Chapter 52: Yuna is in trouble.

And so, after hearing Hana's desperate cries for help, I shot a quick glance at Hina, my expression a mix of shock and fear.

She looked back at me, her eyes filled with concern.

She moved closer and gently stroked my cheek, attempting to calm the storm brewing within me... or perhaps to listen more closely to the conversation.

"Hana, what are you saying?" I replied, my voice nearly caught in my throat.

"As I was heading home, I ran into Yuna! We decided to chat and take a walk, and suddenly, a group of men kidnapped her! I barely managed to escape by sheer luck...!" Hana responded, her tone frantic, her breathing rapid and shallow.

She seemed on the verge of fainting. I could hear the murmurs of people around her, trying to reassure her.

"LEAVE ME ALONE! CALL THE POLICE!" Hana shouted into the phone. Perhaps someone was trying to help her, but she didn't want to be touched by anyone, out of fear. In a way, she had always been like that since she was a child.

"Hana, calm down!! Where are you now? Try to breathe!!" I responded, my voice agitated. Hana took a few deep breaths before speaking.

"I-I'm... uh... at the Yukimura Café... the one behind the hospital," she replied. The Yukimura Café... I knew it very well. Emi Fujimoto and I used to go there often as kids, accompanied by our parents.

"Okay, Hana. Stay calm. I'm coming there, alright? I'll call the police, so please stay put." I replied with a calm and direct tone, trying to reassure her as much as possible.

Meanwhile, Hina's eyes held a mix of jealousy and concern as she continued to stroke my cheek, trying to soothe my soul. I must admit, her touch had a comforting effect on me.

"Yes, Kai. I'll wait here," Hana said, her voice seemed more calm before she ended the call.

Afterward, I put down the phone and looked into Hina's eyes with a determined gaze.

"Hina, I need your help..." I said, taking her hand. She looked into my eyes with a spark of surprise reflected in them.

"Oh? Are we going to save someone?" she asked with a mischievous smile. I nodded my head.

"Yes, we need to save Yuna... my friend. Hana said she's been kidnapped," I replied. Hina grinned wickedly.

"Oh... and what do you want me to do, Kai? Didn't you tell me to be a good girl? Fufufu~" Hina chuckled, teasing me in a playful manner. I looked at her with a serious and stern expression.

"Hina... please. My friend's life depends on us... I need you to watch my back... but try not to kill anyone... I need to call the police..." I said. Hina's lips curved into an even more "wicked" and mischievous smile.

"I think this will be the best date we've ever had, Kai-kun..." Hina replied, licking her lips as a strange blush appeared on her cheeks, as if she were getting excited.

At that moment, I realized she didn't care about saving my friend or doing anything else. She was just happy because she had my permission to hurt people, and the mere thought of what she might do was exciting her.

"Alright, Hina. We need to hurry. I'll grab my things and call a taxi. You get ready too," I said, standing up. Hina nodded, still with a wicked smile on her lips.

"Of course... Kai-kun... but I'm already ready..." she whispered as she stood up. I didn't understand what she meant, but I pretended to comprehend her words and got ready for the "mission."

I grabbed my backpack, my knife, my GPS watch, house keys, and then the phone to call a taxi. After that, Hina and I left, and the taxi arrived promptly.

It took us to the Yukimura Café in no time, and after paying, we got out. I saw a small crowd and a few police officers.

Hina stood next to me, seemingly eager to spring into action, judging by the peculiar expression on her face.

She had a passive smile and a vacant look, like a robot.

We walked inside the café, pushing our way through the crowd. And finally, I saw Hana.

She was still in a state of shock.

Seeing her like that sent a mix of emotions through my heart. Sadness, pity... so many things.

I wanted so much to hug her and comfort her, but I couldn't because Hina was with me.

Two police officers were trying to talk to her, but she wasn't responding. So, I moved closer to her.

"Hana..." I whispered.

Hina's smile disappeared, replaced by an expression of jealousy.

Hearing my voice, something snapped inside Hana, and as if by magic, she "woke up."

She looked up at me. Her eyes were red from crying and fear. In an instant, she stood up and threw herself into my arms.

She wrapped her arms tightly around my waist and buried her head in my chest.

It was an instinctive reaction... and Hina didn't take it well.

I didn't return the hug... at that moment.

Hina's eyes widened, and her pupils shrank with rage and jealousy.

She looked like she wanted to kill Hana just for hugging me, but after a few seconds, her expression relaxed, realizing there was no malice in Hana's hug.

Hina merely sighed and looked away, as if to say, "What a bitch..."

Hana cried for a moment before pulling away.

Taking advantage of Hina looking away, I patted Hana's head to calm her.

After she pulled away, she took a deep breath and began to speak.

The crowd around us seemed moved by Hana's hug, and I'm sure I heard someone say, "What a lovely couple."

"K-Kai... they kidnapped Yuna..." Hana said, sobbing.

"Yes... I understand... do you have any idea where they might have taken her, Hana?" I asked in a calm tone, trying to soothe and reassure her.

"I-I don't know... I only heard them mention Haruto and... a construction site... I have no idea..." Hana replied. It wasn't much to go on... The officers watched the scene, and one of them asked:

"Where did they go?" He asked, stepping closer to her.

"They headed towards the highway... I'm sure of that," Hana replied.

"I think I've got it," the officer began, but was interrupted by Hina.

"I know exactly where they're headed," she said in a cold, direct tone, as if she were the leader of some military group. Her tone stunned both the officers and Hana, who looked at her with fear.

"Where are they headed?" one of them asked.

"They went to the abandoned Hoshizora construction site, to the north. If you can give us a ride, I'll help you get in. I know that place perfectly," Hina said, her tone direct. Both officers seemed intimidated, as if they were speaking to someone superior.

"Of course. Get in," they said without hesitation. Hina looked at me and smiled, as if inviting me to join her, and shot a nasty look at Hana.

It seemed like she was saying, "You got lucky today, but not next time."

Her look spoke more than a thousand words as I immediately understood her intentions.

And after that, one officer said:

"I'll accompany this girl to the police station and then home. If you need any reinforcements, just call us, okay?" He said to his collegue.

The other policeman nodded and headed into the car, inviting me and Hina to follow me.

Before going, Hana clung to my shirt, refusing to let me go.

"K-Kai! please! I'm scared... can't you stay with me?" She asked, desperately clinging to me.

Hina snapped out after seeing the scene and stepped closer to her.

"Tchz..." She sighed with a glimpse of anger.

"Excuse me, girl... but we are going to save your friend. Try to understand. If you love him, just stay here and stay safe, please." She said with a direct and slightly aggressive tone of voice.

Hana's eyes widened and she immediately left my shirt before looking down on the ground.

She then nodded and whispered a weak "Okay..."

I was surprised that Hina reacted in such a mature way.

I expected her to brutally kill Hana for just the fact that she has touched me... but she didn't.

And most of all , she said "If you love him..." 

Did she know about Hana's feeling... or did she guessed it randomly?

There was no time to think.

After that, Hina turned her head towards me and grabbed my hand, like she was marking her territory and claiming her property.

She made clear that she was my girlfriend.

Then , me and her walked inside the police car, headed to our new mission : Saving Yuna.