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Chapter 3 — Ready? Action!
part I
About fifteen minutes had passed.
The four of them sat in a cozy, cluttered apartment, and it also looked pretty neat. She sat down beside Tanaka, while they were facing Arai and his big brother as well.
She swallowed hard, trying to distract herself by looking around the place. The lights were warm. A kettle whistled softly in the kitchen. She tries to making herself comfortable, placing the sweater she had took off on her thighs.
It is comfortable enough, there's no need to be anxious, right?
No.
The atmosphere was TENSE.
Quietly she continued to sit while looking down, gripping hard on the mug. This feeling added to a bit of nostalgia when she got scolded... or did she?
Tanaka and Arai sat quietly looking down on the mug, while Arai's brother leaned back on the couch, sipping his drink.
"So..." He dropped the mug gently. "Who's gonna start?"
Tanaka sat stiffly, arms crossed, avoiding everyone's eyes. Kazuna gave him a little bump with her elbow without leaving her glance at the mug.
He sighed deeply. "Alright—fine. I'll talk."
Everyone turned toward him. He rubbed his face once, then finally spoke.
"You… remember Rei, right?" He asks, fidgeting.
Arai's brother tilted hus head, frowning—he sensed something wrong. "Rei? What's about him?"
"Yeah. I found out that he used to get beat up by some gang idiots—the same ones Inoue ran into."
The air felt like it was holding its breath.
"But... one day he just vanished. No calls, no texts, nothing."
Kazuna shifted in her seat. She feels the pain deep in his voice.
Arai's brother put a palm on his forehead. "So you've been lying to me… that Rei had been missing all this time?"
"I—I know, I'm sorry… but that's not the point for now,"
"You think they're involved?"
"I know they are. But I don't have proof," He hesitated. "That's why I've been asking around. Following trails. That's how I ran into her."
He motioned toward Kazuna. "She's already tangled with them. And got some information."
Right after that Arai's brother leaned forward, getting more serious now.
"Illegal stuff?" He guessed.
Kazuna nodded. "Drugs. Movement. I don't know where it's going or who they have a contract with yet—but they're not just some schoolyard gang."
Silence.
Tanaka muttered, "I didn't tell anyone. Not even you, Riku. Because I didn't want you to get dragged into it."
"Too late for that, genius." Arai's brother frowned.
His brother exhaled. "Alright. Then from now on—no more secrets. You two," he pointed to Kazuna and Tanaka, "...are involved, whether you like it or not. So we're making a plan."
Tanaka muttered, "Didn't expect you to go full detective mode..."
"Shut up. I'm older, I get to panic quietly."
The room stayed quiet, tension thick in the air. Kazuna exhaled, setting down her drink. Thinking about the best way to solve this.
None of them were saying anything until Kazuna broke the thick atmosphere. "I'll do it."
Three heads turned her way.
"Do what?" Tanaka narrowed his eyes.
She looked straight at Arai's brother.
"Let me be the bait. I've already faced them. They know my face. If I show up again—alone—they'll come to me."
Tanaka nearly dropped the mug.
"ARE YOU STUPID—?!"
"It's effective," she replied calmly.
"It's reckless," he snapped back, standing up.
Then he added, "Do you want to get jumped too—again? This time they might not go easy."
"Well—they didn't go easy the first time."
"That's not the point—!"
Arai's brother raised his hand. "Silent, both of you. Sit down."
Kazuna didn't move. Neither did Tanaka. Their stares clashed like a silent lightning storm.
"Inoue," Arai's brother said, calm as ever, "you're suggesting we use you as a decoy... right?"
"Exactly. I'll spy on them."
"You'll need to wear a mic. One of us stays close, maybe in disguise. Backup waiting nearby."
Tanaka whipped toward him. "You're seriously considering this?!"
He just gave him a look. "Do you have a better plan?"
Tanaka opened his mouth. Closed it. Looked away. His fists clenched on the mug.
Kazuna sat back down, staring into her half-empty cup.
"They already see me as weak," she muttered. "Some girl who just got lucky landing a few kicks. I'll make them get out of their place, then you guys search their place and gather information without them noticing. And maybe if I threaten them a little, I could get some too." She said while shrugging her shoulders.
Tanaka ran his hand through his hair, groaning low in frustration. "I don't like this. That's too stupid."
He faced her, then added, "I don't care if it works—I don't want you in danger."
She glanced up, surprised.
His jaw was tight, his voice low. "I don't want anyone to be hurt. Worse—" He clenched his mug, hard.
"I… I don't want that."
While Arai's big brother, still leaning casually, raised a brow. "Wow. Didn't know you were so sentimental."
"I'm not," Tanaka mumbled. "She's just… dumb. In a strong way."
"Wow," Kazuna deadpanned.
"You know what I mean."
Arai, who had been awkwardly silent for once, finally spoke up.
"Then we do it smart. Inoue goes, but she's never actually alone."
His brother nodded. "We'll set up a full plan. But make no mistake—"
"But this is crazy. Too reckless I said—don't you guys remember that we're still a middle schoolers?" Tanaka cuts off.
All of them fell silent. Even Arai lost his innocent smile.
"I know this is dangerous... but don't you want to help your friend too, Shougo?"
Kazuna nodded. While Tanaka stood behind her now, arms crossed tightly.
He didn't like it—but he didn't stop her.
"Fine," he muttered. "But I'm sticking close. If there's a slightest—small wound, I'm dragging you out of there. I don't care how badass you think you are."
"I am badass," she almost try to smirked, but failed.
"Not the point," He said boldly.
Tanaka stares at her, a hidden rage in his eyes. "No, no way in hell I'm letting you walk into that mess by yourself."
Kazuna just stares at him silently, feeling like she was offended by his words because it felt like he look down on her. But she understand what he's trying to do deeply, it is a dumb plan.
Everyone knows that they're just a kid. A naive kid. They're just around 12 anyway, first and second grade of middle school.
But everyone continues anyway to devote themselves to making the plan, deep in discussion and tossing ideas across the room like darts. While Arai is in the back staying silent, then suddenly snaps out.
"Wait," Arai's voice cut in, hesitant. "Why don't we just… call the police?"
Silence. Three pairs of eyes turned to him.
Tanaka gripped the cushion so tightly it looked ready to burst. Kazuna blinked for a few times. And his big brother sipped his tea like he'd been expecting that question all night.
"We can't," the brother said calmly. "We've got no proof. Nothing solid. Even if we gave them names, they'd need something to act on."
"Plus… we're just middle schoolers, I'm not quite sure they will believe us. Or even if they did, what if we points at the wrong one?" His brother added.
Arai's shoulders slumped a little. "Oh…"
"But I think we should give it a shot, don't you think?" Tanaka said.
It took a few seconds for the brother to think about it.
"Probably," Arai's brother shifted his position. "Logically—it was much better than we act on our own, or at least we let the police know that Rei was kidnapped."
"Alright then—I'll try to talk with them," Tanaka nods down his head, before constantly got up onto his feet.
Then he added before turning away. "Can I use your house phone?"
"Go ahead."
After Tanaka finally leaves to make a call, the brothers discussing about it each other. Meanwhile in her perspective, everything's faded slowly in the background. Mind's everywhere, trying to figure the best way to act.
Kazuna sat still, brows furrowing. She muttered under her breath.
"The police..."
Then her eyes snapped open.
"Hold on—maybe I've got a better plan."
Tanaka immediately tensed, he held the phone and almost picking it up. "You better not say—"
"I am still being the bait, probably..." she said carefully, unsure. "But not to fight. This time, I'll play as a cameraman."
Riku raised an eyebrow. "Go on."
Kazuna nods at him, "I know exactly where they are, because I once trailed them secretly—and so, they usually gather around the place to make a deal with the victim, they got it scheduled. So when the time is perfect, I'll try to get as much as evidence we needed."
"Like drugs," Arai realized.
She nodded once more. "I'll be recording the whole thing in the distance. Audio. Maybe even video. Once they hand it over, boom. Evidence."
"If they caught me and try to get closer, I'll lure them somewhere else—"
"...To the place where the police are!" Arai added.
She nodded, "Yes, and that's when you guys start the action to surround them, and right then Tanaka could search for… the missing friend too—with the police."
The room was quiet again—but this time for a different reason.
Then—"...That maybe could work," The little brother said in agreement. "But, I think it's still way too dangerous..."
"In conclusion... we just try to get the fact that they're bad guys—then straight up giving up the evidence. But if they noticed us, we'll lure them straight up to the police." Arai's brother muttered.
Tanaka groaned and dropped his head into his hands. "I hate to say that's effective…"
"I'll be careful," she promised.
"You better be."
Eventually, they agree with Kazuna's idea and start to arrange the plan. They planned to start the mission at midnight when they started to drop in.
The time passed really fast, the sky outside slowly turned dark with the moon shining with its dim light. They discuss the plan and arrange everything they need.
While Kazuna looked around, she needed someone to talk about the recording.
"Hey, Arai—"
Suddenly, both brothers turned to look at her at the exact same time.
She froze. "O-oh... I'm sorry, I forgot you both were brothers."
"Ahaha… It's fine," the younger one laughed awkwardly, rubbing his neck. "I mean, uh… you can just call me Itsuki, if that makes it easier."
She blinked, then smiled slightly. "Alright. Itsuki it is."
She turned to the older brother. And he raised an eyebrow. "Call me whatever you want. 'Riku' works just fine."
She nodded again. "Riku, then."
Finally, her eyes landed on Tanaka—sitting there with hopeful golden retriever energy, like a kid waiting for his turn in a game of tag. She swears she could see a tail wagging.
He grinned up at her, eyes shining. "Sooo… what'll you call me, huh?"
"Still calling you Tanaka." She didn't even hesitate.
His face dropped.
"...Seriously?"
"Seriously." She answers boldly.
He frowned. "Not even like... 'Kazu-kun's savior'?"
"You're pushing it."
"Heartless," he muttered, sinking into the couch.
And finally, the planning had settled. Everyone's roles had been discussed, the timing arranged, and the location chosen—a quiet, half-abandoned warehouse district near the edge of town.
Midnight. Sharply.
But not to mention that the location was near her house...
Kazuna quietly stood up, checking her flipped phone.
"…I should go," she said softly. "It's late." She reached for her bag and sweater on her arm, moving with quiet urgency.
"I'll walk you," Tanaka said, standing up immediately.
"I was going to—" Itsuki tried to cut in.
They both turned to each other with that classic slow-motion glare—tension spiking instantly.
Kazuna could already feel a migraine coming, immediately shakes her head. "I can go by myself."
But Riku, who had been leaning against the counter quietly, stood up and stretched. He glanced at Kazuna. "I'll take her."
"Hey, I'm the first one—" Tanaka insists.
"You're both too loud. Stay and help clean up. And I have something to talk with her about things too." He added firmly.
Both of them were silent. No one argued after that. Tanaka just muttered something under his breath while Itsuki sighed, giving up.
They walked in silence for a while. The city was calm, the kind of calm that made every footstep feels louder. Kazuna stayed close to the sidewalk edge, hands in her skirt pockets. She didn't speak unless she had to—but Riku didn't seem to mind.
After a few blocks, he broke the quiet.
"…Thanks—for helping my brother last night."
Kazuna looked up at him. She gave a small nod.
"I didn't do much," she said quietly.
"You did enough." His voice was calm. There was no teasing or heavy emotion—just a simple truth, handed to her without weight.
Kazuna lowered her gaze again, her shoes tapping lightly against the pavement. Noticing the stain of blood Tanaka mentioned earlier.
And Riku noticed it as well while looking down at her dirty shoes, but decided to not talk about it. He seemed a bit anxious.
"You don't talk much, huh?" He started.
She simply shook her head.
"That's alright," he added. "Sometimes people talk too much anyway."
He glanced at her, noting the bandage on her hand.
"You okay?"
Kazuna hesitated, then nodded again. "Just a scrape."
She slowly fixing her sleeves awkwardly. Then just quietly continue walking.
But he noticed that awkward look.
"Still," he said, "...don't let it push you into doing more than you should. He means well, but he's… intense."
Kazuna gave the faintest of smiles. She didn't speak.
"...I'll be honest," Riku said after a pause, his voice a little lower, "this whole thing's risky. I wouldn't let just anyone do it. But you seem to know what you're doing."
She blinked at that. He wasn't praising her like a hero. Just acknowledging her.
And she appreciated that.
"...I'll be careful," she murmured.
"Good," he replied simply.
They turned down a familiar street. Her house was just a few minutes away now. Riku slowed slightly, walking a little more behind than beside her, as if keeping guard.
"Tanaka was a mess," he said suddenly. "...Whenever he talks about Rei—especially after what happened... but you being there—it seemed like it helped him keep his head."
Kazuna didn't reply right away.
"…He's loud," she said, barely above a whisper, "but… not bad."
Riku chuckled. "That's the nicest review anyone's ever given him."
They stopped a few feet from her gate.
She bowed slightly. "Thanks for walking me."
"Stay safe," Riku said. "And if something feels wrong later… pull out quickly. Understand?"
She nodded once. Quiet, firm.
He watched her go until the door closed behind her. Then he turned and walked back, his hands in his coat pockets, already thinking about the next step.
Inside the house, as she gets in slowly… the door creaked shut behind her. Kazuna slipped off her shoes silently, like always—careful, soft.
But then—she looked up. Her mother stood a few steps away, arms crossed. Waiting.
"Where have you been?"
Kazuna stilled for a second. She looked down, setting her bag quietly to the side before answering.
"…I'm home, Mom."
There was a pause, long enough to be tense but not hostile. Her mother stepped closer, resting a hand gently on Kazuna's shoulder. Her thumb brushed over the fabric of her hoodie in a slow, absent-minded motion.
"You're usually not this late."
Kazuna hesitated.
"U-uh… I had to work on a group project. With friends."
Her mother blinked—mildly surprised.
"Friends?"
A genuine question, not sarcastic. Kazuna looked down again.
"…I do now."
That was all she said. And it was enough.
Suddenly—A soft giggle echoed from the hallway.
"Ah—look who it is," Kazuna's voice brightened instantly.
A tiny figure waddled clumsily toward her—her toddler brother, cheeks round and smiling wide. Kazuna knelt down to scoop him up effortlessly.
"Did you miss me already, little teddy?" She whispered, resting her cheek lightly against his soft hair.
He babbled in reply, smacking his tiny palm against her shoulder. While her mother just smiled faintly at the sight.
"He kept pointing at the door every five minutes," she said. "I told him you'd come back. You always do."
Kazuna held him a little tighter. Took a glance at her mother for a moment before looking back at her little boy.
"You miss me that much, hm?" She said softly. With one arm, she carried him easily, and with the other, she picked up her schoolbag. Carefully, she walked to the living room.
Kazuna went to the living room, noticing her father was also there. Her father sat on the couch, remote in hand, quietly watching the news.
She walks towards her father and sits beside him while putting her little brother on her lap.
Her father glanced at her. "Welcome home, Kazuna."
"Mhm…" She hummed, nodding faintly.
Her eyes drifted to the television screen. For a moment, she stared blankly—lost in thought. The screen flashed images of sleek machines and innovation.
A voice from the news anchor rang out: "—and in today's headlines, a new technology for security system has been officially launched…"
That's when Kazuna blinked. Her mind snapped back into focus.
"Oh, I gotta go back to my room…"
She picks up her younger brother and puts him back down on the couch gently. Left the living room quickly and went upstairs.
"You don't want to have dinner first?" Her mother suddenly asks. Automatically she stopped walking up the stairs, turning around.
Kazuna shakes her head lightly, "No, no need… I want to study for tomorrow."
Her mother smiles slightly, a proud mom. "Don't forget to take a rest, okay? Good night."
"Good night…" Kazuna quickly turns around again.
She opens her room door and shuts it back slowly as she gets in.
The silence is heavy. The weight of the plan starts sinking in.
She reached for the lights, sighing quietly as she stared blankly at her desk. Kazuna drops her bag on the side and other things back in the place, then sits down smoothly on the chair.
She opens her drawer slowly, pulling out a sketch of a design or something complex she's been secretly building: K.A.L.E.
It's just software right now, just code and potential… but it's her own creation, original.
Her only secret. Nobody knows it, not even her mom.
She takes out her laptop and turns it on. The soft blue light of the monitor reflects in her eyes. And not only that, but she also takes a few tools and some components and old scraps from the drawer desk that she got from the electronic shop that the owner wanted to throw away.
Before she starts, she turns off the room light and turns on the study lamp instead. The desk looks cozier this time, and she loves it. Then she shifts and places herself comfortably, working on with the bunch of scraps and codes on her laptop.
This is what she does every day before bed. No one knows it, yet.
A lot of effort she put into this—'project', that she made. She learned all the basics by herself manually. No mentor, no teacher. All she has is herself.
And one day, once this project is done, she won't be all alone.
———————————————————————————————————————————————————
The time's ticking. The clock on her wall shows it's already a quarter to twelve at night.
She yawns, still working on the bunch of scraps. Her hair is frizzy, and her eyes are like a panda's now. Her body feels so heavy that it feels like a slight tap could make her fall down. But she forces herself to move.
Her arms tucked into her hoodie, she tied her hair into a messy bun. To make her look pathetic on purpose so it looked realistic for the acting. Sighs deeply as she wears the hood.
She set up the pillow on her bed and covered it with a blanket. So if someone checks her, no one will notice that she's gone. She turned the lamp off before she opened the window, planning to sneak out by the window.
But she stopped for a moment.
Right, she can't leave without her camera first.
A small, digital camera.
Kazuna jumps quietly, holding the camera on her side while it is tied around her neck. Carefully stand on the edge of the window. It was high, so she tried to find a way to get down.
She stepped carefully with her hands stretched out, touching the walls as she tried to get on the other side.
But from afar, her friends—Tanaka, Riku, and Itsuki—were watching her sneaking out of her room by the window. Itsuki was panicking, scared that she would fall down.
Tanaka also looked stressed.
"Has she lost her mind?!" Tanaka bursts out.
But Riku's expression was totally different. He grows a slight smirk. "What a dang crazy girl."
While Kazuna jumps, she carefully lands on the cold pavement. She almost stumbled on her back, trying to keep her balance steady. Letting out a deep sigh.
Her footsteps through the cold street outside, tiptoeing so it doesn't make any noise. Well, she tried to unlock the gate quietly, thankfully she have the spare key.
But to her shock, as she was swiftly move herself to the other side of the gate and close the gate—Tanaka… Itsuki and Arai were waiting in front of the gate. She didn't know it.
She slowly... turns her head to the back. It feels like she was caught red-handed, like she was a thief trying to get away.
"You're a real naughty one." Tanaka shakes his head slightly while clicking his tongue.
But she stays silent, she doesn't even know if she should just smiling or something.
"Alright… shall we?" She asked as soon as she done making sure the gate was locked again with the spare key she had.
But Tanaka stopped her before she could even take a step. "Okay, wow there young lady."
"Are you sure about this?" He added.
"You can still take a step back from here. Meaning after this… you can't."
Kazuna shrugged her shoulders. "Well—why not?"
They went speechless as they heard her straightforwardness. The moment of silence was louder than a scream.
"C'mon, we can't just stand here and waste our time." She broke the silence.
Kazuna walks calmly, like she isn't even scared of anything. Maybe.
Going through with all the darkness in the alley, while her friends stuck close behind her. Itsuki walks with his hand trembling, his eyes wary around the place, and his brother, Riku—places his hand on his shoulder to guide him and make sure that he's okay.
"You okay, buddy?" Riku asked.
Itsuki looks up at him, nodding. "Yeah, I'm just… not too used with this—"
"Neither do I. But they both… it seems like they do."
Their both pairs of eyes darted to the two figures in front of them, showing more knowledge of how to handle things in this situation.
But on the other side, Tanaka, with suspicious eyes, already from the start had a bad feeling about this. He listened to every footstep echoing through the alleyway, noting all of the details around him.
The cold breeze wiping her cheeks—actually, that's making her get goosebumps a little.
Then for a second—Kazuna senses something dangerous.
She stopped. Her eyes were observing the place. But she couldn't get a hint where that sudden sense was coming from.
A warning. It actually made her think about it.
Tanaka noticed that. And he becomes more on guard. He knew something bad would come, but he just couldn't tell it, he couldn't predict when it was going to come. It could be in any second, at any time now.
Kazuna tried to brush it off a moment later. Maybe she's too confident for this—but she's just trying to stay calm and not to look panicked.
She didn't want to let them know that. She didn't want anyone to become worried.
They walk down through the way, there's no one else on this late night except them.
But that's where they're wrong.
A van drove past them, slowly. The van hummed through the night, roaring down like it was an alarm.
She stopped walking. Well, Kazuna didn't think too much, because she saw the sticker food promotion, so she just thought it was just a food delivery service.
A chicken drumstick on the white van.
It's funny, she thought. Because out of nowhere in this intimidating place, that cartoonish chicken on the van just drove past by them.
So she took a picture of it, just for a joke. Maybe she will write a journal about it.
And the others were just silently watching as the van drove by as well. Continue to walk.
"...Wanna get some chicken after this?" Suddenly, Tanaka broke the silence.
Riku chuckles slightly. "Sure."
"Then you'll treat all of us."
Riku paused for a moment. "Excuse me? You're the one who's asking it first."
"I know, I know. But come on, don't be so stingy with us." Tanaka replies back, his arm around his neck with his smug expression. "I already treated you guys the last time, that means it's yours now."
Riku let out a long sigh, his eyes circled around. But the corners of his lips almost slipped into a smile. "Fine."
Tanaka screeched out a smile. It seems like he was overjoyed. Kazuna swears that she could see a tail wagging. While Itsuki let out a small chuckle behind them. She let out a sigh while shaking her head slightly.
It was a small conversation, but truly—it changed the atmosphere drastically between them all. And then, after a few minutes, they walk to the place they've been planning to, the place that Tanaka said might be where all the proof could be. Itsuki gulps down his throat, feeling unsure.
While Kazuna is 180 degrees different from him, like she's been waiting for this. Her expression stayed neutral even though deep down inside—her heart was racing because of anxiety.
Tanaka peeked from the side, watching the building that was surrounded by a few punks hanging around. His eyes darkened. Hatred was burning him deeply with his palms clenched.
But Kazuna sneaking down to him came to see it. She squinted her eyes and observed it. She noticed that the guys also had a dog, growling. Maybe the dog can sense a threat, but thankfully the punks didn't notice it.
The two of them turn back to the others, Kazuna nodding down, making a signal to them as she tugs down the hoodie.
"Be careful," a warning from Tanaka.
His eyes were full of worry as he looked at her, his gaze softened, different from before. "They might be on guard, knowing something will come."
"How did you know that?" Kazuna began to be suspicious.
"I sense something way more dangerous will come."
"So please," he added. "Scream if anything bad happens, I will come to save you."
Kazuna caught motionless for a moment, tilted her head slightly. She wonders, she didn't know why he acted so differently. She knows that he's just trying to warn her—but it felt like it was something more.
"I get it," she replied.
"But don't worry, just trust me. You know that I can do taekwondo, right?"
Tanaka didn't respond at first, then broke with a forced chuckle. "You're damn stubborn."
And then, Kazuna tugged her hoodie tighter. She also wears her wired earphone to connect a call. Getting ready for action. But a hand grabbed her before she could even take a step forward.
"The recording?" Riku asked as she turned around.
Kazuna nods while raising the digital camera. "All good."
"Alright, I just want to make sure…" Riku then nodded back, wearing his wired earphones. The rest also wear the earphones so they all can contact each other.
"Just to make sure, Inoue and Shougo stay in this place, alright? While me and Itsuki goes to the police station, got it?" Riku's in charge.
They all nod right after that.
But Kazuna didn't make a single move after that before snapping back. "Oh, I almost forgot about something…." She takes something from her pocket.
She held out another device and handed it to Tanaka. "Here, you can track me with this."
Tanaka paused for a moment, observing the device that Kazuna gave to him. He could see a map, and there's a red dot, which might be signaling Kazuna's location. "Where'd you get this from?"
Kazuna didn't answer straightly. "...It doesn't matter."
Right after she turns away, Tanaka stopped her once again. Holding her wrist, almost too tight.
"Becareful, okay? I got your back, I won't be too far away from you."
"You can count on me." Kazuna nodded again.
The time has finally come. She is forcing herself forward. The punks' laughter scraped at her ears, the sound of bottles clinking against the pavement.
She moved as quietly as she could, breath shallow, every step heavy.
Right after she got on the perfect place to hide near them, she peeks carefully as she start the recording.
The dog's growl sharpened into a bark—feral, vicious, echoing down the alley.
The punks jerked their heads, snapping to attention. One of them whistled sharply. Grin all over their face.
That means, the victim has come.
But to her shocking...
There was also a van coming.
The same one they seen before.
The chicken sticker on the van's body.
It caught her off guard, but she stays quiet as she trying to keep to record them.
But as the victim, or that's what she thought it would be... came out of the van, it looks nothing like a victim. More like a... client?
The every figures came out of the van was wearing a fancy suit.
She saw they're talking about something, a contract, or something even bigger.
Then the right timing hits, one of them handed something, something that could be the evidence.
Perfect.
This is all she need, and it's enough.
Or...
She's celebrate it too early.
Out of nowhere, somebody yanks her—caught her on the back of her shirt and raise her up with only a hand. As if she was nothing but a feather.
"Hey, look who's here…" A dark chuckle. And the guy that caught her like they got a kitten showing it to the rest of them
"Hah—! We got the crazy bitch here," Words, and words coming from their mouths, mocking her condition. Helpless, and horrofic look on her eyes.
She was the best example of an easy target, especially to be pursued using drugs.
One of the guy came forward, a hand suddenly reached to her jaws, cupped her face firmly. She lets out a faint groan. From that moment her gaze locked onto the person.
"Maybe… we also have something intriguing to offer, for you." A sinister smile formed.
Then they took out something, like a drug. The smell struck her throat into her lungs. It feels like her lungs are being squeezed inside. The uneasy feeling suddenly struck her apart.
The jolted tension made her adrenaline order her to get out of there quickly. The place around them feels frozen. It was just them and her. Her vision is getting blurred.
She needs to run, now. Because she already got enough evidence from them.
But instead, she just stayed, frozen. Her eyes widened. Not that she didn't want to run, but her body says the opposite.
She could feel her hands trembling slightly. That's when she knows… what they have planned.
"But you see… we can't give it to you just like that for free." The grip on her jaw tightens, it hurts.
And that smirk formed on the guy's lips, a gold tooth flashing.
That's when she realized...
She had messed with the wrong person.
"...You have to come with us, Inoue Kazuna."