Chapter 35: Rescue Operation
"Calm down Miyuki." Eren said from the front seat of the van. "You'll be fine."
"You say that, but it's still nerve racking" Miyuki said as he scratched at his fake tattoos that were making his arms itch.
"Stop scratching kid." Sergei said from the driver's seat. "You'll peel them off."
"Sorry." Miyuki said.
Miyuki was dressed in typical street clothes with fake tattoos covering his arms. Sergei knew he wouldn't be able to pass for a higher up, so he dressed casually instead of having more business or formal dress. Miyuki's blonde hair was also slicked back with gel, something that was typically seen negatively in normal Japanese society.
Eren though was dressed much more tactically. He wore the typical blue tactical jacket and pants Miyuki saw when he saw news footage of Special Assault Teams. He had black body armor, a black military styled helmet with a hinged full-face visor, and black boots, gloves, knee and elbow pads.
He took a water bottle out of his jacket and took a sip before putting it back in. He was feeling thirsty.
"Are you sure this thing is the best you have?" Eren asked Sergei.
"You don't like it?" Sergei asked.
Miyuki noticed that Eren had a deployable riot shield on his left arm, which was a large block of steel that folded like a typical Chinese fan. It wasn't often used by the Special Assault Team compared to more conventional shields, but Sergei recommended it.
"I've never used a shield before." Eren said.
"It's only rated for small arms, anything bigger than a pistol will go through. Remember that and keep your MP5 ready."
Attached with a bungy sling was Eren's main gun, which Miyuki noticed was an MP5, which he would see in video games and movies occasionally. Eren also had a more modern pistol in his holster since his normal old gun was too much of a calling card.
"I just hope it doesn't come to that." Miyuki said.
"Do your job and it won't." Sergei said. "Call my phone to test our wire."
Miyuki put a pair of regular earphones in his ear and made sure it was connected to his phone. The plan was, he would call Sergei and maintain the line so Sergei could hear through the earphones, and he could talk to Miyuki to give him advice. It wasn't weird for delinquent to walk around with earphones in, so Miyuki should be able to sneak in.
"Testing." Miyuki said.
"You're connected." Sergei said.
"Remember Miyuki." Eren said. "Sergei will tell you everything to say. We just need you to be convincing and lead her out. Just remember what we taught you. I'll be right across the street and ready to go in and get you out if things go poorly."
"I know." Miyuki said. "Get her, get outside, find the police. Should be easy."
"Just make sure she keeps the narrative that it was the Nakano-Kai that kidnapped her. I still rely on Yoshida to protect Ai, so we can't let the police, or her family interfere with Yoshida." Eren reminded him.
"Right, or you kill my sister." Miyuki said.
"Da." Sergei said with a slight chuckle, amused that Miyuki was that worried about his lie.
"We don't need to do that." Eren said. "Once you save her, you can go back to your normal life."
"Ok." Miyuki said.
He took a few deep breaths as Sergei pulled up the street from the night club. His heart was racing and he felt terrified at the idea of having to do this.
He mentally pictured Shinomiya in his head, imagining her sweet and kind smile, or her narrowed eyes when she would try to one up him in their little battles of wits. He imagined her embarrassed when he would do something to get her to admit her feelings and her face of complete joy when she got her new cell phone.
Then, he imagined her in danger. Her eyes wide with corporeal fear for her own life or abused by criminals who would harm her. He imagined her crying and begging to be released, only to be met with anger or torture.
His heart, which was heavy with fear, turned to anger as he imagined her beautiful face contorted in fear. He had to be strong to save her, no matter what.
"I'll be across the street, Sergei will drive a few miles away to keep himself cleared." Eren said. "If anything happens, I'll be listening in with my own phone. So, I'll be able to react quickly."
"Right." Miyuki said. "I'm ready."
Miyuki stepped out of the back of the van and looked around for a moment, hearing Eren and Sergei drive away after dropping him off.
Miyuki cautiously made his way to the night club, looking around at every little movement he saw. His paranoid mind made him think that there was danger at every corner, which seriously freaked him out. He walked with a bit more rigidity than he would have liked since he was nervous but kept it under control.
When Miyuki reached the night club entrance, there was a long line of people waiting to get in. They were mostly Japanese youths like him, hanging around their friends in easily identifiable groups. Occasionally, there was a westerner in the groups who was probably from one of the local universities.
Miyuki walked to the front of the line, ready to speak to the bouncer.
"Back of the line." The tall man, clearly a Yakuza, said.
"I- Et-" Miyuki cleared his throat due to his voice cracking. "I endured a betrayal and can't trust my friend anymore."
The bouncer raised his eyebrow, considering what Miyuki said. It was a pass phrase, something that would sound like a normal conversation but odd enough to catch the bouncer's attention. Sergei learned of the phrase that would be used to let in an escort to move Shinomiya, so he nodded and let Miyuki pass by him.
"Thanks." He said nervously.
"Control your nerves kid." Miyuki heard over his earphones.
"R-right." He said.
"And don't reply to me, or everyone will know you have a wire." He berated.
"S-sor- I mean-" Miyuki just stopped talking.
The inside of the night club was exactly as Miyuki thought it would be like. Loud music, people dancing, and absolutely no personal space. He would constantly get pushed around by drunk patrons and dancers who were dancing in this massive crowd.
A few times he blushed when a drunk woman started to either touch him or even grind on him. He had to suppress his embarrassment since he had to remain focused on finding Shinomiya. So, he tried to push the women away without touching their private areas.
Miyuki did feel a little cool though. Like he was an undercover officer or something. His mind conjured up images of him being a secret agent and trying to save people from criminal gangs. He knew it was childish, but he tried to find a way to calm himself down.
Miyuki reached a door that said "Employees Only", which Sergei said would lead to the underground storage area that Shinomiya was hidden.
He descended down the stairs and ran into a concrete hallway that was fully lit up. The walls were white plastered paint over concrete with exposed piping on the ceiling, making it look like something out of a horror movie. He got worried, but again had to control his breathing.
After walking down for a while, he saw a nicely dressed Yakuza guard in front of a door to his right.
"You my replacement?" The guard asked?
"Huh?" Miyuki asked, not expecting the guard to address him.
"I was told I would be replaced ten minutes ago, is that why you're here?" He asked again.
"Go with it Miyuki." Serge said over the earphones. "It's a good excuse. Say they couldn't find the original guy and picked you."
"W-well, you see-" He stuttered. "The other guy isn't around, s-so I'm sent to guard."
Miyuki heard Sergei sigh on the other end, annoyed that Miyuki was unable to speak without stuttering in this situation.
"Finally." The guard said. "I am getting annoyed watching the brats." Brats? Plural? "I'll head upstairs for a drink. Want me to bring you anything?"
"N-no. I'm ok." Miyuki said as Sergei told him what to say.
"You'll be ok, right?" He asked, raising his eyebrow.
"Da." Miyuki said.
"Don't repeat exactly what I say you idiot!" Sergei yelled over the phone.
"What?" The guard asked.
"I mean, yea. I got it. It's just some rich girl, r-right?" Miyuki repeated Sergei's words.
"I get you are young kid, but two things. One, don't listen to music while you're watching them." He said. "Two, absolutely no touching either of them."
"Touching?" Miyuki asked.
"I don't care how cute you find them, absolutely no touching. Rich girl is too dangerous to damage, and the other girl is more expensive untouched. If you do touch one of them, Oyabun will end you." He said.
"R-right. N-no touching. Got it." He said.
Miyuki wondered who the other one was. He guessed she was some girl who got dragged away like Shinomiya. He was worried for that poor girl and wondered if he could help her too.
"Why would she be more expensive?" He asked.
"Oyabun didn't intend to grab her, so he's planning to get rid of her in some auction tonight." He said.
"A-auction?" Miyuki asked, horrified.
"Calm down kid." Sergei said. "Don't make it sound like you don't know, just remain neutral."
"Anyway, I'm heading up for a drink. Just remember what I said." He walked away.
Miyuki had to calm himself. The thought of these men putting their hands on Shinomiya nearly sent him over the edge. He was going to kill them if he ever got the chance.
After making sure the coast was clear, Miyuki turned towards the door. Luckily, it wasn't locked so he took the gamble and went inside. Inside was an empty room with two doors on either side, probably for Shinomiya and the other girl.
He went to the door on the left, opening it up. He heard a camera above the entry way move around, so as to fully scan and monitor the makeshift prison room.
Miyuki almost gasped when he looked inside and saw Shinomiya. Her hair, which was almost always expertly styled up was down and a complete mess. She wore a tank top that was probably from her uniform as well as just her white panties. There was a blindfold on her eyes and leather cuffs with padlocks on her wrists, which secured them in front of her.
She heard Miyuki entered and perked up with a gasp, clearly scared. She whined lowly, clearly trying to make herself as small as possible. She shook, terrified of Miyuki's presence.
He barely could contain himself. The only time he ever wanted to see Shinomiya scared was through embarrassment during their little mind games with each other. This was a primal fear, a corporeal fear for her own life. He felt angry.
He knelt down to try and remove her blindfold.
"No!" She screamed, scooting away from him. "Don't take it off! Please!"
"Shinomiya." He tried to say gently.
"If you do, they'll kill Hayasaka!" Hayasaka? Her maid? "I said I'd be good, please stop! I don't want her to hurt anymore!"
Hayasaka, her maid and the woman who tried to go out on a date with him. He remembered when he helped her with getting computer parts, or amazing her with his singing voice when they went to karaoke. She was here too?
"Shinomiya, it's me." He said, sliding the blindfold off.
"No!" She tried to stop him.
Her eyes widened as she saw Miyuki's face, completely shocked and surprised that he was here. She had no words that came to her mind, though her fear was replaced with a kind of relief.
"President?" She asked.
"I'm here." He said. "I promise I'll save you."
"H-how did you find me?" She asked.
"Remember when we saw the moon together?" He asked.
"Y-yea." She stuttered.
"I told you I wouldn't hesitate to rip you from the moon."
Kaguya blushed, amazed at his boldness. He was truly amazing. She felt like she would melt in his arms, the past two weeks of fear replaced with a sense of hope and safety.
"Is this really the time to woo your girl?" Sergei asked, overhearing the conversation.
"Hayasaka!" Shinomiya said.
"Is she in the other room?" Miyuki asked.
"Yea, she is." Kaguya said. "We need to get her too."
"Ok, let's get her too." Miyuki said.
Luckily, Shinomiya wasn't tied to anything, only her wrists were tied since they probably thought a young teenage girl would be unable to escape on her own. Miyuki helped her up and started to walk her to the door. He couldn't remove her cuffs, so he decided to just continue on.
Miyuki cautiously opened the door into the main room. He glanced around and made sure there were no other people that decided to come in. He had to move fast to save Hayasaka.
Miyuki and Kaguya entered into the second room and Miyuki almost vomited at what he saw.
Hayasaka was laying down much in the same way Kaguya was. She was also dressed in a tank top and panties, though unlike Shinomiya, she had actual hand cuffs on. Miyuki noticed that her wrists were raw from them rubbing and guessed that Shinomiya was given leather restraints in order to minimize any potential damage.
The thing he noticed was how bruised she was. Miyuki guessed that Shinomiya was forced to comply with their demands by hurting Hayasaka. Since they needed to ensure Shinomiya was unharmed, they must have used her to force Shinomiya to comply and listen to their orders.
He felt bad for her. She was just a maid and very sweet girl. Hayasaka didn't deserve this. Especially with what he overheard, about them planning to sell her. He couldn't imagine.
"Hey, Hayasaka." Miyuki whispered as he went up to her.
Suddenly, Hayasaka swung her legs around and got his head into a leg lock. While in the lock, she swung the hand cuffs around his neck and started to choke him. Miyuki tried to struggle, but he was so surprised that he couldn't react before she had him in a lock.
"I'm not letting you bastards sell me!" She yelled, tightening the grip on his neck.
"Hayasaka!" Shinomiya screamed. "That's the president!"
"S-shirogane?" She asked in shock. "My lady! You're ok!"
"I'm fine Hayasaka." Shinomiya started tearing up. "I'm so glad you're ok. I'm so sorry, I'm sorry you had to get hurt because of me."
"It's not your fault my lady." Hayasaka. "They are the ones who hit me, not you."
"C-choking!" Miyuki tried to say, still very much being choked.
"Oh, sorry." Hayasaka said as she relaxed her grip on his neck.
Miyuki took a few deep breaths before trying to calm down. He felt like he was dying when Hayasaka did that, no doubt her training and physical fitness helped out with that. Unfortunately, she was still a very small girl around a group of men, so she could never hope to overpower them no matter how strong or skilled she was.
"How did you find us?" Hayasaka asked. "And you got tattoos?"
"They're fake." Miyuki said. "I just needed to pose to get in here and get you out."
"How though." Hayasaka asked. "Are there police here?"
"No, not exactly." Miyuki laughed nervously.
"Then who is here?" She asked again.
"Well, remember Eren, Hoshino Ai's friend?" He said.
"Wait!" Shinomiya yelled out. "He's the Akuma No Ko, isn't he? He's the reason we're trapped here."
"No." He shook his head. "Eren didn't kidnap you, he's being manipulated through Ai."
"What?" Hayasaka asked.
"They're using her against him. He's forced to work for him." He said.
"Why didn't you go to the police?" Hayasaka asked.
"Because..." He didn't want to think about it. "Eren's boss is threatening my sister."
Hayasaka and Shinomiya both looked at each other in worry. Why was this happening to them? They're just high school students and want nothing to do with the fighting that was going on here.
"We need to leave; we can figure this out later." Miyuki said.
"Yes, but how?" Hayasaka asked.
"We just need to get on the street and find a cop, so I'm just going to pretend to do a prisoner escort." Miyuki said.
"Ok." Shinomiya said. "I-I trust you President."
"Don't worry Shinomiya, I'll protect you." He said as he looked confidently at her.
Shinomiya blushed, barely able to contain the flood of emotions that she was processing so far. Between his smooth and confident attitude, the fear of being confined by criminals for two weeks, and her maid and friend being hurt because of her, Shinomiya was very emotionally confused.
He quickly replaced the blindfold on both women, knowing that since they had to keep it on at all times, it would be more convincing for them to escape if they continued to look the part.
He grabbed the chains that were connected to their wrist restraints and started pulling them lightly, trying to sell that he was a slaver or criminal.
"M-move women." He stuttered.
"Very convincing." Sergei said sarcastically over the phone. "I'm sure you'll do just fine if confronted."
"Shut up." He whispered.
"What?" Shinomiya asked.
"Nothing, just talking over the phone." He said. "I'm working with a Russian guy who's walking me through this."
"... What?" Hayasaka asked.
"Never mind, let's just move." He said.
He walked carefully back down the hall, hoping to reach a door leading to the outside before anything could happen. He moved slowly since Hayasaka and Shinomiya were both blindfolded and had trouble walking. Additionally, they were both bare foot so any small rock or pebble they stepped on made them stumble.
He had her now. Shinomiya was almost safe. He just had to keep moving and get to the exit, then they were safe.
"Hey, you there." A voice called over.
"Crap." Miyuki said to himself.
"Calm down kid." Sergei said. "Just repeat after me."
"W-what's going to h-happen to us?" Shinomiya asked in a tone riddled with fear.
"Nothing." Miyuki whispered back. "I promise I'll protect you."
As the man walked up to him, he noticed that he had a shaven bald head and tattoos all over him, dressed in a nice pair of black slacks and an unbuttoned white shirt. He looked a few years older than Miyuki, maybe late twenties.
"H-hey- uh... sir." Miyuki tried to say.
"Just call me Raido." The man said.
"Understood." Miyuki said.
"Where are you taking rich girl?" He asked.
Miyuki paused for a second, having to listen to Sergei's response then try to regurgitate it word for word. Sergei even acted out the specific tone he'd have to give in the response.
"The boss wanted to move the girls." He said. "Something about a possible information leak, that's all I know. Now Shr-" Miyuki paused for a moment.
"I said to shrug, do the action! Don't repeat everything exactly you idiot!" Sergei yelled. "Common sense!"
"Why didn't Oyabun call me?" Raido asked.
"I don't know." He said. "I'm just told what to do." Miyuki shrugged.
"Rich girl I get, but blonde girl? I know for a fact that she's getting sold." He raised his eyebrow.
Shinomiya reached out to Hayasaka's hand, giving it a gentle squeeze, worried about her friends safety.
"Careful kid." Sergei said. "He's suspicious. Get ready to run."
"I don't know." Miyuki shrugged, defaulting to just being a low paid lacky as his cover story.
"So, one last thing." Raido said. "Why didn't the rich girl freak out when I just said we're selling her friend, she's not supposed to know, and she should be begging right now." He smirked, making Miyuki worried. "If I was her, the only reason that I wouldn't be screaming right now is if I believed I was being rescued."
Crap...
"Water bottle!" Miyuki yelled, getting the water bottle from his jacked and flipping it into Raido's face.
The sudden action surprised Raido for a moment but started to piss him off when he saw the trio of teens sprinting down the hall to escape.
"Get back here!" He gave chase.
Miyuki sprinted as fast as he could, almost dragging both girls behind him, who both took off their blindfolds since it was useless now. They needed to escape and fast.
"We need Eren!" He yelled into the phone.
Eren ran into the club, brushing right past a few teens and the bouncer. All who got out of his way since he was dressed up fully like a cop.
Eren unfurled the shield, making it look like a large round flower pattern disk that covered a good bit of his arm and upper body. His small machine gun was at the ready and loaded with hollow point bullets.
Eren moved past the crowd, unable to properly tell them to move without really knowing any Japanese. The shield was a little awkward to use, but it was simple.
He saw movement to his left and brought the shield up, absorbing the impact of the Yakuza's bullets as they shot at him. He felt like his arm was hit with a stick as he struggled to absorb the impact. Party goers noticed the shooting and started to run away.
At first only a few started, but soon the entire crowd would be in a panic.
Eren took his gun and gave a small, controlled burst at the Yakuza, aiming carefully so as not to hit anyone else. He went down in an instant, dead from multiple shots in his head and torso.
Another Yakuza member crashed into him from behind, almost taking him off his feet. Eren planted himself and elbowed him in the face with his gun arm. Eren spun around and punched him with the edge of his shield, knocking him out instantly.
Eren had to move quick.
Once the crowd started to thin out, Yakuza members from the upper floors were confident enough to take shots at him without hitting the crowd. Eren raised his shield and took the impact, gritting his teeth as the pistol rounds made his arm numb from the constant hits.
He ran to the door that Miyuki said he went through, almost hopping down the stairs as he reached the bottom of the stairs into a hallway. Eren turned left and sprinted in the direction that Miyuki would have gone.
Eren pushed past a pair of slightly opened doors, coming into a car storage place and watching Miyuki getting punched and kicked by Raido. Kaguya and a blonde girl, Hayasaka he remembered, were sitting on the ground. Kaguya paralyzed by fear and Hasaka holding her cheek from being hit. Eren didn't realize Raido would be here and felt bad that he was.
Raido turned towards Eren, a raised eyebrow at the supposed police officer. Eren knew he didn't see through the disguise.
"Sorry Raido." Eren said to himself.
Eren shot a burst right at Raido, killing him instantly like the previous guard.
"Eren!" Miyuki yelled out, getting up off the ground.
"Don't use my name here." Eren chastised him.
"Sorry." Miyuki said.
"We need to get out of-" Eren was tackled from behind.
Five Yakuza members piled onto Eren, pinning him to the ground and trying to wrestle away his weapons. One member, a sixth one, walked slightly behind and smirked when he saw Miyuki.
"Eto..." Miyuki said.
The gang member charged, going after Miyuki. Miyuki knew that if he lost this fight, both Kaguya and Hayasaka would be in danger. He needed to help Eren fight these guys off, even if it was a six on two fight.
The man swung a punch, but Miyuki dodged, now a bit more familiar with getting hit. That Raido guy was the first time Miyuki got punched in the face. He was dazed and disoriented at first, but hearing Shinomiya scream immediately brought him back into focus.
Despite never fighting, Miyuki was very physically fit for his age. He excelled in most sports. Ok... he didn't excel, but he tried hard enough where he was able to at least have some level of physical strength.
He ducked under the punch and did his own punch back at the gang member. His knuckle hurt from the hit, but it was enough to stagger him, no doubt he got lucky that the guy underestimated him. When he fell to the ground, Miyuki started to kick him in the head, hoping to knock him unconscious.
After a few moments, the man was unconscious. Miyuki won his first, well, technically second fight. Now he needed to help Eren.
"Let's get into the car." Eren walked by him, leaving a pile of five dead and bleeding Yakuza members. "Is he dead?" Eren asked him.
"Huh?" Miyuki asked.
Eren took a pistol out and shot the man he knocked out in the face, executing him in cold blood. Now that he thought about it, he heard Eren executing the men he beat up while he was fighting, but Miyuki was too focused on the fight to even register it.
"G-good job?" Miyuki said.
He just watched a man die in front of him. Going to have to process that later.
"Get in." Eren said as he walked over to the nearest car, a simple small car.
Kaguya and Hayasaka both got in the back, while Miyuki got in the passenger seat. Eren looked around, hoping to see if there were any of those keys that Miyako would use.
"Here." Miyuki said, opening the sun visor and a pair of keys came out.
"Good." Eren said, taking the keys.
"They're here!" Kaguya yelled.
Eren looked over and saw Yakuza members with small machine guns, moving slowly and cautiously towards them. He had maybe thirty seconds before they were close enough to shoot them without risking Kaguya's safety.
Eren took the key and looked at the spot Miyako would always put it. There was a small keyhole so he inserted it and twisted it. The lights turned on, but the car didn't do that starting sound like normal.
"Is it on?" Miyuki asked.
"It didn't work." Eren said.
He turned the key, took it out, put it back in, and turned it again to see if maybe it would start. Lights came on, but the sound of it starting still didn't happen. He was sure he was doing everything right.
"Like this." Miyuki reached over and turned it even more, holding it there for a second.
The sound of the car starting sounded through the cabin, letting him know that it was on.
Eren grabbed the wheel and pushed the go lever near his feat. The engine made a sound like it should be moving, but it didn't move.
"What the hell!?" Eren screamed out. "Do any of you know how to work this thing!?" He turned to the teens.
"Do any of us look like we're old enough to get our license!?" Hayasaka screamed.
"Why do you need a license!?" Eren screamed back.
"Haven't you driven a car before!?" Kaguya yelled.
"No, I only know how to ride horses!" Eren yelled.
"Are you from the stone age or something!" Hayasaka yelled. "Let me drive!"
Hayasaka climbed to the front and got in Eren's lap. With her in his lap, she moved a lever in the center of the car and started to push the go lever at their feet.
"Move your feet!" She yelled.
She jumped every time Eren shot his gun outside of the window, capitalizing on the fact that he can shoot them, but they won't shoot back in fear of hitting Kaguya.
Hayasaka drove up a ramp and burst through a type of gate that was only good for stopping people and not a full speed car. She turned on the main road, avoiding crowds of people who all ran out of the club since the shooting started.
"We did it!" Miyuki yelled.
"Yea, we did." Eren sighed. "Good job kid." Eren patted Hayasaka on the shoulder, who was driving the car while seated in his lap.
Without the fear of dying present, Hayasaka blushed at the close contact. Aside from family, she's never been in someone's lap before. Eren is probably the first man who she ever sat this close to or this intimately. It was embarrassing.
Of course, no less embarrassing than what they were planning to do with her. Sell her into slavery, trafficked as an object. Never in her worst nightmares did she imagine such a thing would happen to her.
"So... you're the Akuma No Ko." Kaguya said.
"How'd you find out?" Eren asked.
"It was obvious, based on our situation." Hayasaka said. "Shirogane here said that you're being compelled to because they are threatening Ai, is that true?"
"I wish I could say it was." Eren said. "I never kidnapped you, nor was I in anyway apart of that. But I joined this group before I met Ai. She's just a convenient thing to try and keep me compliant."
"Why though?" Kaguya asked. "I mean, I can't imagine you'd try to save me after threatening the Kaicho's sister."
"Kaicho?" Eren asked.
"I'm president of our Student Council, if you remember." He said.
"You all were speaking in Japanese that day, I don't even know what that is." Eren said.
"Right." Kaguya said, remembering that he doesn't know Japanese. "So why get involved in crime?"
"I had no choice." Eren said. "I didn't end up in Japan by choice. I was left here with no identity or any legal paperwork. To be honest, I was desperate for food and shelter."
Eren didn't know why he was honest with them. Honestly, he wanted to hopefully gain some sympathy from them so that they would hopefully not say a word about his involvement. But also, it was nice to talk about his issues here.
"So, you were forced to?" Kaguya asked.
"Sergei always said I had a choice and that I went too far." Eren said, looking down. "I guess I chose my own safety over others. Either way, I never intended to stay in this life or hurt anyone."
"But you threatened his sister?"
"Sergei lied." Eren said.
"What!?" Miyuki yelled.
"It was a lie to get you to help us." Eren shrugged. "Why would we risk our lives to save Kaguya here, only to condemn your sister?"
"But why not just-" Miyuki tried to argue.
"Why not go to the police?" Kaguya asked. "They could help you out."
"They'd arrest me for being here illegally. I have to stay hidden and unfortunately, everyone here is digital-" Eren still didn't know what that meant exactly. "-So, I am trapped in this. Especially with Yoshida threatening Ai."
"Yoshida?" Kaguya asked.
"He planned on returning you, making you believe that the Nakano-Kai kidnapped you. That way your father would go on a hunt." Eren explained. "But I can't let Yoshida get the brunt for your kidnapping."
"Why?" Kaguya asked angrily. "Why not send my father after them? After what they did to Hayasaka?"
Hayasaka was shocked. Not a word on what she went through, her lady only cared about her loyal friend and maid.
"Because Mao, the leader of the Nakano-Kai, wants to kill me. To do that he's targeting Ai. Yoshida protects Ai when I'm not around, so until Mao is dealt with, I need Yoshida's resources."
"You do realize that he's manipulating you." Hayasaka said.
"I know." Eren said. "And for the moment I am playing along. But I can't risk Ai being put in danger. Until this battle is over, I need your father to believe that the Nakano-Kai kidnapped you."
Eren looked at Kaguya, almost pleading with her to let the lie stand.
Eren seemed decent enough. He did save her after all, and it would be the right thing to give people a favor for doing so much. But this wasn't a simple thank you, this was aiding a criminal organization. The same one that kidnapped her and hurt Hayasaka.
Kaguya was terrified the entire time. She was scared for herself and for her maid. She also saw people die today. Criminals, yes, but now the dead men in that parking lot was forever etched onto her mind. It was horrible. The sound of the gunshots, the screams of men punching and kicking each other. It was too much.
The President fought like she expected. An uncoordinated teen who occasionally did sports. But Eren was another thing entirely. He effortlessly beat five men into submission before executing them with his pistol. He didn't even look hurt when he did.
But Ai was also in danger too. She was a very good woman, a woman who Kaguya admired as an amazing singer and the perfect idol. She was Kaguya's favorite idol, and she was excited to see a B-Komachi concert.
If what Eren said was true, he was as much a prisoner as she had been. He's forced to comply because someone he cares about is in danger from the Yakuza, and Kaguya wasn't sure if her father could save her before this Yoshida guy attacked her and her children.
"Fine." Kaguya said.
"My lady." Hayasaka said.
"I will let the lie stand. Only for Ai and her children." Kaguya said.
"Thank you." Eren said with a sigh of relief.
"Now, can we please get to a police station?" Kaguya asked. "I want to take a bath."
"I'll get out before we do." Eren said.
"What?" Kaguya said.
"I can't get questioned since I'm illegal here. I hope you'll keep me a secret."
"Fine." Kaguya said, having her limits tested on this favor of his. "But what do I say?"
"Just say you escaped." Eren shrugged. "It's simple."
"You win." Kaguya said. "Only because you saved us."
"Eto-" Miyuki said.
"W-well... President. I-It is only natural that you'd save me." She crossed her arms, blushing. "B-but, at least I know... that if I was ever on the moon... y-you'd save me." She looked down, steam almost coming out of her ears.
Why the hell did he say that!? He sounded so stupid! Yea, rip her from the moon? How freaking embarrassing can he be!? He was there to rescue her, not try to impress her like normal. Not that he ever tried to impress her before, he just-
Miyuki covered his face with his hands, blushing furiously and refusing to look at Kaguya.
Sorry for the delay lol. Honestly, this is another chapter I personally am not a fan of. But I think it kept everyone in character. I thought of going a darker route with the tone, but figured to not go too dark since my story doesn't have too dark of a tone lol.
Hopefully you guys enjoyed.