My Parents Locked Me Up, So I Snuck Out.

Chapters 51-55

Chapter 51: Humor Amidst Danger

That evening, as they prepared for bed, Mina couldn't help but think about how strange her life had become. Just a few weeks ago, she had been trapped in a gilded cage, unable to speak to anyone or go anywhere. Now, she was camping in the middle of nowhere with a group of misfits who made her laugh despite everything.

As they sat around the fire, Kana started telling a ridiculous story about how he once got chased by a wild boar in the forest.

"It was massive! I swear, the thing was the size of a bear!" Kana exclaimed, waving his arms dramatically.

Nande snorted. "It was a piglet. You screamed and ran like a baby."

Kana glared at her. "Hey, it was vicious!"

Mina couldn't stop laughing. "This is insane." But at the same time, she realized she hadn't felt this free in years.

"Maybe this is what I needed all along."

Chapter 52: Unexpected Complications

The next morning, as they packed up camp, Mina noticed something strange. Her clothes felt lighter than usual, almost as if something was missing. She frowned, glancing down at her skirt and vest.

"Hey, did anyone see—"

Before she could finish, Kana interrupted. "Oh no, don't tell me we missed another tracker."

Mina sighed. "No, it's not that. It's just... my clothes feel weird without all that extra stuff in them."

Ashia smirked. "You're just used to being bugged."

"Very funny," Mina said dryly, rolling her eyes. "At least now I can actually dress without worrying about hidden tech."

Haru chuckled. "Small victories."

Chapter 53: Moving On

With the trackers and microphone finally gone, the group set off toward the next town, hoping for a brief moment of peace. Mina walked beside Ashia, feeling lighter—both physically and emotionally.

"I still can't believe my parents put all that on me," Mina said quietly.

Ashia gave her a sympathetic look. "They just didn't want to let go. But you're free now. We'll make sure of it."

Mina smiled, feeling a warmth in her chest that she hadn't felt in years. "Thanks, Ashia. I don't know what I'd do without you."

Ashia grinned. "Don't worry, I'm not going anywhere."

Chapter 54: The First Clue

Mina sat by the campfire, staring into the flames as her mind raced. "Why would my parents do that? What were they so afraid of?" Her hands trembled slightly, memories of her life locked away flooding back.

Ashia noticed her silence and nudged her gently. "Hey, you okay?"

Mina shook her head. "I can't stop thinking about it... Why did they lock me up? What were they protecting me from, or hiding from me?"

Haru chimed in from across the fire. "Maybe they were hiding something bigger—something they didn't want you to find out."

Kana grinned mischievously. "Sounds like we've got a mystery on our hands."

Mina frowned. "It's not funny, Kana."

Ashia, ever the leader, stood up and stretched. "Then let's find out. If they went through all that trouble to track and monitor you, there's got to be a reason."

"Am I ready for this?" Mina wondered, fear gnawing at her, but a spark of determination followed. "I need to know."

Chapter 55: Gathering Information

The group decided to split up, visiting different parts of the nearby town. Ashia and Mina headed toward the town's library, while Haru, Kana, and Nande asked around for clues in the local tavern.

As they entered the library, Mina's heart pounded. She wasn't used to being in public places like this. Everything felt foreign, overwhelming.

Ashia gave her a reassuring smile. "Stick close. We'll find something."

Mina scanned the rows of bookshelves, her eyes falling on a section labeled "Local History." She picked up a dusty old book, flipping through the pages when something caught her eye.

"Hey, look at this," she whispered, showing Ashia a faded photo of a large estate, the one she recognized as her family's mansion. "Why is this here?"

Ashia leaned in, squinting at the text. "It says your family has owned that estate for over a hundred years. There were rumors that it was involved in... experiments?"

Mina's breath caught in her throat. "Experiments? What kind of experiments?"

"Looks like we're onto something," Ashia said, determination in her voice.