Hikaru and Aoi

Cafeteria Conversations

The campus cafeteria was filled with its usual buzz—students chatting, trays clattering, and the smell of fresh food filling the air.

Hikaru sat across from Mei, absentmindedly poking at his food with a slight frown.

Mei tilted her head. "You've been quiet."

Hikaru let out a small sigh. "I've just been thinking about Sora."

Mei rested her chin on her palm. "You mean how Teshii doesn't want him at the safehouse?"

Hikaru nodded. "Yeah. It's weird. I mean, Teshii is reckless, but he trusts his instincts. If he says something is off, I can't just ignore it."

Mei sighed. "Then you should figure out what Sora is hiding."

Hikaru nodded. "Yeah… I just don't know where to start."

Before Mei could respond, someone approached their table.

A familiar soft voice spoke up—

"Hikaru."

Hikaru looked up and saw Aoi Kuroi standing there.

His childhood friend.

And Yami's girlfriend.

Her face was filled with worry.

Hikaru immediately sat up straighter. "Aoi? What's wrong?"

Aoi hesitated before speaking.

"It's about Yami."

Yami is Missing

Hikaru and Aoi walked outside, away from the crowd.

Aoi looked down, her hands clenched together.

"I… I don't know what's going on," she admitted. "Yami has been acting strange lately. And now—he's missing."

Hikaru's eyes widened. "What?"

Aoi nodded. "He hasn't come home since yesterday."

Hikaru frowned. "Did he say anything before he disappeared?"

Aoi hesitated. "He… he said he was investigating something."

Hikaru raised an eyebrow. "Investigating?"

Aoi nodded. "But he wouldn't tell me what."

Hikaru's stomach twisted.

What the hell was Yami getting himself into?

Aoi looked at him, eyes filled with concern. "Hikaru… can we go to Yami's house? Maybe his mom knows something."

Hikaru nodded immediately.

"Yeah. Let's go."

Yami's Family Home

Hikaru and Aoi stood outside Yami's family home.

The house was quiet, the air still.

Aoi knocked on the door. A few moments later, Misaki Utsuro, Yami's mother, opened it.

Her eyes were tired, as if she hadn't slept.

When she saw Aoi, she gave a soft smile.

"Aoi. And… Hikaru?"

Hikaru bowed slightly. "Hello, Misaki-san."

Misaki let out a small sigh. "You're here about Yami, aren't you?"

Aoi nodded quickly. "Yes. He's been missing since yesterday. Do you know where he is?"

Misaki looked down for a moment, then stepped aside.

"…Come in."

The Truth About Yami's Investigation

Hikaru and Aoi sat across from Misaki, who had a cup of tea in her hands.

She took a slow sip before speaking.

"I don't know exactly what Yami was investigating," she admitted. "But I know it has something to do with Teshii."

Hikaru's body stiffened.

Aoi looked shocked. "Teshii?"

Misaki nodded.

"He kept asking questions. Looking through old records. I asked him what he was searching for, but he never told me."

Hikaru's mind raced.

Teshii…?

Yami had always been suspicious of him.

But for him to actively investigate him?

Hikaru exhaled sharply.

Aoi looked at him, worried. "Hikaru… do you think Teshii knows something about this?"

Hikaru clenched his fists.

"…I don't know."

But one thing was certain.

He was going to find out.