Beneath The Maple Tree

As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in warm hues of orange and purple, the teachers called out to us. "Alright, everyone, let's head back to the hotel for dinner!"

I gathered my clothes, quickly slipping into something more comfortable for the evening. Behind me, Higan moved with his usual quiet grace, his golden eyes lingering on me briefly before he turned to change. His presence felt heavier than usual, but I chalked it up to his natural intensity.

The walk back to the hotel was filled with chatter and laughter. I stayed near the middle of the group, occasionally glancing at Higan, who was just a step behind me. His silence was comforting in its own way, though I could feel his watchful gaze on me now and then.

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The dining hall was a lively scene of chaos. Long tables were set with steaming dishes, and the warm, inviting aroma of roasted meat, freshly baked bread, and fragrant spices filled the air. Students eagerly filled their plates, the room echoing with chatter and laughter.

Sliding into a seat, I grabbed some food, savoring the warm meal after a long day. Higan sat beside me, his movements measured as he filled his plate, though his eyes frequently flicked toward me.

"Try this... And this too... And this" Higan starts stuffing foods into my plate, I let out an awkward laugh as I looked at my plate full of meats.

"Uh... Higan this is too mu-"

"You thin-thin! Gain some muscle!"

"This food is amazing!" one of the students- I mean my friend Remi sitting across from me said, holding up a drumstick that he stole from my plate,"I could live here...!"

"Oi-!! That's for Hikaru!!" Higan said bonking Remi's head.

"Ouch-! Heyy!! He doesn't wanna eat!!" Remi winched before stealing another drumstick from Higan's plate as Higan looked at him shocked.

I laughed, seeing them being childish was sweet as I started scooping rice onto my plate. "Yeah, but you'd be broke if you ate like this every day"

Higan's lips curved into a faint smile. "If you were broke, I'd take care of you."

I glanced at him, slightly flustered. "That's not exactly reassuring."

"Boo-!! You suck at flirting Higan!!" Remi's girlfriend Ellyn tease Higan as Remi started laughing, seeing them cheerful I couldn't help but smile myself and laugh alongside them.

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The lively conversation continued, students laughing and joking, oblivious to the quiet danger lurking nearby. In the shadows of a corner, two men in black stood, their faces partially obscured by low-brimmed caps.

One of them leaned toward the other, his voice barely a whisper. "The target is here."

The other nodded, his eyes fixed in my direction. "Keep your distance. No unnecessary attention. We wait until he's alone."

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After dinner, I stood and stretched. "I'm going to the washroom," I said casually to Higan.

His eyes narrowed slightly. "Don't take too long."

I waved him off with a small laugh. "I'll be fine. Save some dessert for me."

Unaware of the two shadowy figures who silently slipped out of the dining hall, I walked toward the quieter hallway leading to the restrooms.

The air here was still, the sound of my footsteps faint against the tiled floor. As I turned a corner, I felt a brief chill but brushed it off as nothing. The dim lighting made the corridor feel eerily empty, though I didn't sense the presence of the men closing in behind me.

"This is the moment," one of them murmured as they approached.

"Quick and quiet," the other responded.

Before I could reach the restroom door, a firm hand clamped over my mouth, and another gripped my arm with an iron-like strength. My eyes widened in shock, but I couldn't scream.

"Don't make a sound," one of them hissed, his voice cold and sharp.

I struggled, panic surging through me, but it was useless. A cloth was pressed over my face, and a sickly-sweet scent filled my nostrils. My vision blurred as my body went limp.

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Back in the dining hall, Higan's sharp eyes darted toward the hallway for the tenth time in as many minutes. The noise around him felt distant as his unease grew.

One of the students nudged him. "Hey, you good? You've been staring at that door for a while."

Higan stood abruptly, his chair scraping loudly against the floor. "He- Hikaru's taking too long."

Remi heard Higan as he raised an eyebrow. "Maybe he's just taking a shi-"

But Higan was already heading toward the teachers.

"Ignored-" Ellyn said trying not to laugh at Remi.

"Have you seen him?" he asked the teacher, his voice low but urgent.

The teachers exchanged glances, looking confused. "Didn't he say he was going to the restroom?" one asked. "Let's check"

The search began immediately, but as the minutes passed and I was nowhere to be found, a cold dread settled over Higan.

"Check outside," one teacher said, motioning for the group to spread out.

Higan's fists clenched as he walked through the hallways, his golden eyes scanning every corner. His breathing quickened when he realized something was wrong.

"He's gone," Higan murmured to himself, his voice shaking with suppressed rage.

The teachers tried to reassure him. "We'll search everywhere. Don't panic just yet-"

"I should've gone with him," Higan interrupted, his voice sharp and filled with self-loathing. He slammed a fist against the wall, the sound echoing down the hall. "How could I let this happen?"

The other students looked on, murmuring amongst themselves, but Higan barely noticed them.

His chest heaved as he fought to control his emotions. "This is my fault," he whispered, his eyes darkening with fury. "I swore I'd protect him."

As the teachers organized a broader search, Higan stood motionless, his jaw tight and his mind racing. Inwardly, he vowed that whoever had taken me would pay. No matter the cost, he would bring me back.

_To Be Continue_