Nightfall struck the city, bringing a quiet end to the work day. At least, most people's work days. Kyouma found himself wishing he was like most people frequently. What he wouldn't give to not be standing in this unappealing office. Talking to his least favorite person. Well, one of his least favorite people. Definitely top five.

"Sounds like quite the field trip..." Albert Schumann interrupted. His blond braided hair shook in frustration. "Have you figured out what the necklace does? Or if it's connected to the missing person?"

Mira stiffened. The group hadn't made much progress with the necklace. It had thrown Kyouma across the room thrice. But not without him prying it from her coil. Though still attached to the young android, the necklace now hung loosely across her chest, swinging with each wag of her amplifier.

"We haven't found the coil, if that's what you're asking." Kyouma answered.

"Pity. Who would have guessed you lovebirds would screw up so badly." Albert continued, waving a hand in the air. "So bothersome to have romance interfere with our work."

"Someone's bitter no girl will date him." Kyouma retorted.

"You're one to talk. Didn't you find your last one under a bus?"

"Why you-"

"Terrible tragedy really. Maybe if you were more careful with your things. They wouldn't break."

Kyouma pulled out his skewers. Which was met with a pistol from Albert.

Mira sighed, shook her head at the boys' antics and then walked between the two. Delivering a swift kick to both their hands. Turning to Kyouma, "Can you not?"

Nursing his hand, Albert looked at Mira. "You could have just asked, beautiful. I can't believe you did all of this for me. I'm touched."

"One more word," Mira said threateningly. "And I'll..."

Picking up his skewer, Kyouma smacked her on the back of her head. "Damn robot."

"Hey! That hurt." Mira muttered.

"No it didn't. You're a robot." Kyouma pointed out, taking a seat in one of the three chairs.

"Yeah, well. Then this is robot abuse." Mira retorted, sitting next to him. "I have rights!"

"No you don't." Kyouma said. "You. Are. A. Robot."

"Pleasantries aside," Albert slid a handful of pictures across the desk. "Both roommates are dead."

"Dead?" Mira asked. "Like dead dead?"

Kyouma frowned while taking the pictures. One showed an outlined body lying on a hospital cot. It was covered with a sheet. While the next highlighted a blackened hole through what appeared to be a bedroom.

"Before you, a series of pictures taken from the apartment the victims relocated to during the investigation." Albert continued, holding up a third photo. "Crews found evidence of an illegal coil embedded within the remains of the first girl."

Mira was frozen. Her eyes glued to the gruesome scene.

Kyouma however was unfazed. "Trying to destroy evidence?"

Albert shook his head. "No, the explosion was tripped by an outside signal. We're unsure how the coil appeared within the apartment. But evidence suggests it was concealed in a box marked as a present. None of the apartment's original occupations were home at the time. Thanks to the position of the girl's body at time of detonation; the damage was isolated to only the one apartment. The force of the blast however, launched her body through the conjoining wall and into the neighbor's bedroom."

Then, seeing Mira's face, "If it's any inclination. She didn't feel anything."

Under the table, Mira wrapped Kyouma's left hand in both of hers. Ignoring this, he finished going through the pictures. One of them showed a girl who, for the most part, looked to be unharmed. "How did the second girl die?"

"Fentanyl inhalation. Found unconscious in a mall parking lot two hours after the apartment explosion. Currently unknown how she was exposed."

"Two girls are dead. And their friend has possibly met the same fate. Yet we're no closer to figuring out what is going on."

Albert nodded in agreement, "Unfortunate all around. However, this no longer concerns us."

"What?" Mira piped, crushing Kyouma's hand. This elicited a yelp as he tried to get out of her grip.

"The families have asked that we step down from our investigation. Citing our presence as endangering."

Still failing to notice Kyouma's predicament, Mira nodded sadly. "Didn't this start before we got involved? How are we the problem?"

"Don't weep for the stupid, dear girl. You'll be crying all day."

"Unpopular opinion," Mira said holding her head in her hands.

This set Kyouma free of her grip. Though unfortunately, the sudden action caused his chair to tip over and fall on its side with the man's legs flailing in the air.

Albert sighed as he watched Mira try to help Kyouma to his feet. Receiving a slap on the hand for her efforts. "Until further notice. The case is absolved."

"Fine by me." Kyouma replied, heading for the door.

"Of course. But in conjunction with the board's views. I'm sending you home for the rest of the day."

"And if I refuse?"

Picking up his pistol, Albert grinned. "You're welcome to refuse. But remember this. You're only still alive because I made a promise." He leveled the sight at Kyouma's heart. "And I'm not very good at keeping my promises."

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

"Exactly how it sounds, my dear boy. You belong to the company. You die when the board says you can. You do what they tell you to do. You are nothing but a dog. Keep stepping out of line. And-" Albert slid the gun across his throat "-we will reel in your leash."

Before he could think of a response, Kyouma was promptly led out of the office by Mira.