Chapter 4: I'm Being Followed?! Seriously?!
On my way back to the dorms after school, I felt it.
That eerie sensation—like someone was watching me.
My neck prickled, my steps slowed, and I debated whether or not to turn around.
Was I being followed?!
The thought alone made my heart rate spike.
I took a deep breath and slowly looked over my shoulder.
Two men in black suits.
They ducked behind a corner like they were extras in a spy movie.
Not suspicious at all.
They were definitely following me.
My heart was hammering in my chest.
Why? Why me?!
Wait—could they be Mizuki's father's men?!
Did I accidentally get recruited into a mafia drama?
Before I could spiral further into panic, a hand touched my right shoulder.
I flinched and whipped my head to the side.
Hinata?!
"Run," she whispered.
No hesitation. She bolted, and so did I.
We ran like our lives depended on it.
Hinata didn't say a word—just kept running at full speed like this was part of her morning routine.
Sweat dripped down her forehead, and I wasn't doing much better.
I could barely breathe, and the fresh air now had a bitter, metallic taste in my mouth.
The men didn't give up.
In fact, the faster we ran, the more effortlessly they followed us—like two Terminators in dress shoes.
They weren't chasing us; they were waiting for us to tire out.
Creepy.
Suddenly, Hinata grabbed my wrist and yanked me down an alley.
Her being a track athlete was finally paying off.
We dove into a small junkyard and into a giant trash bin.
Yeah. We hid. In garbage.
We stayed perfectly still, holding our breath.
Finally, when we heard nothing but silence, we crawled out and brushed ourselves off, dignity barely intact.
"What the hell was that?!" I gasped between breaths.
Hinata's face was deadly serious.
"Your grandfather's inheritance might be… a lot bigger than you think, Takashi.
And there are people out there who'd do anything to take it from you."
---
Great.
My peaceful life, once filled with quiet lunches and anime reruns, was now a high-stakes thriller.
Maybe being alone wasn't that bad, I thought bitterly.
"Thanks, Hinata," I said, catching my breath.
"If it weren't for you, I don't know how I would've escaped. But I don't want to drag you into this.
This inheritance mess is my problem. Please, take care of yourself."
Her face fell.
"What did you expect me to do?! Just turn around and walk away when two shady guys come after you?!
Sorry, Takashi, but I'm not someone who abandons her friends."
I could see it in her eyes—the frustration, the worry, the anger.
Every emotion written across her face like a manga panel.
She wasn't lying. She really did see me as a friend.
"Hinata," I said gently, "I'm grateful for your help.
And if you truly see me as your friend, then you know we feel the same way.
That's why I don't want you getting hurt because of me."
She looked like she wanted to argue, but something in my voice must've told her I meant it.
So she stayed silent.
I offered to walk her home, but she refused.
We walked side by side for a while, then parted ways.
I turned back toward the school.
Even after all that chaos, I was still someone who kept his promises.
I did tell Mizuki I'd talk with her after school.
Hopefully she's not still waiting at school.
Please, Mizuki. Be reasonable.
Go home.