It only took 2 weeks of hospitalization for Naegi to be graced by Togami's presence. He has half a mind to think Kirigiri forced him to come with her.

"Togami-kun! You holding up okay?" No sooner after speaking those words, Naegi had another one of his coughing fits.

"Do that after I'm gone, thanks." Byakuya "Best Boss Ever" Togami scrunches his face in disgust. At least he had the decency to wait for him to finish!

"Sorry." Naegi said.

"You're looking paler than Kirigiri, and that's saying something." Togami grunts, completely ignoring the target of his insult. Kirigiri's stone mask doesn't waver, however. "If the service here is bad...should I get you to another hospital?"

"No. I'm recovering just fine." He lies.

"Suit yourself, but what did you mean by 'holding up okay'? Are you implying your absence would cause a ripple in my workplace? Don't make me laugh. I might have compared you to Kirigiri, but I was trying to imply that you were competing with an animated corpse."

"That's strike two. Any more pot-shots you feel like taking at me?" Kirigiri speaks.

"Pot-shots imply I'm not directly talking to you through him. Tell her, Naegi."

That didn't make sense but okay. "Um...Kiri-" Kirigiri silences him with a sharp glare. "I'll be quiet."

"That murder count rose," Togami said, not caring for the abrupt change in gravity.

Naegi scowls. "How many?"

"14 so far. All male. At least we know there's a definite pattern now. "

"That's not a consolation." Naegi chides

The police chief paid him no heed and continued. "The matter will be handled quickly enough. Kirigiri and Komaeda are on the job."

Kirigiri groans.

"Shouldn't Naegi be more deserving of that reaction? He's the one getting replaced." Togami smirks.

Naegi groaned.

"You whine now, but you're the one who follows me around everywhere I went, ever since school."

"There's an interesting subject." Kirigiri intervened, a cunning smile placed firmly on her features.

Naegi catches on. " Togami-kun might look mean...but everyone gets the wrong idea." He said flicking his wrist back and forth. Then turned serious. "If you want to see him being a jerk, you should have been with him back at school. It was torture. I felt like crying after every conversation!"

"Torture? I'm the victim, having to put up with your nonsense day after day! If I so much as wanted to eat lunch by myself, this bloodhound would sniff me out and drag me to sit with his little tea club." Togami seethes, pleading with Kirigiri to take his side.

As if.

"So you say, but you started coming all by yourself in the end." Naegi said with pronounced smug "Ah, those were good times. You, me, Sayaka, Owada, Yasuhiro and Fujisaki."

"Fujisaki?" Kirigiri asks.

"Uh...yeah. Didn't I tell you?"

"Look what the cat dragged in!" The trio turns to the door to see Owada grinning, holding a stack of beers with him.

Kirigiri offers a pensive reception to the musclebound bartender.

Naegi was joyous.

Togami was . . . "Speak of the impotent devil and he shall appear." Without missing a beat, Togami sneered at his old associate.

"Tch. First time I've seen yer' face in years and already talking shit eh, Togami. How about we step outside and settle things?" Owada growls back.

The chief of police's brow quirks while his lips settled into a mocking grin. "You're asking? Not going to charge at me right off the bat? I suppose an old dog can learn new tricks."

"But a cat's a pussy forever."

The animal motif fit, considering they looked and acted exactly like the creatures they'd designated for each other.

Naegi laughed at the scene. "Can't you play nice for once?"

"I'm being nice!" "This is nice, fool!"

"I'm starting to feel like a fourth wheel." Kirigiri says out of the blue. "What is wrong with men?"

"Don't worry. I just came here to check up on my buddy for a bit." Owada placed the beer at his bedside. Naegi wasn't about to drink but the thought was nice.

"Thanks. And uh, Ishimaru and Daiya came over the other day. I think he's worried about you." Naegi informs.

"For real? Uh, crap. I'll take care of it, don't sweat." Owada rubs his neck.

"Oh? If I remember correctly – And Byakuya Togami never forgets – Your method of solving problems is bashing it with your fists. Is that what'll you do with your life partner? Not a bad idea, I might get you in for domestic violence." The grin on this man's face would piss anyone off. Much less Owada who was turning red in the face. A fight might have really broken out right there if not for Kirigiri.

"Most intriguing."

"What?" Togami asks.

"While I've (sadly) known you to be an egotist unable to live without flexing your unwarranted sense of superiority on anything that moves, I also believe you're oddly social in that regard. But that's just compulsion written into your DNA. I thought it was only ever Naegi that you could enjoy bantering with. I'm surprised to see your affection extends to a man of Owada's disposition. Most interesting indeed, I'll make sure to take note of this for future reference."

Togami blanched. "What the hell are rambling about, woman?"

"I'm telling you to shut up and behave like an adult for 5 seconds."

"Holy shit, way to get told, asshole!" Owada barks with laughter. "I dunno what you meant by fourth wheel. You'd have fit right in with us, Kirigiri."

"Who is 'us', exactly?"

Owada pulls out a photograph.

"Why do you have that on hand?" Naegi thought it was strange that Togami immediately recognized the picture before Owada flipped over the front.

"Never leave home without it." Owada said.

Kirigiri leans in to observe the photo.

The school track serves as the background for 5 posing teens.

Owada's physical build peaked early from what she could see. The giant stood behind, towering over everyone else in the frame, and his muscles showed clearly in a gym uniform. That biggest and most unwelcome difference was that ridiculous hair. It made him look like a corncob. She wonders who, if anyone in there, did Owada the favor of talking him out of it.

The lilac-haired woman rules out the younger Togami, who – if he was anything like his current self – would prefer to mock rather than assist. She presumes he was worse off back then, judging from how he chooses to look away from the camera. He folds his arms and stands at the far right of the picture. He's not especially unhappy, regardless. If Togami didn't want to take the photo, he wouldn't be there.

She moves onto the most peculiar sight, to the left of Togami and in front of Owada. A petite student with a bright smile, even under the pressure of (or because of) Owada's hands ruffling their chest-nut brown hair. Chihiro Fujisaki. She knew nothing about them, but everything she needed to. Their biography was open for all Hope's Peak to see.

In the middle was Naegi, where she expected to find him, with an expression equally as typical; the man was born to be happy. Physically, he had grown. Not by too much, but a wealth more than the beansprout that ranked second to last in physique in that frame. His hair was wilder back then but otherwise, nothing to note (besides the painful mess it was). If there was a difference . . . it'd be his naked eyes, unencumbered by spectacles. A yellow that shined almost eerily in the photo.

In contrast, the girl hanging off his arm was photogenic. She had a deep sea-blue head of hair that couldn't decide if it should swap into black. A smile that could . . . would charm thousands. And that extra peace sign with her free hand rids any notions of a humorless personality. Like Fujisaki, Kirigiri had never met Sayaka Maizono in person, but it was admittedly difficult not to know of her. Moreso with Naegi around.

The biggest mystery of all was to the far left. She mirrored Togami both in positioning and enthusiasm. She had short black hair, pale skin rivaling the detective's own, and a bad case of red eyes.

"Who is this?"

"Taeko Yasuhiro. A bothersome wannabe with a sharp temper." Togami replied.

"Haven't heard from her in a long time. Wonder how she's doing." Owada muses.

"She always kept to herself. Wherever Yasuhuro is, I'm sure she's won't rest until after she's made it bigger than everyone else." Naegi said.

"Ya know she fuckin' hates it when you call her that."

". . . That explains it." Kirigiri hands the photo back to Owada.

"Explains what?"

"For some time, I've been clueless as to how Naegi and Togami could be friends despite their opposing personalities. Owada-san, you appear just as out of place. It wasn't clicking-" Kirigiri presses a finger to her chin.

"Because you're plugging in the wrong wires. Who the hell are you calling their friend?" Togami seethes.

"It wasn't clicking until now." Kirigiri ignores the blonde and turns to Owada. "Would I be wrong in saying you had an . . . aggressive lifestyle as a teen?"

"Nah, that's about right. I've changed a bit since then and proud of it."

"I take it you weren't easy to approach."

"Only if you had no balls."

Kirigiri concludes. "You're all socially dysfunctional."

The trio of men blinking unison.

"Owada's spoken. Togami('s insufferable) thinks he's an island onto himself. Maizono and Fujisaki are celebrities. Many would think twice before approaching. From what you've told me of Taeko Yasuhiro, her type isn't easy to deal with. Does Naegi even need an explanation?"

"Not really." "Geez, you sure are somethin' figuring it out that quickly." Togami and Owada said respectively.

Naegi's head sways in three directions. "Huh. What do you mean I don't get an explanation?!"

"Is he pretending, or trying to make me sick on purpose?" Togami sneers.

"Hate to agree with tinker bell here, but he ain't wrong. You can be one cold bastard." Owada shakes his head in exasperation.

"We're talking about me here, right?" Naegi points to himself incredulously. "How could you say I'm anti-social?"

"Not anti-social, however–"

"E-Excuse me?" A weak voice cut off Kirigiri's explanation. They all turned to see Tsumiki nearby, shivering with trepidation. Owada, Kirigiri, and Togami were imposing alone. He can't blame Tsumiki for freezing up at having to deal with all three in one room.

"N-Naegi has a checkup this afternoon. W-Would you kindly leave and not hurt me, please!?" She cried.

"Nobody'll lay a finger on you, Tsumiki-san. They're all my friends." Naegi said.

"My work was finished here anyway. I'd rather not stay in this place a moment longer." Togami said.

"Wait up." Naegi addresses him

"What is it?"

"Thanks for coming to visit. I know you're busy right now, but can I talk to you in private?" He stood. "It won't take long."


"Could you have been any less conspicuous." Togami tapped his foot, thoroughly displeased to be in a public restroom.

"it's about . . . that thing I have to do here." Naegi said lamely.

Aquamarine eyes rolled. "Reminded me never to send you on a real undercover operation."

A real one huh? "You don't think I can solve this by myself." Naegi frowned deeply.

"Stop right there." Togami held out his hand. "I don't have the slightest clue what you're talking about."

"The dead doctor's case at this hospital." Naegi grunted.

"I'm aware of Sonosuke Izayoi, but not what that has to do with an employee currently on medical leave. What or how you do anything while off-duty, isn't my business."

The words sink in, "Understood."

A small silence befalls them before, "It's bugging me." Togami remarks.

"What?"

"Your glasses are broken. You realize this, yes?"

He nods. Koizumi did a number on them. "It's a bummer. I'll buy a new pair once I'm discharged."

Togami gives him a hard look, then shows his back. "Clumsy as always." One-sidedly cutting the conversation short was practically his trademark.

They exit the washroom. Togami takes a few steps out of the washroom before grimacing. "Naegi. You're a harbinger of misfortune."

He squints at the random namesake. Togami wasn't looking at him, but the woman who just happened to cross paths with them.

"Good morning, Kimura-san." Naegi greets the doctor.

A small nod comes his way. The reception for his friend is notably less cordial. "What are you doing in my hospital?"

"Questioning victims is part of my line of work, or does the head doctor plan on obstructing police protocol?"

"Was this an interrogation? In a washroom?" It was the first time Naegi'd heard Kimura speak informally. "Can't say I'm surprised. You've always had awful manners."

"While you lack flexibility, as usual."

"Bold thing to say. I at least hope you know better than to be snooping in my hospital."

"None of your business. Speaking of which." Togami scowls at Naegi. He knew that look. "Ours is concluded."

"Okay, I'll get out of your hair. . ." The brunet said.

"Mr. Naegi. I have something important to discuss. I expect you'll be in your room when I arrive." Kimura said.

Naegi shrugs. "Doctor's orders."


"Sorry for all the noise." Naegi apologizes to Tsumiki upon his return. Kirigiri and Owada were already gone.

"I'm getting used it." Tsumiki points to the lone book by his bedside. "Owada-san left these for you."

"He shouldn't have." Naegi beams. Reading was his favorite hobby. "Let's see what he got me-" A book with a red cover titled 'How to Find Yourself a Girl, For Dummies."

With a strained smile, he added. "He really shouldn't have."

Just as he flipped through the first page, a hacking cough bubbles to the surface. It lasts a full minute.

Tsumiki stands in place for a moment, before reluctantly handing him off a glass.

"Thanks." He said after downing the drink. He doesn't feel better afterward. He glances at Tsumiki. "How's your day been?"

"H-Huh?" A simple question elicited a flabbergasted response from the nurse.

"Your day? Good? Bad? Boring?"

"O-Oh. Good then. I think I've been helpful and productive today."

"That's obvious. You're a great nurse." Naegi's praise only unsettles the girl more than anything.

"W-What about you? You sounded like you were having fun."

"Yeah, it was like a mini-get together."

"Having friends . . . it must be nice."

"You could be their friend too. But you might need a bit more resistance training before you can take on Owada. I'd worry about you getting heart failure."

Tsumiki jerks. "A-Are you making fun of me too?"

"I couldn't help it, sorry."

"It's fine. You can do more if you'd like." She said. It almost sounded like an invitation.

"No, I'm good." Naegi clutches his head. He'd developed a full-blown fever throughout his stay.

What was happening to him?

"Um . . . I heard from my coworkers that you locked yourself in another room yesterday?" Tsumiki asked.

"Ah, yeah. I felt like having a change of scenery."

Tsumiki tightly presses her fingers together. "Please ask for permission or inform one of us before going off on your own. You're just a patient." The timid gesture with her hands didn't match the authoritative tone.

Naegi manages a nod before his expectant visitor enters the room. Tsumiki pays special care to recognize her surroundings, to prevent any 'slips'.

"Hey. What's the sitch?" He said, sitting on his bed

Kimura pulls over an office chair, while Tsumiki stands at her side, carrying a tablet.

"First. How are you feeling?" Kimura asked.

"Could be better."

Kimura continues. "I'm aware you like to wander around. Have you come into contact with any other ill patients?"

"No."

"Have you ingested any unusual substances? Anything you're not accustomed to?"

"No." He repeats.

"Have you experienced any mood shifts? Times where you felt angry, emotional or depressed when you otherwise wouldn't be?"

"A little." He admits. Getting distraught would be a common reaction for most in his position, he feels.

"Doctor . . ." Tsumiki began and is quickly silenced by a wayward glance.

"Could you remind me of Mr. Naegi's class?"

". . . Beryl. He's an Alexandrite." Tsumiki said lowly.

Kimura shifted her attention back to him. "With your consent, I would like to run a few tests. An X-ray, then a synchronization exam afterward."

"What for?" He gulped

"A precaution. I fear you're showing symptoms of Mercury Virus." Kimura bluntly states.

"That's unlikely!" Tsumiki argues.

"If my guesses are off the mark, then all the better. If the condition exists, it might escalate too fast for us to do anything if we act late. Izayoi's death should have made that clear."

Izayoi? "Who's that?" Naegi feigned ignorance.

Kimura leans back into the chair. "A member of our staff. He passed away recently. The causes were abrupt desynchronization and he formed the late stages of the Mercury Virus. It was too late to do anything." Her tone – formal and listless – can't hide the faint traces of sadness from him. Kimura may have noticed that as well, considering her calculating gaze. In an irresponsible manner almost inappropriate for her position, she says "Then again, even if we did act early, we probably wouldn't be able to save you anyway."

That was the first time he'd ever heard the staunch physician tell a joke.


The headache visits the same day.

"Tsu-mi-ki~" And Naegi isn't referring to his sickness at all.

"S-Stop that! I f-feel weird!"

At this moment, Naegi was forced to watch Enoshima practically molest his nurse.

"Jeez, what'd you eat to get these bad boys?"

"I-It's not my fault I ended up this way!"

"Enoshima..." Naegi said a word, and the recipient halted her perverted antics. He was starting to think Chuck wasn't the only pet he'd picked up. He regrets grabbing Enoshima's attention almost immediately when she runs up to hug him. With his head pressed against her chest, he wondered what the heck she was envious of Tsumiki for.

"I'm just teasing good 'ol Miki over there. You're the only one for me." Enoshima lets go, thankfully.

"You've got that wrong." Naegi grumbled.

Enoshima sighs loudly. "Fine...I can do polygamy, I'm cool with sharing if it's with a babe like Miki. But I get to be the main girl."

"We were talking about you, not me. And do you think before you speak?" Naegi pinches his forehead.

"Seriously?" She cast him a blank stare, before moving back to stand side-by-side with the traumatized nurse. "Are you sure? I mean, I just put a threesome out there. With me and a hot nurse, and you're passing it up?"

Some questions just weren't meant to be answered.

"...You sure you're not gay?" Enoshima's expression betrays authentic disbelief. Wait, was she serious about this!?

"H-He's just put off by how ugly I am." Tsumiki weeps.

He should have kept his mouth shut.

"Tsumiki, a word." A man in a doctor's coat storms into the room. His voice was level, but the dominant overtones were palpable. Tsumiki visibly flinches, buy wordlessly went along with the stern older man, fidgeting all the while.

"Someone's going to get it. Doc looked pissed." Enoshima jeers

" It's probably no big deal." . . . Or it could be, this is a hospital after all.

"Maybe. Working here has to be killer though. I wonder how the staff let off steam." Enoshima spins on a metal chair.

Naegi does his best to ignore her watching him even as he downed a glass of water.

"Looks like Miki isn't the only one who's thirsty~"

"You're picking on her again." He was getting exasperated with her antics.

Enoshima meets his irritation with whimsy and false ignorance. " I don't think I've done anything she didn't want me to."

"If she filed a lawsuit for sexual harassment. I'd be the first witness on the stand, and the guy who puts you in cuffs." He deadpans

"Scary. At least I'm not the one responsible for all those bandages she wears." She attends to her nails, making light of an oddity that he'd taken notice of as well.

"I wonder what's up with them." He didn't think all that hard before. With Tsumiki's relentless accidents, he could see why she'd need to be patched up.

"Bandages hide wounds. Why else?" There was something off about Enoshima's answer.

"You mean they help treat wounds, right?"

Enoshima offers him a long, blank stare in response.

He withers under her sharp gaze and everts his eyes. Weakly, he mutters "What are you going quiet for?"

"Nothing you need to worry your head about." She finally says. A wide Cheshire grin dominates her features. It unnerves him. "But really, Miki's going about it in a roundabout way. Bandages are convenient yeah, but they still draw attention . . . unless makeup or whatever aren't enough to hide the bruises."

"From falling over all the time?" Naegi asked. Why did she sound so sure of the subject?

"Doubt it. Tsumiki's a master at her craft, she wouldn't get injured pulling off her own stunts."

"You make it sound like she trips on purpose."

Enoshima rested her cheek on one hand. "As hard as it's getting to count how many times I've picked up that clumsy broad from the spicy position she's assuming on the floor, I've gotten enough closeups to see she's never been wounded by any of em'. And even though you say I'm bullying her . . . have you ever once heard Tsumiki tell me to stop?"

"Don't excuse yourself." Naegi quips.

"Wouldn't dream of it." Enoshima crosses her hands in an 'X' formation. "B-U-T, if you ask me," Enoshima rolled the words off her tongue, savoring the revelation. "The one who's really bullying Tsumiki here is, you."

Naegi points to himself. "I haven't done anything wrong."

"What registers as pain for one person, doesn't always for another. . ." It was a rare sight to see her lost in thought. What's she thinking of? "Like one of my exes loooved it when I used a whip in-"

"Leave!"


Tsumiki took a while to return and when she did, Naegi immediately spies additional bandages, mostly on her thighs and forehead. Enoshima seemed to as well, but otherwise did not mention it.

"Welp, that'll be it for today. Get better soon, Naegi." His troublesome neighbor salutes.

"Yeah." The brown-haired boy waved goodbye.

Enoshima stops by Tsumiki and pats her on the back. The light tap makes the purple-haired woman yelped and wince in pain. The strawberry-blonde let out a giggle and a knowing look in is direction before leaving.

Naegi purses his lips. "Tsumiki...are you okay?"

"Yes. Why do you ask? A-Am I an eyesore?" Tsumiki responds defensively.

"No. I was just noticing the bandages. Did you hurt yourself?"

"Y-Yes. I'm clumsy, see."

". . . Not that clumsy. You're usually fine after one of your accidents." Otherwise, her entire body would be wrapped by now.

"I fell a little harder this time." She lied. He could see that, but why? By all accounts, Naegi was a mundane individual, but he was still a detective. He'd seen Tsumiki fall many times, but – as Enoshima pointed out – the nurse was never injured. Then there was that doctor earlier.

. . . I should ask in a different way.

"Is it fun working here?"

His question noticeably puzzles her.

"What's your favorite thing about the job?" He tries another angle.

"I like being a nurse very much." She gives a one-off answer. It didn't seem like she was lying. He diagnosed she wasn't good at it.

"Oh? What made you want to become one?"

"I've been treating the injured and sick since I was a child. It's my specialty. . . and I enjoy watching over my patients." She smiles from the heart.

"That far back? No wonder Ando-san scouted you."

Tsumiki freezes. When that doctor called her out, he could tell she was unnerved. Here, he saw a different kind of anxiety. "How . . . did you know about her?"

"Kimura-san mentioned her out of the blue. I should have clarified that first, but you can ask Kimura if you'd like."

"She wasn't . . . supposed to. Of all people, why would she . . . ?" Tsumiki furrows her eyebrows. What was going on here, and did it have anything to do with Izayoi's case?

"Kimura also said Ando disappeared." Naegi fishes.

"If Kimura-san doesn't know, how could I?" Tsumiki bites the hook.

"I didn't say anything about Kimura not knowing . . ."

"Everyone knows Ruruka disappeared!" Tsumiki takes a step back, hugging herself to stop shaking. "Stop picking on me! Kimura was her friend, not me! I don't know anything, and I didn't do anything!"

Naegi can't get a word in the middle of Tsumiki's rant. He had only asked an innocent question, or so he'd thought. "Nobody's accusing you of anything." He pauses. Amidst her hysteria, the new bonds around her head loosened. A purple blight was visible on the side.

Naegi's stomach turned. "Did he beat you?"

. . .

After a dragged-out silence, Tsumiki's face settles on abject scorn. "What is wrong with you?" Warmth and anxiousness vanish without a trace. Though she addresses Naegi, she didn't bother to look at him. She stared into the air.

"I'm concerned." About many things. Presently, about the sudden tone shift.

"He was just giving me attention, that's all."

Pushing past his comfort zone, he presses. "What kind of attention?"

"None of your business!" Tsumiki yells. The shrill of her voice no doubt carried out of the room. "You're just a patient! Where do you get off questioning me!?"

. . . He got she was going through a lot, and likely was under heightened stress and suppressed emotion, but why were they directed towards him?

"Tsumiki-san, calm down. You're not acting like yourself."

"There it is again, acting so self-important! You listen to me, not the other way around." She glared daggers. "But It's not your fault that you're arrogant. It's normal to feel self-absorbed when everyone loves you." She stared off into the distance again, as if that would lessen the blow of her passive-aggressive remarks.

She was venting, and that meant she was suffering. He'd trained on situations like these involving civilians. He wouldn't let harmless words get to him.

"Day after day, people flock to you. All of them seem like interesting people. And It makes sense, you're sooo nice! You'd never have to do degrade yourself for attention."

. . .

"But isn't it weird?" Tsumiki carried on with her pre-determined agenda. "All those visitors . . ." An ominous, constricting feeling welled up in his chest. "I don't think I've seen a single one from your family. Or did they visit when I was off?"

Naegi's eyes narrow a tiny fraction, while his lips fall into a tight line.

The door knocks thrice.

Naegi and Tsumiki tear their eyes away to meet someone Naegi didn't expect to see again, much less in front of his room.

Koizumi's backhand posed against the door, and her expression furthest from impressed.

"Visiting hours are over." Tsumiki declares. Originally, Naegi'd thought the nurse had been so quick to remove guests from overstaying their welcome. Maybe he was wrong all along.

"Says who? You?" Koizumi rolled her eyes. "You might be wearing a uniform, but anyone who verbally attacks their patients can't call themselves a nurse."

Tsumiki's teeth grit and her face turned red. Instead of replying to Koizumi, she whips her head back to Naegi, making the clear target for her hatred.

Little he could do about that. "To answer your question, Tsumiki. My dad, mom and little sister . . . they died a very long time ago. So no, they won't be visiting." He said matter-of-factly. "I don't know what I did to make you hate me, but here's hoping you feel a little better hearing that." He hadn't intended to sound so sarcastic, but maybe that's what he really felt.

Tsumiki doesn't respond. Whether she took too long to think of something witty, or scathing, or if she felt bad about provoking him, he couldn't say. She just marched outside, butting shoulders with Koizumi on her way out. The depressive mood lingers even after her departure. The shock however, does wear off.

Naegi addresses his unexpected guess. "Sorry, you had to see that."

". . . thought you were bullying her and planned on stepping on, but . . . she went way out of line." Koizumi's face fell. "I'm sorry. About your family."

"Why? It's not like you did anything wrong."

"What else is a girl supposed to say after hearing that?" She frowns.

"You're kinder than I thought you'd be." Naegi smiles, looking her over. "No camera today? What about your scoop?"

Koizumi winces. "I found their room . . . but it doesn't sound like they'll be able awake for a long time."

"All you needed were pictures."

"I did." The redhead plays with her fingers. "I snuck in when the doctors were out. I got a good look and took a few pictures with the flash off. For some reason, I'm having trouble posting it."

We call that a conscience. "Then don't and find another way."

He's tempted to laugh at her displeasure.

"Why did you cover for me, yesterday?" Koizumi asks. Is that why she came to visit?

". . . Because you'd be in real trouble. And I didn't have a reason not to."

"Yeah, sorry but I'm not accepting that. I don't want to owe a government dog." That's a new breed of insult. As he'd deduced, she hated law enforcement. "Tell me what is it you want in exchange."

"It's not a big deal."

"Geez, enough with the reservations already. Aren't you a guy? Be more selfish and demanding." Koizumi places a hand at her hips and leaned over.

. . . Why do all the women I know come off so strongly? Am I cursed – Naegi muses. Truth be told, there was one way Koizumi could help him . . .

"Koizumi-san . . . I think you mentioned connections before?"

"No thanks. What kind of journalist sells out their sources?" Koizumi said.

Naegi waved his hands dismissively. "No. I need you to look up someone for me. A doctor called Ruruka Ando. She went MIA something within the last year ago."

The offer caught the journalist off-guard. "Huh? That's a bit more than what I bargained for. Their help isn't cheap."

"You might be compensated too. If there's a link between Ando and the case I'm currently investigating."

"Might?" Koizumi arched an eyebrow.

"There's another bonus. The serial murder case. I can tell you how many victims there really are. Inside information so to speak." Koizumi's tune changes. "But that's only if you can get me what I want."

Togami did say he could do whatever he wanted. "As a downpayment, I'll say the killer only hits men."

"Deal." Koizumi accepted in a heartbeat. "Just give me a few days to hear from them."

They must work fas- ". . . !" Naegi's body bent forward, hacking loudly.

. . .

"I didn't know you were sick." She said.

Naegi cocked his head. "I'm wearing a patient's uniform. Where were you looking?"

Koizumi huffed. "Shut up."