Chapter94.5: Meanwhile, Yuna…

After leaving the company of Hina and Kai, Yuna walked quickly down the street.

The message on her phone read, "Come back, you're in danger. I'll be waiting near the café at the corner."

The sender of the message was Sakura Ishikawa.

That day, she had been constantly monitoring Yuna, Hina, and Kai.

Like a sort of stalker or investigator.

She had followed them the entire time, ever since they left school.

The reason? It was obvious.

She wanted to ensure her allies were safe.

But why was Yuna in danger? Even she didn't understand.

She kept walking, anxiety and fear pressing down on her chest, as if something were tightening around her heart.

Her steps grew faster until she saw the café.

Once she arrived, she looked around to see where Sakura could be.

Before she even had a chance to scan the area, she was stopped by a well-dressed woman with blonde hair, a straw hat, and sunglasses paired with a simple, long dress.

As soon as Yuna saw the woman, a wave of confusion washed over her.

She didn't understand why she was being stopped.

"Let's go," said the woman in a friendly voice.

"Uh, excuse me, but who are you?" Yuna asked, her voice filled with confusion.

"Shut up and follow me," the woman replied in a slightly colder tone, taking Yuna's hand and pulling her into the café.

The soft clinking of glass and the hum of machines filled the room, but the emptiness made it feel all the more oppressive.

She felt trapped, her chest tight with fear, wondering why this stranger had grabbed her so suddenly.

"Why are you doing this to me?" Yuna asked, her voice shaking as she tried to pull her hand free.

The woman stopped suddenly and glanced around, as if making sure they were alone.

She slowly removed her sunglasses, and the moment their eyes met, Yuna's confusion deepened before the recognition hit her.

"Sakura?" Yuna's voice was filled with shock, the tension in her chest loosening slightly but not disappearing.

Standing before her, in disguise, was Sakura Ishikawa, her ally, the last person she'd expect to confront her like this.

The sight of a familiar face calmed Yuna for a moment, but unease lingered.

"Why all the secrecy? The message scared me!" Yuna yelled.

Sakura, now more composed, leaned against the nearby counter with a serious expression.

"Someone's been following you, Yuna. I couldn't risk letting them get too close while you were with Kai and Hina." Sakura said with a very cold tone.

"Following me? Who?" Yuna's voice quivered with a mix of disbelief and fear.

She hadn't noticed anything strange.

"You weren't supposed to notice. They're professionals, and they've had their eyes on you. They're part of the Kobayashi Dragons, Yuna, and they are far more dangerous than you think." Sakura then started to smoke a cigarette.

The blood drained from Yuna's face as the name of the infamous clan was mentioned.

The Kobayashi Dragons.

The criminal gang that kidnapped and almost killed her.

"Why me? What do they want? Wasn't what they done to me enough?" Yuna asked.

Sakura crossed her arms, her tone softening slightly but still carrying weight.

"It's not just you they're after. Anyone close to Kai and Hina is a target. You're vulnerable, and they know it. Hitting you would mean hitting Kai, and Hina." Sakura said, while putting the lighter back in her bag.

"What am I supposed to do?" Yuna's voice broke, fear making it hard to keep calm.

Sakura stepped closer, lowering her voice as if sharing a dangerous secret.

"You need to leave your house. You'll come stay with me for a while. I can keep you safe, far from their reach."

Yuna shook her head immediately, feeling an overwhelming urge to protest.

"I can't just leave everything behind! What will Kai and Hina think of me? They'll think I'm running away! Weren't you the one who said to me to live a normal life like nothing happened?!" Yuna asked, in an almost angry tone.

Sakura's expression darkened, her patience thinning.

"You don't understand, Yuna. This isn't about what people think. This is about staying alive." She paused, her voice turning cold and hard. "Do you remember what happened when you were kidnapped? When those criminals had you? If I hadn't intervened, you wouldn't even be standing here. And if they'd kidnap you again, they won't go easy and commit the same mistake as they did before."

Those words hit Yuna like a punch to the gut.

The memories of her kidnapping came rushing back—the terror, the helplessness.

She had barely survived that nightmare.

The mere thought of it happening again made her legs feel weak.

"And if it happens again," Sakura continued, her voice cutting through Yuna's thoughts like a blade, "next time, they won't be so kind. They'll hurt you. Badly."

Yuna felt as though the walls of the café were closing in on her.

She didn't want to believe it, but deep down, she knew Sakura was right.

"Sakura…" Yuna whispered, her voice cracking, but the words wouldn't come.

"This isn't a choice," Sakura said, her tone firm and final. "Tomorrow, you'll go to school, then go to your home to grab your things and then lock yourself inside. And when the time comes, you'll move in with me. It's the only way to keep you safe." Sakura said with a sigh.

"No more interactions with other people who are not Kai , Hina or me." Sakura said firmly.

Yuna lowered her head, tears stinging her eyes as she realized the truth.

There was no way out of this.

She was trapped, and her world was closing in on her.

Without waiting for a response, Sakura stood up and gave Yuna a final look before turning to leave the café.

Yuna was left alone, her thoughts swirling, the weight of her new reality pressing down on her.

Her sense of isolation already started to take hold, and she knew this feeling wouldn't leave her anytime soon.

A long, dark descent into despair was just beginning…