Fair Trade

The ledger was important as it was an account of her past seven years. Of course, its cover was the first edition of the Wizard of Oz, so it would have seemed just a dull, boring book for an inexperienced burglar.

“Lily… what the hell happened?”

While quickly flipping through the book, Sei came across a page that contained the last conversation she had with Lily.

<There’s nothing left, not even me.>

What did the bitterly recited words mean?

But that wasn’t all. Lily and Sei ran into each other at the event a year later. She had given Sei her business card with a proud smile on her face.

‘And I had put it in here,’ Sei thought puzzledly.

Sei, who eventually found the business card, shook her head dizzily as she touched her forehead.

‘No matter how much she liked to stand out, did it have to be this much?’

Re-confirming what Lily’s job was, which sounded quite absurd at the time, she approached Chloe, who was preparing to go to work but was still curious about what was going on.

Sei stood close behind her and said, “Chloe, you should stay at Justin’s in the meantime. I’m being serious. I think I’ll have to look for another place soon too.”

Chloe’s coral lipstick formed a pout on her thin lips. Chloe looked at Sei in the mirror with a face that seemed to say she thought that she was being ridiculous.

Soon, Chloe, who pulled out a few tissues and wiped off the lipstick, sighed and shook her head as if she was dejected about something.

“I don’t like this! It’s not the fact that I have to move in with Justin but you having to disappear that I hate. I don’t know what’s going on, but if you’re doing this because it’s dangerous…  I’ll also agree to move out. I was getting tired of this house, too.”

Sei felt uncomfortable when she saw Chloe’s gloomy face.

“Why would I disappear? It’s just that I’m caught up in some complicated stuff. I might put you in danger.”

“So why are you taking the risk alone?! All right, Sei. I just made a mistake. Now, I won’t be curious about what you’re doing now. I won’t even pry. So don’t talk like someone who’ll disappear…. I’ll start looking for a house.”

“Ha, Chloe…”

Sei wondered if it was because she was very affectionate or because she was very attached to her, she could not persuade Chloe, who looked like she was on the verge of tears.

Lost in her thoughts, Sei, who had left the room and wandered around the drawing room, began to search for places where surveillance cameras might have been hidden. Behind the frame, the eyeballs of many dolls – she looked everywhere. While looking at the curtain rings and the top of the kitchen hood, she took out the necklace and earrings she had put in her bag. There was one other thing that she almost forgot about.

It was the bracelet given by Yuri which she was free to wear but not to take off. Fortunately, she wore it on her ankle, not on her wrist.

To solve this… I need a good screwdriver.

Sei deftly used a small screwdriver to untangle the shackle-like ankle bracelet. Then she put them in the case Yuri first handed them to her in and packed them in her bag.

Lily, Lily. Ha, damn, Lily.

Sei, who was swallowing down her swearing, suddenly recalled her conversation with Valentin.

Astonished, she checked the calendar and let out an annoyed scream. She then opened the safe with a key hidden under the ashtray. Cash and diamonds were still there. Sei, who took out three fake passports and Uncle Albert’s belongings, walked out with a strange feeling in her chest.

She felt a heavy weight in her hand. What lay in her was a gun with its stock inlaid with poor quality sapphires and a gun barrel that appeared to have never been used.

She put it back into the safe with a somber expression.

“Chloe, wait a minute.”

Sei, who called Chloe on her way out of the room, gave her a few bundles of cash. Then Chloe, who opened her bright brown eyes wide open, was surprised by the sheer amount of cash in her hands and gulped nervously.

“What is this?”

“Use this when you’re looking for a house. So far, I’ve been living under a tight budget because I have to bail my dad out… I think things will work out.”

“But… Isn’t this too much money?”

“It’s safe and clean. If it’s the case, please look for a nearby mart. Buy what you want with the rest of the money. I owe you a lot so far, so don’t say no because I want to pay you back.”

Sei, who tugged on Chloe’s cheek as she stood blankly, tapped her shoulder, carried a big bag, and took out a bike helmet she had tucked away in her closet.

“Where are you going again? Your luggage is a lot bigger than last time,” Chloe asked in a tone that sounded like she was on the cusp of giving up. After patting her hair, Sei took out the bike shoes she had put in the shoe rack and put them on. Then, in an urgent tone, Chloe asked again, “Just tell me where you’re going. How long will it be this time?”

“Tomorrow. I’ll be back tomorrow. I’m riding my bike because I don’t have much time. You have to leave now so you won’t miss your flight. So Chloe, never open the door when a stranger comes. Take sick leave today and look for a house first. Let’s leave this house as it is and don’t hand it over to anyone. It’s important that we get out of here now.”

Saying that, Sei got out of the house and ran down the stairs.