As Life, disguised as the Outsider, watched the surprised reactions of everyone around the table, he couldn't help but feel slightly amused by their expressions. Each face told a story of curiosity, apprehension, and confusion. As he calmly walked toward the table, those paying close attention might have noticed the precision in his steps. His walk, confident and disciplined, seemed too deliberate to be natural, yet for Life, it was simply second nature.

"Excuse me for the wait," he began, his voice tampered to appear neutral and unrecognizable. "I was occupied with some… personal matters. In any case, it seems like you are about to have... dinner?" The slight note of confusion still managed to filter through his electronically altered tone.

Silence greeted his question, and Life merely shrugged off the lack of response. He pulled the chair next to Nozomi, only to pause mid-action when he noticed her clear, shocked expression. Barely able to contain an amused chuckle, he asked, "Would you mind if I sit here?" His tampered voice masked the teasing undertones, presenting the request as a polite inquiry.

Nozomi snapped out of her shock and quickly nodded at the masked man. As Life settled into the chair, he made sure his posture was perfect. Comfortable, he quickly noticed the wary look Yoshino gave him. Unlike Nozomi's stunned awe, Yoshino's expression was one of cautious unease, as if trying to decipher the unknown variable he represented. This might not look ideal, but I think I can manage it. How about...

Turning to address Yoshino directly, Life's intention was to assure her of his friendliness. However, Yoshino recoiled slightly as the masked, hooded figure's gaze met hers, staring with an intensity that felt like it could see right through her.

Yoshino began to sweat profusely, in a manner reminiscent of Nozomi when they had met personally for the first time. As off-putting as it was, it reassured Life that Nozomi's peculiar reactions weren't entirely unique to her. Now, whether that was a positive or negative trait was something Life decided to ponder later.

He sighed internally before offering his hand to Yoshino. "Hello, I am Outsider. It's a pleasure to meet you..." He left the sentence hanging, waiting for her to complete it while ensuring his voice remained calm and gentle to ease her nerves. 'Even though I already know her name, it would be incredibly suspicious to just blurt it out.'

Yoshino, taken aback, glanced between his hand and mask a few times before cautiously complying with a handshake. "Yoshino... it's nice to meet you too?" Her voice betrayed her uncertainty, but the fact that her sweating subsided was progress enough.

While shaking Yoshino's hand, Life glanced at Nozomi, who was still quietly observing the interaction. Oh yeah, I almost forgot about you. I should probably introduce myself to avoid unnecessary complications... Although, is it just me, or does this dog on her lap give me a weird look? Is it my smell? Well, even if it is... it's not like I can do anything now. Just take a bath when I get the chance.

Releasing Yoshino's hand, Life immediately offered the same gesture to Nozomi. "Hello again. Although I may have introduced myself to you before, you weren't in the best condition at that time to do the same. Would you mind telling me your name?"

Nozomi's awe shifted to embarrassment, her cheeks flushing red. "O-oh, my name? Yes, my name is…" She paused for a moment before continuing, "G-guardian Taurus. That's, uh, that's my name." Despite her effort, it was clear she was a terrible liar.

Life almost rolled his eyes, his internal amusement barely restrained as he maintained a calm demeanor. You know, I might take you more seriously—just a little—if you didn't become such a mess over simple things. But credit where it's due; using a fake name is a smart move. Sure, I already know your real name, but… semantics.

Seiza and Yoshino both perked up at Nozomi's statement. Yoshino voiced their mutual confusion. "W-wait… again? You've met this guy before, No—Taurus?!" Her near slip was subtle but still raised questions about their previous encounters.

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Before Nozomi could respond, Judai's irritated voice cut through the tension. "Er, excuse me?" The frustration of being overlooked was palpable in his tone.

As everyone turned their attention to Judai, Life noticed the man in worker clothes rummaging through the fridge. Judai, now the focus, continued. "As much as I would love to wait for your conversation to end, I have better things to do with my time." Though his face was hidden by a mask and goggles, his annoyance was clear.

"I'll get straight to the point: one of you did something to one of my kind yesterday, and a recent development..." He glanced at Life, "makes this situation less straightforward. So I ask, who was it?"

A heavy silence filled the room, punctuated by the soft sizzle from the frying pan. Life considered breaking it, but Nozomi spoke up first. "Excuse me, but… why do you want to know?" Confusion was etched across her face.

Judai studied her for a moment, clearly baffled. Nozomi quickly rephrased, "I-I mean, why not just, y'know… try to kill us all at once?"

Judai seemed to settle at her rephrased question and responded, "Hmm... You see, although your first impressions may have suggested otherwise, not all of my kind are bloodthirsty maniacs. While some of us have grown beyond our more... unpleasant qualities, usually after a few years, others remain wild. Unless ordered—and I wasn't—I won't harm those who are minding their own business."

Nozomi hesitated, the weight of her next question pressing on her. "What was your order?"

"My only order was to discover why it disappeared and, if it was an individual, to bring them in alive," Judai answered with a sigh.

"And I suppose you won't tell us who gave you that order?" Yoshino raised an eyebrow.

"Technically, I wasn't ordered to keep it a secret," Judai said, scratching his chin thoughtfully. "But letting you know would likely backfire later."

In the background, the man in worker clothes pulled out a can labeled BrownBeer, opened it, and took a sip.

Life broke the growing tension. "And what if we refuse to cooperate?" he asked, raising his hand theatrically as if deep in thought—a gesture he already knew the probable answer to but wanted confirmation.

Judai turned back to Life after a moment's silent contemplation. "If someone proves too troublesome, I'm authorized to use any means necessary. That includes lethal force." His tone remained disturbingly flat, almost disinterested, in delivering the threat. When Life glanced at Yoshino and Nozomi, their faces reflected appropriate tension.

"Okay... but why are you so confident we won't just fight you right now?" Yoshino demanded, giving Life a quick glance before focusing back on Judai.

Judai shrugged nonchalantly, an action so casual it set every nerve in Yoshino's body on edge. The grandfather clock in the corner seemed to tick louder, each swing of its pendulum echoing the tension in the air. "Nothing is stopping you," he said, his voice calm and almost detached, "but consider this: even if you manage to defeat me, do you think my creator will stand idle? They have the conviction and resources to escalate this situation significantly if provoked. It wouldn't just end with me; it would ripple out, affecting you and everyone involved."

Life observed keenly as Yoshino, sitting rigidly beside him, curled her finger—a subtle yet decisive signal to Nozomi. The two shared a silent understanding, the gravity of their decision reflected in the fleeting eye contact. Nozomi began to discreetly charge her finger under the table, the soft hum of gathering energy barely perceptible beneath the rising tension.

Judai, either not noticing or simply unbothered by their silent coordination, continued. "But if the responsible party comes willingly, escalation won't happen. While I can't guarantee what my creator plans, I can tell you they aren't a killer." His voice was cold, factual, delivering the terms of their impossible situation with unnerving calmness.

The room seemed to constrict around them, each breath growing heavier, each heartbeat louder. The tension was a living thing, pressing down on their shoulders, coiling tighter and tighter until Yoshino decided the moment had come. "Really tempting offer, but…" She curled her last finger, the final signal.

In perfect synchrony, Yoshino and Nozomi stood up, their chairs scraping harshly against the wooden floor. Nozomi's finger shone with a brilliant, purifying light, aimed directly at Judai. Yoshino, her expression hardening into determined resolve, pulled out a colt single-action army revolver, the metal gleaming ominously under the dim kitchen light.

Life nearly chuckled at the unexpected turn of events. The sight of Yoshino wielding the revolver with such familiarity suggested depths to her character not immediately apparent.

Two loud gunshots rang out, shattering the fragile silence of the tension-filled room.