I turned to Aki, Miko, and Ruka, guilt flickering in my chest. “Sorry, guys. I can’t help close up tonight—I need to follow them.”

  Aki frowned. “Are you sure? This could be dangerous.”

  Miko crossed her arms. “Yeah, I mean, it’s not like we can just storm in and rescue Keiko if something’s wrong.”

  Ruka let out a deep sigh. “You better be careful, Ryuko. And if anything happens, let us know immediately.”

  I nodded, grabbed my jacket, and ran outside.

  ---

  Pulling up my hoodie, I kept my head low and blended into the dark streets. Fortunately, the boss and Keiko weren’t using a car, which made tailing them easier.

  I kept a safe distance, stepping lightly on the pavement. The night was quiet, with only the faint hum of streetlights buzzing above. Keiko’s unease was obvious—she kept dodging the boss’s attempts to hold her hand.

  He tried once.

  She stepped away.

  He tried again.

  She casually moved her purse between them.

  I couldn’t help but chuckle. At least she wasn’t making it easy for him.

  After a while, they stopped in front of a bar.

  So that’s where they’re going?

  The boss led Keiko inside, and I followed—only to be immediately stopped by a bulky security guard.

  “ID,” the guard grunted.

  Crap.

  I tried to py it cool. “I’m 20, man. I’m just here for a drink.”

  The guard didn’t even blink. “ID.”

  Right. I didn’t have an ID as Ryuko.

  I argued, but it was useless. Within seconds, I was shoved back onto the sidewalk.

  “Damn it…” I muttered. Leaning against the wall, I racked my brain for a solution.

  Then, an idea hit me.

  Junpei.

  I quickly pulled out my phone and called him.

  “Yo, what’s up?” Junpei answered.

  “Dude, I need your help. Get to the Sunset Bar as fast as you can.”

  “Whoa, whoa—why?”

  “…Because I have a couple of young girls who wanna have fun tonight.”

  Silence.

  Then—

  “I’M ON MY WAY.”

  I smirked. Sorry, Junpei.

  ---

  Ten minutes ter, Junpei arrived, practically jogging. He grinned, eyes scanning the area. “Alright, where are the dies?”

  I scratched my cheek. “Uh… about that…”

  He narrowed his eyes. “Don’t tell me—”

  “…There are no girls.”

  “YOU BASTARD.”

  He shot me a death gre, and for a second, I thought he’d kill me right there.

  “I needed you to get inside,” I expined quickly. “Keiko’s in there with some sleazy old man. I need you to check on her.”

  Junpei let out a dramatic sigh. “Unbelievable. First, you lure me here with fake women, and now you’re making me a spy?”

  I csped my hands together. “Please. I owe you, man.”

  He rolled his eyes but relented. “Fine. But you’re paying for my next three meals.”

  “Deal.”

  Junpei muttered something under his breath before strutting toward the entrance. The guard barely looked at him before letting him inside.

  Now, I just had to wait.

  ---

  Thirty minutes passed.

  No sign of Junpei.

  “What is he doing in there?” I grumbled. I was about to call him when suddenly—

  BANG!

  The bar doors swung open, and Junpei came flying out, nding ft on his back.

  “…What the hell?”

  I rushed over as he groaned. His face was flushed, his breath reeked of alcohol.

  He was drunk.

  What the hell, Junpei?!

  Before I could scold him, the boss stumbled out of the bar, also drunk, also furious.

  “That little punk! Who the hell does he think he is?!” he slurred, pointing at Junpei. His assistant scrambled behind him, trying to keep him steady.

  Keiko followed, looking pale and uneasy.

  The boss gred down at Junpei. “You! You insulted my taste in whiskey!”

  Junpei, lying ft on the ground, groaned. “’Cause it sucked… old man… no css at all…”

  “Oh my god,” I muttered, rubbing my temples.

  The boss raised his hand like he wanted to sp Junpei.

  Oh, hell no.

  I quickly moved, grabbing Keiko’s wrist before the boss could notice.

  She gasped, looking up at me in shock. “W-Who—?”

  I kept my hoodie low and whispered, “Run.”

  Her eyes widened.

  She hesitated for a moment, gncing at the boss, who was still too busy cursing Junpei out.

  Then, without another word, she nodded.

  I pulled her away, gripping her hand tightly as we sprinted down the street.

  “HEY! HEY!” the boss bellowed behind us.

  His assistant panicked, trying to keep him from colpsing.

  Junpei, realizing what was happening, bolted up and sprinted after us.

  “What the hell is happening?!” he shouted.

  “Just run, you idiot!” I yelled back.

  And so, we ran.

  Keiko, Junpei, and I—sprinting through the dimly lit streets like fugitives while a furious drunk boss yelled after us.

  What a mess.