Chapter 26 - A Quick Investigation

The villa was quiet again. Emi had been fed and now napped in her crib with the slow, even breaths of a baby lost to dreams. Raika was lounging on the couch, flipping through channels without much interest. Raito, meanwhile, sat at his desk in the corner of the living room, a faint hum from his sleek black laptop the only sound that broke the silence.

He wasn't browsing idly.

Raito leaned forward, eyes scanning the screen as he typed out a search string—Councilman Makoto Hoshino: recent activity, controversies, political enemies.

"I'm not doing this for her," he muttered, as much to himself as to the presence lurking in the back of his thoughts. "Just don't want to get dragged into another incident."

Kurai, ever amused, chimed in.Oh, of course. It's not about the flustered detective with the cute blush. You're just doing routine background checks. On politicians. Like any normal 'insurance' guy would.

He ignored her tone, clicking through articles and brief press statements. Most of it was fluff—public works, minor speeches, charity appearances. Nothing worth sending four armed amateurs after him.

"If this guy pissed off anyone dangerous, it's not public knowledge," Raito muttered, leaning back in his chair.

Kurai's voice rolled in like silk.Maybe you're just not looking in the right places. Or maybe someone wanted to test the waters... see how fast law enforcement responded.

"For a ancient demon you sure know a lot about current human society and besides it doesn't matter," he said coldly. "They were sloppy. And amateurs. But if there's more coming, I want to be ready."

Just saying.

He moved to open a more secure network, his fingers hovering over the keyboard.

Then—bare feet padding softly against hardwood.

He quickly minimized the windows just as Raika leaned over his shoulder, peering at the screen.

"What're you doing?" she asked, curious, chin nearly resting on his shoulder.

Raito snapped the laptop shut in one smooth motion. "Nothing."

Raika narrowed her eyes. "Looked like something. Were you—"

"Just some work stuff," he cut in. His voice was flat, final.

Raika stared at him for a few seconds, lips pressing into a faint pout before she rolled her eyes and walked back toward the couch. "You're like, the most suspicious man I've ever met. Even more than those creeps from this morning."

Raito exhaled quietly. The screen still faintly glowed from the seam of the closed laptop.

He didn't like loose ends. And he especially didn't like being pulled into chaos he didn't start.

But this time… maybe he already was.