Chapter 33: Guns & Practice makes perfect?

May 4, 20XX – 4:00 PM

Takagi Estate, Garage

Blake and his group made their way back to the estate’s garage, arms loaded with fresh ammunition and gear from the armory. The late afternoon sun was sinking lower, painting the sky with warm, golden hues that cast long shadows across the courtyard. It was quiet, almost too quiet. The group could hear their own footsteps crunching against the gravel as they walked, each step a reminder of the urgency of their situation.

Kohta was the first to head inside the garage, immediately dropping to one knee beside the open ammo crate they had left. He reached inside, pulling out a grenade with an almost reverent expression. As he carefully examined the explosives and rounds, a look of complete focus came over his face, as if he were studying a priceless artifact rather than a tool for survival.

“This stuff is a godsend,” Kohta murmured, his fingers brushing over the cold metal of a bullet. He glanced over the array of grenades and bullets, practically beaming. “We’re going to need every single one of these if we’re going to stand a chance out there.”

Takashi, standing nearby, looked over Kohta’s shoulder with a mix of amusement and concern. He cleared his throat, causing Kohta to look up. “Uh, you’re sure you don’t need a hand with all that?”

Kohta shook his head, barely looking up. “I’ve got it, Takashi. I’ll just stay back here for a while and load these extra mags.” He was already reaching for another round, his enthusiasm as evident as ever.

Takashi raised an eyebrow, exchanging a look with Blake. “Leaving him alone with all this ammo… are we sure that’s a good idea?”

Blake gave a small shrug, though his expression was equally uncertain. “I mean, he knows what he’s doing, right?” He glanced over at Kohta, who was practically bouncing with excitement as he examined a box of 7.62mm rounds.

Saya, who had been standing just behind them with her arms crossed, let out an exaggerated sigh. “If he blows this place up, I’m blaming you, Blake.”

Blake’s eyes widened, and he cast a wary glance over at Kohta, who was now eagerly sorting through the bullets with an almost childlike glee. “You’re joking, right?”

She held her serious expression for a moment longer, before allowing a small, amused smile to slip through. “Relax. I don’t think he’d be dumb enough to blow us all up.” She tilted her head, her smirk growing. “Probably.”

Blake let out a chuckle, shaking his head. “Thanks, Saya. That’s… reassuring.”

Kohta, still seemingly oblivious to the conversation happening around him, was now holding up a magazine to inspect it, turning it over in his hands like a prized possession. Blake watched his friend with a mixture of amusement and concern. He admired Kohta’s expertise and enthusiasm, though he couldn’t quite shake the uneasy feeling in his stomach.

As the group settled back, Takashi stretched, glancing around the garage before clearing his throat. “I, uh, should get going. Rei asked to meet me when we were done. She said it was important, but she didn’t say what about.” He shifted awkwardly, looking between the group, and Blake couldn’t help but catch the subtle hint of nervousness in his friend’s voice.

Blake raised an eyebrow, a slight grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. “You’d better not keep her waiting, then. Wouldn’t want her to get mad at you.”

Takashi shot him a look, somewhere between grateful and slightly embarrassed. “Yeah, thanks.” With that, he turned and headed toward the estate, leaving the rest of the group behind.

Once Takashi was gone, Saya seemed to relax a bit more, her posture loosening as she pulled a gun from her side—a familiar Beretta. She held it out to Blake, her gaze steady but her voice carrying a hint of uncertainty. “Here. I’ve actually had this since Rika’s place. I thought I might use it, but I think you’d be better off with it.”

Blake looked down at the weapon, surprised. “You kept this the whole time?”

She gave a small nod, her gaze dropping to the floor as she absently fiddled with the gun in her hand. “Yeah, but I’m not really comfortable with it. The Luger is fine, and I’ve got the Sig now, so it’s not like I need another one. I’d probably just end up fumbling with it.”

Blake took the Beretta from her, nodding gratefully. “Thanks. It never hurts to have a backup. And I didn’t realize you were carrying this the whole time.”

She shrugged, looking away. “I guess it’s more of a dead weight for me. Guns aren’t exactly my forte.”

Blake studied her for a moment, his gaze softening. “I could help you practice if you’re interested. There’s a lot more to it than just aiming and shooting. It might be good for you to get familiar with a couple of different types.”

Saya’s gaze flicked up to him, a spark of interest in her eyes, though she quickly masked it with a more dismissive expression. “I guess… I could use a bit of practice. But don’t get the wrong idea,” she added quickly, crossing her arms. “I’m not saying I need your help or anything. I just think it wouldn’t hurt.”

Blake smiled, catching the hint of softness in her tone despite her guarded words. “Got it. Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone.”

She gave him a look, half-exasperated, half-amused, before leading the way out of the garage. “Come on, let’s go. My dad’s got a firing range on the estate. It’s soundproof, so we won’t attract any attention.”

They walked through the estate grounds, the sound of their footsteps mingling with the faint chirping of birds in the distance. The sun was starting to dip lower, casting long shadows over the trees, and Blake could feel the tension of the day beginning to slip away, replaced by a quiet sense of anticipation.

As they made their way down a narrow, overgrown path, Saya glanced over at Blake, her gaze unreadable. “You know, you’re kind of an odd one, Henderson.”

Blake raised an eyebrow, a slight smile playing at his lips. “Oh yeah? How so?”

She shrugged, looking away. “I don’t know. You just… you seem to take everything in stride. Even in all of this, you’re calm. It’s… unexpected.”

Blake gave a soft chuckle, his gaze turning thoughtful. “Well, I guess I’ve had a lot of practice. Back home, my dad always told me to stay steady no matter what. He said panic never solved anything.”

Saya seemed to mull this over, her expression softening slightly. “Your dad sounds like a wise man.”

Blake nodded, a hint of nostalgia flickering in his eyes. “He is. He’s always been the kind of guy who could face anything head-on. I guess I try to follow his example, but… it’s not always easy.”

Saya was silent for a moment, then nodded slowly. “I get it. I guess my dad’s kind of the same. He’s always been this unbreakable figure, like nothing could ever phase him. It’s… intimidating, sometimes.”

Blake glanced over at her, his expression sympathetic. “I can imagine. It’s hard living up to someone like that.”

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They reached the end of the path, arriving at a small wooden shed nestled among the trees. Saya led him inside, flipping a switch that revealed a hidden door in the floor. She gestured for him to follow as she descended a ladder, and Blake could feel a sense of anticipation building in his chest as he followed her down.

They emerged in an underground firing range, the walls lined with soundproofing material, the fluorescent lights casting a cold, clinical glow over the room. Saya walked over to a table at the side of the range, setting down her Luger with a small sigh.

Blake took in the sight, a low whistle escaping his lips. “Impressive setup. I didn’t expect to find anything like this under your estate.”

Saya gave a small shrug, her expression almost defensive. “It’s not like I wanted it here. It was my dad’s idea. He’s got all these… connections, I guess. Paranoid about security.”

Blake watched her carefully, noting the way her posture had changed, the slight tension in her shoulders. “I get it. A place like this… it’s not exactly what you’d expect from a family home.”

She glanced over at him, her eyes narrowing slightly. “It’s more than that. My dad’s… he’s got this whole network, people who owe him favors. It’s like he’s the Don of this entire area.”

Blake raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. “You’re saying he’s like a crime boss?”

Saya gave a small smirk, her gaze turning distant. “Not exactly, but… something like that. People respect him. Fear him, even. And he makes sure to keep it that way.”

Blake felt a slight pang of discomfort at the thought, a new understanding dawning on him. He hadn’t realized just how deep Mr. Takagi’s influence went, and it left him with a sense of unease he couldn’t quite shake.

Saya seemed to sense his discomfort, her smirk fading as she glanced down at the table. “I don’t expect you to get it. It’s… complicated.”

Blake stepped closer, his expression softening. “You don’t have to explain. I think I understand more than you might think.”

She looked up at him, a hint of surprise in her eyes, before quickly looking away. “Well, whatever. Let’s just get on with it.”

He handed her the Luger, guiding her through the basics once more, his tone gentle and patient. They went over her stance, her grip, and Blake took the time to correct her, his hand resting lightly on her shoulder as he adjusted her posture.

Saya took a deep breath, lining up her shot as he instructed. She felt his presence beside her, steady and reassuring, and for a moment, she allowed herself to relax, letting go of the tension that had been building in her chest.

She pulled the trigger, the shot ringing out in the enclosed space, muffled but still powerful. The bullet struck the target, slightly off-center, and she let out a small sigh of relief.

“Not bad,” Blake said, a hint of pride in his voice. “You’ve got a steady aim.”

Saya glanced over at him, her cheeks tinged pink. “I-It’s not like I’ve never handled a gun before. I just… it’s different when it’s real.”

Blake nodded, his gaze thoughtful. “Yeah, it’s a whole different world out here. But you’re handling it well. Better than most people would.”

Saya looked down at the Luger in her hands, her fingers tracing the cool metal. “I just… I want to be able to protect myself. I don’t want to rely on anyone else to do it for me.”

Blake watched her, a mixture of admiration and understanding in his gaze. “You’re stronger than you think, Saya. You’ve got a good head on your shoulders, and you know how to keep cool under pressure. That’s rare.”

Saya felt a warmth spreading through her chest at his words, though she quickly suppressed it, her expression hardening once more. “Don’t get all sappy on me, Henderson. I don’t need a pep talk.”

Blake chuckled, holding up his hands in mock surrender. “Alright, alright. No pep talks. Just keep doing what you’re doing, and you’ll be fine.”

They continued practicing, each shot bringing them closer to a silent understanding, a bond forged in the heat of survival. As they wrapped up, Saya glanced over at him, her gaze softer than before.

“Thanks,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “For this. I… I needed it.”

Blake nodded, a small smile playing at his lips. “Anytime, Saya. We’re in this together.”

Saya exhaled and glanced around the firing range, as though suddenly aware of the time. “I think I’ve had enough practice for today,” she said, lowering the Luger and carefully placing it back in its holster. “We should start heading back; it’s getting late.”

Blake took a quick glance at his watch, mentally calculating how long they’d been down here. He nodded in agreement. “You’re right. Time flies when you’re having fun,” he said with a smirk. “Let’s get back before the others start worrying.”

Saya walked to the base of the ladder, ready to climb up, when Blake’s voice stopped her. “Hang on, Saya. Maybe… maybe I should go first.”

Saya turned to him, her eyebrows raised in confusion. “Why? What’s the deal?”

“Just, trust me on this one,” he replied, shrugging nonchalantly. He moved toward the ladder and placed his foot on the first rung.

It took Saya a moment, but as he began climbing, she followed his gaze downward, catching sight of her skirt. Her cheeks instantly flushed as she realized what she’d almost done. Watching Blake ascend the ladder, she felt her heart race, then, without thinking, blurted, “Pervert!”

Blake, nearly at the top by now, stopped in his tracks. He glanced down, the faintest blush creeping across his own cheeks as he rolled his eyes skyward. He sighed, muttering to himself, “What was I even supposed to do? Just… let it happen?”

Realizing she might’ve been a bit too harsh, Saya felt her cheeks flush even more. She’d jumped to conclusions, but then again, Blake hadn’t done anything wrong. In fact, he’d been gentlemanly enough to avoid an awkward situation. She looked up at the top of the ladder, guilt gnawing at her. ‘Why do I always overreact like this?’

When she finally reached the top, she found Blake standing just outside the shed, his back to her. He was taking in the cool night air, his figure silhouetted by the dim evening light. She couldn’t help but pause for a moment, observing the quiet calm that seemed to surround him. He had a way of blending into the stillness, as though he belonged to it.

Taking a deep breath, she climbed out of the ladder’s exit, brushing off her skirt and clearing her throat to get his attention. “Hey, Blake.”

He turned, and she caught a glimpse of warmth in his eyes, mixed with just a hint of exasperation. “Yeah?”

Saya shifted her weight, struggling to meet his gaze. “I, um… I’m sorry. I overreacted back there. You weren’t being a pervert or anything. Actually, you probably saved me from a whole lot of embarrassment.”

Blake’s face softened, and he shrugged casually. “It’s no big deal. I get it. We’ve been through a lot lately. Guess everyone’s a little on edge.” He paused for a moment, watching her as though trying to gauge her reaction. “Anyway, I’m glad you didn’t throw a punch my way.”

She let out a small, self-conscious laugh, her cheeks still tinged with pink. “Well, I think you’ve earned at least that much. Consider yourself lucky.”

They shared a moment of comfortable silence, standing side by side in the fading light. Then, Saya glanced up at the estate mansion, which loomed in the distance. “We should probably get back. The others might start wondering what’s keeping us.”

Blake gave a small nod, falling into step beside her as they began their walk back. The air was cool, and a gentle breeze rustled through the trees that lined the estate grounds. For a while, they walked in silence, each of them lost in their thoughts.

Breaking the quiet, Blake asked, “So, was this your first time on that firing range? Or has your dad been training you secretly this whole time?”

Saya gave a slight shake of her head, a soft smile forming on her lips. “Believe it or not, this was the first time I’ve actually fired a gun. Dad never really wanted me to learn—said it wasn’t ‘necessary.’” She scoffed lightly. “Guess he changed his mind after all this.”

Blake raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. “So, you’ve never had the chance to practice before? You did well, all things considered.”

“Thanks. But honestly, I think it’s more out of necessity than anything else. I want to be ready for whatever comes next.” Her expression turned serious, and she looked ahead with a determination that seemed to harden her gaze. “I can’t just stand by and let everyone else take the risks.”

They continued their walk, the soft crunch of gravel beneath their feet the only sound breaking the night’s quiet. After a moment, Blake glanced sideways at her. “It’s good that you’re taking this seriously. But remember, you’ve got people around you who are here to help. You’re not alone in this.”

Saya hesitated, then offered him a small smile, her expression softening just a bit. “I know. And… it’s good to have people around I can trust.” She let the words hang between them, unspoken but understood.

Blake felt a warmth spread through his chest at her words, and he nodded quietly. “That’s what matters, in the end. Trust and having each other’s backs.”

For a moment, they shared a lingering gaze, an unspoken connection passing between them. Then, Saya cleared her throat and turned her attention back to the mansion. “We’re almost there. I just hope Kohta didn’t accidentally blow up the garage while we were gone.”

Blake chuckled, shaking his head. “Well, if he did, I’m sure we would’ve heard it by now. Besides, Takashi’s probably keeping him out of trouble.”

They reached the estate entrance, and Saya paused, casting one last glance back at the shed hidden amongst the trees. She felt a strange sense of nostalgia settle over her, a mixture of gratitude and resolve. Turning back to Blake, she gave him a final nod.

“Thanks again, Blake. For everything.” The words were simple, but there was a sincerity in her tone that made them feel weighty, like an unspoken promise.

Blake returned the nod, a gentle smile on his face. “Anytime, Saya. I mean it.”

As they re-entered the estate grounds, the first stars began to appear in the sky above, casting a faint glow over the mansion.