Touch Me And You're Dead[English] のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 21 - チャプター 30

Chapter 21My jaw dropped when the guard suddenly took down the "Now Hiring" sign from the shop window.Wasn’t that… strange? I had just seen one of the applicants leave, and right as I approached, they announced that the hiring was over.I frowned. This was part of the plan Art and I had agreed on—but still… wasn’t this too suspicious?So, without wasting any more time, I headed straight to the dress shop owned by Mr. Aron. It wasn’t anything fancy, and I only planned to apply as a regular staff member.I would clean the shop, unload fabrics, and help with packaging. Art and I had practiced for this. I even memorized the lines he taught me for the interview. It was a bit difficult, especially since some English words were still unfamiliar to me. But please… I really needed this job. Not just for the mission, but also to find out if there was anything suspicious about Mr. Aron’s business.—---Later that day, at the rental house owned by Hilda…Two men entered through the gate into th

Chapter 23I stretched a little after our shift ended. Time flew by—probably because Aron and I spent most of it just talking while working.“Are you heading straight home?”I turned toward Aron, a little surprised by his question. I gave him a small smile and asked if he wanted to have dinner at our place.“Art’s a great cook. I didn’t get to invite you last time since you were in a rush,” I said. Aron looked a bit shy as he asked if that would be okay.I was a little shocked when he agreed so quickly. I answered right away with a cheerful yes. Why not, right?I gave him a warm smile. He told me to go on ahead—he just needed to grab something from his locker.We each had our own locker at the shop, so I walked out and waited for him outside.As I stood there, something caught my eye—a candy stall. What caught my attention was a bag of stick candies. The vendor said they were spicy with a hint of sweetness. It immediately made me think of Art.I often saw him with a lollipop in his mo

Chapter 25Hilda thanked Aoi and the others for helping clean their home. She couldn’t bring herself to help—her fear of blood was far too intense.Now, holding a glass of milk, Hilda sat in thought. Who could’ve broken into their house? It was small, and there was nothing valuable to take.“I think we’re all thinking the same thing about who’s behind this,” Nari said, her eyes drifting toward Art, who was currently replacing the bloodied cloth on the table. Art, however, remained expressionless.—Later that night...“Dad, why did you only visit me now? I thought you forgot about me,” said the eleven-year-old boy to the man in a mask. The man gently placed a hand on the boy’s head before walking over to the sofa.The boy quickly followed, happily sitting beside him.“I just had to finish a lot of work these past few days. Anyway, how’s your studying going?” the man asked, glancing at the boy who had now laid his head in his lap.The boy replied that his teacher hadn’t returned. It ha

Chapter 27They had just entered the shop when all eyes instantly turned to Hilda’s group. And who could blame them? The four men accompanying Alica looked like models, and Art was wearing a formal suit that day. As for Alica, she looked like she was ready to walk a in a fashion show in her glamorous dress.Hilda sighed at the attention they were getting. She felt so small standing next to them—like a potato among roses.Her steps faltered as she approached their table. She was stunned; this wasn’t just any ordinary dessert shop. Once the orders arrived, her eyes widened at the sight of the elaborate, luxurious desserts being served.Then a memory hit her. Alica had once brought her to a birthday party when they were younger. It was a formal affair, and Hilda had made a fool of herself for not knowing how to use table spoons properly.“What’s wrong, Hilda? Don’t you like what’s on the table?” Alica asked.Hilda looked up. Alica had called a waiter to bring Hilda a menu—even though she

Chapter 29“Whoa! Look, Aron! So many fireflies!”Hilda stood on the boat, watching in awe as the fireflies danced around them. Her eyes sparkled with childlike wonder as she tried to catch them with her hands.Aron remained seated, quietly watching her. There was a small, soft smile on his face as he observed her joy.Music began playing in the distance, prompting Aron to stand up and approach Hilda.“Remember back when we were at the venue and I asked you to dance, but you rejected me?” he said, offering his hand. “Well, I’m not accepting a no this time. I’ll push you overboard if you don’t dance with me now.”Hilda’s eyes widened. “Are you joking?”Aron grinned. “Well? Are you dancing with me or not?”She pouted. “You’re threatening me.” But she raised her hand and placed it in his.From a distance, Art watched them—Hilda laughing, Aron smiling. The two were dancing gently on the boat, swaying to the music under the firefly-lit sky.Art pulled out a cigarette and took a slow drag,