The News

***

The sun was about to set. After having a lot of fun at the amusement park, Kayo and I were on our way home. I still had to give her what I had in my bag. Just as I was about to call out to her she asked:

"Are you having fun?"

"Huh?"

"You know, with your Esports team."

"Oh, that. Yeah, it has been surprisingly fun so far. Of course, it is not very easy but it is still a lot of fun."

"I see. That's good." There was silence for a moment. "I am thinking about joining a cram school."

"I se- wait what?!" That came out of nowhere.

"Yeah! You know, the midterms are coming close."

"I know you just want to experience going to a cram school. You can easily study on your own for exams."

"Hehe! You got me, huh?"

"Of course, who do you think I am?"

"Here, Happy Late Birthday!" She opened her bag and took out a wide gift-wrapped box.

"Can I open it now?" I was happy, unusually happy.

"Yeah!"

I opened the wrap. It was a black box with red designing on it. I opened the box and a sleek, cool mousepad was inside it. I could tell by seeing that it was a really good one.

"I didn't know what to give so I took something that might be useful to you. Did you like it?"

"Yeah! It's an amazing mousepad and I also needed one. It will be a great help. Thanks!"

"I am glad!" She smiled in response. Now I was feeling like my gift is a really half-assed one. She was looking at me intently now.

"Alright, alright!" I also took out a box and handed it to her. "Happy Birthday!"

She opened the box. I knew she liked sweet things so I gave her a box filled with different kinds of sweet things she liked. A cellphone strap was attached to it. I thought she would be disappointed. 

 "I didn't know what else to get you."

"It's like you read my mind or something."

"Hmm?"

"Nothing, Thanks for this! This strap is really cute too." I could tell from her bright smile that she was genuinely happy about this. I felt relieved.

"I see, I am glad you liked it." I stopped for a moment.

The atmosphere was making my heart wrench for some reason. No, I knew why it felt like that. I really wanted to tell her that I liked her. I reached out my hand as she was happily attaching the strap to her cell phone but stopped midway. No words were ready to leave my mouth. It was like a disagreement between my heart and mind which felt as frustrating as it could have. I slowly retracted my stretched hand.

"What happened?" Kayo turned back to ask me.

"Nothing," I answered with a smile placing all the frustration in a corner of my mind and we started moving ahead while chatting.

*I need to ascertain my feelings as soon as possible.* I thought to myself.

I had no idea what was about to happen.

***

October had started and it was getting more chilly every day. Kayo had started going to a cram school with her friend. Part of it was because midterms were coming but it was more of the trying out aspect that led her to join the cram school. Kazuki didn't really have any fond memories related to cram school but he didn't object.

It was a little later than evening but it was hard to tell because of the black clouds and the slight rain. Kazuki was helping his mom and his dad, who got off early from his work, was watching the news. He was busy a lot these days. They had less time to record videos too because of Kayo's cram school and Kazuki's Esports practice and preparation for exams. Kazuki also won a small online in-game tournament last month.

He was thinking about a new idea to make a video on. Suddenly the voice from the news anchor gave him a chill. The words reminded him of a memory as vivid as it just happened yesterday.

"A lot of kidnapping cases are being reported all around Japan. Take care of everyone around you."

His mind suddenly went blank. He felt a sweep of horror crawl on him. The cup in his hand fell and the next thing he knew is that he was running frantically. He knocked on the door of Kayo's home but no one was there so the next thing that came to his mind was cram school so he ran.

*It was the same! Those words! I need to see her!* All these thoughts were running through his head.

The day his sister got kidnapped, it was the same channel same words, and same time. The situation was terrifyingly similar. He felt like he had to see Kayo to put himself at ease so he just ran. He didn't even know if she was still in her cram school or not but that didn't matter. He just had to see her.

He fell two times due to the slippery road but he got up and ran disregarding the fact that he might have gotten injured. He didn't even bring an umbrella with him. A little after he found her. She was walking home with her friend from cram school. Drenched and a little dirty with totally disheveled hair he was standing in front of Kayo. Seeing that she was safe put his mind at ease.

"Hey, do you know this creep?" These words from another girl walking with her finally brought him back to his senses.

A guy in a condition like him suddenly appearing in front of someone would definitely be creepy. He felt embarrassed and without saying a word he started running back. Kayo called him from behind but he was too embarrassed to turn back. For now, knowing that she was safe was enough for him.

*I will apologize to her tomorrow for this.* he thought.

The next morning, however, terrifying news was waiting for him.

Night of October 4th, Sando Kayo got kidnapped.