[Scene: Shinjuku streets
1 pm, afternoon
Kavei and Himeko]

The early afternoon sun stretched across the streets, casting long golden beams over the concrete. It wasn't unbearably hot, but the air was thick with a lingering warmth that made every step feel sluggish. Kavei and Himeko walked side by side, their footsteps rhythmic against the pavement.

Kavei had been unusually quiet since they left Ren Kamanoji's house. His brows were slightly furrowed, his hands tucked into his pockets, and his gaze was distant, staring at nothing in particular. The conversation they had with Ren replayed in his head like a looping record, every word sharp and clear.

"I will help."

Kavei had blinked at the laptop screen, unsure if he heard correctly.

"Really?"

Ren Kamanoji leaned back in his chair, cracking his neck lazily. The glow of the monitor cast sharp shadows over his sharp features. His fingers tapped against the desk, an idle rhythm.

"Yes, boy, really."

Across the table, Kavei sat frozen, trying to gauge the sincerity in Ren's eyes. Himeko, who had been sitting beside him, barely hid her surprise.

"Is it okay with you?" she asked cautiously.

"Yes, Himeko, it is okay with me."

Ren's voice was steady, unwavering. It wasn't an exaggeration to say this was the biggest breakthrough they had in their investigation. Kavei felt the tension in his shoulders ease-only slightly.

"Then what do we have to do?"

"Nothing, Kavei. Just patience."

Ren's lips curled into a small, almost amused smile. He stretched his arms above his head, the fabric of his shirt shifting as he let out a small yawn.

"Oh, okay."

"Good boy. Now, let's have a small pork cutlet party. And you must mention my name if the world ever finds out that you investigated these cases."

Ren's laughter was light, teasing, but there was an underlying weight behind his words.

Kavei had let out a dry chuckle, shaking his head. This guy...

"Eheh... I guess we can?"

Now, as he walked, Kavei replayed that moment in his mind, trying to understand the slight unease still sitting in his chest.

"That was really unexpected," he finally muttered, breaking the silence.

Himeko, who had been looking at her phone, glanced up at him. "Yes. It really was unexpected, Niram-kun."

Kavei exhaled through his nose. "Well, at least he's willing to help."

Himeko nodded, her ponytail swaying slightly. "Hm. Let's go back and tell the others."

"Yes, but first..." he paused, slipping his hand into his pocket and pulling out his phone. "Let me check my phone. I think it was vibrating a lot."

Himeko instinctively reached for hee own phone, pulling it out. The screen was filled with missed calls. Her brows creased.

"Right, okay. I felt my phone vibrate too, Kavei-kun."

"Then it must be them."

They exchanged glances and, in perfect sync, sighed.

"I knew it. Kai," Kavei muttered, clicking on the call history.

"I knew it. Sebiki," Himeko echoed, tapping on her own phone.

The phone barely rang twice before the call connected.

"Kai?"

"Kavei. Glad you called up," Kai's voice came through, breathless and tense.

"You gave me a lot of missed calls."

"I did. It's really important. Just get home. Right now."

The line went dead before Kavei could ask anything further. He pulled his phone away from his ear, frowning deeply. The urgency in Kai's tone sent a chill down his spine.

"What did he say?" Himeko asked, lowering her phone.

Kavei looked up at her. "He just told me to get home immediately."

Himeko pressed her lips together. "Sebiki said the same thing. Something's going on."

Without another word, they broke into a brisk walk.

As they moved through the streets, Kavei's eyes caught something familiar. Lining the walls were posters-dozens of them, some faded, others freshly printed. The bold black letters seemed to glare at them.

'BEWARE OF THE CRIMINAL RUNNING FREELY ON THE STREETS. REPORT ANY SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITIES.'

Kavei slowed his steps, staring at the posters. "Wow. These are still here?" His fingers brushed against the paper, rough under his touch. "I thought children around must have pulled them out by now."

"Children? What children?" Himeko raised an eyebrow. "No one is allowed to roam around like that anymore."

"Oh, yeah, right..." Kavei muttered, rubbing his temples. "We were so busy with these tours that I completely forgot about the rules."

The words left his mouth, but something felt... off. His vision blurred at the edges, and a wave of dizziness washed over him.

"Huh?" His voice was barely above a whisper. His body suddenly felt sluggish, his limbs heavy. The streets in front of him warped unnaturally, like a heat mirage.

"K-Kavei-kun?"

Himeko's voice sounded distant.

His knees buckled. He staggered, reaching out blindly until his shoulder collided with the cold brick wall.

His breath came in short gasps. He could hear Himeko saying something, her voice filled with urgency, but the pounding in his head drowned out everything. The words blurred together, an unintelligible mess.

"Kavei-kun? Are you alright?"

His body didn't respond.

"Damn it," he muttered as he fell on the road. Without hesitation, Himeko immediately crouched slightly and hoisted him onto her back, securing his arms over her shoulders. Her legs trembled slightly at the added weight, but she pushed forward, her steps determined.

Her breath was uneven as she moved, eyes darting around in search of help. A woman carrying a basket caught her attention.

"Excuse me! Help us please!" she called out, her voice desperate.

The woman turned, her expression shifting into confusion before widening in shock. She hurried toward them.

"Oh my gosh." Maone's eyes darted between Himeko and Kavei, still unconscious on her back. "How strong are you?"

Himeko barely resisted the urge to roll her eyes. That's the first thing she says?

"But why are you carrying him like that? Who are you? Is he sick? Unconscious?" Maone's rapid questioning followed.

Himeko adjusted her grip on Kavei and nodded. "Yes. He just-collapsed all of a sudden." Her voice was tight with worry.

Maone's face grew serious. She stepped forward, already taking charge. "Let's get him inside. Quickly."

Himeko nodded and followed, her heart pounding as she prayed that Kavei would wake up soon.

[Half Past Three in the Afternoon]

A soft touch grazed Kavei's forehead, warm and gentle. It lingered for a moment before pulling away. His eyelids felt heavy, but he forced them open, his vision adjusting to the dimly lit room.

"Himeko?" His voice was hoarse, barely above a whisper.

The moment his eyes fluttered open, a gasp filled the space. "Ah! Kavei-kun!!" Himeko's voice cracked, her face hovering close to his. Her eyes, red and swollen, brimmed with fresh tears that spilled over, streaking down her cheeks. "Are you awake? Are you feeling okay?" Her hands clutched his arm tightly, as if afraid he would slip away again.

Kavei blinked slowly, taking a deep breath. His chest felt tight, but nothing unbearable. He nodded. "Yes. I am fine."

Relief crashed over Himeko like a tidal wave, her shoulders sagging as she wiped her tears hastily with the sleeve of her shirt.

Kavei pushed himself up into a sitting position, his muscles still sluggish. His gaze swept across the unfamiliar room. The walls were painted in a muted beige, the curtains drawn to let in soft afternoon light. A wooden cabinet stood in the corner, cluttered with small medicine boxes and papers. A faint scent of herbal ointment lingered in the air.

"Where is this?" he muttered, his fingers brushing against the fabric of the blanket draped over him.

A new voice answered. "Yes. Welcome."

A woman entered the room, her short black hair neatly tucked behind her ears. She wore a simple white blouse, her hands clasped together as she approached them.

"I am Maone," she introduced herself with a slight smile.

Kavei's gaze flickered to her, still wary. His head was pounding slightly, and his thoughts felt a little sluggish. He took in her calm demeanor and the way she carried herself.

"Who are you?" he asked, his voice laced with caution.

Maone's smile widened slightly, as if amused. She pulled up a chair beside Himeko and sat down, crossing one leg over the other. "A doctor by profession. A woman in general. Single in status."

Kavei blinked.

Silence stretched between them.

Himeko, though exhausted, sighed and decided to push forward. "What happened to him?" she asked, her concern evident in her voice.

Maone adjusted her glasses, her expression turning playful. "Nothing. His brain just acted impulsively." She let out a small giggle.

Kavei let out a slow breath, his patience thinning. "Why are you-" He stopped himself, exhaling sharply. He was too drained to argue.

Himeko, unfazed by Maone's teasing nature, pressed on. "So then, what exactly happened to him?"

The doctor's expression shifted slightly. Her playful smirk faded as she folded her arms. "He has a lung disease."

Kavei's stomach dropped. His eyes widened in alarm. "Wh-what?"

A heartbeat of silence.

"Or not," Maone added, a mischievous glint in her eyes, followed by another quiet giggle.

Kavei let out a slow, irritated sigh, running a hand down his face. "What? What are you saying?"

Himeko shot Maone a sharp look. "This isn't funny. Just tell us the truth."

Maone raised her hands in surrender. "Okay, okay. Do you take any medicines? Anything. Maybe vitamins and stuff?"

Kavei hesitated, confused by the sudden shift in the conversation. "Huh. I do take vitamins, yeah. Why is that related?"

Maone nodded as if she had expected that answer. "Okay. Was it prescribed to you?"

"Hm. Yeah."

"Let me see the prescription tomorrow." She adjusted her glasses again, her gaze flickering toward Kavei. "And I suggest you stop taking any extra tablets for now."

"Okay," Kavei murmured, still processing everything.

Maone leaned forward slightly, resting her elbow on her knee. "One more thing. How long has this been going on? The fainting?"

Kavei's fingers curled slightly into the blanket as he tried to recall. "Uh... It's happened thrice already, I guess."

"Do you eat properly?" Maone asked, her voice turning a little more serious.

"Yeah."

She studied him for a moment, then tilted her head. "Can you tell me exactly what you feel when you faint? Symptoms, anything that stands out?"

Kavei glanced at Himeko for a second before answering. "Headache. Breathing issues. Heavy heart. Ringing in my ears."

Maone hummed in thought, tapping her fingers against her arm. "Okay. You must meet me tomorrow."

Kavei held her gaze for a moment before giving a slight nod. Whatever was going on with him, he had to figure it out.

[Scene: Shinjuku
4:45 PM
Kavei's House
The entire team gathered]

The door clicked shut behind Kavei as he stepped into the living room, his body still feeling slightly sluggish from earlier. He barely made it to the couch before sinking into it, exhaling sharply.

"Kai, sorry we're late," he said, rubbing his temple as if trying to push away the lingering exhaustion.

Kai, who was already seated on the opposite couch, glanced up from his phone. His sharp eyes softened slightly when they landed on Kavei. "No issues. Himeko called me and told me what happened. Are you sure you're okay?"

"Yes. Perfectly." Kavei swung his arms in exaggerated motions, as if to prove his point. His movements were loose, but there was a slight stiffness to them that didn't go unnoticed.

Kai sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Your hand wasn't fractured, you know..."

"Something," Kavei muttered dismissively before leaning forward, resting his elbows on his knees. His gaze flickered toward Kai, his eyes sharp with anticipation. "But didn't you want to tell us something?"

"Oh, right. About that." Kai straightened up, setting his phone aside. His expression darkened slightly as he laced his fingers together. "The administration officials have decided to demolish Aroshi-san's house and construct something in its stead."

Kavei's breath caught in his throat. "What-"

"Calm down," Kai cut in before he could react further. "I know it's bad news, but there must be something you can do, right?"

Kavei's jaw clenched. He pushed himself off the couch and began pacing the room, running a frustrated hand through his hair. "No. Nothing." His voice was strained. "For the clues to not disappear, we must find the criminal or at least an acquaintance... but we can't do that in such a short time. We just can't."

"But then how?" Kai asked, his brows furrowing in concern.

Kavei came to a halt, his fists tightening at his sides. His voice dropped, almost as if the words were too heavy to say out loud. "I don't know, Kai. I guess... finally, it's time to give up."

A thick silence filled the room. Benio let out a deep sigh, rubbing his temples. "How did you even find this out? That Aroshi's house is being demolished?"

Sebiki, who had been quiet until now, finally spoke up. "The department head under which Ryu's father works told him."

"Huh?" Kavei's head snapped toward Ryu. His expression hardened as suspicion crept into his voice. "Then who told Ryu about this? Did you tell your father that we are investigating this?"

Without warning, Kavei grabbed Ryu's collar, his fingers twisting the fabric tightly. His breathing was shallow, his pulse pounding in his ears.

"N-No! Kavei! Kavei! Calm, calm!" Ryu stammered, his hands instinctively moving up to pry Kavei's grip away. "I just hacked the police records through my dad's computer and read it through, okay? That's all!"

Kavei's grip loosened slightly, his eyes narrowing. "But who asked you to hack into official records?"

Ryu swallowed hard. "I-I felt bad for being of no use to you, so I thought I'd dig into Samantha-nee-chan and Daichi's case to bring you some info beforehand, but I accidentally got hold of this instead."

A tense pause stretched between them. Kavei stared at Ryu, his chest rising and falling with each deep breath. Finally, he released his hold, letting Ryu stumble back slightly.

Ryu straightened his collar, letting out an exaggerated exhale. 'For someone who has serious health issues, you sure are pretty furious,' he thought bitterly as he dusted off his shirt.

Kai watched the exchange silently knowing that intervening would only add fuel to the fire. "What we do now will definitely alert the criminal." Kavei then said, his tone low, as if stating a fact rather than a possibility.

Ojiro, who had been watching from the side with growing apprehension, hesitated before stuttering out, "What... are you planning on doing?"

Kavei didn't answer immediately. Instead, he turned his gaze toward Himeko, who had been deep in thought.

"Ryu can help us with this, you know," she finally said, breaking the silence.

Kai turned to her, skeptical. "How?"

A flicker of realization passed through Kavei's eyes. His lips parted slightly before curving into a knowing smirk. "Oh. I got it." He turned to Ryu. "He will trick his father into this. Since his father works under the department head, his father can stall the demolition for a while. We need more than seven days to get to the bottom of this."

Himeko nodded in agreement.

Ryu's eyes widened before a grin stretched across his face. He straightened up, determination burning in his gaze. "I won't let you down!" He clenched his fists excitedly, nodding as if reassuring himself.

Kavei's expression didn't change. "You better not."

Ryu's enthusiasm faltered for a second. He huffed, crossing his arms. 'Why the cold shoulder, dude? Didn't I just say I won't disappoint you? Way to kill my excitement.' He sighed but let it slide.

The room fell into a heavy silence again, each person lost in their thoughts. The weight of the situation settled over them like an impending storm, and they all knew-whatever they did next would decide everything.

Next: Revelation Arc