---
Connected.
It connected too quickly to be called a coincidence.
An adult man’s voice ca through.
"Yes."
A calm voice. Steady. No greeting.
I looked at Yuna.
She wasn’t looking at .
Her gaze was fixed on the surface of the table.
---
"This is Nishida Itsuki."
Silence.
Then the voice replied,
"I know."
His voice was flat.
Not flat like soone who was tired.
Flat like soone who had already read a script before the call even took place.
He seed to have been expecting it.
I didn’t stand up. I stayed seated on the floor of my own apartnt. Yuna was across the table.
---
Silent.
Barely even moving.
"I am filling out the school forms," I said.
"Hm... go on."
"There is a section for an ergency contact other than the guardian."
"Yes... there is."
His answer was short.
As if he had been waiting for those exact words.
"Yuna gave this number."
"Yes, she knows my number by heart."
No follow-up questions asking how she was doing or if she was alright.
---
Just...
I leaned back slightly against the wall.
"For so reason, out of nowhere... I have a newly registered family record from just a few weeks ago."
"Yes."
"I didn’t sign anything."
"Legally speaking, there are other ways to handle that context."
His tone didn’t rise. It wasn’t defensive. rely explaining.
Like he was discussing a work contract.
---
"An efficient explanation," I said.
"I value efficiency."
A brief silence.
I could hear the background on his end of the line.
It sounded dead quiet.
No sound of a television.
No sound of passing vehicles.
Probably an office.
Or perhaps a private room.
---
"Yuna is doing fine here," I said.
"I know."
"I’m just letting you know."
"We appreciate the information you have provided."
We.
Not I.
I glanced at Yuna.
She didn’t move.
---
"The purpose of this call is simple," I said.
"Will this number always be active if the school calls?"
"Yes."
"Who will answer?"
"Myself, Kuroda Seiji. Or my assistant."
"Understood."
Neither of us tried to dominate the conversation.
Nobody asked for a progress report.
Nobody asked for proof.
Just two adults discussing procedures.
Then the voice spoke,
"Can she hear this conversation?"
---
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