Chapter 16: The Road That Shouldn't Exist.
After school, Akeshi and I were supposed to walk home together. That was the plan. But right before we left, he looked at me with that sincere expression of his and said:
"I need to manage my time better. Please don't wait. Go ahead with Otsuki-san."
And just like that, he vanished back into the school building, notebook in hand and eyes already distant. I didn't have the heart to argue.
So, instead, I found myself walking alongside Akiho and Shinji.
We weren't exactly heading in the same direction - they lived closer to the central district while I had a thirty-minute drive back to the hotel. But for a while, our paths overlapped.
As we reached the edge of the school gates, a familiar black car pulled up. The window rolled down and a calm, composed voice spoke from the driver's seat.
"I apologize if I'm late, mistress. But... if I may ask, where is Master Tarazune? Weren't the two of you going home together today?"
Miyamoto-san was, as always, composed. But both Shinji and Akiho turned their grins toward me like wolves spotting a rabbit.
"So," Akiho purred, "you are living together after all."
"It was kind of obvious," Shinji added. "But this confirms it."
"I see," Miyamoto said gently. "My apologies. I didn't realize it was a secret. I'll forget I mentioned anything."
"Don't worry. No one else will hear about it," I said quickly, grateful.
"Don't trust me with that," Akiho smirked.
"...What do you mean by that?" I narrowed my eyes.
"Nothing, nothing~ Let's just enjoy the ride. Thanks for the pickup, Miyamoto-san!"
We all piled into the car me and Akiho in the back, Shinji upfront with Miyamoto.
As the vehicle hummed down the road, quiet conversation filled the space.
"I must say," Akiho began, crossing her legs, "I didn't expect you to fall for him, Nino-chan."
"Neither did I," I replied honestly.
"Hm... if I remember right," Shinji said thoughtfully, "Kafka mentioned some genius composer who helped her with arrangements a while back. Said the guy refused to meet anyone. That was Tarazune, wasn't it?"
Miyamoto chuckled softly. "Indeed. His work ethic is remarkable. Frankly, it surpasses most adults. When I heard he'd be joining the Amanika family, I thought at last he'd get some rest... but he hasn't slowed down one bit."
"Didn't he change shifts recently?" Akiho asked.
"He works from 3 a.m. to 9 a.m. now."
"Three... in the morning!?" she gasped. "That guy's a machine!"
I stayed silent, staring out the window.
"He's been like that since I met him," Akiho continued.
"Yamashiro-san told me once that he's addicted to work. If you ask him to rest, he just says, 'I get bored. That's his excuse."
"...Then I'll just have to make him addicted to me instead," I whispered under my breath, half-joking.
Akiho blinked. "Okay... that was scary."
"Sorry," I smiled sheepishly.
"Just make sure he doesn't get too addicted," she added with a sly wink.
Soon after, the car stopped.
"We're here," Miyamoto announced.
"Thanks for the ride," Shinji said, stepping out and opening the door for Akiho, who took his hand dramatically.
"Bye, Nino-chan!"
"See you."
As they disappeared into the distance, the car door clicked shut and we pulled away.
I leaned back in my seat, alone now. For some reason, I thought about him again his quiet focus, the way his voice dropped when he whispered near my ear, the faint scent of rosewood he always carried. I found myself smiling without meaning to.
‹I'll be on my way home in a few minutes.›
His message buzzed into my phone.
"I can't wait! Let's see each other soon."
‹Yeah. I'll call you when I'm closer. Bye.›
I imagined standing at the door of the hotel room, waiting for him. I'd ask him, "Do you want food, a bath... or me?" The idea made me blush, and I quickly hid my face in my scarf, embarrassed by my own thoughts.
But that warmth didn't last.
The car suddenly jolted. My body slammed into the front seat, and I let out a startled gasp.
"Miyamoto-san! What happened!?"
"There's a blockade up ahead," he said calmly. "Construction. I'll have to take a different road."
I looked ahead. A crude sign stood at the center of the road, bright orange and freshly placed.
"Alright. Let's go around."
He turned into a side street one I didn't recognize.
The road was narrow, the buildings more spaced out. No streetlamps. No sound. Just an uncomfortable silence.
"This path is rarely used," he said. "But it connects to the main highway. Shouldn't be a problem."
I nodded, still holding my phone.
But the feeling in my chest... it was getting heavier.
Then the car skidded again.
This time, Miyamoto hit the brakes sharply, his eyes narrowing.
"There's someone on the road."
I looked ahead.
A figure. Crumpled. Motionless.
"Stay inside," he said firmly. "I'll check it out."
He stepped out and approached cautiously. I watched him bend down, tapping the man's shoulder.
"Sir, are you alright?" he asked.
No response.
Then, without warning, the man spun around - and plunged a syringe into Miyamoto's neck.
"Miyamoto-san!!" I screamed.
His body crumpled instantly.
The man rose, calm and slow. He adjusted his coat.
And started walking toward the car.
I panicked, slamming the lock button but before I could seal the door, another hand reached in from the opposite side.
Eyes met mine.
Cold. Blank. Hunting.
And in that moment, I realized—
I was in trouble. Real trouble.
Deep.
Unavoidable.
Trouble.