Avoiding detection from enemy soldiers that had spread further throughout the underground facility, Sousuke arrived at the lowest floor. If Kaname had avoided capture, she’d be passing through the basement to head for the exit on the other side, he knew. Tessa would, too. If he headed in the same direction, there was a good chance they’d find each other sooner or later.
It was difficult making his way through the underground labyrinth without a map. All he had to rely on were his compass and his instincts. His enemies probably weren’t fools, so they would also find Kaname and Tessa eventually. No, they might already have them in custody...
I have to hurry, he told himself. Despite the heightened risk of being found by the enemy, he moved swiftly through the twisting, interweaving corridors and stairs. He didn’t bother to conceal his footsteps or the light from his Maglite. He’d have to keep pushing on swiftly if he wanted any chance at finding them.
It was pure luck that he didn’t run into any enemies before arriving at his destination. Sousuke came out into a vast hall in what looked like the center of the facility, which was a wide open space.
Before he’d even walked a few meters, he discovered a man slumped against the wall. “Lemon?” he asked. Keeping an eye out for threats around him, he ran up to his friend and shook him by the shoulders.
Lemon looked up with a groan. “Sousuke...”
“Lemon,” Sousuke replied. “What are you doing here?”
“That’s what I’d like to know. But... well, it’s been an eventful time. Kaname-san and Testarossa-san are with me here, somewhere. Ah, my head hurts. I want to throw up,” Lemon said vaguely. He sounded like a man with a bad hangover.
“With you?” Sousuke asked anxiously. “Are they both safe?”
“Yeah. Over there...” Lemon pointed to the large dome at the center of the hall. “They went inside. I don’t know what happened. I tried to go with them but my head went nuts... and I couldn’t go any further. Pathetic, I know. I’m sorry.”
“Wait here. I’ll check it out.” Kaname is so close, thought Sousuke. He couldn’t just stand around knowing she was out there. But before he could run to the dome, Lemon grabbed his arm and stopped him.
“Don’t, Sousuke.” He felt another wave of déjà vu. How many times had it been now? Sousuke tried to shake him off in annoyance, but Lemon held him tightly. “It’s... strange over there. It’ll make you crazy if you get too close.”
“What do you mean?”
“I don’t know the logic behind it, but only the girls can go in. I think you have to be a Whispered.”
“Have to be a Whispered...?” Sousuke echoed. Feeling a chill go up his spine, he gazed at the dome they had disappeared into. The structure, covered in blocky protrusions, did have a supernatural sort of air around it.
It was fortuitous that his allies were here, but luck wouldn’t remain on their side forever. The enemies would arrive here eventually, and they couldn’t afford to hesitate.
“Chidori! Are you there?!” Sousuke called out to the dome. “Can you hear me?! It’s not safe! Come out quickly!”
There was no response.
“Chidori! Colonel!” he tried again. “We have to get out of here! Come on!” But again, there was no response. It’s so quiet here, he thought. They have to have heard me. Though the greater risk is that the enemy might, too...
Wait... there was movement. Just as Sousuke was about to shake off his hesitation and run for the dome, two figures came out of it: Kaname and Tessa. They were walking towards him slowly, huddled side-by-side.
Thank goodness they’re safe, he thought, and heaved an internal sigh of relief. Kaname looked just the same as she had nine months ago when they’d last seen each other, in tight jeans and a turtleneck sweater with her distinctive black hair... She seems to have lost a little weight, he thought. But it’s her. It’s really her. I’ve found her. We’ve made it!
All the emotions he’d kept locked down for so long began to fire up inside of him. There was so much he wanted to tell her, and he was angry at himself for not figuring out in advance what to say when they found each other again. He wanted to tell her everything he hadn’t been able to say to her before. But even more urgently, he wanted to run to her and hold her... He wanted it so much.
Sousuke took a step forward as all of Lemon’s words about it being dangerous to approach the dome flew out of his head. It should be fine for a little while. I can’t wait any longer...
“Chidori...” he whispered, and was about to run out when Chidori Kaname pointed a gun at him and fired.
“What the...” Sousuke had no idea what had just happened. It hadn’t actually hit him; the bullet she’d fired had hit the ground right in front of his foot, letting out a spark and a sharp echo. But still, she had fired in his direction.
“Chidori. It’s me! Look!” he called to her in confusion as he halted. It was dark here... Maybe she’d shot at him by accident? That had to be it. “Lower the gun. You’re safe n—”
Kaname fired again, interrupting him. This time, it hit closer to his feet. “Don’t move,” she said, her voice gentle.
Sousuke stared at her in disbelief, and there, he finally realized it: Kaname and Tessa weren’t huddled up side-by-side. Kaname was dragging Tessa along with her, threatening her with a pistol like a hostage.
“What are you doing, Chidori?” he began to ask. “What in the world—”
“I told you not to move,” she reminded him. “If you come any closer, I’ll shoot Tessa first. So, stay back.”
“I’m sorry, Sagara-san,” Tessa whispered faintly. There was blood dripping from the corner of her mouth.
Was she struck? he wondered. Did Kaname hit her?
“I don’t fully understand,” Tessa went on, “but... I think Kaname-san is—”
“Hush, Tessa,” Kaname chided. “You need to keep your mouth shut.”
“Ah...!” Tessa let out a cry as the other girl twisted her arm.
“What’s going on here?” Sousuke tried to ask again. “It’s me, Chidori. Don’t you know me?”
“Of course, I do,” she answered. “It’s been a long time, Sousuke,” It really was her. It really was Kaname. “I wanted to see you so much. Even now, I wish I could just throw myself into your arms...”
“Then why are you doing this?” he demanded to know.
“There’s an important job that only I can do,” Kaname explained. “Sofia asked me to, so I have to go... I still love you, but if you try to stop me, I’ll have to kill you.”