5 hours before the meeting.
'As I had thought, none of this will be simple'
It was the thought that crossed her mind. Being a genius didn't exempt her from having to go through tense or uncomfortable moments; in fact, those moments came with greater frequency than normal, only she wasn't the one having a bad time.
2 girls were sitting in the same café, like once some time ago. Kalika held a cup of green tea, while Ana de Avirama drank an espresso coffee that she examined with certain disgust.
"What's wrong? You've been looking at that coffee badly for a while; if you don't like it, we can switch for another"
The honey golden-eyed girl looked back at her and then fixed her gaze on the crowd around them.
"You know?"
"...."
Kalika waited for her to finish the sentence while focusing her gaze around, where she examined with disillusion.
"This country.... small and big at the same time; we're one of the largest coffee exporters in the world, very biodiverse in quite a few areas, and still we're not capable of telling a good coffee apart from one of poor commercial-grade quality"
Kalika looked at the coffee Ana held, understanding what those words meant.
"Well, the more fortunate and lucky people are, the more carefree and detached from reality they become"
It was simple: those who have and live off daily comfort forget how fortunate they are, and those who don't have it emphasize it until turning it into a self-denigrating form about their own land, culture, and species.
Yes, species, we're human, but the color, the height, the weight, the build, the hair, the money, etc. Those factors seem to determine what type of elite animal we become. Everyone wants to be a lion, but nobody wants to be the cockroach; curiously, there are some who don't mind being the lion's food as long as they're not the cockroach; they even prefer risking the lion catching them over debasing themselves to something worse.
If we can even say one is better than the other. What's the difference? In my view, the cockroach, though ugly and despicable, is more resilient and free than the fortunate pig; without others' concern, it doesn't expect to be eaten.
"That's right; if I had to say, it's that lack of reality that has left us in this deplorable state as a country"
"There's not much you can do; after all, you're still a teenager"
Ana didn't object; although she had more power than many, it still wasn't enough to make a difference, much less to be able to make such a big change in that country full of favoritism, corruption, and shamelessness.
"Still, things like coffee..... Even if there are shops and farms delivering a good product these days, people will keep preferring what's popular over quality, reputation over the unknown, appearance over self-respect. Much worse is that they have no criteria to know what's good or bad, because they don't know, they don't care, or it's simply appearances that matter"
Ana questioned, swirling the liquid that remained, looking at the sediment like a prophecy, like when grandparents made you drink chocolate and read what the residual drawing at the bottom of the chocolate cup meant.
"We're of customs and principles, or that's what we're supposed to be, proud of being privileged.... Isn't that how you want to destroy everything, Kalika?"
She no longer bothered looking back at me, only waited for what I had to say this time. And, luckily, I had already had enough time to think of an answer.
"Yes, my goal was to destroy; I justified it with the idea of building, but it was only an excuse to hold onto the principles I believed, just so I wouldn't feel I'd fall to the lowest form a human being could feel, resentment"
At this point I'm sure of my decision; when it comes to choosing between those I love and a stupid revenge.... that's what he calls it..... at that instant I'll defend it; the loyalty of those who have followed me.
"....If that's the case, will you leave Heiss? Will you use him? Or will you help each other?"
Ana had every right to reproach Kalika's selfish attitude; not everyone changes in a matter of weeks. There were people stubborn in what they believed; however, Kalika is what we could call someone very fickle.
"You know the answer, I'll do whatever is necessary to help those I love, even if I have to sacrifice myself for everything to turn out well; there's no point in being dead"
At first I would have chosen to sacrifice my subordinates... no, family; that's what they are. At first I would have let them sacrifice themselves, thinking they'd be happy to serve me in some way. Now I only hope to be able to gather and eat with them in the coming months; inevitably, defeat makes you question what's important.
Thanks to losing that fight.... Even before, I had already lost humiliatingly against my grandfather, only that this fight confirmed how useless I was. It's one thing to lose against someone with years of experience and immense power; however, that difference had made me careless and arrogant.
When was the last time I lost against someone my age? The answer is never, or not until this moment.
And if losing against Heiss served any purpose, it could be that it helped this stupid blind girl open her eyes. This revenge was taking all my focus and time, and while it was important, it wasn't something that should leave me and my current and even future family neglected. The districts were the third opponent that was going to come crush everything without me noticing.
I was going to receive a knockout from an opponent I didn't even know; that's why I was here with Ana, to know who Heiss truly is, his connection with the district, and how I should conduct myself before this new "partner."
Clearly, it's reckless trying to scan the best friend of the one you're investigating, but for some reason I feel she can give me a clue about what I should do.
"Had it been the previous you, you would have bet even your subordinates in order to achieve a senseless revenge. I see the threat of the districts has already put you in perspective"
Ana had stopped playing with her cup, only feeling out the one who once told her she was her equal, her copy in the world.
"Yes, it's likely that was the case"
Kalika didn't refute it; she simply understood she no longer had the winning hand, only an incomplete one, on the edge of a trap that would defeat her without her realizing it.
"I suppose you want information about the districts"
I already understood why she had called me to meet; it wasn't hard to guess.
"I can't confront someone I not only don't understand, but I also don't know"
"That's the minimum you need to face someone; however, you could have consulted that with Heiss, so how can I help you?"
"Would you help me?"
"Is 'help' a very strong word, don't you think?"
A fine vein showed on Kalika's hand.
'Is she mocking me on purpose? Well, everyone always asks for something in return'
"What is it you want?"
"Nothing"
"Crick!", the wood of the chair Kalika was in creaked slightly.
'This girl drives me crazy!' was a brief and fleeting thought, but it wasn't that she hated her; no, it simply stressed her not being able to understand her intentions, whereas she herself had been able to put her in checkmate on some occasions.
However, before she could keep thinking badly, her intrusive thoughts were interrupted.
"Nothing for me.... I just want you to help Heiss, nothing more. That concerns you too; therefore, it's not a bad deal"
A question crossed Kalika's mind.
"Did Heiss...to you?"
Without letting her finish, Ana stood up and shouted at her.
"What are you talking about? We're practically siblings; he's my friend, my best friend!"
Doubts appeared on Kalika's face, which made Ana blush even more, and with it, her irritation.
Without letting the situation get out of control, besides making her angry, Kalika stayed calm; she urged her to calm down and sit.
"....You!"
But that didn't mean intentions didn't fly in the silence; she was clearly laughing at Ana's cute attitude.
"By the way"
Kalika interrupted, not letting her think too much.
"You know they've been watching you, right? They've probably been following you since before"
Ana looked on unconcerned and waved her hand, gesturing that she didn't care.
"They're a bunch of busybodies; the plans are going well, but that doesn't mean they keep me under surveillance. Had it not been because I planned this ahead of time, I wouldn't have a way to move right now. Of course going around with one of the most powerful heiresses of the family with the greatest influence in Japan doesn't help; however, thanks to your business front in this country, it's helped so it isn't suspected, but instead my image of helping my father's company prevails"
An eye of mine twitched when I heard those words.
"Wouldn't that give me problems when you disappear?"
"You shouldn't worry; they couldn't do anything against you, much less when the war arrives; they'll be left very reduced in power. Besides, it's not like you care much, right?"
'This wretch!'
She was clearly a Kalika 2.0, with the difference that she was bolder and more shameless; I almost felt she did it on purpose.
"Setting aside my intentions or yours. From Heiss you'll learn everything having to do with the ranks associated with the district, tactics, religion, power, everything they've gathered over years. However, I'll have to give you my own perspective, an approximation"
Finally, I came for it; there was no way it wouldn't worry me too, since if she escaped, there was no way she could survive the districts' pursuit, or so I thought from an overly simplistic perspective.
"If I had to be frank.... it's not suicide; it's wanting to go to hell itself. It's like worse than wanting to go down to the underworld like Orpheus did; here there's no sacrifice for someone you love; you must do it for something more important than just yourself and someone you care for. Not even Odysseus would have as many problems as the ones you and your subordinates just got yourselves into"
Kalika's hands and feet tensed when she heard what she said, because at no point had Ana hesitated; she had said it with sincerity and with an expression that said: 'You're really in trouble'
"You say it as if we weren't in the same boat"
Ana didn't flinch and instead took a bit of the oatmeal cookie they had brought her and put it in her mouth until it dissolved.
"We are, and at the same time we're not. Yes, I follow the lead ship, but I have another role"
Kalika's expression of doubt became evident. And as a way to enlighten her, Ana gave her an idea.
"The missions Heiss implemented, he already told his team what they had to do; although I worried about not knowing anything about him this whole long month, I knew I had to convince you"
At this point I was starting to understand it; it wasn't just that she'd join the team by choice, it was that Heiss truly needed her for the plan he designed to succeed.
"It's not as much as you think, though you're not that far off either"
She cooled her down before she even had a sliver of advantage to negotiate with; even at this point I already knew negotiating with Heiss was impossible, but it wouldn't be a bad idea to be able to remind him in the future that she helped him when he needed it.
"Heiss made the plans so they could succeed; that said, whether you're in the equation or not is up to you"
Kalika's gaze and jaw tensed at those words; nobody had told her she wasn't essential.
"However"
Her face rose to meet her eyes.
"That doesn't mean they're free of huge sacrifices"
Kalika's eyes opened wide.
"Yes, those guys, they're pieces headed for the slaughterhouse"
She didn't understand how she could say those words so easily when she had criticized her, refuted her, and even yelled at her for the way she was going to use Heiss and his subordinates; those were very hypocritical words.
"Tak tak tak"
Her fingers drummed on the table, highlighting the pretty unpainted nails of the cute girl; anyone would be delighted to have 5 minutes with that beauty, though of course not in this particular situation; they would have fled after hearing the following words.
"They know it; they know they're headed for the slaughterhouse. Heiss told them at the camp, at least a small part before escaping, and another during free moments and even when he went into a coma. At every point he could, he helped them and gave hints that if they wanted to leave, they could. None of them have"
Kalika lowered her gaze to her skirt, where her hands rested, or so it seemed at first; now they gripped the skirt. She had assumed the whole time they would follow her, and the truth is, had they done so, even if death would have been among the worst they'd ever felt in life, she had just never thought to tell them they had another option.
She never believed it necessary to say it, because she assumed they understood it.
Caleb, Ethan, Cloe, Emily, Gabriel, Mia, Grace and....
"You wanted to know what Heiss was like; that's him. Even if he has to carry the suffering of others, he will, as long as most aren't affected; he doesn't force anyone"
At that moment, Ana stood up. Not understanding what she was doing, Kalika asked:
"Where are you going?"
Ana answered
"Isn't it obvious? I feel like seeing how that idiot is doing"
Without saying anything, with a cheerful smile, the only genuine one of the night, she went straight to the register to pay the bill.
Watching her leave, Kalika prepared to leave when she remembered something and checked her cup of green tea; one could say it had an effect similar to coffee or chocolate.
Her face grimaced, one hand pressed against her chest, and simple words came out of her mouth.
"I'll do my best"
With that, she left and accompanied Ana back to the hotel where everyone would meet.
Once the table was cleared, the waitress collected the cups and plates and was about to take them away when she saw the drawing on the cups; in the tea one, she only saw what seemed to be waves. She didn't pay attention to it, but when she saw the coffee cups, she froze with fear reflected on her face; in them, one could see a person with a line coming out of their neck directed toward the sky, where it seemed something was controlling them, though it wasn't clear what, and as for the bottom, only coffee residue remained, like black earth in a desolate desert.
That day the waitress asked to be at the register for a week.
***
It was time for the meeting, and I was a bit impatient, not only because I wanted everyone to be aware of the threat, but also because, in itself, I felt time was running out on us.
And what had me on another focus was my personalities; it had me uneasy. The fact of being silent was comforting at first; now I felt something bad could happen at any moment.
"Hey, boss, can I ask you a question?"
Normally I wouldn't answer or would just say no, but this time I had to stop overthinking things and wait for the meeting to start; there I could tell them everything, or at least what they could handle.
"Go ahead"
"I know we're headed to a direct death, or at least that's something we thought among the guys and Alexander"
It was clear something was affecting them too.
"Sure, I haven't been able to hear your direct answers yet. Have you thought of something? I have no problem if you wish to get out of this mess; if I was harsh before, it was because we were in a tense situation; now you must have had time to think whether you truly wish to be at my side, especially after the missions I granted you"
The look on his face turned very happy, as if he felt that somehow I was taking him into account; that was scary. 'What kind of deal did Jesús have you in?'
Setting aside how damaged my youngest subordinate's mind was, I was surprised to see the others also had a soft smile.
'What's wrong with them?'
"We'll do it"
That was all they answered, and so they remained silent. Or at least until Jesús asked one of his stupid questions.