The Sixth Act

That night, after consoling Angelica and persuading her to quit, I made my way home and reported what happened.

Although the problem is fixed, their safety is still not guaranteed. I had to dig deeper into the case and so I spent the rest of the night reviewing what Haru sent me.

Most of the primary details that were covered up were included in the report files but what I'm intrigued by is that they altered a lot of scenarios that were far from what the witnesses gave them.

"A female victim near the side of the leader... Two handguns were found near the site... Infinity symbol on their wrists... Dno-msed..."

Dno-msed? What the heck is that?

It's strange. I personally think that the media wouldn't have to go too far to cover up the scene yet they managed to build up a facade that hides what happened behind the scene. Something weird is going on here.

Heaving a sigh, I turned off my laptop and decided to get some sleep.

There are still more questions out there waiting to get answered and I couldn't connect them because I feel like I'm still lacking a piece of the puzzle.

Why would Angelica's father leave them without any prior notice? What's the reason why the Manager easily accepted Angelica to work despite the risks? Why's the nightclub always open during a specific time and date? And that randomly generated email by her father, why would he send something suspicious like that?

I couldn't help but think that all of this was orchestrated and that Angelica was dancing in the palm of their hands.

***

I thought everything was going to be fine after all of the efforts I made but...

They had us.

"What?! Angelica didn't come home last night?!" Fuyumi's voice reverberated around the council's office, frightening everyone who listened.

"Yes... Joey was alone last night and we couldn't contact Angelica. She's usually at home at around midnight but this is the first time that she didn't come home." Chesca confirmed it.

"Oh no..."

Even I am surprised about what just happened. Angelica wasn't supposed to disappear like that since I'd already lifted her spirit. Her expression last night was far from depression that would cause her to run away or abandon her life.

"How about the place where she worked? Did you visit it?" Kylee asked. She was referring to the Pink Rose nightclub establishment.

"We did, but the staff there told us that she didn't have any work for today. We also checked in with the guest and Angie is not there." Chesca answered.

If she's not in the establishment, then where would she go?

I have to admit that I'm panicking for a little bit, but I have to calm my mind.

"Did something happen after you guys chased her?" Fuyumi asked.

"Well... Joey and Angelica just had a little fight, that's all..." Chesca signaled me with her eyes, prompting me to explain.

"It's just a misunderstanding. Joey found out that Angelica was working in a private place but she didn't do anything dirty. I think both of them have already reflected on what they've done." I nodded.

"I see, so that's the reason why Angelica was being secretive about the workplace. She didn't want to lose face in front of her brother..." Kylee caught what I meant immediately.

"I... I'm sorry... this is all my fault..." when I turned around, I saw Joey crying while clenching his fist. "I told her that I don't want to see her anymore... and because of that, she..."

Sensing the breakdown, Kylee and Chesca immediately sat beside him.

"Don't say that, Joey. It's not your fault... I'm sure your Sister wouldn't abandon you so easily like that. She's probably just out there wandering around..." Kylee comforted him.

"That's right, Joey. You know well that Angelica won't leave you..." Chesca added.

It's too far-fetched for Angelica to leave Joey. If the cause of her sudden disappearance wasn't because of their own fallout, then that means...

"Should we inquire the police station about this...?" I could hear Fuyumi asking Sir Raymond about the situation.

"L-let's see... Hmm, I don't think the authorities would immediately dispatch a search team even if we report them..." he answered.

"What do you mean?"

"I've been told that in order for them to take action, the said absent person should've been missing after twenty-four hours..."

Huh?

"I-Is that so...?" Everyone hung their heads, completely devoid of a solution.

"President, we're still not sure if Angelica is in trouble right now so I think we should initiate the search ourselves," Kylee suggested.

"You're right... If that's the case then everyone should look for her after school, is that okay?" Fuyumi asked.

"No problem, I'll search outside the campus," I answered.

"We're going as well..." Chesca and Joey volunteered.

"Well then, I'll try to ask the other committee members to look for her." Kylee joined.

"Sir Raymond, I assume that will be okay?" Fuyumi asked for permission.

"Y-Yes, I think that's good as long as all of you won't go too far. I'll try to talk to the other students and ask if they've seen her. I'll do my best as well as her advisor. " he answered.

"Alright, if some of you managed to find some leads to here whereabouts, contact us immediately, understood?"

"""Yes!"""

And so everyone including me left the school early to begin the search.

***

"..."

The place was basked in hazy darkness. And the only source of light illuminating the abandoned room was coming from the top of the metallic bridge under the signboard.

It wasn't enough to light up the darkest corners of the building. There were no windows and the girl that was tied up couldn't see anything aside from the subtle glow.

Where am I...?

With a single duct tape strip sticking to her mouth, Angelica's ability to shout for help was impeded. She immediately realized that her position right now is nowhere near safe and that she's been tied up for quite some time now.

I see, so I got kidnapped, huh... So pathetic...

Although her memories are still fuzzy, she could faintly recognize what happened after she met up with Nathan that night.

A group of criminals all clad in black suddenly seized her after pleading that she will quit working in the Pink Rose establishment. She explained her own circumstances and that she wanted to clear her tainted reputation by quitting.

However, the Manager didn't like her decision and she was kidnapped because of that. It seems like her role inside the establishment was nothing sort of unordinary. Angelica already had her suspicion from the start when she started working there.

She found the Manager's actions quite eerie and unnatural. And she always has been a victim of attempted harassment starting from him always smelling her hair and getting close to her even though she doesn't permit him.

There must be a reason why the Manager didn't want Angelica to leave. A reason that is worthy of tying her up tightly in a chair.

Seeing that there was no way of getting out, Angelica licked off the duct tape that was covering her mouth and managed to tear it without using her hands. It was a pretty standard tape that anyone could tear and since Angelica was knowledgeable about escaping, she immediately applied what she learned.

"Hello?! Anyone out there?! Help!"

She tried to wriggle around to get it loose but the rope was pretty tight, especially around her waist. Both of her arms are tied around the backrest of the chair and her legs was attached to the front rail.

"Oya? Looks like someone is awake..."

While she was struggling, a familiar voice echoed around the dark room. The sound of his footsteps was approaching Angelica. Each of the spotlights hanging on the ceiling suddenly turned on, revealing everything in sight.

"Manager—no, it's you all along... you're the one behind this, huh?" Angelica glared at the man responsible for the kidnapping. "Why? Why are you doing this to me? Is this your plan from the start?"

As he constantly got bombarded by questions, the Manager guffawed. "HAHAHAHA! I see... so you're still in the dark." he sneered. "If you want to know why I'm doing this, then you better ask that man over there!"

The manager pulled Angelica's chair and turned her around to face the second victim of kidnapping—her Father.

"N-No way... Dad! Dad!" Angelica's expression turned horrid at the sight of her weak Father.

His face was full of bruises and there are pieces of evidence of torture around his arms. His lip has a smear of dry blood from the assault.

"You... You bastard... You told me you're not going to involve my daughter in this...!" even though he's weak, Angelica's father still had the courage to glare at the Manager.

"W-What's going on? What did you do with my father?! Hey!" Angelica snarled.

"Shut the hell up!" the Manager raised his arm. In his hand was a device that has a button attached to the hilt. "Now that you two are involved in this case, both of you need to die. Your father failed and wasted his second chance to fulfill his promise."

Angelica doesn't know what he was talking about but she knew that it has something to do with the notorious group named the Infinity Syndicate.

Their symbol of infinity was marked upon their masks. She heard about the group in the news but she didn't expect herself to get caught up in their deals.

"Are you sure about that, Boss? If you kill his daughter as well, we won't have any face to make." a follower stood beside Angelica.

"You're right about that. But her role is over now that she knows our true identity... We—the Infinity Syndicate—will migrate over to another place once my revenge is done..." the Manager scowled.

"Stop it! My daughter doesn't have anything to do with this! If someone needs to die, that will be me!" her father pleaded.

"No! Please don't! I can't accept that! Dad, please! I'm begging you...!" she immediately interrupted.

"Silence! As soon as the transaction is finished, I will blow this place including the evidence. That way, my revenge will be over... right, Marco?"

At this point, no one can stop this man anymore. Angelica wasn't aware of the risk that she took when the manager picked her up.

And that single acceptance driven by her will to prevail with her brother made her regret all of this...

***

"Damn it...!"

It's been two hours and I still couldn't find any trace of Angelica. I went to a lot of places after leaving school but there was no hope.

I knew that they were going to do this eventually but I let my guard down... I shouldn't have offered that job after the breakdown.

This one is my fault. I had my timing in the wrong frame and Angelica ended up disappearing. I should've realized their intention from the start but I still couldn't figure out the reason why they were so fixated on tying Angelica into the nightclub.

Her father's sudden leave was also suspicious. Angelica's family wouldn't easily get into a financial problem knowing that both of their parents are working in a major division.

What's more, I'm still unsure of the identity of the Manager that Angelica was talking about. The fact that he easily accepted her was suspicious despite the facade of lending her good pay.

And that strange transaction that happened a few days ago before my encounter was important as well.

If this is all connected to that case, then there should be something that I could use to counter them...

I racked my brain but I couldn't think of anything.

I quickly made a stop near the park to rest my body. I've been running for so long that I'm drenched in sweat. I couldn't even rest my mind after coming so far. Investigating this alone was a bad idea. I should've asked Mr. Finn for some help...

While I was loathing myself, I got a sudden call from Kylee.

"Hello... Kylee? Did you find her?" I asked.

[Unfortunately, we still don't know where she is...] her voice sounds rough, I supposed she's been asking a lot of students.

"I see... I'm in a dead end as well." I replied while strolling.

[Anyway, Natsu, I have something to report. Remember that time you asked me about a favor?]

"Yes"

"Ah yeah, by the way, Kylee. I need your help on something..."

A few days ago after Chesca and Joey reported that Angelica was going home late, I asked Kylee to ask the newspaper club to investigate the Pink Rose nightclub and extract any relevant information about its background and history.

"Did they find something?"

[It said here that the Pink Rose was an official nightclub hosted by a famous brand and that they were successful on its launch. It was supposed to be a temporary club to gather multiple renowned people but was later implemented as a branch to keep the business working.]

I see, so it was a real nightclub... it's not connected to the syndicate.

"Is that so? Guess I'm wrong—"

[There's more... It also said here that the Pink Rose nightclub ceased its operation in entertainment a year ago prior to the owner's flight overseas to introduce a new business. The Pink Rose establishment was discarded.]

"What?!"

[What's wrong? You sound so surprised, did something happen?]

"Ah! N-No... Are you sure it's true" I made sure to double-check.

[Yes. This article is legit. The owner of the nightclub ended all contracts to stop the nightclub operation. That means they already abandoned it. Why do you ask...?]

My eyes widened in surprise.

If the Pink Rose nightclub already terminated its operation then... why the hell are they open in that place?

That's when I realized it.

It was a cover-up operation to continue the transaction... and they used her as a front to fool the authorities.

The notorious syndicate is also known as Infinity marked with the symbol of ∞

Marco ended his life with a gunshot through his head...

A female victim near the side of the leader... Two handguns were found near the site... Infinity symbol on their wrists... dno-mesd.

Ah! I've heard that they're also good at hiding...

This journalist reported that he figured out where the main hideout was thanks to a code...

If they're using codes and changing hideouts, that means there's someone smart leading inside, right?

The first email return address was: fkcfkfqv_08@bankapp.com
The second email return address was: fkmfkh_08@emvil.com
The third email return address was: olpb_08@mailcuk.com

Miss Angelica and Joey live alone and their parents are working overseas...

I've been told that in order for them to take action, the said absent person should've been missing after twenty-four hours...

The manager hid my information from the other staff and he lets me perform on the stage

My mind was slowly contriving itself to connect all pieces of the puzzle. Everything was coming to light and I could finally see the truth about Angelica's case.

I see. So that's how it is huh...?

I checked the time and it was already 7:50 PM.

My body instantly moved when I realized that I don't have that much time left.

Ten minutes left before the supposed deal!

[Natsu? Are you still there? Hello? Hello—]

"Sorry, Kylee! I'll call you later!"

I dropped Kylee's call and proceeded to contact Fuyumi. If my deduction is correct, they should be in that place. That man must be planning on eliminating both of them now that they lost Angelica.

[Hello, Nathan?]

"President, I need you to listen to me carefully..." I dropped my tone.

[W-What? Okay...]

"I need you to call the police and ask for a stakeout near this address. I will send them to you by email."

[Call the police? Wait, Nathan. Have you found Angelica?!]

"I haven't! But I know where Angelica is staying right now. President, she didn't run away, she was abducted..." I said.

[T-That's...]

"It's likely that the criminal is still beside her that's why I'm going to confront him. Please hurry, President!"

[Wait! Nathan—!]

I ended the call and sent her the address. I have no time to explain right now. Every second counts in this case, and if I don't find her, Angelica's going to get killed.

***

"Hah, we still have five minutes left! Why don't we have some fun, huh?" the Manager approached Angelica.

"Eek! G-Get away!"

"Stop moving!" the Manager slapped her. He then brought out a knife and brandished it near her cheeks. "Heh, now that I think about it, your daughter's pretty... I should probably enjoy her before the transaction begins..."

"N-No! Stop it! Don't do it! Angelica!!!" her father pleaded in agony.

The manager began to rip Angelica's dress with the knife as he slithered his way around her back. His face was less than an inch away from her and Angelica was pulling away with all of her might.

"No! H-Help me...!"

"HAHAHAHAHA!"

Tears began to stream down her cheeks. Angelica was at her wits' end and she didn't know what to do.

Anyone, please...

She closed her eyes.

Please help us...!

Save me... Nathan!

Bang!

"Huh?!"

The metallic door suddenly popped off, bursting through the front with a loud noise.

"Damn you!" all of the goons on stand-by attacked the person who entered the warehouse.

However, instead of beating him by ganging up, they got thrashed instead.

The man moved from side to side, evading all of the upcoming attacks and silently driving them away with his incredible reflex and quick hand-to-hand combat skills.

"W-What's going on?! What's happening!?" he could hear the Manager's anxious voice through the center.

The man singlehandedly took care of all of the syndicates. He made sure to hit their pressure points so that he could disable them. One would think that he has knowledge in martial arts based on his fluent yet connected movements.

Angelica knew who the man was. She couldn't possibly forget him after all of that effort to fix her problem.

Her prince finally arrived.

"Hah, looks like I made it in time..." Nathan cracked his neck and knuckles. He slowly walked through the center and confronted the Manager.

"You...!" the Manager growled.

"Sorry for crashing your party, Manager—No, former co-leader of the Infinity Syndicate... Sir Raymond Deradia!"