Turning point

Daylight gradually replaced the night. The first rays of sun filtered through the window of the apartment where Yume and Kaito were staying.

The boy, asleep on the couch, slowly woke up as one of those rays hit his face.

Kaito opened his eyes. (It's already morning), he noted. He got up from the couch, put on his shirt, and went to the bathroom, where he splashed water on his face to fully wake up.

"Is Yume still sleeping?" he wondered, heading toward the kitchen beside the large windows of the skyscraper.

He turned on the television, more out of habit than interest—but immediately froze.

"What the…?!"

The screen was showing images of a completely destroyed construction site.

"Breaking news. Last night, an entire construction site was leveled," the reporter announced. "The cause remains unknown. Some witnesses claim to have seen figures at the scene, but there are currently no reported injuries or casualties."

Kaito stepped closer to the window, from which the ruins of the site could barely be seen.

"I find it hard to believe that a structure in Shinkase could collapse on its own…"

He remained silent for a moment. Then the reporter's words echoed in his mind: "Some witnesses claim to have seen figures at the scene…"

"Could it be…?"

A faint smile crossed his face.

"Shirogane was right… Mugentamashii really is in Shinkase."

Clenching his fists, he added in a low voice:

"I don't know who they were fighting, but…"

Just then, the elevator dinged outside their room.

"Who could that be…?"

He grabbed his belt with the blades, ready for anything.

Then, a familiar voice called out from beyond the door:

"Hahaha, you're right."

Yume and Kagura stepped in through the entrance.

"Kaito, you're awake," the girl said with a smile. Then she noticed what he was holding.

"Why do you have those?"

"Nothing… just habit."

He placed the blade belt on the table, then added,

"I thought you were still sleeping."

"Actually, I woke up early…" Yume replied, blushing slightly.

"I went to find Kagura, about the room situation."

Kagura stepped forward with an apologetic look.

"I'm so sorry… I really thought—"

"Don't worry," Kaito cut her off in a calm tone.

"But, you see…" she continued, lowering her gaze,

"I don't have any other rooms available. So…"

"That's fine," he replied. Then, looking her in the eye, he added:

"In fact, since you're here… there are a few things I'd like to ask you."

He paused for a moment. Then turned toward Yume:

"Are you sure we can trust her?"

The girl nodded without hesitation.

"Alright then," Kaito said firmly.

The three of them sat down in the living room. Kaito spoke first, keeping his gaze fixed on Kagura.

"Kagura, I need your help."

The girl flinched slightly, surprised by his words.

"I won't go into too much detail… but I need you to answer a few questions. They're about Shinkase… and the Fuyumi family."

At the mere mention of that name, Kagura went pale.

"The Fuyumi family…? Why… why are you interested in them?" she asked, her voice barely audible, a slight tremble in her fingers.

Kaito was silent for a moment. Then, with a determined tone, he said:

"Because connected to them… are people I want to meet. And to meet them, I'm willing to face her."

"Face… the Fuyumi family?!" Kagura exclaimed, standing up abruptly. Her eyes widened in fear. But she quickly composed herself, lowering her gaze.

"S-sorry…"

Yume gently placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Please… help us."

"What do you want to know?" Kagura asked at last, after taking a deep breath.

Kaito and Yume exchanged a quick glance, a slight smile on their lips.

"Everyone in Shinkase knows about the auction, right?" Kaito began.

Kagura hesitated before answering.

"Y-yes… we all know what happens in this city."

"Then why has no one ever done anything? Not even the Reikeitai?" he pressed, his tone serious.

"The Reikeitai?" she repeated, surprised.

"Well… because the Fuyumi family has never done anything… officially illegal."

That answer struck both Kaito and Yume like a lightning bolt.

"What do you mean?" Yume asked, confused.

"There's no proof of their dealings. Just rumors. No solid testimony. Without evidence, the Reikeitai can't act."

"But you just said everyone in Shinkase knows what they're doing!" Kaito pointed out, crossing his arms.

Kagura lowered her gaze, her hands slightly trembling.

"It's true… But the Fuyumi are extremely influential. They have connections everywhere. To oppose them…" her voice cracked for a moment, "…means risking your life."

Yume raised a hand to her mouth, unable to speak.

"In this city…" Kagura whispered, her voice breaking, "…the number of deaths under suspicious circumstances exceeds a thousand."

"A-a thousand?" Yume repeated, still shaken.

"Several Reikeitai members tried to infiltrate the auction…" the girl continued, clutching the hem of her skirt, "…but none of them ever made it back alive."

Kaito remained silent for several seconds.

"I see…" he murmured at last.

"Listen, I heard that human trafficking worsened after the head of the family died. Is that just another baseless rumor?"

Kagura froze. Something had disturbed her.

"I've never heard anything about that…" she said, lowering her gaze.

"Alright… I just have two more questions for you," Kaito said, eyes fixed on Kagura.

"The first is more of a confirmation: is it true that anyone can join the auction just by paying a fee?" He paused briefly.

"And the second: do you know where it's held? Where exactly is the auction located?"

Silence fell in the room. Both Yume and Kagura looked surprised by such a direct question.

"You really want to know?" Kagura asked at last, her voice softer than usual.

"Yes. Please," he replied firmly.

"As for the first question… yes, it's true. Anyone who pays can take part."

Then she lowered her gaze.

"As for the second one… I'm not sure how to answer."

A longer pause, then she continued:

"One of the reasons the Reikeitai has never been able to intervene—despite the rumors about the auction spreading far beyond Shinkase—is precisely because no one knows its exact location."

Another pause.

"Probably, the only ones who do know are the Fuyumi's clients… specifically, the criminal gangs that operate in and outside of Shinkase."

"I see…" Kaito murmured. Then gave her a faint smile.

"Thanks, Kagura. You know… you remind me of an old friend. I'm glad you're a good person too."

He strapped his blades to his belt as Yume stood up from the couch.

"W-what are you two planning to do?" Kagura asked, visibly worried.

"We're going to have a little chat with the gangs of Shinkase," Kaito replied firmly.

"But… but those people…" she stammered, alarmed.

"Don't worry," Yume reassured her, gently taking her hands.

"We can handle ourselves."

The two of them headed for the elevator. Before stepping in, Yume turned back to her friend with a smile:

"We'll be back, don't worry."

The doors closed, and the elevator slowly began descending toward the lobby.

"They'll be back," she said… Kagura murmured.

But this time, her tone had changed. Colder. More distant.

DRINN DRINN

The phone rang. Kagura answered in a calm voice:

"Hello?"

"Is that you, big brother?" she asked.

"I have a few things to tell you."