Chapter 2: Strange Lady

“Just in time!” I shouted when scanned my finger print.

“You seems in high spirited today Miyuki.” Jena my supervisor asked.

“Yeah. My boyfriend and I going to date tonight. I’m motivated to work harder and try to finish my workload sooner!” I replied.

“Well for more extra money I’ll give you more workload.” Jena said.

“Give it to me! I’m on fire!”

I work as adult video editor, my job looks shady. But the daily pay are high enough if I finish their quota of editing at the end of the day. If not I only get the regular pay. At nine in the morning finally all of my coworkers are coming in the office. I already started my works.

By some miracle of hardwork I finished at noon. I skipped lunch and only buy coffee for boosting my energy. And listening to one hour loop of Taka saying I love you to me. Jena came praised me that I managed to finish my work and meet the quality standard.

At four in the afternoon I check on my cctv house. Taka already home and playing game in his laptop. And I secretly watching him masturbating to my dirty clothes.

At five work done, I take my daily pay and going back home using train. Strangely the train carriage looks empty. Only a shady looks woman wearing a dirty robe are with me in this train. This is not possible since this time are rush hour for going home.

“What? The door locked?” I said and try to pry it.

A quick blinking and the strange woman gone. At her former seat only a strange book appeared. Out of curiousity I took the book and planned to return it to train stations employee. It was a strange book that full of untranslated or not recognizable word.

“What I not experiencing some anomaly of the world right?” I wondered. The train door suddenly opened and many people start pouring in. While I opened the book in public it seems only I can see the book. Other people might cannot see it.

And finally I arrived at my home station. After jumping out and push through the crowd who want to boarding my intentions was going to return the books. Another strange things happened, “Officers I want to return this book.”

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“Isnt that your work book lady?” the officers replied. “Why you handled me your income reports?”

“Ah!” I notice the book in my hand gone. “I s-swears I’m going to handle you a strange books that I find on trains.”

“Ah it’s another one. Young lady, please seek a professional helps. Maybe you been burdened by the grim news of suicide reports lately.” The officers replied and handled me a bottle of water. “Here take a sip of water first. Maybe you too exhausted from work.”

I’m just humiliating myself here. I quickly apologized and accepting the good officer bottle of water. Maybe he’s right I’m hallucinating because too exhausted. After power walking for a bit I come at home and find Taka already waiting for me.

“Welcome back! I found this odd note in front of our apartment mats.” Taka said and handed me torn papers note.

“To read the book please scan this QR code.”

“Maybe it a scammer or MLM things. We’ll figure it out later. Lets go have dinner outside,” I said and took his arms. From our apartment we go to the nearest restaurant on our area. I buy him his favourite meals, a lamb steak and eat fancy dinner while we here.

When our dinner time finish, Taka are stunned seeing someone entering this restaurant. A fancy looking girls in a trendy and fashion up to date outfite coming alone to order something. I grab his hand. “What wrong?”

“S-she my step sisters. The reasons why I running away.” Taka take his hoodie on and hide his face under a mask.

“Oh I just notice that we already living together for one year and you didnt tell me why you run away.” I asked. “Why? She seems a fine lady.”

“No it is not. She maybe look sweet outside. But when we at home she like a witch. I was happy with my dad only. But after he remarried and she moving in everything became a hell.” Taka answer. “I’ll hide in the bathroom. Message me when she gone.”

But a disaster happened, seems Taka parents are going inside. They started giving people brochure about Taka. They really not abandoning him huh? Maybe I’ll talk to them why the reasons Taka are gone.

“Dont you come out yet. Your parents are here.” I send a message to Taka.

Taka only read it.

His parents finally at my table, “Excuse me, please accept this. If you found him please tell me that his step sisters and us really change and want him comeback.”

I took a missing persons brochure from their hands. “So what happened? Why your sons runaway? I have a connections that maybe can help.”

His father eyes shining brightly. “Can I sit in front of you to talk? I’m really glad if you want to help us.”

The father explained that there was misunderstanding between his new family and him. But Taka took it very seriously and took his family to court and emancipated. But I thing that not the truth, from their gesture they are nervous and carefully placed their world. Are they lying?

“Oh like that. Okay, I’ll tell my connections at work to help you search for him.” I answered. His parent are thankful to me and finally leave. After seeing their fancy cars going out from the parking lot I call Taka to come back.

Taka come back and look relieved. “Thanks darling, they didnt ask anything weird right?”

His eyes take a look at the brochure and tear it. “I hate seeing this persons. I’m already forgotten it and kill him.”

“Let’s get back and I will tell the real reasons why I run away.” Taka said.