???? ??? || Ni-ki ?

★

The office was buzzing with the usual afternoon routine when Natsumi received a call from the front desk.

"Miss Natsumi, there's someone here to meet you."

She blinked in surprise. “Who?”

“They said it’s regarding an invitation from your favorite author. Apparently, the email you sent was accepted, and the author wishes to meet you.”

Her eyes widened in excitement. “Really?”

“Yes, and a van is already waiting for you downstairs to take you to the venue.”

Natsumi grabbed her phone, heart pounding. She had been dreaming of this moment.

Without much thought, she stood up. “Alright, I’ll be there in a moment.”

Riki, who was nearby, subtly observed her sudden rush.

Something felt…off. He watched as she grabbed her things and headed toward the exit.

His instincts screamed at him.

Without informing anyone, he smoothly excused himself, walking toward the emergency staircase.

Climbing to the terrace, he swiftly changed into his Phantom attire.

From his vantage point, he spotted Natsumi stepping into the van.

His sharp eyes scanned the scene, the way the driver avoided looking at her, the two men in the back keeping too much distance, as if hiding something.

His suspicions solidified when the van suddenly took a sharp turn, speeding away.

She was getting kidnapped.

Without hesitation, Phantom leaped off the building, landing onto a nearby structure, and took off in pursuit.

His adrenaline surged as he chased the van through the city, his mind focused on one thing, getting Natsumi back safely.

The van didn't stop at any familiar place. Natsumi's heart pounded as they veered off the main roads, heading deeper into an abandoned industrial area.

The moment they pulled into a deserted warehouse, she knew she was in real danger.

One of the men yanked the door open, grabbing her arm roughly. "We're gonna have some fun before we finish the job."

Panic surged through her. She struggled, kicking at him, but there were too many of them.

Then, like a shadow tearing through the darkness, Phantom struck.

A blur of movement, the flash of a blade, one of the kidnappers went down with a strangled yell, blood seeping from his arm.

The others spun around, startled, but Phantom was already moving, taking down the next attacker with a brutal kick to the ribs.

"You bast—" one of them cursed, swinging a metal pipe at him.

Phantom ducked effortlessly, grabbing the man’s wrist and twisting it sharply.

The weapon clattered to the floor, and Phantom slammed the guy's head into a nearby crate.

"Run," Phantom's voice was low but firm, his masked face tilting toward Natsumi. "Now."

She hesitated, torn between fear and the overwhelming urge to stay.

But she obeyed.

Stumbling back, she searched for a safe exit as the fight raged on behind her.