Hayama's instincts had been screaming at him that something was amiss from the moment he realized his son hasn’t returned. A growing sense of unease had been simmering beneath the surface, like a pot about to boil over, and with each passing hour, his anxiety deepened. The silence was oppressive, punctuated only by the nagging voice of intuition that whispered warnings of impending doom.
As he reflected on the countless times, he had cautioned Yuuki about the dangers of trusting the wrong people, a cold dread began to seep into his bones. He had always been fiercely protective of his son, driven by a desire to shield him from the harsh realities of the world. But now, he couldn't shake the feeling that he had fallen short, that he had been too complacent, too trusting. The weight of his doubts settled in his chest like a stone, making it hard to breathe.
The headmaster's calls, which had initially been sporadic and easy to brush off, began to grow more insistent. At first, Hayama had attributed Yuuki's absence from school to his usual antics - a penchant for skipping class or getting lost in his own little world. But as the evening wore on, and the night drew in, concern gave way to outright fear. The shadows cast by the fading light seemed to grow longer and darker, like skeletal fingers reaching out to snatch his son away.
His mind raced with possibilities, each one more troubling than the last. Had something happened to his son? Was he facing difficulties he hadn’t shared? The thought of his son being in trouble tugged at his heart, igniting a sense of urgency. He tried to calm himself, reminding himself that there could be a reasonable explanation, but the gnawing worry refused to relent. Despite his repeated attempts to call Yuuki, the phone remained unanswered, leaving Hayama with only his darkest fears for company.
In a desperate bid for information, Hayama dialed the number of Yuuki's best friend, hoping against hope that he might have some lead, some insight into his son's disappearance. The phone rang, the sound grating on his nerves, before finally connecting.
"Yuuto, it's Yuuki's dad. I was wondering if you've seen him today," Hayama asked, struggling to keep his voice steady as a sense of unease crept in. The friend's response was laced with confusion and concern, and Hayama's heart sank as he heard the words.
"No, I haven't seen him since morning. I thought he was just skipping school again," Yuuto said, his tone hesitant.
Hayama's anxiety spiked as he revealed the truth. "I haven't been able to reach him. He hasn't come home, and the school hasn't heard from him either." The weight of his words hung in the air, and Yuuto's silence was oppressive, heavy with unspoken fears.
The friend finally broke the silence, his voice barely above a whisper. "Me neither. I tried to call him several times, but no luck. His phone entering a voice mail." Hayama's panic grew, clawing at his chest like a wild animal. He felt a sense of urgency wash over him, and he knew he had to act fast.
"Something doesn't feel right," he agreed, his mind racing with terrible possibilities. "Do you know where Yuuki usually goes when he's skipping school?" he asked, desperate for any lead.
Yuuto's response was hesitant, but hopeful. "Err..I know some places. I'll look for him now, and I'll let you know again."
Hayama's gratitude was palpable. "Yes, please. Thanks, Yuuto. I'm getting really worried now." Yuuto's attempt to reassure him was comforting, but Hayama couldn't shake off the feeling of dread.
"Don't worry, I think he'll be alright," Yuuto said, but Hayama's fear had already taken hold, refusing to let go.
With a sense of urgency burning within him, Hayama swiftly contacted one of his men, his voice firm and commanding as he issued the order. "Mobilize all available teams and initiate a search for my son, Yuuki. I want every possible location checked, including his favorite hangouts, the school, and any places he might have visited with friends. I expect updates every hour, no matter how small the detail."
As he spoke, Hayama's anxiety continued to escalate, his mind consumed by the darkest of possibilities. His subordinates, attuned to the gravity of the situation, nodded in unison, their faces set with determination. They understood the unspoken terror that gripped a parent's heart when their child vanished, and they were ready to leave no stone unturned in the search for Yuuki. With a swift acknowledgement, they sprang into action, dispersing to begin the search, as Hayama's worry continued to grow, fueled by the passing minutes and the haunting uncertainty of his son's whereabouts.
He tightened his grip on the phone, the pressure a desperate attempt to suppress the suffocating feeling of dread that threatened to consume him. After years of living a life marked by danger and deception, he had thought that retirement would bring him a measure of peace, a chance to leave the turmoil behind and focus on being a father to Yuuki. He had deliberately distanced himself from the shadows of his past, seeking a quieter existence, one where he could raise his son without the burden of his own history.
But now, as he faced the terrifying reality that his son was missing, he couldn't shake the feeling that his past was still lurking, waiting to strike. The enemies he had made in his previous life were not known for their mercy or forgiveness. He feared that his attempt to leave that life behind and hide might not be enough to shield his son from the consequences of his own actions. A chilling thought crept into his mind, a nightmare scenario that made his blood run cold, what if they were using his son to get to him?
The crushing weight of his past life descended upon him, amplifying his desperation to find his son. Every passing moment felt like an eternity, each tick of the clock potentially weaving a more intricate web of danger around Yuuki. A fierce resolve ignited within him, fueled by the primal instinct to protect his child at all costs. Though he had retired from the shadows, he was willing to re-enter that dark world if it meant to save his son.

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