Zongman: Beginning and Snow under the Rain Escape from Raccoon City

"I'm not a child anymore."

She pursed her lips gently, the corners still bearing the redness and swelling from the kiss.

"Since I promised you... I won't go back on my word."

Ye Hai raised an eyebrow, stared at her for a long time, and then suddenly chuckled.

“Interesting, much more interesting than your sister.”

"..."

Kato Megumi didn't argue anymore. She wrapped her coat around herself and looked out the blurry window.

The setting sun was half-hidden by dark clouds, and the dim afterglow reflected on her profile, making her look exceptionally aloof.

The car started again and headed towards the city.

Neither of them spoke again on the way. Only the sound of wheels rolling over gravel was particularly clear in the quiet air.

—Until the car arrived at the Kato family's apartment building.

Ye Hai stopped the car and turned to look at her.

"Xiao Hui."

Kato Megumi turned her head and met his gaze.

Ye Hai reached out and straightened her disheveled bangs: "Remember, from today onwards, you belong to me."

Kato Megumi's eyes flickered slightly, but in the end she simply nodded.

"I know."

……

As she entered the apartment, the lights in the entryway suddenly turned on.

"Xiao Hui, why are you so late coming back?"

Mrs. Kato poked her head out of the kitchen, holding a spatula in her hand.

Hiromi Kato, sitting on the sofa, also turned around and looked over; she had already left work.

Kato Megumi stiffened and abruptly tightened her grip on the coat in her hand.

When she looked up, her expression had returned to its usual calm, and she said softly, "There's a traffic jam on the way..."

She didn't explain further, walked straight into the room, and closed the door.

Mrs. Kato was left standing there, gazing thoughtfully at her daughter's retreating figure.

This smell...

Mrs. Kato's eyes flickered slightly, and it was unclear what she was thinking.

Late at night.

In the Kato family's apartment, only the living room light was still on, casting a warm yellow glow on the dining table.

Hiromi Kato put down her book, picked up her teacup and took a sip, but she couldn't calm down.

Her gaze kept drifting towards her sister's room.

My sister has a problem!

Finally, she put down her cup, took a deep breath, and quietly walked to the corridor, standing in front of Kato Megumi's door.

He raised and lowered his hand several times before finally mustering the courage to knock on the door.

"Thump thump—"

The noise inside stopped for a moment, then Kato Megumi's calm voice came through:

"……come in."

Hiromi Kato pushed open the door and entered.

The room was quiet, with only the dim light of the desk lamp illuminating the desk.

Kato Megumi leaned against the headboard, clutching a white coat in her arms. She had been holding onto that coat tightly all night.

Hongmei walked to the bedside, hesitated for a moment, and finally spoke:

"Xiao Hui."

"Ok?"

"You and... Ye Hai, are you already...?"

The room remained quiet for a long time.

Kato Megumi lowered her head, her long eyelashes casting a shadow in the light.

After a long while, she nodded gently.

"..."

Hiromi Kato's heart tightened, and her breathing became erratic.

She originally wanted to say something, to blame, to dissuade, or even to stop it.

But the words that were on the tip of his tongue turned into a long sigh.

She simply reached out and gently touched her sister's hair, her eyes filled with complex emotions.

"never mind……"

She spoke in a low voice, her throat tight.

"Since things have already come to this, I have no right to say anything more."

Kato Hiromi didn't go back to her own room in the end, but instead gently lay down next to her sister.

Under the covers, the two nestled together quietly.

Hiromi Kato reached out and put her arm around her sister's shoulder, just like when they were little, and hugged her tightly.

"Staying together for warmth might be a good option."

She whispered in the darkness.

Kato Megumi did not answer, but simply closed her eyes gently.

Even in bed, her fingers were still tightly clutching the white coat.

Chapter 205 Hachiman Hikigaya's Escape

Hachiman Hikigaya has run away.

To be precise, it can't be considered running away.

I just took a long leave from school.

As for the reason?

Of course, it was because of the police who were monitoring him day and night, 24 hours a day.

Despite possessing extraordinary abilities, Hachiman Hikigaya admits he still cannot contend with the state's violent institutions.

Therefore, they were unable to resist.

Hachiman Hikigaya chose a different path.

They just slipped away.

He was under police surveillance in Tokyo and Chiba.

He can't just run off to Osaka, can he?

Hachiman Hikigaya felt that the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department shouldn't be so idle, nor should they have so many officers watching him.

This is a good opportunity to relax and unwind.

The psychological trauma Silent Hill left on him was quite significant.

"Have fun, everyone!"

At the entrance of the Hikigaya residence, Komachi Hikigaya waved and called out to Hachiman Hikigaya, who had already walked away with his bag.

"Hi--"

Hachiman Hikigaya waved his hand with his back to Komachi Hikigaya.

……

Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department.

"He moved?"

Matsumoto Kiyoshi squinted and tapped his fingers lightly on the table.

"Yes, it is!"

While sweating profusely, Takagi Wataru reported, "He carried a travel bag and boarded the train."

"I asked a station staff member to check his ticket, and it was for Shin-Osaka Station."

Shin-Osaka Station is located in Yodogawa District, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture, Japan.

It is also the only Shinkansen station in Osaka Prefecture.

"New Osaka?"

Megure frowned slightly: "Could it be that they went on vacation? University hasn't started its break yet, has it?"

Matsumoto Kiyonaga glanced at Inspector Megure, who was starting to make wild guesses again. No wonder the Tokyo newspapers kept saying the police were incompetent; there was definitely a reason for it.

"Notify the Osaka police to assist in the investigation. Also, Takagi Wataru, you should go to Osaka in person."

"Huh? Me?"

Takagi Wataru pointed to himself, somewhat reluctant, but upon seeing Matsumoto Kiyonaga's cold expression, he immediately stood at attention: "Yes, sir! Obeying orders!"

Osaka Prefectural Police Headquarters.

The phone rang, and Hattori Heizo answered it with a calm and composed expression.

"They need us to keep an eye on a student in Tokyo."

Heiji Hattori, who was chewing on takoyaki next to him, said, "A student? Could it be a serial killer across districts? Otherwise, Osaka wouldn't have had to step in."

"No, the people in Tokyo only said it's somewhat related to a case."

Hattori Heizo felt something was strange. What kind of case was being kept secret by Tokyo, with even the details of the case not being shared with them?

If the news were to spread and affect a serious, major case, why not just arrest Hachiman Hikigaya directly?

Instead, why not let them monitor us?

Hattori Heizo rubbed his temples, his gaze cold and brooding: "They just called via private phone."

No formal letter was sent.

"Tsk..."

Hattori Heiji scratched his head: "Dad, do you mean they're hiding something from us?"

"It's not fear, it's certainty."

Hattori Heizo's voice was deep, his eyes sharp: "I've been in the police force for thirty years, and I've seen this kind of thing countless times. Those people in Tokyo are the best at shifting blame and throwing mud at others. Political events, organized crime cases, things that the higher-ups can't touch... Once we in Osaka get involved, if we rashly intervene, we'll only end up taking the blame."

Hattori Heiji narrowed his eyes, but a slight smile played at the corners of his lips.

"So, you're planning to just ignore it?"

"It's not that we're ignoring it."

Hattori Heizo paused, then looked at his son: "Since Tokyo hasn't officially issued a statement, this isn't Osaka Prefectural Police's business."

“Aren’t you a detective? Treat this as a private investigation and go see what kind of background that high school student named Hachiman Hikigaya is.”

"Dad, you're just dumping this mess on me."