Chapter 297: Protector

"Ha.... Ha...."

Running, Tsubaki's breath became irregular. She needed to escape. After leaving the teacher's lounge, she quickly grabbed her phone and called the police. Fortunately, she received an immediate response that reassured her. However, just as she was about to relax, footsteps echoed down the hallway.

It was only now that she remembered even if she called the police, they weren't superheroes who would instantly come to her aid. She still needed to escape; otherwise, she would die.

However, her vision wasn't good, and she couldn't run fast without stumbling and falling. Her eyes were weak, only able to see about two meters in front of her. As her vision gradually improved, the night descended, making the school corridors dark.

Due to this, most students and teachers had returned home, leaving her defenseless against this serial killer...

*Cla... Cla

"Hiii"

Hearing the footsteps getting closer, Tsubaki ran faster.

"Guuh?!"

However, when she turned to look back, she didn't notice a wall in front of her, causing her to crash into it.

"It hurts..."

Falling onto her backside, Tsubaki touched her face in pain. This hit came out of nowhere, so she could only feel her forehead in pain.

*Cla... Cla

"...!!"

Nevertheless, the sounds of approaching footsteps brought her back to reality.

(I must run!)

With her mind in chaos, Tsubaki tried to run again. However, this time, she encountered a serious problem.

"!!"

She had reached a dead-end. The wall she had collided with became her obstacle. Seeing this, Tsubaki's expression sank.

"Is this it? I suppose you can run now..."

As if confirming her suspicions, the voice of the serial killer sounded again, emerging from the darkness.

"The game is over..."

There was no way out. Everything had ended.

Tsubaki's heart started beating rapidly.

"No... Someone..."

*Drip, Drip...

Watching the blood drip from his knife, several tears escaped, her fear of death...

She had bad luck, and for two years, she learned to live with it. She never complained about it; after all, the price of her parents' lives was a minimal cost.

But now...

Is this also her bad luck?

She saved her family... But.

Who will save her?

Is it her destiny to die like this?

If so, then it's a crappy fate...

After all, she was alone in that sense.

Thinking about it, the tears in her eyes fell faster.

"Save me... Pochi..."

No, there was someone who accompanied her in her bad luck, someone who stayed by her side for a year...

Her protector...

He will come... Her dog will come again, as he always has. Looking at the imposing figure of her pet, a smile formed on Tsubaki's face.

"Are you done crying? Then die..."

However, the serial killer didn't care about any of that. He had to kill her.

It was his mission, so he spun his knife and walked toward his cornered victim, who screamed, calling for her protector.

"Pochiiiii!!!"

" Huh? "

On the other hand, the killer tilted his head, not understanding the point of shouting. He was on the second floor, in an isolated area, with all students and teachers gone. There was no one to rush to her rescue....

Or so he thought...

*Woof... Woof...

In response to her owner's call, a huge dog emerged from the darkness, barking and growling.

"This damn dog...!"

Seeing this dog, the killer's expression sank. His greatest threat had arrived...

---

A few minutes ago at the school entrance...

*Grrr...

Growling in boredom, the black dog waited until its owner came out. It had been waiting at the school gates, and as per its routine, the dog started wagging its tail when it heard the bell, and the students came out.

However, minutes passed, and its owner still didn't show up. This greatly bothered the huge dog.

*Woof... Woof...

Until it saw two familiar figures, the dog didn't hesitate to approach.

"Oh? Pochi, you're such a good dog."

"Pochi~ come here~"

Hinata and Mao, who were chatting casually, were quickly interrupted by the barking of the huge dog. As Tsubaki's friends, they weren't surprised; this dog takes care of Tsubaki every day.

"Smells nice~ Kasugano-san really loves you."

Feeling the softness of its fur and its pleasant scent, Mao squinted her eyes with happiness.

"What's Tsubaki-san's secret? Every time I see Pochi, his fur seems to shine."

Having dogs at home, Hinata knows how challenging it is for a dog to keep its fur clean and pleasant. However, this dog is always clean. She wonders just how much Tsubaki loves this dog for it to be so well-fed and cared for.

This, in turn, created a misunderstanding between Mao and Hinata. They could see that Tsubaki loved this dog very much.

*Woof... Woof...

However, the dog ignored all of this and barked, making paw signals. The duo raised their eyebrows...

"Oh... I understand. Are you looking for Tsubaki-san?... Well, I hate to disappoint you, but Tsubaki-san was called by a teacher. She'll be out in a moment."

(Hinata~ Do you think Pochi understands what you're saying?)

Looking at Hinata with doubt, Mao couldn't help but shake her head. No matter how intelligent a dog is, it won't understand the complex words of a human. She also wondered if her friend was okay in the head for talking to a dog...

*Woof... Woof...

(Does he understand?!)

But as if understanding her words, the dog barked and nodded, looking toward the school building. This sent Mao's thoughts into a whirlwind of complicated emotions. She now thought she might be crazy for witnessing this.

Putting that aside, the duo played with the dog a few more minutes before heading home.

Again, the dog was left waiting...

But as time passed, the dog couldn't help but worry. Its owner was taking so long that the sun was setting.

"Are you alone?"

Just as it was about to enter the school and search for its owner, another voice spoke to it...

Turning its head, the dog looked at a familiar figure...

*Woof... Woof...

"Hehehe, you're so cute."

Yuno, who was also heading home, looked at the huge dog and decided to play. After all, this dog was as fluffy as a teddy bear...

"Why are you alone?"

*Woof... Woof...

"Hm! Waiting for your owner, huh?"

*Woof... Woof...

As if understanding every bark of the dog, Yuno smiled and stroked the huge dog while responding to all its reproachful barks.

If anyone else saw this scene, they would surely think of this beautiful girl as an oddity and might call for the asylum.

However, neither the duo nor the dog cared about that.

*Woof... Woof...

"I know, but Kasugano-san was called to the teacher's lounge. Shall we look for her together? ..."

*Woof... Woof...

Agreeing with Yuno's words, the duo entered the building. After all, it was what they were about to do, and with Yuno as their guide, finding this teacher's lounge would be easier....

On the other hand, Yuno smiled and continued to touch the dog's fur.

(It's a pity... But you have an owner)

Sighing with regret, Yuno shook her head.

"Wait, Pochi!"

About to take matters into its own hands and search for its owner, the dog stopped when it heard Yuno's words...

*Woof... Woof...

"Hehehe, you're really cute."

And as Yuno continued to play with the dog, they arrived at the teacher's lounge. Both couldn't help but widen their eyes.

"Sensei..."

In the teacher's lounge, there was a corpse, blood spilled everywhere, and Yuno instantly recognized the dead body.

It was her Math teacher...

*Grrrrr

On the other hand, the dog growled, and a bad feeling ran through its body. Only now did it realize that there was something strange in this building, as if it were isolated in some kind of barrier...

"Wait, Pochi!"

Using its nose, the dog launched forward, trying to search for its owner's scent, while Yuno followed suit...

"Pochiii!!!"

Then a woman's scream echoed throughout the building, so without hesitation, the dog put more strength into its paws, running to the rescue of its owner...

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