“There should be a back door this way.”
With Minatsu guiding, the two of us cautiously progressed down the hall. The hall was lined with doors here and there, and we had no way of knowing when one would open up.
We listened carefully as we moved forward, waiting for anyone to come.
“There,” Minatsu whispered and pointed down the hall. “That door leads onto the stage, and there should be a door to our left that leads outside.”
Woohoo! We’re gonna make it out of here!
Minatsu seemed relieved, too.
“Let’s hurry up and—”
Just as I invited her to go, it happened.
“Hey! The hostages are loose!”
We heard a loud voice calling from down the hall.
Oh snap!
It was the man we’d hidden from earlier; he was on his way back after figuring out we were gone.
I looked at Minatsu and could see she was panicking.
We gotta hide! This way!
I grabbed Minatsu’s arm and ran down the hallway, opening the first door we came across. I closed it behind us and put my ear against it.
I could hear the man running by—his heavy footsteps grew quieter once he passed the door.
Looks like we slipped by him again, but we can’t stay here much longer.
And I just jumped in a random door, but what is this room…?
It was too dark to see properly, but I could make out some large machines in the shadows.
“I think we’re backstage, where they keep the machinery,” Minatsu said quietly as she scanned the room.
We moved carefully toward the far end of the room, where there was a small light.
It looked like we were on a side stage. I quietly looked out at the stage, where I could see four or five men in work uniforms. They all seemed really intense, and they looked ready to move.
It’s them, for sure.
“What are you after? Why did you kidnap me?”
Is that Kotone?!
We crept forward, careful not to make any noise, to see the source of the voice.
Ah…
✦ ✦ ✦
It was Kotone, and she was standing with the men around her. She didn’t seem scared at all; in fact, she seemed even more confident than usual.
The light coming in through the windows close to the ceiling shined down on her like a spotlight on an actress. The whole scene was very dramatic.
The men were keeping their distance from her, as if they were in awe.
One of the men stepped forward and spoke up. “We merely want the head of the Hanasato Group to step down.” It was the same guy from before—the leader.
“So this is all to intimidate my grandfather?!” Kotone’s expression changed.
“Yeah. I think he’ll comply, seeing as we have his granddaughter.”
Those rats! They want to use Kotone for evil! I’m not gonna let that happen!
“My grandfather won’t listen to a thing you say. And what do you stand to gain if he steps down, anyway?”
“You’ll have to sit tight and see. I don’t need to tell ya.”
That smug jerk… I’ll wipe that look from your face! Once I get Minatsu out of here, I’ll come straight back and clobber you all!
“What are we gonna do?” Minatsu whispered, bringing me back to the moment.
Oh, right! We gotta escape first!
“Let’s go back, for now,” I replied quietly. I slowly went through the side stage.
Minatsu nodded and followed me.
“Ah—”
I felt like I heard a barely audible cry, and I turned to find Minatsu tripping over a cord that was on the floor. I scrambled to turn around and support her, but I couldn’t stop her from tugging on the cord with her foot.
Crash!
The piece of machinery attached to the cord fell over.
“Who’s there?!”
Yikes!
The men all swarmed into the area, and I swiftly jumped in front of Minatsu.
“It’s you two… How’d you get out of the closet?! Where’s the guy I had watching you?” the leader yelled at us.
“We just received a call. They found the guy tied up,” said another man.
“I shouldn’t have treated you like the children you are. We’re gonna have to keep you locked away extra tight, it looks like.”
The men came closer.
What are we gonna do?! Maybe I can fight our way out of this, like when I’m Red. But, then they might figure out I’m no ordinary middle schooler.
Faces were flashing through my mind:
Misaki and Yuzuki, President Shiori and Yukimura…
“Asuka, Minatsu! What are you two doing here?!” Kotone called out as one of the men held her back.
Kotone, Minatsu…
Now’s not the time to worry! I need to save these two. I can think about the consequences later!
I clenched my fist and took a step forward.
“K-Kouzuki…?” I could hear Minatsu’s voice wavering.
I’ll protect you!
I steeled my nerves for a fight, when—
Wham!
—the doors to the theater flew open.
Wh-what’s going on?!
“Huff…huff… I finally found you…Kotone.”
It was a boy wearing a large white coat that had a few more dirt stains than before, dripping with sweat and trying to catch his breath.
But there was no mistaking it; it was the one and only Middle School Detective, Hibiki Shirasato!