So… these two are married couples huh? They seemed to be the polar opposite of each other, perhaps that's what makes them compatible and incompatible. Whatever love that finds them, at least they're happy.
"Husband. So you two are married then, is marriage really common in the afterlife?"
Ha Jisu released Yi Hyun's arm and shook her head, looking straight at me.
"No no, it's not like that! We've actually been married before death. And then we happened to find ourselves again in the Hereafter, so we decided, why not continue to be for each other's side for the rest of eternity? Right, Yi Hyun?"
He nodded curtly, fixing his glasses slightly before averting his gaze towards his clipboard.
"Right, that's true."
I see, so this guy is the quiet introverted guy, and… married to an extrovert who is… well, Ha Jisu. It's not like I'm trying to judge or anything, but love sure does find the weirdest way to match people together. Maybe, if I was given a chance I too could've found one? No no no, that's a stupid wishful thinking.
"Anyway, I was not yet briefed on why I was summoned here. Is there a reason why my service is needed? I'm not yet accustomed to this realm's law, so I could only promise that I will try my best."
Yi Hyun looked up from the clipboard, turning his attention to me again.
"MSI's Non-Commissioned Institution (NCI), or SEMinar as you know it, has invited you to discuss a few matters regarding the disappearance of the former General Chancellor. We would like to consult you on this matter, as well as a few other matters that concern the political stability of the Hereafter."
"In short, we would really benefit from your help, Archivist. And don't worry, MSI will never forget their benefactors!" Ha Jisu adds.
General Chancellor disappearance, I've never even met the guy before. I'm not sure how I could even help solving this mystery surrounding the afterlife's government.
"I understand, I will try my best in assisting the effort."
Yi Hyun didn't waste another moment and politely pointed towards the elevator.
"This way, Miss Hozumi. We shall continue our conversation at the designated meeting room."
I nodded, walking towards the elevator while being surrounded by the guards surrounding us. Ha Jisu fell in step with me with a playful expression displaying on her slightly paler face.
As we reached the second floor, we were met by a group of scientists waiting outside the room. Ha Jisu immediately stepped forward to greet them. Unfortunately, I couldn't make up what they were saying from afar. But there was some sort… machine besides them.
"Miss Hozumi, please enter the room." Yi Hyun walked in first, followed by a few guards behind him.
Without thinking much of it, I followed him inside the room. Once inside, I felt like there was something wrong with the atmosphere. T-this.. this doesn't feel like a meeting room. Isn't this… an interrogation room?!
Before I could make a move, two guards held me by the shoulders.
"W-what's the meaning of this?"
"No hard feelings, Miss Hozumi. But we simply could not let an anomaly connected to the disappearance of the General Chancellor roam free in our world without investigating their ulterior motives. Put her inside."
I tried to resist their restraint, but they're simply stronger than me in raw strength. I was utterly powerless without any means of escaping. They threw me inside the interrogation room and closed the door behind me. I stood up weakly and banged on the steel door repeatedly.
"You're making a mistake! I'm not a threat! We can discuss this like civilized people!"
Suddenly, the hidden door on the other side of the room opened — revealing Yi Hyun who was slowly walking inside the room and taking off his black long coat.
"Do I look civilized to you? Sit down, Hozumi Fumiko. I won't ask twice. Don't make me force you."
He sat down on the iron chair across from my side, he stared at me with an empty gaze before looking down at the table in front of him.
"You sick…"
Ultimately, I had no other choice than to comply with his orders. I sat down across from him, staring at his indifference. With a snap of his finger, a group of scientists from earlier entered the room with the machine. Are they… going to use that on me?
"This is a lie detector, we will be using this on you to get every bit of information out of you. If you dare to lie to us, there will be consequences. I hope that you don't wish for anyone to save you, because no one will know."
No one… they purposely lead me to an off-record interrogation. But why go to such lengths to interrogate me? I have nothing to offer, I don't know why or how I am here. The scientists prepared the machine, attaching a few wires on my temples, it feels a bit… dizzying. Is this really safe?
"Now let's begin. Where are you from?"
"I.. I'm from Osaka, Japan."
He looked down at his notebook, writing down my information. This.. I can't let this continue. While he was distracted, I secretly turned on the watch that Genesis had given me, please… just this time. Save me.
"Do you remember how you died?"
How? I was on a train and… suddenly everything went black. I don't recall ever dying in the first place.
"I'm not.. sure. The last thing I remember is that I boarded the train to Osaka that night, and the last thing I know, I fell asleep and ended up in the afterlife."
"That's not a promising story, think harder."
"But I—"
"I said think harder! Do not waste our precious time on your fables! No one came to the world of the dead without dying! You're pleading for an impossible event in the cycle of life."
He slammed the table hard — making me jump slightly on my seat. My gaze instinctively tried to avoid his eyes. I can't… I don't know… why am I here? Why did everything happen? Why me?
A moment later, Yi Hyun regained his composure, letting out a long sigh of frustration. He stared at me down as I shrunk on my seat. Those eyes are reflecting an intimidating aura even behind those thick glasses.
"You're making this hard for me. If you don't give me a straight answer, I will force them out of you." He threatened.
What could I possibly say that would satisfy him? My backstory? My experience? There's nothing else to tell, except…
"I… I remembered something, before I departed from the station, I met a guy with a baggy sweater. He gave me his ticket, saying that I need it more than him. The last thing I remembered about him is that his face was hard to be seen…"
He raised an eyebrow at my explanation. To him, this must've been very absurd. It is, but it's the truth. I don't know what else to say.
"What are you rambling on about? Mysterious figure in a baggy jacket? Unseen face? This isn't a comedy you can joke about, this is a serious federal matters and we need leads, and if you don't give me a straight answer right this instance, I will—"
"Sir!"
Suddenly, our exchange was interrupted by a scientist from the other side of the room. Their faces seemed troubled from behind the reinforced glass, gulping down their uneasiness for whatever it may be.
"What is it? Can't you see that I'm busy?"
"I-it's a formal letter from the Internal Tribunal Committee. They've warrant the suspension of SEMinar's local authority over MSI's governance. The temporary custody and rights of governance has been transferred to… the Tribunal External Council and the IASM Office..."
Yi Hyun looked at the scientist in utter disbelief before turning to me. His face was pale but slightly contorted with visible anger.
"You did this, didn't you? You contacted them in order to overthrow our legitimate right. This is treason."
I… I did that? But how? I didn't even contact anyone! I haven't had the time to contact anyone since I arrived here. Could it be that Genesis was recording this conversation and sent this directly to the Committee? But why would they side with me in the first place?