Chapter 16
Two hours later, they reached the nearest call station, hoping they could at least contact someone familiar. Souta tried calling Ryou again and again, but every attempt ended the same way, an error tone that only made his chest feel heavier. For now, they assumed Ryou's place might still be safe, at least long enough to think clearly, while Souta pushed the thought of Hikari's betrayal aside, knowing he would have to face it later.
His mother broke the silence as they rested for a moment. She suggested they go to Aunt Julie's place in the province, somewhere far from the city and the danger that followed them. Masaki immediately asked how they were supposed to get there when they had no money left, no bags, and nothing except the clothes they were wearing.
Souta thought for a moment before speaking. He told them that going back to their own house was impossible, and staying nearby was dangerous, but Ryou's place was different. It was where he had stayed before, and Ryou lived alone. If anyone was looking for them, that house would be the last place they expected. After a short discussion, they all agreed, and they started walking again.
By morning, they finally reached Ryou's house. As they walked, Masaki kept asking questions, and their mother did the same, wanting answers Souta was not ready to fully give yet. He answered what he could and stayed quiet when he could not.
Souta knocked on the door.
Ryou opened it almost immediately, his face pale and tense, his eyes wide in a way that did not feel normal. Souta noticed it right away.
"What's with that face?" Souta asked casually.
"N nothing," Ryou replied quickly, stepping aside. "Come in."
They entered the house. Souta's mother thanked Ryou sincerely for letting them stay for the moment, and Ryou smiled weakly, saying it was no problem and that he was glad to see them safe.
Souta looked around the living room. The place was messy. Too messy.
"So, Ryou," Souta said calmly, "what were you doing yesterday?"
"Nothing," Ryou replied. "Why?"
Souta glanced at the scattered items, the signs of people being there. "I thought you had a party. The house looks like a lot of people were here."
"Y yeah," Ryou said after a pause. "Some friends came over."
Silence filled the room.
Souta looked straight at him. "Ryou. Nao and I are your only friends."
The silence became heavier.
Ryou suddenly turned and tried to grab his phone, but Souta reacted instantly, kicking him hard in the stomach. Ryou crashed to the floor, gasping for air. Before Masaki or their mother could react, Souta grabbed Ryou and punched him again, this time straight in the face.
"SOUTA!" Masaki shouted. "What's wrong with you? Have you gone crazy?"
"He's lying," Souta said sharply. "He's a traitor. He sold us to Victor. He told them my plan. How dare you."
Their mother grabbed Souta's arm, shaking. "How can you be sure?"
"This morning," Souta said without looking away from Ryou, "I gained a new ability. One in four hundred. Lie detection."
He turned back to Ryou. "Answer me. Did Victor or his people come here? Did they ask about my plan, about rescuing my family? And are you working with Hikari?"
Ryou broke down.
"Alright, fine," he said, his voice shaking. "They came here looking for you. I never told them your plan. I swear. I never told them about the lab or your family. I only said you had a connection with Hikari. That's all. They threatened to kill me."
Masaki looked at Souta. "So? Is he lying?"
"He's telling the truth," Souta replied quietly.
Ryou swallowed hard, fear clear on his face. "Hey... Souta. If they come back here, they might kill me next time. Is there any way you can lend me some of your power? Just enough so I can escape."
Souta stared at him. "Even if I wanted to, I don't know how," he said coldly. "We're leaving."
Souta turned to his mother and Masaki and headed for the door. Ryou scrambled after them.
"Wait, where are you going?"
Souta did not look back. "Why would we tell you?"
He paused and turned slightly. "If you want forgiveness, lend me money."
"What?" Ryou said in disbelief.
"Why do you need money?" Ryou asked again. "Don't you have a bank account?"
"Do I have my card?" Souta replied flatly. "Just give me the money."
Ryou hesitated, then reached into a drawer and pulled out a small bundle of cash. "I only have this."
Souta took it without hesitation. "That's enough."
Without another word, Souta walked out with his family, leaving Ryou standing alone in the doorway, shaking.
Souta pressed the money into his mother's hands, making sure she held it tightly, then split the rest between her and Masaki so neither of them would be left helpless.
"Go here first," Souta said firmly, pointing at the address on his phone. "It's a hotel near a police station. Stay there. If anything feels strange, call the police immediately."
His mother looked at him with worry written all over her face. "Where are you going?"
"I'm going to see Hikari," Souta replied without hesitation.
Masaki frowned. "That guy again?"
"Don't worry," Souta said, forcing a small smile. "I'll be fine. Bullets already hit me before and I survived. Just be careful, both of you."
His mother hugged him tightly, her hands shaking. Masaki followed, gripping his shoulder hard.
"Come back alive," Masaki said quietly.
"I will," Souta replied. "Trust me."
He turned away before they could say anything else and walked off alone.
Souta arrived at Hikari's mansion not long after. The moment he stepped into view, cameras locked onto him, tracking his every movement.
Inside the mansion, alarms blared.
"SOUTA IS HERE!"
Guards rushed into position as Hikari and Shido were alerted immediately.
Souta stopped in front of the gate and punched it with everything he had. The metal twisted and collapsed inward, crashing to the ground. Guns were raised instantly, dozens of barrels pointed straight at him.
Souta raised his hands slowly.
In his mind, he calculated.
He had no power that could stop a full volley of bullets. Pain resistance would dull the pain but not save his life. Minor telekinesis was weak, barely enough to restrain a few people. Super strength meant nothing against guns.
Souta's abilities:
1 in 7 Physical Conditioning 1x
1 in 15 Weak Regeneration 1x
1 in 65 Photographic Memory 2x
1 in 85 Combat Instinct 1x
1 in 90 Pain Resistance 1x
1 in 100 Memory Recall 1x
1 in 120 Super Strength 1x
1 in 200 Perfect Aim 1x
1 in 400 Lie Detection 1x
1 in 600 Minor Telekinesis 1x
He had no choice.
"Hikari!" Souta shouted. "Shido! Come out! I'm here to talk. Or to kill you. Your choice."
The tension was thick as footsteps approached. Hikari and Shido stepped into view, surrounded by armed men.
"I knew this would happen," Hikari said quietly.
Souta walked forward, never lowering his gaze. "Why, Hikari? I trusted you."
Hikari raised a hand. "Lower your guns."
"But sir," one of the guards protested, "he could kill you."
"I said lower them," Hikari repeated.
The guns lowered slightly.
Souta stopped just in front of him. "I trusted you," he said again. "How could you do this?"
"They came to us first," Hikari said, his voice tense. "I don't know how they found out about our connection, but they showed up with advanced weapons. They killed Grill. They killed some of my men. I tried to talk. I tried to stall. But more of my people kept dying. I had no choice. Surely you understand that."
Souta punched him.
It was not a strong punch. It was controlled, restrained, filled with anger but not intent to kill.
Hikari staggered back slightly and did not resist.
Guns snapped up again, but Hikari raised his hand once more. "Lower them. I'm fine."
Souta watched him closely.
In his mind, the truth was clear.
He was not lying.
Souta took a breath. "I need your help," he said. "My parents need a safe place."
"This place isn't safe," Shido replied immediately.
"I know," Souta said. "That's why I want you to take them far away. To my aunt's place in the Shirakawa area. I want some of your men to guard them and make sure they get there safely."
"And what do we get in return?" Shido asked. "You couldn't even protect your own family."
Souta looked straight at Hikari. "I'm getting stronger every day," he said calmly. "One day, I'll be able to kill people just by thinking about it."
The courtyard fell silent.
Hikari stared at him for a long moment, then looked away.
Souta turned his back and started walking.
"I'll contact you," he said without looking back. "Decide if you want to live."
And then he left, alone once again.
To be continued...