Evening sunlight gently shone on the corridor as Hide walked with light steps to the library. Today, he planned to meet his prospective partner-in-crime. As soon as he passed the door, Hide immediately turned his gaze to a corner where a student was sitting in front of a laptop.

Takeo Ishida, student of class 2A at East Nichiko High. He was a software engineering genius and a finalist in two national software engineering championships, sponsored by Ministry of Research and Technology.

In junior high, Takeo three times in a row destroyed Hide's dream to participate in the national software engineering championship. Hide had to settle for ending up as runner-up at the prefecture-level. One thing that made Hide hold a grudge against him.

Hide's father was a world-class programmer, and Hide started studying software engineering at the age of seven. Meanwhile, Takeo's parents were just tech-blind restaurant owners. So it was easy to imagine Hide's feelings, when he was defeated by a kid who studied software engineering by himself.

In general opinion, for a skill to develop to perfection, it took 1% talent and 99% hard work. The quota for talent was only 1%, but that 1% gap was an impassable gap and became an eternal line between the gifted and the non-talented. When Hide realized that he would never surpass Takeo's achievements in software engineering, his heart immediately sank in bitterness.

It was a decade later before Hide realized that his talent was not in software engineering, but in another area that he loved much more, and for the first time in his life, he realized the pain of envious stares from his colleagues.

Hide also deeply regretted his past deed, when he bluntly projected his bitterness to Takeo, who in this life ironically was the most ideal partner-in-crime for him.

After sighing deeply, Hide then approached Takeo.

---

After school, Takeo would use the library's wifi network to work on small projects, provided for free-lancer programmers by several online-job sites. Of course, he put some textbooks on the table so that other visitors would think he was studying or doing schoolwork.

When Hide suddenly sat before him, Takeo immediately frowned. Although he and Hide were rivals in software engineering, in junior high Takeo repeatedly tried to make friends with Hide. Of course, his efforts were in vain because for some reason Hide hated him so much. Even so, Takeo didn't hate Hide.

However, when in grade 9 Takeo was beaten by several students but Hide ignored him. Even though Takeo had desperately shouted for help from him.

With an icy gaze Takeo looked at Hide. "Are you looking for trouble?"

"No, I want to offer you a job with a legit payoff."

Takeo scornfully answered, "I don't want to work with a coward."

Hide tapped his fingers on the table for a moment before replying, "If you think I am a coward because I left you when you were beaten, then you are wrong. That day I left you because I wanted to watch you get beaten. To be honest, I was watching you from a corner while laughing in my heart."

Takeo immediately clenched his fist, then with a trembling voice he said, "Get out of my sight."

However, with a calm tone Hide continued, "I do not immediately regret what I did that day. But once I start to regret it, believe me I do not pass a single day without bitterness every time I recall my stupidity."

Takeo stuttered for a while before asking, "Did you take the wrong medicine this morning?"

Hide shook his head slowly before whispering, "I know your parents lost in forex trading and have 8 million Dillar debt. The job I am offering will be able to offset your parent's debt. And after 5-6 jobs there is a chance that you will be able to pay off their debt."

While his forehead creased, Takeo wondered how Hide knew about his parents' debts. Then, he asked, "What kind of work that can bring in over a million Dillar and can be done by high schooler?"

Hide immediately handed Takeo a piece of paper as he said, "This isn't the proper place to talk about it. Meet me here tomorrow at nine in the morning, if you're interested."

After Takeo took the piece of paper, Hide got up and walked towards the exit.

---

While walking towards his house, Hide's mind was filled with his conversation with Takeo. From the conversation he managed to confirm that Takeo was a soliter like himself. Because a soliter was only able to speak normally in front of other soliter.

In his previous life, for more than two decades Hide tried to project himself out like a solider. And every time he failed to do so, he became gloomy and pessimistic. Before finally, a psychologist in Sniper Specialization training told him that he was a soliter who would instinctively project himself inwardly.

A solider would gain peace of mind when he or she was in a crowd. Meanwhile, a soliter would achieve peace of mind when he or she entered their inner self.

When he finally realized that for more than two decades he had been desperately trying to become what he was not, Hide really didn't know he should laugh out loud or cry over his stupidity.

'Well, at least this time I can prevent another regret in my previous life.'

At this point, Takeo didn't realize how desperate his parents were. But Hide knew that Takeo's parents have not only borrowed money from the bank, but have also mortgaged their house and restaurant. Also, within a few months Takeo's parents would commit suicide after poisoning Takeo and his twin little sister using sleeping pills.

'Even if Takeo refuses to become my partner, I will still prevent his parents' suicide attempts.'

Hide strengthened his determination as he accelerated his footsteps.

*****