Chapter 185. [Robbery And Hostages]

Everyone has some degree of accent in a foreign language, more or less depending on their proficiency.

Of course, this also depends on how well one has mastered the language.

Even the English spoken by Japanese people is referred to as “Japanglish” because they often struggle with distinguishing between sounds like “L” and “R,” “B” and “V,” and so on.

Well, to be precise, it’s not that they can’t distinguish them, but rather that they “become unable” to do so.

In reality, when babies are born, they can distinguish all languages and pronunciations.

However, babies are highly rational, and efficiently discard unnecessary abilities to reduce effort.

They shift from a high-cost universal approach to a low-cost specialized one.

Well, pondering such escapism won’t help now.

<<Ah, sorry for keeping you waiting.>>

It would be uncomfortable if I kept silent forever.

That’s what I replied to the clerk.

However, seriously?

I never thought I was in the middle of a real robbery. The clerk’s pale face wasn’t due to fear of an angry female customer.

It was likely because they were getting threatened behind the scenes, explaining their hesitance to come out.

<<This is the payment. {Do we need to report this?}.>>

While taking out my wallet, I continued pretending to speak a foreign language on the phone.

I used my willpower to resist the urge to look towards the door leading to the back.

<<Oh, payment is in cash, right? Got it.>>

Seems like it’s necessary.

The clerk affirmed in accented English.

There’s no choice; once I leave the store, I’ll immediately contact the police.

But to be involved in something like this…

It’s beyond belief.

<<Alright then, I’ll report it as soon as I leave the store. Everything is okay now, so please don’t worry.>>

<<…>>

A slight atmosphere of relief emanated from the clerk.

However, I couldn’t leave alone.

The female customer who happened to be there probably hadn’t noticed anything.

If possible, I wanted to take her with me.

Just as I was thinking about it, someone timely appeared.

<<Oh, you’re still at the cash register? Hey, aren’t you slow!?>>

<<No, I was just making a phone call! Anyway, miss, thank you for earlier. As a thank you, I’ll cover the bill.>>

<<Oh, you! I’m not so down-and-out that I’d let a little girl like you treat me!>>

<<Come on, come on.>>

While having such a conversation, we finished the payment.

All that was left was for the two of us to leave the store and report it.

That was the moment of relief.

<<You guys! Don’t move there!>>

The voice of the robber echoed.

The door leading to the back was forcefully opened from the inside, revealing a man wearing a ski mask.

He held a gun in his hand, and the pitch-black hole that seemed to lead to hell got pointed in our direction.

Huh…? Why!?

<<Ugh…>>

Damn, I remembered something unpleasant.

It was like the last scene from my past life. I don’t want to die here and miss watching VTubers!

There are streams I want to see today, tomorrow, and the day after!

<<P-Please! Don’t shoot! Don’t point a gun at such a small child!>>

The quickest reaction came from the female customer.

While raising both hands, she stood in front of me, as if protecting me, unable to move quickly.

The clerk also appealed for non-resistance, screaming, <<Please stop!>>.

I, a bit late, raised my hands following their lead.

In times like these, being reflexively able to raise both hands is probably due to cultural differences.

That’s what I think.

For this American-looking female customer, it shouldn’t have been an ordinary fear to willingly step in front of the gun barrel.

Yet, she acted to protect me… How brave.

<<Everyone, slowly move to the wall.>>

Following the gun’s instructions, we got separated from the entrance door.

Then, with our hands still raised, we were made to kneel.

With hands raised like this, it would be impossible to attempt a daring escape.

Well, even if it seemed possible, I wouldn’t want to do it.

The eyes behind the ski mask were darting around restlessly.

It didn’t seem normal even if provoked.

I had no idea what he might do.

<<You, kid, come here.>>

<<P-Please, let her go! I’ll be the replacement!>>

<<No.>>

<<…I’m okay.>>

Saying that I slowly approached the robber.

When I was within his reach, he took the smartphone from my hand. After glancing at the screen, he slammed it onto the floor.

Crash!

<<…>>

A crushing sound echoed.

My body involuntarily trembled.

Fortunately, or unfortunately, that was all. I was worried he might realize the phone call was a ruse and react angrily. Did he not notice, judging by his reaction?

<<Tie them all up.>>

The robber said so and handed us cable ties that were on the shelves.

When I hesitated, he raised his voice.

<<Hurry up!>>

<<Do it, miss. We’ll be fine.>>

<<…I’m sorry.>>

Reluctantly, I tied the thumbs of the female customer and the clerk behind their backs.

<<Tighter!>>

<<…Yes.>>

I tried to make it as loose as possible, but the robber was sharp.

He must be highly on edge.

Once he confirmed that everyone was properly restrained, he searched the female customer’s body.

She frowned in discomfort but endured it. Eventually, he found her smartphone and, like mine, smashed it on the floor.

The robber had probably already confiscated his.

<<She even had something like this.>>

Again, the robber found and took the handgun the female customer had for self-defense.

He holstered it at his waist.

<<…This is the worst situation.>>

The female customer muttered as if whispering.

The robber either didn’t intend to use me as a pawn or just didn’t bother restraining me.

And so, we were confined.

Or rather, we became hostages.

Right now, among us, the only one relatively free to move was me.