EXT - CAMPUS ENTRANCE - 8PM
Outside, the campus was quiet. Streetlights flickered to life, casting a gentle glow on the path ahead. The three girls walked together, with Ice trailing behind—tired, quiet, eyes half-shut.
"You're heading this way, right? Want to walk with us?" Lia asked.
"Yeah, we're practically neighbors," Rika added.
"I'd love to," Fire said, pouting slightly, "but I'm going the opposite way."
"That's a shame. Be careful, okay?" Lia said warmly.
"I wish I knew where Ice lived," Rika whispered with a giggle. "I'd totally walk in the wrong direction."
Fire held back a laugh. She didn't dare provoke the "Ice monster."
Trying to steer the mood, Fire turned to him. "Hey Ice, aren't you heading to the parking lot for your ride?"
"No. Broken," he replied flatly, walking ahead.
"Which way are you going, Ice? We could walk together," Rika asked, with the softest voice.
Lia and Fire froze in surprise. Ice didn't even flinch.
His attitude toward girls was terrible. Fire nearly facepalmed.
"Can't. I need to walk her home," he said, pointing at Fire.
All three girls went stiff.
Seriously, Ice? That's not how you say it... Fire thought, flustered.
"You don't need to," she tried to recover. "You can walk with them—"
"Can't. Mom's been nagging me to walk you home," he yawned.
Cute—no, not cute!
The other girls were now eyeing Fire, who shook her head furiously.
What's wrong with you, Ice!
"Let's go. I'm sleepy," he mumbled, rubbing his eyes.
Before she could protest, he gently grabbed Fire's wrist and started walking. She stumbled forward, stunned, while Lia and Rika watched in shock.
"Ice!" she yelped.
He didn't reply. He just wanted to sleep.
The streets were quieter now as they made their way toward the bus stop. Fire was beside him, clearly stressed about something—but Ice didn't ask, nor did he care. What irritated him more was how slowly she walked.
"Hurry up. I'm sleepy," he muttered, rubbing his eyes.
"Ice!" she protested, huffing beside him. School projects, festival prep, endless group complaints—it was all piling up like trash no one wanted to deal with. And now Fire was stomping along next to him with her arms crossed and a glare that made it seem like he'd insulted her entire bloodline.
He didn't ask what her problem was. He was too tired to bother.
The bus stop was just ahead. The street, mostly empty this late, was quiet except for the rustle of wind through the trees. They walked in silence.
Until—
Tires screeched.
A white van swerved directly in front of them.
"What—?" Fire barely got the word out before the van doors flew open.
A masked man jumped out.
Then another.
And another.
In total, five men moved fast, grabbing them before either could react. Ropes tightened around Ice's wrists, and cloth was pulled over his eyes. Fire's scream never came—just a sharp inhale, abruptly cut off.
It all happened in seconds.
Ice didn't resist.
He couldn't—not with her right there. One wrong move, and they'd hurt her. Five men, likely armed. Not a fight he could win.
They were shoved into the van—no seats, just the cold metal floor.
The engine roared.
"You didn't even throw a punch!" Fire hissed beside him.
They sat shoulder to shoulder, wrists bound, knees bumping awkwardly in the dark. Their captors sat in front, speaking in low voices.
"There were five of them," Ice said flatly.
"And? Maybe try protecting the girl?" she snapped. He didn't need to see her glare to feel it.
"Yeah, right," he muttered. Her anger radiated through the darkness.
Definitely not the prince from your cheesy romance novels, Ice thought. She was always rambling about those stories. He rarely listened. Maybe he should've.
Still... something wasn't right.
No bruises. No violence. Their captors hadn't even bothered to check the knots. Ice's blindfold was loose enough to see through. Everything felt too careful. Too... polite.
This wasn't a real kidnapping.
"Is the room ready?" one voice asked from up front.
"Yeah, let's get them inside."
The tone was cheerful. Too cheerful. Like they were prepping for a surprise party—not ransom or interrogation.
Fire kept muttering beside him.
"You should really take self-defense classes or something. What kind of boyfriend can't protect his—"
"Yeah, yeah. I'll sign up next week," Ice cut in sharply, trying to silence her before the captors got annoyed.
About ten minutes later, the van stopped.
The doors opened. Footsteps approached.
Hands grabbed them—not rough, but careful. Guiding. Almost... polite.
"Get down."
"Walk straight."
The voices were calm. Even respectful.
Ice adjusted his footing, tilting his head just enough to peek under the blindfold. Fire was being treated the same. No yelling. No weapons. No real danger.
The hallway they were led through was clean. Carpeted.
Then came the scent—soy sauce, grilled fish, warm miso.
A restaurant?
Not a warehouse. Not a back alley. This wasn't a typical hostage situation.
Maybe a private dining room?
"Do something, Ice," Fire whispered. She sounded truly panicked now.
Footsteps neared.
Then a voice spoke—deep, artificial, distorted like it was run through a voice-changer app.
"Greetings. I got you here too."
Ice stiffened. Someone stepped closer to Fire.
His hands had been tied loosely—on purpose, maybe—and he was ready to strike if needed.
But instead—
"Surprise!"
The blindfold came off.
Fire blinked, surprised—but without fear in her eyes. She called out,
'...Ace?!'