The Story of the Seven

CHAPTER 10 - Long Live The Queen

My heart is beating rapidly. I've never felt this nervous in my entire life. There's a ball gag in my mouth; I can't even let out a squeak. My arms and legs are bound behind me, rendering me immobile. A black cloth is draped in front of my eyes, the world pitch black.

I find myself being shuffled back and forth, then I am slowly guided into a kneeling position.

I feel an ease of pressure on my eyelids as the blindfold is slowly lifted by soft, delicate fingers.

"Behold our savior."

The world flashed before my eyes as a brilliant spark of light.

How did things turn out this way, you ask?

Well, it all started around 5 hours prior.

-5 Hours Ago-

"Hey Mafuyu, you mind if I ask you a favor?"

"What is it, Haruto?"

"Long story short, Amane said you could lead me to "The Queen". So could you do that for me?"

Mafuyu looked momentarily stunned.

"Wow, such a straightforward man."

I lowered myself to meet Mafuyu's eyes and stared directly at her pupils. I repeated my question solemnly.

"Mafuyu, could you do it for me?"

"If you insist, I'll pull a few strings for you, Haruto."

"Thanks, for real. I'll be in your debt, Mafuyu."

"No worries, this kind of trivial matter isn't a big deal for someone like me. But why are you so fixated on finding out who "The Queen" is?"

"Honestly speaking, I don't know myself. What I am certain of, though, is that a passionate desire burns in the depths of my soul, a desire to solve this grand mystery regarding the identity of "The Queen"."

"Isn't that just a cool way to say you're nosy?"

Nggggg..... this girl! I feel so frustrated!

"Looks like I hit bull's eye, right Haruto?"

"You're beyond cruel, you know."

"Hey Dad, it's me, your cute little daughter. I have a favor to ask...."

And she just ignored me and whipped out her phone. Ugh, talk about lack of consideration.

But since she's calling her father, does that mean she's already trying to help me?

"Yeah, yeah, he's not a bad person. Take him to "The Queen," and I'll go on a date with you. Yeah, really, I never back out on my promises, right? Don't you trust your daughter? Come on.... You do trust me, right?"

Hmm ... I'm suddenly immensely curious on Mafuyu's family situation. I wonder why?

"Oh yeah, Haruto, you're going to meet "The Queen" in ten minutes."

"Yeah, okay, great, thanks ...... WAIT, WHAT?"

"You said you wanted to meet "The Queen", so that's why I got you an appointment now."

"Hang on, I'm not ready! And I did not mean today!"

"Why should I care? Oh, hey dad! You got here quicker than expected."

A huge man clad in riot gear, a chain tied on his waist like a makeshift belt, appeared. He grinned as he got out of his car, waving his hand at Mafuyu.

"Hey Mafuyu. Oh, and you must be Haruto. Hi."

"When the heck did you appear? Too fast! Can you bend time and space or something? And I also feel bamboozled for some reason!" (Haruto)

"I'm hurt." (Mafuyu + Mafuyu's dad)

Shoot. Maybe I said a little too much.

"Okay, I'm sorry. I let my emotions get ahead of myself. Anyways, I'll be in your care, Mafuyu's father."

"Yup, so please get into the car, Mr. Haruto."

"Taking Haruto away to see "The Queen," right dad?" (Mafuyu)

"Of course, isn't that why you called me here?"

"Just making sure."

"Right."

"Sorry to disturb your pleasant father-daughter conversation, but why are you handcuffing my arms and legs?" (Haruto)

"Safety protocol, but don't worry, the ride's only an hour. If you don't like this, then you can just not come with me. But I thought that you wanted to come, so...."

"Fine, I guess it's fine."

Although I'm more than a bit anxious...

"Then thank you for your cooperation." (Mafuyu's father)

"Please take care of me." (Haruto)

Mafuyu's father proceeded to gag and blindfold me, before escorting me into the car and putting on my seatbelt.

"Good luck with your meeting, oni-chan." (Mafuyu)

Wait, what did she just call me?

That was my last thought before a thick pair of earphones muffled my ears, completely cutting off my connection with the outside world.

Time seemed to slow down after that. The ride felt a lot longer than one hour, as I couldn't see, hear, touch, or speak. All I could do was stare at a black, mute world, so to speak.

Looking back, it must've been funny watching me, as I had no clue on my destination as the car turned left and right.

Did the car go pass a stoplight?

Did we just drive through an intersection?

By now, I didn't even know if I was in the city or in the countryside. For all I know, I could possibly be in Aomori prefecture or Nagoya prefecture.

And besides that, why the heck did Mafuyu call me "oni-chan"? Since when did I agree to be her big brother, or rather, when had I gotten so friendly with her?

As I pondered on my thoughts, lost and confused, the car came to an abrupt halt.

I felt someone loosen my seatbelt, and lead me up some stairs.

"Hmmm" <- Displeased sound

I was shuffled around back and forth for a while.

"Hggggggggh" <- Anxious sound

I was slowly guided into a kneeling position.

"Hggnmmgghg" <- Panicked sound

By now, I was seriously scared. But I swallowed my fears, praying that Amane and Mafuyu didn't mislead me.

Just then, I felt my headphones being slid off by soft, delicate fingers.

I also felt an ease of pressure on my eyelids as the blindfold got slowly lifted from my face by the same soft, delicate fingers.

"Behold our savior."