Round Three (KBTBB FF)

22 - Look Up

Content Warning:
Self Depreciation, Strong Language, Violence, Recollection of Domestic Abuse, Suicide

What am I supposed to tell Baba? How am I supposed to tell him I can't be with him?

I want to believe what he's told me so badly, but a voice in the background is telling me I'll ruin him, and I can't shut it up.

What am I supposed to do??

"Psst! Mina!" A voice calls out to me.

Ugh, I forgot what I was doing.

I see Samejima and Zemin peering worriedly at me from across the hall. I pretend like I wasn't just zoning out and survey the hall. When the coast is clear, I lead them down another corridor to search rooms.

I'm on the job. I can't be distracted right now, considering Fudo's still being guarded by his most loyal Hounds.

...But what am I going to do about Baba?

Mentally tormented by my indecision and deprived of sleep from crying all night, the three of us are clearing rooms in case we have to hide from Flaming Hounds as we search Fudo's safehouse. Not only are we here to finally get him, but we're also supposed to help his wife, Hyelin, and daughter flee. She knows we're here, but the place is so damn big it's taking much longer than we anticipated. I'm so fucking tired, I barely remember getting here.

My eyes feel like two rocks in my head. I'm so tired, but I couldn't sleep for shit if I tried.

"Mina, in here." Zemin waves me over to a room.

Once the door is closed behind the three of us, he addresses me, "Are you okay? You seem out of it."

"Yeah, I'm just so excited I couldn't sleep." I fake a chuckle.

I can see Samejima's concern through his typical poker face.

"Trust me, guys. I'm fine. Just a little sleep deprived, but it's nothing new." I assure.

"...Okay. We're in the east wing now, and Hyelin said she'd be waiting on the third floor of the east wing." Samejima says.

"Should we split up?" Zemin proposes. "This place is much too big and we're running out of time. The sun'll be rising soon and having the dark to cover up would be ideal."

"I'm down." I agree.

Samejima nods, and Zemin continues, "Whoever finds Fudo first, call for back up. If trouble should arise with Hyelin, hide until the coast is clear. Keep your phones silenced."

"Sounds good. I'll get going first." I wave.

When it's safe, I run out into the hallway and take cover where I can. The amount of Hounds on patrol are extremely few, which comes to show how much damage they've taken. None are really paying attention and I don't have to go through the stress of subduing them, so I sneak past just fine.

Where the hell are the stairs for the third floor? I feel like I'm looking for Milan Hono again. His mansion was annoying.

I don't know why, but this gigantic house feels familiar.

Hopping across balconies, I enter the home again and pass through an empty room. I finally find a way up, but there's a guard laying on the steps. I'm not sure if he's pretending to sleep or is actually passed out.

Damn it. Why did I have to involve myself with Baba? Now I just feel like shit doing my job, even though it's all I'm good at.

Just do it, because now's not the time to pull out the voicemail or texts...