Warning: Mild cussing and violence.
DISCLAIMER: Not Hiro Fujiwara, no rights.
"Tora, why did the University have to be this big?" Hinata whined as the boy squad looked around the third of the eight music rooms "And why-" He added "would they hide one of the clues here, in the art department which is two kilometers away from the rest of the University?"
"It's not my fault that the University is so spread out" Tora replied, looking around the Guitars.
"Here" Kanou slapped a bag of chips at the chocolate haired boy's chest to make him stop his whining "Eat and look around quietly" He instructed.
"I'll go check the Orchestra room upstairs" Takumi volunteered, already past his limit for bearing a stupid game his seniors has conjured up "What did the previous one say, again?"
Kuuga got down on all fours to peer beneath a Piano "I'm grand, I'm old. I'm Royal, I'm Italian. Tire yourself out as you bring others to tears, melodies older than time"
Takumi let out an exasperated sigh "What in the actual fu-"
"It's a sonnet reference. Sonnets first originated in the court room of an Emperor's Palace in Italy. Hence, the royal and Italy reference. Grand as in, Piano or any other instrument that was only available to the royals back in the olden times. When they mean sonnet, they could be referring to the songs also, not only poems" The pop idol informed, now almost underneath the musical instrument as he poked around places that could be used for hiding a treasure hunt clue envelope.
While he poked around, he was blissfully unaware that four of his closest friends had stopped their respective activities and turned to collectively gape at him "Nope, nothing here" He finally said, emerging from beneath the Piano "I really thought it would be the Piano, you know? Especially because everyone in this University seems to collectively love Shakespeare's sonne..ts" He trailed off when he caught them staring at him in a mutually shared look of disbelief "W-What are you guys doing?"
The Student Council President was the first to speak "I'm showing my surprise over the fact that your IQ is not lesser than 40"
"Get over yourself, Tora" The blond singer waved him off "Come on, let's check the next room"
"So I need to make sure I check beneath the Piano in the orchestra room?" Takumi queried "Because others might not fit the description of royal?"
"Check around the Harp, too. Oh, and the Cello as well!"
"Cello is a royal musical instrument?" Takumi muttered as he exited the room first.
"This dumb dumb game!" Kuuga huffed "Why do we have so many Pianos in the University in the first place?" He whined, turning to Tora "Oi! You pervert blond, it's all your fault!"
Tora shared a look with Kanou - This is like raising kids.
In his frustration, Kuuga took his specs off and rubbed his eyes with his sleeve "This makes me so mad! I was so sure that I was right!" With his irritation growing, the pop idol kicked one of the legs of the piano making the instrument shudder "To hell with this game!" Putting his spectacles back on, he moved toward the door "I'm getting out of here!"
He shut the door behind with him a loud thud, making the other three wince "He's like a baby" Hinata drawled, holding the (now) empty bag of his chips upside down to make every peice count.
Tora shook his head and Kanou released an exasperated breath, sharing another look with each other - You don't get to say. Together, they started toward the door.
"Eh? What's this?' Pocketing the empty packet, Hinata looked past his friends and walked in the opposite direction that his other two friends were going in and picked up the envelope lying near the Piano. He picked it up, flipped it over and started to laugh "It's..it's the clue"
"What?!" Tora spluttered in disbelief, walking over and taking it from the chocolate haired boy "The idiot must have dislodged it when he kicked the Piano. He was right" Then he laughed too "Unbelievable"
"I'll get him" Hinata chuckled "You call Takumi. Kanou, let's go"
The tires screeched as the speed went from 80 to 0, the white 718 Boxster Porsche coming to a deafening stop as its driver drifted it around the road and pressed on the breaks hard enough to stop the car from climbing up the steps of the music department as the navy-blue haired girl stepped out of the car before it had completely stopped.
A certain blond cousin of hers who had been exiting the building muttering profanities under his breath gaped as his cousin ran past him, looking harried in all her barefoot glory. His mouth further unhinged off its jaw when Shizuko and Sakura also ran past without acknowledging his presence. He stared after them wondering if he was hallucinating before his gaze fell on Chiyo's Porsche standing in the driveway of the Music Department's building, three out of four doors left open with its engine still running and his brows furrowed.
What was going on? Was one of their clues here? Were they in such a hurry because of it?
I mean they ignored me, so it makes sense. Rolling his eyes, he descended another step down before halting.
What if..something else had happened? Was someone injured? Match or not, Sakura never ignored his presence.
He turned on his heel and ran up the staircase after them.
"I can't believe here's where you decided to store them" Takumi confided, holding two shotguns that had paintballs in them which had been used for the 'Banner Capture', the previous day "Were the store rooms all occupied?"
"Up to the brim" Tora revealed as they descended the marble staircase "We have stashed materials wherever we could manage to find place for it. Obviously, cleanup will take place on the weekend like always and then.." The Student Council President trailed off as he heard a distinctly familiar voice explode in frustration.
"Goddamit, Hinata! Obviously I don't care about the goddamn game. Now, where the hell is Takumi?"
The Igarashi heir started descending the steps as soon as he heard the frantic tone, taking two at a time before he realized what he was doing. Chiyo. It was Chiyo.
And Chiyo was cussing.
Shock made him stop before descending the main staircase. His fiancee looked like she had braved against a storm and was currently..shaking a very scared Hinata as Kanou stood back, clear out of her reach.
"Chiyo-san? Is everything alright?" Regaining his posture, he had started down the staircase when his fiancee rose her turquoise eyes to his and nearly knocked his breath away.
She had never looked this terrified.
Moving away from candy boy, Chiyo started up the staircase where Tora stood arrested and flung herself at him. He caught her and secured his arms around her, her wild hair and bare feet finally registering on him. He patted her back as he heard her muffled cries against his shirt. her arms wrapping around his waist in a protective manner. No, the realization hit him like a convoy of trucks, she was scared.
Finally looking up from his fiancee, Tora looked down at his group of friends standing by the foot of the staircase now, concern etching their features. Takumi was still standing next to him, Kuuga had regrouped with the others, Sakura and Shizuko included. A certain ravenette was nowhere in sight. Chiyo had paused her sobbing to take in a deep breath and Tora's patting halted "What's wrong?" He asked, softly.
When that only made Chiyo cry harder, Sakura spoke instead "We don't know either. Misaki and her went downtown to the subway, because we assumed a clue could be there. She came back, picked us up and has refused to answer ever since. She screamed at the organizers to find where all of you were, drove here and well, we ..we don't know either" She paused "I keep asking about Misaki but she didn't say anything" When everyone looked at her quizzically, Sakura elaborated, her tone weary mixed with worry "Misaki didn't come back with her"
Tora noted how Takumi's head snapped to the salmon haired girl "What do you mean?" He asked, sharply.
"Both Chiyo and her went downtown together. Only Chiyo came back" Sakura fretted, throwing her arms in the air.
Unable to fathom what was going on, Tora pulled away from Chiyo, peering down at her "Sweetheart, what happened?" He inquired, gently.
Her puffy eyes rose to his golden ones and her lips wavered, tears threatening to spill again "Taken..taken away" She managed to choke out.
Takumi grabbed the Sakurai heiress by the arm and flung her around to face him "What do you mean, taken away? Who took her where? When?"
In a voice that croaked, escaping lips that were trembling, Chiyo recounted everything that had happened "I chased the car down till the Intersection, before it joined a convoy of same looking cars. There were atleast 20 or more cars that looked exactly same, moving together. I.." She wavered "I tried..I really tried to..go ..to go..and, and-" Tora pulled her against his chest where a fresh bout of tears escaped her.
Takumi stepped away from the couple, his mind unable to register no- unable to accept that Misaki had been kidnapped.
His raven haired, annoyingly stubborn, breathtakingly beautiful neighbor had been kidnapped. Someone had had the audacity to kidnap the raven-haired heartbreaker. His raven-haired heartbreaker.
Before he lost his mind, freaked out and completely ruined any chances of finding her, Takumi decided to take matters in his hands "Tora. Call the head of Tokyo Police, tell them to scour the area and keep a lookout for the description of the SUV which Chiyo will provide" Turning to his other friends, he issued further instructions "Call her parents" He told Sakura "Provide us with a picture of her for us to give to the Police" He requested of Shizuko "Kanou, inform the organizers about what happened. Kuuga and Hinata will come with me"
"Where are you going?" Tora asked, taking Chiyo's hand in his and walking behind Takumi as he purposefully strode toward the exit, Kuuga and Hinata in tow.
"To confirm something I hope isn't true"
"What on Earth were we doing here anyway?" Kuuga asked, getting into the backseat of the car.
"No clue. The Lady thought we were demented, asking where her son is when he is clearly abroad" Hinata responded, getting into the passenger seat "Even he didn't know who we were, goodness. That was the most awkward phonecall I've ever had with anyone"
Takumi's hand grabbed the handle of the car door but fell away. He stared at his hand, hard and unwavering gaze, willing for it to stop trembling and grab the door handle. But he couldn't. He couldn't stop the cold dread spreading over him. The fear that washed over him as he pictured Misaki; scared, cold, alone and ...harmed.
Clenching his fist, Takumi opened the car door and got into the driver's seat, his blood boiling. If the bastard lays a single finger on her, I'll kill him.
"Takumi? Hey, Takumi?" Hinata shook him, breaking him out of his trance "You're..what are you doing?"
"What do you mean?" He asked, looking down at himself.
"You were pressing the accelerator but you didn't turn the car on"
"Oh"
Hinata turned to look at Kuuga who was already nodding "Let me drive"
"No. No, I'm okay" Shaking his head, Takumi turned the key into the ignition but Hinata put a hand on the steering wheel "Takumi. I insist" He implored.
"Why?"
"Because you're shaking" He pointed out "C'mon" He got out of the passenger seat and came around the other side of the car "C'mon. I'll drive" He offered, opening the car door for Takumi to step out "You take some time to relax and then maybe tell us why we came here?"
Nodding, Takumi got into the other side of the car, gratefully accepting the water bottle Kuuga gave him along with a pat on the back as Hinata reversed out of the driveway of the four-story mansion. As they passed the iron gates, Takumi's phone started to ring "Did you find her?" He asked as soon as he picked up.
Tora sighed heavily on the other side "Not yet" Takumi's pained expression told the other two boys with him that the answer was in the negative "We're at the Police Station and this Police Officer is treating it all like a joke. The Commissioner's Secretary has me on hold and I'll speak to him in a minute. Anything on your side? Where are you guys, anyway?"
"I'll explain in person" He hung up without saying bye but at the moment he didn't really care. Closing his eyes, Takumi inhaled, trying to calm down but all he saw was Misaki sitting on his kitchen counter, recounting her story - "And so.. after the bipolar phone calls and texts that ranged from sweet 'Please come back , I am sorry's to bone chilling 'I am going to make you regret ever walking away's , he kidnapped me.. and hid me in his mansion because he was sure people would check his apartment"
Pressing the heels of his palm into his eyes, he exhaled in short, labored breaths. Goodness, he was praying to every God he could think of and praying for only one thing - Please, let her be safe. Let her come back to us safely, come back to me safely. Come back to me safely so I can always keep her safe.
Damn it all.
Running a hand over his face, Takumi sighed. Who was he kidding? It was Misaki, obviously she'd be okay.
He refused to think what he'd do if she wasn't.
Taking two steps at a time, Takumi entered the Police station with Hinata and Kuuga right behind him. It didn't take him much time to locate Chiyo and Tora who were arguing with a Police Officer at the back with Chiyo looking ready to start hurling things at the Officer starting with the chair she was gripping.
As they walked closer, they heard what the Officer was telling Chiyo "Ma'am, I understand that you're upset and worried but please calm down. You're causing a scene"
Placing both palms on his desk with a loud thud, Chiyo leaned close to him making the Officer inch away "You tell me to calm down one more time and I will show you what causing a scene really is"
At that, Tora shifted his hand that had been lightly resting on her back to her arm and gave her a warning squeeze the same time the Officer stood up abruptly, his face red with rage "You don't get to come in here and announce to me what you'll do to me if I don't listen to you- you kids! Insufferable little-" When Tora shot him a pointed look, he gulped and sat back down "Besides, you don't even have the slightest idea who the kidnapper could be. Maybe your friend went with them and simply forgot to inform you"
Chiyo was about to grab the Officer from the other side of his desk when Takumi intervened, holding her other arm "She simply forgot to inform us?"
The look in those emerald orbs that were turning more menacing with every passing moment was enough to make the Officer sit straighter and reverse his earlier opinion that they might merely be privileged kids "It's..It's a possibility. Not like I'm implying it's the only possibility"
"Thought so" Takumi nodded curtly "As for possible suspects, Asahi Takamiya is one of them"
Sakura and Shizuko who had just entered the scene heard that and Sakura shot forward and grabbed Takumi by the hand "Who did you say? Who?" She demanded.
"Asahi Takamiya"
"W-What? But I thought he was getting the mental help he needed in London, w-wasn't he?" She turned to Shizuko and shook the bespectacled girl "He was, right? Yes, yes he was. It can't be h-him. N-Not again" Her hands flew to her mouth and she turned to a troubled Shizuko, crying softly.
The rest of the boy squad along with Chiyo looked clueless but took Takumi's word for it as Tora turned to the Officer "Let's find out where he is first then"
"We need an official warrant for that"
Chiyo shot him a look "Then what are you waiting for, Good Sir? The Commissioner to help you out?"
"Chiyo" Tora sighed "Come with me. We need to bandage your feet" He looked at the Officer "That phone is going to ring in five minutes and you'll have the warrant you need. Find this Asahi Takamiya and keep him under surveillance. Issue an alert if you have to and circulate Ayuzawa's picture around so that everyone is on a lookout. The SUV we're looking for is an Audi Q8 with no number plate. Black in color" He paused to think "There was a procession for a political party around the area at that time, the SUV merged with them, hence, it will be hard to locate that singular car. So, I'd start with checking the CCTV's around the area" Satisfied when the Officer dazedly nodded and picked up his telephone to make a call, he turned to Shizuko first "Do we have a picture?"
The dark-haired girl nodded and pulled one out from her pocket "It's the most recent one" Instead of giving the picture to Tora who had asked for it, Shizuko held it out to Takumi.
Takumi looked at Shizuko for a moment before taking the picture and turning it around, his breath catching. It was a picture of Misaki on campus, her hands in the backpockets of her black jeans wearing a light-brown biker jacket and knee high wedge boots. The Sun was falling perfectly on the side of her face, her hair falling about in a charming abandon and she looked like she had been in the middle of laughing, her face perfectly lit up. She looked so happy, so perfect. So so perfect.
And the reason he was looking at this picture with his heart beating in a dull ache was because she was gone.
Proceeding to give the picture to Tora, Takumi turned the other way because he couldn't look at any of them without being reminded that Misaki also wasn't around and the lump in his throat grew bigger. As long as he didn't focus on something going terribly wrong with her, he would be okay. He turned to Sakura "Did you call her parents?"
Sniffing, Sakura nodded "Suzuna picked up so I made her call her Mom and put her on conference call. Then, I asked Suzuna to disconnect and informed Mrs. Ayuzawa of what happened. When we reached here, I got a call from them. They're on their way here"
Takumi nodded and rubbed his palms together, feeling the temperature dropping. He watched as Tora led Chiyo to the other side of the room and made a medic help her bandage her bruised feet. She was still barefoot, her hair was tousled, her cheeks and nose was still red. She had been crying, because she thought Misaki was gone and it was her fault for leaving her alone. Averting his gaze, he looked at Sakura whose back Kuuga was rubbing and he was assuming it was his handkerchief she was blowing her nose into. Hinata and Shizuko had left in search for a vending machine to pick up refreshments for everyone who weren't going anywhere till they heard something something good. Some good news. Any news. Because, one of them was missing.
He settled down in a chair, shoulders slumping as he rested his elbows on his knees and put his face in his hands, sighing loudly. Please, please let her be safe.
"-asked me to issue an alert. Acting like he was the Commissioner himself. Kidnapping happen all the time. No, a whole manhunt is insane-" The Officer paused "Yeah I get that. But-" He turned, sure that no one would be able to hear him whispering into the phone over the commotion in the Police Station but when he caught burning green eyes staring into his soul, transparent pools of emerald looking at him with so much rage in his orbs challenging him to continue complaining on the phone, he set the phone back into its receiver and reached for his cap "We'll start searching immediately" Picking up his gun, he put it in his holster before rounding around his table to get away from the scary blond.
"Wait" Takumi spoke so softly that the Officer felt chills run up his spine as he froze in his tracks. Takumi got up from the seat he had been sitting in and walked closer to the Officer "We hate rushing you when you clearly seem so busy" He loosely gestured toward the desk that had high piles of paperwork on it, three empty coffee cups sitting in the corner and a spilled packet of crackers lying in the other corner "But know that we will make you tear the entire city down looking for her if we have to. Day and night. Day after day, until you find her"
"Are you threatening a Police Officer, son?"
"I thought that was clear?" Takumi seethed.
The Officer hurried past him.
Nightmares.
For the past three years, Misaki had had countless of them.
Sometimes she'd break out in cold sweat, scare herself till she woke up or be blissfully unaware of the terrible dream she'd had.
Now, she wished she'd close her eyes and wake up, blissfully unaware of the nightmare she'd had.
Night had fallen. She wasn't sure how many hours she'd been here for. Her arms were tied behind her back to the chair she was sitting in. Her mouth was gagged and despite the nighttime, she had a blindfold on. She didn't even know if there was someone else in the room or when she had been brought here. The fight at the rundown bus station had turned ugly till one of them had to knock her out and then drag her. First. she had thought it was one of the local gangs picking a fight with her. Then they talked about 'No one telling them the girl was feisty and knew martial arts' and her blood ran cold. Her momentary loss in concentration had been the reason they had managed to knock her out and bring here. If she had even belatedly guessed that someone had ordered them to come and attack her, she would've run for it as soon as she saw an opening. But with 8 guys cornering her, she didn't stand much of a chance.
Her throat was dry, arms were aching and the pain in her ankle was making spots dance at the back of her eyes. The scratches on her body were burning and her blood ran cold with every little sound she heard. She had been stomping on the floor using the chair's forelegs and her own feet but nothing had happened. She couldn't scream but she had tried groaning and releasing every sound she could through the gag, as loud as possible. The blindfold was tied so tight around her face that ever since she had regained consciousness, it was taking an effort to just think.
The initial tears had subsided but Misaki felt a fresh set threatening to spill her eyes. Why, Why did she not listen to what the others were saying? What her body was saying? Why didn't she stay at home to nurse her injured leg? If not for her injured leg, then to simply rest. Any reason was okay, why didn't she just listen?
When the sound of keys jingling was heard, Misaki thought she was hearing things. But when there was the unmistakable sound of a lock being unlocked, Misaki started struggling, kicking the ground and shifting in her chair.
The first thing she felt was the cold air. Then the sharp pain that seared through her skin when her captor slapped her across the face "Quiet!" He snapped.
Her blood froze when she heard that voice, her body going rigid before she started shaking uncontrollably. All through the time she had spent here, she had prayed for it to be anyone but him. Why? Why did it have to be him? Why did he have to go through all this a second time? What did he hold against her so much?
There was silence for a while and then the sound of a chair scraping against the floor before it was firmly placed in front of her. Then silence for another unbearable moment before her gag was roughly pulled off her mouth and she felt a cool substance against her mouth. Water! She didn't know how much she gulped or if she even finished the bottle but the momentary relief was almost her undoing. Her dehydration mixed with the excessive sobbing she had done had resulted in her losing all of her salts and the liquid against her throat almost restarted her water works.
Her respite was short lived as she remembered what was actually happening. When the gag was secured around her mouth again, she started to wail and protest. It was then that the blindfold was roughly pulled down her face and she stared into the deadly gaze of Asahi Takamiya.
And then, she remembered.
If there was something Asahi Takamiya absolutely loathed, it was public humiliation and that was exactly the reason he had gone through the trouble of having her captured again. So that he could finally break apart what he failed to do the first time.
When Takumi Walker had punched him at the Musical and openly humiliated him, Misaki had been too worried about seeing him again to remember how much worse she had made the situation for herself. There was nothing Asahi prized more than his reputation and it had only been tainted twice. Her being the reason both times.
The first time she had found out about it was when she had confronted the issue about him flirting with other girls in her presence. He had shrugged it off, given her a half-hearted apology and expected her to let it slide. Instead, Misaki was set on a proper apology and some sort of confirmation/word that it won't happen again. Their argument had gotten heated and when they weren't getting anywhere with it, Misaki stood up to leave, very well intending to leave her boyfriend at the dinner table in the middle of the expensive restaurant he'd brought her to. When his hand had wrapped around her wrist like a vise and he'd forcefully thrust her back down in her seat, there had been the first indication she'd ever gotten about his violent nature. When he recognized the surprise mixed with a little apprehension on her face, he had completely switched to a more pleasant expression and apologized profusely. There had never been a same situation again and apart from the first time she'd been kidnapped by him, he'd never gotten violent with her.
But even she knew her luck was running a little short today.
"If you make a single sound, I will personally make sure of your demise" When her eyes widened and she started whimpering while vigorously shaking her head, he moved away a little "Good. Learning to fear me is good, Misaki"
Her breath coming in short, tortured breaths, Misaki's eyes started dampening again as she was barely able to maintain the eye contact, sniffing loudly and trying to wipe her tears on her shoulders. Asahi held her gaze, a muscle throbbing in his jaw looking ready to assault her when his phone started to ring. With a pointed look in her direction, he pulled his phone out.
"Hello?" He questioned warily. It was an unknown number, Misaki realized.
She started to wail as loudly as she could, hoping someone on the other side would hear her and pick up the clue that she was with him after all.
Asahi motioned one of his men to shut her up and two of them held her down as she started banging her feet on the floor and moving about roughly in her chair, groaning as loudly as she could. One of the men grabbed a hold of her mouth over her gag and knocked the air out of her lungs and the other steadied the chair she was sitting in, roughly holding her down as she struggled to be set free.
"What? For me?!" Asahi exclaimed "I'm not even supposed to be here, goddamit! This is not what I'm paying you for!"
Misaki stopped her struggling in the favor that she got to listen to what Asahi was talking about and she wildly shook her head to do away the hand blocking the air, suffocating her. She then remained quiet, listening carefully to the one sided conversation Asahi was having.
"I need to be out in ten minutes, maybe less" He was saying into the phone and Misaki released a small sigh of relief. Maybe, that would be enough time for someone to figure out her whereabouts. Before he was back again.
Like she had come to the conclusion before. Not her day, week, month or year.
When he got off the phone, Asahi turned to look at her as if contemplating whether he wanted to saute her, stir fry or eat her raw. Just when she thought he was done with her and was about to leave, he shoved her against the side, the rage on his face multiplied tenfold "Only if your boyfriend wasn't Takumi Walker. Darn it! That son of a bitch!" He swore savagely, kicking the chair she was sitting in making it fall sideways and Misaki's muted moan filled with agony got drowned away when he released another line of colorful words "I could've ended you right here!" He groaned, pulling out his gun for the first time and aiming it at her "But I can't!" He groaned "Why? Because out of every person you could've chosen for a boyfriend, you selected Takumi Walker! For fucks sake! Did you not find anyone else?!" He had wanted to kick the chair again but didn't seem to notice it had fallen and so his boot connected with Misaki's waist, a cry filled with misery escaping her as she inched away.
That seemed to make him feel better and so he deliberately kicked her in the same spot making her roll over, terrified sobs escaping her
He didn't bother blindfolding her again, not when he had just finished threatening and capturing her exactly how a psychopath would. The gag around her mouth, however, remained there. He stood up from the chair he had been sitting in and looked like he was about to leave when he fished his phone out of his pocket a second time "Yes, I'll be there tomorrow" He spoke into the phone after dialing a number "Well then tell the bastards there's no way I can come any sooner!" He shouted into the phone, glowering at Misaki and kicking her chair one more time before turning around and walking out, his bodyguards behind her.
The door shut behind him like a death knell.
She'd been gone for half a day.
Something deep inside Takumi was finally coming to grips with the knowledge that Misaki had been kidnapped, the reason unknown, the fact terrifying him more than anything had. His deathly calm was taking turns in becoming furious then sorrowful and then furious again. He looked around the almost empty Police Station, suppressing the urge to shudder.
Half an hour back, the Police Commissioner had himself walked in and given orders that barricades be put up on the outskirts of the city and that every vehicle passing be inspected. He wanted CCTV's of all roads within a ten-kilometer radius checked and that neighbouring cities be informed of the kidnapping and be on the lookout. The Officer had promised Tora that they'd find their friend within 48-hours tops.
With every passing minute, Takumi was starting to doubt that.
Tora had just walked back into the almost vacant room, nodding when he caught Takumi's gaze first "The Airport has been put on alert and they're scanning the information of all the private airplanes that took off in the past eight hours. As for the subway stations, they're checking all the CCTV's around but it's hard to determine which ones to be targetted since-"
He stopped talking when a couple in their mid-40s entered the scene with a highschool girl in tow. The man was smartly dressed in office attire, the Lady was wearing a Doctor's coat and the girl with them was in a simple sailor school uniform. They collectively ignored the University students and directly made their way toward one of the only four Police Officers present in the station. The man impatiently rapped his knuckles on the granite counter when the Police Officer didn't look up to acknowledge their presence "Excuse me?" He rasped out.
"Yes? How can we help you?" The Police Officer asked, finally looking up.
"My daughter has gone missing. Her name is Misaki-"
When Sakura heard that, she finally looked up and started toward the family "Sakuya-san!" She called out and at that, all three people turned their way and registered their presence for the first time.
Takumi gawked when he finally noticed the family's features. The man had light-brown haired, swept to the side, same light colored eyes, high cheekbones and a scar running down the side of his face and a lithe physique. His wife had the same raven hair she seemed to have passed down to her daughters, her eyes a much darker shade with sunken cheeks and a more graceful figure. But when Takumi saw their younger daughter, the torment of emotions seemed to burst through him. She was an exact replica of her older sister, though shorter and lacking the glimmer in her eyes.
"Sakura-chan" Misaki's Mother clasped the salmon-haired girl's hands in her own "What happened?"
In turn, Sakura started to cry and shaking her head, no words coming out of her mouth. Kuuga got up to stand behind her, gently patting her back, also reluctant to speak. And so, Tora took charge "I'm Tora Igarashi" He introduced, holding his hand out that Sakuya Ayuzawa, on registering and recognizing, clasped in his own "I'm Misaki-san's friend. If you'd come and take a seat, I'll explain everything" He offered, keeping in mind that maybe it was best that their younger daughter didn't hear the details.
Misaki's Mother understood first and nodded, taking her Doctor's coat off for the first time as if just realizing she was wearing it "Suzuna, I forgot my wallet in the car. Also, take this and leave it in the car" She handed her daughter the car keys before turning to Tora and patting her hair before stretching a hand in his direction "Doctor Minako Ayuzawa. This is my husband, Sakuya. Thank you for all of your help"
Tora nodded and led them toward some of the vacant chairs, waiting till they settled down. Once they had, he started explaining all that had happened as clearly as he could. He started from the start of the day, explaining the traditional Miyabigaoka game, followed by how they were separated in different groups for it. From there, Chiyo took over trying to keep her voice steady as she explained all that had happened at the downtown subway till the part where she lost the SUV in the traffic. Tora interrupted then, knowing full well that his fiancee might break down again if asked to repeat the story one more time, and explained all that the Police was doing to help.
"They're also going to fly drones tomorrow, just in case. Would've done it now but nighttime doesn't make it effective enough" Tora finished "I'm truly sorry. We'll find her soon enough"
Minako shook her head "Thank you" She smiled though the strain around her eyes and the worry was evident in her voice "Misaki is truly generous to have friends like you"
Tora smiled for their sake but his eyes were following his fiancee who was exiting the room in a hurry and so he excused himself to follow her. Once he reached the hallway she was in, he realized she'd come out to take a call. Chiyo turned when she saw him and gestured for him to wait as he was about to leave. She was quiet through most of the duration of the call and after a quiet 'Thank you', hung up.
Tora who was leaning against a noticeboard, waiting for her to say something, straightened "Well?"
"Asahi is in Seoul. They confirmed it"
"Shit" Tora bit out, running a hand through his hair. Takumi had regaled the incident on the day of the Musical and filled them in on who Asahi was and how he was connected to Misaki. Sakura and Shizuko had filled in the loopholes, adding wherever they thought necessary "Anything else?"
"He's flying down here tomorrow to give his statement and prove his innocence"
"Bullshit. The bastard's responsible for it all" Frustration made him press the heels of his hands into his eyes and sigh loudly "Takumi looks ready to either pass out or tear the whole city down"
Chiyo looked at her fiance before taking a step closer to him and gently taking hold of his arms to pull them away from his eyes "It's not good to rub your eyes or stress so much. Maybe we should take turns in taking rest"
Tora welcomed the touch, couldn't be bothered nor had the energy to spite her over their past feud at the moment "You're right. My driver is here. I'm sending you home first"
Chiyo took a step back "No, I'm not going first. If anything, you should"
"Why me?"
"You're going to be here the entire time Asahi is gonna be present, you need to rest for some time before that. Take Takumi with you"
"I can't" Tora shook his head.
It was Chiyo's turn to ask "Why not?"
"He's not going anywhere until he finds her"
As Tora had rightly predicted, Takumi hadn't moved an inch.
Sakura and Shizuko left with Chiyo, promising to be back after they freshened up. They'd gone and come back already. Kuuga and Kanou had left together, come back bearing food for everyone at 4AM. Tora had reluctantly been dragged by Hinata after that and were yet to return. It was 5AM, Sakura was asleep on Shizuko's shoulder who was trying her hardest to keep her eyes open. Kuuga was pacing, Kanou had his head bent low, eyes closed but he was awake. Chiyo was standing by the entrance, had been for the last half hour. Takumi had been sitting in the same spot for 9 hours. Waiting.
His eyes were shuttered, he had been staring at the same scrape in the floor tile for 10 minutes and it was giving him a headache. Shaking his head, he turned his attention elsewhere after momentarily glancing at his watch. 05:12AM.
Minako Ayuzawa watched the blond boy as he leaned back in his hair, rubbing his eyes, stretching his elbows. He hadn't moved except to go to the bathroom from which he returned under a minute. He was surviving on water and from the looks of it, hadn't eaten anything all through the day before. All of Misaki's friends, old ones from highschool and the new ones she'd made in college looked worried but this guy, he looked devastated. His expression of cool detachment might fool everyone but not her. And so, she picked up one of the boxes of pizza and approached him.
"Takumi-kun, was it?" She asked, making his head snap up.
"Yes" He replied, overcoming his momentary startlement.
"May I?" She asked, gesturing to the empty chair next to his.
Takumi glanced at Sakuya Ayuzawa who was petting his daughter's hair as she slept on his lap, spread across the bench, his suit jacket covering her legs "By all means" He answered, shifting his chair a little to the side.
Minako sat down on the chair, the pizza box resting on her lap "Don't you want to sleep for a little while?"
"I'm not sleepy, Ma'am" He couldn't even think of sleeping. Not when Misaki was out there, cold and alone-
"Then atleast keep your energy up" She thrust the pizza box at him "You didn't eat anything, I noticed"
Takumi stared at the box in his lap before looking up at the woman who'd given it to him. Her daughter resembled her so much, it was even more prominent up close. That made his heart ache even more "I'm not hungry" He confessed, atleast part of it was honest. How could he tell her that Misaki's disappearance had killed any appetite he might have had?
"I know it might taste like sandpaper given the circumstances but believe me when I tell you that Misaki won't be happy to come back and see that her friends are falling sick because worrying about her made them neglect themselves"
Takumi glanced at Minako one last time before opening the box and picking the closest piece up. At the back of his mind he registered that it was a pepperoni double cheese burst pizza but just as the lady in front of him had predicted, it tasted like sandpaper. Still he forced himself to chew and gulp, the taste not registering in the slightest. He forced another before piece down his throat before closing the box "Please don't insist on another piece. I'm not there yet, but I might fall ill if I ate another piece. It won't sit right with me"
At that, Minako smiled wistfully, taking the box from him and placing it on the desk near them "I know" She said softly "Everyone here is troubled but even Sakuya and I can't match the distressed vibes you're giving off"
Takumi turned to look at her and as if he'd switched a button off, he composed himself "She's kidnapped. It's enough of a reason to be worried"
At that Minako's dark eyes clouded further "Nothing will happen to her" She stated firmly "Misaki is a lot of things, weak is not one of them" She shook her head as if confirming the fact more to herself than anybody else "Weak is not one of them"
At that, the blond gentleman realized that the raven-haired woman was more perturbed than she was letting on. She had good reason to be "You're right" Takumi agreed "If anything, her kidnappers are the ones in danger. She might be on her way back but because her wallet is with us, she can't hail a cab. She'll be home in an hour, you'll see" He consoled, half heartedly.
Minako smiled at that, applauding his thoughtfulness for trying to put her mind at ease "Or she might be waiting to register a complaint but failing to get through because-" She gestured around "-everyone in the Police Station is busy looking for her instead" .
Takumi smiled as his mind conjured up an image of his raven-haired beauty doing exactly that "Exactly. No one stands a chance against her punches anyway"
At that Minako's eyebrows shot up "Misaki punched you?"
Takumi chuckled a little, remembering the first time he'd ever seen Misaki so vulnerable, so open to receiving the comfort he could offer her, so open to being with him and willing to learn about him "Yes, yes she has"
"Oh my" Minako's hand flew up to her mouth "I'm so sorry"
Takumi waved her off "On Misaki's behalf? Please don't be"
"No, honey" Minako shook her head, looking at him with sham sympathy in her eyes "I'm sorry for you, that you had to be on the receiving side of her punch"
At that Takumi smiled, shaking his head "I'd say I deserved it" He admitted.
Their moment of lightheartedness faded away after that.
After a tense moment, Minako spoke up again "Misaki learned kickboxing for 2 years the first time she had.." She couldn't find it in herself to complete that sentence "She thought it'd be the only thing that'd ever let her be completely free of the traumatic experience she'd undergone. A kidnapping one time is damaging enough, two times is taking it too far, don't you think?" Her voice cracked at the end and she sniffed, an indication of the tears she was holding in.
Takumi didn't know how to comfort people. He never had, it didn't come naturally to him. No one had ever comforted him when he was young, alone and completely helpless and so he had never learnt how to. Even so he found himself inching closer to Minako, wrapping an arm around her shoulder, gently patting her back. There's no way he could let the person closest to Misaki break down like this, no, he couldn't. He rubbed her back, offering comfort in the only way he could think of "Nothing will happen to her, Ayuzawa-san" He promised her.
And himself.
After Minako had calmed down, she turned to him, gratitude shining in her eyes "Misaki had told me what you did for her that day when she encountered Takamiya. I had always wanted to thank you for that in person. Thank you for being there for her"
"It's nothing. She-She's someone I care for" He hesitated, wondering if he should say it at all, then made up his mind because it didn't matter if her Mother knew what he'd failed to tell her in time "A lot" He added "So much so that I hope I can do it all over again just so she'd be back with all of us again"
"She will be" It was Minako's turn to assure him as she patted his arm "If not for the fact that she's kidnapped and needs to save her life, it'll be cause she has such wonderful friends waiting for her"
Takumi nodded, not trusting himself to say anything. Minako waited a moment, then two before she spoke "But you're not just friends, are you?"
Takumi knew there was no use in acting oblivious or denying what were clear facts, not when Misaki's mother had seen through all his other facades with such ease "No, I don't think we are" He replied with quiet sincerity "Though I'm not sure what we are" He added.
"I don't want a cross a line where it's not my place to-" Minako started "-but you'll find out soon enough, the both of you"
"How are you so sure?"
"I've never heard Misaki sound as happy as she obviously gets when talking about you"
She didn't know how many days it had been.
The only thing keeping her alive was the sunlight that came from the exhaust fan window and the water they would force down her throat thrice a day.
Asahi had only stopped by twice, both times after the Sun had set and the traffic had reduced. With her head throbbing, her body aching and her soul tired, Misaki would watch for the Sun through the small mesh window. She'd only been able to keep track twice but she knew that for the small timeslot of ten minutes when the Sun fell on her face, it was nearing five in the evening. It would be around two hours after the last time she'd chug water they'd forced her to drink down her throat. From there, she'd count the minutes, roughly keeping track of the time. It was nearing Winter, days were shorter, the Sun set faster. From the counting she'd done, Asahi's men would always arrive to make her chug water down at 9PM and Asahi always showed up atleast three hours later, meaning midnight. He wouldn't stay for longer than 10 minutes, 100 threats and 50 curse words,
Maybe this time they were feeling humane because the door opened sometime near 12PM when the Sun was the harshest, 3 hours since they'd last fed her water and 3 hours left till she could do it again.
It was only cause Asahi showed up in the dark; always carrying a torch to illuminate the otherwise dark room, Misaki felt a glitch of hope as she turned to look at the door. No one walked in, only a McDonald's' happy meal box slid across the floor where it came to a stop not more than 5 meters away from her. For a second, Misaki thought she was dreaming as she stared at the insanely out of place meal box. When the fact became concrete, the tears that she'd strictly forbidden herself from shedding were starting to well up in her eyes as she eyed the food, her stomach flipping at the sight as she waited for someone to walk in and untie her.
She kept waiting.
The door didn't open.
Not even at 3PM when it was time to make sure she remained hydrated and barely sane. Not at 6PM when the Sun had already set in. Not at 9PM when desperation had led Misaki to throw herself on the floor and inch closer to the box knowing full well that there was no way she could eat that food with her hands tied and her mouth gagged. It was then that her waterworks started, seeming like they'd never stop, the sobbing refusing to cease.
She didn't know how many hours had passed since then. Had found her will shattering with every passing moment, all hope disappearing as she lay on the cold floor, still tied to the chair, her damp face freezing against the granite only inches away from the clown laughing on top of the happy meal box.
She must've passed out there because the next thing she remembered was being hauled upright and jerked awake, seconds before Asahi walked in. Usually he always dealt with her alone but the fact that there were 4 other men standing guard around her made her heart drop. The one on her right pulled her gag down and thrust a water bottle into her mouth. Misaki sidelined the pain and focused on gulping down as much water as she could. She knew the bottle was empty when it was taken away but still stared longingly at it, hoping and wanting more.
"Why wouldn't you eat?" Asahi demanded, grabbing her by the collar and lifting her high enough so she'd finally meet his eyes.
"How was I supposed to?" Misaki questioned back in a small voice but when his grip on her apparel tightened, she squeaked out "Besides, I wasn't hungry"
That answer seemed to satisfy him as he let her go and her chair fell against the ground with a loud thud "Don't worry, baby. Two days more and then, you and I, will tour the World. Get you better, richer boyfriends who'd keep your appetite high and my pockets full. Till then-" He lightly nudged the happy meal box with the tip of his shoe before kicking it "-you will not eat at all" He decided as the box flew across the room and smashed against the wall, its contents ruined "But that-" He gestured to the ruined box "-that you can eat if you want to" He turned to the four men "Keep an eye on her" He instructed, walking toward the door as one of his men secured the gag around her mouth again,
Through the tears that were falling and the sobs whose sound won't escape her was born her anger, her rage. The anger that this was happening a second time and rage that she was letting it happen to her, acting helpless.
And so, even as Asahi left the room and the door shut behind him, Misaki kept her head low.
She would strike back.
Soon.
Alert: This is long. I'll take it down before the next chapter tho.
Ohmygosh, you guys.
Are you guys trying to top the reviews of the last chapter? Cuz the number keeps increasing with every chapter which leads to more gaping, weeping, horribly ugly sobbing and faster updates.
63 reviews for one chapter? I thank you all for 26 reviews and two chapters later, the numbers are reversed-
29th July, 2020, Me: I am having the time of my life reading all of y'alls conspiracy theories. So many of you had such innovative ideas and I'm absolutely thrilled but also feeling a little pressured because what I had in mind wasn't this deep so now I've had to make changes. Some people went up till the Walkers and Rhea getting involved and about Misaki's family getting kidnapped too. Genius, guys! I put Minako not picking up Misaki's calls as a conversation starter between Ryusuke and her but seriously, that was so different, mind shooketh (Guest: Punkbottle, was it? Amazing!)
I'm afraid, this wouldn't have topped as an entrance I have originally planned for the Walkers so no, I didn't go through with it but I wanted to, really. Even with Rhea, would have been perfect, right? Psycho girlfriend on the run. Maybe, I'll write a side one shot of it xD
Guest: Norie - pointed out - that there was a chance that Ryusuke was her ex, same hair color and all. I loved that idea! Though it would've been impossible because well, one, she meets her ex back at Ryusuke's musical and two, they are two different people in general? Cuz of her ex, Misaki has an issue with red-haired dudes, which is why I made Ryusuke a red-head. Can't leak more information so soon sowwey. I love Gerard too, by the way! Absolutely lovable he is! I think I'm weak for all the male characters of this anime.
So many of you are losing your mind in the review section and later apologizing for it, I'd like to ask why? In this house, we respect every type of reader (I'm in the crackhead culture, very proud about it too. Ask my friends) and I'm open to suggestions always. It's like 3AM as I type this but I'm rereading the reviews and I love the response you guys give me for my chapters, it makes me so so happy. Again, please don't underestimate the power you guys hold over me, it's you, the readers that keep me going. Every time you guys tell me that I'm an amazing author, I feel like one and I strive to write a chapter worthy of that compliment. Thank you and tons and tons of love to all of you!
Writing this chapter has given me most stress since I first started writing this story and I'm reading mystery novels, seeking advice on how to write such scenes well, especially because I've never written a scene like this before. Action scenes I manage fairly well but this, oh Gods. I literally had a one on one consultation session with my brother for 2 hours over lunch where he mainly picked out flaws and I had to go about a way where I covered them all without contradicting anything I had already written so despite what I'd said about having this chapter planned out in my previous author's note, I flipped it a 360. In a good way, I hope.
I want to thank all of you for your support, you wonderful humans. Thank you to everyone who are always patient with me and my updates. I have always been terrible at maintaining a schedule to update, this is my creativity, I can't force it. I'm not going to abandon this story, even if it takes me years to finish it, so you guys can be at ease. However, pressurizing me to update won't get you faster chapters or make me write better. I'd much rather write a good chapter I feel satisfied while updating than a chapter born out of the need to update. I love reading reviews where people tell me they're waiting for an update or that they're just screaming at me to update haha. But downright asking me that 'It's been so and so days, do you plan to update' doesn't sit right with me and it might upset me. I know it's been 24 days since I last updated, yes I'm keeping track too. I'm in college now, even in highschool I prioritized studying and I still do so I'd request you all to understand. I write here because I enjoy it, not because I'm obliged to.
I have a lot of questions to answer, here and in the story haha, I'll do it in the next update, this has already become long enough as is.
For the guest who was reviewing 'U-P-D-A-T-E', minutes before I updated, here you go *gives brownies and sits you down* Be patient sweetie, I'll always update.
I'm not gonna go back and change the review number to 70 reviews for the last chapter, nope. Was updating this chapter when it was at 263, so 263 it is. I very much appreciate the thought though.
On that note, I'm hoping to update by end of next week, no promises tho! I'll try, truly I will!
Thanks for reading! (My God, this was so long)
XOXOXO
~Tear