Part 4: The One Upstairs
Haruto folded the paper and slipped it into his pocket.
He turned toward Kaito and Ayame.
"You two go."
Kaito nodded.
"We'll get Miri's seniors."
Ayame looked at Miri.
"Don't worry."
Miri gave her a small smile.
"I'll be fine."
Kaito headed toward the entrance.
Ayame followed.
Before leaving, Kaito looked back at Haruto.
"What about you?"
Haruto glanced at Miri.
"I'll stay here."
Kaito nodded.
"Alright."
The door opened.
Kaito and Ayame stepped outside.
The door slowly closed behind them.
Silence returned to Red Bowl.
Haruto looked at Miri.
His voice became quieter.
"...Who's upstairs?"
Miri didn't answer.
She only looked toward the ceiling.
Then...
A faint sound came from above.
Footsteps.
Haruto's expression hardened.
Miri raised one finger to her lips.
Shh.
The restaurant fell silent.
Haruto looked at Miri.
"...Who's upstairs?"
Miri remained silent for a moment.
Then she reached beneath the counter again.
She took out another sandwich.
She placed it in front of Haruto.
Haruto looked at it.
"...Another one?"
Miri nodded.
"Take it upstairs."
Haruto's expression changed slightly.
"For him?"
Miri nodded.
"He's hungry."
Haruto looked toward the stairs.
"...Who is he?"
Miri hesitated.
Then she looked directly at him.
"Someone who knows you."
Haruto went quiet.
Miri pushed the sandwich closer.
"He asked me to tell you."
"He's hurt."
Haruto's eyes narrowed.
"How badly?"
"I don't know."
"But he's still conscious."
Haruto picked up the sandwich.
Miri continued quietly.
"Go talk to him."
"Don't bring him downstairs."
Haruto nodded.
He started toward the stairs.
Then stopped.
"What about you?"
Miri turned toward the counter.
"I'm going to prepare."
"Prepare for what?"
"For your seniors."
She glanced toward the entrance.
"They'll need to be ready when they arrive."
Miri moved to the side of the restaurant.
She pressed against a section of the wall.
A quiet mechanism released.
A hidden doorway opened.
Behind it was a small storage space containing equipment kept out of sight.
Miri began gathering what she needed.
She moved carefully and quietly.
No unnecessary noise.
No rushing.
Just preparation.
Haruto watched her for a moment.
"You've really been planning this."
Miri shook her head.
"No."
"I've been preparing for the possibility that something like this could happen."
She looked back at him.
"And tonight..."
"It did."
Haruto tightened his grip around the sandwich.
Miri gave him a small nod.
"Go."
"Talk to him."
"And when the others arrive..."
"We'll be ready."
Haruto nodded.
He turned toward the staircase.
One step.
Then another.
As he disappeared upstairs...
Miri continued preparing the equipment.
Her expression was calm.
But her eyes remained fixed on the entrance.
Because Kaito and Ayame were bringing help.
And until they returned...
She had to make sure Red Bowl remained safe.