Before this chapter starts, I want to thank you all for helping this book reach 2k. I know most of my readers have disappeared, since this book is not even halfway done and it's been over a year. From my extremely busy life to my writer's block to my health, it's been a crazy journey that I've only just started.

***

KATELYN

"Dante." Kim read aloud. "The letter's for you." She looked up at him passing him the letter.

"Alright then." he broke the seal, taking out the letter.

"In our high school years, 

I remember a hilarious Valentine's Day. It was weird back then, because I didn't know what love was. Anyways, I had a great time, and it was thanks to you Dante.

Even though may not have been able to fully open my heart, you sparked that idea that something like love could happen between people, which amplified my shipping you could say. I didn't notice the change at first, but I always got so excited whenever love seemed to be brewing in the air.

Find the person who meant something to you, and it could have been while back. They have the next letter, which will give you your task.

Never lose hope in yourself,

Kawaii~Chan."

"Is there anyone who meant something to you Dante? Like more specifically?" Kim asked, not knowing.

"Of course. Nicole." he realized. He hadn't talked to the red-haired girl for years, but figured that was his only option.

"Do you think she'll still want to see me? I mean, it's been years." Dante sighed. 

"Listen up Dante!" Aphmau made a pouty face. "If we're going to find out what happened to Kawaii~Chan, you need to do this! It's for the better anyways, because you can make amends withs her." 

"Kawaii~Chan is a hyper shipper, but that doesn't mean she doesn't know what making amends is with others, and reconnecting to fix broken bridges." Aaron shrugged.

"Don't." I spoke.

"Katelyn?" Lucinda turned to me.

"Don't call her a hyper shipper behind her back. She gets sensitive about that." I replied darkly. I knew I was wrong as well, and I hoped I could help the others with realizing this as well.

"Oh. Sorry, I never knew." Aaron sighed, Aphmau patting his shoulder.

"That's the thing. How would you feel if someone was talking behind your back? You'd feel betrayed and upset of course! But you're all acting as if she'd brush it off like she's different from all of us, like some doll." I cursed at them.

"Katelyn, it's not like you haven't done that either." Aphmau pointed out.

I sighed, knowing she was right. "My point is, she talked to me about this. She doesn't want us to worry for her. Clearly this whole organized scavenger hunt across the neighbourhood and town even is proving to us that she can do things by herself, and she doesn't need us guiding her. She's more independent than we think." 

I looked up at them, and saw Zane mumbling something under his mask.

"I'll.. go talk to Nicole." Dante broke the tension. "We need to find out what the next task is so we can determine what happened to Kawaii~Chan."

"The faster the better. After all, so far only three of us got a letter, and according to the Introduction, we all have a letter." Garroth added.

"Alright. I'll go with Dante since Nicole is an old friend of mine. Everyone else, maybe we can draw possible conclusions and what the meaning is behind all of this." I finalized the plan. Everyone nodded and Dante and I got into a car, driving to where Nicole lived.

***

"Katelyn! It's great to see you." Nicole hugged me. I smiled, wrapping my arms around her. We finally let go and she grinned at me, her eyes sparkling with curiousity. "How have you been? I never thought in a million years you'd come visit me! To be honest I was expecting-" she cut herself off glancing to my side, where Dante was standing, staring at his feet.

"Dante." she furrowed her brow. "How have you been?" she crossed her arms, looking at him.

"Yea. I've been good you can say. I came because.. I wanted to make amends."

"Huh?" Nicole was taken aback, surprised. 

"Yea. I came to say that I'm sorry, for all of that drama those years ago. I'm hoping we could perhaps be friends? It's been weird not talking to you after all this time and I'm hoping we can at least remain in touch."

The red haired girl looked at him up and down, as if she was scanning him. Tapping her foot, thinking about what she should do. I shrugged, saying that I had nothing to add.

"No flirty comments, no jokes. Just a sincere apology. Wow." she finally spoke. "It seems that the pink-haired Meif'wa taught you a thing or two, even though I found her a little annoying, no offence." she smiled. "Apology accepted." She reached out her hand, and Dante took it, in which they shook hands.

"So, about the letter.." I started.

"Oh! Speaking of that Meif'wa, she gave me a letter and told me to give it to you if I felt like it. I guess she intended for you to start fresh." she laughed. "What is it for anyway?"

"She actually went missing about three days ago, and she left all these letters behind so we would know what happened to her." I answered.

"Oh my god. Well, it sounds like an interesting mystery! Although I do know of course this isn't a fiction novel, if. you need my help, like getting a ride somewhere or anything else, feel free to call me up!" Nicole exclaimed. She reached for me, and we embraced once more.

"Cya soon Katelyn! Thanks Dante!" We got back into the car as she waved at us, and we soon drove away.

"That wasn't as bad as I expected." Dante remarked while he had his hands on the wheel.

I laughed as I adjusted my seat belt. Perhaps she became more understanding and sincere after all these years instead of aggressive.

***

"We got the letter!" Dante exclaimed.

Everyone cheered, two conflicted resolved. Him and Nicole's relationship and the letter found. We eagerly gathered around the letter, wondering what the next task was. 

"Community service has been a big part of my life ever since that man came to our door fronts. Since then, I have been baking for the local retirement home, giving a helping hand out to others, and have been even planting tree to sustain our environment. 

One thing I also partake in is picking up garbage scattered alongside the roads and sidewalks of our neighbourhood, specifically our street, so that nothing is left behind. I want you to find the letter, hidden amongst the plastic bottles and tissue papers that are scattered where the "trash bears" reside, as Garroth would call them. Your hunt proceeds from then on. Good luck.

Kawaii~Chan."

"Well, what are you waiting for? Let's go!" Aphmau exclaimed. We all ran out the door after her, but I felt a tap on my shoulder.

"Zane?" I questioned him. He seemed upset about something, and he looked like he wanted to talk to me about it.

"Can I talk to you for a moment?" he asked, his voice clouded by the scarf over his mouth.

"Uh, sure! What is it?" I tilted my head, curious.

"It's about what you said earlier. I wholeheartedly agree with you. It's also our job to look out for her, considering I'm her boyfriend and you're her roommate." he answered.

"Wait, so she hasn't contacted you at all?" I asked, bewildered.

"No, which is why I want to talk to you alone about this. I think, wait, I know something is seriously wrong. We can't panic the others about it, and Kawaii~Chan wouldn't want us to worry about it. There's a reason she finds it annoying whenever we look out for her like some child. We can't do that."

"Yea, I know." I spoke. "But something is wrong; I have this bad gut feeling about it. It's just something about all this feels off. Why doesn't she send us an email on her disappearance? I mean, we can cal the cops, but we have evidence she planned this, so it'd be pointless."

"Unless.." Zane started.

"Unless?" I raised an eyebrow.

"Unless she's trying to buy time, so she can do something she knows we wouldn't want her to do."

I stopped, realizing he could perhaps be spot on.

"What would we not want her to do?" I asked, but regretted it because I already knew.

"Something life-threatening. She's walking into danger and doesn't want us to follow her."

***

Do you guys think something is going to happen to Nana's family? Do you think she's in danger herself? 

Once again, I'm so sorry for not updating. I'll try my best to make it up to you all since I have a four day weekend this coming week. To be honest, I think I've lost most of my readers anyways, but it'll still be good to continue this book.

Until next time guys!