(Place names, buildings, etc. are purely fictitious, don't overthink it.)
"Miss, is it the Era Entertainment Center you're headed to?"
The taxi driver, slowing down, glanced at the three girls in school uniforms through the rearview mirror.
A massive building loomed across the street, a rectangular shopping complex brimming with colorful billboards and screens. Olivia took a look and nodded in confirmation.
The driver, a man in his forties, steered the taxi away from the busy street, finding a spot to pull over.
Having left the hot spring hotel with a purpose and plan, Olivia, Diane, and the class monitor had a good idea of where the boys might have gone.
Napa, known for its unique offerings, had both public and underground casinos, and based on James's hints, the boys wouldn't have gone too far. Moreover, casinos were typically strict in management and security, narrowing down the possible locations.
Era Entertainment Center was the only place that fit the bill.
As they got out, the driver called after them with a concerned reminder, "Hey, you girls are still students, aren't you? Just be careful, alright!"
The girls nodded and thanked him politely.
The people in places like the entertainment center are basically a mixed bag. Students who don't know anything may not have a good experience. It's not impossible to be ripped off if they are unlucky or have safety problems.
"Okay, thank you, sir." Olivia didn't react much, while Diane and the female class monitor expressed their thanks politely.
As the taxi rejoined the traffic, Olivia checked her watch… it was 9:15. Pleased with their efficiency, she clapped her hands to get her classmates' attention, "Alright, the casino's on the first floor. Let's get in there and find them quickly."
Before arriving here, they had been sending messages to David and others, but without exception, there was still no response. Diane glanced at the female class monitor, whose brow remained furrowed with worry, then turned her gaze toward the wide plaza leading up to the casino's opulent entrance.
'It seemed the only option was to go in and search.'
The girls approached the grand building with its glittering signs proclaiming 'Era Entertainment Center', and Diane shivered slightly from the chill in the air.
She zipped her school jacket all the way up, covering her neck as she remembered with mild embarrassment that they were still in their school uniforms. The traditional uniform looked quite out of place here.
The class monitor, ever focused on her duty, didn't seem bothered by it, and Olivia, as poised as always, didn't appear fazed either. Diane admired her senior, quietly thinking how Olivia's calm, self-assured presence was reassuring.
With a confident wave, Olivia took the lead, exuding an aura that made their small group seem determined and formidable.
The search for someone started with an unknown process, but unexpected things always happened that were different from what was expected. The three of them only walked a short distance, and the 'runaway' students they were looking for practically fell into their laps.
…
Logan pedaled his shared bike down the designated path, navigating with his phone's GPS. The busy main road was just on the other side of the flowerbeds, its stream of cars and motorcycles rumbling by, while he passed strolling pedestrians at his own leisurely pace.
When he arrived at his destination, Logan looked around, mildly impressed. He didn't expect that even an out-of-town branch of the Blue Gang would have such an impressive territory. Though it was a thing of the past now.
After locking up his bike, Logan took a moment to take in the reflective glow of lights and advertisements on the plaza's clean pavement as taxis and rideshares dropped off or picked up passengers. 'Quite flashy,' He commented to himself, approaching the entrance.
Standing alone outside the massive structure, Logan felt small in contrast to the bright building towering above him.
He noted that the Blue Gang's local branch had managed to secure some highly profitable real estate before being taken down. If he were part of a gang, he'd want a shot at such lucrative turf too.
Pulling down his cap, Logan mused idly while walking forward.
Of course, the entire building didn't belong to the Blue Gang, only the first and second floors and a few select shops above. But even that much was enough to make others envious.
Logan only needed to conduct business in a few specific areas, so even though the entertainment center was large, he felt it wouldn't be too challenging to handle what he needed to.
Logan pulled a gold-edged letter from his pocket, frowning in thought, 'How should I deliver this…'
Damian's instructions were straightforward enough, but the execution was a bit embarrassing. Reality wasn't a novel, after all, and a good impression required a bit of finesse.
Just as Logan was considering tossing the letter at the guard's face as he walked through the door, since the casino on the first floor was one of Damian's suggested options, a familiar female voice sounded beside him, filled with surprise.
"Logan?!"
As he approached the entrance, the unprepared Logan heard his name and looked up instinctively.
"There you are, finally!" Another female voice joined in, tinged with irritation.
Looking bewildered, Logan saw the class monitor and Diane approaching him, accompanied by another girl he didn't recognize.
'What's going on?'
"You guys are way too bold, sneaking off to a place like this on a field trip. Logan, start talking! Where's everyone else?" The female class monitor took a quick, determined step forward and immediately grabbed Logan's arm tightly, as if afraid he might run off.
The three girls had just reached the entrance when Logan, who had been looking down, approached from the other side.
The class monitor and Diane barely had time to process what they were seeing. They had mentally prepared themselves for a challenging search mission, as tracking down six students scattered around the area would feel like gathering the Dragon Balls. But finding one right after getting out of the taxi? It was almost too easy.
Still, no matter how surprising, it was progress.
"Class Monitor, what… what are you doing? Can you ease up on the grip?" Logan asked, thoroughly confused, 'Shouldn't all the students be back at the hot spring inn, enjoying their field trip? What were they doing here at this kind of place?'
"Let's just talk this through…"
"There's nothing to discuss. Admit your mistake, be honest, and it's not too late to turn back. Then you'll follow me back right now, don't even think of trying to slip away! And if you don't listen, I'll tell the teachers!"
"..."
'Tell… the teachers?'
Logan turned away awkwardly, realizing they were in a crowded area where passersby had started to watch with curiosity. Being surrounded by students in school uniforms, with the class monitor shouting 'I'll tell the teachers' in that righteous tone, at the entrance to a bustling entertainment center…
'This was exactly the kind of thing that could give people the wrong idea!'
However, the female class monitor seemed unfazed, not worried about misunderstandings at all. Fortunately, Diane, who had been his friend was there to help. She fixed her gaze on Logan, speaking softly: "Logan, it's time to stop resisting."