Author's note:

Still seem to be email problems. I hope they are resolved soon...

In the meantime, I hope that this lull(ish) chapter is humorous.

Chapter 49: Going on a cruise

Monday, October 10th, 20XX Morning

Stuffing the last chunk of bread in her mouth, Sumire hopped up from the chair. "Well, I'll be back after school… Umm, has Kasumi…?"

"Has Kasumi what?" A groggy voice asked. Sumire's sister looked dreadful—well, dreadful for her anyway—as she exited her room.

"Kas!" Sumire smiled awkwardly. "Umm, s-sorry to say this but we can't do the cooking tonight."

"Oh?"

"Y-Yeah, I'll be with Ren and his friends so…"

"Oh, okay…"

Chuckling weakly, Sumire fled the situation before her sister could do anything else strange. I guess I kind of cheated how I told her… Sumire had a feeling that Kasumi would be glad not to have to fulfill a promise where she would be in close contact with her.

The trains were still on the emptier side. She had left early enough to dodge the big rush of people. As such, it was an uneventful ride spent sitting across from a foreign couple with bright eyes planning out their vacation of the city.

For some reason their cheery disposition this early in the morning put Sumire in a bad mood. How can you be cheerful at getting up early? Bunch of weirdos…

Disembarking the train, Sumire quickly forgot her discontent and began to fully awaken herself as she stepped through the school gates. Pausing, she looked up at the three-story building with an odd sense of nostalgia. She had been here on Friday, but it was like entering a new school. Or rather, she was a new student. Her whole life had changed this past weekend and… no one here knew.

Except me and Ren… For some reason, Sumire really liked the fact that it was a secret the two of them shared. With a bit of extra time, Sumire headed to the gym. Despite wearing her school uniform, she entered a short easy routine designed as a casual workout to get the blood flowing.

It was not enough to make her sweat, but it was practice of a sort. Spinning on one foot, Sumire hopped over to the other. After around ten minutes, she finally rested. Stretching once more, Sumire checked her reflection in her phone's camera to make sure that she hadn't made a mess of herself.

Once she was confident that she hadn't left herself in a state that would embarrass her in front of her classmates, Sumire left the gym. The time she had spent on the exercise had given time for more students to begin to arrive.

For a moment Sumire considered looking for Ren. However, she quickly gave up on doing so, instead making for her classroom. There was no need to find him for five minutes before class started. She had said everything that she wanted to yesterday. Anything else that happened would need more time and as such would be better left for after school.

Approaching her classroom, Sumire noticed that Kasumi was leaning against the doorframe. Boys from her class were gathering around to whisper, wondering why she was there.

As she got close, Sumire was spotted. Kasumi pushed off the wall and approached. "Hey, you ran out this morning."

"Ahh, well…" Sumire scratched her cheek, unsure of what to say. If she was Kasumi right now, she would still be hiding under the covers of her bed, moaning with despair. She really is tough… "I uhh, I wanted to get to school early…"

"Umm, sure. You said you and Ren have your first date today?"

"Ehh?" Blushing, Sumire shook her head vigorously, "n-not at all. I'm just going out with my friends…"

"Oh? Did you find somewhere fun to go?"

"Y-You could say that… b-but Kas… aren't you upset?"

"Upset?"

Her sister looked genuinely confused for a long moment. It was almost as if she had completely forgotten about the tournament just yesterday. Once that spark of remembrance entered her eyes, Kasumi did indeed frown, but she waved a dismissive hand.

"Ah, no, of course not. I qualified for nationals, and I need to improve, I knew that already. I'm just glad that things are getting resolved finally."

She must mean Ren and I… Smiling broadly, Sumire pulled her sister into a tight hug. "Thank you for always caring for me. I'll be okay from now on, I swear."

"Yes, you will."

What? Bidding her sister farewell, Sumire wondered if she was supposed to hear that. Feeling a gaze on her back, Sumire turned back to look at the classroom entrance. Kasumi was still standing there staring at her, eyes locked on her with a strange fervor.

Meeting her gaze, Kasumi showed no signs of embarrassment or of even noticing Sumire's look. Waiting awkwardly for her sister to do something, Sumire shuffled in place halfway to her desk.

After another half a dozen seconds, Kasumi just turned and left without any indication of acknowledging Sumire.

That… was really weird.

Shivering from a strange premonition, Sumire took one more glance at where her sister had gone. She was glad that Kasumi seemed to be doing well but… Something was off.

Monday, October 10th, 20XX After school

"You were right…" Kasumi muttered staring at the group of school kids across the street. It was only half an hour since school had ended and Kasumi found herself in street wear with a baseball cap and shades on. She didn't think it would do much to obscure herself from Sumire if her sister saw her, but… it was better than wearing the same school outfits that they all had on.

From beside her, Akechi shot her a bemused smile. "Did you think I would be wrong?"

"…I could only hope. Sumire… she looked so happy, so fulfilled. The way she danced… I wanted to cry."

"Hmm, well, there is no need to worry about her anymore. We will save her."

Does she really need saving? Kasumi could not tell. Starting to feel lost again, Kasumi grabbed onto Akechi's arm for support. He was the only port she had in the storm that threatened to sink her.

As Sumire stared at her sister across the way she suddenly started walking and… "W-What!?"

"As I told you," Akechi smirked. "I once got close enough to them to get pulled in as well. They have entered a space that is Shido's heart. In there they can alter his heart."

Trembling in place, Kasumi clung tighter to Akechi. It's true then… it is all true. Moaning under her breath, Kasumi threw herself into Akechi's back, burying her face in the soft fabric of his suit. She didn't even notice as her hat fell off.

"Scared?" Akechi smirked. "I can probably do the rest by myself so if you…"

"No!" Kasumi cut him off. Ripping herself away, she picked up her hat and walked around him. Slamming the hat into his chest, she glared up at him. "I swore that I would save my sister. I'm not quitting!"

"…Fine, fine." Lifting his hands in defeat, Akechi sighed and looked at his phone. "Probably give them another five minutes to get away from the entrance. Should be enough… Although it would still be better to enter somewhere else…"

Akechi frowned at the Diet building, eyes searching for something Kasumi could only guess at. Putting her hat back on, she stood back by his side and waited for instructions. Absolute obedience, she reminded herself. It had been Akechi's stipulation and Kasumi resolved herself to follow that promise. If she screwed this up, she would never forgive herself.

"Oh, you're being quiet for once?" Akechi prodded.

"You were busy looking for where to enter, correct?" Kasumi responded. "I cannot help with that, so I was letting you think."

Akechi chuckled. "Ahh, it does feel good to have a good sidekick. We won't save your sister today, but this week for sure."

"Unn," Nodding her acceptance, Kasumi resumed her silent waiting. Akechi's words had helped to calm her. She had someone on her side that was strong, reliable, and knowledgeable. As long as she gave him her obedience, he would save her sister.

"Well, let's go."

Silently falling into step beside him, Kasumi stared more at Akechi than the people and scenery around them. It was an important place, a landmark almost, and yet she could pay it no mind.

After crossing the road, Kasumi waited as Akechi pulled them next to the Diet building wall and pulled out his phone. "This should be good enough, prepare yourself."

"Ahh." Grabbing onto his arm, Kasumi waited.

"That isn't strictly necessary…" Akechi chuckled.

Glaring at him, Kasumi waited for the shift. Don't tell me that it isn't necessary to go to a different world! This was insurance against being left behind.

Akechi did something with his phone and suddenly, her vision shifted. One instance she was standing next to the Diet building, the next, the crowds and skyscrapers were gone… Kind of. The pathway under her feet shifted with a soft lurch.

Clutching tighter to Akechi's arm, Kasumi gaped. Thirty meters or so away a banister separated the world she was in from something entirely different. "What… What is this?"

Akechi chuckled at her fearful tone. "We are on a boat. Come, let's take a look at how Shido sees Tokyo."

Too nervous to say a single word, Kasumi allowed her to be dragged to the banister. Akechi casually placed both his hands on it and looked out. Feeling the ocean air on her face, Kasumi gaped at the remnants of the city. Most of it was gone under deep water leaving only the tallest buildings still poking out—those that weren't destroyed anyway.

"What… What happened here?"

"Shido… I suppose?" Akechi shook his head with a heavy sigh. "Honestly, I am unsure about him. He claims to be the only one who can steer us into the future and yet has given up on the country? It is an odd hypocrisy."

Finally giving Akechi a good look, Kasumi recoiled, finally releasing him. "W-What is that suit? And why are you wearing a mask?"

"Hahaha, noticed have you? I think it looks good, don't you?"

In the glistening white suit, Kasumi did have to admit that it fitted him well. "You look like a prince. But why though?"

"I awakened to secret powers when I found my way in. It is what gives me access to these palaces. My 'persona' they are called is Robin Hood. My outfit reflects that."

"Robin Hood…" The name was vaguely familiar to Kasumi. It was a Medieval British legend if she remembered correctly with numerous western adaptations. All that she could remember was one line. "Steal from the rich and give to the poor… that one?"

Akechi looked surprised. "You know… I'm not really sure. That does fit me rather well though I think."

Kasumi snorted. "You? Helping the poor? Oh please."

Akechi went oddly silent, no scathing comeback or joke coming. Instead, after giving her a hard stare, he responded in a quiet yet serious voice. "What I do will help everyone, remember that."

Nodding, Kasumi followed him meekly as he made his way around the edge of the boat. Her questions dying in her mouth before she could ask them. Why did he get so serious?

When Akechi turned to glance at her, he answered one of her unspoken questions. "We have to avoid main pathways that the thieves will be on. At the same time, we have to check on their progress so we can begin to lay the trap."

Kasumi nodded again. "You will assign me a job?"

"Yes, I believe there is someone down in the boiler that I want you to recruit the help of."

"Someone?" Kasumi questioned sharply. "One of the thieves or…?"

"Of course not. A mere cognitive shadow. They can look human but are mere figments of Shido's mind."

"How do you know so much?" Kasumi grumbled as she walked along the deck with him, descending the staircases. In other places she could see strange security guards in black suits. They must be some of the figments.

"Experimentation," Akechi said flatly. "Many close shaves with death has enabled this operation."

"…Thank you," Kasumi whispered. "I appreciate your sacrifices."

Following after him, Kasumi found herself quickly in the boiler room of the ship. Glancing around, she did have to admit that they were very out of the way. "So, this person… What am I trying to get them to do?"

"Hunt the thieves," Akechi said simply. "Rout them and give them trouble."

"…Sumire could be hurt."

Akechi chuckled. "I think your sister will be fine. Ren will protect her. Besides, they have certain… powers here."

"These powers… they are related to that suit and 'Robin Hood', correct?"

"Perceptive, but yes. Each person can awaken their own."

"Can I get them?"

Akechi shrugged, "I don't know. I almost died to awaken my powers. They may have been the same. I cannot tell if you will or not."

"Hmm," Kasumi tried to not let the disappointment show on her face. Still, it had not been an outright rejection. Descending down a ramp, Kasumi was suddenly ahead of Akechi. Turning back, she waited.

"This is as far as I go. Good luck."

"Huh?" Kasumi put her hands on her hips. "If I didn't know better, I'd say that you're scared."

"It isn't that…" Akechi said slowly. "There is just no need for me to go further."

As Akechi was speaking, he constantly looked past her shoulder. Following his eyes, Kasumi froze, her face paling. Oh, that is a very dangerous man!

Now blocking the hallway further in was a Yakuza member in a loose white suit with black sunglasses. Everything from his stance to his build was radiating danger. This is the cleaner!? Eye twitching, Kasumi considered strangling Akechi. She was sure to get some satisfaction from it before she was shot.

"Well, well, the detective prince."

Akechi's face was hidden, but Kasumi thought he looked worried. "Cleaner. My… associate here, will fill you in on some details. Farewell."

"Huh?" Kasumi was not alone in her surprise as the cleaner paused as well. Sharing a look with the terrifying man, Kasumi turned back to yell at Akechi only to find him rapidly disappearing. With a speed she could never approach on even her best day he was running away. Holding out a pleading hand, Kasumi wanted to cry out.

With shaking motions, she turned back to look at the cleaner, flashing him a hesitant smile. "Umm, hello?"

He snorted. "Don't need to be so scared. I only fuck up people that mess with Shido. If you aren't one of them, you got nothing to fear."

"W-Well that is reassuring," Kasumi forced a laugh.

"Ahh, I bet it fucking is. Why you travelling with that bastard of a detective?"

"Umm, d-do you have a problem with Akechi?"

The cleaner shrugged. "Fuckin law-abiding copper, ya know? Never can trust any of those fucking boot-lickers, throw green at them and they still defect."

"Ahaha, umm, sorry, can you swear less, please?"

"Huh? Oi oi oi, you going to be a bitch? If so, just walk the fuck away from me."

Paling, Kasumi shifted in place. "Ahh, umm, then it that case… can you please interfere with the thieves?"

Wait… what did he say?

"Huh? Thieves? Anyone who messes with the ship will get punted, same as always. That goes for you and that detective asshole."

"H-Hold on!" Kasumi raised her hands to stop the conversation. "What you said about police… You… pay them?"

"Me? Course fucking not," the Yakuza leader snorted dismissively. "My boss owns the whole department."

What the hell…? Kasumi felt stunned. What she did know was that she needed to do a lot of research on this Shido person. Candidate for Prime minister… owner of the police? There was one more piece of information that was making itself abundantly clear: the power to enter this world was extremely strong.

"W-Well these thieves are coming to take down your master," Kasumi continued in a daze. "Akechi wants you look out especially for them."

"Is dat right?"

Kasumi felt herself getting lifted. The Yakuza man had grabbed her collar and was bodily lifting her off the ground with his raw power. Grabbing at his arm, the muscles under the suit jacket were like iron rods.

Damn men are too strong!

Toes scrapping along the ground, she hissed out a follow-up. "It is. You will be the one getting cleaned if Shido finds out you're ignoring this threat."

"…You're a tough bitch." Saying his piece, Kasumi heaved a deep breath as she was released, stumbling away from him. "If you want to be rid of that bastard of a detective come find me. I'll get you a good gig."

"Is that… agreement?" Kasumi gasped, staring wearily with one eye.

"Ahh, it is." Whistling, the cleaner waved an arm. "Let's go boys. We got some 'thieves' to look for."

Who are you talking to…? The words died in Kasumi's mouth, never getting vocalized as two pools of darkness coalesced and rose up to form soldiers in military garb. The only oddity was a strange mask on their faces.

Throat closing up, Kasumi followed the three with her eyes as they walked away. When they were gone, she collapsed to her knees. "W-What… What is this place?"

Monday, October 10th, 20XX Evening

"What am I doing?" Growling to himself, Shido's hand froze again as he reached for his phone. His instincts kept telling him to make a call, to do something. But he did not have anything urgent to do. Things were slowly proceeding. The biggest question mark right now was Akechi's plan to deal with the phantom thieves.

It galled Shido that he was completely dependent on the rogue detective to handle the annoyance. However, if things went according to plan and the public turned on the thieves, then his popularity would catapult to insane levels.

Why am I so concerned?

Shido could not deny it. His own emotional state had changed. He hadn't felt this vulnerable since the day that he had figured out Akechi could collapse his mind whenever the unstable boy decided to. Even now Shido did not know if the countermeasures he had put in place would be enough to counteract changes to his heart.

Changes… to my heart?

"Is it possible?" Hand flying out, Shido grabbed his phone with a purpose. Using the speed-dial he called Akechi's personal cell phone. It rang only twice before the detective answered with a cocky, "yes?"

Left in a sour mood, Shido banged the desk. "Boy, are you… Are the phantom thieves targeting me?"

"Oh, you an astute one," Akechi had the gall to laugh at him. "I was thinking about how to tell you. It seems like they were able to figure out that you are the one truly in control of the country."

"Boy…" Shido growled. "If you don't…"

"I'm already on it," Akechi cut him off. "Just sit at your desk and pray for my victory. I have plans. The Phantom thieves will be gone by the end of the week."

"Boy, if you are—"

"Just shut up and trust me. I mean… you don't really have a choice."

The line went dead with sudden static. Shido was so shocked that he forgot to be angry for a moment. When it did come, it roared through him like a magma river, the heat melting all obstacles in his path. Vision turning red, Shido pounded his desk with both hands.

"FUCK! That insolent, arrogant, bastard!" Spinning and rising, Shido stalked to his window and punched it as well. As his breath began to slow, he glared at the phone again. Turning back to it, he dialed another number.

"You got a hit for me boss?"

"Ah. When I give you the signal, take out Akechi."

"Hahaha, I've been waiting for this."

"As always," Shido spoke with a smile. "I trust you that my issues will be cleaned up after you're done."

Monday, October 10th, 20XX Evening

"Sorry to keep you all so late," Ren apologized. "I know that we need to study for midterms… and work."

"Actually, I have no need to study for my job," Haru assured Ren with a teasing smile.

Ren gave Haru a lazy glare for her comment as the table laughed. "Maybe you would be better at it if you did study."

"Ahaha, you became mean in my break, Ren."

Kasumi coughed loudly. "It is a school night as you mentioned, can we please focus so that we will get sleep tonight."

"Oh? It looks to me like you'd rather be doing something besides sleeping to me though…"

Ren tried to contain his facial expressions as Kasumi and Haru traded barbed comments. Now it was his turn to drag the conversation back to its roots. "Shido's ship is well… impressive. We've never encountered such a multi-layered defense system before. In order to get to him and his treasure we'll have to gather acceptance from all five of his closest confidants. Futaba has been doing research and…"

"And we still have no idea who they are." The orange-haired girl growled interrupting him. "The best option is to track them down inside the metaverse. Prior knowledge of the participants involved is unnecessary."

"Hold on," Makoto broke in, "what do you mean you found nothing? Surely it's just the people sponsoring his campaign, yes?"

"Yeah…" Futaba ground her teeth. "But they are all so… mundane! They feel like a veneer."

"What was it that Sae said?" Ren asked. "That Zenkichi mentioned a few people…"

"The cleaner and the executor…" Makoto murmured. "Two people that Shido uses to get rid of people."

"They may be two of the five," Ren suggested. His speculations were met mostly with silence. Ryuji looked half asleep, while Ann was already there, her head resting on Ryuji's shoulder. Morgana as well was curled up on Ann's lap and while his tail was swishing slightly, he wasn't going to be contributing much.

Yusuke, meanwhile, was using a chopstick to push grains of salt around to create a picture. That left only the four of them that were participating: Makoto, Haru, Sumire, and himself. Makoto, like the others, looked exhausted with large bags under her eyes.

Why are Haru and Sumire less tired than the rest? They had done as much work as the rest of them. Sumire, Ren could understand as she was a borderline professional athlete and had the stamina of one. But why Haru? Also… why me?

It was an intriguing line of thought that Ren had ample time to consider as no further comments were forthcoming. In the lull, Ren had to admit that there was little point to continuing the meeting. Only one problem needed to be sorted out.

"So, when is the next time that we can explore his palace?"

"This is worth a few sacrifices," Sumire replied with a solid voice, her shoulder brushing against his. "I will be there any day that you call."

"I too," Haru nodded at Sumire, "will make it any day. The others however… seem to need a break."

"No!" Makoto said, "I am fine with… with whenever." The determination in her voice was reduced considerably by the yawn that broke into her words.

Ren glanced around the table, but no one else spoke up. "Alright, we will use tomorrow to study and come back in on Wednesday. If we can get a route soonish, we can execute the change of heart before exams. If we fail to do so… I suppose it is fine to do after."

Ren's trailing words hid within them the final thing that they had yet to formally address among themselves.

Haru, guessing at the source of his unease turned to Makoto. "You keep in contact with Orchid, right? How are they taking it?"

Makoto shook her head sadly. "I haven't heard back from either her or Lily. I know that they were prepared for this but… I just don't think that they have fully wrapped their heads around it yet."

Ren nodded slowly in agreement. "Last time I talked to them Orchid was so sure that Rose was still alive… damn it. I can't believe the police would do something like that."

Sumire rested a gentle hand upon Ren's clenched fist. Looking over at her, Ren flashed her a grateful smile. Once more, lethargy threatened to send them all to sleep where they sat. Before it could get to that point, Ren stood up, sliding out from the booth. "Come on everyone, it's time to go home."

Sumire followed him out as the others were shaken awake. Based on her intense stare it was clear that she wanted a word alone. This time, Ren reached out his hand and grabbed onto Sumire's. With a short squeeze he assured her that he wouldn't run off on her.

As everyone began to file out with yawns and words of parting, Ren and Sumire lagged behind, putting distance between them and everyone else.

"So?"

"Well…" Blushing, Sumire shuffled in place. "I uhh, I uhh realized that we never actually confirmed anything so…"

"What do you mean?" Ren raised a taunting eyebrow. "You fulfilled the promise, that's all there is to it… unless you don't want to?"

"T-That's not what I meant!" Sumire protested, pouting.

With his free hand, Ren lifted her chin with one finger so that she was staring up at him again. "Then don't worry about it." It was far from his best romantic work, but it was too late to worry about that. Ren had been holding himself back for ages now. With growing tension and anticipation, he closed the distance between their lips slowly, watching as Sumire's expression morphed from embarrassment to surprise and then acceptance as she closed her eyes in preparation.

"Ahh, sorry to interrupt but before you start…"

Makoto's voice was more startling than a bucket of cold water. Jerking away, Ren whirled to face the girl as Sumire hid. "What is it?"

The hint of anger in his voice sent Makoto back a step. "I-I really didn't want to interrupt but I thought you would be mad if I didn't tell you immediately."

"Yes?" Ren prompted, struggling to rein in his irritation.

"That girl… the detective's daughter… she is arriving tomorrow morning, and he will resume activities then."

"Ahh, yeah, thanks for letting me know."

"Well, see you." With an embarrassed wave, Makoto turned and fled.

"That was humiliating," Sumire whispered.

"Was it? I was just upset I didn't get to kiss you," Ren rebuked her.

"E-Ehh?" Sumire blushed fiercely. "Why you little…"

Ren withstood her light punches to his back with a stoic smile and only the faintest wince. He doubted that Sumire fully understood how strong her training had made her. "Umm, so I suppose that…"

"Not happening!" Sumire confirmed his fears.

"And if I apologize?"

"Nope!"

"And if I get on my knees and beg?"

"I will lose all respect for you."

Ren laughed, turning to face her. "Then I suppose that option is right out. Have a good night, Sumire." Leaning down, he left a chaste kiss on her forehead. Giving her a cheeky wink, Ren made his way to the train station. It was already ten and Yongen would take another half an hour at least to reach.

"Ahh, idiot!"

Hearing footsteps approaching, Ren turned around just in time to find Sumire right in front of him. Eyes glaring at him through her glasses she grabbed his school shirt and pulled him toward her. With no time to prepare, Ren's heart skipped a beat as she suddenly pressed her lips against his.

"Good night!"

This time it was Ren left behind stunned as she ran off arms pumping.

Tuesday, October 11th, 20XX Morning

Standing in the foyer of their Tokyo home, Orchid stared out the window with her arms crossed. Her sister was nearby sitting in the living room, mindlessly scrolling some social media app while likely taking in none of the content.

Looking back at her, Orchid asked the same question that they had considered sharing numerous times. "Do you think… we should have told them?"

Lily paused unnaturally, staring back at her. "No. The detective failed, that's all there is to it."

"Hmm," Orchid was far less sure of herself. She understood her sister's dismissal, but she was far less convinced. Orchid's conviction or lack thereof was pointless as a black car pulled up onto the driveway. "Finally."

"Here?" Lily asked.

"Yeah." Slipping on a pair of shoes, Orchid held the door for her sister. Exitting their home, they waited for the revelation, but no one stepped out of the vehicle. Growing nervous, Orchid hesitantly pulled open one of the rear seat doors. There was only one person inside, a man in a loose-fitting suit. Orchid met his eyes in the rear-view mirror. They were wide and filled with fear.

"What is this?"

"J-Just get in!"

"Did my sister—"

"Get it!" He repeated, yelling.

Pulling back, Orchid shared a look with Lily. As expected of her slightly younger sister, she nodded her head, determined to see this through. Shrugging, Orchid slid in and over to create room for her sister. If she was to meet the same fate as her sister, so be it.

As the rear door was closing, the man took off with speed.

"So, going to tell us anything?" Orchid pressed.

There was no reply.

Sharing a look with her sister, they both leaned back and accepted their fate. It was what they had chosen after all. They could have told the phantom thieves that their sister was alive, and that the detective was wrong but… this option was far more direct.

Looking out at the passing city, Orchid's mind was strangely empty of thoughts. The events occurring around them were weird and unexpected, but she simply could not analyze them anymore. Only one consideration mattered anymore and that was finding Rose.

Five, ten, fifteen minutes passed in total silence.

At some point the car began to slow and pull over on a random street. "This café, at the back."

"Huh?" Orchid asked for clarification but there was none forthcoming.

"Out!" The man yelled, pure terror in his voice.

Obeying him, Orchid scuttled out after Lily. When the door was closed the car peeled off again. The man inside and everything about the situation remaining a total mystery. With a slow shake of her head, Orchid observed the store. It was set in old brick and had the appearance of a café that you could find a hundred of in the city.

"Do you think…?"

Patting her sister on the back, Orchid strode forward. "Only one way to find out." Yanking open the door, she scanned the occupants. No one stood out but there was one shadowy figure dressed in a head scarf at the back. With robotic motions, Orchid approached the figure. Hope battled with fear with each step that she took.

Feminine lips and hands held a coffee cup to their lips. Eyes obscured by sunglasses, hair and other features by the scarf. Half a meter away, Orchid's lips forced out a single word. "Sister?"

The eyes that stared out over the sunglasses were Rose's. "Hey there, lil sis. Grab a seat."

Tuesday, October 11th, 20XX Noon

Opening the door, Sae smiled at the expected guests. "Welcome."

"Thank you for having us." Zenkichi bowed politely. The large luggage that he had was probably not his own based on the large number of phantom thieves' stickers that adorned the exterior.

"I heard that you will be living with us for a while, little girl. What is your name?" The young girl had a pouty expression and did not answer Sae from where she hid behind her father. This will get awkward quickly if I can't close the distance between us…

Returning into her apartment, Sae allowed the other two to enter. "Makoto is at school currently, but she will be home in time for us all to eat supper together."

"Ah, I am afraid I will not be here," Zenkichi said, scratching his cheek. "In fact… I probably won't show up again. I don't want my daughter in danger."

"Dad!" The girl huffed. "You haven't explained anything! Why do I have to stay with these people!"

"Akane!" Zenkichi retorted angrily. "I told you already, you will be safe here! I… I am sorry to do this to do. I've been a bad father but hopefully one day… You will see that I did this all for you."

"Idiot." Akane turned to Sae. "Which room is mine?"

"Oh, it's the second one at the end of the hallway…"

"Thank you…" Bowing, she was halfway there before turning back. "Also, can I get the wifi password?"

"Sure…" As she spoke, Akane was gone, disappearing into Makoto's room. The sisters would sleep together in Sae's bed for the duration of Akane's stay. Focusing on Zenkichi she gave him a commissary smile. "Younger sister, daughters, both can break hearts with an ease that they don't understand."

"Ahh," Zenkichi huffed in agreement, his voice thick with emotion. "I just wish she understood why I'm doing this. Why I couldn't bring Owada to justice."

"As you said, she will," Sae tried to assure the police detective. With his expression still forlorn, Sae decided to tell him a short story. "I'm not sure how it looks like to you, but even just a month ago, Makoto and I did not get along at all."

"Huh, really?" Zenkichi gasped in honest amazement.

With his pain forgotten for a brief time, Sae clasped her hands together as it was her turn to remember the painful past. "It was as you said when you first confronted me in that coffee shop. I was a slave to the system, working desperately to climb up the rungs of the corporate ladder while my sister was left behind to rot. I saw her as little more than baggage that my father had left me with, a useless weight dragging me down.

"She knew that I was dismissive of her, and she knew that no matter how hard she worked, I was so delusional that I would never acknowledge her… I'm not trying to say that your circumstances are the same, but I will just say this: Our father died in the line of duty. Because of that, we can no longer talk to him or sort things out, I hope Akane doesn't have to go through the same thing."

Zenkichi's face tightened. Sae could only wait for his response. Eventually, he asked only one question in a broken voice. "Do you… hate your father?"

So his mind is made up… "No, I love him."

"…That's good to know. Take care of Akane."

Sae stared silently as the investigator showed himself out. She only hoped it was not the last time that she saw him. Feeling her phone begin to vibrate, Sae gave it a look. "Akechi again?"

Remembering his offer from last time, she cast a brief glance towards Makoto's room before answering.

Tuesday, October 11th, 20XX Evening

"Oh, that's how it's done…" Doing her best to say upbeat, positive lines, Kasumi shot her sister an odd, forced smile.

"Y-Yeah, it's pretty simple to do so there shouldn't be any problems…"

Nodding to her sister's reply, Kasumi looked at the sauce in front of her and felt… disappointed. She knew that it tasted great, but it could be better! Everything could always be better. "Hmm, have you thought about adding some protein powder or bananas to this?"

"…Excuse me?"

"It's a curry sauce, right?" Kasumi explained. "I think some protein or potassium could really fortify it a bit more, bring it to the next level."

"…Get out of the kitchen."

"R-Rude!" Pouting, Kasumi glared at her sister. "H-How do you know it won't work if you've never tried it before?"

"Ah… Right, now I remember why we gave up on teaching you cooking."

Sumire grabbed onto her shoulders with a sudden intensity. If Kasumi could have backed away, she would have. Her body and mind, her petrified by the two pools of swirling crimson energy that were Sumire's eyes.

"You do not know how flavor palettes combine, nor the importance of texture. Do. Not. Change. Anything. Please repeat that back to me."

"D-Do not add strange ingredients?" Kasumi said hopefully.

"NO!" Sumire raged. "Listen to me! Do. Not. Change. Anything!"

"Follow the recipe and have no fun," Kasumi pouted. "This is why I don't like cooking; you can't have any fun."

"NO!" Sumire shot her down again, fingers digging in tighter. "You can't have any fun because you don't know anything. You have to follow all of the rules because you don't know how to modify anything."

"O-Oh, so it's like playing an instrument…" Kasumi mused. "I-I must admit I had underestimated the difficulty of cooking."

"Finally realizing!?" Sumire laughed but let her go. "So, what have you learned?"

"Umm, that if I want to improve at cooking I need to prepare a dish fifty different ways to figure out which ones work?"

"AHHH!? Are you an idiot!? Is that how you learn gymnastics? Just failing hundreds of different ways!?"

"W-Well…" Kasumi flushed awkwardly. "Gymnastics is easy, you're being mean."

"Mean!? You're the one making fun of me! That's what is happening right now, right? RIGHT!?"

"Uhh, sure…" Backing away another step, Kasumi shot her sister a strange look. "Did something… happen? You're acting different."

"Oh? Trying to distract me? That's such a braindead strategy that—"

"Again!" Kasumi protested, pointing at her sister. "You called me stupid again! You've never done that before!"

"H-Huh?" The light in Sumire's eyes faded away. As it went, were cheeks replaced them as the bright lights.

"The beacons are lit…" Kasumi muttered under her breath. Meanwhile, Sumire collapsed to the ground, covering the beacons with her hands.

"I'm so sorry. I've been very rude. Please forgive me."

Laughing, Kasumi had an idea. "I will if you make me a promise."

"Yes, anything…"

Leaning down, Kasumi whispered in her ear. "Cook for me forever please."

"Ahh!" Jumping from the sudden closeness, Sumire fell unto the floor, looking up at her with confused eyes.

Winking at her sister, Kasumi took her apron off. "Well, with that secured, I quit! Thanks for wrapping this up!"

"EHH!? H-Hold on, why are you quitting!?"

Kasumi turned around and shot her sister a bright smile. "Well we don't need two cooks, am I right?"

"AHH, fine!" Turning back to the dish she did mutter a final statement. "I'm sure Akechi would appreciate getting a homemade dish…"

Ah Sumi… Smiling at her back, Kasumi redoubled her dedication to freeing her from the clutches of the phantom thieves.