"I don't fear the man who embraces death, but I fear the man who doesn't fear death, for he has nothing to lose and everything to gain"
Manabu gave Leon a reassuring look and said, "We'll save her, but we have to find your father too."
He glanced at the pictures again, his eyes lingering on one of the abandoned hospital. "What's this?" he asked.
Leon replied, "After the scene at my house, my dad told Mion to hide. She agreed, took her bag, and they left. I decided to follow them to find out what was going on. They stopped at this abandoned hospital. My dad took Mion inside and then left alone. I couldn't bring myself to go in, but I took a picture of the hospital."
Manabu nodded. "You made the right decision. Don't worry, I'll help you. We should definitely tell the police."
Leon shook his head. "If we do, Mion will be arrested for the Santa case and possibly face the death penalty. We can't let that happen."
Manabu considered this and agreed, "You're right. We'll handle this ourselves. Meet me tonight at midnight, 2:30 AM, when your dad is asleep. Turn off your phone until we meet, and use a jacket to hide your face from CCTV cameras. Bring a knife, just in case."
Leon agreed, and they parted ways. However, unbeknownst to them, Taiju had overheard their entire conversation from the first floor.
Manabu didn't go home. Instead, he went to Mion's house, but he couldn't get inside. Frustrated, he remembered the police and Leon mentioning an axe and a bloody dress with Mion's fingerprints. He wandered the streets and noticed an instrument shop. He entered and asked about Mion. The shopkeeper confirmed she had bought a violin a few days ago and described her as kind but recently missing. Manabu felt a pang of worry.That night, Leon climbed out of his upstairs window, and Manabu made his way to the hospital. On his way, he encountered some drug addicts, his face contorting in disgust.
"They should die,"
he muttered. "They're worthless, always drinking and using drugs, abusing their families. No life is better as dead.
"At the hospital, Leon brought his camera to capture evidence. They entered the dark, decaying building, their footsteps echoing ominously. They searched frantically, and on the third floor, Manabu found Mion unconscious and tied to a chair. As he tried to untie her, Daima emerged from the shadows and kicked him in the gut. Manabu doubled over in pain but quickly regained his footing.
Daima sneered, "I knew you would come. My foolish son, always against me."
Manabu spat, "What do you want, Daima?"
Daima's grin widened, "Nothing. Just to kill because I like it. Want to know a fun fact? I am Santa, and I brought a gift for you."
He pulled out a gun wrapped in a gift wrapper and pointed it at Manabu.
"But no, it's no fun to kill you like this. How about we play a game? Russian roulette. We take turns shooting each other. Only one rule: don't cheat."
Manabu's heart raced. "I won't play your sick game."
Daima shrugged. "Fine. Since you're a child, I'll make it easier. You shoot me five times straight. If you miss, you die here."
He tossed the gun to Manabu.Manabu's hands trembled as he caught the gun. He pulled the trigger once, his heart pounding in his chest. Click. Nothing. He pulled again. Click. Sweat poured down his face. Click. His hands shook violently. Click. He closed his eyes, pulled the trigger one last time, and... Click. Still nothing.
Daima laughed, "Looks like your luck has run out."
He pulled out another gun. "Goodbye, Manabu."
Suddenly, Taiju kicked Daima's hand, disarming him. "Manabu, get up!" he shouted.Mai, who had followed Taiju, grabbed a knife from Manabu's bag and cut Mion free. Daima, furious, shouted, "Why are you here, you little shit?"
Taiju replied, "I overheard Manabu and Leon. I knew something was wrong, so I followed them with Mai. The police are on their way. You're finished, Santa."
A fierce fight ensued. Taiju and Manabu, both skilled in martial arts, fought Daima with all their strength. Taiju's punches landed with precision, while Manabu used his agility to dodge Daima's attacks. Finally, Taiju landed a powerful punch to Daima's gut, causing him to fall.Daima, desperate, grabbed a broken glass and lunged at Mion. Mai swung a chair, hitting him in the head. Daima pulled out his gun and fired. Taiju shielded Mai, and they fell to the ground. Manabu, in a struggle, grabbed Daima's hand, and the gun went off, shooting Daima. He fell, DEAD instantly.
Manabu stared in shock, "I didn't mean to kill him."
Taiju, bleeding but alive, consoled him, "It was an accident."
Suddenly, they heard clapping from the darkness. "Nice performance," a voice said, chilling them to the bone....
Few days earlier
Mion had been brought to the hospital by Daima and knocked unconscious. When she awoke, she saw Manabu and Taiju fighting Daima. In the corner of her eye, she noticed someone recording everything, a figure standing still, smiling. As the light from the gunshot illuminated the room, Mion saw the face of the devil....."Leon?"
To Be Continued...