A clear voice cut the tension, ringing out through the empty street like a lifeline.

"Himeko?"

Himeko spun around in surprise and Kavei just casually turned in the direction of the voice. Stepping out from the shadows was a young man with an assertive gait, his very presence shattering the stifling atmosphere.

Himeko's expression broke into relief. "K-Kai?" she stuttered before flinging herself at him, relief pouring over as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

Kai wrapped his arms around her protectively, his brows furrowed in worry. "Hime-chan, it really is you, What are you doing here?" His tone was warm but tinged with anxiety as he embraced her.

Just before Himeko could say something, a sudden shift from behind Kai commanded everyone's attention. Two massive men in black suits emerged into view, their wide shoulders and serious faces a stark contrast to the mess surrounding them.

"Young Master Kai," one of the bodyguards said firmly, ignoring the scene before them, "you shouldn't be wandering around unsupervised. It's dangerous."

Their imposing figures immediately unnerved the masked man. Without a word, he turned on his heel and bolted into the shadows, disappearing as quickly as he had arrived.

Himeko exhaled a quivering breath, her terror turning to thankfulness as she stepped back to confront Kai. "Thank you so very much, Kai," she whispered, bowing deeply in gratitude.

Kai shook his head, providing a soft smile. "No, don't thank me. I didn't do anything."

His face changed as he took in the surroundings-the broken-down houses, dim streetlights, and deserted, litter-filled roads and, a strange man, completely covered by a shawl, was sitting at the corner of the road, counting pennies that were spread out on the pavement, completely oblivious to the conversation going on in the middle of it all. His eyes narrowed. "But Himeko, why on earth are you here? This is not a neighborhood for someone like you."

Another voice spoke up before she could, one filled with sarcasm. "Some of us happen to reside in this neighborhood, you know," Kavei grumbled as he made his way to the stairs of his apartment, his hands remaining buried in the pockets of his coat.

Kai's eyes flashed toward him, his gaze narrowing in recognition. "You! The waiter!" he bellowed, jabbing a pointing finger.

Kavei arched an eyebrow, sneering as he climbed up the stairs. "Oh, great. What a memory to hold onto," he said with a smirk, not attempting to conceal the sarcasm in his voice.

Kai moved forward, his anger boiling over. "Dude, you should have assisted her!"

Kavei paused halfway up the stairs, his face fixed ahead, but his stance became tense at Kai's words. "Why?" he demanded flatly, rotating his head barely enough to look at Kai.

Kai's fists clenched. "What's wrong with you? What do you mean 'why'? She was in danger, damnit!"

Sighing, Kavei fully turned to him, resting easily on the railing. His voice was colder now, with a touch of disdain. "And what if she wasn't? What if she was about to scam some good Samaritan who happened by? Perhaps she's an accomplice to that moron who just took off."

Himeko gasped, her cheeks burning with rage and incredulity. "How dare you!"

Kai's anger overflowed. "You can't automatically think the worst of people! You saw someone in distress and did nothing. That's unacceptable!"

Kavei's mouth twisted into a harsh grin. "It's survival instinct. Try it sometime. And anyway," he went on, his tone falling into the lower, more controlled level, "the gun was phony."

Kai stood shook still, his rage overbalanced for a moment by confusion. "What do you mean?"

"The gun," Kavei repeated, his voice laced with a quiet confidence that made everyone fall silent. "It was fake. If it were real, he'd have shot the moment anyone approached. That man wasn't here to kill-just to intimidate. And judging by the fact that your so-called 'bodyguards' are unarmed, he probably could've gotten away with it."

The guards exchanged uneasy glances, their pride stung by the revelation.

Kavei turned toward his apartment, cursing under his breath, "Idiots, the lot of you," and continued up to his door.

Kai and Himeko stood there in stunned silence. As Kavei opened his door, he looked back over his shoulder one last time. "Next time, try not to be quite so ostentatious with your thanks. Some of us are attempting to live in peace."

And with that, he vanished inside, the door shutting behind him punctuating his exit.

Himeko's shoulders dipped as she turned to Kai. "What was that guy's issue?"

The two stood in silence for a moment, and then Kai let out a sigh, signaling his guards to take them out of the neighborhood. As they left, Himeko glanced over her shoulder back at the apartment building, a mixture of curiosity and annoyance percolating in her eyes.

Kavei slumped against the door to his apartment, his own breath coming out in a weary sigh. The morning's events hung about him like a malign shadow. A stupid man had proclaimed himself a criminal and tried to abduct a child, only to flee at the first sign of opposition. It should have been ridiculous, but it put Kavei out of temper. He wasn't upset with the man's ineptness but with the ridiculousness of the situation-and the critical glances from passersby like that diner fellow.

Pushing on the door, Kavei grumbled to himself, "This world isn't as nice a place as they all believe. No good will come of being naive." He shook his head, removing his coat and draping it over the wooden floor beside the phone stand.

Still grumbling, he went into the small living room and turned on the tiny TV. The drone of the news offered a dull background as he worked in the kitchen. Picking up a potato and a knife, he fell into the comforting routine of peeling. The simple repetitive motion normally cleared his head.

But not today.

The reporter's voice on TV broke his concentration.

"A young thirteen-year-old lad assists the police in cracking the case-"

The knife fell from his hand and onto the counter along with the half peeled potato. Kavei stood paralyzed, heart pounding as the words settled in. Stumbling over the mat, he tripped and knelt in front of the TV.

"What?!" His voice cracked, shock flooding him. He crept nearer, his wide eyes fixed on the screen.

The news anchor went on discussing the recent case of Najima, explaining how a young genius boy had been instrumental in cracking the case. And then it happened-a snap of him flickered across the screen. Kavei's face glared back at him, with the words "Niram Kavei" written underneath.

"No. No, no, no!" Kavei cursed under his breath, taking a step back from the television. His breathing grew ragged as panic gripped his chest. "He said nobody would ever know!"

Panic set in as he staggered for the door, grasping at the little table beside it to anchor himself. His fingers fumbled for the dusty old rotary phone perched on it, shaking as he dialed a number he had memorized.

The words rang once, twice, before a voice he knew answered.

"Senzaki here-"

"Senzaki, sir!" Kavei's voice snapped through sharply, tinged with betrayal. "What the hell is going on with the news?"

There was silence, and Kavei could almost hear the inspector flinch. "K-Kavei-kun. I can explain-"

"Explain?!" Kavei yelled, holding the phone so hard his knuckles whitened. "You said-no, promised-this would be kept secret! And now the entire world knows?!"

Senzaki's voice cracked, his tone appeasing. "Kavei-kun, listen-"

"No! Don't even begin! You gave your word!" Kavei's voice increased in volume with each word, his fury and pain seeping into every syllable.

At the other end of the call, Senzaki's voice dropped, laced with bewilderment. "But why, Kavei-kun? Why do you hate this so much? You should be proud-"

"Proud?!" Kavei laughed harshly, interrupting him. "Do you realize what you've done? I didn't request this publicity. I don't want it!" His voice cracked a little and he bit his lip, attempting to calm down.

Senzaki's voice became conciliatory. "Kavei, I apologize. The press somehow heard about it. We tried to keep it quiet, but it got out of hand."

Kavei leaned against the wall, running a hand down his face. "Right. So your plan was to just allow them to broadcast it all? Terrific job, Inspector."

"I had no choice, Kavei-kun!" Senzaki begged, but Kavei was finished with listening.

"Save it," he grumbled. "I'll call you later-if I feel like it."

"Kavei-kun, wait-"

Kavei slammed down the receiver, his chest rising and falling with exertion as he tossed the phone onto the tatami mat with a dull clunk. The ensuing silence was oppressive, only punctuated by the soft hum of the television.

"Idiot," Kavei growled, pushing a hand through his rumpled hair. "What in the world do I do now?"

He fell to the ground, his mind reeling. The betrayal was painful, but what terrified him most was exposure. His picture. His name. The world was aware of him now, and Kavei wasn't certain he was ready for the repercussions.