not really a 'Yes'

{if GM==1}Julia looks at me in a mix of anger and surprise-- the same look she gave me years ago when I used her lipstick to even out the color distribution that had resulted from the scratch I made on the piano bench. It happened after doing some experimental indoor run with my skateboard.

My mind drifts back to my old skateboard. Where was it now? It's like my memories of having fun on the skateboard have been totally erased. Something must have happened to me. I glance back at Julia.

"It's not exactly a 'Yes'," she says. "Maybe more of a 'No'." Her anger appears more evident as she asks, "But how on Earth did you know about this place?"

Why is she angry? Maybe I should not agitate thing more, but how am I doing that? I lower my voice a notch. "The news article mentioned it, right?" I say. "And you're being vague."

"Remember I told you she worked in accounting?" she says impatiently.

I nod, staring at her with reserved expectation.

She points at the old building. "That's not an accounting firm, but it was owned by the same firm she worked for."

"So you mean, she also did accounting for this music lounge?" I ask, showing interest in where this may possibly lead.

She smiles condescendingly. Apparently her anger had evaporated. "That's possible, but we can't be absolutely certain."

I glance around at the other buildings nearby. Only the large industrial building across the street appeared to have been recently built. All the other buildings had the aura of a different age.

"Come," Julia says impatiently as she pulls me by the arm. "Let's proceed to the gym."

"Just a few seconds, Sis," I say, disengaging myself from her. "Can I explore the old building a bit?"

{elseif@ GM==0}Please turn on GAME MODE.{endif}