Prison wasn’t too bad. Saying this might make sound like a criminal who had given up on everything, but it was surprisingly bearable.
The term ‘prison’ might conjure images of a cold and damp place. However, the space I had to stay in for five days was like any ordinary room except for the bars where a door should be. The furniture even felt newly replaced, so it was nice.
If you could forget that it was a prison, then it was quite livable. Yes, let’s just forget that part.
"Number 2781. Your al has arrived."
Unfortunately, the person in front of made that impossible. I couldn’t look away no matter how hard I tried.
"Why are you here again?"
"My valued subordinate is in this cold prison, so eating alone just doesn't feel right."
Bullshit. I could vividly imagine him using my imprisonnt as an excuse to down bottles of liquor.
The Minister presented with a box, his face brighter than ever. Damn it, how long have I been locked up for him to already be sending in food?
I wanted to yell at him to take that monstrous thing away, but causing a fuss in prison could extend my sentence for misconduct. The thought of extending my already tear-inducing five-day sentence was unbearable.
'He knows that all too well.'
And from what I knew, the Minister knew that as well. That was probably the reason why he visited with such enthusiasm.
"Aren’t you touched?"
I bit my lip at his words.
“It’s touching, isn’t it?”
The past was clearly and thoroughly insane. Right now, I was left dealing with the aftermath of those actions.
Yeah. Thinking about it, sending in the al on the first day was crossing the line. I should have waited until the last day.
"Damned civil service..."
God definitely existed here; this seed like a world where karma was a bitch.
***
I’ve never felt this satisfied since becoming the Minister. I now feel confident that I can go to work without any complaints for the next five years.
'So this is what it felt like.'
Seeing the prisoner grinding his teeth in front of filled with a deep sense of satisfaction.
The barrier of the prison bars, the inferior status of the convict, and the one-sided teasing opportunity—all of these were things I hadn’t experienced before.
Now I understand why that bastard rushed over with a written report when I was imprisoned.
'I thought he was insane.'
I thought he was crazy for writing a report just to mock . I also thought that he must have lost his mind from being burdened with heavy responsibilities at such a young age.
But he was right. If one could enjoy this situation, then a written report was a small price to pay. It was worth the decision, even at the risk of a probation.
"Just take it. It's food you won't be able to eat for a while."
I slipped the box through the gap. It wouldn't have fit had it been a bit larger, but I was a forr inmate myself. I wouldn’t have made that mistake.
"No, I’m here just for five days!"
"It's long enough."
Carl, who received the box through the gap, shouted with frustration, but I lightly retorted.
What did it matter if he got out after five days? The important thing was being stuck here and now, wasn’t it?
"It’s getting colder, so take care. I’d be sad if you caught a cold in prison."
This was sincere advice, but the ungrateful bastard just shivered.
Well, it didn’t matter. My mockery was as sincere as my advice, and that was exactly the reaction I wanted.
"Then, I'll be off. Take care, number 2781."
I deliberately ntioned his prisoner number as I turned away. Even if it was just a show for five days, a prisoner was still a prisoner by na.
This number, 2781, would stick with him even after his release, just like how I still rembered being called 1276 for a week.
'Was the sky always this clear?'
An incredibly clear sky greeted as I looked up after exiting the prison.
I guess it can’t be helped. It would be disrespectful to Enen not to commorate such a day.
Today called for a celebration.
***
Nothing happened after the Minister visited twice. Nothing else happened after the Minister's two visits.
I said it twice because it was important. It was less shocking because I expected the Minister to co on the first day, but him coming twice with a al was too painful.
I expected to be hit, but I didn’t think it’d happen twice in a row. Please, let’s have a cooldown period.
'Today just passed by.'
I lay on the bed, calming my heart that would have cried if it had tears.
Yes, today just passed. The Minister's ntal attacks were powerful, but thankfully, no one else ca. It made wonder if I even needed to refuse visits.
However, the real problem started tomorrow. A day had passed since my imprisonnt, so the rumors would’ve likely spread. And since it was the weekend, people would have free ti.
'...Should I extend it just one more day?'
For a mont, I seriously considered extending the no-visitors rule.
Of course, that was impossible because it would lead to rumors like 'What did he do that he can't even have visitors?' Damn it, it would’ve been less frustrating if I was actually here for a serious cri.
"Executive Manager."
As I blankly stared at the ceiling, I heard soone call .
What, was there another visitor?
I hurriedly got up and saw the guard, who was awkwardly standing outside the bars.
"I ca to check if you needed anything."
Ah, so it was nothing serious.
I thought it might be another visitor or the Minister's third attempt, but it was fortunately neither. I didn't want to et anyone else today...
"I'm fine. There’s no need to worry."
I waved the guard off. The room wasn’t uncomfortable, and although it was annoying, the Minister had provided with food, so I lacked nothing.
After all, it was just five days. Complaining about this and that would be pathetic. Besides, it wasn’t like being in prison was sothing to be proud of.
The guard bowed several tis in response and then left after telling to let him know if I needed anything.
'Luxuries in prison.'
It was a crazy thought, but I had that thought for a mont. Seeing how friendly the guard was made wonder if I was in prison or so 5-star hotel.
But what could I do? From the guard’s perspective, it must be hard to treat like a real prisoner.
'I would have felt the sa.'
If I were stripped of my Executive Manager position or if I were facing years of imprisonnt, then the guard would have treated like a real prisoner.
But a five-day sentence? Clearly, it was just for show and I would return to work right after it ended. How could anyone treat such a person as a regular prisoner?
In a way, the guard was a victim in this as much as I was. He was just doing his job when he was suddenly tasked with managing a high-profile inmate.
'Was he also the sa guard who managed the Minister?'
Being the guard who managed both a Minister and an Executive Manager was quite the achievent.
But grand or petty didn’t really matter. There was nothing I could do for the guard outside while I was in here. Staying quiet was the best help I could provide.
And as night fell, the guard returned with an armful of blankets.
"The prison is cold. Providing heating is difficult, but this might help..."
"Thank you."
I nodded to the guard, who spoke with a hint of nervous sweat. It seed like refusing would only add to his burden.
Even my re presence was a nuisance to him.
'I'm sorry...'
I should send him a gift once I was released.
***
The first thing I saw upon waking up on the second day of my prison life was the guard as he ca to greet .
Anyone would’ve thought that I was in a mansion and not a prison.
"The punishnt is excessive compared to the Executive Manager’s mistake, but what can we do? There are no exceptions in the law. Still, I'll make sure your stay is comfortable."
Seeing the bowing guard reminded of what the Crown Prince had said in his office. What on earth did that bastard tell them for the guard to act like a butler?
Such a pitiful victim of the crown prince's actions. The thought made feel a pang of sympathy. I should definitely send him a gift.
'Maybe transferring him to another departnt would be a good gift.'
Apart from the frequent visits from the guard, nothing else happened.
I’ve heard that vigorous inmates in prison braced themselves for extended sentences to engage in fierce brawls, but I had no chance of witnessing such spectacular fights since I was in a single cell.
I wasn’t even sure if such things really did happen. Who in their right mind would jeopardize their future just to enjoy the present?
'.'
Surprisingly, that mad person was . I wouldn’t have ended up in imprisonnt if I hadn’t gone so far as to tease the Minister, which led to a written report.
The prisoners in jail and I were not so different, after all. I ca to realize sothing I'd rather not know.
"Executive Manager?"
"I’m fine."
While I was coming to terms with my own identity, the guard approached again.
I said that I would call him if I needed anything, and yet here he was again. It must not be deliberate negligence on his part. If so, was it because of the crown prince?
What did he say that made them so dedicated? This was almost frightening.
"It’s not that. A visitor request has co in."
"Oh."
I almost closed my eyes, resigning myself to the inevitable.
It wouldn’t be the Minister. He barged in yesterday without my consent, claiming 'It’s business about the Ministry of Finance!' so there was no law saying he that couldn’t do it again today.
But if it wasn’t the Minister...
'Who could it be?'
There were quite a few possibilities. Just counting the Senior Manager and the Managers alone, there were about five; if we were to include the 4th Manager, that made six.
Ah, maybe they ca as a group. That would indeed be more convenient for them.
"It’s still morning; that was quick. Who is it?"
"That is—"
The guard just shifted his eyes, unable to answer my casual question.
...That was when I instinctively realized. It was definitely not soone from the Prosecutors’ Office.
"Her Grace, the Mage Duchess."
Ah.
I almost spat out the words 'Can you tell her that I’m not here?'
Where else would a prisoner be if not in prison, you /genesisforsaken
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