The door opens behind her.

(chapter originally by Misayaka on writing.com)

"I don't want excuses, Odagiri. I want that smoker found."

"Yes, Mitsuru, we are _all _aware of tha-"

"Then don't give me a response unless it's a solution. Where is Fushimi!?"

"She's probably studying."

"Well, we'll just have to wait for her."

Of course, they had seen no sign of the half-naked girl. Chihiro had long since dove under the table, her eyes wide with fright as she tried not to make a sound, while Mitsuru and Hidetoshi carried on a few feet away.

This was bad. This was horrible.

She'd just have to wait for them to leave. She sat, legs curled up against her body, hugging them close to her thinly-clothed chest.

Only, minutes went by, stretching on into an awkward eternity.

"Where IS she?"

"I don't know, it is weird for her to be so late..."

There was a knock at the door, and Chihiro looked up in alarm.

"What is it?"

"Uh, we thought you might know where Chihiro was? She might have dropped this..."

Chihiro couldn't see what they were talking about... but she had a few ideas, none of them good.

Maybe this was her time to explain and get some help! Or... maybe it was best to stay right where she was. They'd leave, and she could keep searching, and no one would ever know what had happened!

While the group continued to try and piece together Chihiro's absence, she acted.

The girl would have finally mustered up the courage to ask for help, only...