[Location: Osaka Station
Date: 1st August
Time: 8:39 am]

Benio turned to Kavei as they walked toward the apartment complex, his brows furrowed with concern. "So where do they live?" His voice carried both urgency and determination.

Kavei didn't break stride, his focus set straight ahead. "Around the block. Second apartment from the store."

Benio nodded, glancing back at Miyasi and Saira, who followed quietly. Their footsteps echoed in the corridor as they approached the building. The original plan to visit Kenma's sister had been scrapped-Kenma insisted on handling it himself.

Inside the elevator, tension thickened the air. The climb to the fourteenth floor felt like an eternity. Miyasi crossed her arms. "Why does it feel like we're about to walk into something heavy?"

Saira sighed. "Because we probably are."

When they reached the second unit, Kavei pressed the doorbell. A moment later, a tired voice answered from behind the door.

"Yes?"

Kavei straightened. "Ma'am, we're here regarding Daichi." His tone was firm but careful.

There was a sharp intake of breath from the other side. The door unlocked, revealing Daichi's mother. Her eyes were sunken, her hands trembling slightly. She looked at Kavei with a mixture of hope and fear.

"Daichi? Is Daichi back?" Her voice cracked, desperation lacing every word.

Benio opened his mouth but hesitated, unable to find the right words. Kavei, as always, remained composed. "Not yet, ma'am. But we need to ask you some questions."

The woman hesitated, then gave a shaky nod and undid the latch. As they stepped inside, she glanced at the others. "Who are they?"

Kavei set the recording device on the table. "Crew."

Benio shot him a look. "Crew? That's what we are now?"

Miyasi smirked. "Kinda has a nice ring to it."

Saira shook her head. "Let's focus."

Kavei turned back to Daichi's mother. "Can you tell us about the last time you saw Daichi?"

The woman swallowed hard, gripping her hands together. "He was his usual playful self. He... he told me they were making a clay doll at school that day."

Benio listened closely, observing Kavei's demeanor. There was something almost unnerving about how he conducted the conversation-detached yet efficient.

When the topic shifted to Daichi's older brother, Hentai, the woman's expression changed. Kavei's tone turned cold.

"He was kidnapped before, wasn't he?"

The woman stiffened. "Yes, but... we thought it was behind us."

"And the kidnapper? Anything you know about the kidnapper?"

A shiver ran through her. "N-no."

Kavei exchanged a look with Benio before standing up. "That's enough for now."

[Sweets Parlor - Afternoon]

The bell above the shop door chimed as they entered. Behind the counter stood a girl with neatly tied hair and an apron-Nakomi Usaki. She looked up at them curiously.

"Welcome! Oh, wait... aren't you the guys looking for Daichi?"

Kavei wasted no time. "Yes. We need to ask you some questions."

Nakomi hesitated but nodded. "Sure... what do you want to know?"

"When was the last time you saw Daichi?" Kavei asked, pulling out the recording device.

Nakomi tapped her chin. "Um... three days ago? He came in for melon pan like always. But... he seemed kinda off."

Benio leaned forward. "Off how?"

"He was looking around a lot, like he was looking for someone."

Kavei's eyes sharpened. "Did he say anything?"

Nakomi frowned. "He mentioned a man with long hair. And also somthing about meeting his brother soon."

Benio's head snapped toward Kavei. "That's the same rumor we heard earlier."

Kavei didn't reply immediately. Instead, he clicked the recording device off and abruptly turned toward the door.

Benio frowned. "What was that? Why did you leave in the middle of the conversation?"

Without looking back, Kavei replied, "We got what we needed."

Benio scoffed. "You can't just cut people off like that."

Miyasi sighed. "He's not wrong, though. The long-haired man rumor keeps coming up. It's a lead."

Saira nodded. "We should head back to Daichi's apartment and follow up on it."

[Daichi's Apartment - Later That Afternoon]

Kavei sat across from Daichi's mother as she dialed Hentai's number. The call rang for a few seconds before a voice finally answered.

"Hentai?" Daichi's mother asked, her voice trembling.

A deep voice responded. "Mom? What's wrong?"

Kavei cut in. "Where are you right now?"

There was a pause. "...Tokyo. Why?"

Benio stiffened. "You haven't been in Osaka recently?"

Hentai's voice grew wary. "No. Why are you asking? Who even is this? Mom?"

Kavei exhaled slowly. "That means someone's lying."

The call ended with Hentai's mother abruptly asking her son to wait for her to call back and explain, leaving the room in silence. Benio glanced at Miyasi and Saira, his unease growing.

"This just got a lot more complicated."

Kavei's expression remained unreadable. "Good. That means we're getting closer to the truth."

As they walked through the fading light, searching for more clues, they spotted a young boy sitting on the pavement, playing alone.

Benio nudged Kavei. "Hey. Isn't that Ken? Daichi's friend?"

"Hey," Kavei crouched down to Ken's level. "Want to find Daichi together?"

Ken nodded furiously. "Yes, nii-chan!"

Kavei smiled. "Alright. Can you tell me what Daichi was doing the day he was kidnapped?"

Ken's expression grew serious as he thought back. "Dai-san was playing with a ball. He showed Ken a new route to the bus stop. It had many parks!"

Miyasi commented slowly in Saira's ears, "I can see why they're best friends." Saira nodded glancing at Miyasi before looking back at Kavei and Ken.

Kavei nodded in agreement. "That makes sense. Ken, can you show us the route Daichi took?"

Ken nodded eagerly and led them through a winding path that took them deeper into a place they were unaware of. As they walked, the trees grew taller, and an eerie silence settled over the area.

Benio frowned. "How did Daichi even find this place?"

Kavei looked around. "It's almost like a forest of sorts. Someone tricked the kid."

They continued walking until Ken suddenly stopped and pointed at a carved bush. His voice was barely above a whisper. "Here."

Kavei carefully pushed aside the branches. A dense forest stretched before them, the towering trees blocking out most of the sunlight.

Kavei knelt beside Ken. "Stay with the others, okay? I'll go ahead and look for Daichi."

Ken hesitated but nodded. "Okay, nii-chan."

Kavei ventured deeper into the forest. The oppressive silence made his skin crawl. His sharp eyes caught sight of a den nestled between large rocks. Moving cautiously, he peered through the gaps-inside, Daichi sat curled up, his eyes red from crying.

Before Kavei could say anything, Daichi picked up a rock and threw it toward the gap. "Go away!"

Kavei flinched but remained silent, not wanting to startle him. After a few moments, Daichi stopped throwing stones and cautiously peeked through the gap. Their eyes met.

"Daichi, it's me, Kavei," he whispered. "I won't hurt you."

Daichi's eyes welled up with tears. "Are you stuck too?"

Kavei shook his head. "No, I came to take you home."

Daichi hesitated, his hands gripping his knees. "That man with long hair said the same thing." His voice trembled.

Kavei's expression darkened. "I know, but I'm not like him. I promise, I'm here to help you."

Daichi still looked uncertain.

Kavei sighed and then sat against the rocks, the back of his head facing Daichi. His right hand remained on his arched right leg while his left leg stretched in full length with his left hand next to it, lying silently. "Then again. That man must have said the same thing to you,"

None of them spoke then. Nothing but silence veiled over them. Kavei then glanced behind him from he corner of his eyes and a sudden idea popped in his head. "Hey, Daichi, I have a secret." He said leaning his head back on the rock.

Daichi blinked. "A secret?"

Kavei nodded. "I'm super smart. Like an alien."

Daichi's mouth fell open. "Really?!"

Kavei pressed a finger against his forehead and closed his eyes dramatically. Then, he opened them with a knowing smirk. "I bet you've been here for three months and fourteen days."

Daichi gasped. "W-Woah!"

Kavei continued. "You survived off the snacks you had and even ate some leaves, right?"

Daichi nodded rapidly. "How do you know that?!"

Kavei smiled. "Because I told you, I'm an alien genius. You left the den early in the morning or late at night to look for food, water, or help, but you always came back before anyone could catch you."

Daichi's eyes sparkled with awe. "Nii-chan! You really are super smart!" DAICHI jumped out from behind the rocks. Kavei still sitting on the cold ground, raised his right hand and ruffled the boy's hair.

As he stood up, a chilling voice echoed through the trees.

"Ah, Daichi. You finally came out~~"

Kavei's instincts kicked in. He shoved Daichi behind him and turned to face the man approaching them. He had long hair, black eyes, an unsettling smile, and a long axe in his hand.

"Stay away," Kavei warned.

The man smirked. "Oh, come on. He finally left that miserable hole. Why are you interfering?" His smile and wide eyes haunted Kavei slightly but he remained composed as he clenched his fists. "Leave the child alone."

The man cocked his head. "I just need a little help from him~~"

Kavei knew he had to act fast. He discreetly pulled out his phone and shoved it into Daichi's hands from behind. "Go back in. Hide behind the rocks," he whispered.

Daichi teared up but nodded, quickly disappearing into the den.

The man sighed dramatically. "Oh darn, he went back in. What's your problem, kid? I finally got him out." His tone was playful, but his grip on the axe tightened.

Kavei stood his ground. "You're not taking him anywhere."

The man chuckled darkly. "And what are you gonna do about it?"

Without warning, he lunged. Kavei barely had time to react before he was pinned to the ground, the axe hovering inches above his face. The man's other hand wrapped around his throat, tightening viciously.

Kavei gasped, struggling against his iron grip.

"Daichi!" he rasped out. "Call the first number on the phone!"

Daichi, trembling, flipped open the phone and dialed.

Hearing Kavei's desperate scream, the man snarled and swung the axe down. Kavei barely managed to block it with his hand. A sharp pain shot through him as the blade sliced into his palm.

"Ack!" Kavei cried out.

Daichi chewed on his nails as he heard the ringing on the other end. "Pick up, pick up!"

Benio's voice finally came through. "Kavei? What's-"

"Help! Help! Help Kavei-nii!" Daichi sobbed into the phone.

Benio's tone turned serious. "Stay put. I'm calling the cops!"

Meanwhile, Kavei's vision blurred as the man's grip on his throat tightened. Desperate, he mustered all his strength and kicked the man's knee.

"Gah!" The man stumbled.

Seizing the moment, Kavei shoved him off and scrambled back, gasping for air. Blood dripped from his wounded hand.

The man growled. "You brat... You're really pissing me off."

He raised the axe again.

Kavei's legs felt heavy, but he spotted a narrow gap between the rocks and dashed for it. He squeezed through just as the axe struck the stone behind him.

The man let out a chilling laugh, tapping the rocks with the axe. "You think you can hide forever?"

Kavei clutched his bleeding hand and whispered to himself. "I'm done for."

And then he heard it. The sound of rustling leaves and voices calling out for Daichi and himself. He sighed in relief and then screamed as loud as he could.

Outside, the police had arrived. Hearing Kavei's desperate cry, they rushed in, weapons drawn.

"Freeze!" one of the officers shouted.

The man turned, startled, just as the officers fired a warning shot into the air. He flinched and dropped the axe. The police wasted no time in tackling him. Sighing, Kavei came out of hiding. Daichi followed right behind him. They glanced at the man as the police officers began cuffing him.

As they were pulling him away, he glared at Kavei. "You little-"

In a final, spiteful act, he kicked up the axe with his foot and ran away from the officers, the cuffs dropping in the ground. He lunged at Kavei immediately, slashing his right leg.

"Agh!" Kavei cried out, collapsing.

The officers restrained the man immediately, dragging him to the police van as he screamed maniacally at Kavei. "You need medical attention," one of them told Kavei.

Kavei gritted his teeth. "I'm fine. Just... leave us alone." The officer nodded reluctantly and dashed to the van. With that, the police van left the place informing Saira that they might ask them to come to the station to give statements.

Benio rushed to Kavei then. "Kavei, let's get you to-"

"Shut up," Kavei snapped.

Benio hesitated, then nodded silently.

Despite the pain, Kavei stood and held out his hand to Daichi. "Come on, let's go home."

Daichi wiped his tears and took Kavei's hand. "Okay, nii-chan."