𝑬𝒙𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒍𝒚 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒔 | 𝑫𝒂𝒊𝒔𝒖𝒌𝒆 𝒙 𝑹𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒓

₊· ͟͟͞͞ ➳ Vents And Vices

The sound of alarms echoed through the entire building, red emergency lights flickered ominously in the darkened hallways.

Daisuke led the way through the narrow air vent, his jaw set in determination despite the nervous glance he occasionally threw over his shoulder at Max.
The flickering flashlight in his hand cast shaky beams ahead, illuminating the metallic path.

"Still think this is a bad idea?"
Max asked, breaking the silence.

"Of course it is,"
Daisuke replied without turning back, his voice low and steady.
"But I'm not backing down. Not until we get her out of this mess."

Max raised a brow, impressed but keeping his tone casual.
"Huh. Didn't think you had it in you."

"Save the commentary,"
Daisuke shot back, his focus sharp as he scanned the path ahead.
The vent creaked ominously under their combined weight, and Daisuke instinctively slowed, testing the panels with each step.

His heart raced, but he refused to let fear take over.
A sudden metallic clang echoed through the vent, making both of them freeze. Daisuke clenched his jaw, his nerves visibly on edge but his resolve unshaken.

"Just keep moving,"
he muttered, more to himself than Max.

At one point, a loose panel gave way under Daisuke's hand, and he instinctively caught himself, gripping the edge tightly.

"You good?"
Max asked.

"I'm fine,"
Daisuke replied through gritted teeth, pulling himself back up and continuing forward without hesitation.
"Just keep up."

Max smirked faintly, watching him push ahead with a newfound respect. "Alright, alright, Hero Lead the way."

Finally, they found an exit, dropping into the main hallway.
They both landed gracefully, brushing off their hands.

"Congratulations,"
Max said dryly.
"You didn't die."

"Again, shut up."
Daisuke snapped, but before he could say more, heavy footsteps echoed down the hallway.

Jimmy rounded the corner, flashlight in hand, his face twisted in frustration.
He froze when he spotted Max and Daisuke standing there.

"You two,"
he growled, his voice low and dangerous.
"What the hell are you doing out here?!"

Before they could answer, Jimmy stormed forward and grabbed Max by the collar, lifting him slightly off the ground.

"Hey!"
Daisuke protested, stepping forward, but Jimmy silenced him with a sharp glare.

"This is your fault, isn't it?"
Jimmy barked at Max, shaking him slightly.

Max didn't flinch, meeting Jimmy's gaze with defiance.
"You're really manhandling an eight-year-old? Real tough guy, huh?"

Jimmy's nostrils flared, but he dropped Max roughly, pointing at Daisuke.
"And you—what kind of idiot lets a kid run wild in a place like this?"

"It's not my fault!"
Daisuke protested, throwing his hands up in exasperation.
"The AI locked everything down! We're trying to fix it! And we're also trying to save [Name]! She's stuck in the medical room with Anya!"