𝐏𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐚 ||𝐊.𝐁 & 𝐈.𝐌||

XXXII: Time Taunting

XXXII: Time Taunting

Third POV

A new day had come.

It'd been officially twenty-four hours since Akiko's kidnapping from Ashido's party.

And hours from now, Katsuki was expected to meet up with the possible bounty placers at the drop zone with the money in hand at 6:00 PM and Akiko would be released the second it was confirmed all money was present.

As if the Prime Alpha could wait that long.

Contrary to his original plans, he didn't sleep a wink and spent most of his time trying to put the pieces together.

Now in his work office, he stared at the screens ahead, trying to decipher what the coordinates meant.

His teeth gritted together in agitation, finding it increasingly difficult to just lock into one thing.

It felt like he was spiraling.

Just then, a knock sounded just outside his door, quickly entering Kirishima who was holding a Manila folder, looking just as exhausted as Katsuki.

"Alright, Jirou and Uraraka just completed a background profile on the woman you described," He explained, "The closest match we got was a woman named Yui Kodai, officially it's stated she works as an internal secretary for Shoda Company LLC."

He then slipped down the background information sheet, watching how Katsuki's eyes widened, listening to him make a remark,

"Something tells me her job is more than just being a secretary," Katsuki grunted, "Might I add stuffing pieces of paper into baby's mouth?"

"Try drug relocating and racketeering for Nirengeki Shoda, one of our more distant trading partners." Kirishima added, "It's all in there, including our two possible shooters at the park."

"Reiko Yanagi and Sen Kaibara." Katsuki mumbled out, as their reputation on file clearly showed they were skilled at what they do, "Huh, well then I guess we know where the money could've come from back with Tsuragamae."

Kirishima scratched his chin, "True, and we could leave it at that, however we still need to know how Kodai knew about where Akiko would be staying and how in the world she even knew Midoriya and Akiko to begin with."

"I thought you said Midoriya and Akiko were always at home, that's why he had no paper trail."

Katsuki scratched his chin, "That's right, though judging by how Awase kept to secrecy in order to most like do business with these people, I doubt he wanted any real connection with them."

His brows pinched, "Still, He wasn't completely isolated and I'm sure Shoda's people would want reassurance in knowing it wasn't just Awase and he could hold a person or two over his head to get what they wanted."

"Alright, so who?" Kirishima pushed, as the two of them tried to recall Izuku's words.

"Awase..Akiko...Inko..." Katsuki pondered out loud before it hit him, "What about that home doctor lady? Shiozaki. Did you get anything on her?"

Kirishima shook his head, "We all just took Izuku word for it and dropped it."

"Not much went into her, although considering the state of emergency we're in we can recheck."

"While I certainly don't disagree that she could have some medical ties, Awase was working with shady people like them and us behind Izuku's back, and Izuku did happen to mention that he didn't suspect a thing from her because she always knew the right thing for Akiko whenever they did call on her." Katsuki further added, noting how the pieces came together.

"...You're thinking she possibly has Akiko?"

"Out of everyone possibly involved, Akiko would most likely be drawn to her since that's who she's been around the most." Katsuki bluntly put it, as it sounded like the most logical thing.

Kirishima nodded dutifully, taking down the next set of steps before turning to the clock.

It felt like it was taunting him.

And he knew Katsuki probably felt same way, if not worse.

"I'll call Todoroki and tell him to see what other ties Yui Kodai and Shiozaki has and if they're related, and I'll have Ashido comb through her video footage to find out who and how in the world they managed to get Akiko past all of us despite the guest list."

Pulling out his phone to begin to make some calls.

He took one last glance at Katsuki who suddenly distant look in his eyes.

"Before I do that," He quietly inquired, brushing his hair back knowing they needed coffee right about now, "How're you holding up..?"

Katsuki shrugged, glad they got this far, but still worried.

"I try not to think it, but every time that clock ticks I just wonder if Akiko is okay." Katsuki murmured, "Izuku told me from the day she's been born, they've always been by each others side."

"I can no longer sit here and pretend as if I didn't tear their family apart. Even if Awase led me to them."

Kirishima tilted his head, not sure the best way to respond to that, "Awase's the one that wanted to be greedy and put his family into this lifestyle. Not you."

"Who knows, you might just be the one to fix it."

Before Katsuki could respond, his phone trilled in his pocket, looking to see it was Jirou calling.

He dismissed Kirishima with a wave, sucking in his breath to try and find out what the latest update was back at the manor.

"Hello?" Katsuki's voice sounded low, "What's going on?"

He could hear indistinguishable noises in the background, as heavy shuffling sounded before Jirou's voice came on.

Sounding frantic as ever.

"Midoriya went to the kitchen, I'm assuming to get something to eat or drink when we heard a loud thud."

"Jirou? What happened?" Katsuki spoke in great concern, feeling his heart rate rise at the situation.

"He just collapsed. He's awake, but just not responding to any of us. We don't think he can move but he doesn't want our help whatsoever and we think he might suffering a breakdown." Jirou explained, as he could hear sobbing in the background.

If Katsuki was spiraling, Izuku must've crashed out by now.