Seperate Ways

Chapter 11

<Nico's pov>

"Are you sure, Nozomi-chan?" Hanayo asked.

"Of course. Umi-chan knows where I hid the spare key. They should be there by now." Nozomi answered.

Nozomi and Eli's house is fully packed by the time we reached there. Every single chairs and couches are fully occupied that Honoka and Rin sat on the floor. A concerned look took over their faces the moment they saw us.

"Kayo-chin, what happened?" Rin approached us.

"Where's Maki?" Umi perked up. "Did she have something on?"

"No." Eli answered. "She's kidnapped by her father."

The others gasped in unison as their eyes widened in shock.

"When did this happen, Nico-chan?" Kotori asked.

"Nico-chan, how could you keep your eyes away from her? I thought you're watching over her?" Honoka looked into my eyes, tugging on my heartstrings.

I could feel the regret taking over me. I shouldn't have left her alone at home. She was defenseless. Helpless. Vulnerable to any forms of attack. I looked down into the floor in regret, allowing my bangs to cover up half of my face.

"I'm sorry..." I managed to whisper. "I failed..."

"Honoka, shush!" Eli scolded. "And Nico," she turned to me and rested a hand on my shoulder, "there's no such thing as failure in a relationship."

The second that last word left her mouth, I could feel myself burning up. "Wh-what do you mean by relationship!?"

"Oh please, Nico. We know you liked Maki since highschool." Eli smiled, allowing my face to turn from pink to bright red.

"H-how did you know?" I managed to (literally) choke out.

"Nozomi told us."

I'll get that booby monster someday....

Nozomi chuckled a little before her expression turned serious. "Anyway, we need to come up with a plan to stop Maki's father. Any ideas?"

I was about to suggest something when I saw Kotori approaching me. She lifted up my chin so that we're at an eye-to-eye level. Her eyes squinted as she inspects my facial features.

"Wh-what is it?" I stuttered.

"Nico-chan, did you get any rest?" Kotori asked. "There's dark circles around your eyes."

Eli then turned me to face her. She inspected my face closely and sighed.

"Nico, I know that you're worried sick about Maki's well-being but don't forget about yourself."

"B-but...."

"No 'but's, young lady." Eli scolded.

Weird... I thought I was supposed to be older than her...

"You go and get plenty of rest for now and let us handle it."

Sighing, I nodded and was led by Nozomi into a bedroom where a queen sized bed was displayed proudly in a corner.

"Rest well." Nozomi said as she tucked me in the surprisingly comfortable bed.

She is like a mother, isn't she?

I closed my eyes, allowing myself to enjoy the rest that I had craved for the past few hours.
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<Maki's pov>

I sat at the edge of the bed, trying to figure out any other ways to escape when the door flew open giving me the view of a hideous monster. Papa had this satisfied grin that made me feel the temptation to just punch him in the face. However, seeing the bodyguards behind him shows that it might be a bad idea to do so.