Translator: Elisia
Editor/Proofreader: Wojo
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A rhythmic and soft noise could be heard.
That sound was similar to the one I used to hear every time I went to school after arriving in this world.
…It was the sound of a car.
I was in the middle of tracing Sara’s recent memories, but I didn’t expect things to come to this point so soon.
“……”
Oh, is it not?
It didn’t seem like it.
The sensations I was feeling now were different from the dull ones I experienced in my dreams.
They were much sharper, and I could clearly feel everything touching my skin—a sensation of reality.
“……Ugh……”
I opened my mouth, but no proper sound came out.
No, in fact, my eyes wouldn’t open properly either.
It felt as if my body wouldn’t listen to me, like when you wake up after a long sleep.
“Sara?”
Someone sitting in front of me spoke to me.
The moment I heard that voice, I froze.
I hadn’t heard it many times, but I knew whose voice it was.
It was a voice I could never forget because the circumstances when I met this person were always unforgettable.
…It was Choi Na-kyung’s voice.
Why on earth?
No, how on earth?
How did Sara end up in the same car as Choi Na-kyung?
I still couldn’t move my body properly to check, but when I forced my eyes to focus, they did open.
Tears welled up in my eyes, and my vision became endlessly blurry.
The light pouring in through the car window was so bright that I couldn’t fully open my eyes.
As I tried to rub my eyes—
“Ah…?”
I realized that my hand wouldn’t move.
No, it wasn’t just that I hadn’t regained full control of my body yet.
There was a much more specific reason.
…My arms were bound by something.
Both arms were tied together behind my back.
They were tied so tightly that I could feel the restriction, though I couldn’t tell exactly what was binding them.
I tried wiggling my legs, but they were tied as well.
“Mmmpf…!”
It wasn’t just my arms and legs that were bound.
Did they think I might scream?
My mouth was gagged.
No, it wasn’t just a gag.
My mouth was stuffed with something, presumably fabric, so even if I made a sound, it wouldn’t come out properly.
“You’re awake?”
Her voice sent chills down my spine.
It was a bit nervous and somewhat shaky, but her tone was like that of someone soothing their child who had just woken up.
“You woke up earlier than I thought. There’s still some way to go… but don’t worry too much.”
Where was she saying we were going?
And what was I supposed to worry about?
“…It’s earlier than I planned, but this works. Now, it’s just the two of us.”
What is she talking about?
…Could it be that Choi Na-kyung actually desires Sara right now?
My mind was in turmoil.
“Mmm!”
As my consciousness gradually returned and I fully woke up, I was able to move my body.
My arms and legs were still tied, but I turned my head and rubbed my face against the car seat.
The tears in my eyes cleared, and my vision became sharp.
Outside the car window, all I could see were endless trees.
How many hours had I been asleep?
No, how about Sara?
Up until now, Sara had been controlling my body.
Thanks to that, I couldn’t remember anything clearly, and I had no idea what situation led Sara to this point.
…Sara?
I asked inwardly.
Normally, Sara would have responded to me in situations like this.
Ever since I regained consciousness, she had never ignored my words.
But there was no response.
…Sara?
I asked again, but there was still no answer.
It was as if I had just arrived in this world for the first time again.
A chill ran down my spine.
I couldn’t fully grasp the situation, but that sensation woke me up completely from my daze.
“Mmmpf! Mmmpf!”
I screamed at Choi Na-kyung.
I demanded to know what she had done, what she was planning to do, and where she was taking us.
But all my words scattered as nothing more than incoherent sounds.
“Don’t worry. If you behave, I’ll take care of everything…”
What exactly is she planning to take care of?
In this situation, what could she possibly be doing for Sara that would require this…
Choi Na-kyung, murmuring as if to herself, exuded a chilling atmosphere just from her appearance.
…Sara!
I called out again in my mind.
But there was still no response.
This time, instead of chills, a sense of fear began to fill my heart.
Sara, who had always been with me up until now, was gone.
She had vanished.
How on earth?
I was still confused, but—
There was one thing I understood.
Choi Na-kyung, who was sitting in the front seat and driving.
That woman was definitely involved in this situation.
*
“Where are you right now, senior!?”
So-hee shouted loudly into the phone, even as she was running.
“Where— Ah, you’re chasing her now?”
“You’re following her?”
When Yoo Ha-neul asked, So-hee nodded and ended the call.
“Yeah, senior knows what kind of car Choi Na-kyung drives. It seems like he’s been keeping an eye on things outside the school just in case.”
“What…?”
Seeing Yoo Ha-neul’s mouth fall open, So-hee avoided her gaze slightly as she spoke.
“…I only just found out myself…”
Her face showed such embarrassment that Yoo Ha-neul decided not to press further.
“But how on earth are we going to follow them?”
At Yoo Ha-neul’s question, So-hee shook her smartphone.
“We can track them with this. I can at least figure out where sunbae is. There’s an app installed that allows employees to track each other’s locations.”
“…”
Despite this, hadn’t they failed to figure out where Yang Hye-in was?
“…I-I didn’t start working until recently, okay…”
So-hee said defensively.
“But what are we going to use to follow them?!”
“We’ve got a car.”
Soo-ah quickly responded.
“…”
Hearing that, Yoo Ha-neul fell silent.
Among the three of them, Yoo Ha-neul was the only one who wasn’t being helpful.
Whether they noticed Yoo Ha-neul’s feelings or not, the other two just kept running.
*
Just as Soo-ah had said, there was a car waiting in front of the school gate.
“…Three of you?”
As soon as they opened the door, the person inside looked startled and asked.
It was a woman with short-cropped hair.
The car she was driving was a small compact car, just big enough for four people.
The problem was that the back seat was filled with bags, making it questionable whether the three of them could fit inside.
“Yes!”
But Soo-ah immediately answered and climbed into the passenger seat.
“Excuse me!”
So-hee shoved the bags to the side, creating some space in the back seat.
“Hey, careful! Everything in there is expensive!”
But by the time the woman shouted, both So-hee and Yoo Ha-neul had already squeezed into the back seat.
“Oh, geez… Fine, we’re going, we’re going!”
The woman, who had been about to say more, gave in and hit the gas when she saw Soo-ah glaring at her.
“Okay, okay! I was going to go anyway! To be honest, I’m already late because I was waiting for you! Another car started following them first!”
“That’s someone we know. And you said those photos aren’t worth much for an article, right? Do you even have competitors?”
Soo-ah responded sharply, which wasn’t like her usual self.
Seeing that, Yoo Ha-neul couldn’t help but think that Soo-ah’s demeanor suited her hairstyle.
“…What’s going on with the photos?”
“…That…”
At Yoo Ha-neul’s question, Soo-ah hesitated before explaining.
According to Soo-ah, the woman in the driver’s seat was the one who had taken photos of Yoo Ha-neul and Sara while they were on their date and sent them to an online newspaper.
Not just that photo, but she had taken countless others too…
Most of the newspapers hadn’t accepted them, so the photos hadn’t been used.
However, Soo-ah had been buying those photos and making use of them.
And, at the same time, she had this woman keep watch outside the school.
“…”
After hearing the explanation, both So-hee and Yoo Ha-neul stared at Soo-ah, their mouths agape.
Soo-ah’s face turned red under their gazes.
“And now, we’re chasing a scoop. This time, the photos won’t be ignored by any newspaper. It’s a major story! The kidnapping of the foster daughter of Yang Hye-in’s mother!”
“…You really only care about articles.”
“Well, taking photos is my main job, and this is just a personal goal.”
The woman replied, pressing hard on the gas pedal.
The engine roared loudly, a sound that even someone who knew nothing about cars like Yoo Ha-neul could tell was a bit dangerous.
But Yoo Ha-neul didn’t say anything.
Right now, with Sara in danger, speeding was the only option.
So-hee and Soo-ah seemed to agree, as they also remained silent.
However, there was one thing they couldn’t just ignore.
“But, a kidnapping? How can you be so sure?”
“Oh, that? I took a picture of the girl you’re looking for, lying tied up in the car. Well, she’s lying down in the back seat, so you can only barely see her between the driver’s seat and the passenger seat.”
“…”
So-hee, Soo-ah, and Yoo Ha-neul exchanged glances once again.
Both of their faces were filled with concern.
And Yoo Ha-neul’s face must have looked the same.