You looked out of the window. The tinted glass made it difficult to make out anything in detail, but you could tell that two hours had passed since your last failed escape attempt. Below, you noticed the boys who had previously snuck out had returned. Now, a new figure was sneaking out—a figure you recognized.
Inoue gingerly walked out.
You decided it was now or never. Who were you kidding? If you got caught, you would escape again and again. No way these excuses for humans would hold you down.
You pressed your ear to the door. Silence. You smiled to yourself and retrieved the master key from your bra strap, where you had kept it safe. With a faint click, the door opened. You slipped out into the hallway and made your way toward the stairs.
It was completely dark.
You gripped the railing tight, determined not to fall again and create commotion. Quietly, you made your way toward the elevator. Just a few steps between you and your freedom, but something made you halt in your place.
A figure stood there facing the elevator. You tried to make out their hair color, but as you closed in, you recognized them by their body.
Akira stood there, his hands folded, the noise of snoring reaching your ears.
He was sleeping while standing. You sighed in relief.
You looked around the kitchen and picked up an oil can. After spilling the oil in front of him, you pressed the button.
With a ding, the elevator reached the floor. Akira's eyes opened, and you saw those beautiful orbs again. You quickly stepped into the elevator and waited for it to close before he could reach you.
Akira jumped over the spilled oil and reached you. You got out of the elevator and grabbed his hand, flicking him. But he used his leg to trip you.
You fell down with a thud, then quickly kicked him in the groin. You scrambled toward the elevator, and the door closed just in time.
"Oh my fucking god," Akira groaned in pain, rolling over to his side.
He yelled, "Guys, guys!"
Yukio rushed out first followed by subaru and takumi. Akira was still in pain on the ground. Understanding what had happened yukio walked towards Akira.
" Weakling " He spat.
" You piec-
" Not now guys. We are all friends here our fighting can get in the way " Subaru said as he quelled their anger.
" I don't give a fuck about your morals" Akira said as he stood up from the ground. He pressed the elevator button but it did not come up.
" Where the hell is kazuto " He asked Subaru.
Yawning kazuto and hikaru entered the room. Looking at the commotion they understood what had happened.
" Why did you let her run" Kazuto said angrily.
" Like he wanted to. We all know asunw is smart " Hikaru said pushing kazuto away.
" Why is the lift on coming up " Takumi gently asked.
The reason was because you put a chair between the doors making it difficult for the boys to come after you. Subaru asked kazuto to call the wardan and tell him to take the chair out while they waited around hoping you did not run too far from there reach.
" Why don't you use the stairs" Hikaru said Grumpily.
" We don't have one " Takumi said confused.
" That's why I told Subaru to add one" Hikaru said.
. . . . . . . .
The elevator descended rapidly, each floor bringing you closer to freedom. Your heart raced with a mix of fear and adrenaline. You couldn't afford to fail again.
As the elevator doors opened on the ground floor, you burst out, sprinting toward the exit. The night air hit your face, cool and liberating. You pushed yourself harder, determined to put as much distance as possible between you and the penthouse.
Behind you, you could hear the distant shouts of the boys as they realized what was happening. You had a head start, but you knew it wouldn't be long before they were hot on your trail. You needed to reach Inoue and get help, fast.
"Inoue," you shouted as you gasped for breath.
"A-Asuna! You shouldn't be here," he exclaimed, helping you catch your breath.
"Help me. Please," you pleaded. "Take me away."
He nodded and helped you into the cab, sitting down beside you. "Take us to Tokodo," he instructed the driver.
Then he turned to you and whispered, "What happened?"
You were still focused on the school gate, relieved that Akira hadn't yet caught up to you. You sighed in relief. "I can't tell you everything, but you can't trust those boys," you said, looking at him intently.
His clothes were neat, but his eyes had dark circles under them. "Who should I trust then?" he asked. "You?"
"Will you trust me?" you asked, uncertainty lacing your voice.
"Yes. Hayami and I both trust you. I trusted you from the start, but since the ball, Hayami does too," he said, clenching his fist.
Your eyes teared up, but you dared not cry. Not now. Your escape had already made things difficult for your friends and family.
Inoue then told you about how he found out Subaru was responsible for spreading that picture and the voice message. He continued, explaining how he and Hayami had been keeping an eye on them since the ball.
You felt a sense of pride in Inoue and Hayami for their courage.
"Where are we?" you asked as the cab halted in front of a shop.
"My house. You can spend the night here. I'll tell Mom you're my older sister's friend."
"No, no. Just lend me some cash. I will leave."
You didn't let him talk and convinced him that staying here would put him and his family in great danger, reminding him several times that Subaru and the others were dangerous.
"Did they kill her?" he asked, looking at you with pain in his eyes.
Your lips shut tight. You couldn't utter a word. But silence is an answer.
"I see," he said, tears spilling from his eyes. He bent down to the ground, overcome with grief.
"Don't cry. We will avenge her and Lily. So wait for my sign," you said, patting his back.
Sitting in the same cab, you told the driver your cousin's address. The cab resumed its journey, the city lights flickering outside as you steeled yourself for the next steps in your escape. You couldn't afford any more mistakes.
You got out of the car and faced the fancy two-story house. Two cameras were visible at the front. You ran and rang the bell once, twice, then thrice.
"Who the hell..." said a tired voice from within. Looking through the camera, Kiyoshi quickly opened the door.
"Asuna," he said, ushering you in. He looked outside to make sure no one was around before closing the door.
"Someone's famous," he said, raising his eyebrows. "Not famous enough, though, since the cab driver didn't recognize you."
"Shut up. I was covering my face with my hair," you said, demonstrating how you had hidden it.
You sat down on the couch while Kiyoshi went into the kitchen. A few minutes later, he returned with a hot drink.
"You have got some explaining to do," he said, offering you a hot chocolate and sitting beside you.
"Yes," you replied, taking a sip of the warm drink. It soothed your nerves slightly, but you knew you had a lot to explain.
. . . . . .
" I told you so " He said after you finished your story " I told you they are dangerous "
" That's all you have to say after I told you everything. " You asked agitatedly.
" Where is yasumi.? Don't wake her up she will not control herself " You say thinking about your cousin who could not keep a single secret.
" Wake her up .?" He says amused by your statement." Not even a elephant dancing on his tippy toes in a concert would wake her up. Nothing will wake her up."
You laugh. That was true. Yasumi was a heavy sleeper.
Kiyoshi looked at you with concern, his brow furrowed. "So, what are you going to do now? Do you need my help?"
"No. What I need you to do is show me to a room and stay the hell away from this situation. I won't lose another person," you replied firmly.
"This is what caused you to lose one in the first place. Why don't you understand that your pride—"
"KIYOSHI," you thundered, cutting him off. "Not a word. I am tired. Please. Let me sleep."
His eyes softened, and he nodded. He led you to an empty room right beside Yasumi' s room. As you reached the door, Kiyoshi turned to you one last time.
"One last question," he said softly, "Where is Ichigo?"
"Somewhere safe," you replied, avoiding his gaze. With that, you closed the door.
Somewhere no one would expect
You stood in the room, the weight of the day's events pressing down on you. You initially decided not to tell them about your situation, but you only did so because Sayuri and Angelina are in need of your help. Even if something happens to you, Kiyoshi can help them.
You sat down on the bed, staring at the wall. Your mind raced with thoughts of your friends and family, the danger they were in because of you. Subaru's threats echoed in your mind, a constant reminder of the peril surrounding you.
Taking a deep breath, you lay down and pulled the covers over yourself. The exhaustion finally hit you, and you allowed yourself to drift into a fitful sleep.
June 25th saturday,
The next morning, you woke up with a start to the sound of yelling from the room beside you.
"Yasumi, school! Wake up, we will be late!" Kiyoshi screamed, his voice filled with frustration. But his sister did not budge.
Rubbing your eyes, you entered the room beside yours. You saw Kiyoshi furiously shaking Yasumi, who finally responded by kicking him in the face. You burst out laughing.
"Help me," Kiyoshi groaned, rubbing his forehead.
"Oh, is that Asahi downstairs, Kiyoshi?" you said rather loudly, playing along.
"WHERE?!" Yasumi exclaimed, instantly wiping away her drool and scrambling to get ready.
You and Kiyoshi couldn't help but laugh at Yasumi' s naivety.
"Not funny, Asuna—wait, Asuna!" Yasumi screamed as she hugged you tightly, her morning breath almost making you wince. But you adored your cousin.
"I'm hiding. Don't tell others," you whispered to her. She nodded but kept pestering you for details. She finally had to be dragged away by Kiyoshi to get ready for school.
"Why do we have to go?" Yasumi complained. "Why can't I stay here with Asuna?"
"Newsflash: Y/N is a wanted woman, and we aren't. So as normal teenagers, we go to school to study," Kiyoshi said, earning himself a smack on the head from you.
You pushed him towards the door, "If you need any help, I'll be right here. Call me using the landline."
Kiyoshi gave you a reassuring smile before dragging a still-complaining Yasumi out of the house.
As the door closed, you were left alone in the quiet house.
As you headed up towards your room, the doorbell rang, causing your heart to race. Did they find you? Carefully, you walked towards the door and looked through the peephole. You sighed in relief—it was only a delivery man.
"Speed delivery to Ikari residence," the delivery guy said cheerfully as he handed you a small package.
You took the package, closed the door, and placed it on the couch. Sitting down beside it, you stared at the package, trying to recall if anyone had mentioned sending you something. Curiosity got the better of you, and you decided to open it.
Inside, you found a small, unmarked black box. Inside it was an Android phone.
When you open the Android phone, you see a call from an unknown number and you pick it up.
"Hello," a familiar voice calls out. It belonged to Subaru.
He was met with your silence.
"When you are called, it is mandatory to greet the person calling you," Subaru said.
After meeting silence, he continued. "I know you are there, Asuna. Are those twins treating you well? We have been very upset to see that you decided to go against us after being warned."
Your breath hitched in your throat. How did he find out?
"It is very lonely without you here. I can't play the piano nor play chess; my heart yearns for you. I am stuck here with these idiots. Please come back," his voice laced with sadness.
"At least we are hot," Hikaru said from behind. "Let me talk to her."
"How did you find out?" you asked, trying to keep your voice steady.
A soft moan was heard. "Ah, there it is, my darling's voice, as sweet as nectar." After a slight pause, he said, "But you are not the brightest cookie in the jar, are you?"
Was he mocking you