Exodia 195: Countdown to Zero (9)

Two days later, Wednesday, I was called to the principal's office, alongside Kana and Tatsuya. Whenever she calls me or talks to me, it's rarely good.

I arrived at her office and opened the door.

"What did you call us here for?"

I asked the woman sitting behind the desk. She was facing away from the door. Minato bowed to us, nervously as he turned to Principal Kamish.

She sighed, rubbing her eyes, clearly frustrated.

The three of us exchanged glances.

"Did we... do something?"

Kana asked.

"I'm sure I haven't done anything to be called by the principal..."

Tatsuya murmured behind my back.

"Have you seen Emika Kaneko lately?"

Her tone was low and cold. She was serious. Probably the first time I've heard her like this.

"Emika? She's been sick since the exhibition match. What about her?"

We were planning on meeting her right now. We spoke to her roommate yesterday and said that she was still sick. We wanted to buy her some things so she could get better.

"Ever since the exhibition match, she's gone missing."

"What?!"

All three of us had a collective expression of surprise. I grimaced and rebutted.

"That's impossible. Her roommate said that she's still sick."

I tried to stay calm. Kamish would not joke in this situation. From that last incident with Alexander, I know she has pride in her students and school. She wouldn't joke about this.

"A note was left saying to cover up her disappearance."

"What?!"

Tatsuya shouted, clearly distraught. Out of all of us, he was the most shocked. He and Emika are close. They've known each other longer than I've known Tatsuya. If I dare say, Tatsuya and Emika are closer than Tatsuya and I.

"Is it like with Akane?"

I muttered to myself.

"There was such a record, wasn't there? No, I doubt it."

That makes sense as to why she's angry. I doubt she would be this angry if the student left of their own accord, meaning...

"You believe she's been kidnapped."

"Yes."

Kamish answered plainly.

"By who?"

Kana attempted to stay calm but she was conflicted, just like me. Although, she tried to hide her emotions far more than I did.

"Well, you can see for yourself."

She glanced at Minato, who placed a laptop on the desk in front of Kamish, facing the three students. He typed a few things onto it and it displayed an image.

My heart skipped a beat.

"Weissmann Mori. This was taken outside of the port. He seems to have gotten in and out through the illegal underground dock that mobsters use."

"Wait, shouldn't you be closing that?!"

Kana exclaimed.

"I can't do that. The government supervising Altheria does not want to close it. It apparently 'brings income.'"

That's stupid. Then, why make it illegal?

Once superfluous thoughts invaded my mind, I shook my head to throw them out.

Emika. My—no, our priority right now.

"Do you know where he is?"

Tatsuya asked.

"Yes."

Eh?

"Then, why don't you send out a team to save her?"

"Minato."

The assistant took the laptop and did something to it, switching to another video. He played it and we watched it, anxiously.

[Hey, Ryoka, it's been a while. You too, Shoya, if you're watching. I kidnapped your lovely Emika Kaneko for my plans. I'll send you the coordinates of my base to come get her back and have one at me.]

"Is he crazy?"

Kana commented.

Weissmann, Regulus, smiled, focusing his camera on Emika.

[You may think that there's no advantage for me, but you're wrong. I'm not dumb enough to confess all of my plans but you will have to come to get me at some point before next Wednesday, because Emika may already be 'dried up' after then. You have to come to me. I'm excited to see you all. I'll be waiting for you, Black Emperor and Fairy.]

This guy...

I silently clenched my fist. I could feel my whole body heat up as I seethed with rage.

He's confident enough to reveal his location and provoke both Principal Kamish and I. He has a use for Emika yet, he has a use for someone else too. I wouldn't go so far as to say that it's me but it probably is either me or Kamish.

It's obvious to anyone that it's...

"It's a trap."

I told her.

"We'll still need to get her back. I think I know what he's planning..."

The principal clearly looked troubled.

"He's going to unseal King Solomon."

"Huh?! So, Emika is the Key to unlocking the seal?! We need to save her, otherwise, the world will be in danger!"

Suddenly, I stumbled, staring at my friend. The one who just punched me.

"Tatsuya?"

Kana went to my side, asking if I was okay. I didn't focus on her but on Tatsuya, whose shocked expression darkened into a scowl.

"I don't get what the fuck is going on. Black Emperor or King Solomon. I don't know. But what I do know is that you don't want to save Emika for the sake of saving her."

"What are you on about? I want to save her!"

"So you say, I can't even believe anything you say anymore. You hid it from me and everyone."

I looked back at Kamish—she nodded her head as if reading my thoughts.

It's not like she's an Emperor but she has the best options in mind.

I stayed silent.

"If I didn't see the video, I would've never known and you would've never told me that you're the Black Emperor! You're like a liar. No, you are one. I don't trust you with anything anymore. You don't even care about Emika—"

"Tatsuya!"

The blue-haired girl screamed, shutting him up. He reluctantly closed his mouth, glaring at me.

Tensions are high. I'm not exactly going to get on Tatsuya's case. From his perspective, I am the one in the wrong.

I turned to Kana.

"You don't hate me?"

"Now that I know, you are slightly scarier but it's not like you haven't always been strong."

She grinned. I smiled at her back, practically relieved that she didn't also yell at me.

"Anyway, Shoya, get ready. On Friday, there will be a wide-scale operation. You and your friends will have to participate as there is a problem with the Bureau currently."

I ignored what she said about the Bureau as that wasn't important right now.

"I thought you would be against us participating."

She smirked.

"Well, you and your friends aren't below Magi in any aspect, if I have to say so myself."