The next day, the Elite Five went to the Rock Climbing venue first, after collaborating with Cole on the time to meet. As usual, Kyle needed to scout the area first before it got too crowded.
As they reached the place, they saw Alex already at the venue, looking around him. His hair was dyed brown and he was dressed in a plain T-shirt and jeans, sneakers and his sunglasses pushed up on his head. He didn't have that aura that Team Zero had when they worked at Company LV. He looked like any typical person there to watch the competition, blending well into the background.
The Elite Five did not greet him and neither did he greet them. They passed each other like strangers in the night as Alex walked away and Kyle walked towards the competition venue. He stood behind the railings that were placed as a temporary barrier, not intending to go in yet even though he could.
Xing Han came to stand beside Kyle and placed his hands on the railing which reached their waist. He looked left and right before leaning forward to Kyle and whispered, "Do you think they'll attack you in public like this?"
Kyle shook his head, turned and leaned on the railing with the back of his elbows as he surveyed the viewing area, "No. They lost that chance the other day so their next move would most likely be covert. Stay together and don't split up. If you have to, make sure you go in pairs."
Kyle didn't want any of those close to him be in any danger and Team Alex was already on guard duty. Unknown to the Elite Five, however, Team Alex was told to focus on them with Kyle being the secondary focus.
Kyle figured that he already had one shadow guard with him so he was relatively safer than most. There was a risk that Kazuya would target him through his family and friends, so naturally, the Elite Five would be in danger. Having the Elite Five come to the competition also made it easier for Kyle to monitor them and the situation.
Kyle went as far as utilising MIB's resources to ensure that Sam's family was protected. Ali's and Xing Han's families already had their own security measures, so it wasn't an issue.
"You think that we may be in danger as well?" Ali asked, catching on the words Kyle said.
"Hmm," Kyle confirmed, "Just a precautionary measure. After all, the Elite Five is not exactly a secret."
Kyle looked up at the sky, noting how fluffy the clouds were and how blue it was. He can't wait for this whole Kazuya thing to be over and done with. He didn't like being targetted - who would? And he didn't like his family and friends being in danger even more.
Kyle felt he had to speed up the Underworld File. As much as he hated it, it was something he knows he has to face. 'Kylie' had been murdered. Tortured for a flimsy thumbdrive. There had to be some underworld connection to it. He would not be able to do what was needed if he did not get his hands dirty.
Kyle looked at his hands at that point. In fact, it was already dirty and full of blood. He had killed people - but they were those who deserved it. So, it still didn't hit his moral compass yet.
Yet, from this incident, Kyle knew that he had to be more involved in the underworld. He would need to be more ruthless. More decisive. More ... cruel.
But he didn't think he could do it. Not the way it should be done, at least. On every coin, there are two sides, there is the light and there is the darkness. You can't have one without the other. Will he lose himself once he goes down that path?
"What's wrong?" Xing Han asked worriedly, noting the pensive mood Kyle was under suddenly.
The Kyle meter was beeping strong within Xing Han, and he knew that there was something Kyle was feeling extremely worried and down about despite there not being any change in Kyle's expression.
However, instead of saying anything, Kyle just flashed a big smile and flung his hands over his shoulder, "Nothing. Just thinking about the competition."
'Hmmph. Looks like 'Make Kyle Talk' is going to take more work,' thought Xing Han to himself.
Still, he didn't press the issue and started clowning around with Kyle. Xing Han figured Kyle would talk eventually. He'll make sure of that.
.:*・°☆...:*・.:*・°☆...:*・
It was late evening.
Kyle, the twins, and Ken had already done their runs and they all had done quite well. Kyle was staring at the scoreboard, which indicated that overall, their team had quite high scores. Still, it was close with Team 793 and the last competition would determine who would be the overall champion. Third place was already set as the distance between them and 288 was very big.
In fact, Team 588 could already see it and was hardly putting in any more effort in it. Kyle scoffed at that. It didn't matter if you win or lose - what mattered was that you always try your best. This attitude of Team 288 clearly showed that they were only interested in the end game and not the game itself.
How else would you improve if you simply give up just because the going was tough?
Kyle turned to walk over to the Elite Five that were sitting beyond the security barrier. The last competition, the lead climbing, was in another hour so Kyle had some time to pass. Just as he passed by Cole, however, he noted the worried look on his face.
"What's wrong?" Kyle asked as Cole punched the keys on his phone.
"Cathy's not here yet," he said, as he listened in, "And she's not picking up her phone."
Kyle frowned, "When was the last time you talked to her?"
"Last night," Cole said, "She said she'd be here this morning but there's no head or tail of her anywhere. This is not like her at all."
"Maybe her battery ran out and she couldn't get to you," Kyle said, "Let's wait till tonight before doing anything. The police won't act until at least 24 hours have passed, anyway."
Cole nodded and tried calling his daughter again.
Kyle patted Cole's shoulder and walked over to the Elite Five. He jumped over the barrier and sat beside them.
Just as he opened his mouth to say something, Kyle's phone rang. He turned to Kay who gave him his phone and his face frowned at seeing the unknown number. The suspicion in his heart grew.
He answered the call but didn't say anything.
"You. Alone. Zone C of Park KC. Any wrong move, she dies," the voice said simply.
In the background, Kyle could hear Cathy shouting, "KYLE! No! It's a trap!"
He gripped the phone hard, anger bubbling in his heart, "If you hurt one hair on her head ...."
The guy just laughed, "Ten minutes. Tick tock."
Kyle smashed his phone on the ground. The Elite Five guys jumped a bit, shocked.
"They've got Cathy," Kyle explained getting up, "Kay, stall for time at the competition. Guys, you HAVE to stay here and not move. Do not follow me. They're likely watching us right now."
Which would explain how they called him right as he sat down. Since he was climbing, he handed all his things to Kay. They knew everything and was watching everything.
Kay nodded and hugged him. Taking his face in her hands, whereby her fingers were on his ears, Kyle kissed the top of her head. She patted the side of his head for good measure and waved goodbye.
"Are you really going to let him go alone?!" Xing Han said under his breath, his eyes deep in worry.
"He won't be alone," Kay said, "Team Alex has been notified. I already placed the earpiece into Kyle's ear earlier so he can communicate with them."
"Huh? You did? When?" Xing Han asked, his eyes wide open.
Kay simply showed him her hands, then closed them and an earpiece emerged inbetween her fingers. She then moved her fingers and the earpiece traveled from one end of her finger to the other before it disappeared.
"Kyle's not the only one who learned sleight of hand," Kay explained.
.:*・°☆...:*・.:*・°☆...:*
On the way to Park KC, which was adjacent to where the competition was being held, Kyle quietly gave orders to Team Alex. He didn't move his lips while talking, using the same skill as a ventriloquist.
"Alex, get a pinpoint on Cathy's phone and at the same time, where the last call was made. Save her first," Kyle ordered, "Get the shadow guards to protect Kay and the others."
Alex conveyed the order to the rest of the team, and contacted the shadow guards by phone. Both of the shadow bodyguards were actually MIB, who had been recruited while they were working for the Smith Industries. Kyle always made sure that those from Smith Industries who were his security detail, would all be MIB.
He needed people loyal to him, and not to Smith Industries. A person is less likely to betray the person he works for, if he is loyal to the person. If it's the company, he can still be persuaded so long as the other party can provide better prospects. Kyle didn't need that.
"What about you, Sir?" Alex queried, "Don't you need backup?"
"I do not know how many people are with Cathy," Kyle explained, "You guys handle that first then come and join me. I shall stall as long as possible."
Alex nodded in understanding. So long as Cathy was held prisoner, Kyle would not be able to act freely. Once that constraint was over, things would be different. Alex quickly set things into motion, with the others working furiously to pinpoint Cathy's location.
When Kyle reached the destination, he realised why the other party had chosen the spot. Park KC may be a public park, but Zone C had been cordoned off due to 'maintenance' work. It was deserted and far enough from any prying eyes.
Kyle went under the barrier and walked over to Zone C.
There, waiting, was Drako.