Chapter Two : Meeting

Anyway, for a group of self-proclaimed detectives, we were surprisingly quick to give up.

Yesterday, we spent hours connecting dots that didn't connect, theorizing over baseless Twitter rumors, and, of course, enduring Renji's ridiculous crime-solving monologue. But by today, we were back to being normal students.

Renji gave up first. "The police can handle it," he announced dramatically. "We're but mere peasants in this grand scheme of justice."

Haruto smacked him on the back of the head. "Just say you're tired."

And with that, the case of Yamato Saito was closed—at least for us.

Midday – Kyoya's Burden: Masaki Mio

Today's plan was simple. Do homework, hang out, survive Renji's nonsense.

But there was a problem.

"Mio, why are you holding my sleeve?" I sighed, looking down at my little sister.

My eight-year-old sibling grinned up at me, completely unfazed by my obvious disapproval. "Because I wanna come!"

"You have school," I reminded her.

She pouted. "Nope! No school for a week."

Great. I forgot elementary schools also postponed classes.

I pinched the bridge of my nose. "Mio, we're going to a café to do homework. That's boring."

She tilted her head. "But you never do homework."

"I do—" I stopped myself. "…Okay, fair."

Renji, ever the agent of chaos, overheard this and suddenly burst into laughter from the other end of the phone. "Kyoya. Please tell me you're bringing her."

"No."

"Yes."

"No."

"Yes. Do it for the culture."

"There is no culture—"

"Kyoya. Bring. The. Child."

I sighed. "Fine."

Mio cheered.

I regretted every life decision that led me to this moment.

Afternoon – Homework, A Terrible Experience

The café we picked was small but cozy, a quiet spot near the train station. Ideal for studying—or at least that's what we told ourselves.

We had barely settled when Renji was already suffering.

"WHY IS THERE SO MUCH HOMEWORK?" he shouted, dramatically throwing himself onto the table.

"Renji, it's just seven days' worth," Yuna said flatly.

"SEVEN. DAYS. OF PAIN."

Haruto, ever the responsible one, was already writing down formulas. "If you'd just start instead of screaming—"

"I refuse," Renji declared, shoving his workbook away. "Homework is an illusion created by society to make students suffer."

I smirked. "So is your GPA."

Mio, sitting beside me, giggled. "Renji-nii is funny!"

Renji gasped. "See? She understands me!"

Yuna rolled her eyes. "Mio, don't encourage him."

"Why not?" Mio blinked innocently. "He's funny."

"He's an idiot."

Mio gasped dramatically. "But he's a NICE idiot."

Renji looked proud. "This child. This precious little human. She gets me."

I held my face in my hands. "Mio, stop talking to him. He doesn't need more encouragement."

We eventually forced Renji to do his homework—but only after Haruto threatened to tear his manga collection apart. It was the only thing that worked.

Evening – Amusement Park Chaos

After surviving homework (barely), we decided to reward ourselves.

The amusement park was surprisingly lively for a school night. The lights, the smell of cotton candy, the distant screams from the roller coaster—it was the perfect break from reality.

Mio was thrilled. "KYOOOYAAA, LET'S GO ON THE BIGGEST RIDE!"

I frowned. "You're too small."

She puffed her cheeks. "Then let's go on the second-biggest ride!"

Before I could argue, Renji suddenly lifted her onto his shoulders. "TO THE RIDES, LITTLE ONE!"

"YAAAAY!" Mio cheered, fist-pumping the air.

I sighed. This was a terrible idea.

Ride #1 – The Spinning Cups (A Mistake)

We started with something harmless.

The spinning cups.

We all got in separate ones—big mistake.

Mio, being a child, spun the cup as fast as humanly possible.

Haruto, trying to keep his dignity, only turned his cup a little.

Renji? He went full chaos mode.

"FASTER! FASTER!!" he screamed, his cup blurring into non-existence.

By the time the ride ended, he stumbled out like a drunk man.

"I regret…everything," he wheezed.

Yuna patted his shoulder. "You're an idiot."

Renji gave her a thumbs-up. "Thanks."

Ride #2 – The Haunted House (Bad Decisions Were Made)

Renji insisted we go to the Haunted House.

Mio begged to go.

I had a bad feeling.

Halfway through, Mio clung to my sleeve. "Kyoya… I changed my mind."

"Too late," I muttered.

The ghosts jumped out, the walls creaked, and at some point, a clown appeared.

Mio screamed. I nearly punched the clown.

Renji?

Renji laughed the entire time.

Haruto: "You're insane."

Renji: "THIS IS AMAZING."

Yuna: "I hate all of you."

By the time we left, Mio was traumatized, I was exhausted, and Renji was ready to go again.

The Final Ride – The Ferris Wheel (A Peaceful Ending)

To calm down, we ended the night with the Ferris wheel.

As we went up, the city lights spread out beneath us, a breathtaking view of the town.

Mio rested her head against my arm. "Kyoya…" she mumbled sleepily.

"Yeah?"

"Today was fun."

I softened. "…Yeah. It was."

The Fortune Teller Booth – Renji's Latest Stupid Idea

Just as we were about to leave the amusement park, Renji spotted something.

"GUYS," he gasped, pointing dramatically. "A FORTUNE-TELLING BOOTH."

Yuna groaned. "No."

Renji ignored her. "YES."

Haruto sighed. "Renji, that's just a cheap tourist trap."

"I DON'T CARE."

Before any of us could stop him, Renji marched straight inside.

We had no choice but to follow.

Inside the Fortune-Telling Booth

The inside was dimly lit, filled with the smell of old incense.

A woman sat behind a round table, shrouded in a deep purple cloak. Her long silver hair fell over her shoulders, and her piercing golden eyes stared right through us.

Mio hid behind me. "She's scary…"

Renji sat down immediately. "Madam Mystica, bestow upon me the secrets of my destiny!"

The woman gave him a long, unamused look.

"…That will be 500 yen."

Renji grumbled but tossed the coins onto the table. "Okay, okay. Tell me what you see."

Madam Mystica shuffled a deck of worn tarot cards and placed them down, one by one.

First card: The Fool.

Renji grinned. "That's me."

Yuna nodded. "Accurate."

Second card: The Tower.

Haruto frowned. "That one doesn't look good."

Madam Mystica's expression darkened. "It represents disaster, betrayal, and destruction."

The room fell silent.

Third card: Death.

Renji blinked. "Well, that's…uh."

Mio clutched my sleeve.

I swallowed. "…It doesn't literally mean death, right?"

Madam Mystica tilted her head. "Not always."

I suddenly regretted coming here.

Kyoya's Turn

"Alright," Renji said, forcing a grin. "That was fun! Who's next?"

Everyone turned to me.

I frowned. "No way."

Mio tugged on my sleeve. "Kyoya, do it! Please?"

I sighed. "…Fine."

I sat down, and Madam Mystica shuffled the deck again.

First card: The Moon.

Madam Mystica's gaze hardened.

"The Moon represents hidden truths, illusions, and secrets."

I stiffened.

Second card: The Hanged Man.

Yuna whispered, "That…doesn't look good either."

Madam Mystica tapped the card. "Sacrifice. Someone who must let go of something important."

I felt a chill crawl up my spine.

Final card: The Devil.

Everyone went silent.

Madam Mystica studied me carefully. "…You carry a heavy burden."

I forced a laugh. "Well, yeah. I have Renji in my life."

Nobody laughed.

Madam Mystica slowly gathered the cards. "Be careful. Some fates cannot be escaped."

I suddenly wanted to leave.

The Aftermath

As we walked out of the booth, the amusement park lights felt colder.

Renji laughed awkwardly. "WELL! That was fun! Nothing to worry about, right?"

Nobody answered.

Mio hugged my arm. "Kyoya… I don't like this place anymore."

I patted her head. "It's just a game, Mio. It's not real."

But for some reason, I couldn't shake the unease.

I glanced at the cards in my mind—The Moon. The Hanged Man. The Devil.