"That's enough, any more, and he could die," In the end, those were the only words I managed to utter. I made my intentions known as I confidently approached her, gently grasping her shoulders.
As her feet suspended in mid-air, time itself seemed to freeze, leaving only the sound of her labored breath echoing in the silence. I could sense her piercing stare fixated on me as if I were her next victim in line.
The warm, golden light of the sun illuminated her face, while the crimson stains on her body emitted a captivating radiance that enhanced her allure. With an air of authority, she gazed at me, seemingly questioning why someone of my insignificance would dare to lay a hand on her sacred form.
As I caught a glimpse of my reflection in her glasses, I noticed the color had drained from my face. A sudden urge to retract my hand surged within me, but my attention was swiftly drawn to the whip that was poised in the air.
'Please not my face... especially my dick... I still aspire to a promising future!' I let out a silent scream, bracing myself for the inevitable, but to my astonishment, I felt no pain. This unexpected turn of events compelled me to lock eyes with her, my surprise evident.
With a calm exhale, Meiko swiftly returned her whip to its sheath, firmly swatting my hand away from her shoulder. As she walked away, a wave of relief washed over me. However, my moment of tranquility was abruptly shattered by the sharp sting in my parched throat when I swallowed.
A chilling breeze swept through as the somber sky cast its shadow, causing an icy shiver to course through my veins, a stark contrast to the sweat that had drenched me moments before. As I basked in the moment, a peculiar sensation stirred within me. Glancing downward, I beheld the unmistakable presence of a tent already erected.
"Ohh fuck... there's no way that makes me excited."
-***-
From the moment I opened my eyes until the final bell rang, I witnessed the diligent efforts of the boys constructing a wire fence around the modest structure nestled in the heart of the field. The presence of the surrounding bushes and petite trees added an air of peculiarity to the place.
"I've just discovered that it was a prison. It's hard to believe they had planned this all along," I agreed with what Mayumi said, only to have Satou vehemently contradict it:
"I highly doubt it, as there have been rumors circulating that this prison has been in existence since the establishment of this school... I once came across an intriguing rumor about this prison, suggesting that it serves as a disciplinary institution for young women who defy the rules by engaging in relationships with young men outside of the school."
Upon hearing such a preposterous notion, my immediate reaction was one of disbelief. However, as my hand pressed against the cool window pane, a surge of sadness washed over me, for I realized the helplessness of my older sister's decision.
"Let's go, Chiyo. We still have a lot of homework to do," Mayumi urged, tugging at my hand. Noticing my reluctance, she persisted:
"Since you really like him, what if we meet him tomorrow? You can also let out everything that's in your heart."
Instantly, my sorrow dissipated, giving way to an overwhelming sense of embarrassment as my pulse quickened. Satou's expression of surprise only added to the urgency, compelling me to swiftly take hold of both of them and make a hasty departure.
-***-
Within the confines of the prison, a heavy and somber atmosphere permeated the air. The walls exuded an unyielding chill, their surface composed of unrelenting concrete. Only faint rays of sunlight managed to penetrate the meager openings of the fortified windows. The subtle illumination casts somber shadows throughout the penitentiary, evoking a sense of melancholy and unease.
The cells in this prison appeared deserted. The walls were adorned with rows of simple beds, each with a neatly folded, thin mattress. The cells were sparsely furnished with only modest chairs and basic tables. The entire interior exudes a sense of neglect, with a layer of grime and dust coating every surface. The walls bear witness to the prisoners' anguish and desolation, as they are adorned with graffiti that speaks volumes of their sorrow.
"Where is she? Shouldn't she have locked us all in a cell?" The prisoners convene in a cramped space known as the creation room, where they dine and engage in collective study. At present, my mind is consumed with thoughts of Meiko's whereabouts.
"Um, Kiyoshi... Thank you for your help earlier... I appreciate it..." As I witnessed Joe's deteriorating condition, a sense of reassurance washed over me, affirming the choice I had made to rescue him. His trembling hands quivered as he grasped the water bottle as if his very being teetered on the brink of collapse.
"Don't worry, you should just take some rest," I said with a hint of concern in my voice as I noticed blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. After giving his shoulder a reassuring pat, I rose to my feet.
"Where are you goin'? we can't go out at night, right?" My sympathy vanished in an instant as I laid eyes upon the countenances of the trio, which is precisely why I made the conscious decision to focus solely on rescuing Joe.
The hanging light bulb emitted a flickering glow, signaling its need for replacement. Nevertheless, it provided sufficient illumination for me to discern the foolish and worn-out expressions on all three of their faces.
Andre appears more refined, as his facial features possess a unique and intriguing symmetry. However, Gakuto and Shingo's countenances have undergone a significant transformation. The mere thought of the agony etched upon their visages continues to send shivers down my spine as their wounds remain unattended, the blood now congealed.
I couldn't help but wrinkle my eyebrows as the pungent scent of their body odor and the sight of pus oozing from their wounds assaulted my senses, causing me to almost retch. Nevertheless, I managed to compose myself and calmly suggested, "Why don't you both take a shower and get some rest? I'll look for the Vice President."
Perhaps due to their depleted energy, they acquiesced readily, enabling me to escape my anguish with utmost efficiency. A growing shadow loomed behind me as if it yearned to drag me back, but the resounding clang of iron swiftly silenced its ominous presence.
I strode forward, refusing to glance back, as I made my way down the prison corridor. The enveloping darkness swallowed me whole while the echoes of their laughter gradually faded into the distance.