[Scene: Chiba
Date: 5th August
Kavei and Himeko]

The streets of Chiba buzzed with early morning energy—vendors setting up stalls, commuters rushing past, the faint smell of grilled skewers mixing with the crisp air. Kavei and Himeko wove through the crowd, their focus sharp despite the chaos around them.

"So, where exactly was it again?" Kavei asked, eyes narrowed in thought as he scanned the shop signs like they might hold the answer.

Before Himeko could reply, her phone rang. She pulled it out, glanced at the screen, and lifted it to her ear. "Hello? Yes?"

"It's Kai," the voice came through, slightly muffled.

Her expression brightened. "Kai! Perfect timing—we've actually got a few leads."

"That's good to hear," Kai said. "I tried calling Kavei first, but his phone's off."

"Oh, that," Himeko chuckled. "His battery died on him. We're hunting for a place to charge it. If nothing turns up, we'll just grab a charger at the station."

"Got it," Kai replied, sounding relieved. "Keep me updated, okay?"

"Of course. Don't worry," she said. "We'll handle it. Bye, K!" She ended the call and slipped her phone back into her pocket.

Kavei raised a brow. "Who was that?"

"Kai-san," she answered. "I told him why your phone's gone silent."

"Mm. Figures," Kavei muttered, rubbing the back of his neck. Then his stomach growled loud enough for Himeko to hear. He winced. "Yeah, never mind the phone. I'm starving."

Himeko laughed. "Well, no wonder. We bolted out of the house before five and didn't even grab breakfast."

Kavei glanced at the glowing clock outside a nearby shop. "And it's already sixteen past six. No wonder I feel like I'm dying."

"Same here," she admitted, pressing a hand to her stomach as it grumbled in protest.

"Then it's settled," Kavei declared, straightening up. "Food first, investigation second."

"Food first," Himeko agreed quickly, her grin matching his.

The two of them fell into step, scanning the street for a café or a small restaurant, the pull of breakfast suddenly stronger than the weight of the case they carried.

[Scene: Chiba
Seven in the morning
5th August]

The morning sun spilled gold across the platforms of Chiba Station, glinting off steel rails and glass windows. Kavei leaned against a pillar, his phone pressed to his ear as the crowd streamed around him.

"Hey, Kavei?" came Miyasi nee's voice, warm and familiar over the din of announcements and footsteps.

"Ah, Miyasi nee," Kavei said, a small smile tugging at his lips.

"So your phone's alive again, huh? Kai told me," she teased lightly.

"Yeah, finally. Managed to charge it here at the station," he replied, relief evident in his voice.

"That's good. I just wanted to let you know—we boarded the train to Nagoya. It'll be close to two hours before we arrive."

Kavei straightened, weaving his way a little out of the crowd's path. "Nagoya, huh. I wonder if the others dug up anything yet..." His words trailed off as his thoughts shifted toward the scattered team.

Miyasi hummed softly, thoughtful. "Maybe. But everyone's doing their part. Don't stress too much."

Kavei let out a short laugh, though his eyes stayed sharp. "Still, sometimes I feel like I should just handle every place myself. Would save the waiting."

"Don't be ridiculous," Miyasi said firmly, though her tone was gentle. "Even if you wanted to, time doesn't bend for you. Think about it—if you left Osaka after that interrogation, it'd already be eight at night. Add five more hours to reach Nagasaki, and you'd be dragging yourself into Shinjuku the next morning. You can't do it all, Kavei."

He chuckled at her matter-of-fact tone, shaking his head. "Hahaha! Neechan, why so serious? I was only saying."

"Because you'd actually try it if I didn't stop you," she shot back, a smile in her voice.

"Fair enough," he admitted, grin widening.

For a moment, the noise of the station seemed to fade, replaced by the calm reassurance of her words. Whatever frustration had been gnawing at him softened, replaced with a steadier determination.

"Alright, I'll let you go. We'll check in once we reach Nagoya," Miyasi said.

"Got it. Travel safe, neechan," Kavei replied before ending the call.

He lowered the phone, slipping it into his pocket as the crowd surged around him once more. The challenges ahead were still waiting, but with his friends moving alongside him—scattered though they were—he felt ready to face them.

[Scene: Nagoya
9 am, morning
5th August
Miyasi and Narito]

Nagoya's streets glowed under the morning sun, the noise of bicycles and chatter filling the air as Miyasi and Narito moved briskly through the city. Neither spoke, though the tension in their steps said enough.

"There," Narito murmured, nodding toward a modest two-story house at the corner.

Miyasi slowed, inhaling deeply. "Alright. Let's see what he knows."

They shared a quick glance before Miyasi stepped forward and knocked firmly on the door. The sound echoed in the quiet street. After a pause, the door opened to reveal a man in his late forties, his eyes heavy with fatigue.

"Yes?" he asked, guarded, his gaze shifting between them.

"Good morning, sir," Miyasi said politely, bowing slightly.

The man frowned. "Can I help you?"

Narito straightened, his tone steady. "We're here to ask about Satoshi."

At the name, the man's expression wavered. His shoulders eased, and something softer flickered in his eyes. "Satoshi... You knew him?"

"Yes," Miyasi replied gently. "We were his friends."

A small silence lingered before the man nodded. "I see." His voice lowered, warmer now. "Then you'd better come in."

"Thank you," Narito said, stepping inside as the man held the door open.

The air inside carried the faint scent of tatami and old wood. The quiet pressed around them, the kind of silence that carried memories. Narito glanced at Miyasi, and she met his eyes with a firm nod. Whatever answers waited here, they were ready to face them.

[Scene: Chiba
10 am, morning
Kavei and Himeko]

The morning sun spilled over Nagoya's streets, catching the glass windows and painting the sidewalks in gold. Himeko's steps slowed, her stomach rumbling loud enough to make her wince.

"Kavei-san, we need food. I'm still hungry," she said, clutching her stomach. "Snacks don't count, and I really can't wait anymore."

Kavei smirked, though his own belly gave a loud protest. "Yeah, you're right. I'm running on fumes too. Let's find a place before I start gnawing on my sleeve."

They walked a little further before spotting a small restaurant tucked in at the corner of the street. The sliding door creaked softly as they stepped inside, and warm light and the faint scent of grilled fish wrapped around them. Choosing a table by the window, they sat down, letting the noise of the street blur into the background.

Himeko flipped through the menu and shook her head in disbelief. "Breakfast at ten o'clock... it feels less like breakfast and more like brunch."

Kavei glanced at his watch, lips twitching. "Correction—five minutes past ten. So brunch is officially underway."

She laughed, cheeks coloring faintly. "Don't sweat the details, Kavei-kun."

Their decision came quickly, hunger leaving little room for hesitation. When the food arrived ten minutes later, the table filled with a comforting spread—steamed rice, miso soup, natto, grilled fish, pickled vegetables, sheets of crisp seaweed, and a fresh salad on the side.

"This," Kavei said, lifting his chopsticks with mock solemnity, "is salvation."

"Itadakimasu," Himeko replied with a small smile before diving in.

The savory warmth of the miso rose with the steam, and the salt of the fish lingered pleasantly on their tongues. For the first time that morning, the weight of their investigation eased, and the quiet comfort of a shared meal settled in its place.

[Scene: Nagasaki
12 pm, afternoon
5th August
Sebiki and Ryu]

By the time the clock hit noon, Sebiki and Ryu had made their way through the busy streets of Nagasaki, the station crowds spilling past them in every direction. The smell of food drifted out from a row of restaurants, pulling them toward one that buzzed with chatter and clinking dishes.

Sebiki leaned back in her chair once they settled inside, fanning herself with the menu. "Hey, how about ramen? Doesn't a big hot bowl sound perfect right now?"

Ryu barely glanced up, already scanning the list. "Ramen? No... soba sounds better."

She squinted at him. "Soba? Really? Fine. Soba it is. But then we're getting yakitori too."

"As you say," he said with a small nod, though his stomach growled loud enough to make them both laugh.

As the waiter walked off with their order, Sebiki rested her chin on her hand and peered at him. "Since when don't you like ramen? Don't tell me you've been secretly hiding this from me."

Ryu raised a brow, deadpan. "Since never. I like ramen. I just felt like soba today."

Sebiki shook her head, a grin tugging at her lips. "You're so dumb sometimes."

His ears flushed red as he straightened in his seat. "Oi, are you making fun of me?"

"Maybe." She smirked, drawing out the word.

Their voices blended with the hum of the restaurant, playful bickering carrying them through the wait. By the time their food began arriving, the teasing had left both of them grinning, hunger sharp but laughter sharper.

[At the same time
Shinjuku
Kai and Saira]

Kai exhaled deeply as he prepared to ask questions regarding Samatha to her parents while Saira had her notepad and pen ready in her hands as the two of them stared at the front door of the house.

[At the same time
Forty minutes past five
Chiba
Kavei and Himeko]

The bustling streets were alive with the chatter of passersby, the glow of neon signs flickering against the evening sky. Among the crowd, Himeko's eyes sparkled with excitement as she suddenly tugged at Kavei's sleeve, her voice bubbling with enthusiasm."Hey, look, Kavei-kun!" she exclaimed, pointing eagerly toward a store window.Kavei followed her gaze, his expression dulling the moment he saw it-a plushie shop, its glass display packed with soft, colorful toys that seemed to call out to shoppers. A sinking feeling settled in his stomach."Uh... yeah. What about it?" he asked, though he already had a bad feeling where this was going.His fingers ached just at the thought of what might come next. He flexed them instinctively, trying to soothe the soreness that was bound to worsen. He had spent the past hour carrying bags-too many bags-from Himeko's endless shopping spree, and if she decided to add plushies to the mix, his hands might as well be doomed."Let's buy one!!" Himeko chirped, her excitement unwavering as she latched onto his hand and pulled him toward the store.Kavei barely had time to sigh before he was being dragged forward, his fate sealed.

[Five minutes to six
Chiba
Kavei and Himeko]

As the shopping ended, they hailed a cab. The vehicle pulled up with a soft screech, and Kavei opened the door, letting Himeko slide in first before following suit. The faint scent of leather and air freshener filled the small space as the driver glanced at them through the rearview mirror.

"Where to?" the driver asked, his voice gruff yet neutral.

Himeko quickly gave the address, her excitement still evident in her tone. Kavei, on the other hand, leaned back against the seat with a quiet sigh, rubbing his sore fingers. As the cab rolled forward, weaving through the evening traffic, he gazed out the window, watching the city blur past in streaks of neon and headlights.

[Scene: Shinjuku
9:00 PM
Kavei's house
5th August]

The cab pulled up in front of Kavei's house, the dim glow of the porch light flickering softly in the night. As soon as they stepped out, Kavei let out a long sigh, rolling his shoulders. "I am so exhausted," he muttered, flexing his sore fingers.

Himeko, standing beside him, merely nodded, her eyes heavy with sleep. Her head tilted toward Kavei's shoulder, her exhaustion catching up with her after a long day of moving around. Seeing her struggle to keep her balance, Kavei reached up instinctively, gently helping her steady her head. He didn't say anything-there was no need to. They had spent the entire day running around, and the weight of it pressed down on them both.

As they walked toward the entrance, Kavei's drowsiness was suddenly replaced by a jolt of unease. His eyes narrowed. Something felt off.

The door... it was unlocked.

A sharp chill ran down his spine. His heartbeat quickened. His mind jumped to the worst conclusions. Did something happen to Benio and Daichi? His fingers curled into a tense fist as he swallowed the lump in his throat.

Himeko, still groggy, turned to him, her expression puzzled. "What's wrong?" she asked, noticing his sudden change in demeanor.

Kavei didn't respond right away. He took a shaky breath, trying to steady himself, and finally, with all the courage he could muster, he squared his shoulders. He had to be prepared for whatever was waiting inside. If someone had broken in, if something had happened... he had to be ready.

With a deep breath, he stepped forward and pressed the doorbell with his trembling fingers. The chime echoed through the house.

The door creaked open.

"It sure took you long," a familiar voice greeted him.

Kavei's body reacted before his mind could process. His fist shot forward-ready to strike-but just as quickly, he froze mid-motion.

That voice.

That wasn't an intruder.

It was Kai.

Kavei exhaled, his breath leaving him in a rush. His shoulders slumped, and he let his hand drop to his side. His entire body, tense with panic just seconds ago, suddenly felt like it had no energy left. He staggered back slightly before plopping down near the shoe rack, rubbing his face. "Damn it, Kai... you scared the hell out of me," he muttered.

Kai smirked. "Well, that's on you for panicking so easily."

Just then, Benio appeared from behind Kai, his sharp eyes scanning Kavei and Himeko. "You look like you've been through hell," he noted, then turned to Himeko. "You don't look too well either."

She let out a tired laugh, waving him off. "I'll live."

After freshening up, Kavei collapsed onto the tatami floor in the living room, resting his head on Himeko's lap. She sat cross-legged, absentmindedly running her fingers through his hair as he groaned. "I have no energy left," he mumbled. "We'll go through all the clues tomorrow. I hope you guys got all the evidence we needed."

Ryu, who had been sitting nearby, nodded. "Yeah, we did. At first, it didn't make much sense, but once we started gathering more pieces, things became clearer."

Kai leaned back against the wall, arms crossed. "So, how was your day apart from all the investigating?" he asked.

Kavei exhaled through his nose. "Well... aside from the fact that we had breakfast, lunch, and dinner like normal people... oh, and we bought a plushie for her, but then-"

Before he could finish, Himeko yanked on his hair.

"What do you mean 'for her'?" she snapped, narrowing her eyes. "I bought you one too, remember?"

Kavei winced. "Alright, alright! I have sensitive hair, let go," he chuckled, grabbing her wrist gently. Himeko huffed but loosened her grip, though she didn't look entirely convinced.

Kai smirked at the exchange but said nothing.

Kavei let out another deep sigh, his eyelids feeling heavier by the second. "Anyway... when we got home and saw the door was unlocked, I freaked out. I really thought something happened to Benio-nii and Daichi." He let out a tired laugh, shaking his head. "Turns out it was just you guys. But man... I'm seriously drained."

His voice trailed off as exhaustion finally took over. Himeko glanced down at him, noticing his slow, steady breathing. He had fallen asleep.

On hold: Begining Arc
Next: Evidence Arc