The Next Day
Time: 1:30 pm
Location: Kavei's house
Scene: Afternoon Silence

Kavei settled comfortably into his favorite spot in front of the television, letting out a small sigh as the warmth of the heater washed over him. He pulled a blanket over his lap, eager to relax after a long day. Reaching for the remote, he clicked the television on, filling the room with the soft hum of the screen as it came to life.

The bright colors and flashing logos of EZR TV faded, replaced by the composed figure of a familiar reporter. It was Hitomi, delivering her report with her usual professionalism and grace. Kavei straightened slightly, his interest piqued as her expression turned serious.

"Good afternoon, viewers," Hitomi began, her clear, steady voice filling the room. "I'm Hitomi, here to report live on a tragic incident. The owner of the company, Mister Najima, was found dead this morning in his own home."

Kavei's relaxed posture shifted as he heard the news. His eyes focused intently on the screen, curiosity mingling with a sudden sense of unease. The camera zoomed in on Hitomi's face, her solemn expression emphasizing the gravity of the report.

"The police were alerted over an hour ago by the first witness," she continued, the weight of her words lingering in the air. "Preliminary investigations suggest the cause of death to be a gunshot. Let's hear from the witness who discovered the scene."

Kavei watched as the screen cut to a different shot, now showing a woman standing beside Hitomi. She looked shaken, her hands gripping the microphone tightly, her knuckles pale against the metal.

"Yes," the woman began, her voice soft but unsteady, barely containing her own nerves. "I knocked on the door of the victim's house, but there was no response. After several attempts, I assumed he was asleep and left. However, as I made my way back to my apartment, I heard a faint noise coming from his room." Her voice wavered as she described the unsettling sounds she had heard. "I knocked again, and then there was a loud crash, like glass breaking. I was afraid, so I called security. When the door was opened, we found Mister Najima... dead."

Kavei stared at the screen, his mind racing as he tried to process the events the witness had just described. There was something chilling about her account, the details unfolding with a haunting clarity. A gunshot, the sound of breaking glass-it painted a vivid picture, and he couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to the story.

"Thank you for your statement, Yumiya-san," Hitomi said, her tone grave as she acknowledged the witness's contribution. "Stay tuned to EZR TV for further updates on this case."

The screen faded, transitioning to a commercial, but Kavei barely noticed. He leaned forward, his eyes unfocused, his thoughts racing with unanswered questions. The mysterious circumstances surrounding Mister Najima's death gnawed at him, leaving him with a strange unease he couldn't quite shake.

Inspector Senzaki knelt carefully beside the lifeless body of Mister Najima, his keen eyes focused on the grim sight before him. The body lay sprawled on the floor, the stillness of death filling the room. His gaze traced over the gunshot wounds that disrupted the calm that once filled this house, a sharp reminder of the violence that had invaded this quiet place.

The surrounding officers worked methodically, their expressions set with concentration as they combed through every inch of the room, leaving no surface unchecked. Each item was scrutinized, each object meticulously dusted for prints, as they searched for even the faintest hint that might explain the tragic events that had unfolded in Mister Najima's home.

"Hm. Weapons?" Inspector Senzaki's voice sliced through the quiet, low but resolute. He looked around the room, his expression expectant as he waited for a report.

"No weapon found, sir," one of the officers replied, glancing up as he continued his work, his gloved hand tracing the outline of the victim's body with careful precision. The officer's eyes held a flicker of frustration, mirroring Senzaki's own disappointment at the absence of any clear clues.

As the officers continued their search, the sound of a sleek engine cut through the silence, catching everyone's attention. A polished black car pulled smoothly to a stop in front of the house, its dark, gleaming surface contrasting starkly against the gray surroundings. The car door opened, and out stepped a young woman, her confident strides instantly drawing the eyes of everyone present.

She was dressed impeccably in a sharp white suit that stood out against the dark atmosphere of the scene, her look completed by a tailored black jacket that hung from her shoulders with a hint of elegance and authority. Her expression was impassive, yet her very presence demanded respect. With a confidence that bordered on arrogance, she made her way towards the center of the investigation without sparing anyone a glance.

Inspector Senzaki straightened himself quickly, and as she approached, he gave her a respectful bow, his eyes downcast as he greeted her.

"Ma'am, if only you had informed us of your arrival," he began, his voice tinged with both respect and unease, "we would have made proper arrangements to accommodate you."

His attempts at courtesy, however, were met with a dismissive wave of her hand. She didn't break her stride, her expression hardening as she let out an impatient sigh. "Inspector Senzaki," she said sharply, her tone cool and businesslike, "I come when I like and go when I like. No one has the capability to pick me up or drop me off that conveniently."

As she spoke, she flicked her short black hair back with her left hand, shifting her weight to one leg as she looked down at Senzaki with barely concealed disdain. Her words left no room for argument, and Senzaki, still bowing, kept his head lowered, acknowledging her authority without protest.

The tension that hung in the air was abruptly shattered by a voice, cool and composed, cutting through the silence. "Inspector Senzaki. You can stand up," it said, turning every head in the room. The voice came from a young man standing a few steps behind the woman. He looked relaxed, his hands tucked into the pockets of loose white pants. His outfit was casual yet striking-a green jacket over a pearl-white shirt, paired with spotless white sports shoes that seemed to complete his confident, laid-back look.

The woman turned sharply toward him, her expression shifting from irritation to a mild curiosity as she took in his appearance. There was a glint of challenge in her eyes, but the young man's gaze remained unwavering, his expression almost indifferent, as if he found the situation around him mildly amusing.

She scoffed, clearly unimpressed by his casual demeanor, and snapped her fingers with an air of practiced authority. To the astonishment of those watching, an elegant black couch materialized behind her as though summoned from thin air. She seated herself on it with an effortless grace, crossing her legs as she leaned back, putting on a pair of dark shades with an unmistakable air of satisfaction. The young man, meanwhile, raised an eyebrow at her theatrics, remaining unfazed.

With a snap of her fingers in his direction, she commanded his attention. "Who are you?" she demanded, her tone sharp, her voice laced with challenge.

"Kavei," he replied simply, his tone calm, his gaze unwavering.

The woman's eyes narrowed slightly. "Do you know who I am?" she asked, her voice cool, her expression unyielding.

"A lady in her mid-twenties," Kavei replied, glancing away dismissively, "journalist by profession, who seemingly did her nails yesterday."

A flicker of irritation crossed her face at his bold, matter-of-fact response. "Hah. Who do you think you are, analyzing me like that?" she retorted, a hint of incredulity in her voice.

"I told you who I am," Kavei answered, shrugging off her question without a trace of apology.

Turning abruptly to Inspector Senzaki, the woman's frustration became clear as her voice grew louder. "Inspector Senzaki," she said sharply, "who is this impolite imbecile?"

Inspector Senzaki hesitated, caught off-guard by the exchange. After a moment, he regained his composure, choosing his words carefully as he replied. "He is Kavei Niram," he explained, his tone respectful yet cautious. "He helps us solve our cases sometimes."

Her expression shifted subtly, a glint of intrigue flashing in her eyes. "He solves cases? Is it so?" She turned her gaze back to Kavei, studying him more intently. "Then are you here for-"

"To solve the case, yes," Kavei interrupted smoothly, his voice calm and confident. "I was called. What about you?"

The woman's eyes narrowed at his interruption, her irritation simmering just beneath the surface. She fixed him with a hard look, one eyebrow raised, before she turned back to Inspector Senzaki. Sensing the tension, Senzaki hurried to Kavei's side, leaning in close to whisper into his ear.

"She is Yukina Itsuhara, a very famous detective and journalist," he murmured urgently. "Don't offend her, Niram-kun."

Kavei listened, nodding in understanding, before stepping forward and offering a polite bow to Yukina Itsuhara. "No wonder you seemed familiar," he remarked with a slight, casual smile, the formality in his gesture not quite hiding his confidence.

Yukina's expression softened just a fraction as she acknowledged his respect, but the guarded look in her eyes didn't waver. She watched him for a moment, as though appraising his sincerity, before stepping closer, her movements smooth and deliberate. Leaning in, she brought her lips close to his ear, her voice so low that it was barely audible.

"Solve this case then," she whispered, her words a quiet challenge.

Kavei met her gaze with a small, confident smile and gave a nod. "Sure," he replied simply, his voice steady, accepting her challenge without hesitation.