"Are you serious? You're actually going to train me?" he asked, an excited smile spreading across his face.

"Yes, but it would have to be on special days and—"

Yohan didn't let her finish before pulling her into a hug. Her eyes widened as heat rushed to her cheeks.

"Thank you, Jenna," he said softly.

She stood frozen for a moment, arms awkwardly suspended at her sides. The warmth of his embrace was unexpected, disarming. She could feel his heartbeat—rapid, enthusiastic—and it made her own pulse quicken in response.

"Yohan, I—" she started, but her voice came out smaller than intended.

He pulled back suddenly, seeming to realize what he'd done. "Sorry, I just... didn't expect you to actually agree to help." His hands lingered on her shoulders for a half-second before he dropped them, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly.

Jenna cleared her throat, trying to regain her composure. "Right. Well." She smoothed down her shirt unnecessarily. "Like I was saying, special days only. And you'll have to follow my training regimen exactly. No shortcuts, no complaints."

"Whatever you say," he agreed immediately, that grin still plastered across his face. "When do we start?"

"This place is too small," she said, glancing around the room, "You'll have to find a more open area, then we can start,"

"Okay, sensei," Yohan said playfully.

She opened the door, shaking her head as she stepped out.

____

The next morning, Anthony and Yohan walked to school as they usually did.

"Hey, you wanna go play some games after I finish my classes today?" Anthony asked, fiddling with his phone.

"Sorry, but I've got plans," Yohan replied.

"What kind of plans?" Anthony smirked. "Is it with your girlfriend from yesterday?" He raised a brow.

"I already told you she isn't my girlfriend," Yohan sighed.

"Then what were you two doing in there, huh? You bad boy." Anthony nudged his arm, his teasing tone rising.

Yohan was about to respond when he spotted Freddie heading into the department building. He was immediately reminded of the missing girls.

"Anthony, I have to go…" he said, already hurrying away.

"Okay," Anthony called after him. "Call me so we can go hangout later."

Yohan weaved through the flow of students, slipping into the department building just as Freddie disappeared inside. The laughter and chatter around him felt distant, muffled by the unease tightening in his chest.

'Those girls…' The thought pressed heavier with every step. 'Even if I don't have any proof, I can't just let these bastard get away with it'

Since he hadn't reported the matter to the police, he was starting to feel like whatever had happened to the girls was his fault. His guilt deepened with every passing second.

"Hey—"

He caught up to Freddie and grabbed him by the collar, shoving him into the wall.

Freddie was rightfully shocked by Yohan's sudden appearance.

"Yohan, what are you doing—"

"Shut the fuck up and tell me where they are!" he snapped.

It seemed like Freddie immediately understood who he was talking about, but he still pretended not to.

"I don't know what you're talking about," he replied.

"Don't fucking play dumb with me, you bastard. Where are the girls that were with us that night?"

By now, a small crowd had started to gather. Lisa also spotted them and quickly rushed over.

"Yohan, there are people here," she said, tugging gently on his arm.

"You think I give a damn?" Yohan shouted. "I'm going to break this fucker's nose if he doesn't start talking—where did you take the girls?!"

He raised his hand into a fist.

"You little shit," Freddie gritted out. He couldn't let all these people see him looking so powerless.

He grabbed Yohan's arm and tried to force it away, but it didn't move an inch. Then he used both hands, straining, but Yohan's grip stayed locked on his collar without effort.

"Let go of me," Freddie growled, still struggling.

"Not until you answer my question."

By now, even more people had gathered, and Lisa was starting to panic.

She pulled at him urgently. "Yohan, look—there's one of the girls!"

Yohan believed her and looked away. To his surprise, he actually spotted one of the girls standing in the crowd.

"Huh?" Now he was confused.

With little hesitation, he slowly let go of Freddie's collar.

His attention stayed on the girl, so he didn't see Freddie's fist flying toward his face.

The clean punch landed on his chin and sent him crashing to the floor.

"Don't try to mess with me, you fucker," Freddie spat before walking away.

Although it was a heavy blow, Yohan was more concerned about what was really going on. He was certain something terrible had happened to those girls.

Even as his vision faded into darkness and he lost consciousness, the whole scenario replayed over and over in his head.

---

By the time he opened his eyes, he was lying on a hospital bed, with Lisa sitting by his side.

He sat up immediately, but the movement sent a sharp ache through his head. It seemed Freddie's blow had given him a minor concussion.

'How was he so strong?' he wondered as he held the side of his head, sitting upright.

Lisa rushed to his side at once. "Slowly," she said as she steadied him. "The doctor said you hit your head hard when you fell. You shouldn't move around too much."

'I never knew Freddie could throw a punch like that,' he thought, before shifting his attention to Lisa.

"What are you doing here?" he asked.

"I didn't want to leave you alone, so I decided to stay," she replied. "How are you feeling?"

"My head hurts a little, but I'll survive." His mind immediately flashed to the girl he had seen right before he passed out.

"Where's the girl?!" he asked urgently, already swinging his feet off the bed.

"What do you want with her?" Lisa asked.

"I need to find her so I can know exactly what happened," Yohan replied.

"Don't bother," she sighed. "She's not going to tell you anything."

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