"Wait a minute, I get they targeted Hina, but why us four? Because we helped her escape… is that it?"
Souta voiced his concern. He hadn't really paid attention to his actions back then; he just followed his instincts and ran to help his friend.
"I mean… duh? If you stop a super evil plan of a super evil villain, of course that brat would be displeased and try to get on your ass. What's the surprise…" Ryuga joked.
"Well, if you put it that way… yeah, that makes sense. But still, why do you think it's a cult?"
"Hooded people, masks, talking about spirits. I think that does check the cultist checklist." Daichi explained.
Taking a sip of his coffee, he stared in front of him as if he had fallen into a deep thought.
"I guess… you want to do something about this 'cultist' group. Not gonna lie, I think that's a good idea. The best defence is a great offence. So, I'm in."
Ryuga snapped his fingers and pointed at Daichi. "That's my boii! Nice!"
"Wait, wait, wait… what about us two? Aren't we also a target?"
Fuyumi asked in a hurry, the flow of the conversation had far exceeded her capacity. Cultists? Kidnapping? Offence? Defence? She couldn't keep up!
"Do you want to get targeted?"
Ryuga leaned back in his chair and asked while scratching the back of his head.
"No! Of course not! Souta did tell me what that hooded guy was talking about, and didn't he target Hina because she visited the haunted mansion… What are the chances he wouldn't target me and Sayo?"
"Hina heard someone whisper her name while you were spooked by me. I don't think both of your situations are the same. But yeah, nothing harms you in being prepared and guarded."
"So, what's the plan? How should we save ourselves?"
"For starters, don't lurk in the dark. The hooded goons don't wanna show themselves in broad daylight. So, we have one weakness unlocked."
"Hmm… it's a good thing I don't have a part-time job."
"Oh yeah, about that. Hina, I think you need to drop out of your job. You need your life more than the job."
Hina had been quietly sitting, mulling over her thoughts. Last night she had been scared beyond belief, nearly dying at the hands of a lunatic. Her mind kept flashing the same images nonstop. And after a whole night of the same horror replaying… she was a little desensitised to the cultists.
"I don't think I can do that. I need money for food and rent. My parents already work their asses off to pay the uni's fees. I can't burden them more."
She couldn't drop out of her job; otherwise she would not only be homeless but also die of starvation. So that was out of the question unless…
"Hina, if you don't mind. Come live with me."
In an abrupt turn of events, it was Ryouma who invited her. His hands were curled into fists, his voice carried conviction and worry, but the most prominent thing were his eyes…
He was scared.
When Hina's distress message had arrived, his heart had shaken. The dread of losing her had mulled his rational judgement, and he had been ready to dive headfirst into danger.
Only he knew how much his heart bled when Ryuga stopped him from instantly beating that blabbermouth's face to oblivion.
He was still lamenting it. He really wanted to beat that guy. And he was still angry at Ryuga for letting him go.
"I-I-I… d-don't know…"
The group fell into a pin-drop silence. They let the moment sink in, giving the duo time to think purposefully and clearly.
"I know it's awkward for you to stay with me… at a guy's place. But trust me, I won't do anything harmful to you. I will always keep your words my first priority. My sister lives with me too, so you can have company." Ryouma insisted.
He stood from his seat and walked up to Hina. Then he knelt down and slowly clasped her hands, looking up at her red-stricken face.
He spoke softly. "Please… trust me. Believe me. I don't want to lose you…"
He lowered his head, pressing it against their joined hands, and repeated the same words. His voice was wounded, worried, saddened—filled with every emotion he had felt the day before.
The rest of the group looked at the soon-to-be couple with smiles. They waited patiently for minutes before Hina finally replied.
"I-I will talk to my parents about it… if they approve, I will come with you."
Ryouma let out a breath of relief, still leaning his head against Hina's hands. He turned his head slightly, looking up with a smile.
"Thanks… also, let me talk to your parents too. They can't just blindly let their daughter live with a stranger. I'll need to show my worth too."
Whether it was because of his gentle smile or his words, the red on Hina's cheeks intensified.
From the side, Ryuga, Daichi, and Souta leaned in together, whispering amongst themselves.
"Gang, isn't this a goddamn proposal? I didn't know Ryouma had this in him. Man skipped the dating phase and went straight to marriage. Talk about a gigantic leap."
Daichi nodded absentmindedly and added, "I think now it's my time to search for the hot historical beauty ASAP. I can't get paced by Ryouma of all people! That's an insult to my majestic self."
Souta shot him a scrutinising look. "Fucker, if you stopped going after 'hot historical beauties' you would have already had a girlfriend."
"Says who?"
"Says me!"
"Well, you're single yourself. Shut your bitch ass up!"
"I hope you don't get this hot historical beauty!"
"You'd rather kill me than curse me THAT!"