Kaito sat on the bench under the old oak tree. The lunch bell had rung ten minutes ago. The courtyard was loud. Students laughed. Chairs scraped against concrete.
Kaito did not eat.
He held his bento box. The lid was closed. His left hand was in his jacket pocket. His fingers touched the Seven of Hearts.
The card was warm. Too warm.
Kaito thought: You are not supposed to be out.
He did not move his head. He scanned the courtyard with his eyes only. Nothing looked wrong. No smoke. No panic. Just students eating lunch.
Kaito thought: Where are you.
A small flicker caught his eye. Near the planter box. Behind the thick bushes where the stray cats usually slept.
Kaito stood up.
Ryota said: "Hey. Where are you going. You barely touched your egg."
Kaito said: "Bathroom."
Ryota said: "Again. That is the third time today. Your bladder is weird."
Kaito did not answer. He walked away. His pace was steady. Not too fast. Not too slow.
