Chapter 116: An unwanted meeting

Kai, Haruto, Emi, and Naomi made their way to a small café not far from the school.

The walk wasn't long since Kai suggested the nearest place.

During the walk, Haruto spoke like "old times", when things were normal.

He was acting like always.

Kai still had to play the part of the stupid one who didn't know anything.

Emi, on the other hand, tried to speak with Naomi, asking her random girly stuff like makeup and other things.

The atmosphere felt deceptively familiar, almost like a regular outing with friends, despite everything.

When the guys arrived at destination, they immediately sat down after a waiter invited them.

They each ordered cappuccinos, and for a brief moment, Kai tried to ease his mind, hoping to pretend, even if just for a few minutes, that this was just another casual outing.

But deep down, he couldn't ignore the lingering sense of darkness surrounding them.

The unease crept over him, making his hands feel cold despite the warmth of his coffee cup.

He glanced across the table at Haruto, who seemed to be listening intently to his explanation of the upcoming school festival, his eyes showing curiosity but also something colder, sharper.

"So, the festival kicks off with the club presentations, right?" Haruto asked, taking a sip of his cappuccino. "I heard there will be performances, a bit like a showcase of each club's activities?"

Kai nodded, choosing his words carefully. "Exactly. Each club will have a chance to present something unique to them like gymnastics, dance, even some cooking presentations from the culinary club. It's all meant to bring everyone together and make the festival memorable."

Haruto nodded slowly, as if digesting every word.

His gaze lingered on Kai, unblinking, making it clear that he was observing more than listening.

Kai could feel the weight of those eyes on him, searching for cracks, weaknesses, or signs that Kai might know more than he let on.

"Yeah… I know… The school wants to fight the criminality and the bad voices by restoring the old area…" Haruto said, with a strange tone of voice.

He was speaking normally, but to Kai's ears, his voice echoed like a menace.

"Yeah… I think that's a good idea. But I would still be scared to go there." Kai said, taking another sip of his cappuccino.

Naomi, seated beside Kai, couldn't even bring herself to look up at Haruto.

Her hands gripped her cup tightly, her shoulders tense, and her gaze remained fixed on the table.

Kai could sense the struggle within her—fear, anxiety, the overwhelming pressure to appear normal while seated next to someone who terrified her.

Trying to break the silence, Emi leaned over to Naomi with a gentle smile, her tone light.

"Naomi, you've been so busy with the festival, right? You must be excited for it to all come together."

Naomi gave a slight, nervous nod but didn't respond.

She seemed on the verge of breaking, and Kai felt an urge to protect her, though he knew he couldn't draw attention to her unease without potentially making things worse.

Everyone pretended that Naomi was acting normally.

"So, Kai," Haruto continued, his tone deceptively casual. "You've really been involved in everything, haven't you? Planning, organizing, making sure everyone's happy… It sounds exhausting. Don't you feel overwhelmed?"

Kai forced a small, polite smile. "It's a lot to manage, but we've had help from a lot of students, and it's a team effort." He glanced at Naomi, offering her a reassuring nod, hoping to silently communicate that he had her back.

Haruto's eyes glinted, picking up on the subtle interaction between them. "Ah, teamwork… that's good. But, Kai, don't you think it's strange how things have… unfolded lately? With all these rumors and certain incidents happening around town?"

Kai's heart raced, but he kept his expression neutral. "Rumors? Oh, those? I don't pay too much attention to gossip," he replied, feigning a relaxed tone.

He felt like he was walking a thin line, knowing that Haruto was fishing for information, searching for any slip-up that might confirm his suspicions.

The entire outing had a veneer of friendliness, but Kai sensed the tension beneath every exchange.

The laughter sounded forced, the smiles were strained, and the seemingly innocent questions Haruto asked were anything but.

As for Emi, her usually cheerful demeanor seemed tainted by a strange intensity that made Kai realize he could no longer see her as his childhood friend.

Her presence here felt like a betrayal, as if she were playing a role in a larger plan that he had yet to understand.

Naomi remained silent, practically shrinking into her seat as Haruto's questions continued.

Emi kept trying to involve her, asking her opinions about the festival plans, the club performances—anything to get her talking.

But Naomi only responded with curt nods and mumbled words, her gaze still glued to the table, as if avoiding Haruto's eyes was her only means of self-defense.

Kai's patience was wearing thin.

Haruto kept speaking about random topics, still returning to the same point: He was still searching for any kind of informations.

The façade of friendliness was beginning to crack, and he could feel the negative energy in the room growing more suffocating by the minute.

He tried to steady his breathing, feeling his pulse quicken as he became increasingly aware of the looming danger he and Naomi faced.

Just as Haruto leaned forward, about to speak again, a familiar voice cut through the tension.

"Kai."

He turned to see Hina standing by their table, her expression cold, her gaze hard.

The intensity in her eyes spoke volumes, and there was a distinct menace in the way she looked at Haruto and Emi.

Her presence alone was enough to make Haruto feel at ease, his playful demeanor was shared by her.

Then, right before Haruto could talk, Kai felt a tight grip on his shoulder.

"Kai, we need to go," A familiar voice said, her tone leaving no room for argument.

He turned his head just to saw Hina with a very angry look on her face.

She had probably discovered something.

Then, Hina bowed her head and said "Sorry for the intrusion."

Haruto and Emi seemed pissed off by her presence.

But despite that, they kept showing a forced smile.

Kai rose from his seat immediately, almost as if he'd been waiting for her to rescue him.

He could feel the sharp tension dissolve slightly in Hina's presence, her fierce protectiveness radiating from her like a shield.

As Kai stood, he glanced down at Naomi, who looked relieved to see Hina there, though she still trembled slightly.

"Oh… it's okay. Don't worry." Emi said with a smile.

"I'm sorry, guys…" Kai said, with a fake-sorry tone.

Naomi also took advantage of the situation.

"Oh! Hina! Just in time! Can I come to your place later?" She asked.

Kai thought for an instant, wondering how she knew Hina's house.

"Yes, I'll wait you there, okay? Keep me updated. You have my number." Hina said, with a reassuring tone of voice.

Hina's eyes then lingered on Haruto and Emi, a silent but deadly warning passing between them.

With one last glance over her shoulder, Hina placed a firm hand on Kai's arm and led him away, leaving Haruto and Emi to watch them disappear into the crowded street outside.

Kai left the money for the coffee before going away with his girlfriend, giving a plus to also pay for Naomi.

Naomi also walked away…

Something bad had happened. Bad.