"...I see. So it was all just her stumbling into it by accident?"
Gai looked at Inori on the other end of the terminal as he asked.
"In the end, it was my mistake. If I had closed the window, none of this would have happened."
Inori's voice carried a faint electronic texture through the device.
"I see. What about the Void? Did you confirm it?"
Gai rested his chin on his hand, thinking.
"Yes. It was indeed bandages, just like you said, Gai."
Inori nodded in reply.
"She lives next door to you, right?"
Gai asked, concerned.
"Right next door. You can see it as soon as you step outside."
"Mm..."
Gai fell silent again, thoughts stirring in his blue eyes.
"..."
Sitting by the dining table, Inori quietly waited for the man's conclusion on the terminal screen.
"...Are you sure she wasn't lying?"
Gai asked from the other side.
"I'm sure. I don't think she has any reason to lie."
She nodded.
"I see... since the witness is someone you know, that's better. Even if you trust her, there's always the possibility of something unexpected. It's best to keep an eye on her for a while. You can do that while you're at school."
Gai finally relented and gave his instructions.
"Understood."
She nodded.
"There's one more thing... since she's a witness, do you think she's connected to the drug trade?"
Gai asked.
"..."
Inori slightly tilted her head and glanced toward the living room. On the carpet, two people sat side by side hugging pillows and watching TV. More precisely, she was looking at Hare. Under the warm lighting, her side profile shimmered softly. Occasionally, she would laugh at the program, and sometimes she would turn to say something to the Shogun beside her.
"No. I don't think she would be involved in something like that."
She gave a firm judgment.
"I see... then I'll leave that decision to you. You know her well, after all."
Gai nodded.
After all, it was hard to imagine that such a gentle and soft high school girl would be involved in drug dealing.
"In any case... 'Sugar' still hasn't been identified. We don't even know their gender. The only thing we know is that they're also a student at Tennoz High School, just like you."
"I suspect that there were two witnesses to that battle. One was Hare, and the other is 'Sugar.' Tsugumi is currently hacking into the transaction network, but it'll take some time."
"Mm..."
Inori nodded in understanding.
"Lastly, no matter what... we wiped out that squad completely. GHQ will likely search that area for clues. They'll stop at nothing to achieve their goals. You and I both understand the risks involved. After this, I'll have someone keep an eye on her in secret."
Gai spoke seriously as he reminded her.
"I understand, Gai."
She nodded in response.
"Alright. That's all for now. You two should take a day off from school tomorrow."
"...Is there a mission?"
"Yes... I'll explain the details when we meet tomorrow. For now, get some rest. Good work today."
Buzz...
The screen went dark the next second...
"Haa..."
She let out a breath, folding the terminal and casually placing it on the table.
"Um... is everything okay? Did I... cause trouble after all?"
Hare had been watching TV but occasionally glanced toward Inori. As soon as she saw the call end, she immediately asked with concern.
"No. Don't worry. It's basically resolved."
Inori put away the terminal and walked over, sitting down on the carpet beside them. She grabbed a pillow and hugged it as well.
"Really... haa... that's good."
Hare let out a sigh of relief. If she had caused trouble, she would have blamed herself terribly.
"What did he say?"
The Shogun took a bite of the dessert on the low table, swallowed, and asked.
"At first, Gai suspected that Hare was involved in drug trading, but I dismissed the idea."
Inori spoke openly without hiding anything.
"Eh? D-drugs?!"
Hare immediately became flustered. Drugs? How did that suddenly get connected to her?
"True... Hare doesn't seem like that kind of person."
The Shogun teased lightly.
"Hey... don't scare me like that... haa... my heart's been through enough today."
Hare puffed her cheeks slightly and gently pinched the Shogun's arm, her voice soft and almost coquettish.
The three of them continued chatting and watching TV like this for over an hour. Around nine in the evening, it was time for Hare to go home.
"Then... Mio, Inori... I'm heading back. I have school tomorrow, so I can't stay up too late."
Hare first looked at the Shogun, then at Inori, before standing up and waving.
"...You could stay here."
The Shogun suggested.
"N-no, it's fine... um..."
"If you think I'll be in the way... I can go to the next room."
Inori added smoothly.
"N-no, that's not it///! Don't tease me... I'm going now."
"Mm, right."
"Eh?"
Hearing Inori call out again, Hare paused and turned back.
"Tomorrow... we have something to do, so we won't be going to school. Could you help us ask for leave?"
Inori spoke softly, her tone slightly vague, but Hare understood immediately.
"Mm... I understand. Um... be careful, both of you."
Hare pressed her lips together before saying it. She knew that, as an ordinary person, her concern might be unnecessary—but she couldn't help it.
"Mm." ×2
The two nodded.
As they watched Hare about to leave, the Shogun's eyes flickered slightly, as if she had thought of something. She subtly moved her fingers.
Hum~
A faint, nearly imperceptible purple particle flowed into Hare's body. She herself didn't notice anything.
Click...
The door closed behind her. Soon, her footsteps faded, followed by the sound of the neighboring door opening and closing.
"Haa... let's rest too, Mio."
After speaking, Inori prepared to stand up.
"...What is it?"
She looked at Inori.
"Tomorrow... we have a mission."
After saying that, Inori turned and walked into the bathroom, starting her shower.
Which meant... no school tomorrow.
How wonderful~!
She revealed a delighted smile, like a child looking forward to a holiday. No matter how you looked at it, even going to Funeral Parlor was more comfortable than going to school.
Of course, she didn't say anything like being bored when with Hare and Inori. On the contrary, the only thing that helped her endure the dullness of school was the time she spent with those two.
...
Meanwhile, at the GHQ headquarters in Roppongi's District 24...
Inside the command office of the Anti-Bodies division, a purple-haired man in a white uniform lounged lazily in his chair, tapping away on his phone.
Tap tap tap— ×N
The rapid sound of his phone's keys echoed continuously through the room.
"Heh... I see."
He—Shuichiro Keido, a high-ranking commander of the Anti-Bodies—looked at the information on his computer screen and revealed a sly, fox-like smile.
"So... Yan's dead, huh... Heh, those rats from Funeral Parlor really know how to play..."
His tone was filled with amusement and undisguised mockery.
Buzz...
The pupil of his left eye rotated like a mechanical bearing, emitting a faint electronic sound.
Knock knock!
At that moment, a knock came from behind him.
"Enter."
Keido spoke simply.
"Yes, sir!"
Whoosh—
The electronic door slid open automatically as a subordinate walked in and bowed.
"Major Keido."
"Mm... what's the result?"
Tap—!
Without even lifting his head, he continued playing the crossword game on his phone as he asked casually.
"Yes, sir! We've already restored the footage. However... although it has been repaired, the clarity is still not very ideal."
The subordinate spoke with some embarrassment.
"It doesn't matter. Let me see it."
He replied indifferently.
"Yes, sir!"
The subordinate immediately inserted the USB terminal into the computer, projecting the restored video onto the large screen.
Static—
After a burst of gray-white noise, a patch of mosaic-like purple light appeared, followed by several frozen frames. Then came a violent explosion that lasted for several minutes.
"My apologies, sir. We have already restored—"
"Rewind it."
"Eh? Yes, sir."
Click...
He obeyed and rewound the footage again.
"Here!"
Keido pointed to a specific moment.
Click!
The frame froze instantly. Both of them stared at the dazzling purple light.
"Sir... we couldn't determine the nature of this light, so—"
"Zoom in on this section."
Keido cut him off and pointed at the lower-left corner of the frame.
Buzz...
As the image was enlarged, they discovered a figure standing there. It was too blurry to make out the face, but the clothing revealed a rough identity.
"...A student?"
Keido murmured as he looked at the distinctive Tennoz High School uniform.
"Yes, sir. That is Tennoz's uniform."
Although unclear, it could be inferred: a red jacket and a dark pleated skirt. A girl. Her face couldn't be seen, and due to the angle, she had already turned her back.
"What should we do, sir?"
The subordinate asked.
"Heh..."
Tap—!
In the next second, Keido dialed a number. After a few rings, it was quickly answered, though the other party remained silent.
"I have a request for you, Samukawa-kun. I'm looking for a key witness. She's a student at your school. I'll send you the photo later. Keep an eye out, and if you find out her identity, report it to me immediately. In exchange... we've recently developed a new antiviral drug. Your younger brother will be the first to receive it. Of course... free of charge."
"As for whether you take this opportunity or not, that's up to you. That's all. Goodbye."
Beep—
He hung up and leaned back in his chair again, closing his eyes with a faint smile.
"Sir, what if he—"
"He will. He definitely will. After all... the life of a loved one matters more than anything, doesn't it? Heh."