Part 3: Red Bowl
The village was almost completely silent.
Haruto walked slightly ahead while Kaito stayed beside Ayame.
After a few more minutes...
A familiar sign appeared ahead.
Red Bowl.
Kaito looked at the dark restaurant.
"...It's closed."
The lantern outside wasn't lit.
The windows were dark.
But as they got closer...
Haruto noticed something.
The entrance was slightly open.
"...Someone's inside."
He pushed the door open gently.
"Hello?"
A voice came from behind the counter.
"...You three?"
Haruto looked up.
Miri stood there.
She was holding a half-eaten sandwich.
She looked surprised to see them.
"Miri?"
Kaito glanced around.
"Where's Yuji-san?"
Miri's eyes immediately moved toward the stairs.
Then back to them.
She didn't answer.
Instead...
She raised one finger to her lips.
Shh.
The three siblings froze.
Miri quickly looked around the restaurant.
Then she reached beneath the counter and pulled out a small piece of paper.
She wrote something on it.
Then placed it on the counter where all three could see.
Haruto leaned closer.
Kaito and Ayame did the same.
The message read:
Don't say anything about what happened outside.
Someone is upstairs.
I know what's happening.
Hunters are watching you.
The three went silent.
Kaito's eyes moved toward the stairs.
Ayame's expression became serious.
Haruto looked at Miri.
She immediately continued writing.
Act like you're looking for my father.
Haruto stays here with me.
You two go get my senior friends.
Kaito looked at Ayame.
Then at Haruto.
They both understood.
Miri knew something they didn't.
And whatever was happening...
She couldn't say it aloud.
Miri then quietly placed the sandwich she had been eating back on the counter.
She reached behind her and brought out three more.
She pushed them toward the siblings.
Kaito blinked.
"...Sandwiches?"
Miri nodded.
"Take them."
She paused.
"You're going to need something to eat."
Kaito picked one up.
"Thanks."
Ayame took another.
"Thank you."
Haruto picked up the last one.
For a moment...
Everything looked completely normal.
Three siblings had arrived at a closed restaurant.
Miri was giving them food.
They were simply looking for Yuji.
Exactly how it needed to look.