Chapter 9: Akira's Worst Nightmare

After failing to get Akira to go with them, Ayaka, Reina, and Kazuma returned to the same cafe. They sat in silence, haunted by immense embarrassment.

"So... the plan was a total failure," Ayaka muttered.

"Logically, the chances of a plan succeeding when it involves unstable emotional factors are low," Reina said.

"So, what now?" Kazuma asked. "I've already traded my promise for fifty phone numbers."

Suddenly, Ayaka's eyes widened. "I have an idea! We targeted the wrong person!"

Kazuma and Reina looked at her in confusion. "What do you mean?"

"We shouldn't try to win over Akira. We should win over his only weakness: his sister, Yui!" Ayaka exclaimed, her eyes sparkling.

Reina seemed to think it over. "Logical. She is the only factor who can directly influence Akira."

Ayaka took out her phone. "I remember a poster at that ice cream shop had a picture of a chocolate parfait! Yui would definitely love it!"

Kazuma laughed. "Well, well, well. So now we're bribing a little kid, are we? I like it. What's the reward this time?"

"You'll get the promise of those fifty phone numbers!" Ayaka pointed at him. "But... this time Reina can't join. She has other business."

Reina nodded. "Yes, I have research at the lab. But I will join you at the end."

"Okay," Kazuma said with a mischievous grin. "Leave it to me and this hothead!"

The next day, Yui walked out of her school, clutching her school bag tightly. As she walked, two dark figures followed her. They were Ayaka and Kazuma.

"Is this good enough?" Ayaka whispered, covering her face with a thick scarf and sunglasses.

"Yeah. It's like a professional kidnapper," Kazuma replied, wearing a face mask and a fedora hat. "Don't make a scene."

They hid behind a bush, following Yui from a distance. Yui stopped at a park to pet a cat.

"This is our chance," Kazuma whispered.

They both walked closer. But suddenly, a mother who was walking by saw them, and she pulled her child away in a panic. Soon, several parents started whispering, pointing at them.

"Look! There are kidnappers!" a mother yelled.

Their plan was a total failure. People started chasing them, and they were forced to run.

"First plan failed! Run! Run!" Ayaka yelled.

They ran as far as they could, their breaths ragged. They tried to go back to the second plan, which was to follow Yui from a distance, but this time they were more careful. However, bad luck still pursued them.

"Hey! Stop right there!" a voice yelled.

Ayaka and Kazuma turned their heads. A police officer on a bicycle was pointing at them. "You two! What are you doing?!"

They both froze, panicking. "We... we're not doing anything!" Kazuma exclaimed.

But Ayaka pointed at Kazuma. "Him! He's the one who did it!"

"Hey!" Kazuma yelled back.

Luckily, a car suddenly stopped beside them. Reina got out, her face flat. She turned to the police officer, then she looked at Ayaka and Kazuma, who were trembling. Reina sighed.

"Please don't misunderstand, Officer. These two are just actors rehearsing for a school play," Reina explained in a calm voice.

The officer looked at them in confusion. "Actors? But their clothes..."

"The costumes are indeed odd. They're for a criminal role," Reina cut in. "I am the director. My apologies for the inconvenience."

The officer was still hesitant, but he nodded and left. Ayaka and Kazuma could only breathe a sigh of relief. Reina was truly a superhero.

The three of them finally gave up and walked to the park. There, Yui was playing with cats. Ayaka and Kazuma took off all their "kidnapper" gear.

"Yui..." Ayaka called.

Yui turned, and her eyes widened when she saw the two people who had been chasing her. She immediately ran, but not in the opposite direction. Yui ran and hid behind Reina, hugging her legs tightly. Reina just stood there, confused.

"No way! I was almost kidnapped!" Yui exclaimed.

Ayaka and Kazuma were dumbfounded. "Yui, we're not kidnappers! We're..." Ayaka said.

"She is not a kidnapper," Reina said. "This is my friend. And I'm here to protect you. I'm your superhero."

Yui looked at Reina, her eyes sparkling. Ayaka and Kazuma looked at each other, speechless. "Superhero?" Kazuma muttered.

Yui finally came out from behind Reina, looking at them with a curious gaze.

"Yui, we need your help," Ayaka said.

"What kind of help?" Yui asked.

"We want to... ask your brother to go to karaoke," Ayaka said. "But he always avoids us. He doesn't want to get close to us."

Yui seemed to think. "I don't know if he'll want to. He doesn't like going to crowded places."

"But we'll get you a big chocolate parfait, one for you, and one for your brother," Ayaka said, trying to persuade her.

Yui's eyes lit up. "A parfait? Really?"

Ayaka nodded.

"I'll help you guys," Yui said, smiling widely. "I'm also curious about what my brother's singing voice sounds like!"

Ayaka and Kazuma cheered silently, while Reina just sighed. Their plan was finally a success, and they just had to wait for the big day.