It had already been a full day since I found myself locked inside this office. They hadn't given me anything to drink or eat. I could feel my strength fading away. He could at least have given me something to drink.
I don't want to die, but the idea of begging another living person like me disgusts me. And anyway, who does he think he is? I know very well that all of this is because of that young Katara.
After thinking for hours and hours, I finally remembered who the Kataras were. In my previous life, before I returned to the past, the Kataras had been a yakuza family that was destroyed by my parents. I wasn't really interested in my parents' business, but one day, while going through their office, I found documents saying they had ordered the assassination of the Katara brothers. I didn't think much about it and simply moved on.
But now that I have returned to the past, everything has changed. Before, my family was the richest in Aosaka and was competing with the Kataras for power.
"Wait… if the Kataras are now in power and are the richest family in Aosaka, that means Mom and Dad…"
No, that's impossible. I'm just imagining things. Besides, after what they did to me and to Soren, I shouldn't even consider them my parents anymore.
Ugh… my stomach hurts so much. I feel like I'm going to throw up.
"Blaaargh… cough cough cough!"
As if my stomach wasn't already empty… now it's completely hollow for sure. My vision is getting blurry, I feel dizzy. Damn Kataras!
It's almost funny. Even after going back to the past to fix things, I always end up in tragic situations. Maybe I didn't change Soren's fate… maybe I just took his place. And now, I'm the one suffering.
"Cough cough!"
I lay down on the floor, staring at the ceiling. I noticed that compared to the other rooms in the villa, this office was dull, almost colorless—just like my life. Sometimes, life is unfair.
I couldn't go on like this anymore. At this rate, I would die of hunger. So I decided to put my dignity aside and do what he asked.
Angi: "Hey… is anyone there? I would like some food, please…"
Angi: "Hello? Can you hear me?"
Speaker: …
Why isn't anyone answering? They don't seriously intend to let me die here… do they? With the last strength I had left, I forced myself to stand and moved closer to the speaker.
Angi: "Is anyone there? Why aren't you answering? I said I want food—don't you understand?!"
My body was shaking, tears were rising—and this time, it was real. I was scared. I didn't want to die. Desperately, I started screaming at the top of my lungs.
Angi: "Please… answer me…"
No response.
Angi: "I'm begging you… don't leave me here… sniff… hic… ugh… please…"
I collapsed onto my knees. Tears poured down my face. I didn't want to die… My brother… Soren…
Angi: "PLEASE!!! I'M BEGGING YOU, HELP ME!!!"
Speaker: …
Angi: "You told me to beg you… hic… now I'm begging you… SO WHY AREN'T YOU ANSWERING?!"
Speaker: …
Then I completely broke down. I couldn't even control my tears anymore. I kept asking myself, why me? Why me? Why me? I had done nothing wrong.
Angi: "I know who you are! You're the Katara family! And I'm sure it was the young Katara who sent you! … hic… sniff…"
Speaker: …
Angi: "ANSWER ME, YOU BASTARD!!!"
Once again, reality hit me. Without money, you can't survive. That's why, in my previous life, I turned against Soren. I couldn't stand the idea of being poor, of being looked down on. In this life, I chose Soren over money—and now look at me…
What am I talking about? Soren has nothing to do with this. I'm really horrible…
Angi: "Waaah… hic hic hic… waaah… sniff…
I'm really sorry for attacking the young Katara! Please, let me go…"
I didn't know what to do anymore. Had they abandoned me here? Did they trick me by making me believe they would give me food if I begged?
I had no words left. I had used up all the strength I had left. I collapsed against the wall. My heart was pounding wildly. My breathing became erratic.
And then—blackout.
---
In a secret room
Guard: "Boss, why didn't you answer the hostage's pleas?"
Alex: "Why should I?!"
Guard: "But Boss, you said that if he begged you would give him food!"
Alex: "Oh really? I said that?
I don't remember. And you? Do you remember?"
Guard: "…No, Boss."
Guard: "But Boss… it looks like he fainted."
Alex: "Yes, I can see that. Ah! I have an idea—what if, just for fun, you throw a bucket of hot water on his head to wake him up?"
Guard: …
Alex: "Is there a problem?"
Guard: "No, Boss… it's just that at this rate, he might die…"
Alex: "Hmm… you might be right. So after throwing the water, give him a bottle of water and a sandwich. There. Problem solved. Now go—and I don't want to hear another word."
Guard: "Yes, Boss. Right away."
Door slams.
Alex: "That was really amusing. They never understand. I'll have to educate them better so they stop contradicting me and just follow my orders without question.
But for now… let's see his reaction to what's about to happen."