[Scene: Shinjuku
Himeko's house
10th August
10 am, morning]

Himeko stood in front of her massive walk-in wardrobe, her fingers gliding across the endless row of dresses. Silk, lace, chiffon-each fabric whispered luxury, reflecting the opulence of the grand mansion she called home. Sunlight poured in through the tall, arched windows, casting golden rays across the pristine white floor, making the crystals on the chandelier shimmer like tiny stars. The scent of fresh roses from the garden outside mixed with the subtle perfume that lingered in the air.

"So, what do I wear today?" Himeko mused aloud, tilting her head as she pulled out a few gowns, examining them one by one.

Behind her, Sebiki leaned casually against the doorframe, arms crossed, watching with a knowing smirk. "You're acting like it's a date, Himeko." Her voice carried the usual teasing lilt, but there was an underlying warmth, a quiet fondness in the way she spoke.

Himeko barely reacted to her friend's remark, too absorbed in her task. She didn't mind Sebiki's nagging-it was familiar, comforting even. Her ears, usually so used to the silence of the vast mansion, now found pleasure in the mix of Sebiki's words and the sweet chirping of birds outside.

"But it should have been one," Himeko replied with a soft laugh, her voice carrying the weight of something unspoken. As she turned around, the sunlight caught her features, making her radiant smile all the more breathtaking. It wasn't just a smile-it was an effortless display of grace, confidence, and something that made the very air in the room shimmer.

Sebiki, despite herself, felt momentarily stunned. She had known Himeko her entire life, had spent countless hours in this very room, yet every time she saw her like this, it was as if she were seeing her for the first time. She was perfect-unbelievably so. Every feature was delicate yet striking. The way her long, glossy hair cascaded down her back, the way her eyes held an undeniable allure, the soft curve of her lips, the graceful lines of her body. She was, in every sense, a masterpiece.

Without realizing it, Sebiki's lips curled into a small, almost secretive smile.

Himeko narrowed her eyes playfully, tilting her head. "What is it?"

Sebiki blinked, snapping out of her daze. "No, nothing." She shook her head, her smile lingering.

Himeko raised a perfectly shaped brow but didn't press further. Instead, her gaze flickered back to the dresses, and a second later, her face lit up. "Oh! I found the perfect dress!" she announced, her voice bubbling with excitement. She held it up with both hands, twirling slightly, her sheer joy making the room feel even brighter.

Sebiki chuckled, watching her, the warmth in her chest growing. Maybe it wasn't a date-but Himeko, in all her sparkling joy, made it feel like the whole world revolved around this moment.

[Scene: Shinjuku
10th August
11:08 am, morning]

The warm morning air in Shinjuku carried a crisp, gentle breeze as Himeko stepped out of the sleek black car, the door clicking shut behind her. The scent of freshly brewed coffee from the nearby café mingled with the faint floral fragrance carried by the wind. Her green shirt fluttered like a carefree ribbon, greeting the swaying trees and the delicate flowers lining the sidewalk. The snug fit of her blue jeans highlighted her effortless charm, while the gentle gusts occasionally lifted the hem of her shirt, revealing glimpses of her fair skin between the fabric and the waistband of her bottoms.

Her black lace shoes clicked lightly against the pavement, their elegant simplicity complementing both her outfit and her smooth complexion. Under the golden embrace of the morning sun, she looked like the perfect cherry atop a strawberry shortcake-vibrant, delicate, and exuding a quiet sweetness. As she walked, her soft white scarf trailed behind her like a drifting cloud, adding to the serene presence she carried with her.

In the distance, she spotted Kavei standing near the entrance of the café, casually checking his watch. The sight of him made her heart skip a beat. Without thinking, she broke into a run, her side bag bouncing against her hip, her twin ponytails swinging in sync with her hurried steps.

"Kavei-kun! Hey! Kavei-kun!" she called out, her voice light and airy as she approached.

However, in her excitement, she failed to notice the small but menacing stone on the pavement. Her foot caught it at precisely the worst moment, and in a dramatic twist of fate, she was airborne. For a split second, the world seemed to slow down-her arms flailed, her scarf lifted, and her expression shifted from joy to sheer horror.

Then-THUD.

She landed face-first on the ground, her bag flopping beside her in utter betrayal. A soft groan escaped her lips as she slowly lifted her head, feeling the sting of embarrassment before the actual pain even registered.

Kavei, momentarily stunned, blinked before stepping forward in a hesitant rush. "A... Ah! Careful!" he said, crouching down to help her up.

As his hands gently grasped her arms, she let out a dramatic sigh, rubbing her now slightly reddened face. Wow. I left like a princess not too long ago, and now this stupid stone has crushed my entire fairytale fantasy to pieces. She internally lamented, pursing her lips as she dusted herself off.

"Y-yes, yes, Kavei-kun. I'm fine," she quickly reassured him, waving her hands as if to dismiss the incident entirely.

Kavei gave her a skeptical glance, his lips twitching as though he wanted to laugh but wisely chose not to. Just as he opened his mouth to say something, Himeko froze, her eyes widening in pure astonishment as they finally took in his appearance.

Black jacket. White shirt. Black jeans. A ridiculously sleek watch. His smooth, well-kept hair framed his glassy eyes, which, under the morning light, held an almost hypnotic gleam. His fair skin, sharp features, and absurdly perfect height made her brain short-circuit for a moment.

"You look like a singer! Like a really famous and cool singer!! A Japanese band member!!" she blurted, pointing at him in exaggerated disbelief.

Kavei, caught off guard, furrowed his brows, instinctively scratching his cheek with his index finger. "...Huh?"

Himeko's face turned a deeper shade of pink as realization struck her. "Oh. Sorry!" she stammered, taking a step forward-only to miscalculate the distance. Before she could react, her forehead lightly bumped into his chest.

Kavei barely moved, but he did arch a brow as she immediately recoiled, flailing in embarrassment. "Oh. Sorry again. Sorry, sorry, sorry!" she sputtered, bowing repeatedly like an actress at the end of a play.

Kavei, watching this endless loop of apologies, sighed internally. You can quit now.

Clearing his throat, he mercifully changed the subject. "So, where does Ryu live, anyway?"

Himeko, still frazzled but grateful for the distraction, straightened up quickly. "He lives just around the corner!" she replied, her voice a little too eager as she gestured ahead.

Kavei simply nodded, shoving his hands into his pockets as he walked beside her, a small smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. Today was going to be interesting.

[Scene: Shinjuku
Ryu's house
10th August
12:10 pm, afternoon]

The sharp chime of the doorbell echoed through the silent house, jolting its owner awake. A deep groan rumbled from the couch as the man buried his face into the cushions, reluctant to move. His hand lazily reached up, fingers ruffling through his already disheveled hair. The weight of sleep still clung to him as he sat up, blinking groggily at the dimly lit living room. The knock hadn't stopped. He sighed, pushing himself to his feet, his bare footsteps padding softly against the cold wooden floor as he made his way to the intercom.

Outside, Himeko and Kavei stood before the tall iron gate, the afternoon air carrying the faint scent of heat. Kavei, his hands shoved into his pockets, glanced up at the house-a modern structure with a sleek black and white exterior, large windows reflecting the cloudy sky. Himeko, on the other hand, shifted from foot to foot impatiently, her scarf lightly fluttering in the breeze.

A buzzing sound crackled through the speaker above them.

"Hello? May I know who this is?" The voice was thick with sleep, slightly irritated yet polite.

Himeko leaned in slightly toward the intercom, her fingers gripping the strap of her bag. "Oh, it's Himeko. Rakana Himeko." Her voice was bright, a stark contrast to the drowsy one on the other end.

A pause. Then, "I see. One minute, please."

As they waited, Kavei turned to Himeko, his brow slightly raised. "Does he know you well?"

Himeko's reaction was immediate. "No!" she blurted, shaking her head so roughly that her twin ponytails bounced wildly. Her exaggerated response made Kavei blink at her for a moment before he smirked slightly, amused.

The sound of a lock clicking open pulled their attention back to the door. It swung inward, revealing a young man standing in the entranceway. He looked slightly older than them, his dark hair messy from sleep, his loose gray t-shirt wrinkled. His sharp yet friendly gaze landed on Himeko first, and recognition flickered across his face.

"Hello," he greeted, his voice now clearer. "Oh! Ryu's friend, right?"

Himeko perked up and quickly bowed, her movements polite yet enthusiastic. "That is me!"

His lips quirked into a small smile before his gaze shifted to Kavei, who stood a step behind Himeko. His expression turned curious. "Oh? Who's the boy?"

Himeko straightened up, glancing at Kavei before quickly remembering her manners. "Ah! Sorry for not introducing him," she said, a hint of nervousness in her voice. She turned slightly toward Kavei. "He is Ka-" She faltered mid-sentence, her eyes darting toward Kavei for a split second before she recovered in a formal tone. "Niram-kun. The young detective from the papers."

Kavei remained composed, his expression unreadable as he gave a small nod of acknowledgment.

The young man raised his brows, his interest piqued. "The young detective, huh?" His gaze lingered on Kavei for a moment before he chuckled lightly. "Well, this just got interesting. Come in."

He stepped aside, allowing them to enter. Himeko and Kavei exchanged a brief glance before stepping through the doorway, the scent of fresh coffee lingering in the air as the door closed behind them.