Not long after.
At the entrance of the bar, a hurriedly running Yui encountered an equally brisk Yukino.
"Yukinon, did you hear too? Saki Kawasaki... she hasn't come home yet!"
"Yes, and her phone isn't connecting either. Let's go inside and check."
This time, both of them entered the bar, fully wrapped up in an attempt to avoid attention.
They quickly found the bar counter, but the bartender there wasn't Saki Kawasaki—it was another woman.
Exchanging glances, the two approached to inquire.
"Excuse me, where's the bartender who was here earlier?"
The bartender, initially assuming they were customers, looked surprised upon realizing they were looking for someone.
"You mean Saki? She left about an hour ago, said she had an urgent family matter to deal with and asked for the night off."
"..."
Yui and Yukino exchanged worried glances.
It was becoming clear that something had happened to Saki Kawasaki.
Thanking the bartender, they quickly exited the bar.
"Do you think Saki Kawasaki has gone missing?" Yui asked, her voice filled with anxiety.
"I don't know yet..." Yukino sighed. "People don't just disappear without reason. For now, the best we can do is have her brother report her missing to the police."
She pulled out her phone to inform Daishi.
"Wait!"
Yui suddenly reached out to stop her.
"Hm?" Yukino looked at her, puzzled.
Yui, now looking unusually serious, said, "Yukino, do people really just vanish into thin air? This world... it's not exactly a normal one anymore, is it?"
"!!!"
Yukino froze.
Yui's words brought her to a realization.
This wasn't just an ordinary world anymore. There was the hidden underworld—the 'Inner World'—with demons, magical creatures, and more.
It wasn't impossible for someone to vanish without a trace due to such forces.
"You're suggesting this might be connected to the Inner World?"
"Uh... I'm just guessing," Yui said hesitantly, scratching her head. "But it wouldn't be too much of a coincidence, would it?"
"..."
The two fell into uneasy silence.
It couldn't be, right?
…
Later, in the bedroom.
"Feeling better now?"
Reclining on the bed, Rei Ao hugged the visibly exhausted Mai close.
"Mm-hmm…" Mai's expression softened, her heart feeling at peace.
She had finally released the emotional burden she'd been carrying.
Having come to terms with her feelings, Mai had resolved to stand beside Rei Ao, no matter what.
In her own way, she had reached a similar conclusion to Saeko and the others.
Seeing that Mai had recovered both mentally and emotionally, Rei Ao felt relieved.
This shift in her mindset would help her grow stronger. The awakening stone she had used had also granted her a remarkable ability.
[Name]: Mai Sakurajima
[Level]: 20
[Abilities]: "Dragon Force", "Moonlight Throne" , "Cognitive Disappearance" ,"Rei Ao's Blessing", "Inherent Device: Void Star"
Moonlight Throne: Harnesses the power of moonlight and gravity.
Not bad.
Mai turned around, resting her head against his chest, and whispered, "Rei Ao, do you think Yukino and the others might be in trouble?"
"Oh?" Rei Ao raised an eyebrow, a teasing smirk forming. "Are you suggesting I go and 'enlighten' them now too?"
Blushing furiously, Mai lightly bit his chest.
"I didn't mean that, you perv!" she scolded. "If you're so concerned, go talk to them yourself. But don't bring them here for... this!"
Having to share him with Tohru had already pushed her limits. The thought of a larger "party" was still far too embarrassing for her.
Rei Ao chuckled. He had only been joking, testing the waters to see how far Mai's tolerance could go. It seemed there was still some distance to cover before any grand gatherings could happen.
Just then, he noticed a message from Yukino in the group chat.
Yukino Yukinoshita: "@Rei Ao, I've encountered something strange."
Rei Ao: "What's going on?"
Yukino Yukinoshita: "A classmate has gone missing."
Saeko Busujima: "A disappearance? Shouldn't this be reported to the police?"
Rei Ao: "Agreed."
Yukino Yukinoshita: "..."
Yukino Yukinoshita: "I'm worried that Saki Kawasaki's disappearance might be related to the Inner World. It was too sudden."
Rei Ao: "..."
Rei Ao froze for a moment.
That name sounded familiar. If he recalled correctly, Saki Kawasaki was another beautiful girl.
His special radar kicked in.
Rei Ao: "Location?"
…
Elsewhere.
Yui looked worried.
"Yukinon, do you think we're bothering Rei Ao if this has nothing to do with the Inner World?"
"If it's not related, we'll apologize properly," Yukino replied calmly. "Besides, it's best if this doesn't involve the Inner World at all."
She sincerely hoped Saki Kawasaki hadn't encountered anything from the Inner World. Not only would it be dangerous, but explaining it would undoubtedly be troublesome.
"Unfortunately, your friend is indeed involved."
"Ahhh!"
The sudden voice behind them made Yui jump in fright.
"Am I really that scary?" Rei Ao asked with a faint smile.
"Ah, no, no, it's not that! Rei Ao-kun just startled me by speaking so suddenly behind me!" Yui replied, blushing and nervously rubbing the back of her head.
She realized she might have overreacted.
Meanwhile, Yukino wore a serious expression.
"Rei Ao-kun, are you saying Saki Kawasaki's disappearance is truly connected to the Inner World?"
"That's correct."
Rei Ao raised his hand, revealing a strand of black, mist-like energy floating in the air.
"This is…?"
"This magical aura belongs to a demon."
Rei Ao had sensed the demon's presence the moment he arrived.
He began walking in the direction where the demonic energy extended.
Yukino and Yui exchanged a glance before silently following behind him.
…
In a dimly lit underground basement, Saki Kawasaki slowly regained consciousness.
Her neck ached, and her head felt fuzzy.
But as her awareness returned, she realized her dire situation.
"!!!"
Her limbs were shackled in iron chains, bound spread-eagle on a wooden plank bed. Above her, a dim, flickering lamp barely illuminated the dark basement.
"Where… am I?!"
The last thing Saki remembered was taking leave from the bar to head home. Everything after that was a blank.
Her current predicament made her think she'd been kidnapped.
She tried to struggle against the chains, but the only result was the sound of clinking metal. It was futile.
Clang, clang!
Her heart began racing, and her breaths grew shallow. She had no idea how she ended up here or who had done this to her.
Fear crept into her mind, tightening its grip on her.
Tap, tap, tap!
Suddenly, the sound of approaching footsteps echoed through the basement.
The footsteps grew louder and closer.
Her heartbeat quickened with them. She didn't know who was coming or what they intended to do.
She could only silently pray for safety.
Tap, tap, tap!
The sharp clack of high heels stopped.
"Stop struggling, Saki. You're my first prey in this world, my first meal. I have to savor this moment~."
A woman in a striking red dress, her figure swaying seductively, stepped out of the shadows.
"It's you!"
Saki's eyes widened in shock.
She recognized this woman. She had been frequenting the bar lately, and they had even exchanged friendly conversations.
"Oh my, Saki, you remember me!"
The woman's eyes curved into crescents as she smirked.
She bent down and lightly traced Saki's cheek with her finger.
"I've had my eye on you for a while now, looking for the perfect prey."
As she spoke, Saki noticed a drop of saliva falling from the corner of the woman's red lips.
A chill ran through her.
"Why are you doing this? What do you want from me?"
"What do I want?"
The woman's eyes suddenly glowed red.
Heh heh heh heh heh!
A sharp, eerie laugh erupted from her mouth, a sound that was anything but human.
In the next moment, the woman leaned closer to Saki.
"What I want is to eat you, of course!"
To Saki's horror, the woman's human form began to contort and twist, transforming into a grotesque creature with pale, leathery, and emaciated skin stretched taut over its skeletal frame.
The realization hit her like a brick wall.
Saki's mind went blank.
She stared in terror as the creature's gaping maw—lined with jagged, inhuman teeth—lunged toward her head.
Is this a nightmare?
Even as fear paralyzed her, a small part of her clung to the hope that this was all a dream.
But deep down, she knew it wasn't.
Fear coursed through her veins, her thoughts racing.
What will happen to Mom and my brother if I die?
She thought of everything in an instant… but something was off.
The "instant" felt unnaturally long.
She quickly noticed that the monster wasn't moving.
And then came the light.
The dark basement was suddenly flooded with bright, blinding light.
Saki instinctively squeezed her eyes shut.
When she reopened them, three figures—two girls and one boy—stood before her.
Her eyes locked on the two girls she recognized immediately: Yukino and Yui.
"It's you!"
"Kawasaki-san, are you okay?" Yui asked nervously. She tried to step closer but hesitated when she saw the monstrous figure.
"Y-Yeah, I'm fine."
Saki's heart still pounded in her chest as her eyes darted to the mo
nster mere inches from her face.
Now, under the light, the creature's horrific appearance was clearer than ever.
Its pale, rough skin stretched taut over a bony frame. Its arms were replaced with bat-like wings, tipped with razor-sharp claws.
It looked like something from a nightmare.
~~~
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