Few days later, At 1 AM—Taiju woke up much earlier than usual, his mind swirling with some thought. Mion and Mai were already awake, but Manabu was still deep in sleep.
Silently, Taiju tiptoed into Maira's room. Carefully, he reached under her pillow and retrieved a phone. Mai noticed him stealing the phone but said nothing.
As Taiju stepped outside and clos ethe door, Mai asked, "What are you planning to do with that?" Taiju gestured for her to stay quiet. His hands trembled slightly as he dialed number of his parents.
The phone wasn't locked. Taiju quickly navigated to his contacts and dialed his mom's number. Mion saw then standing in the hall blabbing something at the corner, asked him curiously and quite loudly—what's going on?.
Mai grabbed her mouth immediately. Holding the phone to his ear, Taiju stepped toward the window, hoping for better reception. The phone wasn't ringing, he tried again and again but poor connection.
Frustrated, he tried once last time. This time, the phone rang. After few moments his mom answered the call,—"Yes? Who is this?"
His mother's voice brought tears to his eyes.
Taiju slid the balcony glass and stood outside, "Mother, it's me, Taiju. And listen, we're in trouble. We've been kidnapped."
At first, she couldn't believe it since it was so sudden, out of nowhere; she thought he was joking. But Taiju's frantic voice gave her tension.
Mai leaned in, speaking into the phone,
interrupting Taiju, "Aunty, Taiju is telling the truth. We're in Lafiaza."Silence. Then, a rustle on the other end of the line. His mother was thinking. She kept them on hold while she tried calling Taiju's father, but he was busy at work and didn't pick up.
When she returned to the call, she was now worried, with clear anxiousness in her tone.
"Where exactly are you? What's your condition? Are you alright?!"
Mai took the phone from him and answered, "Aunty, we're at—Martyr's Valley, 34th Street, Lafiaza."
Taiju's mother grew even more anxious. "Are you serious? How did you even reach Lafiaza? Without your passports? How is this possible?"
Before she could say more, the doorbell rang. Mion moved to get it. Taiju, panicked, quickly ended the call, rushed back to Maria's room, and slid the phone under her pillow as if nothing had happened.
Mion opened the door and It was Leon standing outside, checking the time on his wristwatch. As the cold night air drifted in, he glanced up and asked, "Where's Manabu? It's urgent."
Mion leaned against the doorframe and replied strangely. "Oh, he's still asleep. What do you need?" Leon was a little confused by her strange behavior, but he ignored it and told her he had been sent on Kami's orders.
He was there to take them to Kami's office and then drop them off—that was all.Inside, Manabu stirred awake. His head pounded—last night's drinks had hit harder than expected. Groggy, he glanced outside and saw Leon at the door.
Leon met his gaze and repeated his question, "Are you ready?" Manabu yawned while scratching his hair and chin and went back inside to get dressed.
Taiju, however, grabbed his wrist. His voice was a little curious and confused, almost pleading, "Manabu, what's your decision? You want to stay? I hope not. What are you thinking? "
Manabu shook his head, a small yet firm gesture. He had already made up his mind. Whatever happened next—he would face it. With that, he calmed the others down and got ready. Taiju didn't argue further; he was just hoping he would make the right choice.
Mion said they wouldn't be coming with them, since Leon will be with them. And strangely, Manabu didn't force her either. Leon notes the time again—and Manabu was ready exactly at 2:13—
They stepped outside. Manabu was still dizzy and slepoy; then he noticed Leon's silver-designed black car.
'The Doks master brand'—It's quite an expensive car.
Manabu couldn't help but admire its design and look—it was luxurious, expensive too. Leon kicks the tire of the car and says. "It's just 'Twelve hundred thousand Baticon' (Beticon is Lafiaza's currency). And in front there was a special logic design.
He gestured to the insignia on the front—a Lafiaza's coin with the white Wings of Liberty (white wings of liberty symbolize Lafiaza's treasure). Any car bearing this symbol is untouchable in Lafiaza. No one would dare stop it. Since it can only be owned by the concern of the government of Lafiaza.
"Enough chatter. Let's go."—Leon told them to grab seatbelts.
As they drove to Kami's office, Taiju asked, "Mr. Kami… I mean, Manabu's father… What exactly does he do?"
Leon answered, "He's a politician and a senior member of CPUS-Intelligence.
Also right-hand man of the current president, (Madaq Kibwarip).
Everyone in this country, your dad—for his kindness and unshakable moral values and sense of justice..."
Manabu rested his chin on his hand, staring out the window, lost in thought. A decision had to be made.
Lafiaza was breathtaking. Despite the tension, Taiju and Mai found themselves staring out the window, mesmerized by the beauty of the city. This place is undoubtedly beautiful.Soon, they arrived at Kami's office—a grand building bustling with politicians, police officers, lawyers, and other officials.
Leon led them inside, walking with a confidence that made others step aside. They took the stairs to Kami's room.Inside, Kami sat silently in his chair. As they entered, he stood up, called for his staff, and ordered coffee for everyone.
Mai politely declined, opting for black tea instead.
Leon refused altogether—he wouldn't be staying long.
But Kami insisted him to for a short discussion. Leon had no issues with it.
The drinks arrived. Kami request for Manabu to sit on the sofa and asked directly, "So, Manabu… What have you decided?"
Manabu took a slow sip of coffee. Then, in a calm voice, he replied, "I'll stay. But—"
Taiju and Mai jolted in shock. They spilled their coffee. Taiju shot up from his seat, yelling, "Are you insane?! What do you mean you'll stay?!"
But Manabu wasn't done speaking. "—But, in one condition. Taiju, Mai, and Mion must be sent back home, to Feropia safely."
Taiju stared at him, mouth slightly open, "unbelievable." Taiju hoped for something else, but after what he had just heard, he sat crossing his arms and started biting his teeth in rage.
Mai didn't like it either; she grabbed her cup and poured her black tea into Manabu's coffee—ruining it.The liquid splashed onto his pants.
Manabu jumped up, "Ugh! What the hell?!"
Mai wasn't done yet either. She flung the rest of her tea onto his shirt. "Stay?! Have you lost your mind?! You want to stay behind while we leave?!" Kami remained calm, signaling his staff to bring tissues.
They quickly cleaned up Manabu's clothes. Still frustrated, Manabu turned to Taiju and Mai,
"If you stay with me, your families will get involved. Do you have any idea what they must be going through right now? We've been missing for days!"
In that moment of tension, Taiju accidentally blurted out, "I… I already told my parents where we are."
Kami had an idea; he proposed an alternative willingly. "Then why not bring Taiju and Mai's families to Lafiaza? I can provide them with the best facilities here. They can settle in, and you three can enroll at 'The Nosco Loc College and University' . I'll arrange everything for you, along with Manabu."
Taiju and Mai hesitated and looked at eachother. They didn't want to stay, but they couldn't leave Manabu alone either.
After a long silence,
Taiju asked for some time; he couldn't decide right now. "I'll talk to my parents." Manabu hadn't wanted to drag them into this mess. But before he could say anything,
Mai grabbed both his lips together, sealed his mouth, and glared at him. "Enough of your nonsense. Just shut up already! Not another word."
Just then, someone knocked on the door. Leon quickly walked up and opened the door wide. Outside, some government officials and a few members of CPUS-INTELLIGENCE had arrived.
Leon fully opened the door, and Kami requested they come inside and get comfortable. The staff cleaned the sofa for them, and they all sat down. Kami quickly introduced Manabu to them.
Among them, the most senior member stood up and shook hands with Manabu. "I am Fredrick Charles, A senior investigator of—Centralized Political Unconventional Security Intelligence.
It's my pleasure to meet you."
Manabu introduced himself formally. The guy already liked Manabu's formality and behavior.
"Unlike your dad, you're socialized. Maybe it's time to replace your old man. In the future, I would like to work with you in place of your father. I'm quite bored of his small talking old man." Fredrick laughs his teeth out.
Now it was time for Manabu and his friends to leave; Fredrick shook hands with his friends. But they had to wait a little longer since Leon had some discussions with them.
Fredrick gives his best wishes to them before leaving. Now the discussion begins. Manabu and his friends waited outside without causing any trouble.
Outside, an older man was smoking without saying anything. They waited quietly. But the man looked at Manabu and began to laugh.
Manabu didn't understand, but the man turned to him and extended his hand, offering a handshake. "I'm a friend of your father. You don't know me, but I know you really well."
Manabu accepted his humble offer; he was glad because Kami finally found both his son and daughter. "Peace! Now, he can get retired like me. Since now it's time for the son to feed his old boring father!"
Manabu awkwardly smiled because he didn't know him, and the man was speaking so loudly everyone was staring at them.
The man introduced himself— 'Colonel Da Graham'. He had been a soldier and a colonel in a war 30 years ago, playing a crucial role. Now, he was retired and living a simple life."I wanted to make my son a soldier, too, but he died in the war," he said.
Taiju, annoyed by the old man's chatter, said, "Who the fuck is he?"
Mai pinched him on the waist, telling him, "Shut up, let him be."
A few minutes later, the old man started smoking again inside the government office. Taiju thought to himself, "What a careless guy. Smoking in a place like this."
Leon checked his wristwatch: 3:49. It was getting late, but he would drop them home. Colonel saw Leon and smiled, rushing toward him. "Leon! My tiger! How's everything going?"
Leon politely responded, "I'm doing great, finished my job, got my salary (bounty payment actually), and now I'm going to drop them home."
Seeing the cigarette in the Colonel's hand, Leon took it, threw it on the ground and stepped on it.
"I told you, smoking isn't good," he said.
But Colonel laughed childishly, "I'm old now, and if smoking had any effect on me, I would've died in the war 30 years ago." He laughed loudly.
Leon ignores his chattering and glanced at his watch again—3:51. "I think I should go now."
The Colonel didn't stop him and waved goodbye. Leon drove them all the way home. On the way, Manabu, still curious, asked, "What were you discussing inside?"
Leon responded, "Why do you want to know?" Manabu was just a bit curious since he still didn't understand his actual role in everything.
But Leon didn't answer directly and just said it was a personal matter, strictly not to be shared. Manabu didn't ask any more questions. Leon dropped them home.
While driving, He felt a throbbing pain in his head. He felt empty and weak. He was exhausted.
Once inside his house, he took off his clothes and hung them on a hanger. Maria was playing with the kids, but when she saw Leon's condition, she hurried over and helped him lie down in bed.
Leon's body was burning up, possibly with a fever. Maria rushed to get a thermometer to check his temperature. Leon said he didn't need it and just needed a bit of rest. Maria didn't argue and left him to sleep.
Kenzo, who had been outside the room, saw Leon's condition and commented, "He's been working nonstop for the past 4-5 days without sleeping or any kind of rest… sometimes, it's hard to watch him struggle like this. He might not last long at this rate."
Maria replied, "Then you should try to stop him, help him understand. We all are fine like this, aren't we?"
But Kenzo knew that talking wouldn't work, not anymore. —"At least not after what he had been through, what he had witnessed years ago. the lowest and most selfish sides of people.
He wants to endure this pain, so his family doesn't have to. People don't die easily. It's a painful process. But Leon is doing everything he can for his family. (These orphan kids are his family) "
Maria came back with the thermometer and found that Leon's temperature was 112°F. His body had become incredibly weak.
Maria quickly gave him some medicine, and Leon slowly sat up, took the medicine, and then fell back into a deep sleep.
Maria tucked him in with a blanket, feeling grateful to have Leon as part of her family. She knew how much pain he had been through, both physically and emotionally, for his family. But he never once complained.
Maria stood beside Kenzo and asked, "Kenzo... What's Leon after?" Kenzo looked at her with a slightly uncertain expression.
"I mean, why is he doing all this? What's the reason for his struggle? What does he want to achieve? Is he a criminal or justice? Is he right or wrong?"
Kenzo replied, "Leon is indeed on the right side, there is no doubt. He is struggling to keep his people safe. He gave up his rest so we could sleep peacefully.
Years ago, Leon vowed to create a beautiful place for his sister and everyone else—away from all the hatred in this world. He doesn't want Sumi or any of us to suffer, to witness the dark side of human selfishness like he did back then...
He just wants the welfare of everyone, at least for his family."
Maria smiled brightly and said, "That's the reason why I like him so much. But I'm afraid he might end up getting killed..."
Kenzo patted her head, "Don't worry. He will tell you everything himself when the time comes, and Leon won't die so easily. Let me tell you a fun fact: Leon has an extreme will to live. When he feels danger, his subconscious mind or his instinct acts on its own. His endurance is inhuman. Even if you stabbed him to death, he might still get up—just because of his will to live."
Maria was amazed but she don't wish to stab him. She just wants him to rest for a while. He may wants welfare of others but—what about him?...
Kenzo giggled and tells Maria to stay by Leon's side forever.
She agreed, "I'm always ready to be there for Leon when he needs me. I guess we should let him rest now."
"You're right," Kenzo said.They closed the door, letting Leon rest.
After a long time, I was able to sleep peacefully. All his work was done, and he could finally rest in some peace...