The next day Yasu left work and drove to Masako's home to return the album. He stepped out of his car and walked up the walkway to Masako's door. He rang the bell and soon after Masako answered.

"Yasu?" Masako was surprised to see him but stepped back and let him in before shutting the door. They were standing in a spacious living room with white walls and dark hardwood floors. She had a black couch against the back wall with an end table on either end. A small light shined from the ceiling. To the left was a small kitchen, and to the right was a hallway that led to her bedroom.

"You left this in my car last night." Yasu explained as he held out the tiny album.

"Oh thank you so much, I have been tearing my house apart looking for it..." Masako gently took the album into her hands.

"You never told me you had a sister." Yasu added.

A hint of sorrow appeared in Masako's eyes. "I...haven't seen her in years...Her name is Masumi"

"Oh?" Yasu peered through his sunglasses, wondering why Masako looked so sad.

"Yea...She's two years younger than I am, so we were very close. When I was 18 and she had just turned 16 a few weeks prior. It was just after dinner when Masumi came into my room, with the biggest smile on her face. She was going out with some friends to celebrate the end of the school year. Nothing too fancy, just dinner and dancing at a teen club. It was one that was in the city not too far from our town. My father was okay with it since Masumi's friend Kana's older brother Yamo was going to be looking after the girls. Kana's father was close friends with our father so it made things easier for father to trust his son. Anyway...She left when Yamo and the others picked her up...we never saw her after that...The police arrived at our home around midnight, by then my mother was in tear, worried because my sister wasn't home yet. The police said that they found Yamo dead on the sidewalk with a single gunshot wound, bruised knuckled, slashed face...the girls were nowhere to be seen..." Masako looked down at the picture of her sister.

"Masako..." Yasu placed an arm around Masako.

"That is why I became a detective...to find my sister...The police have called it a cold case but I just know she is out there somewhere..." Masako closed the photo album. "I owe it to my parents...the parents of my sister's friends...to Yamo who gave his life trying to protect them..."

"I'm sure she is out there." Yasu reassured her.

"I've narrowed it down to two gang groups...The Hebi or the Kuori Mizu...Both groups are currently fighting for control in the human trafficking in Japan...I know the odds are slim to none in finding any of them but I have to try..." Masako heard her phone buzz on the end table beside her couch.

Masako walked over and looked at her phone to see an email. She opened it and read it...

Informant wants to meet in Oaka Park at Noon.

-Chief

"Yasu I have to go. We have an undercover in Kuroi Mizu who has some information on their human trafficking." Masako kissed Yasu on the cheek before rushing out the front door...

Masako drove down to Osaka park dressed in plain clothes, a black skirt and a black tank top with black high heels. She stepped out of her car and began walking down the concrete path. It was rather quiet this time of day, most people preferred to come later in the day as the sun sets. Masako walked as though she were just passing through the park until she reached a bushy area where a man dressed in all black stood. Masako walked over to see the man had blonde hair. It was the same man from the bar last night.

"I'm lucky you didn't break my wrist last night." The man chuckled quietly.

"Riro, you and I both know if I wanted to your wrist would be broken. Now what info do you have." Masako peered around to be sure Riro's cover would not be blown.

"I found out that the leader Hajen, likes to keep the pretty girls he finds for himself and family...only a few have been sold out of the country. I got photos of the two girls he has, I'll let you know if I get more." Riro reached into his pocket and pulled out a small white envelope and handed it to Masako. "Do not open it until you get to the station." Riro turned and walked away.

Masako turned and walked out of the park and into her car. She felt the urge to open the envelope but placed it on the passenger seat and drove to the police station. As she got out of the car she grabbed the envelope and walked upstairs to the chief's office. He was an older man in his fifties with white hair. He was dressed in a dark blue suit with black shoes.

"Mr. Ayata, Riro has some pictures of the girls that are believed to be part of the human trafficking ring, apparently the gang leader likes to hang on to the ones he finds the prettiest for himself, family and business trade." Masako handed the envelope to Mr. Ayata who opened it, looking at the photos, he placed them down on his desk. The first was a blonde girl who seemed sickly thin with blue, bloodshot eyes dressed in a black miniskirt and black bra. Second was a girl with long black hair and green, sad eyes. She was dressed in the same outfit, a black miniskirt and black bra. Both girls had several bruises on their arms. The photo appeared to be taken as the girls were cleaning a bedroom.

Masako's eyes widened upon seeing the second photo. "That's Masumi!"

Mr. Ayato stood up from his desk. "Masako go home."

"What?!" Masako shouted. "This is my sister I have to-"

"That is the issue, you are too emotionally involved in this case. I shouldn't have even let you investigate this group given your family past. But now that it is confirmed that your sister is in the hands of these men, I can no longer have you be on this case." Mr. Ayata explained.

"You can't do this!" Masako shouted.

"Enough! You are off the case starting now, let us take over and we will get your sister back." Mr. Ayata turned his back to Masako, signaling that the conversation was over.

Masako stormed out of the office and back to her car, speeding home to vent her anger...