The toast was burnt. The edges were black. The center was warm.
Kaito stood in the kitchen. The light was grey. The clock on the stove read 6:15 A.M.
He ate the toast. He did not taste it. He chewed. He swallowed.
The deck lay on the table. Sixteen cards. They were face down. They waited.
Kaito wiped his hands on a towel. He dried them completely. He sat down.
He picked up the first card. The Ace of Spades. Kuro.
He held it for three seconds. He did not speak. He pushed a thought into the paper. Ready.
The card vibrated. Once. He put it down.
He picked up the second. The King of Fangs. Fenrir.
He thought: Stay close.
The card warmed in his hand. He put it down.
He went through the deck. One by one. Luna. Raikou. Sakura. Orion.
He did not summon them. This was not a battle. This was acknowledgment. He did this every morning. Today, it mattered more.
He reached the last card. The newest one. Orion. The target symbol glowed faintly.
Kaito said: "Report."
