In the morning, Yuuji arrives at the old womans house.

As he approaches, a couple of investigators block his way.

“Hm? So, youre telling me I cant go in and take a look for myself?” -he asks, sounding unsurprised

"Well then... atleast tell me what happened."

One of the investigators responds with a flat expression.

“Well, detective, the woman who lived here called the police about two hours ago. She reported that two girls had broken in and held her hostage. When we arrived, though... she was already dead.”

Yuujis eyes widen, clearly taken aback.

“So, it was probably Manami and Yukiko. But... why would they kill her?”

“Im sorry, thats all we can tell you. At least for now.” -as the investigator turns away

Yuuji sighs in frustration, knowing they wont give him any more details. He returns to his car, lost in thought.

Sitting in his car, he pieces things together.

'So, after that fight yesterday, they mustve fled to that house. The crime scene wasnt far from it... and the investigator did say two girls. It has to be them.'

He rolls down the window, lights a cigarette, and takes a drag.

'But why would they kill the woman? If she called the police only two hours ago, then that means that the girls are close, right?' -Yuuji chuckles to himself in disbelief, taking another puff

'I doubt they were still here when she called. Why would they keep her alive all night only to kill her at the end? Sure, maybe she tried calling the cops while they were still here... but...'

Suddenly, the passenger door opens, and a figure in a hoodie slides into the seat beside him.

Yuuji instinctively reaches for the gun in his pocket, but the young man speaks calmly.

“Detective Yuuji, right?” -he pulls down his hood, revealing his face

Yuuji narrows his eyes, recognizing him beacuse of the hoodie.

“You... youre the guy I chased on that rooftop a while back, arent you?”

The young man nods.

“Yeah... but lets not get into that now. Whats your take on what happened in that house?”

Yuuji keeps his hand on his gun.

“You know you cant just sit in my car and question me like this, right?”

The man sighs, remaining expressionless.

“When the woman called, the girls werent there. They didnt kill her.”

“Oh? I had a hunch. But how do you know that?” -Yuuji asks, still cautious

“Im looking for those girls too. When I arrived, they were long gone.” -he says

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Yuuji leans back, scrutinizing him.

“And why are you after them? How do I know youre telling the truth?”

The man smirks, wagging a finger at Yuuji.

“Nice try. Im not giving up info so easily. For now, all you can do is trust me. Which you wont. Beacuse why would you?”

Yuuji scratches his head.

“So, why are you here?” -he asks, still guarded

The man leans in.

“I need you to team up with me. I want to take down the Narita Family too.” -as his eyes are glinting with a hidden determination

Yuuji scoffs, shaking his head.

“No, absolutely not.”

“Oh, really?”

“Is it because of your family?” -he asks

Yuujis face hardens as he looks down, staying silent.

“Youre a good man, Yuuji. But this goes deeper than you think.”

Yuujis eyes narrow, something stirring within him.

“What do you mean by that?”

The man pulls a USB drive from his pocket and hands it over.

“This drive has answers to some of your questions.”

Yuuji looks at the drive, then back at the man.

“This... things are about to get serious, arent they?”

The man nods.

“After you see whats on that drive, protecting your family wont be so simple.”

Yuuji tucks the drive into his pocket.

“If you decide to take down the Narita Family with me, theres also another file on the drive. Itll tell you where and when to meet me again.”

Yuuji nods slowly.

“Understood. And if what youre saying is true, then... the Narita Familys behind the womans death, trying to frame the girls.”

“Exactly.”

The man nods, then pauses.

“Oh, one more thing.”

From under his hoodie, he pulls out a manga volume and hands it to Yuuji.

“Isnt this the latest volume your son wanted?”

Yuuji raises an eyebrow, then chuckles, shaking his head as he takes it.

“Youre damn right it is.”

With that, the man slips out of the car, leaving Yuuji alone. Yuuji pulls out the USB drive again, studying it, realizing that whatevers on it could change everything he knows about this case.

He thinks to himself.

'If I look at whats on this drive... theres no turning back. Maybe itd be safer to leave it alone. But what if ignoring it only puts everyone at even greater risk?'

“Damn it...” -he mutters under his breath, his gaze flicking from the drive to the dashboard

___

Meanwhile, the girls are quietly making their way out of the city, staying hidden in the shadows. Theyve decided, for now, to leave town entirely, and theyre already on its outskirts.

As they walk, Yukiko seems downcast. Manami notices but quickly looks away, scratching the back of her head before coming to a halt.

“Huh? Why did we stop, Manami?” -Yukiko asks

Manami points over her shoulder at a small crepe shop.

“I... Im hungry. Thought we could get some crepes.” -she avoids Yukikos gaze, a hint of awkwardness in her voice

Yukikos face lights up, a genuine smile forming.

“Really? I love crepes!”

“Yeah, yeah... lets just go in, idiot.” -Manami grumbles, as they head for the door

But just before they enter, Manami suddenly stops again.

“Whats wrong?” -Yukiko asks, concern in her voice

Manami doesnt answer, gripping her knees as her breathing becomes erratic. Her eyes are wide, staring blankly.

“M-Manami?” -Yukiko stammers, unsure

“Just... go in without me. Ill be right behind you,” -Manami snaps, her voice rough with irritation

“O-okay...” -Yukiko says softly, hesitating before stepping inside, still looking back in worry

Manamis mind spins with a single, looping thought.

'But I hate her... so why?'

A moment later, she snaps out of it when she hears a gentle voice.

“I... I got you some crepe,” -Yukiko says, holding out a chocolate-banana crepe

“I hope you like chocolate and banana...”

Manamis eyes widen, a single tear slipping down her cheek. She accepts the crepe and takes a bite, whispering.

“Yeah... I do.”