“Are you going to get them checked?” Benio asked quietly, his brows still furrowed with concern.

“Yeah. A blood test,” Kavei replied, his voice flat but firm. He shifted the bag of samples against his side, the weight of it tugging at his already aching body.

Saira opened her mouth, clearly about to ask more, when the faint crinkle of a plastic bag made everyone pause. A boy about Kavei’s age had just stepped out of the snack shop, a bag in one hand and a cream bun in the other. His eyes lifted—and the second they landed on Kavei, his entire body froze.

The plastic bag slipped from his grasp and hit the ground with a dull thud, its contents scattering slightly across the street. The cream bun followed, rolling a little before stopping at the curb.

“Kavei…?” the boy’s voice cracked, low and stunned.

Kavei turned at the sound, his head snapping toward him. His eyes widened in disbelief. “Kenma…?”

For a moment, neither moved. The air seemed to thicken between them, everyone else watching silently as if caught in a spell.

“That’s… me,” Kenma whispered, his lips trembling. His hand reached out an inch, then faltered. “Is it really you, Kavei?”

Two figures stepped out from behind him, one bending to scoop up the fallen bag while the other casually tossed the cream bun into a nearby trash can.

“Dude,” the second one groaned. “Why would you waste a perfectly good vanilla cream bun?”

Kenma didn’t even look at him. His eyes were locked on Kavei. “Ojiro. It’s… Kavei.”

Ojiro’s head jerked back, his jaw dropping. The boy holding the bag—Narito—stared as well, the bag slipping from his hands once again and smacking against the ground.

“Ouch. Poor bag,” Kavei muttered with a crooked grin, trying to cut through the tension.

Narito blinked, then finally managed to speak. “Why are you here?”

“Hah… nice to meet you too, Narito,” Kavei teased, though his voice wavered.

“Cut it out!” Ojiro suddenly barked, surging forward and yanking Kavei into a crushing hug.

Kavei wheezed out a laugh, though his arms trembled as he patted Ojiro’s back. “Haha… you’re still ridiculously strong, Ojiro.”

Narito smiled softly at the sight, while Kenma turned his face away, tears brimming at the edges of his eyes.

The three boys had been away from the world since Aroshi's supposed death and Kavei's detachment from them. They had failed to hear of rumors or news, and hence, weren't aware of Kavei being a known face in certain parts of Japan.

Benio finally cleared his throat, unable to contain his curiosity. “Sorry to break this… heartfelt reunion, but who exactly are these guys, Kavei?”

Kavei blinked, pulling back from Ojiro’s embrace. “Oh, right,” he said, gesturing between the groups. “These are my old friends from school, back in fifth grade. From left to right—Kenma, Narito, and Ojiro.”

Then he turned toward his stunned companions. “And these are my seniors: Benio-nii, Saira-nee, and Miyasi-nee.”

The introductions ended in a series of bows—awkward, warm, and filled with the weight of years lost and suddenly found again.

Kenma tugged Kavei a little closer, lowering his voice so the others wouldn’t hear. “You’ve got… senior friends now?”

Kavei chuckled softly. “Haha, yeah. Funny thing is—I was actually thinking about looking for you.”

Kenma blinked, almost suspicious. “Seriously? After all this time? What, you suddenly need help with something?”

“Yeah,” Kavei admitted, giving him a lopsided smile. “And not just for the help… for old times’ sake too.”

Kenma nudged his shoulder. “Oh, cut it out. Just tell me what you need.”

Kavei’s expression shifted, his voice dropping. “Kenma, Narito, Ojiro—listen carefully. And don’t freak out. I mean it. Don’t. Freak. Out.”

Ojiro raised a brow. “What could possibly freak us out more than you randomly showing up here after four years?” Kenma almost laughed.

Kavei’s gaze was unwavering. “I’m serious. Promise me.”

The laughter faded from Kenma’s face. He hesitated, then nodded. “…Fine. Promise.”

“No take backs,” Kavei said, extending his hand. Kenma sighed but clasped it, along with Narito and Ojiro, sealing the vow.

Kavei straightened, his tone hardening. “Alright. I’m here with my seniors because of a case.”

Narito snorted. “A case? What are you, some kind of detective now?”

Kavei didn’t flinch. His silence stretched until Narito’s smirk faltered.

“…Wait. You are?” Narito’s voice cracked.

“Yes,” Kavei confirmed, firm and steady. “And it’s not just one case. These are cases that were shut down too fast. Buried. I’ve been looking into them again.”

The three boys froze, their laughter dying completely.

Kavei’s voice dropped lower, almost like a confession. “And one of them… is Aroshi-san’s.”

The name alone was enough to stiffen the air between them. Narito’s grip tightened on his shirt's hem. Ojiro shifted uneasily. Kenma opened his mouth, but Kavei held up a hand.

“Let me finish,” Kavei said. He leaned in closer, his hands clasping Kenma’s with quiet urgency. “We found something in the house of Aroshi-san’s Obaasan. Something that could finally explain what happened. But we need to get the samples checked. Fast. I can’t do it without you.”

Kenma stiffened and pulled his hands back, folding his arms tightly across his chest. “Kavei, do you even hear yourself right now? You’re talking like you’re in some crime drama. This isn’t a game. You’re putting yourself in real danger.”

“I know,” Kavei shot back, sharper than he intended. He raked a hand through his hair, exhaling hard. “But that’s exactly why I can’t stop. Aro’s case—it never made sense. There are gaps, holes everywhere. If we don’t chase this lead, it’s gone forever.”

Kenma’s eyes flickered toward Narito and Ojiro, searching their faces before turning back. His voice was quiet but firm. “Even if we wanted to help, what could we even do? We’re not investigators. We’re just… us.”

“I don’t need you to play detectives,” Kavei said quickly, desperation bleeding into his tone. His gaze locked onto Kenma’s. “I just need you to take the samples to someone who can test them. That’s it. Nothing more.”

Kenma’s jaw tightened. His fingers tapped restlessly against his arm, a nervous tic he hadn’t outgrown. “No, Kavei. I can’t. I won’t drag Narito or Ojiro into something this reckless. And I won’t watch you throw yourself headfirst into danger, either.”

“Kenma, please—” Kavei’s voice cracked with frustration.

“I said no!” Kenma’s reply was sharp, louder than he meant it to be. He swallowed hard, his shoulders trembling. “I won’t help you get yourself killed.”

The words dropped like lead. Silence stretched between them, heavy and suffocating. Nobody moved.

“You know why I’m looking into this?” Kavei’s voice cut through the tense silence. There was an edge in it, a sharpness that made Kenma straighten. “It’s because Aroshi-san’s mother wrote to me. She sent me a letter after she saw me on the news.” His eyes glistened as he forced the words out. “Kenma, I can help her. And you can help me. Please. Just get the samples checked. Then I’ll leave you alone.”

The plea hung in the air, heavy and raw. For a second, it almost cracked Kenma’s resolve, but he set his jaw. “This is dangerous, Vei,” he said firmly. “I’ll back you in anything else, but not this. No. You’re not dragging me into something that could get you killed.”

Kavei’s chest tightened, frustration flaring. He dug into his pocket and pulled out a folded slip of paper, shoving it into Kenma’s hands. “Look. Itsuhara Yukina. You know her name, don’t you? The detective. I work under her.” His tone was almost frantic now. “Kenma, my work is already dangerous. It can’t get worse than this.”

But Kenma only shook his head, his voice quieter but stubborn. “I don’t want anything to happen to you too… like Aroshi-san.”

Kavei tightened his fists. “Aroshi is alive!” he burst out, his voice echoing louder than he intended. It was maybe a relief, that the evening only belonged to them, and no passerbys were around save for the owner of the shop Kenma had emerged out of, who couldn't hear them from inside.

Kenma froze, his breath catching. “She… is?” His words trembled, disbelief etched across his face.

“Yes,” Kavei said fiercely, leaning closer, eyes burning with urgency. “Trust me, Kenma. I wouldn’t look into this just for nothing. I wouldn’t risk everything if I wasn’t sure. So please—please—help me.”

Kenma stared at him, his thoughts a storm. Narito and Ojiro exchanged nervous glances, their fidgeting betraying the weight of Kavei’s words. Finally, Kenma exhaled slowly, breaking the silence.

“…Okay,” he muttered, his voice heavy with decision. “I’ll do it. But only in one condition.”

Kavei’s head snapped up, relief flashing across his face. “Name it.”

Kenma’s eyes hardened, determination replacing his earlier hesitation. “Let me, Ojiro, and Narito join you in this search.”

The words blindsided Kavei. “W-what?” He blinked rapidly, almost stumbling over his own breath.

“If you can trust us, then we’ll trust you,” Kenma pressed on, his fists clenching tightly at his sides. “Aroshi-san wasn’t just your friend, Vei. Sure, she loved you—but she was close to us too. We lost her that day, and I want to help find her too.”

Kavei opened his mouth to protest but froze at the intensity in Kenma’s stare. His throat felt dry.

Kenma scoffed softly, shaking his head. “Do you even realize how often you take the entire burden on your shoulders? Like you’re the only one who can scrap answers? Vei, give us a chance to prove it to you that you don't have to carry all this on your own.” His voice lowered, trembling but firm. “We were there for each other back then, and we can be or each other now too.”

The words sank deep, cutting sharper than Kavei wanted to admit. He inhaled slowly, his shoulders loosening with a reluctant nod. “…Okay. You’re right.” His voice was softer now, less defensive. He ran a hand through his hair, forcing himself to meet Kenma’s gaze. “This isn’t just about me. I get that.”

Kenma’s eyes softened, though his voice still carried weight. “You know that's not what I meant, Vei. Regardless, I understand your guilt. You were the last person who hung out with her before her disappearance. And… she saw you not just as a friend,” he added, almost grudgingly. “I know what she felt for you. I know it wasn’t simple. And I know, that it eats away at you, how oblivious you were, how you wish you could have been nicer to her feelings. How you blame your innocent ignorance for it all.”

Kavei’s breath caught, a flicker of guilt flashing across his face. He wanted to argue, to deny it, but the words wouldn’t come. He couldn’t.

The silence that followed was heavy, filled with things left unsaid. Benio, Miyasi, and Saira simply watched, their lips sealed. They wouldn't dare interfere in this fragile moment. At last, Kenma spoke again, steadier this time. “If we do this, we do it together. No reckless moves. No running off alone. We face this as a team.”

Kavei let out a shaky breath, the fight draining out of him. He looked at Kenma, at the unyielding resolve in his eyes, and nodded. “…Alright. Together.”

Behind the thin walls of the shop, Himeko, Kai, Ryu, and Sebiki leaned in closer, their ears practically pressed to the boards. The weight of the conversation seeped through the cracks, each word etching itself into their minds.

Ryu let out a low whistle. “Man… that’s heavy. I didn’t think this whole thing was that deep. But hearing them now…” He trailed off, a new determination rising in his tone. “Maybe it’s time we show Kavei he can count on us too.”

Sebiki straightened, her eyes gleaming with a spark of energy. “Heheh. Finally!” she whispered, pumping her fist with a grin. “Then let’s prove it. Let’s back him up. For real this time.”

Himeko and Ryu exchanged a look, both nodding in quiet agreement. The tension in the air had shifted—the search for Aroshi wasn’t just Kavei’s anymore. It was theirs too.

Only Kai remained to himself. This case was not simply another puzzle to solve for Kavei. It was a much deeper riddle than that. And very personal. Shuffling with it like this, he felt the guilt tug at him. Was it time to give up this vendetta? To let Kavei carry on without them? What more validation could he seek from Kavei, after tailing him like this.

[Location: Kavei's house
Time: 10:40 pm
Date: 31st July]

Kavei pushed the door open and stepped into his apartment, the weight of the day pressing down on him like lead. His body ached, his head throbbed beneath the neat white bandage wrapped across his forehead, and yet it wasn’t the physical pain that exhausted him most—it was the endless thoughts, the plans, the fragments of memory tied to Aroshi’s disappearance.

He dropped onto the couch, letting his body sink into the cushions. For a while, he just stared at the ceiling, his mind replaying the conversation he’d had earlier with Kenma, Narito, and Ojiro. They had finally decided on their next moves: first to Kenma’s sister regarding the samples, then on to Osaka to chase a lead to Daichi’s whereabouts.

“Step after step…” he murmured to himself, rubbing at his temples.

After a moment, he dragged himself up and wandered toward the kitchen. He tugged the curtain aside and gazed at the night sky. The world outside seemed calm, untouched by the storm running through his mind.

Then he noticed it—the whiteboard. Someone had replied.

His lips curved into a faint smile as he leaned closer to read. I’m going to Yokohama too. Do you think we might meet? Hehe.

Kavei chuckled softly under his breath. “So you did write back.” He picked up the marker, hesitated, then set the board down again, thinking carefully before scribbling his response. When he was satisfied, he propped it back against the window, his quiet little lifeline to the stranger across the way.

Pulling a stool close to the counter, he sat down and tried to shake off the heaviness of the day. Cooking, at least, always grounded him. He rolled up his sleeves and began gathering ingredients.

Meanwhile, just across the way, Kai peeked at his own window. His face lit up the second he saw the board.

“What did you do in Yokohama?” he asked out loud with a grin, already scribbling it down. 'Ah, they’re home.' Kai thought to himself.

A few moments later, he saw the reply.

(I went to meet some friends.) —Kavei

Kai snorted softly, shaking his head. “Keeping it vague, huh? Alright then.” He scribbled back.

(I went to meet some friends too.) —Kai

(Cool.) —Kavei

(What are you up to now?) —Kai

(Cooking.) —Kavei

Kai laughed to himself, leaning against his window frame. “Of course you are.” He quickly wrote:

(Yeah. You’re a culinary genius, as I figured yesterday.) —Kai

On the other side, Kavei raised a brow, amused. He erased a small corner of the board and added:

(Gosh. Can you cook?) —Kavei

Kai bit back a grin as he wrote back:

(Enough to survive, yes.) —Kai

Their exchange went back and forth like that, simple questions and half-joking remarks. Remaining anonymous behind the opaque curtains, only pulling their hands out to place the whiteboards, they knew to seal their identities and not question without asking each other the same. To anyone else, it would’ve seemed like meaningless chatter. But for them, in the silence of their separate apartments, it felt oddly comforting.

As Kavei stirred the pot, the rich aroma of curry began to spread through the air. Kai sniffed, sitting by the window, his stomach growling. He leaned toward the window, whispering with a smile, “Oh, so they’re making curry. Gosh. Now I’m hungry.”

Neither of them knew exactly why they kept doing this, or what it would lead to. But night after night, word by word on those little boards, a quiet companionship had formed. They didn’t know each other’s faces, names, or stories—but somehow, it didn’t matter.

It was enough.