IEGO: CS || Time Catcher

『 CHAPTER 18 』

A great many things happened during the night of the festival.

For starters, there was you, and the chained Bewitching Jiangshi.

Then there was Beta suddenly announcing the surrendering of Protocol Omega 2.0. Her teammates, just like the rest of Raimon, were confused at the suddenness. Beta answered to this that Protocol Omega 2.0 has shown that they ⸺ "Especially me," she had said with empty eyes ⸺ have failed to initiate the proper tactics to defeat Raimon.

Thus, Protocol Omega 2.0 teleported back to their time.

After that had happened, Raimon was automatically bestowed as the winner of the match, much to Imougawa's ire. Despite this, your friends didn't have the heart to accept Nobunaga's gratitude. Their minds were far too focused on you, and they also noticed Alpha wasn't around.

Therefore, they had to go and find you and Alpha, hoping that both of you were safe. (Wondeba also hoped that you did not eat Alpha. He earned a smack from Midori and, surprisingly, Fei for that.)

Just as everyone was heading for the forest, Okatsu ran up to Shindou. She managed to grab a hold of his shirt, halting him.

"Takuto-sama!" she called. "Wh-where are you going?"

"I need to go find my friends!" Shindou faced her.

"Friends..? Wh-which one? I ⸺ I can help find them too!"

"I ⸺ I'm not sure you can." Your headless state flashed through Shindou's mind. He sighed. "My apologies about this ⸺" he removed Okatsu's grip from his shirt "⸺ but I have to hurry."

Okatsu's eyes glistened. "W-wait, just ... tell me ... the one you want to find ... is it the one you really like?"

Shindou stared. Your headless state switched to your living figure. Your smile shone so bright in his eyes. A smile he needed to see again. "She is," he finally answered, "the one I really like, and the one I need to find ⸺ to see whether she's safe. I'm sorry, Okatsu-san. Goodbye."

Okatsu watched as Shindou's figure faded away from her view.

♡ --- ♡ --- ♡

Your friends heaved a sigh of relief when they found out you and Alpha were unharmed.

That relief, however, did not last long when Alpha informed them that you weren't responding to his words or his actions. You moved not an inch. You made not a sound.

Alarmed, Wondeba had no choice but to announce to everyone that they would leave right away. Everyone nodded. Gathering up their things, rechecking and checking, the group soon made their way to the caravan. Shindou, after convincing Alpha, volunteered himself to carry you to the van.

No other goodbyes were ever said that night.

♡ --- ♡ --- ♡

Yuukoku was in the kitchen, cooking up supper for himself in the night, when he was barraged by a chain of doorbells.

Turning off the stove, and setting aside his apron, he rushed over to the door. Once he opened it, sensed the unconscious you; still draped in your goalkeeper wear; in Shindou's arms, he rushed everyone inside. Once everyone settled in the living room, Yuukoku took you away from Shindou's arms and brought you to your room.

The moment everyone heard the door to your room slammed shut, they could only wait with bated breaths.

Please ⸺ they all hoped ⸺ be alive.

♡ --- ♡ --- ♡

Three hours had passed.

Combined with the fatigue and their earlier distress, Tenma and Shinsuke had fallen asleep on the couch. So had Tsurugi, Nishiki, and Shindou. Akane was asleep, as well, leaning against Midori who was trying to keep herself awake. Wondeba was put into sleep mode. Even Alpha went to rest, having moved himself to the room in your house that he occupied.