-ARAKAWA RESIDENCE, NIGHT-
-10:18 PM, MARCH 8, 2017-
The apartment was quiet.
Rikuu sat at the table.
Ichika across from him.
Between them—
A small lamp cast a soft light.
The document lay closed.
For now.
But neither of them was relaxed.
-LIVING ROOM-
-10:20 PM-
Rikuu spoke first.
"…Something's changing."
Ichika looked at him.
"…I feel it too."
A pause.
"…This isn't just observation anymore," Rikuu continued.
Ichika nodded.
"…They've shifted into execution phase."
Silence.
The word hung in the air.
Execution.
Ichika leaned slightly forward.
"…What makes you say that?"
Rikuu looked down briefly.
Then back at her.
"…The way they tested us."
A pause.
"…They already know what we can do."
Ichika's expression tightened slightly.
"…So now they'll act accordingly."
Rikuu nodded.
"…Exactly."
A quiet moment passed.
Then Ichika spoke softly.
"…Are you scared?"
Rikuu looked at her.
"…No."
She studied his face.
"…Not at all?"
A pause.
"…I'm aware," he said.
"…But not afraid."
Ichika nodded slowly.
"…That's good."
Ichika looked down briefly.
Then back at him.
"…Rikuu."
"…Yeah?"
"…No matter what happens…"
She paused.
"…Don't shut me out again."
Rikuu didn't respond immediately.
Then—
"…I won't."
The answer was firm.
But this time—
It felt more certain.
Silence settled between them.
Not heavy.
But calm.
For a moment—
Everything felt stable.
-UNKNOWN LOCATION-
-11:12 PM-
The man stood before the screens.
Observing.
Waiting.
Then—
"…Phase complete."
A pause.
"Proceed."
The room dimmed slightly.
Another layer of the plan—
Was beginning.
-ARAKAWA RESIDENCE-
-11:26 PM-
Rikuu stood by the window.
Looking outside.
Snow fell quietly.
But something felt… off.
"…They're moving."
Ichika approached behind him.
"…What is it?"
Rikuu's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…I don't know yet."
A pause.
"But I feel it."
He turned slightly toward her.
"…Something's coming."
Ichika stepped closer.
"…Then we'll face it."
Rikuu looked at her.
And nodded.
"…Together."
The word felt different now.
Stronger.
More certain.