11-27-2022, 07:29 PM
He was accustomed to fearful gazes and people keeping their distance. Kiyo knew no other way to extract help and need than with tricks and intimidation.
“I might have approached you inside, but then everyone would see that I need something from you. Information is currency. Hiding is currency also,” he explained. Now, only the girl knew his agenda, and if the information spread, he could trace the breach to a single source. He had not stated a requirement of secrecy, but the respect for privacy was implied. It was a sign of respect to keep information to oneself, which was exactly why he did not desire to share too much about Haruto. He did not know this girl, and while he had no reason to mistrust her, she needed to earn extensions of his good will.
“You do this for me and I will owe you a favor in return. That is how this works. I will not go back on my word. You can trust that?” he asked, folding away the Wallet. Without the screen’s illumination, shadow fell once more. He had nothing of his own face to hide, but he liked the comfort of the shadowy cloak.
“Is anything simple and innocent?” he asked quietly in response. There was a touch of sadness in his tone, as if grieving its loss. He did not answer the question, though, moving on to the business of being there.
“He is an earthquake rumbling in a glass shop. You would know him if you’d seen him,” Kiyo finally added. He mindfully kept Haruto’s name from the description, but he was growing more confident that his brother had not entered the establishment. Not yet, anyway.
“I might have approached you inside, but then everyone would see that I need something from you. Information is currency. Hiding is currency also,” he explained. Now, only the girl knew his agenda, and if the information spread, he could trace the breach to a single source. He had not stated a requirement of secrecy, but the respect for privacy was implied. It was a sign of respect to keep information to oneself, which was exactly why he did not desire to share too much about Haruto. He did not know this girl, and while he had no reason to mistrust her, she needed to earn extensions of his good will.
“You do this for me and I will owe you a favor in return. That is how this works. I will not go back on my word. You can trust that?” he asked, folding away the Wallet. Without the screen’s illumination, shadow fell once more. He had nothing of his own face to hide, but he liked the comfort of the shadowy cloak.
“Is anything simple and innocent?” he asked quietly in response. There was a touch of sadness in his tone, as if grieving its loss. He did not answer the question, though, moving on to the business of being there.
“He is an earthquake rumbling in a glass shop. You would know him if you’d seen him,” Kiyo finally added. He mindfully kept Haruto’s name from the description, but he was growing more confident that his brother had not entered the establishment. Not yet, anyway.