Chereads / The Heart of Zero / Chapter 80 - Chapter 80: The Moonlit Stage Play

Chapter 80 - Chapter 80: The Moonlit Stage Play

Hayato's twisted grin deepened as he leaned down, his breath heavy and erratic. His teeth clamped onto Usagi's clothing like iron pincers, followed by the faint sound of fabric tearing. Usagi felt a chill course through her as the restraints of her outfit suddenly vanished.

In Hayato's eyes burned a savage light, one that seemed devoid of humanity. He tore at her clothes with ferocious force, the edges of the fabric ripping apart as if splitting the silence itself. Usagi's heart pounded wildly, her body trembling involuntarily as terror consumed her.

"No..." she murmured softly, her voice swallowed by Hayato's ragged breathing. Then came the sharp, piercing sound of tearing cloth, splitting the air like a wound. The assault didn't stop; if anything, it only intensified, each movement stronger and more unhinged than the last.

At that moment, Usagi felt her defenses shatter entirely. The cold night air brushed her exposed skin, amplifying her vulnerability.

The atmosphere around them thickened, as if time itself had stopped. Usagi felt like a tree caught in a violent storm, her heartbeat threatening to burst from her chest. Yet, her gaze was locked on Hayato, whose frenzied face loomed closer and closer, an inescapable force of nature.

Her vision blurred with fear as Hayato's predatory expression became more distorted. Her body refused to respond, leaving her helpless under his unrelenting onslaught.

Suddenly, Hayato froze mid-action, his lips curling into a bemused grin. He muttered to himself, "What was I just doing?" His voice carried an eerie hollowness, as though it came from somewhere far away.

Usagi's heart continued to race, her tears streaming uncontrollably. She remained trapped in the terrifying moment, paralyzed and unable to escape.

Rinro, who had been lying on the ground, pushed himself up and grabbed Shiji's arm. He stared at Usagi for a long moment, his voice low and somber. "She's… already lost."

Shiji said nothing, his gaze a complex mix of emotions. Rinro pulled out his handgun and, without hesitation, fired a shot. The muzzle flash illuminated the darkness like lightning, splitting the stillness. The sound reverberated through the ruins, freezing everything in place.

As the light faded, Shiji's faint voice broke the silence. "Let go of me, Rinro! Usagi is still... still out there!"

But his words dissolved into the night, as though they had never existed.

Standing nearby, Akari's lips curled into a smug smile. "They really do know how to play hide-and-seek. Such touching theatrics," he said. Turning to Hayato, his voice softened. "Alright, Hayato, it's time to leave. You've broken this little rabbit thoroughly enough."

Hayato's posture straightened abruptly, as if jolted by the comment. His crazed expression returned, sharp and feral. He leaned closer to Usagi, his forehead almost touching hers, his voice dripping with malevolence. "You're such a cute little rabbit. I think I'll take you home and keep you."

Usagi's eyes grew increasingly vacant, her tears having long soaked her face. Her expression turned blank, as though her soul had been drained.

Like hauling a sack of grain, Hayato hoisted Usagi onto his shoulder without effort. Her limp body dangled helplessly as he carried her, her legs swinging lifelessly with each step. Her empty gaze and unending tears painted a haunting picture of despair.

Akari stood a short distance away, his arms raised triumphantly, a self-satisfied smirk lighting up his face. His voice rang out through the desolate ruins, triumphant and almost theatrical. "My brother really is the greatest. Truly awe-inspiring!"

His laugh was sharp and unhinged, echoing through the silent ruins like the crescendo of a symphony. Akari's eyes gleamed with an eerie light, his chilling smile growing wider. "Of course, Akane. Your brother is none other than the one and only Todou Akari——!!!"

With this declaration, Akari's manic laughter grew louder, reverberating through the night. It sounded like a broken melody, sending shivers down the spine of anyone who heard it.