SATOSHI-NAGOYA
TEAM MIYASI AND NARITO
THE SMALLEST FINDINGS PT.2.

Benio leaned forward, looking at Miyasi expectantly. "So, what about the Nagoya investigation? You went over to Satoshi's place, right?"

Miyasi let out a deep sigh, running a hand through her hair. "Don't ask if you already know," she muttered. "There wasn't much about Satoshi. We went straight to his house, and his mother told us the exact same thing she said during the police interrogation-I had seen it on TV before."

Benio stayed silent, letting Miyasi continue.

"She sent her son to the convenience store to buy something for the house, but he never came back. That's all she knew. So, we went over to the convenience store and spoke with the manager. That's when we found out something interesting-apparently, the previous manager had quit. And honestly?" Miyasi scoffed. "Why don't these people just tell the police everything? They're only talking to us because we're kids, because we seem harmless. I swear, I feel like a damn squirrel running around for crumbs of information."

Saira nodded, her expression serious. "Yeah, that's frustrating. Anyway, what did you find out about the old store manager?"

Miyasi exhaled. "Turns out, the guy was jailed for two years for shoplifting. That's why he left the store in someone else's hands-to maintain its reputation. Apparently, it was part of his court-ordered compensation deal."

Saira's eyebrows lifted. "So, he was hiding something?"

"Not exactly," Miyasi replied. "When we spoke to him, he actually recognized Satoshi. He said he remembered helping him with his shopping that day. But after that? He had no idea where Satoshi went."

Narito cut in, voice tense. "So we had to go around, checking every place near the store. We kept the previous cases in mind-Aroshi, Ayumi-and after searching, we found something. An old, closed-down preschool."

"The gates were locked," Miyasi continued, "but the chain was loose. At first, we thought about breaking it, but... come on. We're not superhumans. So, we did the next best thing-we climbed over."

Kai grinned slightly. "Bet that made you feel like a thief."

Miyasi let out a dry chuckle. "You're not wrong. It was weird sneaking in like that." Her tone grew more serious. "Anyway, the school wasn't big. Just three classrooms. We searched every inch of that place, looking for clues. And in the second classroom, under the tatami mattress... we found something."

Narito pulled out a stack of photographs and laid them out on the table. The images showed the worn tatami flooring and, beneath it, a small, square door.

"A hidden compartment?" Benio murmured.

"Yeah. And inside it, we found this."

Miyasi pointed to another picture. A glue gun, lying in the dust-covered space.

"A glue gun?" Kai asked, flipping through the pictures.

Narito reached into his bag and pulled out the actual item, placing it on the table.

"This," he confirmed.

A heavy silence filled the room as everyone stared at the seemingly insignificant object.

Then, Kavei spoke, his voice firm. "The problem with our investigation is that it's very risky."

Kai turned to him, frowning. "What do you mean?"

Kavei leaned forward, fingers tapping against the table. "We take the evidence with us from these places. Think about it-what happens if we get caught?"

Ryu's face paled. "Oh crap." He chewed on his thumbnail anxiously. "I didn't even think about that..."

Kavei's expression remained serious. "These things were hidden for a reason. If the killer comes back for them and they're gone? They'll know someone's on to them."

"So what do we do?" Benio asked.

"Don't panic," Kavei reassured them. "We have the pictures. That's what really matters. We'll go back later and put everything back exactly as it was."

Benio nodded, but then his expression darkened. "There's another problem."

Kavei's eyes narrowed. "What now?"

Benio exhaled, shaking his head. "I feel like a thief."

"Pfft." Kavei rolled his eyes. "Niichan, I'm conducting a proper investigation. It's fine. Calm down."

But Ryu wasn't convinced. He sat forward, hands clasped. "I don't get it. We're investigating because the police didn't take this seriously enough, right? Or at least, that's what we thought-until we realized that the witnesses weren't even introduced to them. But now, we actually have evidence. So why don't we just take all this to the police and let them handle it?"

Kavei's entire body tensed. His chair scraped against the floor as he abruptly stood up. "No, Ryu!"

Ryu flinched at the sudden outburst. "Why not, Kavei?"

"Because I don't trust them." Kavei's voice was sharp, his fists clenched. "Not even by a millimeter!"

A heavy silence settled over the group.

Miyasi was the first to speak, her voice calm. "I understand that you trust the authorities, Ryu. And it's not wrong to trust them, per se. But..." He paused. "I guess this investigation is something a detective wants to handle by themselves."

Kenma, who had been quietly observing, finally spoke. "It'd be best if we just keep going. If the wrong people get involved, this whole thing could spiral out of control."

Saira nodded. "And the witnesses could be in danger. They didn't mention any of this to the police for a reason, remember?"

Ryu swallowed hard but nodded in understanding. Kavei sighed heavily, rubbing his temples before finally sitting back down.