frustration, turned away without another word. My mother, her face etched with concern, followed him, casting one last worried glance in my direction before disappearing from view.

As my parents left, the officer also turned to depart, leaving me alone in the dimly lit room. The silence that followed was deafening, broken only by the soft hum of the fluorescent lights overhead.

I sank onto the cold, unforgiving mattress, I felt a sense of despair wash over me, the reality of my situation closing in around me like a suffocating shroud.

In that moment, I realized that I was truly alone, caught in the grip of circumstances beyond my control, with no one to turn to for solace or support.

And as the darkness closed in around me, I found myself grappling with the harsh reality of my situation, uncertain of what the future hold for me.