???????? ????? ━━ nishimura riki

chapter forty-three.

"Or she has strong connections from very powerful and influential people."

"Who knows maybe she's part of those wanted mafia gangs."

The sound of constant knocking interrupted the four's on-going conversation. Drifting their eyes towards the door, there they saw Hinagiku leaning by the door frame smiling like a proud woman. "Awww. . . are you four talking about me? That's so sweet! But none of those answers are correct but one is close to cracking the code." after hearing her response, the teens refuses to open their mouths once more of fear of being tortured and punished. The middle aged woman just laughed at the quiet answer. "You are all so behaved. But, before we start the day let's go downstairs and eat breakfast first?"

One by one, the teens quietly followed Hinagiku downstairs. Getting a great view of the mansion's elegant interior, the four were puzzled about the woman's choice of location. From movies and television series they've watched, the abducted would be kept somewhere far - a place where people wouldn't dare try stepping their foot on. Like an old and unused warehouse, an abandoned building, a small house at the heart of a forest or a place at the verge of collapsing.

Their idea of an abduction was way different from what they had expected. If a stranger manages to stop by, they would probably think that Hinagiku was sweet enough to take full custody of the teens and brought them home from a children's orphanage.

"Riki. Soul. I would like to have a moment with you two later this afternoon."

While Nagi has her full attention the boys, Nina took the chance and nudged Saeyoung by the shoulder and whispered. "Do you have a plan to get us out of here? Yeah, it's going great but we might never know when we might get killed or murdered or wake up with a knife stabbed on our stomachs."

Saeyoung sadly shooks her head. "I know but can you see the bodyguards on patrol in every corner of the room we passed by? Even the living room is filled with them, it's like we're surrounded by living statues."

"You mean, living security cameras?"

"Well yeah that"

Biting her inner lip, Nina shifts her gaze to Hinagiku. "I think I have an idea. Let's just hope it won't lead Miss Nagi to the point of eviscerating us once she sees through me."

"Takara!"

"Huh? Miihi?" engulfing her friend in a tight hug, Takara groans at the pang of pain she felt at her right leg. The girl signals Miihi to let her go. "What the heck happened?" horrified at the sight of her right leg in a cast, Takara felt like she was in the verge of crying. She never expected such a scenario.

"You fractured your right leg after rolling down the stairs."

"What!?"

Miihi laughs awkwardly. Fidgeting her fingers she was hesitating whether she should straight up inform Takara about how long it will take for her leg to heal or wait for the doctor and let her do the job instead. 

Takara balled her fist at the thought of the moment she was with Yasuo before she was confined with this state. How badly she wanted to jump on him and choke him to death. She'd single handedly kill him with the use of her bare hands once she's in a better condition. The only thing she could do as of now is to take note of that plan and add it to her life's bucket list.

"How long will it take for my leg to recover?" questioned the frustrated teen.

"Umm. . . the doctor said. . . for about six to seven months?"

"Six to seven months!?"

Miihi nods her head vigorously. "If not then. . . the maximum amount of time will be eight months?"