Vey stood on the wet sidewalk in front of Mimo's house, rain dripping steadily from the edge of their umbrella. The rain had returned in full force, turning the streets glossy and the air thick with dampness.
Mimo stepped out the front door, already dressed in her full school uniform — crisp white blouse, dark pleated skirt, blazer neatly buttoned despite the weather. She carried her backpack over one shoulder and an umbrella in her other hand, as if she had simply forgotten the school was shut down.The school had been closed for the rest of the week due to the police investigation into Sorine's disappearance and Ren's status as a staff member. The announcement had come suddenly that morning — yellow tape around parts of the building, officers quietly asking questions in the hallways, and a heavy atmosphere that made the entire neighborhood feel subdued and watchful.
Vey frowned, tilting their head slightly under the umbrella. "Mimo? Why are you wearing your school uniform? The school's closed for the week because of the investigation into Sorine and Ren."
Mimo blinked once, then gave a light, airheaded laugh, tilting her head with an innocent, slightly confused smile. "Oh… right. I completely forgot. It slipped my mind with everything going on lately." She looked down at her clothes as if noticing them for the first time, brushing a hand over the blazer. "Silly me. I guess I just got ready out of habit."
Vey studied her for a long moment, concern mixing with a flicker of suspicion. The rain continued to patter on their umbrella, creating a constant, rhythmic backdrop. "Where have you been these past few days? I was about to come check on you. With Sorine missing and Tsubaki… I was worried you might be gone too."
Mimo's smile stayed soft and gentle, her voice warm and reassuring. "I'm right here. Where are you headed?"
"School," Vey replied without hesitation, their tone serious. "I want to investigate Ren myself. Look around the old science lab again, see if there's anything the police might have missed. We can't just sit around waiting. Kairo is a big coward though, for a male."
Just then, a man approached them from down the street, walking briskly under the light rain. He was in his mid-thirties, wearing a simple dark suit with a slightly loosened tie. Detective Hikaru stopped a few steps away, offering a polite nod.
"I can help with that," he said calmly, his voice carrying easily over the rain.
At that exact moment, the sky opened again. Rain began to fall harder, drumming on the pavement and umbrellas with renewed intensity.
Hikaru glanced up with a small, sheepish smile. "Oops, I forgot my umbrella." Without waiting for permission, he reached out and gently took Mimo's umbrella from her hand, opening it wider so it could comfortably shelter both him and Vey. "Let's head to a café to finish this conversation. It's too wet to stand here talking."
The three of them walked together under the shared umbrella to a small café a few blocks away. The streets were slick and reflective, puddles rippling with each step. The café was warm and quiet inside, with the comforting smell of fresh coffee and baked pastries in the air. Soft lighting glowed from hanging lamps, and a few other customers sat at corner tables, speaking in low voices. Hikaru ordered takeaway cups for all of them — a cappuccino for himself, a latte for Vey, and a hot chocolate for Mimo. He took a sip of his and made a small face. "Never been a fan of black coffee. Too bitter for my taste."
They sat at a small table near the window, rain streaking the glass in constant flowing lines. Vey stared at him across the table, eyes narrowed. "Who are you exactly?"
Hikaru set his cup down and introduced himself politely. "Detective Hikaru, in charge of the serial killing case. I'm the one handling Sorine's disappearance as well."
Vey's eyes narrowed in recognition. "That's why your face looked familiar. You were on the news."
Mimo, who had been quietly sipping her hot chocolate, asked softly, "Why are you talking with us?"
Hikaru leaned back slightly, his tone courteous but direct. "It's natural to question the victims' friends. Especially the ones who reported the case and seem quite knowledgeable… and the one who was nowhere to be found recently." He glanced briefly at Mimo before continuing with a small, polite smile. "I thought being polite with high school girls is basic courtesy."
"I'm a they, though," Vey corrected flatly.
"My apologies," Hikaru said smoothly, without missing a beat. "About Ren Fushiwara… I could help you. Though I personally think he's innocent. I know him from back then, after all."
Vey stared at him hard, frustration clear in their eyes. "You're dumb to think so. We don't want to ask how you're acquainted." They leaned forward, voice lowering. "We just need information on Ren from the school. Anything the police haven't already taken."
Hikaru nodded thoughtfully, stirring his coffee slowly. "Fair enough. How about an exchange of information? You tell me what you know, and I'll draft a folder with files on Ren for you later."
Vey hesitated, then spoke. "The old science lab. Something's wrong with it. It… changes. It tried to trap me once. Sorine went in there right before she disappeared."
Hikaru's expression grew serious. "I was desperate for information. A potential witness was murdered before I could ask her any questions. Cameras caught her coming from the direction of the park around the time of the mother-and-child killing. The killer is sure calculating." He paused, then added, "Outstanding intuition is what has brought me this far in my career."
He turned to Mimo, eyes flicking down to her gloved hands. "Why are you wearing gloves? Are your hands cold, or burnt?" He smiled lightly, though the question carried a subtle weight. "Pretty convenient for a killer, after all. They left fingerprints." He said it jokingly, but the words hung in the air for a moment.
Hikaru stood up, gathering the empty cups. "Later I'll draft that folder containing files on Ren, per our agreement." He gave a small nod and walked out into the rain, leaving Vey and Mimo sitting in the café with the weight of his words lingering between them.
The rain continued outside, steady and cold, as if the city itself was holding its breath.