Karmanami: Intertwined.....

Chapter XXIII

Karma hurried to Manami's apartment but finds Riku all alone. He called Asano and the three boys gathered together.

"Where do you think nee san is Karma san?" Asks a worried Riku.

"I don't know Riku but when she called me, I felt like she was hiding from someone. She was whispering and she sounded scared."

"Do you know where she was speaking from?" Asks Asano.

"While we were coming back from the canteen, Manami told me that she had an important work and she'll be going ahead but she didn't tell me where she was going."

"Is there someone you suspect Akabane?" Asks Asano.

"Yes, I don't know if it's just me but I feel like the chemistry teacher is in on it."

"Your school teacher?" Asks a surprised Riku and Karma nods.

"Yes, I've got a very bad feeling about this. We need to find Manami as soon as possible.

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Manami slowly opens her eyes, she starts coming to her senses. She looks around and finds herself in an unrecognized location, she tries getting up when she sees that her legs have been tord together, her hands too. The door slides open and the chemistry teacher along with the vice principal step inside.

"Oh you're awake. I thought you'd be out for longer." Taunted the vice principal.

"Why are you doing this sensei? Why?" Questions a distraught Manami.

"It's all about money, what do you think? Do you know how much money we're going to make if we are the ones who introduce this artificial blood? We'll be billionaires." The principal laughs wickedly.

"My project is meant to benefit people, especially the poor people. I didn't sign up for you people to gain profit from it."

"Well, it's your fault you didn't see through that." Scoffed the vice principal.

"You're all the most selfish bunch of people that I've ever seen, but I won't let your plans succeed." Manami smirks irking the vice principal.

"What's with that smirk huh? You really think you can stop me?"

"You don't have all the documents on this research and without those, you won't be able to proceed further."

The vice principal realised that Manami was right. He takes out his phone and dials someone's number.

"Sir, we need to raid Okuda Manami's place."

"Sir? It means there's someone above him too?" Wondered Manami.

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Karma who was had just returned from the police station notices that there were several shady looking men who were coming down from his apartment's building. He rushes to Manami's apartment and finds it trashed and Riku lying on the ground, groaning in pain and Asano tending Riku.

"Riku, Asano are you okay? What happened here?"

"I'm fine Karma san but there were some men who ransacked this whole place and took some documents with them."

"Documents?"

Karma searches Manami's cupboard and finds the documents she had done on her research missing.

"Manami is in danger. Asano, Riku we have to find Manami as soon as possible. Let's go."

The trio head outside.

"We need to know where Kira lives." Exclaimed Karma.

"Kira? But why?"

"He warned me a few days ago about keeping Manami safe but I didn't think anything about it that time. I'm sure he knows everything."

They reached Kira's mansion in record breaking time and find a half naked Kira resting by the swimming pool.

"Kira!" Shouted Karma.

A surprised Kira was horrified to see the angry trio walk towards him.

"W-W-Wh-what are you people doing here?"

Karma grabs Kira by his collar.

"Where have the chemistry teacher and vice principal taken Manami?" Questions Karma.

"Huh? I-I don't k-know about that." Kira was sweating nervously.

"Where is my sister?" Riku was pissed as well.

"I'm not sure but it's probably where they keep all their records and documents related to Manami's work."

"Where?" Grunted Asano.

"It's the old store room that is abandoned."

"What are they planning to do with Manami and her research?" Questions Asano.

Kira was silent, he looked hesitant.

"Please tell us." Pleaded Riku.

"They're going to use the research to gain profit for themselves and...... "

"And?"

"They're going to kill Manami and make it look like a suicide."

Karma, Riku and Asano were all horrified to hear the real intention of the teachers. Karma releases Kira and hurries for the school, Asano and Riku followed behind.

Karma suddenly stops in his way.

"Akabane, what are you waiting for?"

"Rescuing Manami won't be enough. We'll need something more." Exclaims Karma.

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The men that had entered and ransacked Manami's place were back with the documents. The vice principal goes through the documents and laughs wickedly.

"Sir, we've got the final documents as well." Calls out the vice principal to someone who was standing outside the door.

The person stepped inside and Manami was horrified that it was none other than  the principal of the school itself.

"You're in on it too?" Asks a horrified Manami.

"Oh I'm so sorry my dear child. I hope they haven't been troubling you a lot." Taunted the principal.

"Don't you feel ashamed taking advantage of people?"

"Ugh.... Bla bla bla... If I keep on thinking about people then when will I think about myself." Scoffed the principal.

The principal sends the rest of the men except for the vice principal and the chemistry teacher. He steps in closer to Manami.

"You know I would've never ever thought about making so much money from your research had you not foolishly tell the interviewers of the Tokyo School about your dreams."

"How did you know about my interview?" Questions Manami.

"I've always kept an eye on Kunugigaoka students, from elementary to the college and you've always been the best in science as far as my records go. If not now then I surely would've used you in a few more years. Just like how I've used the other students."

"W-what do you mean other students?" Asks a horrified Manami.

"I've told you too much already."

He signals the chemistry teacher and the teacher pulls Manami who struggles to free herself but is soon paralyzed with an injection of chloroform to her body. She tries resisting before she was slowly losing her strength. The teacher makes her stand on a chair puts a rope around her neck and starts tying the rope up in the handles in the roof.

To be continued.....