"Wak...it's... -orning!"

John's consciousness started to slowly come back.

"Wake up, Big Bro! You're going to be late!"

Said the two sisters as they shook the person under the blanket.

Shake shake shake shake shake

"Ugh... H-hey, stop that. I'm already awake," said the person being shaken violently.

Shake shake shake shake shake

...Huh? That's weird. Why am I in my bed? ...Oh.

"So... It was a dream after all, huh? By the way, stop that!"

"what do you mean, John? Anyways, we'll go first so get up or you're gonna be late. You should really thank those nice guys who brought you here since they carried you around while you were sleeping," said the sister named Cindy slowly stopping the shaking.

"Mmmngh... Okay, okay. Just stop shaking me."

"Hurry up, Big Bro. We're going to leave first since we're already done dressing up. Don't forget to lock the door, okay?" said the other sister named Joan as she left the room together with Cindy.

Sigh... Alright, time to get up since I might be late for... Um, late for what? School maybe? Yeah, maybe... Ouch, my ribs hurt a bit... Nevermind, it's okay now.

John stood up, did his usual morning routine, and then went to the dining table on the first floor. After he ate the food Joan prepared in advance, he washed the dishes and then he went back to his room on the second floor to change into his school uniform.

He looked at himself in the mirror.

Alright. I look normal today. But why did I have that strange dream? And... Why can I remember what I did yesterday?

After some more preparations, he went downstairs and exited the house. John is now ready for today's school.

"And then... Lock. Alright, I'm done. I should go to school now because I'm probably late already. I can't even see any students walking around anymore."

With a fast pace, John walked to school while following his usual path.

Huh? I can't see any fellow students anymore. Maybe it's already...

"Oh dammit! I'm really am late right now! Looks like I have to run!" said John while doing some warm-up exercises on the spot, which earned him some extra glares from the people around him.

Suddenly, he dashed forward without even caring about why the people around are looking at him strangely. No, he did care a little.

Don't stare at me like that! I already know that I'm late for school!

Finally, John reached the school gates while gasping for breath.

But at that moment, he realized the horrible truth.

I decided to ignore it because I thought it was just my imagination... B-but... No way...

As John thought that, his heart sank after realizing the cruel fact that rendered his efforts of going to school meaningless.

After seeing the school being empty, John could no longer deny the truth.

"Oh, right. There are no classes today... Damn."

The school is closed for today.

<><><><><><><><>

Five men watched from behind a wall as John he agonized by himself near the school gate.

"This is bad. We couldn't find the right timing to get John. It also looks like he's mentally unstable. Is that why he's wearing that school uniform on a day like this?" said one of the five men while trying to hide his large body.

"You're right, Ivan. But what do we do now?" anxiously asked the person beside Ivan.

"Don't worry, Muhammad. I have an idea."

"Alright. I'll trust your judgment."

After the man named Ivan signaled the four other men to follow, they silently circled around John without being spotted by him or anyone else nearby.

<><><><><><><><>

May 8, 2032. Saturday. 9:11 AM.

"Damn, why didn't I notice? My sisters weren't even wearing school uniforms earlier," said John as he looked at the date on his phone for the first time today.

Ahh... And I'm even wearing a school uniform. No wonder the people are staring at me like I'm a crazy person. Sigh... This is embarrassing.

After thinking that, he began walking away from the school gate.

John avoided his usual path from earlier, the one filled with many people. Instead, he selected a desolate path.

"This way should be good. There's no one walking around this path. I'll go here instead so that-- Wrlghr-Mfff!"

John's solo conversation suddenly got cut off as someone from behind covered his mouth and dragged him into a dark alley.

"Cover his eyes and put him in the car after tying him up," said a familiar male voice.

Huh? Didn't I hear that voice from somewhere before? More importantly, I have to get away!

John thought to himself after a soft cloth-like object covered his eyes.

"Mmfff!(No!) Lmff(Let) mff(me) mfoo!(go!)"

"..."

Only silence accompanied John's muffled sounds as he felt big arms forcibly placing him into what seems to be the trunk of a car.

Based on this tight space around me... I'm in the trunk of a car. Wait, me being able to know tha--

The sound of something closing with a thud interrupted John's thoughts. The entire space felt hot after the supply of fresh air got cut off.

Nooo! This feels like the time when my sisters locked me inside the trunk of dad's car! I'm scared!

John could only reminiscence about his traumatic past as he heard the start up sound of an engine.

<><><><><><><><>

Two girls stood idly by the entrance of an amusement park.

"Haahhh... Why is Big Bro taking so long? Cindy, can you try giving him a call?"

"Sorry but I can't. I forgot to bring my phone with me."

"Sigh... It would be bad if we keep waiting here. Though we got all excited and went ahead first, we can't go back now so let's just go inside already, Cindy."

"You're right. Maybe he'll catch up later. After all, we've already planned for this trip a few days ago. It's not like John would forget about it, right?"

The two neatly dressed sisters, Joan and Cindy, conversed as they entered the amusement park.

They walked around for a while, but...

"Hey, Joan. Let's stop for a bit."

"What is it, Cindy?"

"I feel like someone is watching us..."

"No, there really is a group of girls looking our way right now. Look, can you see them?" said Joan while pointing at a certain direction.

Cindy then squeezed her eyes as hard as she could towards the direction where Joan pointed at. Not far from them, she spotted a group of girls facing their way while trying to hide. Although, they failed in hiding since Joan already spotted them.

"Oh, they suddenly faced away. Wait... Aren't those girls a little familiar?"

"Hmm? You're right. They're the girls who frequently visit Big Bro. Wait, why is his teacher here too? Anyway, lets go and talk to them."

The two sisters exchanged nods and then walked towards the familiar group of girls.

"...Where?" "I can't see him." "Where's john?" "Was our information wrong?" etc etc

As the sisters approached, they began hearing the mumbling of the girls.

<><><><><><><><>

The screeching of a tire resounded as the car suddenly stopped moving. After that, the sound of a car door opening followed. Then, footsteps slowly came closer and the sounds stopped just right outside the locked up John's location.

After a clicking sound, the trunk opened and fresh air suddenly filled the inside, which filled John with a pleasant sensation. He hadn't felt this good in a while. Still, he could not relax.

"Mmf! Mfff!"

But John's eyes were blindfolded and he still got his mouth covered by something in addition to him being tied up.

John wriggled as he felt a burly arm wrapping around his waist. A moment later, the arm carried him like a pillow.

Oh no! Where are they taking me!? Did they abduct me to ask for a ransom? D-didn't they know that my parents aren't that rich anymore?

There was only the sound of several footsteps as John wriggled around while trying to figure out his situation.

"What the!? What are you doing!!?" shouted a female voice.

In response to the female voice, the person carrying John placed him on what seems to be a couch. His bindings were still not undone.

"Didn't you say to take him here by any means?" asked a familiar male voice.

"Yes, I know. But I didn't expect you guys to be this extreme. Sigh... Untie him now. We might be scaring him," replied the female voice.

Huh? What? This isn't kidnaping? They're letting me go just like that? No, I can't trust them yet.

Somebody untied John and removed his blindfold.

"We're sorry, John. Next time, we will be gentler," said the female voice.

I... I would prefer it if there will be no more next tim-- Huh?

"...Ivan? You guys were real?" asked John towards Ivan after seeing him and the four other men inside the room.

"What do you mean, John? Anyway, she's Madam. She is the one who wanted you to be here," coldly replied Ivan as he pointed at the woman sitting behind a table, no, a desk.

"...Madam? Anyone care to explain?" asked John as he looked around.

From what he could see, he is currently in a small room one could call an Office. John is seated at the couch while the muscular men, Ivan and his four men, surrounded him from both sides. In front of John, Madam sat behind a plain circular table. On either side of the Madam were silver vaults that looked like they contain something valuable.

"This is what's going on, John," said the Madam as she waved around a stack of papers. Upon closer inspection, John found more papers were scattered on the desk.

The large red text on the stack of papers held by the Madam caught John's attention.

It said: "Top Secret".

<><><><><><><><>

"Yeeeey!"

"Wheee!"

"I'm really enjoying this!"

"Hyahahaha! Hahahaa!"

A group of girls shouted with joy as they rode an attraction in the amusement park. Out of the group, two girls remained silent up till now.

"...Say, Cindy."

"What is it, Joan?"

"I want to beat these girls up later. Wanna come and join me?"

"No! Don't do that! Every single one of them is John's friend. What would he think if he learns that you beat up his friends?" replied Cindy in a shouting manner while waving her hands in panic.

"But... They're so annoying. But I also don't want Big Bro to get mad at me... Urgh, I don't know what to do..."

"It's alright. I understand you. Let's just endure it for now and wait for John to come."

"If you say so, Cindy..." said Joan as she continued sulking.

<><><><><><><><>

"Red Rampage... Friday, May 7, 2032... Case Closed?" muttered John as he read the files on his hands.

This... This can't be. T-then, that dream was actually real!? N-no! Where... Where are...

"Where are the two girls!? Weren't they with us yesterday? What happened to them?" asked John as he glued his eyes on the files.

Suddenly, memories gushed out of John's mind.

I... I remember now! I remembered it like it happened just yester-- No, wait. I remember it all! I know that poor girl should be safe by now, but the other one is...

"You-- You guys... Did you... Kill her? Did you kill the girl in red?" asked John as he glared at Ivan.

All of a sudden, John felt a weight on his shoulder.

Someone placed a hand on his shoulder. Reacting naturally, he looked towards the direction where the hand came from. He saw the man named Muhammad, who he remembered as one of those who struggled with him yesterday.

"John... She's--" said Muhammad before his words got interrupted.

"P-please don't touch me! sob, sob," said John as he instantly cut off Muhammad's words.

I, I also remember what they did to that fat guy. I don't want to be near these guys... sob, sob. I think they've also tainted me that time i was asleep...

John thought to himself as the memories of why he passed out yesterday surfaced on his mind.

"Muhammad, let go of John! What did you do to make him cry!?" shouted Madam due to John's sudden change in attitude.

"Nothing of the sort, Madam. I don't know why he's acting like that. And John, stop that. You're making me look bad... Alright, Ivan will do the talking so we'll stay silent from now on," said the man named Muhammad as he raised his hands and distanced away from John.

"You didn't do anything. Don't worry. Just... Just don't touch me. Any of you guys, don't touch me. I beg you," replied John while on high alert as he stood still.

"Do you completely remember what happened yesterday, John?" suddenly asked Ivan while keeping some distance away from John.

John jerked a bit after hearing Ivan's voice.

"N-no... Not completely. I just know that I fell unconscious three times yesterday. sob, sob. My memories were muddy. And that... When I woke up in that room... You already... Just like the fat guy... To me... Sob, sob. And now, I just learned that you killed the girl..." replied John as he sobbed in between the words.

"Oh... Hahaha! Looks like we have a misunderstanding," said Ivan as he scratched the back of his head.

"Sob, sob. Misunderstanding?"

"Yes, John. You got things wrong. We didn't do anything to you and we certainly didn't kill anyone yesterday," replied Ivan while smiling in order to reassure John.

So things weren't that bad...? Oh, this makes me look like I'm crying over nothing. I better stop acting like a little brat now.

A muffled ringing suddenly echoed from somewhere in the room.

"I'll be explaining in a bit, John. So please wait while I answer this phone call," said the Madam as she took out an old-model phone from one of the silver vaults.

Wait, those vaults aren't locked? If I try to take a look at the insides as a prank, will they shoot me? Also, I just noticed, but what's with Madam's hair style? Is it just her personal style to dye the ends of her hair with green?

John thought as he stopped his sobs and observed the Madam who spoke on the phone in a low volume that even he couldn't hear.

<><><><><><><><>

"Take that!"

Punch.

"And that! And that! This too! Yah! Take this!"

Punch, punch, jab, kick, kick.

"J-joan! Stop that! I think that's too much!"

"Ohoho, no, Cindy. I'm just getting started! Take this!" replied Joan as she gave a strong punch afterwards.

"No, Joan. You really should stop attacking that big teddy bear. Look, everyone is looking at us, including the girls!" said Cindy as she hid her face in embarrassment.

"No! It's my prize anyway so just let me take out my anger on this one! I can't believe Big Bro! It's been hours! Why is he still not here!?" angrily roared Joan.

Everyone, including Cindy, immediately distanced away from her. They felt that there is danger in approaching her right now.

Joan continued attacking the poor teddy bear on the floor that she got from a game earlier.

<><><><><><><><>

"To fill in the gaps of your memories, let me tell you what happened yesterday. Remember, this is based on what these guys reported to me, understand?" said the Madam after she return the phone inside the vault.

"Y-yes Madam," replied John as he straightened his back while sitting on the couch.

"Hm? What are you looking at? You're curious about what's inside these vaults? Sorry, but I'll have to shoot you on the spot if you try to look," said Madam in a seemingly unconcerned tone.

Immediately after that, Madam told John the events that transpired yesterday.

"First... And then... After that... Then... And finally..."

Madam carefully explained to John in a manner that even he could simply understand.

John got caught in everything because he met Ivan at their base of operations by accident. Then, a 'surprising' thing happened which is why they decided to 'secure' Red Rampage instead of killing her for being deemed too dangerous. After the operation, the men nursed John's injuries and took him to another room somewhere in the same building where for some reason John fainted after waking up, which is why they had to figure out John's address by checking his ID to take him home.

Or at least that's the summary of the Madam's explanation.

"Did you get all that, John? I've already simplified it for you," asked the Madam while mimicking the gesture of holding a gun while pointing at John.

"Um, Yes. Thanks. I understand now," replied John, although, feeling a little uncomfortable.

So that's what happened. Still, they left some things unexplained. But why didn't she mention anything about the 'act' that Ivan and his friends did? Also, they already know where I live!

"By the way, John."

"What is it, Madam?"

"There's another reason why I wanted you to come here," said the Madam as she held another stack of papers with "Top Secret" written on it.

Pressure suddenly filled John's heart.

What is it this time? Oh no, wait. What if she's threatening me!? I know their 'Top Secret', but they know my address! Oh man, I really screwed up!

John's paranoid mind began imagining things as sweat started to form on his back.

<><><><><><><><>

Somewhere inside the amusement park, there lay on the floor the remains of a teddy bear. Beside it stood a girl breathing heavily as if she just finished doing heavy physical work.

Everyone within the vicinity stared at the girl from a distance.

"...Okay. Joan, are you satisfied now? You've been doing this for hours. You even scared John's friends away," said Cindy as she slowly approached Joan.

"Huff, huff. Yes. I think I'm tired now. Let's go home already, Cindy."

"You 'think', huh? Well I think we should punish John a bit when we get home. Just for today."

"No... I don't want Big Bro to be scared of us. Let's get something to eat first before we go," replied Joan as they both walked towards a food stand nearby.

As they got closer, they happen to pass by a sobbing person sitting all alone on a bench while talking to himself.

Curious, they both tried to listen to his words as they slowed down their walking pace.

"Sob, sob. I reserved tickets for two in advance but she didn't even reply to me... She could have been here with me right now. Sob, sob. Am I not good enough? Maybe I should ask John for some advice."

"You know John!?" "You know my Big Bro?" simultaneously asked the sister as they instantly approached the crying person.

"Waghh!" screamed the freshly startled person.

Of course the poor guy possibly meant a different John but the two sisters would react to anything that mentioned John in their mind's current state.

<><><><><><><><>

John got taken into the middle of a different room. A very large room.

A large metallic coffin-like object with a hand sticking out from a small hole in the middle stood in front of him. He could not see what the back of it looks like, but he noticed some wires were sticking out from behind the metal coffin.

"Try touching the hand, John," said the Madam as she stood behind John.

"I... Don't think I wanna touch that. Seriously, it looks like a corps-- Oh my god! It just moved!"

"Stop hiding behind the door. Look around you, there are people on stand-by in case something happens."

"But I don't want something to happe-- Okay, okay I'll touch it! Just don't let these guys come near me," said John as he pointed towards the approaching Ivan and his four men.

John got into position as he prepared himself to touch the mysterious hand sticking out of the metal coffin.

Oh man. This is just like in those horror movies. What if it grips my hand and crushes it? Or what if this hand is actually cursed?

As John thought that, a group of old men wearing lab coats surrounded him and the metal coffin. They all looked like mad scientists from a sci-fi movie and each of them had an ecstatic smile on their faces.

Lots of computer monitor filled the room and each one of them is monitored by a mad looking scientist. A big screen is displayed at one end of the room, showing a green line that zigzags every second.

"Madam, these guys are scaring me," said John as he looked at the mad scientists.

"You're not the only one who thinks that, John. By the way, don't touch me!" replied the Madam as she moved away from John while having a panicked face.

Ah. Even the Madam is like that towards me... No one actually wanted me in here, huh? I want to get away from this place.

John steeled himself.

This is it. There's no turning back now. Here, I'm raising my hand now. No, wait, I need to take a deep breath. Now, raise my hand and--

"Sigh... Just touch the god damn hand, John!"

"Y-yes Madam!" said John as he closed his eyes and touched the hand by the finger.

Nooo! I'm scared! Something will happen! Something will-- Huh? Nothing happened?

A long, loud beep interrupted John's thoughts.

"It's confirmed. The heart stopped! I repeat, the heart stopped!" said one of the scientists.

W-whose heart stopped? Oh no! Is it mine? Did I die after all!?

Thought John as he slowly opened his eyes while he nervously looked around.

The big screen with a green line displayed caught his attention first.

"Huh? Did that green line just stop moving? That doesn't represent me, right?" asked John with a dumbfounded look as he let go of the mysterious hand and held his chest instead.

"Nope. But congratulations, we've now confirmed your abilities," replied a scientist near John.

"Huh? Why are you congratulating me? What abilities?"

"You've said too much, new guy! Get back to focusing on your work immediately!" shouted the Madam towards the scientist who replied to John.

"U-um, yes Madam! I'm so sorry! Mr. John, please forget what I said earlier!" said the scientist in a respectful tone despite being obviously older.

Immediately after that, the scientist distanced himself away from John and went to work on some computer.

John looked at the Madam.

"Madam, care to explain things?" asked John.

"Alright, Ivan. Return John to his home and come to my office afterwards."

"Yes, Madam," replied Ivan.

Huh? She didn't answer my question. H-hey, wait! Why is Ivan coming closer with those things in hand? No, no! Don't tie me up aga-- Nooo!

"I told you earlier to not be rough... Never mind. Just return him home. Just you, Ivan. I have another work for these four," said the Madam as she pointed at the four silent men standing beside Ivan.

<><><><><><><><>

"So, you're both John's sisters?"

"Yeah. But are you really Big Bro's best friend? I don't remember him mentioning anybody named Jason."

"Ugh... Not only does John not think of me as a friend, he doesn't even bother mentioning me to his sisters!? What good is there in us being classmates then?"

The two conversed as they both sat on the bench while Cindy stood by the food stand while waiting for the food to be ready.

A while later, Cindy came back with street food in hand.

"Here, Joan. Here's yours too, Jason," said Cindy as she handed the food to the two people sitting on the bench.

"Thanks," said Joan as she moved to the side in order to give space for Cindy to sit on the bench.

"Thanks, but why did you give me one too?"

"Aren't you crying just now? It should help you cheer up a bit. And no, don't bother paying me," s+aid Cindy as she took a bite from her food while attempting to sit on the newly freed space on the bench.

"If you say so. I like free things so I'll accept this without shame," said the young man named Jason as he took a bite on his own food.

They focused on eating their food for a while. After they finished, Joan opened up a conversation despite Cindy still chewing on her last bit of food.

"So, why were you crying just now, Jason?"

"Bfffgh! Cough! Cough! H-hey, that's not a nice thing to ask, Joan!" said Cindy after spitting out the food she just choked on.

"No, no. It's okay. I could use someone to talk to anyway," said Jason with a sad face.

After staring at him silently for a while, the sisters finally said something.

"...Okay. Go on, speak up. But we'll go home after this. We're just here to listen since you're Big Bro's friend."

"...Tell us. I'm curious about why someone claiming to be John's friend is crying after all."

"I keep telling you, I'm his best friend. Anyway, here's my story..."

<><><><><><><><>

The car stopped. When he looked outside, John could see that it's already night time.

"We're here, John. I'll remove the ropes now so don't move."

"O-okay, just don't touch too muc-- Hey! Where are you touching!?"

"Stay still, you're shaking the car. I'm not doing anything strange... And here we go. All done, you're free. You can go home now. In fact, we're already right in front of your house."

"I'm amazed that you managed to do all that while still being seated on the driver's seat. Where did you learn to do that rope thing?"

"I've learned it with Muhammad and the others when we were still young... Anyways, we've gone off topic. Get out of the car. We're done."

"Done!? O-okay!"

John immediately exited the car after that.

After getting out, he looked back and said his farewells to Ivan through the car's window.

"Goodbye, Ivan~" said John in a happy and flamboyant tone with a large smile on his face.

"Yeah. Bye, John," replied Ivan with an indifferent attitude.

Yessss! I'm finally free~!!! I guess this is the last time I'll see Ivan. Maybe.

"By the way, John."

"Yes~?"

"You should hurry and get inside the house right now."

Immediately after Ivan said that, the car drove away and disappeared from John's view within seconds.

"...Hmm? I wonder why he said that," asked John to himself as he stood in front of his house.

A moment later, he finally noticed.

H-hey. Why are these people looking at me strangely? O-oh! I know! It must be my school uniform!

"Ah- Ahahahah! Don't stare at me like that. I just mistakenly thought there were classes today so I wore a school uniform," quickly explained John towards the nearby people staring at him.

Despite that, a neighbor John knows well approached him and said something that John himself couldn't ignore.

"So it's like that, huh? Despite so many girls around you... So that's why none of them is your girlfriend yet. I understand, John. I won't spread this information around the neighborhood. Your secret is safe with me. Although, I don't know about the others who saw," said the neighbor while pointing at the other people still staring at John.

What was that about? Wait... No way. It. Can't. Be...

Finally, everything clicked into place inside John's mind as he stood still like a statue.

Supposedly, what if a car were to suddenly appear and park somewhere?

What if that car never opens and instead begins shaking violently from the inside?

What if, after the car stopped shaking, a guy suddenly comes out of the car with a satisfied expression?

What if, just like what John did earlier, the guy who came out of the car said 'goodbye' with a happy and flamboyant tone towards another guy inside the car?

What would people think about what just happened if they saw it from the outside?

Someone patted John's shoulders. When he looked, he saw that the patting hand belonged to the neighbor.

"I understand, John. We have our own preferences after all," said the neighbor while showing a condescending look.

"N-no! It's not like that!" denied John.

"Yes. 'It's not like that', right?" said the neighbor with a wink.

"Noooo! I keep telling you it's not like thaaaaaaaaa---!" shouted John as he ran towards his house with tears in his eyes.

<><><><><><><><>

With a clicking sound, the door opened as the doorknob turned.

"We're hooome!"

"We're back, John. We know you're here so come out."

"Yeah! Come out, Big Bro! You have guts to forget about our plans for today!"

"She's right! As punishment, we're going to sleep inside your-- Oh, Joan, he's here... Huh? Is he crying?"

As they searched the house, the two sisters found their older brother sobbing alone in the lounge while laying in fetal position on the sofa, still wearing the school uniform.

"Sob...Sob... My life is ruined... I can't go outside anymore... Maybe I should start researching about the way of the NEET?"

"Eh? What are you talking about, Big Bro? And why are you wearing your school uniform? Aren't there supposed to be no classes today?"

"I think John forgot more than just our planned trip, Joan. Let's give him some space for a while."

After that, the two sisters continued staring at the sobbing John in silence.