Chapter 23: Bloodstained Paths
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Kento and John sat in the car as John pulled out his laptop. His fingers moved swiftly over the keyboard as he attempted to track Akira's location using his mobile number. Within seconds, a blinking dot appeared on the map.
"He's near Friends Café, just two kilometers from here," John announced.
Without a second thought, Kento started the engine and slammed his foot on the accelerator. As he drove, he reached into the dashboard and took out his black round glasses, slipping them on. His grip on the steering wheel tightened, his knuckles turning white as he drove with full intensity. The engine roared as the car sped through the streets, weaving between vehicles with reckless precision.
John glanced at him, concerned. "You're breaking rules."
Kento smirked, eyes never leaving the road. "It's fun, isn't it?"
John sighed. "You're going to get us caught before we even reach him."
Kento chuckled, taking a sharp turn without slowing down. "Relax. We'll reach there before he even realizes we're coming."
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Meanwhile, inside Friends Café, Akira and Hinata sat at their table. The warm ambiance and the soft chatter of customers filled the air. Hinata took a sip of her coffee, glancing at Akira, who seemed lost in thought. His eyes were distant, unfocused.
"I'm going to the restroom," he said suddenly, his tone unreadable.
Hinata nodded absentmindedly. "Alright, don't take too long."
Akira walked out, but instead of heading toward the restroom, he moved toward a small house nearby. The sky had begun to darken, casting long shadows on the street. He knocked on the door. After a few seconds, the door creaked open, revealing a little girl with curious eyes staring up at him.
"Where are your parents?" Akira asked in a gentle voice.
The girl pointed towards the kitchen. Without hesitation, Akira pulled a screwdriver from his pocket and, with one swift motion, plunged it into her stomach while covering her mouth to muffle her screams. Her small body trembled before going limp. He laid her down softly before stepping into the kitchen.
A man and a woman, presumably her parents, were preparing food. The moment they turned, Akira struck. The kitchen filled with the sound of muffled struggles and soft thuds as their lives were snuffed out in mere seconds. Blood pooled onto the floor, reflecting the overhead light. Akira wiped his screwdriver with a napkin, adjusted his collar, and quietly left the house, making his way back to the café.
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Kento and John finally arrived at Friends Café. Kento pushed open the door aggressively, scanning the room until his eyes landed on Hinata.
"Hina, where's Aku?" he demanded, urgency laced in his voice.
Hinata frowned, irritation flashing across her face. "He's in the washroom. And don't call me that."
Ignoring her, Kento and John rushed towards the restroom, throwing the door open.
There stood Akira, calmly washing his hands under the sink, blood swirling down the drain. As the door banged open, he looked up, a smirk playing on his lips. His expression held no remorse, only amusement.
With a chilling voice, he began singing, "You are my enemy… you are my enemy…" His voice echoed eerily in the tiled room.
He slowly turned to face them, stepping forward. "Go to the third house from here."
Kento's brows furrowed. "Why should we—"
Before he could finish, John grabbed his arm. "Come with me. Now."
Both rushed out, sprinting toward the house Akira mentioned. The moment they stepped inside, a horrific sight unfolded before them. The entire room was drenched in blood. Three lifeless bodies lay sprawled across the floor, their faces frozen in expressions of terror.
Kento exhaled sharply, clenching his fists. "We should not have left him alone. One of us should have stayed back to watch him."
John, his face pale, shook his head. "Don't worry. He won't run."
Kento wanted to argue but stopped himself, knowing deep down that Akira wasn't going anywhere. Not yet.
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