*Chapter 32: Rearview*

Daichi led the squad through the dim corridor, guiding the children toward the exit. Gunfire still echoed from somewhere far away, muffled by layers of concrete and steel.

The children followed in a loose formation, guarded by SWAT officers on all sides. Their faces had relaxed slightly now that they were moving away from the danger. Some even whispered to each other, their fear slowly fading into exhaustion.

Rey walked near the front, just behind Daichi. He was being guarded more closely than the others. Two officers flanked him on either side, their eyes scanning every shadow.

“Why are you taking me like a babysitter?” Rey muttered, his hands shoved deep into his pockets. His voice carried a sharp edge of annoyance.

“Just a little extra precaution,” Daichi replied without looking back. “For your own good.”

“Hmph.” Rey looked down at the floor.

Of course… probably because of my father. I’m getting extra treatment because of him, huh? He sighed quietly.

Anya walked at the very back of the group. A single SWAT officer in full combat gear followed close behind her, safeguarding the rear.

She kept her face blank as she followed the group, but inside, her thoughts were spiraling.

What is going on here… These guys are probably going to ask about my parents. And call them. I don’t want that. Her fists clenched invisibly at her sides. How did I even end up here like this? I have to escape.

She looked around like a cautious housecat searching for an exit, scanning every doorway and shadow.

There’s no way out… Where are you, Shina?

The group reached a junction where three hallways converged. The corridor was dark here, with water dripping from rusty maintenance pipes overhead. The distant gunfire continued to echo, muffled and distorted.

Daichi stopped, becoming very careful. He spoke into his earpiece and confirmed something before choosing the left path. The group followed him. One by one, they turned left and disappeared around the corner.

At the end was Anya, still lost in her thoughts. As she was about to turn left, a hand holding a white handkerchief suddenly pressed it against her face.

It was the SWAT officer who had been following her.

Before anyone could notice, they vanished.

Daichi glanced behind him and noticed the rear was unguarded. His eyes narrowed.

“Secure the back edge!” he commanded. “I want eyes on every corner.”

Two officers immediately moved to take position. But by then, it was already too late.

After a while, in another hallway…

This one was narrower…

Anya walked behind the SWAT officer who had grabbed her. Her face was scrunched in annoyance, her arms crossed tightly.

“Hmph… So what’s the point of all of that, huh? This handkerchief isn’t even chloroformed…” she said, waving the handkerchief.

Then the SWAT girl pulled off her visor helmet.

Her white hair waved beneath it, shining under the hallway lights.

It was none other than Shina Yatoizawa.

She held her hands behind her back without turning around, then turned her head, giving Anya a perfect 20/20 rearview pose with a grin.

“What do you mean…?”

“And what are you even doing in that SWAT costume?!”

“Huh?” Shina tapped her nose, acting dumb. “I sprayed my favorite perfume onto the handkerchief. I thought you could recognize me by the scent.”

“WHAT!? Do you think I’m some kind of puppy?!” Anya snapped.

An imaginary tail appeared behind her for a moment.

“Woof,” Shina mocked.

Anya’s eye twitched.

Then Shina’s expression softened. She turned fully to face Anya, her voice quiet and genuine.

“Anyways… I’m glad you’re safe.”

She paused for a beat, then threw her arms wide with theatrical flair.

“Welcome back, the princess of Eutopia itself! Wahahahaha! Your knight is here to protect ya!”

Anya stared at her, deadpan. She followed, still shaking her head.

Outside the shopping complex…

The night air was cool and still. Ambulances and armed vehicles were parked, their emergency lights casting red and blue reflections across the wet pavement.

Kai Yanagi sat on the back of an ambulance, her left arm stretched out. The wound from the earlier gunfight had been bandaged, but Kanako Isuha was redoing the dressing with unnecessary enthusiasm.

“Ouch! That hurts,” Kai winced. “Be careful, okay?”

Kanako acted as if she didn’t know anything. She didn’t even look up. She pulled the bandage tight with deliberate force.

“I’m just a little kid doing my job, you know,” she said, her voice dripping with false innocence.

Kai’s eye twitched. “You are doing this on purpose, aren’t you?”

*“*Eh? I can’t hear you…” Kanako said.

Then Kanako picked up the bottles of extra antiseptic and a container of isopropyl alcohol. Her shadow was cast over Kai.

“Now it’s time to kill the little germies…”

“NIEEAAAHHHHHH~~”

Kai’s scream echoed across the parking lot.

A few minutes later, Kanako stood beside Kisara, wearing a satisfied expression.

“You look happy,” Kisara observed.

“Don’t know what you’re talkin’ about,” Kanako replied, her eyes closed in smug contentment.

Kisara shook her head gently.

“Anyway, get ready. The children have been rescued unharmed. We need to assist here now.”

“Roger.”

Suddenly, they noticed a SWAT officer walking out of the entrance with a girl in tow. The officer moved quickly, and the girl was wearing a visor helmet and bulletproof jacket, her face hidden.

It was Shina and Anya.

They passed right by Kanako and Kisara in a hurry.

“Emergency,” the SWAT officer said without stopping. “I’m assigned to take her to the hospital.”

Shina’s unseen eyes and Kisara’s eyes met for a moment.

Kanako assisted them toward the back door of an ambulance, feeling even more pleased with herself.

Shina closed the ambulance’s door.

Inside the ambulance, Anya pulled off her visor helmet and blinked.

Memeko was sitting there, wearing a pink nurse’s uniform, surrounded by laptop screens and glowing monitors. It looked less like an ambulance and more like a control panel.

“Anya-chan~! You’re back~!”

Memeko launched herself forward and wrapped Anya in a dramatic hug, squishing their cheeks together.

“Wha—What are you doing, Memeko-chan?! And what kind of ambulance is this?!”

“I just purchased it yesterday,” Shina said, pulling off her visor.

Then the engine roared.

The window connecting the driver’s cabin to the passenger area slid open.

Miorin peered through, also disguised in a pink nurse’s uniform, her pink wig slightly tilted. A small nursing cap was perched on her head.

“It’s a pleasure to have you back, Miss Anya,” Miorin said warmly.

“Wait—Miorin?! Is that you?” Anya squinted, almost unable to recognize her.

“Indeed.”

Miorin pressed the accelerator. The siren wailed as the vehicle pulled away from the complex, disappearing into the night.

Kanako watched the ambulance go, a satisfied smile on her face.

Kisara tapped her earpiece, speaking quietly. A moment later, her expression shifted.

“What’s wrong?” Kanako asked.

Kisara lowered her hand, her eyes narrowing.

“HQ just reported that all SWAT teams and the children are accounted for. No emergency medical evacuations were authorized.”

Kanako’s smile froze.

“What?! That can’t be… Who the heck was even that?”

Kanako tried to turn and chase after the ambulance, but Kisara stopped her. Just then, Daichi’s squad arrived with the actual captives.

“That… That was…” She clenched her fists. “That sneaky little—!”