Song Mi sighed inwardly. 'What's the point of crying if no one outside can hear you?'
She scratched her head in thought as she opened her eyes, pretending to just wake up.
She wanted to cry out for help—after all, a kid her age wouldn't know any better. But before she could even open her mouth, a hand clamped over it.
It was the person behind her, specifically.
Song Mi's eyes widened as she glanced behind her. The person was a lanky teenager, probably a high schooler, with messy hair and a blank expression. He kept his hand firmly over her mouth, his grip steady but not too rough. "Stay quiet," he whispered, barely moving his lips.
'What's this guy's deal?' Song Mi wondered, both annoyed and intrigued. She quickly assessed the situation. The man shouting earlier had silenced everyone with sheer intimidation. He was pacing up and down the aisle, clearly agitated, waving a knife around as if daring someone to challenge him.
The bus had come to a halt in a deserted part of town. The engine idled, with the occasional hiss from the brakes cutting through the tense silence. There was no sign of help arriving anytime soon.
Song Mi's mind raced. 'Alright, focus. What are the variables here? A single assailant, a knife, hostages in a confined space, and a probable hero sitting behind me—though he's doing a lousy job right now.'
She glanced sideways at the teenager. He was still scanning the bus, analysing the situation just like she was. 'So, he's not clueless after all. Maybe he's waiting for the right moment, but can he handle it alone?'
The maniac with the knife suddenly stopped pacing and barked, "Everyone! Phones in the bag! Now!"
The passengers complied frantically, fumbling as they tossed their phones into a shopping bag he thrust toward them. Song Mi could feel the tension rising, a few people quietly sobbing as they surrendered their belongings.
'This is getting worse,' she thought. 'He's gaining control, and fear is spreading like wildfire. If no one steps in, he might escalate to something more dangerous.'
But then, something clicked in her mind—a possible plan.
She nudged the teenager with her elbow, catching his attention. With a subtle glance and a small nod, she communicated her intent: 'We need to act—together.'
He gave the faintest nod in return.
'Good,' she thought. 'Now for the distraction.'
Song Mi feigned a trembling voice, putting on her best "scared little girl" act. "M-Mister... please don't hurt us," she whimpered, her eyes wide and brimming with fake tears. "My mom's waiting for me... I just want to go home."
The knife-wielding man looked at her, a twisted smile creeping onto his face. "Shut up, kid. Just do as I say, and you might get out of this alive."
Perfect. His attention was diverted.
The teenager behind her shifted slightly, readying himself. Song Mi could sense his readiness. The plan was simple: she'd be the distraction, giving him the chance to disarm the attacker.
In one swift move, Song Mi clutched her stomach and doubled over as if in pain. "I-I don't feel good..." she whimpered, trying to draw the man's focus entirely toward her.
It worked. The man stepped closer, his eyes narrowing. "What's wrong with you, kid?"
Just as he was about to reach out, the teenager struck. He launched himself forward, grabbing the man's knife arm and twisting it sharply. The knife clattered to the floor as the man grunted in pain, caught off guard.
Song Mi didn't hesitate. She darted forward, kicked the knife far out of reach, and quickly backed away. The teenager wrestled the man to the ground, pinning him with surprising strength. The attacker thrashed, but he was quickly subdued.
With the situation under control, Song Mi rushed to the front of the bus and signal the bus driver to open the doors in which swung open, letting in fresh air.
"Everyone out, now!" she yelled in a firm, commanding tone that startled the passengers. They didn't need to be told twice; they hurried off the bus, some in tears, others still shaking.
The passengers scrambled out, relief and fear mingling in their expressions. As they fled, Song Mi stood back, keeping an eye on the subdued assailant. The teenager held him down, his face finally showing some emotion—relief, maybe even a hint of surprise at how well they pulled it off.
Once everyone was out, Song Mi looked down at the would-be hero and smirked. "Not bad," she muttered, just loud enough for him to hear.
He glanced up at her, a curious expression crossing his face. "You're not just a scared kid, are you?"
Song Mi shrugged nonchalantly. "Let's just say I've seen things." She turned and started walking away, her mind already moving on to the next challenge. After all, Yuki's house was still her destination, and she wasn't about to be late just because of a little bus hijacking.
As she blended back into the crowd, she couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction. She may be stuck in a kid's body, but her instincts were still sharp. Today, she'd prevented a disaster without giving away too much. Just another day in the life of Song Mi, the ex-policewoman-turned-primary schooler.