The Secrets I Forgot

An unexpected encounter

Sunday — 8:20 AM

Rin was having breakfast with his parents, quietly analyzing and enjoying the food of this world.

It was completely different from the food on Earth.

And honestly... it tasted much better.

At the very least, it was far better than anything he had eaten back on Earth.

He had also begun to notice the effects of his Heightened Senses.

They had awakened at sunrise.

He could hear people talking from several streets away and could even distinguish the sound of individual heartbeats.

His eyesight had improved just as dramatically.

Every now and then, he could even make out tiny microorganisms drifting through the air.

Suddenly, his mother stood up and stretched, looking more like a cheerful young woman than someone's mother.

She pointed at Rin, making him stop eating.

With a bright smile, she said,

"Kitten, I found something you'll like."

Rin's father, who also looked unusually young, seemed surprised before chuckling softly and continuing his meal.

"W... What is it?" Rin asked curiously.

Proudly, the young woman picked up something beside her plate.

It seemed she had deliberately left it there until after finishing her meal.

It was a dark blue stone.

Rin's expression changed.

Then he asked eagerly, "Where did you get that?"

"I found it right beside me when I woke up."

The object felt strangely familiar.

No matter how hard he thought, he couldn't remember why.

"What's so special about it?" Rin asked with a faint smile.

His father laughed before saying teasingly,

"She keeps insisting it helps her think faster or something like that. Personally, I think it's just an ordinary rock some kid threw into the house."

The young woman shot him a cold glare, immediately making him lower his head and continue eating in silence.

Then she looked back at Rin.

"Like your good-for-nothing father said, ever since I found it, I've been thinking much faster."

"And I've been getting all kinds of ideas."

"..."

Rin didn't know what to say.

Still...

He couldn't shake the feeling that it reminded him of something.

Then a thought suddenly crossed his mind.

His eyes widened.

Please don't tell me it's what I'm thinking...

His mother suddenly fell silent before staring absentmindedly at the stone.

"I was thinking that this afternoon we should visit Marc's and George's parents and help them search for their sons."

"This thing might help you remember details you've forgotten."

That's it!

Why didn't I think of that? It really could help me.

Rin silently pondered.

On the other hand... if it's really what I think it is... it probably won't work on me.

Only on my mother. I need to examine it more closely.

His father looked surprised.

"Today's Sunday. Can't it wait until tomorrow?"

His mother sighed.

"No."

"Our son's friends have disappeared. How can you just sit here doing nothing?"

"Besides, we're police inspectors. It's our duty."

His father scratched his head awkwardly.

"..."

Wait...Police inspectors? Damn... I didn't know that.

Rin was genuinely surprised as a chill ran down his spine.

They're going to investigate...? What if they get involved in something that was never meant to be an ordinary case?

Rin stood up with a smile.

"Alright."

"For now, I'm going out for a while."

"Hm?"

"With all these disappearances happening every day?" his father asked, clearly against the idea.

Rin frown.

I have to act as the Author for one day. I don't have a choice.

______________

After a lengthy discussion, Rin finally managed to convince his parents to let him leave.

He walked through the streets while observing everything around him, slowly becoming familiar with the city.

He wore black trousers and a blue shirt that perfectly matched his pure blue hair and eyes, giving him the appearance of an exceptionally handsome young man.

As he walked, his enhanced hearing allowed him to listen to conversations taking place several meters away.

He learned all kinds of things simply by overhearing merchants and pedestrians.

Apparently, Tania's currency was called the Tirn.

And judging from what he heard, its value system seemed rather complicated.

I wonder how much that's worth in dollars...

Rin sighed.

He wasn't even sure dollars existed in this world.

It was simply a thought that crossed his mind.

Don't tell me I'll have to ask Charly how this currency works.

Asking my mother would seem suspicious from her perspective.

Anyway... I have a feeling I need to keep moving.

I have to earn my Neph today.

For all I know, I might already be in danger.

He reached into his right pocket and lightly tapped it.

Script Writer rested safely inside.

The first thing he had to do was act like the Author.

As he entered a narrow alley connecting two streets, he suddenly noticed an old man standing in the middle of it.

The elderly man wore a long white robe and had a flowing white beard.

Both of his hands were clasped behind his back.

He slowly approached Rin, whose expression had become puzzled, before asking in a calm yet authoritative voice,

"Have you found what I asked you to find?"