As time passed, the study sessions did indeed continue—much to Lan's dismay. Still, there wasn't really anything he could do about it. Not after having years upon years to prove to Maylu that studying with him was worthwhile, and yet never bothering to try.
Surprisingly, Chaud enjoyed the sessions as much as Maylu. Having been privately tutored for as long as he could remember, it was a nice change of pace to have some scholarly interaction with another student his age. Her lightheartedness and sense of humor made time seem to fly by much faster than it did when he worked on his own, though logically, his work took him longer to finish during the sessions because he'd have to stop every so often to help Maylu with something.
On one particular day, the studying was taking longer than usual, as Maylu's finals were drawing quite near. She was thus forced to review all that she had learned so far during the year. The two students, growing tired of sitting indoors going over loads of old worksheets and packets, had opted to take a walk through the city and grab a bite to eat somewhere.
"Hey, maybe we should try that place!" said Maylu as they passed a place called "Chez Snootay." Then, as Chaud paused next to her to glance at her suggestion, Maylu giggled and said, "Oh wait, I forgot. You don't go there anymore."
Puzzled, the boy looked more closely at the restaurant. Seeing the large TV monitors that were mounted on buildings nearby, a vague memory of running into Lan and company here dawned on him. This was the place he'd tried to fight Lan, only to be interrupted by a hoard of viruses.
"Let's see, what did you say?" Maylu said, a mischievous glint in her eye. "Oh yeah…" Here she paused and stuck her nose in the air while lowering her voice. "'…If this place serves third-rate companies like Ayano Tech, then I won't be coming back.'"
Chaud felt his face flush slightly in embarrassment. Had he really said that? He sounded like a complete prick. Heck, at that time, he was a complete prick.
"I think that was the only time you ever really made me mad," Maylu said, suddenly serious. "I mean, I knew you were stuck up, but so was Yai. I was used to it. But that night…that night, you said some really cruel things and made Yai cry. I was about ready to conk you over the head with a frying pan or something."
Chaud couldn't bring himself to look at his companion. She was absolutely right. Every cutting, scornful comment he'd made that night had suddenly come back to haunt him. His newly revived conscience was asking him how such harsh, condescending words could ever have come out of his mouth, especially since they were directed at people who may have been his rivals but had never actually harmed him or done anything to deserve being treated that way.
"Hey," said Maylu, pulling his attention away from the past as she lightly touched his arm. "Sorry. I didn't mean to send you on a guilt trip."
Chaud shook his head. "It's not like I didn't deserve it," he said, giving her a small, lop-sided smile. "I said some pretty nasty things, and I was way outta line."
"But that's all in the past, right?" Maylu said, tilting her head and looking up at him with a warm expression. "I'm just…really glad you're not like that now."
'So am I,' thought Chaud as the two continued along the sidewalk, searching for somewhere to dine that didn't hold such unsavory memories.
XOXOXOX
Maylu tilted her head backwards and looked up at the tall building that stood before her, wondering why Chaud had chosen the Fitness Center to meet her at. Especially since it was closed today. There weren't even any staff members around.
Just a few hours earlier, she'd received an e-mail from him telling her to come here at 3:30, because there was something he wanted to show her.
Continuing to study her location, she was startled when a deep voice came from behind her, saying, "Good afternoon."
She jumped a little and turned to face the speaker. "Um…good afternoon," she said, her face puzzled. "I'm sorry; do I know you?"
The man chuckled and shook his head. "Nah. I just saw you looking a little out of place and thought I'd say hello. I take it this isn't somewhere you visit often?"
Maylu shook her head. "You're right. Actually, I don't think I've ever been here. But a friend of mine asked me to meet him, so here I am."
"Indeed, here you are," said the man in a strange tone, smiling and tugging the brim of his hat down over his eyes. "So…are you and he close?"
Maylu blinked. "What?"
"You and that friend of yours. Are the two of you close?"
Finding the question awkward, Maylu felt heat rise in her face. "Uh…well, more so now than in the past, I guess…" she said, hoping she didn't sound as embarrassed as she felt. "That is…I mean…we didn't used to be friends…"
"Ah, I see how it is," the man said, chuckling again.
"See how what is?" Maylu said, her defenses rising—as well as her embarrassment.
"Now, now, don't get up in arms," he said, putting his hands up, palms facing her. "I'm just teasing you." Suddenly, he leaned towards her slightly and squinted. "Huh, looks like you have a smudge of something on your nose," he told her with a grin. "Here, let me help you with that." He fished in his pocket and pulled out a handkerchief, which he then brought to her face.
Just as Maylu was getting ready to back away, having become suspicious of the way he was acting, he clamped the fabric of the handkerchief over her nose. With the palm of his hand, his pressed the rest of the material up against her mouth. She tried to yank her head away, but his grip was too strong. She felt her strength evaporating, and the world was growing dark. Within moments, she'd blacked out, collapsing into the waiting arms of the strange man.
The man smiled darkly. He scooped the victim up and began carrying her towards the tall building she'd been gazing at only minutes earlier.
XOXOXOX
Chaud squinted in the bright sunlight as he stepped out of the dark interior of his car. He had to admit, he was curious about Maylu's reasons for asking him to meet her here. Her message had said to be at the Fitness Center at 4:00 because she had a surprise for him. What on earth could she have in mind?
He strolled leisurely along the sidewalk, glancing from side to side to see if he could spot her. But before he'd been looking very long, he was interrupted by a voice from his PET.
"Uh…Chaud, sir…"
Chaud pulled out the device and looked at the screen. To his surprise, standing next to Protoman was Roll. The little pink navi, he realized, looked extremely frightened.
"What's going on?" he asked, his brow furrowing.
"I…I'm supposed to…to tell you to go over to the big oak tree," Roll said falteringly. Her hands kept clenching and unclenching at her sides, and her eyes were wide.
Protoman watched silently. He could see her body trembling, and wondered what could have scared her so badly.
"Can you tell me anything more?" Chaud asked quietly. Seeing the navi hesitate; then shake her head, he stowed away the PET and immediately set his eyes to searching for an oak tree. Seconds later, he had sighted his target and was on his way. Already, he was able to see that a man was seated on the ground beneath the tree's shade, casually leaning against it with his hat tipped down over his face and his hands folded over his stomach.
"Who are you?" Chaud said darkly once he'd arrived, his voice low to avoid attracting attention.
The man pushed the hat up slightly, and Chaud could see a smug grin on his face. The boy's fingers curled into fists.
"I'm the one who has the upper hand in our particular situation," said the man, his body continuing to remain relaxed.
"Where is she?" Chaud growled.
"With a few of my people, at the moment," the man replied. He pulled something out of his pocket and started toying with it. It was a pink PET. "Don't worry your pretty little head, Mr. Blaze. We didn't do anything except knock her out. And we won't do anything to her…so long as our conditions are met."
The boy lowered his eyebrows. "What conditions might those be?"
The man grinned. "I was hoping you'd ask."
XOXOXOX
