The Assassin's Resolve

CHAPTER 35: Darker times

Aguri leaned her face on her palms as she cried, a hand suddenly reached for her hand, shaking as it struggled to grip.

"Aguri..." Akihito said in weak and almost inaudible voice.

"Oji-chan."

"I'm sorry—" his voice trembled along his decreasing heartrate that was displayed on the monitor.

"No. We'll make it." Aguri sobbed as she kissed his hand. Her touch made him calm down, instantly closing his eyes to conserve his energy.

"Akari, is she alright?"

"Yes, she's on her way."

"My journal," He exhaled, "Kaito's alive. Kotaro's going to kill him."

As if on cue with Aguri's growing anxiety, they heard the others above, pounding over the wooden floor. Rio entered the room silently and gestured them to keep quiet while Koro and Irina were already getting ready for their guests.

***

Rio's POV

"They are close." My brother suddenly frowned at the middle of our meeting. He was informing us about the plan but all I heard was: 'this and that is my task'. And it's annoying. Does he actually think that he can do it alone? Mr. Karasuma, Karma and Tomoko were a big loss to our team, and we can't afford to lose another one. Not Koro.

"I'll go with you." I've already decided.

"No."

"You'll be needing me."

"I said no, Rio." I could see him grasp onto his hair then impatiently rubbed his hands down to his face, and although he knew that I'm annoyed whenever he treats me like a toddler, he forced his plan.

They are always protecting me, Koro and Nagisa. But I also wanted to protect them. Why won't they understand that? I'm done with these b*llshits. I clenched my fist as I felt Irina lay a hand on my shoulder.

"Don't underestimate us, brat." She smirked but I can see the fear in her eyes.

Don't pretend that the plan will work smoothly.

"Do what you want." I glanced at them for the last time before I went in the underground room to help the others flee.

I could hear another voice in the room.

Dr. Yukimura is already awake. I entered the room silently and gestured them to keep quiet.

Dr. Kasamoto already knew what was going on when he saw me, so he immediately removed the books at the cupboard. I helped him empty the whole cabinet as Aguri-sensei helped Dr. Yukimura to get up.

When we were done, Dr. Kasamoto got the key on the bottom of the cupboard and opened a secret passage inside the cabinet.

"We won't leave you here. No--"

"I'll just slow you down."

I could hear Aguri-sensei and Dr. Yukimura argue. Seems like Dr. Yukimura's body already gave up.

"Aki, you can make it to the end." Dr. Kasamoto's words made him calm down.

We proceeded to crawl in the passage without delays, just as Koro said. Halfway to the end, I heard the first series of gunshots, and I just wished I am fighting along them.

"Where will this lead us?"

"At the mountain top. From there, we'll ride the old cable car down to the road." Dr. Kasamoto answered. It was similar to what Koro planned.