Chapter 2

"Stay well, then."

I never thought my parents would say something like that to me. Did they get influenced by a hard-boiled Western movie or manga? My father and mother, who said those words, left the run-down apartment that cost 20,000 yen in rent. It was 10 PM. Were they going to a izakaya? I thought they would probably come back by the next day...

But after several days, my parents never returned to the apartment. It seemed I had been abandoned.

"...You've got to be kidding me."

It seemed more like my parents had fled in the night. Our family finances had been in dire straits, and the main cause was my father's drinking and my mother's gambling. The rumors had spread to the neighbors, and it turned out they had witnessed my parents fleeing in a hurry. After hearing from the neighbors that my parents had run off in a panic, I finally understood the situation.

"Stay well, then... That's way too irresponsible."

Moreover, if they were going to leave me behind, they should have at least left some money. The fact that I was more worried about myself than my parents might mean I inherited the worst traits from them.

"...By the way, I have the start of the school year tomorrow."

Going to high school was a miracle in itself. While taking care of my parents and working part-time every day to earn tuition, I managed to make it to my second year. But now, everything was uncertain. Rent? Utilities? Food? I had been living mostly off my earnings, but my parents had also contributed a little. I couldn't suddenly take on all the expenses.

...Maybe I'll go buy some lunch.

I abandoned my thoughts. The clock showed 4 PM. I hadn't eaten anything since this morning. I searched the entire house but found no money left. I only had 200 yen in my wallet. ...How many days could I survive with 200 yen?

Should I consult the police?

Or maybe I should talk to a friend from school first? But I felt like it would only cause them trouble.

The bright sunlight made me feel even more depressed. As I walked through the familiar streets, I heard voices from somewhere.

"Hehe."

"Well, that's how it is."

It was a very noble response. I saw two female students walking up a gentle slope, dressed in neat school uniforms.

I had heard about it before. At the top of that gentle slope was one of the top three prestigious schools in the country.

It was a so-called elite school, different from a typical high-achieving school. In a negative sense, it was a school for the rich.

The school was attended by the children of wealthy families—essentially, young ladies and gentlemen. The academic performance was extremely high, the facilities were luxurious, and the curriculum was so advanced that it didn't seem like a high school. They led refined lives in every aspect. My high school's start of the year was tomorrow, but their school had already started. Perhaps prestigious schools had shorter breaks.

"They live in a different world... I can't even laugh about it."

Even their way of walking was different. Their upbringing was evident. I no longer felt envy. In the face of the destiny set by heaven, humans are powerless. I couldn't change the fact that I was born to parents like mine, just as those two girls couldn't change the fact that they were born into privileged families.

However, it was unusual to see students from that school walking around here. It was after school, but I thought the students from that school were usually picked up and dropped off by car. It was rare to see them in the middle of the city.

"...Huh?"

On my way to the convenience store, I noticed something on the ground. It was a black leather wallet or something similar.

I picked it up and looked inside. It was a student ID. It seemed one of the two girls had dropped it.

"Hinako Kono, huh. ...But I shouldn't be confirming the name."

The person who dropped it was right in front of me. There was no need to confirm the name or address. I could easily catch up to her. She was walking alone, having apparently parted ways with her friend.

"Excuse me!"

When I called out, the girl turned around. Her bright amber hair fluttered, and I could see her well-defined profile in the sunlight. I was captivated by her beauty, thinking, "She's a true beauty," when—

"—Huh?"

Suddenly, a black car stopped right next to the girl. The door opened, and two burly men appeared. They quickly dragged the girl into the car.

—What's happening?

No, it was obvious what was happening. But because it was something I had only seen in comics or dramas, I was just in shock.

I couldn't just stand there and watch.

"Hey, wait a minute!!"

I decided I couldn't ignore it and shouted.

"What, you!!"

"Do you know this girl!?"

The two men, who seemed to be the kidnappers, shouted. Unfortunately, there was no one else around. My shout only made them more anxious.

"Damn it, we can't let the witness get away! You're coming with us too!"

"Wha—!?"

I was grabbed by the arm and dragged into the car. And just like that, I was kidnapped along with the girl.

◆

"Alright, you can't move now. Just stay still."

One of the kidnappers, a short man, said. We were in the depths of an abandoned factory. It seemed this kidnapping was well-planned, as both the girl and I were tied up with handcuffs that had been prepared in advance. Our handcuffs were also connected by a thick chain.

"...Um, my parents can't pay a ransom, I think."

"Shut up. You're just an afterthought."

The kidnapper spat out the words. I sighed. My parents had fled in the night, and now I was caught up in a kidnapping. ...Had I done something terrible in a past life?

The string of misfortunes had left me feeling hopeless. I was already in a dire situation because my parents had fled, and even if this kidnapping ended, I would be facing a life without money for tomorrow's food. There was no hope or dreams left for me.

"You're lucky, man. This girl is from the Kono family. She's the biggest catch among our targets, isn't she?"

"Yeah... The Kono family is one of the richest in the Imperial Academy. We'll get a hefty ransom for sure."

The two kidnappers discussed with lecherous grins. As I listened to them, I looked at the girl, who was tied up next to me.

Being kidnapped for reasons other than ransom wouldn't be surprising. She had a face that was so beautiful. Her eyes were round and gave an impression of innocence, but there was a hint of intelligence behind them, combining cuteness and sharpness. Her straight nose exuded elegance, and her moist, red lips were endearing. Her bright amber hair was as smooth as silk, and her skin was as white and fine as fresh snow. Her limbs were long and slender.

"...Hey."

The girl spoke. Her attitude was different from when I saw her in the city. She had exuded a typical ladylike aura then, but now she looked listless and depressed.

Of course, she must be anxious—she was being kidnapped. It was natural that she couldn't maintain her usual demeanor. This young lady, who had a bright future at a prestigious school, must be feeling fear far beyond what I could imagine.

Even though I was in a dire situation, maybe I could at least comfort the girl in front of me. I tried to choose my words carefully to encourage her.

"It's okay. Kidnappings for ransom have a very low success rate—"

"Toilet."

"Plus, the Japanese police are excellent, so if we just wait—...What?"

Did I hear that right?

It sounded like she said something very self-centered.

"Toilet. I'm going to leak."

The girl firmly indicated her need to urinate.