My meeting with Shigeru-San and Kaito to plan Kanoe's rescue begins at 7:00 pm and it's currently 12:45, meaning I have 6 hours and 15 minutes to prepare. It's been a few days since we decided on a day to meet up, and somehow I've managed to get less than 10 hours of sleep over a span of 3 whole days. At this point, I'm starting to think that living on water and an IV would've been a better decision than taking 10 minute naps every couple hours while I do my research on the building layout Kenta managed to snag for me.
A knock on my bedroom door pulled me out of my thoughts.
"Enter." I replied, quickly trying to pick up my papers and books scattered around the floor as well as empty pick-me-up coffee containers.
"Wow" Kaito said, "I'm impressed by this mess you've made. Get up and take a shower, you smell like a bicyclist. And, please consider eating something, I don't want you to drop dead from malnutrition in the middle of the meeting."
I looked at him for a moment before nodding my head and standing up from my spot on the floor. He then exited the room and shut the door to let me do my own thing.
I haven't had time to unpack my suitcase, so I still had them on the floor by the closet. I kneeled down next to them and pulled out a clean set of clothing to wear before walking into the guest bathroom to take a shower.
The hot water running down my back was a serious relief, and while I got to washing I began to go over the plan in my mind.
Getting in wasn't going to be easy, you can't just walk in and demand them to give Kanoe back without expecting to get filled with holes. The building's air ducts are blocked off at night, so that throws off our whole plan. We cannot, at all costs, be seen or fight anyone inside the building. If that happens we're screwed since they have the police wrapped around their finger and could easily get us all thrown into prison for trespassing and assault if we're not already dead. But worst of all, they know what I look like, so the minute my presence is known I'd never be able to leave that building with my life.
I dried off and put on my clothes, making sure to dry my hair and brush it so it didn't look like a rat's nest. Of course, since this is a meeting, I needed to look casual. So I picked out a white short sleeve hoodie and navy blue ribbed jeans to wear for the occasion. And finally, it was showtime.
I gathered my papers off the floor, threw away my coffee cups, shoved the papers into my leather sash that I used in college, and walked into the living room.
"I'm going out for a bit, but I'll be back before the meeting starts so we can leave together." I said to Kaito, grabbing my coat off the hanger.
"Going where? How long will you be gone for?" He asked, not noticing the fact that prying into another person's business was rude.
"The convenience store, there's also a book store near there that I want to check out. I'll only be over there for three or four hours, if I'm late it's probably because I lost track if time." I said, slinging my sash over my shoulder and pulling the door open. "See you later."
I pulled the door closed behind me and let out a sigh. Doesn't Kaito know any manners? I get that he's concerned for my safety but I'm perfectly capable of defending myself, I don't need a bodyguard.
I rode the elevator down to the first floor and greeted the lady at the front desk on my way out. The cool autumn air swirled around my figure as I stepped outside, sending a shiver down my spine. I slipped on my coat in response.
I'm still stuck on my plan, but maybe that's because I'm not thinking outside the box. If I were to get caught, they'd think I was immortal since I managed to survive a bullet wound through my brain. If that were to happen, I'd most likely be thrown in alongside Kanoe on that disgusting wall. But maybe that's not such a bad thing, if I had a way to communicate with Shigeru and Kaito then I could tell them what floor I was on and who they needed to take out along the way.
This was a good plan, but there were some major flaws. If I expose myself by walking in, they'd know I was planning something and search me for communication devices. So I'd need to sneak in and pretend to get caught so they'd assume I was alone. But that doesn't stop them from having suspicions that I might be carrying a bug.
Deep down, I knew I was missing something extremely important, but for the life of me I couldn't remember what it was. I can't afford any mistakes, otherwise it may cost everyone's lives including my own. And the problem is, I'm not sure if I will or won't escape the next near-death experience, and I really don't want to find out.
Before I had acknowledged how long I had been walking for, the doors to the local book store loomed in front of me. It was a fairly simple yet well sized building with large display windows and a warm aura. Almost drawing me in upon first glance.
I pushed the doors open and stepped inside, allowing the warm breeze and scent of freshly printed paper to wash over me. This bookstore must be fairly new considering the whole building smelled like a publishing house rather than a dusty old library that uses cheap perfume instead of incense or air fresheners.
"Hello, is there anything I could help you with sir?" The man at the register asked, tucking his hands neatly behind his back in a formal matter.
"Actually, there is. Where can I find the fiction section?" I asked, turning to the employee.
He pointed to the back left corner of the store. "Right over there, is there anything you're looking for in particular?" He questioned.
"Ah, yes. I'm looking for books on immortal beings." I answered, toying with my hair self-consciously.
"Huh, we don't get many customers asking for those types of books. You sound like quite an interesting guy." The clerk said.
"Yeah, it's no-doubt an acquired taste." I replied, and followed the employee to the back left corner of the store.
___ ___ ___
The apartment door shut with a loud bang, which was not my intention at all. I didn't mean to be rude but if I was going to attend this meeting I needed a solid plan, and that wasn't something I had at the moment.
I set down the bag of groceries on the kitchen counter and went into my room, clutching the book I had purchased under one arm. It was a foolish thought, believing I could find useful information from a work of fiction like this. But I needed it, just to convince myself for a few minutes that I could do something, that I had the ability change at least one thing so he wouldn't have to be in pain any longer.
I have many regrets in life, but being useless to Kanoe is at the very top of that long list.