Chapter 63: THE LETTER THAT SPARKED ANGER

Clink... clink... The sound of spoons and plates clinking against each other filled the eating area. Ha ha ha! Mira’s laughter burst out—whatever she was laughing at. Beside her, Rin ate quickly—though she occasionally winced because her leg still hurt a little. Luna ate calmly, her eyes staring at the lake in the distance. Nora ate alertly—occasionally watching the surroundings. Ella ate neatly, occasionally scolding Mira who was too enthusiastic. Iris ate while occasionally raising her camera—photographing the food, photographing her friends. Aria ate carefully—every bite small, every chew slow. Eve ate efficiently—not wasting time. Fay ate slowly—her small hand holding the spoon carefully.

Lydia sat among them—eating calmly. Kai sat at the end of the table—observing his students with a smile on his face. Haaah... He let out a soft sigh. He enjoyed this moment—a moment where everything felt perfect.

"Ms. Lydia," Kai said, his voice soft. "The curry is delicious."

Lydia turned, smiling faintly. "That’s because you cooked it."

"I just followed your instructions."

"Still," Lydia said. "Not everyone can follow instructions well."

Kai smiled slightly. He returned to his food—enjoying every bite. Slurp... The curry broth was warm and savory—making his stomach feel comfortable.

"Mira," Ella said, looking at Mira who was eating very eagerly. "Slow down. You’ll choke."

"But it’s delicious!" Mira chewed with her mouth full. "Mira can’t stop!"

Rin, sitting beside Mira, shook her head. "You... always like this."

"Mira loves eating!" Mira raised her spoon in the air. "Eating is happiness!"

Ha ha ha! Their laughter filled the eating area. Even Fay—who usually never laughed—smiled slightly.

Haaah... Mira rubbed her full stomach. "Mira is so full..."

"Me too," Rin said, leaning her back against the chair.

Luna put down her spoon. Clack... "Thank you for the food."

Nora nodded. "Delicious."

Ella stood up, starting to collect the empty plates. Clack... clack... "Come on, let’s clean up first."

Iris stood up, helping Ella. Clack... Aria also stood up—though her hands were still trembling slightly. Eve had already stood up since earlier—she couldn’t wait to get back to her laptop. Fay was still sitting—finishing the rest of the water in her glass.

Lydia stood up, then approached Kai who was still sitting at the end of the table. Tap... tap... tap...

"Mr. Kai," Lydia said, her voice soft.

Kai lifted his head. "Yes?"

Lydia sat beside him. "I need to tell you something."

Kai blinked. "What is it?"

"Our food stock is gone."

HAAAH! Kai froze. "Gone?"

"Yes," Lydia said. "We can’t make dinner."

Kai furrowed his brow. "There should still be some. I saw food ingredients on the table—chicken, carrots, potatoes. That’s enough for lunch and dinner."

Lydia smiled slightly. "That’s the problem."

Kai grew more confused. "What do you mean?"

Lydia looked at Kai with an unreadable gaze. "The ingredients you cut... those were supposed to be for lunch and dinner. I had prepared a different menu with the leftover ingredients."

HAAAH! Kai froze. "So... the ingredients I cut..."

"That was everything in the kitchen," Lydia said. "I only asked you to cut the ingredients on the table at that time. But you... cut everything."

Kai looked down. Hff... "Sorry. I thought... since there was a lot to cut, it was all for cooking at once."

Lydia wasn’t angry. She just smiled. "It’s okay."

"But—"

"Mr. Kai," Lydia cut in. "Look at them."

Kai lifted his head. He looked at his students—who were now sitting and resting after eating. Mira rubbing her stomach with a satisfied face. Rin leaning her back against the chair—her eyes half-closed. Luna staring at the lake with a small smile. Nora sitting calmly—though she occasionally still watched the surroundings. Ella busy tidying up the leftover food. Iris occasionally taking photos. Aria sitting calmly—no longer biting her nails. Eve already back at her laptop. And Fay—Fay sitting with her doll, but this time there was a small smile on her lips.

They all looked happy.

"Sometimes," Lydia said, her voice soft. "A mistake can become a happiness for others."

Kai fell silent.

"I’m very happy to see them eat so eagerly," Lydia continued. "As for the ingredients—we can buy more."

Kai looked at Lydia for a moment. Then he smiled. "You’re right."

Suddenly—

Tap... tap... tap... Nora stood up. She walked toward the pan—where the curry still had a little left.

"Sir," Nora said, her voice flat. "May I have more?"

Kai blinked. "There’s still some?"

"A little."

Kai nodded. "Go ahead."

Nora took a plate, then filled her plate with curry. Sss... She returned to her seat—sitting calmly, then started eating again.

Seeing that—Rin and Mira immediately stood up.

"Me too!" Rin exclaimed.

"Mira too!" Mira added.

Tap... tap... tap... They both ran toward the pan—filling their plates with the leftover curry.

"There’s still some!" Mira said happily.

"Don’t fight over it," Ella said, though she was also smiling.

Not long after—the others also asked for more. Luna stood up calmly, filling her plate. Iris stood up, taking a little. Aria stood up—though she only took a little. Eve stood up—filling her plate efficiently. Even Fay—Fay stood up, walked toward the pan, and filled her plate carefully.

Tap... tap... tap... They returned to their respective seats—sitting calmly, then started eating again.

Lydia, seeing that, smiled. "See," she said, turning to Kai. "They really enjoy the food you cooked."

Kai nodded. "Yes."

After everyone finished eating, Kai stood up. Tap... tap... tap... He walked toward Lydia who was sitting on the cabin terrace.

"Ms. Lydia," Kai said.

Lydia lifted her head. "Yes?"

"I want to go shopping. For dinner."

Lydia stood up. "I’ll come."

Kai shook his head. "No need. You watch them here."

"But—"

"I’m the one who has to go," Kai said, his voice firm. "To make up for my mistake."

Lydia looked at Kai for a moment. She saw the determination in the man’s eyes—no doubt, no hesitation. Finally, she nodded. "Alright."

Kai smiled. "Thank you."

He turned—facing his students who were sitting and resting. Tap... tap... tap...

"Everyone," Kai said, his voice loud enough to be heard. "I’m going to the store to buy food ingredients. Does anyone want me to get something?"

HAAAH! The students exchanged glances. They were silent for a moment—no one spoke.

Ella raised her hand. "Sir... we didn’t bring money."

Hmm... The other students nodded—they also didn’t bring money.

Kai smiled slightly. Ha ha... "It’s okay. My treat."

HAAAH! Their previously gloomy faces instantly turned happy.

"Really, Sir?!" Mira exclaimed.

"Yes," Kai said.

"In that case—" Mira raised her hand quickly. "Mira wants chocolate! The big one! Lots of it!"

Kai laughed softly. "Alright. Chocolate."

Rin raised her hand. "I want chips! The spicy ones!"

Kai nodded. "Spicy chips."

Luna raised her hand slowly. "I... I want a book. If there is one."

Kai blinked. "A book?"

Luna nodded. "Any book. I like reading."

Kai smiled. "Alright. A book."

Nora raised her hand. "I want a drink. Cold. Anything."

Kai nodded. "Cold drink."

Ella raised her hand. "I want bread. Something we can eat tomorrow morning."

Kai nodded. "Bread."

Iris raised her hand with a mysterious smile. "I want camera film. If there is any."

Kai blinked. "Camera film?"

"For my camera," Iris said. "I’ve run out."

Kai nodded. "Alright. I’ll try to find some."

Aria raised her hand hesitantly. "I-I... I want candy. The sweet kind."

Kai smiled. "Sweet candy."

Eve raised her hand. "I want batteries. For my laptop. If there are any."

Kai nodded. "Batteries."

And Fay—Fay just looked at Kai. She didn’t raise her hand. She didn’t say anything. But Kai knew.

"Fay," Kai said. "What do you want?"

Fay looked down. She hugged her doll tightly. Hmm... Slowly, she lifted her head. "Ice cream," she said softly. "If there is any."

Kai smiled. "Alright. Ice cream."

He noted all the orders in his mind—chocolate, spicy chips, book, cold drink, bread, camera film, candy, batteries, ice cream.

"Alright," Kai said. "I’m going now. Don’t go anywhere."

"Yes, Sir!" they exclaimed in unison.

Kai turned—walking toward the car. Tap... tap... tap...

Lydia, seeing that, smiled. "Be careful, Mr. Kai."

Kai nodded. "You watch them."

"I’ll watch them."

Vroom... The car sped along the winding trail. Kai sat in the driver’s seat—his eyes focused on the road. Whoosh... The wind blew gently—carrying the scent of trees.

But suddenly—

Hmm... Kai slowed his car. He saw something on the side of the road. Posters. Missing person posters. Tap... tap... He stopped his car, then got out. Clack...

He stood in front of the poster—reading it carefully.

"MISSING. Name: Haruka Miyazaki. Age: 16 years old. Last seen around the camping area."

Kai furrowed his brow. The poster looked new—maybe put up just a few days ago. But there was something strange. There were several other posters nearby. Missing person posters—all different. Men. Women. Children. All missing around this area.

Hmm... Kai took out his phone, photographing the posters. He didn’t know why—but his instinct told him something wasn’t right.

He returned to the car. Clack... He started the engine. Vroom...

Hmm... Kai glanced at the rearview mirror—watching the posters recede behind him. Something was bothering his mind.

Vroom... The car stopped in front of a small shop. The shop looked old—its wooden walls were starting to rot, its paint peeling in places. Creeeak... The wooden door creaked when Kai opened it. Tap... tap... tap...

Inside, the shop was quiet. There was only one customer—an old man choosing something on a shelf. Hmm... Kai looked around—the shop was indeed old, but its contents were fairly complete. There were wooden shelves filled with various items—food, drinks, toiletries, and others.

Kai started looking for food ingredients for dinner—meat, vegetables, seasonings. Sss... He also looked for the snacks his students had ordered—chocolate, spicy chips, book, cold drink, bread, camera film, candy, batteries, ice cream.

Hmm... Kai was worried—a small shop like this might not have everything he needed. But it turned out—everything was there. Chocolate. Spicy chips. Book—though only a few. Cold drink. Bread. Camera film—the last one on the shelf. Candy. Batteries. Ice cream—in a small freezer in the corner of the shop.

Haaah... Kai let out a relieved sigh. He carried all his groceries to the cashier—placing them on the counter. THUD!

Behind the cashier counter, an old man sat—very old, with sparse white hair, wrinkled skin, and tired eyes. But his hands were still strong—still able to run this shop.

The old man glanced at Kai’s groceries. Hmm... Then he stated the total price. Haaah...

Kai blinked. He looked at the man—not believing. The price stated was very cheap—far from market price. Hmm... Kai suspected the man was just saying a random number.

"Excuse me, Sir," Kai said. "How much was that again?"

The old man repeated it. The number was still the same.

Hmm... Kai looked at the man for a moment. But he decided not to make an issue of it. He took out his money—paying according to what was stated. Sss...

The old man took the money. Clack... Then he gave the change. Clack...

Kai received the change. "Thank you."

He turned—wanting to leave. Tap... tap... tap...

But suddenly—

"Hey."

Kai stopped. He turned. Hmm...

The old man looked at him. "Where are you from?"

Kai blinked. Hmm... He was confused—whether to answer from the city or from the camp. "I’m... from the camp. Around this area."

HAAAH! The old man opened his eyes wide. HAAAH! He stood up—even though his body was frail. Tap... tap... He walked toward Kai—his wrinkled hand grabbing Kai’s shoulder.

"Leave that place," the old man said, his voice trembling. "That place... must not be entered."

Kai froze. "What do you mean, Sir?"

The old man looked at Kai with a gaze that was... afraid. "Leave. Before it’s too late."

"But—"

The old man had already returned to his place—sitting behind the cashier counter. His eyes were tired again—like nothing had happened. Hmm...

Kai stood in his place for a moment. Hmm... He looked at the old man—trying to find answers. But the man was no longer looking at him.

Haaah... Kai let out a soft sigh. He turned—walking out of the shop. Creeeak... The door closed behind him.

Hmm... Kai looked at the darkening evening sky. He thought about the old man’s words. "That place must not be entered." What did he mean?

He shook his head. Hmm... Maybe it was just an old memory from the old man—he thought. He didn’t have time to think about it.

He got into the car. Clack... Started the engine. Vroom...

Back at Camp

Vroom... The car sped along the trail. The sun had started to set—creating a beautiful golden orange sky. Whoosh... The wind blew gently.

Kai arrived at the parking area. Tap... tap... tap... He got out of the car—carrying all his groceries. THUD... He walked toward the camping area.

But—

Hmm... Kai stopped. The camping area... was quiet. No sound. No laughter. Nothing.

"Ms. Lydia?" Kai called.

No answer.

"Mira? Rin? Ella?"

No answer.

HAAAH! Kai felt something was wrong. He dropped his groceries. CRASH! He ran toward the lake—maybe they were there. Tap! Tap! Tap!

But—the lake was empty. No one was there.

HAAAH! Kai ran back to camp. Tap! Tap! Tap! He opened the tents one by one. Swoosh! Empty. Swoosh! Empty. Swoosh! Empty.

Finally—he opened the last tent. Swoosh! Inside... there was a letter. Lying on the sleeping bag.

Hmm... Kai took the letter with trembling hands. Sss... He opened it.

"If you still want to see them again, come immediately to the tower at the topmost cabin on the map."

HAAAH! Kai clenched his fists. KREK! He crumpled the letter. His face reddened. His eyes blazed.

"AAAAAAAHHHHHH!"

He screamed—as loud as he could. His voice echoed throughout the camping area. HAAAH... haaah... His breath was panting.

He ran toward the car—grabbing the bag he always carried when traveling. Swoosh! He opened the bag—checking its contents. Gun. Knife. Rope. Some other equipment.

Hmm... He took the map from the bag’s pocket. Sss... He opened the map—looking for the topmost cabin.

On the map—there were several cabins. Cabin number 1 to 10. The topmost cabin... was cabin number 1. And near cabin number 1—there was a tower. An old tower that was no longer used.

Hmm... Kai folded the map. Sss... He put it in his pocket. Then he walked quickly toward the car. Tap! Tap! Tap!

Clack! The car door opened. Vroom... The engine started. Vroom...

"Hold on," Kai murmured, his voice full of anger. "I’m coming."

Vroom... The car shot forward—leaving the empty camping area behind.