Chapter 23

Chapter XLV: Vanished During her sleep, Akiko finds herself as the pink maid in the anime Stire. She finds Natsuki as the yellow maid, Himari as the purple, and Hanako as the blue one. She also finds Enmei as the trap maid, Tengen as the café manager while Asahi as the café assistant. She wonders where Kota is, and where the dog is. Enmei tells them that the dog is missing so Akiko rushes outside and starts finding the dog. She bumps into an eerie-looking guy who grabs her arm but let go immediately as a police officer reprimands him. The officer then points to the dike. She searches all day long until he ends up at the riverside. He finds the dog, whimpering and starts to cry. She doesn't know why but she asks the dog,

"Why did you ran away?"

 The dog begins to speak."Sometimes, I don't even know why I am here. Why do I exist and what is my purpose. What is my worth on this earthly plain. Of all the bad things I've done, should I be forgiven?" (The Dog)"We're here for you. We're always here for you. You know, everyone deserves to be forgiven as long as what you have done bad is not crucial. Come back to us, you're special" (Akiko) The dog runs towards her but as soon as she embraces the dog, the dog turns into a guy. She then wakes up from this and begins to wonder what the dream is about. She begins to remember Kota. At school, she goes inside the classroom and waits for him to arrive so she could speak to him."Now I realize that it's technically my fault. Though it's really rough for him these days and I want to terminate this tension between us because I don't want to see him hurt anymore", she tells himself. Minutes have passed, many people are already in the classroom and Kota isn't there yet. Minutes have then turned to hours and this makes her worried. She asks Enmei, Asahi, and Hanako if something might have happened to him."Guys, have you seen Kota?" (Akiko)"No, not yet" (Hanako)"Maybe he's absent because he might be sick" (Enmei)"But it's weird because he haven't notified us or anything. I'mma try asking his parents" (Asahi) Asahi texts Kota's parents. They reply to him that they haven't seen him, beginning from dawn. The parents also find out that there are missing clothes from his wardrobe and items in his room so meaning that he ran away. However, they uncover a note on his desk that reads,"Has difficultates effugere volo. Paenitet me sed nihil elegi nisi ut effugerem, proprie. Nolo molestus esse in vita tua amplius. Nullus sum, abjectio. Sed mox revertar. Sic semper tyrannis-Kota" The squad is shocked about this news. The teacher then comes in and class starts. Worried, Akiko can't do anything but wonders,"Kota, where are you now?" During their break, the squad gathers to talk about Kota."Why would Kota even run away?" (Enmei)"I don't know but maybe someone caused him to do this. Have anyone done something to Kota? (Hanako)"What if we just read what was in that note" (Akiko)"That's a good point though. Asahi, bring out your phone to translate what has been said" (Enmei) Asahi then brings out his phone and starts typing."It says,I want to escape from my problems. I don't want to be a nuisance in your lives anymore. I'm just a nobody, an outcast. However, I shall return shortly." (Asahi)"Then what does 'Sic Semper Tyrannis' means" (Hanako) Asahi calls Masashi if he knows what is the exact meaning of this phrase since he's an expert of Latin."Though translating on that search engine is not accurate because it is only by words and not by the context itself. Sic Semper Tyrannis is attributed to many assassinations but the most prominent of all is from Marcus Brutus who said the phrase after assassinating Julius Caesar which means 'Thus always to Tyrants'. It would mean that tyrannical leader will be inevitably overthrown" (Masashi) As soon as they tell him about the news, Masashi is also petrified and worried."Ok thanks dude, we'll update if we find him", the squad thanks him and ends the call."So, how could we associate that with Kota's?" (Hanako)"Of course he's not plotting to assassinate someone right? But if we look at the context, there's betrayal. So who could have betrayed him? I'm asking y'all truthfully this time. We can't just hide our thoughts in this type of situation we're facing right now. We're talking about our friend here, now who is it?" (Enmei)"Well, I have something to confess" (Asahi) All of the squad then looks at him."It's actually my fault. First of all, getting a higher rank than him in the literature club although he's the one who introduced me to that organization and I feel bad of what I've done. Second, the times when I couldn't control my mouth, leading him to be out-of-place every time now and then. And lastly, the times again that I can't control myself leaving him from anything trendy and hitting some trigger words. I'm really a bad friend." (Asahi) Natsuki pats his back and hugs him after saying this."Ok, does anyone have more to say?" (Enmei)"Actually, this couldn't have happened if it was for me. You see, there was this guy that I met on Accord and I totally fell in love with that guy, not bothering the fact that Kota is already there and not considering his feelings and efforts for me. I know that the change is very drastic and sometimes I can really be bossy but I forgot the one who stood up to me, someone who really cares for me, the one who loves me 'til the very end. I consider myself unforgiveable because of my cold behavior towards him. I feel more bad for him than anyone else here." (Akiko) Everyone is in shock hearing this. On the other hand, as he passes by, Tengen says,"Well you should have apologized earlier to him.""I see we have bad connections in this corrupted time so let's all make it up. Hanako, go apologize to Tengen about what you did and make it up with him so there will be no more tension" (Enmei)"But-" (Hanako)"No buts young lady. Go or I'll make you eat that pasta off his hair" (Enmei)"Ok, ok, geez. Don't be bossy like Akiko here" (Hanako)"Bish, I'm still all ears here" (Akiko)"Point taken" (Hanako) She then goes to Tengen and speaks with him."Ok, there's only one person left that we need to make it up for. The problem is, we don't know where he have gone to" (Enmei)Gin emerges from the corridor and says,"If you want to know where Kota is, then I need to speak with Akiko about this matter since she deserves it. The one who realizes the most and has the most grievous fault is worthy of knowing the truth." Akiko goes to him and Gin whispers something in her ears."I'll go there immediately after class", she says after hearing what Gin said. When she goes to the squad, they asks her about what Gin said to her but she tells them that she'll handle it."I don't want to tell it because of course, I'm the one who is at fault the most and I'm the one who could reprimand him, I am his comforter. As I realize today, no one in the world has a greater love, connection, and care than him. It's like a one punch to my heart that obliterates my sadness and uncomfortableness sometimes", says Akiko to them. The squad tears up after hearing this. They agree and they then go straight to the classroom for their afternoon session. Although Akiko is eager to go to the said location, she patiently do the activities as well as waiting for class to end. Once it was finished, she takes her bag and rushes off. From afar,"Stay safe on your travel", the squad says to her. While running, a hooded guy grabs her arm. She tries to shake it off but she can't. A dashing cyclist then crashes into the guy."Go, I'll handle this lunatic myself!", it appears that the cyclist was Gin. Akiko goes to the station and hops unto the train. On the other side, the hooded man tugs and punches Gin. He rushes to the station but didn't caught up with Akiko. The stranger looks into his phone which displays a conversation between PurpleGirl and him. He removes his hood and reveals that he is actually Homura. In the train, Akiko can't help but wonders where did Kota ran off to and why he did it.