[Chiba Police Station
12th August
9:00 PM
Locked Time: 20 Minutes]

Kavei sprinted up the emergency stairwell, taking the steps two, sometimes three at a time. His muscles burned, but he ignored the ache, gripping the railing tightly before swinging himself over an entire flight. His landing was light, almost soundless, as he pushed forward. Every second mattered.

Ren's voice came through his earpiece, calm but urgent. "Fifth-floor emergency door clear."

Kavei barely had time to nod before he reached the door. His fingers curled around the handle, pushing it open carefully but quickly. The door barely made a sound as it shut behind him. Immediately, he crouched low, his breath steadying as he scanned the dimly lit corridor.

His path was clear. One turn ahead, and he would reach the evidence vault.

"Vent access," Kavei whispered, his voice barely audible.

Silence followed as Ren worked on his end. Kavei reached the turn and pressed himself against the wall, peering cautiously around the corner. The hallway was empty. Not a single officer in sight.

Ren's voice came through again. "Above the wall, right next to the vault. The vent can only be opened from outside."

Kavei's eyes darted upward, spotting the vent cover near the ceiling. Without hesitation, he unhooked his climbing gear and latched onto the wall, his feet barely making a sound as he hoisted himself up. He moved quickly, body taut with tension.

Ren's voice cut in again, sharper this time. "Get in quick. Four officers incoming. Best estimated time for their arrival-three minutes."

Kavei's pulse quickened. He dangled momentarily from one hook, his free hand reaching for the vent cover. It was a sliding panel-thankfully, no screws. That saved him precious time. With a quick push, he slid it open, metal scraping softly against metal.

The opening was just big enough for him to squeeze through, but it was a tight fit. The cold steel brushed against his back, and he bit down hard as the pain from the earlier wound seared through him. Blood smeared onto the metal, but he didn't have the luxury of hesitating. He pushed forward, wriggling inside with controlled urgency. His legs were the last to disappear into the vent, his shoes barely clearing the entrance.

"One minute until the officers arrive," Ren warned.

Kavei twisted his body with as much precision as the cramped space allowed and reached back, grabbing the vent cover. A bead of sweat dripped down his temple as he carefully slid it shut.

The second it clicked into place, the sound of approaching footsteps echoed through the hallway.

Kavei held his breath. The moment was so perfectly timed that it sent a shiver down his spine. He remained still, heart hammering against his ribcage as the officers' voices carried through the metal.

From his laptop, Ren watched the security feed. He let out a quiet exhale. "That was too close."

Kavei did the same, releasing a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. The narrow space pressed against his back, his wound stinging from both the scrape and the sweat soaking into it. But he didn't dwell on it. There was no time.

He twisted carefully and began crawling deeper into the vent. The metal groaned softly under his weight, but he moved with calculated precision.

"Why do they keep coming to the evidence vault floor?" Kavei muttered, his voice hushed but tinged with suspicion. "No open cases need evidence storage."

Ren was already thinking the same thing. Something about this didn't add up. But they couldn't afford to question it now.

Locked Time: 13 Minutes.

Kavei maneuvered through the vent, his breaths controlled as Ren guided him forward.

Kavei maneuvered carefully through the winding maze of the ventilation system, his palms pressing against the cold metal as he pulled himself forward. The air inside was stale, laced with dust, making his throat itch. Every movement had to be controlled-one wrong shift, one misplaced hand, and the metal could creak, betraying his presence. His muscles ached from the awkward position, but he pushed through, his focus razor-sharp.

Then, up ahead, faint shadows flickered against the dim light filtering through the vent slats. His breath hitched. He narrowed his eyes, his body tensing.

Ren's voice crackled in his earpiece, hushed but firm. "Could be anyone. Be careful."

Kavei swallowed hard and gave a slight nod, though Ren couldn't see him. He pressed on, his heartbeat thrumming in his ears. As he crept closer, his vision adjusted to the darkness, and then he saw them.

The girls.

They were huddled together in a single file, knees pressed against the cold metal, their bodies trembling. Their foreheads glistened with sweat, and their breathing was shallow, controlled-desperate attempts to stay silent. Tears welled in their eyes, but they held them back, their faces contorted in fear and exhaustion.

Kavei's chest tightened.

"Guys...?" he whispered, his voice barely above a breath as he reached them, kneeling beside them in the cramped space. The vent was just high enough for them to sit with their legs crossed, but the girls remained frozen in their hunched positions, as if too afraid to shift.

At the sound of his voice, their heads snapped toward him, eyes wide in disbelief.

Himeko let out a shaky breath, her voice breaking. "K-Kavei..."

Kavei quickly raised a finger to his lips, signaling for silence. His gaze was firm but filled with understanding.

The girls, overwhelmed by the sight of him, nodded frantically, swallowing their sobs. Their hands clenched into fists, gripping onto the metal floor for some semblance of stability.

Relief washed over them, but the fear had not yet left their eyes.

Miyasi's voice trembled as she spoke, her words tumbling out in a desperate rush. "We were hiding here all this time because some officers entered the vault. And then... the CCTVs went off, and Sebiki's earpiece got trampled by one of us as we entered the vent, and we lost connection with you guys... and... and..."

Her breath hitched, and she squeezed her eyes shut, trying to hold it together. Miyasi had always been the calm one among them, the one who kept her emotions in check when things went south. But now, the weight of fear, exhaustion, and uncertainty was crushing her.

Kavei watched her, his gaze softening. Without hesitation, he reached out and placed a firm but gentle hand on her shoulder. His fingers gave a reassuring squeeze, and as she opened her teary eyes to look at him, he offered her a small, comforting smile.

A choked sob escaped her lips. The dam finally broke. Tears streamed down her face, but she nodded, her shoulders trembling under his touch.

The moment of quiet understanding was shattered by Ren's voice crackling in their ears. "Touching, guys. Really. But you gotta move. You have only eight minutes left."

Kavei inhaled sharply, snapping back into action. He gave Miyasi one final pat on the shoulder before straightening up as much as the cramped vent allowed. His expression hardened, focused.

"Follow me," he ordered, his voice steady.

He turned onto his stomach, pressing his body flat against the metal floor of the vent. The girls exchanged a quick glance before mimicking his position, inching forward one by one behind him.

The vents groaned faintly under their movements, but Ren continued to guide them through the earpiece, his instructions clipped and precise. Kavei led the way, each movement calculated as he maneuvered through the confined space.

They reached the spot where Kavei had first entered, just a few feet away from the vent door that would lead them out. His fingers reached forward, gripping the edge of the metal frame.

Then-

"STOP!"

Ren's voice rang in his ears, urgent and commanding. Kavei's entire body stiffened. His breath caught in his throat, his fingers freezing mere inches from the vent door. The girls behind him stopped as well, pressing themselves against the metal, waiting with bated breath.

"What? What is it?" Kavei whispered, his voice barely audible.

A heavy pause. Then Ren spoke, his tone grim. "Time's up. The cameras are back on, and the sensors are active. You touch that vent door, and you're caught. Immediately."

Kavei's jaw clenched. His fists tightened against the cold surface beneath him. His heart pounded in his chest, the reality of their situation sinking in. They were trapped.