-CITY OUTSKIRTS, ABANDONED STORAGE BUILDING-
-7:14 PM, MARCH 1, 2017-
The snow had slowed to a light drift.
The building stood silent.
Old.
Unused.
Rikuu stepped inside through a partially open door.
The cold air followed him in.
"…This is the place."
Based on the document—
This location had appeared more than once.
A recurring point.
A connection.
He moved deeper into the building.
Footsteps echoing softly.
The lights were off.
Only dim light from outside filtered through broken windows.
Rikuu stopped near the center.
Then—
"…I know you're here."
Silence.
A pause.
Then—
A slow clap.
From the shadows.
A figure stepped forward.
Not the same man from before.
Another one.
Rikuu's gaze sharpened.
"…You again?"
The man smirked slightly.
"Curious, isn't it?"
"…What is?"
"You."
Rikuu didn't move.
The man circled slightly.
"Following clues."
"Tracking patterns."
"…You're investigating us."
Rikuu's expression didn't change.
"…You're not exactly hiding well."
A faint smile crossed the man's face.
"Or maybe…"
He stopped walking.
"You're just good."
Silence.
The air grew heavier.
Rikuu spoke quietly.
"…What do you want from me?"
The man tilted his head.
"Not what I want."
A pause.
"What they want."
"…Who?"
The man didn't answer immediately.
Instead—
He stepped closer.
Close enough now.
"You don't understand yet."
"…Then explain."
The man studied him carefully.
Then said,
"You're not just being watched."
A pause.
"You're being evaluated."
Rikuu's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…For what?"
The man smiled faintly.
"For what comes next."
Rikuu's voice lowered slightly.
"…I don't like vague answers."
The man chuckled.
"I expected that."
A pause.
Then—
"You're strong."
"You adapt."
"You endure."
Rikuu didn't respond.
"But strength alone isn't the goal."
"…Then what is?"
The man's expression grew more serious.
"Control."
Silence.
Heavy.
The word lingered.
Rikuu stared at him.
"…I don't follow you."
"You will."
The man turned slightly.
"People like you…"
A pause.
"Are rare."
Rikuu didn't move.
"…Rare doesn't mean useful."
The man smiled.
"No."
He looked back at Rikuu.
"It means dangerous."
The conversation didn't escalate.
But it didn't end cleanly either.
The man stepped away.
"For now…"
He paused at the doorway.
"Continue what you're doing."
Rikuu frowned slightly.
"…And if I don't?"
The man glanced back.
Then smiled faintly.
"Then things will become much more… direct."
A beat.
Then he disappeared into the snow.
-ARAKAWA RESIDENCE-
-8:11 PM-
Rikuu sat alone.
The document lay on the table.
His notes beside it.
But his focus—
Was elsewhere.
"…Control…"
That word stuck.
Was this about power?
Or something deeper?
He leaned forward slightly.
"…This isn't normal."
A pause.
"…I need more answers."
-ICHIKA'S RESIDENCE-
-8:18 PM-
Ichika stood near her desk.
Her phone in her hand.
No message from Rikuu.
She stared at the screen for a moment.
Then typed:
Are you okay?
Paused.
Then sent it.
She waited.
Seconds passed.
Then minutes.
No reply.
Ichika lowered her phone slightly.
Her expression grew more distant.
"…Rikuu…"
Something felt off.
And this time—
She couldn't ignore it.