When I got to the Sinclair Empire building, I no longer needed to slip through the people's eyes.
I walked straight to the reception desk and said I was visiting Kieran. I was allowed in since they were all already aware of who I am.
But the news of our marriage was still not being circulated. Michael just made sure that Kieran's wife won't sneak into the building again like a thief.
That is why he had informed security and reception about my appearance.
That I am allowed in whenever I come to visit.
I went to the elevator with my head held high. Some employees glanced my way, especially with what I was carrying.
A slightly big box.
The packaging was transparent, so they could also see the images on the box.
Some started whispering to one another. While others furrowed their brows in curiosity. They must be wondering why I was visiting while carrying this item.
I ignored them all and went up to Kieran's office.
Just as I stepped out of the elevator, I found him and Michael entering his office.
They must have just returned from some business.
Both of them turned to me and instantly frowned.
"I want to put this here," I said, gesturing at the box I was carrying.
Kieran raised an eyebrow.
"I will be visiting you a lot in the future, and when I do visit, I'd love to have some coffee anytime without needing to step out of your office," I explained.
That's right. What I was carrying was a newly bought coffee machine, one that uses capsules to make coffee.
"I had already bought the capsules as well. I even added some black coffee that you prefer. Don't worry, I tasted them all in the shop, even though not as delicious as what I was making. But it is still good."
"..."
"Come on. You know I'd be coming here a lot. Plus, I know you were watching what was going on a while ago in our meeting."
I lifted my chin while accusing him.
He turned and entered his office while I grinned triumphantly.
"I want a table that has a drawer for the capsule," I said to Michael.
He looked at me for a few seconds before leaving. That's when I entered the office.
"So I was right?" I said to Kieran, who was already seated in his chair.
"She has some kind of pinhole camera."
He continued reviewing the documents in front of him.
I shrugged before walking over to the coffee table to take out the coffee machine and capsules I bought.
The mall staff have already taught me how to set it up, but I still chose to read the instruction manual while waiting for Michael.
"Oh, yeah, that's right. You should follow me back to the villa later on," I started.
He did not reply, and the flipping of the documents could still be heard.
"They will make a move later on, that is for sure."
I put down the manual and walked over to his table.
"How many do you think they would send?" I asked.
Instead of looking at me, he pushed forward a folder in front of me.
"What's this?" I picked it up and looked at the contents.
One file was about Blank, the top hacker in the world, accepted by the international government.
And the other was about Kūhaku, the notorious hacker in the shadows.
There was information about the two going up against each other.
The government was not worried about Kūhaku because in six out of ten battles between him and Blank, Blank came out victorious.
The government was so sure that with Blank on their side, Kūhaku wouldn't be too much of a threat.
"You even looked into Kūhaku," I commented, flipping through the file.
After reading everything, I looked up at him before asking.
"Are you asking me or are you informing me?"
He said nothing.
I nodded, "Well, you already know the answer."
Grinning proudly, I said, "I am Blank."
"..."
My grin widened at the way he looked at me.
"...And I am also Kūhaku."
He squinted his eyes slightly.
I placed both hands on the table.
"Amazing, aren't I?"
He just looked at me while I kept the proud grin on my face.
I started my journey as Kūhaku when I was fourteen.
My skills soon improved by leaps and bounds, and the international authority has started keeping an eye on me.
At sixteen, I decided to apply for a position in cybersecurity abroad.
Not in this country, since I was not planning on showing any skills to those people.
That's when my two positions started colliding with one another.
"Oh, but those battles weren't from one person alone. I had someone be Kūhaku while I battled against him as Blank," I continued speaking as if what I was talking about was just a simple day-to-day matter.
He tapped his finger on the table while looking at me.
"Don't worry. You'll meet that person early next year. He was just finishing a few things abroad before coming here."
"..."
"Oh, and don't get jealous. He is my cousin. The one and only person whom I can trust with my back."
He went back to his work just as Michael returned with some personnel to put up the table I was asking for.
"Put it near the window. That way, I would have a beautiful view while I am making some coffee."
The personnel did as I told and soon the table was set up. I happily started preparing the coffee machine.
Once done, I started making coffee. Cups were also already prepared.
"Do you want one?" I asked Kieran since Michael had already stepped out.
He nodded without looking at me.
"By the way, you did not answer my question. How many do you think will come later?" I asked again.
And just like that, the subject of Blank and Kūhaku ended.