Chapter 33:

The Long-Awaited Reunion

The Pride of A Banchou


Later that night…

Just as planned, me, Hiiro, and Ouji would infiltrate the impregnable Kagura Family's main house to help Sakuya escape. Shinji would stand guard to ensure our escape route.

When the clock was about to strike midnight, Shinji took us to the forest north of the Kagura Family’s main house.

“Are you sure we can get into the main house from this side?” I asked him with ragged breathing as we walked through the forest.

To tell the truth, walking through the forest in day time was already quite hard. Doing it at night time, with minimal light and zero experience, was impossible for someone like me.

“Yeah…I’m sure…” Shinji tried to sound confident, but he was running out of breath just like me, and it kind of killed his momentum. I thought that all of Kagura Family members were trained to have extraordinary physical ability, but seeing how easily Shinji got exhausted by the harsh terrain, it seemed that each person really had their own strengths and weaknesses.

“But…” I was about to argue when I got tripped over a tree root.

Ouji quickly caught me before I hit the ground, then he silently lifted my body and carried me over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. He proceeded to go over to Shinji and did the same thing to him.

“I thought that the north side has more guards compared to other sides.” Ouji continued my argument calmly. “So what makes you so sure that we can infiltrate it without being found out?”

I felt my face heat up from the embarrassment of being carried by another man, but I endured it. If I insisted on walking by myself, we’d never get there in time.

“It's simple.” Shinji replied, sounding relieved that he didn’t have to endure the hellish trek anymore. “But it’ll be faster to show you instead. We’re almost there, so be patient with me.”

We spent the next few minutes in complete silence. When the main house’s tall wall was finally in sight, Shinji asked Ouji to let him down. Once he was back on his feet, Shinji headed toward a different direction. Instead of heading straight to the main house, we went toward a small, hidden cave nearby. Even though I called it a ‘cave’, it looked more like a wild animal’s nest. You’d need to crawl just to get inside the cave, and there was barely any space to move in there.

“This is our passage.” Shinji announced proudly.

All three of us stared at the small entrance incredulously.

“Are you serious?” Hiiro asked, voicing the same doubt in our minds. “Is this really the secret passage that connects to the main house?”

Shinji sighed. “Tough audience. Here, let me show you. Follow me closely, okay?”

After saying that, he crawled inside the cave without another word. Ouji let me down before exchanging puzzled glances with the two of us.

“Um…I guess we should try following him?” I suggested.

Ouji reluctantly nodded and went inside first. I followed after him, with Hiiro in the rear. Since it was harder for Hiiro with his recently-dislocated shoulder to crawl inside, he needed more time to follow after us.

The cave was just as small as I expected, but the further you went inside, the ground started to slope down into some kind of underground tunnel. By the time I realized it, the tunnel was tall enough that you could walk normally inside it.

“See, what did I tell you?” Shinji, who was waiting for us down the tunnel, raised an eyebrow with a smug face.

“Fine, I certainly didn’t see this coming.” I admitted reluctantly. “So this tunnel leads inside the complex?”

“Yeah, it'll take you to a dead-end hallway. People rarely pass by there, but you should still be careful.” Shinji explained. “Now, I’ll wait here and keep this route safe, so go ahead and save Sakuya-chan.” He said as he took out his phone and started fiddling with it.

“Why does this feel more and more like an RPG quest?” Hiiro grumbled, but he didn’t object.

“Let’s go, then.” Ouji nodded with resolve in his voice. “To save Kagura-san.”

*****

Just as Shinji said, the tunnel ended in a dead-end hallway. To be exact, we were inside the wall at the end of the hallway. After making sure that no one was around, Ouji slid the fake wall aside and helped us out.

“Shinji-san, we’re inside.” I whispered.

Before we went, Shinji handed a small earpiece to each of us. He told us that he’d monitor our movement and guide us using the earpiece.

Good. There should be no one around that area. Go out from that hallway and head upstairs. Her room is on the fourth floor. But you can only access that part of the house from a particular staircase. I’ll guide you as you go there.” Shinji replied.

All three of us moved quickly but silently. If anyone discovered our presence here, it would ruin our chances and we would definitely lose our heads this time. Luckily, by the time we reached the third floor, we hadn’t run into anyone.

“Shinji-san, how do you know the layout so well?” Hiiro asked as we walked through the complicated hallways. “Are you hacking into the security cameras from your phone as we speak?”

Bingo. As expected of Sakuya-chan’s brain.” Shinji praised him. “I can tell where everyone is using the numerous security cameras. I’m also covering your tracks as you move, so you don’t need to worry.

I glanced at the nearest security camera installed at the ceilings. “With this, there’s no way we’ll get caught, right?” I said confidently.

“ “Ryuu, that’s a flag right there.” ”

Both Ouji and Hiiro immediately retorted.

Hahaha! Relax, I’ll tell you if anyone is coming your way.” Shinji assured us. “You’ll only get caught if there’s someone who purposely avoids all the cameras and heading your way. But I doubt that someone like that exist—

Thud!!!

Before Shinji could finish his sentence, I turned at the corner and ran headfirst into a bear-like man. I crashed into him and got rebuffed by his bulging muscles, causing me to land on my behind. On the other hand, the man simply grunted after the collision.

“ “ “ “…” ” ” ”

All four of us exchanged quiet glances as our brains tried to grasp the situation.

Uh…guys? Why did you all suddenly go quiet? Did something happen—gah?! Tetsu?! Why is he suddenly there?!” Shinji shrieked when he finally saw the man standing in front of us.

The next second, everything happened so fast that my brain could barely keep up.

Crash!

When I realized it, the spot on the wooden floor that I sat on had a hole the size of a fist on it. Tetsu raised his face and shot a glare at Hiiro, who had pulled me away in the nick of time. Without saying a word, Tetsu lunged at us and swung his fist with speed unbefitting his giant frame.

However, Ouji stood between us and blocked Tetsu’s fist using both of his arms. He groaned in pain, yet he managed to withstand the impact.

“Go!” Ouji snapped at us.

Hiiro and I nodded before running off without any hesitation. There was no need to question whether Ouji would be okay against Tetsu—none of us would be okay against him. But all of us understood that we wouldn’t reach Sakuya without any sacrifice. And we were willing to make that sacrifice, as long as we could reach our goal in the end.

Damn! This isn’t supposed to happen!” Shinji cursed frantically. “The stairs to the fourth floor are on the other side of the house! But they’ve been alerted by Tetsu and are heading your way!

I gritted my teeth, but kept running unwaveringly. We just had to pray that we’d reach the stairs before they reached us.

Unfortunately, luck wasn’t on our side today.

“There they are!”

“Get the intruders!”

“Kill those stalkers! Don’t let them get to Ojou-sama!”

“Who are you calling stalkers?!” I retorted instinctively.

“Ryuu, focus! There are the stairs!” Hiiro’s call snapped me back to attention.

“R-Right!” I quickly ran up the stairs, but I halted when I realized that Hiiro wasn’t following behind me. “Wait, Hiiro—”

“Keep going!” He kept his back toward me as he spoke. “Sakuya-chan is waiting for us, right? Don’t keep her waiting any longer!”

“But your shoulder is…!” I frowned.

It was one thing to leave Ouji behind, but to leave Hiiro who couldn’t use his left arm well? That’d be the same as leaving him to his death.

“I’ll be fine!” Hiiro snapped at me. “Isn’t there something you have to tell her?! Then go and tell her before it’s too late!”

Hiiro turned his head and glanced at me. He had a fierce grin on his face, just like how Sakuya always smiled in front of any adversary.

“And tell her my feelings too, will you? Preferably before you told her yours.”

“There’s no way in hell I'll agree to that!” I shouted back at him with teary eyes. “Just hold on and tell her yourself, you idiot! I’ll bring her here real quick! So don’t do anything stupid!”

I turned around and dashed ahead as fast as I could. Sakuya was somewhere on this floor, but even Shinji didn’t know which room she was being held in. Left with no other choice, I started breaking into each room one by one. Most of the rooms were locked, so I had to kick the paper door apart to check inside. I felt a bit apologetic, but lives were at stake here, so I ignored my guilty conscience and kept going.

“He’s somewhere around here! Find him and beat that stalker up!”

The faint sound of shouting reached my ears. I grimaced at the pressing situation. Checking each and every room was bound to consume too much time, yet I had no lead on where to find Sakuya’s room.

There’s no other choice!” I steeled myself and headed to the next room.

However, before I could kick the door apart, it slid open and my arm was grabbed. The next second, I was pulled inside a pitch dark room.

*****

Knock. Knock.

“Madam, please forgive us for the disturbance. Are you awake?” One of the yakuza spoke from outside the door.

“What…What is it?” Kaoru’s slightly sleepy, yet hesitant voice replied.

“We received a report that some stalkers are infiltrating this building. We’ve secured two of them, but one is still on the loose. Have you seen or heard anything suspicious around here?” The yakuza asked.

“S-Stalker?! My goodness…I was asleep…so I didn’t hear anything.” Kaoru replied with a shaken voice.

“Please rest assure that we’ll catch them in no time, Madam. We’ll continue looking for the remaining one, so please excuse us.”

The sound of footsteps grew faint as the yakuza left her room behind.

Kaoru waited until the sound had completely faded before turning on the small lamp beside her futon.

“It’s…it’s safe now.” She said to me, who was waiting with bated breath at the corner of her room.

I exhaled a sigh of relief. “Thank you very much, Madam. If you didn’t pull me in back then, I’d definitely be caught.” I lowered my head to her.

“No…I just…want to protect my daughter’s friend.” Kaoru said in a quiet voice.

“Daughter…so you are Sakuya-san’s mother, right?” I raised my face in curiosity.

Contrary to my expectations, instead of agreeing right away, Kaoru was smiling sadly.

“I…don’t know if I have the right to be called that.” She said bitterly. “I brought her into this…cruel family, and I...did nothing when she cried for my help. What kind…of a mother am I?”

Hearing her words, I remembered Shinji’s story earlier. Sakuya’s mother was a weak woman who couldn’t stand up to her husband nor protect her own children. But right now, I could only see her as a mother concerned with her daughter’s happiness.

“I…may not know everything.” I started speaking carefully. “But right now, when I look at you, I see a mother fighting to protect her daughter’s friend, because she cares about her daughter’s happiness. I’m sure you protected me so that Sakuya-san won’t have to lose her friends.”

Kaoru looked at me in surprise. The way she looked right now was very much like Sakuya, to the point that I wondered if Sakuya would look like that when she was older.

“Ryuu-kun…is it?” Kaoru smiled faintly. “Thank you. That child…Sakuya is really blessed with wonderful friends.”

“Ah…that…thank you.” I scratched my cheek in embarrassment.

“Sakuya’s room is still further inside. Go down this hallway...and head to the last door you see. That’s where she is.” Kaoru explained to me.

“Yes! Thank you very much, Madam!” I lowered my head in gratitude.

“Please…save her.” Kaoru said in a soft voice. “I hope…that you’ll continue to be a good friend to her.”

I looked at her and smiled reassuringly. “Yes. Please leave her to me.”

A beat later, I realized that I said it like I wanted to have her daughter and my face was flushed scarlet.

“Ah…no, that’s not what I…well, it’s not like I don’t want that…but now isn’t the right time…” I rambled on in embarrassment.

Kaoru laughed pleasantly at my frantic attempt to explain myself. “It’s fine…if it’s you, then I’m sure that…she will be fine.” She said kindly.

“Uhh…thank you very much.” I hung my head. My feelings were a mix of joy and embarrassment.

*****

After making sure that no one was outside, I followed Kaoru’s directions. I headed deeper down the hallway, toward the last door on the hallway. As I took one step after another, my heart started pounding harder. I wondered what kind of face should I make when I found her? We’ve seen each other earlier today, but it felt like facing someone else rather than the Sakuya I knew. Would she treat me coldly just like this morning? Or would she act like her usual self?

Before I could come to a decision, I was standing in front of Sakuya’s room. The sound of my heart hammering was so loud that I could barely hear anything else. I took several deep breaths to calm myself down before opening the door.

Or tried, at least.

The door was locked.

Well, duh!” I cursed my own carelessness.

There was no way they’d let Sakuya roam freely when she had the records of running away from home. I backed down several steps and lowered my posture, ready to break into her door.

Here I go!” I ran full speed toward the door, right when it slid open.

“Huh?!” I desperately tried to stop myself, but I couldn’t kill the momentum.

Crash! Thud!

“O-Ow…! What the hell…?!” A familiar voice was grumbling.

I timidly opened my eyes and saw the girl I wanted to meet the most pinned beneath me.

“Eh…Ryuu?” Sakuya’s ruby red eyes widened in shock.

“Sakuya-san!” I sat up and pulled her into my embrace without any hesitation. “I really, really missed you! Why the hell did you disappear without saying anything?! Don’t you know how worried we were?! Why don’t you learn to rely on your friends a bit more, damn it?! You know we’d do anything for you!”

It was as if a dam has broken inside me. All the words I wanted to say to her, all the feelings that I kept bottled inside me for weeks, all of them were pouring out of my mouth without any brakes.

“…I’m sorry.”

A small hand stroked my back comfortingly, as if calming down a crying child.

“I’m sorry for making you worry so much, Ryuu.” Sakuya repeated as she buried her face in my chest. “I’m really sorry.”

“Ah…geez, don’t start apologizing now.” I was amazed at how fast all of my anger and worry dissipated after hearing her voice. “At least let me get to the end.”

“There’s more?” Sakuya replied half in laughter.

“Yeah…I haven’t told you Ouji-senpai’s, Hiiro’s, and everyone else’s parts.” I said as I caressed her smooth, silk-like black hair.

“Well…how about not? It feels like it’ll last me a lifetime.” Despite saying so, Sakuya’s voice was so full of joy.

“Oh, it definitely will. So you can’t disappear on us like that again.” I tightened my embrace, afraid that she’d slip away if I didn’t keep her close.

“…I won’t.” She whispered. “I also missed you all so, so much.”

“…what about me?” I couldn’t help but ask.

I felt Sakuya clung even closer to me. “…I wanted to see you the most.” She confessed in a small voice. “It felt worse than when we had a fight. Back then, I can still see glimpses of you at school. But here…I feel like I’m going crazy from missing you so much.”

“Sakuya-san…” Indescribable joy welled up within me when I heard those words. “I missed you too. I kept worrying if anything happened to you, and it drove me nuts that I can’t do anything to help you. Please…don’t do that again.” I pleaded to her.

“Don’t worry…” Sakuya raised her face and smiled softly at me. “I won’t do that again. That’s why—”

The next second, a burning pain suddenly assaulted my back.

“Argh…!” A groan of pain slipped out of my mouth as I slumped forward, unable to muster any strength.

“Ryuu!!!” Sakuya quickly supported me with a pale face.

“Is this what you’ve been doing while I was away, Sakuya?”

Sakuya’s body stiffened upon hearing that ice cold voice. I forced my head to look back, taking a glance at the man standing behind me.

“Playing around with a weak, useless man like this?”

The man had a strong, warrior-like body and a ruthless face. Even Ouji’s constantly scowling face would look like an angel compared to this man. He radiated an aura of power and charisma, enough to suppress everyone around him. His blood-colored eyes were full of disgust as they stared at me as if I was an insignificant insect. In his hand was a katana, dripping with fresh blood.

Wait…blood? Don’t tell me…” I couldn’t see my own back, but judging from Sakuya’s terribly pale face and the fact that I couldn’t muster any strength, it must’ve been quite a deep slash.

“Otou…sama…” Sakuya whispered with trembling body. “How…?”

Ah…damn it.” I felt my body started getting colder. “Am I…going to die here?

Ochroleucous
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