Forty-two

"Mia, I told you to go easy on her," Eloise scolded, her voice laced with a mix of annoyance and concern. The hooded figure, now revealed as Mia, removed her own hood, seemingly taken aback by the turn of events.

"But you asked me to do it," Mia retorted, her tone defensive, trying to justify her actions.

"No, I told you to go and get her, not to kidnap her," Eloise shot back, frustration evident in her voice. "And besides, you got the wrong person."

Naoka couldn't help but interject, her voice filled with a mixture of indignation and fear. "My day couldn't get any worse, and now someone is kidnapping me?" she exclaimed, her voice trembling slightly.

Eloise and Mia, caught up in their own argument, momentarily dismissed Naoka's presence. "Shut up," they chorused dismissively, leaving Naoka feeling even more frustrated and disregarded.

Summoning her inner strength, Naoka unleashed her magical powers, directing them towards Mia and Eloise. The air crackled with energy as her spell took effect, and both Eloise and Mia were thrown to the ground, smoke swirling from their bodies. It was a display of power and a way for Naoka to assert herself amidst the chaos.

With her captors momentarily subdued, Naoka found her voice again. "May I ask why you are kidnapping people?" she questioned, her gaze firmly fixed on Eloise and Mia, her eyes shining with a mix of curiosity and defiance.

Mia quickly pointed her finger at Eloise, laying the blame squarely on her. "It was her idea," Mia confessed, her voice tinged with remorse.

Eloise, her demeanor shifting, responded with an apologetic tone. "We want to build a restaurant, but we have no idea how to do it. We were hoping to find someone who could help us," she explained, her voice laced with regret. "But we never intended to resort to kidnapping. I didn't know she was going to use that kind of method."

Reflecting on their words, Naoka softened slightly. Despite the tumultuous circumstances, she understood the desperation that had led them down this path. "You don't have to beg me," she said, her voice filled with a sense of understanding. "I will help you."

Relief washed over Mia's face, gratitude gleaming in her eyes. "Yes, thank you," she replied earnestly, her voice a mixture of gratitude and relief.

Naoka then set a condition, requesting to see their plan before committing fully. Mia hesitated, revealing that their plans were at their home. Determined to move forward, Naoka proposed they go to their place to review the details.

Switching to Amber's perspective, the scene shifted to another character. Classes had ended, and Amber found herself filled with anticipation. As she navigated through the crowd, her eyes landed on Jade, someone she had been eager to reconnect with since their previous encounter.

Calling out to Jade, Amber's voice carried a hint of excitement. "Hey!" she exclaimed, her tone friendly and warm, hoping to catch Jade's attention.

Jade, taken aback by the unfamiliar voice, hesitated before turning to face Amber. Her eyes filled with caution, unsure of the stranger's intentions. "Wait," she replied, her voice tinged with wariness.

Amber recognized Jade's hesitation and quickly clarified their connection. "You remember in the infirmary, it was me who stopped you from falling down the stairs," Amber reminded her, her voice gentle and reassuring.

Recognition flickered across Jade's face as her memory was jogged. "Yes, I remember," she responded, her voice softening as her guard began to lower.

Amber took the opportunity to introduce herself properly. "Last time, I didn't introduce myself. My name is Amber," she said, her voice carrying a sense of warmth and sincerity.

Jade's curiosity piqued, and she welcomed the chance for further interaction. "Enchanting," Jade replied, her voice laced with a touch of intrigue. "Are you going home alone?" she asked, her voice tinged with a hint of loneliness.

Amber sensed the unspoken desire for companionship and offered her company. "Let me walk you home. Besides, I have the impression that we're going the same way," she suggested, her voice filled with genuine concern.

Jade considered the proposition, weighing the risks and the potential for connection. After a moment of contemplation, she agreed. "No problem, let's go," she acquiesced, her voice carrying a mixture of caution and hope.

As they walked together, their steps falling in sync, they gradually arrived at Amber's house. Jade's eyes widened in recognition, realizing that they had ended up at Eloise's place, a connection from her past. Thoughts swirled in her mind as she hesitated, contemplating whether or not to ask about Eloise's whereabouts.

Amber noticed Jade's hesitancy, sensing that something was amiss. "Is there a problem?" she inquired, her voice filled with genuine concern. "I think you're thinking about something."

Jade hesitated briefly before responding, careful with her words. "No, don't worry. Can I come to your place for a while?" she asked, her voice carrying a touch of vulnerability. "Maybe I'll see Eloise," she added, her curiosity and longing for a familiar face evident in her tone.

Amber welcomed the request, opening her home to Jade without hesitation. "Yes, of course," she replied warmly, her voice tinged with understanding and empathy.

Meanwhile, inside Eloise's house, Mia and Naoka celebrated the completion of their plan. A sense of accomplishment filled the room as their hard work came to fruition. Naoka couldn't help but feel a surge of satisfaction, knowing that she had made a difference in their lives.

"We finally finished the plan," Mia exclaimed, a mix of relief and excitement evident in her voice. The weight of their project was lifted, and they were ready to move forward.

Naoka, her voice brimming with pride, echoed Mia's sentiments. "Yes, it took us a long time, but it was truly a rewarding experience," she acknowledged, her tone laced with contentment and self-assurance.

Eloise, her gaze fixed on Mia, shared her intentions for the next day. "Tomorrow, we'll go and buy the materials to start building," she announced, her voice filled with determination and eagerness. The long-awaited dream of their restaurant was slowly becoming a reality.

Mia, amidst the excitement, expressed her gratitude to Naoka. "Thank you, Naoka," she said, genuine appreciation coloring her voice. "I think without you, we wouldn't have succeeded, especially with that pedophile as our leader," she added, her words dripping with sarcasm and frustration. "But this project must remain between us until we've finished," she concluded, emphasizing the need for secrecy.

Eloise, caught off guard by Mia's comment, chased after her, playfully scolding her. "Stop calling me that!" she exclaimed, a touch of laughter in her voice as she tried to catch up with her mischievous companion. Naoka starts to laugh.

"You're beautiful when you laugh, Naoka," Eloise remarked, her voice gentle and sincere.

Naoka's cheeks flushed with color, and she mustered a shy reply. "Thank you," she managed, her voice carrying a mix of bashfulness and gratitude.

Meanwhile, downstairs.

"I'm home, Lucy," Amber called out, her voice echoing through the house.

Lucy appeared, a warm smile lighting up her face. "Yes, so how was your first day of school?" she inquired, her voice filled with maternal concern.

Amber's eyes lit up with excitement as she gestured towards Jade. "It was great, and I brought a guest," she announced, her voice filled with pride.

Jade greeted Lucy with a polite nod, her voice soft as she uttered a simple "Hi."

Lucy's eyes widened in recognition as she realized Jade's connection. "Hi Jade, long time no see," she greeted warmly, her voice carrying a touch of nostalgia.

Amber, surprised by the revelation, turned to Jade with curiosity. "You know each other?" she asked, her voice filled with wonder and intrigue.

Lucy nodded, affirming the connection. "Yes, she is Eloise's friend," she explained, her voice tinged with reminiscence and familiarity.

Jade, seizing the momentary pause in conversation, requested a short break. "Can I go to the toilet, please?" she asked, her voice polite and slightly reserved.

Lucy readily agreed, pointing out the direction. "Yes, of course. It's upstairs on the left," she replied, her voice warm and accommodating.

As Jade made her way upstairs, Amber's mind raced, pondering the unexpected connection between Jade and Eloise. The pieces were slowly coming together, creating a web of intrigue and possibility.

Back upstairs, the atmosphere in Eloise's house was filled with a mix of excitement, relief, and camaraderie. The trio celebrated their progress, their shared triumph paving the way for a brighter future.

Mia couldn't help but contemplate the budding connection between Naoka and Eloise, sensing a hint of romance in the air. Her thoughts swirled, accompanied by a playful smile.

Jade proceeded up the stairs, her footsteps echoing softly in the hallway. Her mind was focused on the simple task at hand, unaware of the series of events taking place in the room nearby.

Meanwhile, back in the room, the atmosphere was charged with unspoken emotions. Eloise and Naoka couldn't tear their gazes away from each other, their eyes locked in a captivating dance. It was as if time had come to a standstill, and the world around them faded into the background.

Sensing the undeniable chemistry between the two, Mia seized the opportunity for mischief. With a playful nudge, she propelled Eloise forward, causing her to stumble and fall into Naoka.

In the midst of this tender exchange, Jade, oblivious to the turn of events, continued on her path. As she walked by the room, her gaze naturally drifted towards the scene before her.