Help from the Shadows (Open Novella Contest)

17 (Original Quartet Rescue Part 2, Ayame)

I couldn't believe my eyes. They only looked dirty and exhausted. That was all.

They're here.

They're more or less okay.

They're actually HERE.

"Natsume-chan! Akinori-kun! Touma-kun! Keisuke-kun!" I finally found my voice after my gasp of shock as I rushed over and hugged the 4 of them. 

"Ayame-chan!" Akinori-kun looked so happy. 

"You found us!" Keisuke-kun was so relieved there were some tears in his eyes.

"But how?" Touma-kun asked. 

"I had help from all my friends," I replied to Touma-kun as the others gradually trickled in. The 4 of them gasped seeing Jorogumo, but Kino-nii waved a hand, "She's good now."

Mitsue-baa nodded, "Jorogumo's a great analyst."

Jorogumo blushed scarlet, "S-Stop complimenting me!"

I giggled as I began cutting Natsume-chan's ropes, "Can you still hate someone who's as easily embarrassed as that?"

Natsume-chan giggled, "I suppose not."

Keisuke-kun nodded in agreement with a laugh, "Not really."

Akinori-kun and Touma-kun agreed with nods.

"But why aren't there any guards here?" Choi-nii asked.  They blinked, before Touma-kun honestly replied, "The guy who kidnapped us had an assistant of some sorts, but both of them had gone out for some reason."

"That sounds fishy," Rau-nii frowned.

"I agree," Choi-nii nodded before he began to roam around the room, as Chen-nii helped me cut out Keisuke-kun's ropes, while Jorogumo cut Touma-kun's ropes and Rau-nii took Akinori-kun's ropes.

Once it was done, they rubbed their wrists in relief.

"It's great to know that you're fine, Ayame-chan," Natsume-chan told me.

I shook my head, "No, I should be the one saying that. I was so worried. It's been 9 days since your kidnapping. 5 since I last saw you guys."

"You actually counted the days, Yame-chan...." Chen-nii sweat dropped. I went a bit red, causing  them to laugh.

"... Hey, can you tell us what your kidnapper wanted with you 4?" Choi-nii asked as he came back.

The 4 of them blinked as they looked at one another.

Natsume-chan was honest as she replied, "Well, he kept on going on and on about his years-old plan, and how we were the star actors."

"Star actors?..." Choi-nii repeated, frowning as he turned to Jorogumo, "Jorogumo, I need to ask you something. How did you find us back then in the park?"

"E-Eh? W-Well, someone approached me and said that Ayame was going to be there," she looked like she had difficulty remembering. Choi-nii then looked back at the kidnapper's desk, when suddenly his eyes widened, "Hold on, it can't be-!"

"What's wrong, Choiseung?" Kino-nii asked.

His response stunned us into silence. 

"I think I know who the Mastermind is!" 

/\/\ Help from the Shadows /\/\

"Really, Choiseung?! You know who the Mastermind is?!" Haruya-kun's eyes were wide and unbelieving, which the others all agreed on as we stared at Choi-nii. Rau-nii, Kino-nii, Chen-nii, me and Jorogumo just smiled softly.