The walkie-talkie crackled with incomprehensible static, yet somehow, I understood it.
It was my mother.
She was screaming for help.
My mind felt hazy, like it couldn't keep up, but she was in danger, so there was no time to think.
I looked around, desperate for somewhere to go, anywhere at all. But there was nothing. No doors or windows. Just four grey walls trapping me from every side.
Panic tightened in my chest as her screams grew louder, and I could only stand still, powerless.
I slammed my fists against the wall, over and over again, each blow sending a sharp sting through my knuckles. The wall didn't budge.
"S-SAITOU!!"
Desperately, I kicked the wall, scratched at it, dragged my nails down until they burned. I didn't care. I just needed to get out, to help her.
So again.
"Thud, bang."
And again.
"Thud, skrrrt, screech."
And again.
"Bang, skrrr-"
Until finally.
My nails snapped, my fingers broke. Blood dripped down from my broken fingers, and I could only stare at them realizing that...
Nothing had worked.
I failed.
"..."
"S-saitou... Hel-"
Then, out of nowhere, immense pain washed over me. It was torturous, like a nail was being hammered to my skull.
Even more painful than my broken fingers. Enough to make me clutch my head in retaliation, hoping it would stop.
"KGHRRRAAH!" I screamed.
And as if it were only a joke, before my scream could even die out... it stopped.
The pain was gone.
Slowly, my eyes lifted.
The wall in front of me was gone.
In its place stood a long hallway, stretching endlessly forward, its end swallowed by darkness.
The walkie-talkie was nowhere to be seen. Even my beoken hand was fixed.
But my mother's screams remained.
"SAITOU! HELP ME!!"
This time, it came from the end of the corridor, even clearer than ever.
"Let her go!" I shouted, the words escaping before I could think. I didn't even know why… or how I knew there was someone else there.
But there was no time to question anything.
My body moved on its own, almost instinctively. Rushing towards her voice, straight into the darkness.
I followed, not knowing what back is. I tried pushing myself further wishing to at least see her.
Yet the harder I try, the farther they seem to get.
And then...
laughter.
That was the last thing I heard before the darkness swallowed me whole.
***
Looking to the side, the clock read 7:30.
Ah, I'm late.
The date would start at 8:00 but considering the distance from here to the palace and the fact that I still needed to prepare, I was going to be pretty late.
But it should be fine, the princess could wait for a few minutes.
I slipped on the suit Naoki had brought and immediately went to the bathroom, brushing my teeth right away.
For some reason, my head hurt... a lot. Was it the gel that Yuta gave me earlier? No way, why would he even give me that in the first place?
Wait... I ran here... But my legs are injured.
Quickly pulling down my pants and unwrapping the bandages, I was shocked to see them fully healed.
Well, there were still a few cuts here and there, but nothing I couldn't bear.
Anyway, this was incredible! How did it even happen?!
... Yuta!
"Yuta!"
I slid my pants back on and finished brushing my teeth before rushing off to find him.
***
Yeah... he's gone. I searched pretty much everywhere except the garage, and he's nowhere to be seen. It wasn't that bad, I even got some good news while looking for him.
The good news? The base is surprisingly average in size for a secret government facility. I managed to check everywhere in just a few minutes.
Of course, if there's good news, there's bad news too. And the bad news... it's 7:45.
Now there really was no time. I bolted down to the underground garage. Kuromaku was already there, leaning against the car with his arms crossed, as usual. But this time... it was a midnight-blue BMW.
"What are you waiting for? Start the car. And also, have you seen Yuta?"
"What? No, I've been here for hours waiting for a certain someone."
"Like anyone even tried to wake me up. But fine, let's just go. We're going to be late."
"I knew I shouldn't have let Naoki keep an eye on that shady guy," he muttered.
We both hopped into the car, ready to go.
***
On the way to the date spot, my head was filled with excuses and rehearsed apologies. I glanced at my watch, it was already 7:55 and we're still far off.
"Go faster."
"Is it my fault that you hadn't woken up earlier for this damn date?!"
"It kind of is, so don't make me repeat myself. Go faster!"
Kuromaku smirked, planning something in mind. He looked at me for a brief moment, before immediately looking back at the road.
"Alright, you wanna go fast? Then let's do it."
He pressed a button on the steering wheel. One of the numerous other buttons, this one more inconspicious than the rest.
Well, the anouncement that came after wasnt so inconspicious.
"Electronic speed limiter deactivated."
Kuromaku slammed his foot on the accelerator, shifting gears up again and again. The engine screamed, and I was thrown into the backseat as we shot forward.
Quite literally thrown into the backseat.
We weaved through traffic, tore past red lights, and sliced through the night like a bullet.
"I-is this even legal?" I barely managed to utter.
"Maybe," Kuromaku replied, completely unbothered by the speed we're going.
***
Eventually, the car skidded to a stop near the palace. I stepped out like a boss, adjusting my hair and brand new tuxedo, before heading in.
Through the sixteen foot tall doors. The butlers in black suits accompanied me to the dining hall through the so fancy corridors with gleaming chandeliers on top.
"You're late." The princess looked at me strangely, a small ancient clock resting in her hand.
"Well... there were some minor inconveniences that I had to take care of."
"You're 4 minutes late, and don't kid yourself thinking a good suit will save you."
In a slightly awkward tone. "... I thought it will."
Sophia let out a long sigh and handed the clock off to a nearby butler.
"Of course you did."
I held out my arm, and she slipped hers through it with practiced ease. Then, we headed to the dining table together. There, I fixed her seat like a gentleman and sat on my own across from her.
"First time?" Sophia asked teasingly, with her elbows resting on the table and her hands under her chin.
"Fixing a seat for someone? Weirdly, yes."
Sophia chuckled a bit and smiled. "Never knew you could have some humour despite such a cold face."
"And I never knew that a battle maniac like you could laugh like so."
"Keep making jokes like that and I might forgive you for being late earlier."
And from that, I finally realised that being friends with Naoki actually has quite a significant advantage.
"Why did the Spanish man get hit by a car?"
"...Why?"
"Because he didn't 'si' the car coming."
Alright, this is sure to get her.
"..."
"..."
The princess let her smile fade, her expression turning blank. Around us, butlers and maids passed by, placing mouth-watering dishes across the table.
"...Ha ha." She suddenly laughed again, but even I could tell it was fake.
Alright, now that I've said the joke out loud, I'll admit, it was kind of bad. But still... is a single bad joke really enough to bring her mood down that much? Dates sure are hard.
The last pristine white dessert plate was set on the table, and only then did I finally manage to mutter.
"Forget it. Let's just eat."
"Yes… right."
And with that, we began our meal.
Bite after bite, I savoured the rich, creamy warmth, the smoky tang of perfectly seasoned grilled meat, and the tender richness that melted on my tongue. Finished with the smooth sweetness of dessert, everything blended into a comforting, satisfying finale.
Sophia seemed well accustomed to such delicacies, eating with impeccable etiquette, every movement filled with grace, fit for a true princess.
We made small talk over the meal. Jokes about me becoming her butler, discussions about better ways to fight, though mostly the latter.
It was a relief she seemed to have moved on from that earlier joke of mine.
I let a touch of sarcasm creep into my voice.
"So… did I make up for that joke earlier?"
"Fufu, not yet~"
"Let's go outside," she added.
"This late at night?" I asked.
"Yes. Our garden is quite beautiful, you know, especially at night."
"Perhaps, but not as beautiful as you."
Sophia let out a soft chuckle as we both rose from our seats, preparing to step outside. This date was turning out far longer than I expected.