Trouble 6-part 2(Takimura Seishirou)

At the Security Room.

Someone told them, Kana, the first victim, disappeared within the school compound.

The man informed the police, while he checked the CCTV footage on the day of the incident, he concluded that Kana never left through the front gate. The CCTV last captured her silhouette as she hurriedly descended the stair with a terrified expression. At that time, she bolted out of her classroom, dragging her bag in panic.

Kana occasionally looked behind her as if someone chased after her. However, the CCTV caught nothing except her. And, once she exited the front door, she vanished.

The thick fog shrouded the entrance of the building, and the sight was blurry. Whiteness was everywhere, and Kana's shadow was soon enveloped by it.

As the foggy smoke dispersed, only the empty, desolate area was left.

Kana?

She was nowhere within the building nor the outside. As if the world swallowed her up. Her whereabouts were untraceable.

"I cannot fathom this. Where did those students disappear? How could they vanish into thin air?" A young police officer said to one. However, his voice is loud enough to be heard by the others in the room.

The rest frowned and also pondered about the same issue.

"I felt strange. Those students suddenly encountered thick fog and vanished? This fog. How could a fog suddenly appear in the middle of nowhere? It's summer. Even at midnight, the temperature is hotter than normal. For this fog to suddenly gathered and caused this disturbance, perhaps..."

"Do you think the fog is eating those students?" A ridiculous exclamation was thrown out by someone in the back, making the others unanimously curse him back. The notion is beyond scary. How can a fog swallow people?

"For some reason, all my hairs on my body are standing." Someone rubbed his arms. Shivers raked down his spine. He uneasily looked around him. As if expecting for someone or maybe something to emerge and attack them unprepared. "The goosebumps..."

The murmurs of acknowledgment echo in the background, and everyone simultaneously rubs their arms. They indeed felt a bit chilly.

"Stop thinking about weird things." The team leader snorted. He felt the restlessness inside the room and said contemptuously. "There are no ghosts nor spirits. Pack up. It's almost midnight. Also, bring back the footage."

"But, sir...You saw the CCTV's footages." One of his subordinates motioned his index finger towards the screen monitors. "This case is not within our capabilities with the interference of paranormal activity. Should we call a monk or priest instead?"

"Yeah!" Someone agreed immediately. "We are police officers, specialized in chasing criminal, not supernatural creatures."

The team leader squinted his eyes and fiercely glared at the over-spoken subordinates.

"Bullshit!" He hurled out his anger at the cowards. "You guys dare spouting nonsense again, and I really will send you to temple and be a monk forever!"

His team instantly shut their mouths.

That night, they went back dejectedly. The victims' family members were grieving in their house, waiting in anguish. They desperately hope for the missing children to return safely.

---------

"Sei?" A soft knock on the wooden table snapped him back from his reverie.

Sei lifted his head and saw his friend, Yuuya, with the new student, Hazama Ren. They appeared inside the room unannounced.

"What's wrong?" Yuuya asked. "You're frowning."

"Nothing." Sei smiled. However, his smile didn't reach his eyes. He seemed exhausted, with heavy dark circles below his eyes. "Do you need something?"

Yuuya scratched his head. He felt awkward.

"It not me who need help. It was Ren. He said he wanted to check the boundary of the Black Forest behind our school. So, he needed your permission to enter that place."

Sei wrinkled his eyebrows. During this turbulent time, such an unwise plan is like attempting suicide. If something happens to him, who will take the responsibility? The blame will surely fall on his shoulder.

"You knew that place is dangerous. I'm afraid that..."

"Don't worry. Nothing wrong is going to happen to me. Not yet." Ren casually replied. "I only needed ten minutes. Could you help me?"

Sei stared at the new student. He came out of nowhere and settled down quietly in their town. Ren was an outsider with a suspicious background. He brazenly wanted to tour around that forbidden place? Is Ren crazy? Or does he have a plan?

"Why?"

Ren stared back at him. He tilted his head and blinked.

"Why what?"

"Why would you enter that forest? Do you know anything? I don't think you came to this town without any ulterior motive. Your timing is a bit coincidental. If you can tell me the reason, then I will reconsider your request."

Ren pursed his lips, seemingly mulled over Sei's words.

"You're Takimura's grandson?"

"I am the only person with surname Takimura in this town."

"I mean to say that your grandfather is the founder of this town?"

Sei nodded his head.

"Then, go ask your grandfather. Tell him that the Hazama is back, and he requested some cooperation. He will understand." Ren shrugged his shoulder. His laid-back attitude made Sei feel uncomfortable. But, Ren's tone had a sliver of anger within it. "Ask your grandfather for any further questions. I am not obliged to answer your inquiry, and I am not asking for your permission. I only informed you out of my own courtesy."

Sei is dumbfounded. Ren suddenly turned hostile, and he seemed impatient.

"Alright. No need to be angry. I only said this because of our school's unfavorable situation. I felt worried for your safety." He finally said this sentence as if he was trying to appease Ren. He gave out a helpless sigh.

Like a cat, he had a fiery and impulsive temperament. Sei had a feeling that he needed to coax him properly if he wanted to reason out with him. Yeah. Sei needed to properly smoothen out his raising hackles and made Ren relent his guard before probing further. By doing that, he could achieve his desired outcome.

Nonetheless, if Sei asks his grandfather for something, he will get nothing. Did you want to probe a secret from his grandfather? Impossible.

Your effort will be rendered useless in front of the older man.

The tight-lipped older man is unshakeable. He is as silent as an unmovable mountain. He will not say anything even if the world is on the verge of destruction. He was stubborn beyond redemption.

Ren hummed out his response. He glanced at his deskmate.

"Then, Yuuya-san. Could you tell the teacher that I'm out for a while? In case I take longer than I anticipated. Thanks." He patted the other person's back. He depended on him to lie through his teeth to the teacher.

Yuuya scowled. His irritation is bubbling out. However, he could say nothing since their relationship is on a stranger level. And Ren seemed to have an anger issue. Yes. He's a short-tempered person. Judging by his displeased response towards Sei just now, it's better if he didn't purposely provoke him.

"You...please be careful. Don't be the next victim." He gritted his teeth.

"Hush. Don't jinx it." Sei puts a key on the glossy wooden table. "The key for the gate. Please give it back to me after you finish your job."

Ren takes it and puts it inside his pocket.

"Can you make sure the security guards or teachers didn't stroll around the area? Tell them, do not linger around the vicinity until I come back."

"Alas. You are too demanding, Ren-chan." Sei shook his head. "Leave it to me. And do your mission. Be sure to come back intact, safe, and sound."

Ren recklessly waved his hand. He strode out from the office room with both of his hands inside his pockets.

"You trust him that much?" Yuuya saw Ren's retreating figure disappear behind the door.

"I am not sure. He's a mysterious kid. However, I know that the new kid knew something. Possibly, he knew where those missing students vanished to and how to get them back."

"Well, his action this morning is odd. I think his eyes are a bit special? Unexplained things seemed to reflect beneath those transparent silver eyes. He might see the world beyond the veiled world. Who knows."

Sei stretched out in his seat. He rested his arms on the armrest and leaned on the swivel chair, enjoying his momentary break.

"Be sure to create a perfect alibi for him to your teacher. Your next class is with the baldy. Isn't it? He is a nosy man and can be super annoying if you give out an unsatisfactory answer."

Yuuya rolled his eyes while letting out a disgruntled "Hmm."

He forgot about the nosy teacher. What kind of white lie should he create? Ren is a new student and already seeking trouble on his second day.

Yuuya checked his wristwatch. Almost ten o'clock. Their break will end soon. He better move now and started racking his head for an explanation.