In the hidden base of the guards of Yakuza, The guards and Ivana were waiting for Nicole to return while discussing their plan of attack. This time, due to them obtaining the layout, the enemy personnel numbers, and location, they finally be able to come up with a proper strategy
Ivana said to them while she studied the drawn out mini map of the mansion.
"I think it's better if you all move with a partner. To support each other while simultaneously attacking in five directions. You're all skilled enough to infiltrate that mansion if you're careful"
The guards nodded. One of them asked her about something
"Boss, what is our objective? I know that you're planning to kill the leaders of those groups, but it would be more convenient and effective if we knew what we were supposed to do. As not to affect your plan"
Ivana then said to him
"Your objective is simple, but also dangerous. You all just need to make a ruckus when you're in your designated locations. When I gave the signal, start to kill the enemies. Draw as much attention as possible then retreat"
Ilaya then explained
"I just need to make the guards thinner around the leaders. Then, I will strike in the chaos"
They all nodded and understood her plan. Then, as they're wondering who will be their partner in the operation, Kazuki asked Ivana
"Boss. How are you going to infiltrate the mansion? Shouldn't you have at least one guard to protect you?"
Ivana looked at him. Then she said unhurriedly
"I have a way"
Then, she grinned and said
"A much more effective way"
Kazuki started to have bad premonitions about her boss' safety. Then, he said worriedly
"Boss. I think it's better if you bring Nicole as your guard. Two is much better that one after all"
Ivana felt amused at his words. Then she looked behind him as she said
"Well thank you for worrying about my safety. But… shouldn't you worry about your safety first?"
Kazuki tilted his head as he said to her
"What? What do you mean boss?"
Ivana got up from her seat as she walked towards the door near her, and said to him while walking away
"The schooler's expression behind you doesn't say so otherwise"
Then, Kazuki started to sweat. He abruptly looked behind him, only for his cheek to be hit by the the elementary schooler, Nicole, who arrived just now and fuming with rage
Before Ivana even opened the door, she heard Nicole's voice that contained pure rage as she yelled loudly
"How dare you put a buzzer on me!! I thought it was a gun!! Do you know the shame that caused me!? You even laughed at me!? You're dead!!"
Then, the tables and chairs were overturned by their scuffles as some of the guards attempted to separate them. While the other cheered on the spectacle. As the room was full of noises, Ivana looked at happenings with a tired expression and said to one of her guard near her
"When they stop, lock them in their rooms and release them only when it's time to move out. Clear they're room of everything. Maybe a bit of silence with will help them reflect about themselves"
The guard nodded
"Yes Boss"
Ivana turned around and walked out of the room. She faintly heard the voice of Kazuki justifying his action, and the increasingly louder Nicole whose rage kept increasing due to Kazuki's words. She walked towards her room as she thought
'That's why I don't want them to gather, and instead separate them. Chaos always appeared when they're all in the same space'
As she entered her room, she sat in the chair as she felt nervous about their upcoming attack. She knew that if she missed this chance, opportunity like this will never come again
"The stakes are against us if we don't hit them hard. I need to go offensive if I want my life to be safe"
Somehow, she felt tired all over from all these happenings. Then, she decided to take a short nap after seeing her comfy bed. She laid down and immediately fell asleep
…
As Ilaya recounted her story, she felt that her burdens vanished from her. The feeling of sharing her problems really lightened her up. Then, she said to the two
"So, I managed to escape the room after I cut his face with the knife and ran outside. Of course, I knew that blindly rushing straight is a bad decision, but I am so scared that time"
Ilaya suddenly chuckle
"Well, anyone in that situation will be scared as well. So I ran. Far away from that place as far as possible. Even when my foot was wounded in the trash that littered the place. I ignored it and ran"
The two listened quietly as they heard the survival story of a kidnapped victim. They already heard so much about escaping of victims in kidnapping incidents in their whole career, but this one is a bit special. Because the whole incident is the spark that set off and triggered a disastrous calamity in the police forces
Then, Ilaya smiled and said
"As I ran. I heard rapid footsteps heading towards me from the darkness. It's in a small forest, so the sound is loud due to the leaves and branches on the ground. And it's midnight at that time, so the horror that I felt at that time is truly terrifying. I screamed from fear as I thought that the killer finally managed to catch up to me"
The two men looked at each other and they have the same thought. They really felt that it's terrifying when there's a serial killer trying to kill you. Still, they didn't interrupt her
"That time, I thought a was going to be killed when the man grabbed me. But, I heard him speak and I immediately recognized him"
Ilaya smiled at them as she drank her wine. After she wiped her mouth, she said
"It's my friend that I met early on. He's a part of the Yakuza and good man. I was so scared at that time and he calmed me down. I grabbed him and pleaded him to save me. He agreed immediately. But…"
Ilaya's mood darkened as she sadly said
"Before we even took a step, he was shot by the killer. I already knew that the killer was behind him, but I didn't manage to warn him on time. So, he falls down"
Ilaya trembled when she remembered his figure falling down. She closed her eyes and said
"Then, despair consumed me as I attempted to drag him to escape. It's futile, I know. But I can't think straight in that situation. A person who's trying to save me, almost got killed due to helping me"
The owner reached out his hand and attempted to pat her head and comfort her, but Michizugawa stopped him as he shook his head. Ilaya didn't notice this as she said in a raspy voice
"Then… the killer kicked me in my chest as I dragged my friend to escape. After that, the killer beat me up. I gave up at that time. I don't care anymore if he killed me. My only regret is that my friend's life is going to be over because of me"
Ilaya felt the phantom pain of her self-inflicted wound in her thighs as she said
"The killer noticed this. And he used my friend as a way to make me suffer more"
Ilaya sniffled
"And I suffered"