Chapter 7 Fake Kidnapping
Rena's laying down on her bed, pondering about the facts that she heard just now.
"... Elesis is that Sieghart... I thought she's a boy since the name looked just like a boy's name, but she's already dead now due to an accident... I wonder why I'm not sad even though she used to be my childhood friend..."
Rena's feeling guilty because she's not able to feel sad for her dead friend.
It must be because I've past many unexpected events that the shock's not enough to shook me off, I guess that's really the case then.
She nodded to convince herself.
*Ring*
Her phone rang.
She took it and it looks like she got an e-mail.
"From... Elsword?"
She opened it.
Keep things you heard just now from anyone, it's just a secret between the three of us.
"What, am I not so trustworthy that you need to remind me like this!?"
Rena felt like she want to scold him.
But she canceled it.
She type a reply to him.
I got it, okay? You don't need to tell me that, perverted crossdresser.
And she got a lightning fast reply from him again.
I'm going to ignore you forever.
Rena giggles.
This fact that she just heard really is a good blackmail material.
But it's not like she can show any proof if anyone ask her from where she get the information.
She decided to not replying and she lay down again on her bed.
"To think that he is that Elesis, I wonder how much shame he's enduring right now, teehee~"
She felt like to tease him again, but she somehow pity him so she didn't do it.
"I wonder if he's really going to ignore me again? If I don't have anything important to say I bet he will ignore me, though..."
Rena's giving a hard thought about this and still got no answer.
"This is too hard for a normal girl like me!"
So she decided to just sleep.
But before she sleep-
*Ring*
Another mail come in.
She open it and-
"Huh?"
Hi, Rena.
It's been so fun with you and Elsword.
But I must go.
I know it's very sudden but today's actually the last day for me to stay in Ruben like this.
I'm going to fly toward Sander.
You might be asking me why, but I'm going there because my parents are asking me to marry their acquintance's son there, don't worry I will be fine.
Their family's very rich so I should be able to come back to see you again.
I've already informed Elsword too, that's why I arranged a plan like just now, so that both of you can get closer, since we're childhood friends.
Even if I'm not there please don't feel so lonely, Elsword's there.
That's all I want to say,
I'll see you again in the near future.
With love, Aisha.
Rena quickly got up and call Elsword.
"Hello."
"Hello? Elsword!"
"Hearing the way you sound I bet you already get Aisha's mail too."
"Yes, just what's this?! Why she never told us about it?"
"How should I know? I rarely get her mail too, but if you planned to chase her, I would suggest you to not to."
"Why!? She's our friend! An arranged marriage is not something that she wanted for!"
"So, you planned to give her parents a piece of your mind and said don't let Aisha get married? Are you someone that can barge into other family's affair?"
Elsword's very logical.
But Rena can feel anger in his words.
"I know, I'm not someone to say anything. But at least we need to go and try to do something! I will not want to just sit here and see her off!"
Elsword sighed.
"I know you're that kind of girl, hurry up and change your clothes, I'm already in front of your house, we're going there with my motorcycle."
"Elsword!"
Rena smiled.
She hang the phone and change her clothes quickly.
"Mom, I'm going out for awhile!"
"Becareful, dear."
Her mother smiled.
She saw Elsword outside, that's why she allowed her to go.
"Here, take this helmet."
Rena take it and wear the helmet after she untied her hair.
"We're going to Ruben's Airport. Hold me tightly."
Rena nodded and she hold his waist.
Within a second the motorcycle runs like wind.
"E-Elsword! You're riding too fast!"
"If I'm not going this fast who knows they're already on plane!"
She hugged his waist to protect herself from falling off the seat.
At the other place.
"Aisha, are you ready? He's already coming for you. *Sigh* Just where's your mommy, I called her to come back home yesterday but she's still not here."
Aisha's father is petting his daughter's head.
Aisha's mother is working at other country.
So her father called her back but she haven't arrived yet.
"Um, I can go anytime."
Aisha smiled.
However, her heart did not.
She's still worried about her mother too.
"Hi, you're Aisha, I assume? My name is Ciel, this is my little sister Lu."
Ciel, the mature looking man with dark blue hair.
He's handsome, any girls would love to marry him.
But Aisha's not too willing.
"Nice to meet you, I'm Aisha."
She smiled and shook both of the siblings' hand.
Lu's a small girl, she looked just like a doll.
Aisha didn't hate them.
She would love to have Lu as her sister-in-law.
But she's still not ready for marriage.
And she doesn't even know what kind of person is Ciel.
"Let's go, the plane will fly in 1 more hour."
Ciel held Aisha's hand gently.
"... N-"
Just when she's about to say she don't want to go-
*Slam*
Aisha's father has fallen to the floor.
"Daddy?! What are you doing to daddy!?"
There stood a man in black, he's holding a stun gun that's used to stun her father.
Ciel pulled his wig, showing his hostile white hair.
"I'm sorry Aisha, but you're going with us, if you don't... Your father will not only be stunned like this, oh? Yell for help just once, and you will see a corpse in this house. Like 'That' troublesome woman yesterday, hehehe."
Ciel smirked.
"You'd better follow Ciel's command, he's not really kind toward other people."
The man in black said.
Aisha's tears are flowing.
She remembered the news she saw in TV yesterday.
It must be her mother that have gone missing.
She had guessed that the corpse was her mother but she tried to deny it.
Now the truth have been spoken, she can't hold back her tears.
"I-I understand..."
And they're off to the airport.
"Elsword! Are we still far from the airport!?"
"Just a little more! We're about to reach it!"
Elsword's riding the motorcycle in full speed.
If a police saw this they would've get arrested.
But luckily there are no police around.
"Here we are!"
Elsword stopped the motorcycle in front of the airport.
They run inside the airport to look for Aisha.
"She's not here!"
"... I guess they're still haven't arrived, the earliest plane will depart in 40 minutes, so I bet they're still on their way, let's wait outside."
Elsword held Rena's hand and took her out.
"Kyaa-!"
"Don't yell! We're racing against time and human!"
They managed to got out of the airport.
1, 2, and 3 cars past but still no sign of Aisha.
"Are they really still out there? I'm starting to have a bad feeling."
"Trust me."
Just that one sentence.
Rena's restlessness disappeared.
Elsword...
She look at the boy.
His hair's long so his eyes are covered.
But the night wind's blowing quite strong so his hair also blown by the wind.
She can see his determined eyes, there's no sign of doubt in those eyes.
His stare's so fascinating that Rena felt like she's being protected.
She shook her head and she noticed a black car's stopping.
There came out-
"-Aisha!"
"Rena!?"
Rena hurriedly run toward her but she's being held back by Elsword.
"Elsword!? Release me! Aisha's there!"
"-Are you trying to see Aisha or to give those people a piece of your mind?"
Not understanding what Elsword means, she look at Aisha again, there appear a man in black and a white haired man with a white girl that looked like his little sister.
"Oh, a company?"
Ciel who just got out is looking at Elsword and Rena.
"... Who are you? What are you doing to Aisha?"
Elsword's angry.
Because he know, they're kidnappers.
"Before asking people their names you should introduce yourself first, but oh well- My name's Ciel, this is my little sister, Lu."
He patted Lu's head.
"I see, but what did you do to Aisha?"
Elsword pointed the man in black who's holding Aisha's hand and covered her mouth with his hand, preventing her from running away or to scream.
"This girl's my goods, so make sure to take a good care of her, Shadow."
The man in black nodded.
Seems like he's called shadow.
Elsword thought.
"Now, let's have a bet, boy. Come here."
"Elsword..."
Rena's holding Elsword's sleeves.
She's scared.
"Don't worry, Rena. I will definitely think of a way."
Elsword reassured her.
Just a single sentence she's already calmed down.
*Ring*
Rena pick her phone and she opened an e-mail.
"This..."
Elsword nodded.
"In case I can't make it... Do what I said there."
"No! You must make it!"
Elsword sighed.
But he smiled.
"You're really willful."
And then he slowly walk to Ciel.
"I'm here, and then what?"
Elsword knew it, from just a single look.
Ciel's not a weak guy like Lenphad.
If they fight Elsword might lose.
"Mmmph!"
Aisha seemed like she want to say something but her mouth's being covered.
"You're really a brave kid, I like you."
Ciel put his hand inside his pocket.
But Elsword held his hand.
"What are you doing?"
Elsword's aware that something bad might come out from the pocket.
His grip's strong.
So Ciel can't move his hand.
"Oh my, you're a strong boy, but I demand you to not move."
From Ciel's other hand, a gun.
"... Tsk."
Unable to fight a gun, Elsword pull back his hand.
Ciel smirked and took out-
-A key.
"... What's that key for?"
"I want to have a bet, didn't I told you that, boy?"
"Kyaaa!?"
Elsword immediately look at Aisha.
A strange looking collar is being attached to Aisha's neck.
"What is that?"
"This key's used to unlock the collar, oh, I should tell you first."
He scratched his head and smiled.
"That collar has a bomb installed in it. It will explode if she tries to unlock it with force."
"-! You!?"
Elsword's snapped.
He can't believe this man will go that far.
Aisha who's scared can't even scream anymore.
Rena's looking worried from far.
"Guuh... Fine! What's the bet?"
"It's pretty simple."
He took out his gun, the revolver.
"Have you ever heard of 'russian roulette'?"
"... I did."
It's a deadly game.
Each player takes turn to shot their own head.
from a six slot revolver, only 1 slot has a bullet attached to it.
If they pulled the trigger at the empty slot they're safe, but if it's not...
"Your head will be blown if you lose."
"Don't do it, Elsword!"
Rena yelled from behind.
"I'm sorry, Rena. But it's Aisha's life we're betting here."
"No-!"
She can't do anything.
Rena's ashamed of her uselessness.
The plan that Elsword gave her...
Call this number, help will come soon.
Rena doesn't know whose number is this, but Elsword said that she need to call it when he's not able to make it.
"Please be safe..."
Rena prayed.
"Let's play, boy."
Ciel spun the revolver's roulette after putting a bullet inside the slot.
After that he tossed a coin.
"Head or tail?"
He asked Elsword.
Elsword think for a bit and-
"Head."
It's head.
That means Ciel has to start first.
"Oh jeez, how troublesome~"
*Click*
He pulled the trigger without hesitation.
Luckily the slot's empty.
"It's your turn boy."
He give him the gun.
Elsword put the barrel at his head.
"... I'm curious why you can pull the trigger at ease."
*Click*
Empty slot.
"It's just a difference of experience, boy."
*Click*
Ciel got an empty slot again.
"Oh, really?"
*Click*
Elsword, empty slot.
"Of course it is."
*Click*
Ciel empty again.
"Now it's your turn. This is the sixth turn, so you should understand, right?"
Ciel handed him the gun.
Elsword took it.
"Yeah, I know. Looks like it's my lose."
"Elsword!"
Rena who's clenching her fist due to fear is yelling again.
Elsword look at Rena.
"... I'm sorry, Rena. Looks like I lost the bet."
"No! Don't do it!"
Rena run toward him.
"Don't move, girl."
Ciel glared at Rena.
Rena who's scared, halted her step.
"If you dare to disturb, I will detonate Aisha's bomb collar without hesitation."
He's serious.
Rena didn't dare to say anything else.
"... What will you do after I'm dead?"
"Don't worry. I'm not going to kill them. Aisha's my goods after all, and that blonde girl seemed nice too, I bet my boss will be happy."
Ciel smirked.
"I see, so they will not be killed."
Elsword pointed the gun at his head.
"Elsword! No!"
"Silence, Aisha."
Shadow covered her mouth.
She can't scream anymore.
"... To think I will die like this."
"Don't worry boy, you're brave enough to do this game, you have my compliment."
"Being complimented by you isn't going to make me happy."
Elsword closes his eyes.
Rena's crying.
Aisha closed her eyes in fear.
"*Sigh* What a miserable and troublesome life I have."
*Click*
An empty slot.
"E-Eh?"
Rena's dumbfounded.
"... What's the meaning of this?"
Elsword asked Ciel.
Ciel smiled and gave him the key.
"You win. You can have the reward."
Elsword who's dumbfounded can't say anything.
"This bet is actually to see are you worthy enough or not."
"What do you mean?"
"Boy, I'm interested in you. Do you want to be my follower?"
"-I don't see any reason to follow you."
"I see, that's too bad. Let's go, Lu, Shadow."
"Got it."
"Yes~"
"Wait, I don't see any reason for you to do this, and what's this bet mean?"
Ciel shrugged.
"If you dare to point the gun at me and shot, I would've kill you on the spot, but you didn't. You're a true man. That's why I didn't kill you, oh, half of that were just a lie, and for Aisha."
Ciel said half of it, but Elsword doesn't know which one is lie.
"W-What! You killer!"
"... I'll tell you the truth, I'm just kidding about your mother, I just coincidentally saw the news yesterday so I used it on today's scheme, and..."
From the car, her father is there.
And behind Rena, a woman with purple hair appeared.
"""""Happy Birthday, Aisha!"""""
Her father, mother, Ciel, Lu, and Shadow congratulates her at once.
Aisha's dumbfounded.
She doesn't know what to say anymore.
Rena who's yet to get a grip of what's happening remembered today's date.
"Oh! Today's 8th March! It's really your birthday, Aisha!"
"R-Really?"
"Oh, I didn't see that coming."
Elsword scratched his head because he's ashamed of his stupidity.
"We're sorry, Aisha."
Aisha's father and mother came and hugged Aisha.
"We don't mean to scare you, but since it's your birthday we want to give you a surprise, and daddy happened to know these three who are good at acting so we planned a surprise, since Rena and Elsword's your childhood friend we're sure you will told them, good thing that they believed in it and came here so that our acting can succeed."
Aisha's father explained as he removed the fake bomb collar from his daughter's neck.
"Mommy happened to saw a news that a purple haired woman was found dead, so mommy suggest them to make a good kidnapping scene."
Her mother smiled as se patted Aisha's head.
"By the way, I'm a college student that took drama's subject. Shadow also taking one, but this sister of mine can't really act so she just stare the whole scene."
Ciel explained.
"... I clearly saw you put a bullet in the revolver, how did you took it out?"
Elsword's curious.
"I simply put in the bullet and took it out again when I attempt to roll the roulette. You might've missed it due to my fast bullet drawing technique."
"I felt stupid to ask you."
Elsword already knew that the gun can't fire bullets out, it's a disabled gun.
"Dad... Mom...!"
Aisha cried in her parents' embrace.
Rena's sighing in relieve.
"To think we're also get tricked, but it's not a bad feeling once in awhile, huh?"
Rena asked Elsword.
"Yeah, you're right."
Elsword's smiling.
He's happy for Aisha.
Rena who noticed his smile also smiled at Aisha.
Happy birthday, Aisha.
Chapter 7 End
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