Chapter 94

Iris’ Past (2)
When Iris turned six, an incident occurred just as she was starting high school, after skipping middle school. On the short walk from the school to the parking lot where Lim was waiting to pick her up, there was an attempted kidnapping. Despite the bodyguard's valiant efforts, Iris was abducted. However, like a famous actor, she elegantly jumped out of the car window at high speed. The result was a fractured right hand and scrapes all over her body, which were miraculously not as severe as it could have been. The kidnappers, shocked by her escape, lost control of the car, crashed into a wall, and died in the ensuing explosion.

Ignoring her broken arm, Iris bravely took a taxi home. Incidentally, it seemed it was quite painful.

Iris didn't carry a wallet. Carls had given her one, but since she didn't use it, he had placed some money and a piece of paper with their address in her shoe. This was a habit from Carls' childhood, and he also kept money in his own shoes.

"Iris!!"

"We need to call an ambulance immediately!!"

"Miss~!!"

Her family, who had been waiting for a ransom call at home after contacting the police, were shocked when Iris returned. Clearly in serious condition, with blood flowing from various places and her right arm dangling, they decided to take her to the hospital immediately, believing everything else could wait.

At the hospital, thorough examinations revealed that her scrapes were minor, and her right arm fracture was simple, meaning it would heal normally. Her head injuries were also minor, and there were no signs of serious trauma. Iris appeared to be remarkably resilient.

Since she was fully conscious, she was able to recount the incident to the police, who were astonished by her story. Although the police knew about the accident, the bodyguards were in critical condition and hadn't seen anything, so they didn't even know the car's license plate. They were still collecting footage from nearby cameras.

The police and Iris' family were more grateful than angry or sad, seeing her resilience in diving out of a speeding car and taking a taxi home. Her family decided that her safe return was enough, giving her only a light scolding.

However, her parents' anger towards the kidnappers was immense, but they had to let it go when the police informed them that the kidnappers had all died in the fire. They began their own investigation, suspecting that the kidnappers were after Iris due to their own connections.

Kidnappings often involved underground organizations, and there was a risk of being targeted by such groups. As a result, Carls and Shizuka decided to leave the country for a while.

"Let's take refuge in Japan for a bit. It's safer there."

"Yes, we can stay for a few months. I've always been interested in your homeland. Given the recent events, my workplace will likely approve the leave. Let's stay in Japan until we've investigated everything... maybe even buy a house there as a future retreat for Iris."

"It's too early for that. But you're right, there's no reason for us to stay here. Let's live there for a while."

After Iris' treatment was completed, they quickly left for Japan with Lim. The bodyguards were fired for failing to protect Iris, and they hired several new ones. However, in Japan, the use of firearms by bodyguards is not permitted, so they were equipped with stun guns and stationed a bit away from Iris.

Iris showed no particular reaction during the taxi or airplane rides, but inwardly she was pleased. The reason she ignored the danger and escaped was to avoid losing any more time with her busy family. She longed for their affection and would perform Hollywood-star-worthy stunts if it meant feeling their love.

The result? Despite the pain, her parents would be with her for several months. She was looking forward to this time immensely. Her faint smile occasionally revealed her happiness, which her parents noticed. They were aware of the lack of family bonding.

In Japan, they moved to Shizuka's hometown. They had enough assets from their work-focused lifestyle to afford it. Carls had already decided to buy a house there, believing that it was only right for his wife to have the freedom to return to her birthplace. He had found a perfect property.

"What a lovely house... or rather, why is there a Western-style mansion here? This was an empty lot in my memory... and that cake shop has turned into an ice cream shop. Anyway, it really stands out."

Carls proudly introduced a symmetrical Western-style mansion. It stood out prominently in the upscale residential area, with a much larger plot of land compared to the surrounding Japanese-style houses. This town had developed rapidly in recent decades, maintaining many historical homes.

Carls ushered his confused wife inside. He had already purchased the house with a lump-sum payment. The mansion had a large garden with a central fountain. The stone statue in the fountain was 300 years old and had been airlifted from Europe, a fact he boasted about. It was undoubtedly the most significant purchase of his life, costing several billions of yen.

"Iris, what do you think? Do you like it?"

"I've never seen a house like this... it's symmetrical."

"Right? This mansion was designed by a famous European architect but was never lived in by its wealthy buyer. So, it's practically new. Lim, you can choose any room you like. We'll hire maintenance workers, so you only need to do minimal cleaning."

"I... don't know what to say."

As an orphan, Lim never expected to become a servant in such a grand mansion. She had thought the American house was large, but this was on a different level. She couldn't grasp the idea of living there, her mind almost in a state of shock.

Iris wandered around the garden, seemingly interested. Having no previous exposure to art, she curiously observed the statues and the house's exterior.

After a while, she came inside. The grand entrance hall featured a chandelier, typical of a Western mansion. However, her interest soon waned once inside. To her, it was just another house.

"Well, I'll go say hello to my old teacher."

"We'll come with you. I'd like to meet the person who helped you."

Shizuka decided to visit the Shishido family, who had supported her when she lived in this town. The head of the Shishido family had always run a children's facility and was a significant influence in the town. The Shishido family's mansion was just a five-minute walk away, and they decided to walk there, holding Iris' hand. She looked her age, contrary to being a high school student.

"Excuse me, my name is Shizuka, and I used to be in your care. Is the master home?"

"Eh? Shizu-chan. Oh my, it's been so long. Give me a minute, I'll go check."

The housekeeper, who knew Shizuka from her childhood, seemed delighted to see her and hurried inside. After a while, she returned, smiling, and guided them inside.

As they walked through the Japanese-style garden, they saw a dojo where men in martial arts uniforms practiced with wooden swords and washed up outside.

Iris had no knowledge of martial arts and was indifferent to it. She was unaware that this was her first exposure to martial arts.

Hiding behind her father, Iris's unusual behavior made Carls smile as he reassured her.

"Welcome. I didn't expect you to return to Japan. This country is too small for you."

"Yes, I went to America to see the world, but it's nice to come back to my homeland occasionally. Seeing the town's development brings back memories."

Seated at the top of the dojo was a white-haired elderly man, Gensai Shishido, aged 75. Despite his age, he was a formidable martial artist, still active and unbeaten. The Shishido style, a comprehensive martial art from the Sengoku period, incorporated techniques from various disciplines, including swords, spears, and even guns.

"Hmm, you've become a mother... you don't resemble her... Hah!"

Suddenly, Gensai shouted at Iris with such force that even Carls stepped back. However, Iris wasn't even looking at him, more amused by her father's reaction.

"Please stop that habit, Master."

"It's an old man's pleasure. But she has a strong spirit, ignoring a shout that even made you cry."

"She's quite unusual. And she doesn't seem interested in you either. Iris, say hello."

"Добрый день. (Hello.)"

Iris' language was a mix due to her proficiency in multiple languages from a young age. This time it was Russian, though she often mixed languages without realizing it. For her, all languages were the same.

"... You went to America, didn't you? Why Russian?"

"Sorry, she speaks ten languages, but they blend together."

"Interesting. So, you didn't come just to see if an old man like me was still alive?"

"Yes, we're staying in this town for a while. And I came to consult with you. Iris, look around a bit."

Shizuka knew Gensai's influence and connections, including some with the government. She sought information on local crime and the safety of Iris staying there.

Meanwhile, Iris was a bit annoyed. Adult conversations were boring, and nothing in the dojo interested her. She regretted not bringing a newspaper or unread thesis from her bag, left at the new house. Sitting against the wall, she watched the disciples.

"Are you Grandpa’s acquaintance?"

After a while, a boy around her age, with short black hair, approached her, wiping his face with a towel.

"Who knows?"

"So you speak Japanese."

"No problem speaking it."

Their conversation was terse. Iris had no particular impression of him. But this encounter would bring a change in her life.

"What's your name? I'm Takuto Shishido."

Takuto spoke with a smile directed at Iris. And Iris was slightly taken aback by it. She couldn't quite put her finger on it, but some kind of change was happening to her as well.