Tomoya paused, forcing a grin that didn’t reach his eyes. “Oh? Nothing. I know them—they were just checking in after last night’s earthquake.” The lie came easily, but he felt the weight of it. The truth about the officers’ presence wasn’t something Kathleen needed to know right now. She nodded, seemingly placated, and waved him off. Christian’s voice broke the fragile quiet. “S-So, what do we do with Samantha now?” His question earned him a sharp glare from Kathleen, her frustration evident. “She’ll stay here,” Takumi stated with authority, cutting through the brewing tension. “I’ll take care of her.” Kathleen wanted to argue, her instincts urging her to take Samantha home, but the risks were too great. She bit her lip and reluctantly agreed, knowing it was the safer choice. Takumi’s focus shifted to Junel, who lay apart from the group, shrouded in silence. Moving closer, Takumi leaned in, his tone low and foreboding. “I expect answers when I return,” he warned, his patience
Tomoya’s gaze shifted downward, his thoughts weighed with indecision. He found himself torn over whether to disclose the troubling information about Kim and Kaiser to Junel. Though the knowledge pressed at the edges of his mind, he felt that the moment was not yet ripe for such a revelation. He hesitated, contemplating the strategic advantage this secret could offer should he need to use it against Junel—perhaps for leverage in the future? His eyes then moved to Takumi, unable to read the thoughts behind his cousin's stoic demeanor, though he suspected their minds were converging on the same conclusion. The connection between Junel’s cryptic account, Jess’s warnings about the portal, and the figure of Kaiser seemed to form a damning link. If what they suspected was true, Kaiser could very well be the orchestrator behind the underground syndicates Rener had alluded to. “So, it’s indeed true,” Takumi’s voice, calm but firm, startled Tomoya, compelling him to rise abruptly. “Y
Theresa's gaze fluttered, her vision gradually clearing as she emerged from the suffocating embrace of darkness and cold. For the first time in what felt like an eternity, a sliver of light pierced through the haze. Tentatively, she extended her fingers, brushing against the chill of the sheets that enveloped the mattress, their scent tinged with the sterile sting of chlorine. A sudden clarity washed over her as the fragments of memory reassembled. She was in the hospital, having accompanied Christian and Kathleen, yet she recalled with unsettling precision the moment she had collapsed—overcome by a vision that had seized her. Gradually, her eyelids fluttered open, revealing a world awash in sterile brightness. The overhead light was sharp and unyielding, forcing her to squint as her eyes adjusted to the glare. Shapes came into focus slowly, and her gaze drifted to the side. There, she noticed Takumi, his movements meticulous as he busied himself arranging a collection of foo
Kathleen exhaled deeply, her fingers pressing into her temples as the weight of the conversation with Christian's mother settled heavily on her shoulders. She had absorbed a barrage of words, all of which she understood at their core. If she were in the mother's shoes, she could hardly fault her for harboring such intense frustration; she might have even felt compelled to strangle her son's reckless, misguided girlfriend. Leaning against the balcony railing, her hand remained pressed to her forehead, trying to calm the storm brewing inside her. "I’m so sorry, love," Christian’s voice broke through her thoughts, and before she could say anything, he enveloped her in a warm embrace from behind. "I’ve already spoken with mom. She’s disappointed, but it’s not directed at you, you know?" Kathleen nodded slowly, a sad smile curling at the edges of her lips. "I know, love. I truly understand her." She paused before tapping his arm that was draped around her waist. "It's my fault, and I
Theresa observed as Takumi meticulously arranged the items he had procured for her—technically through the assistance of his household staff, who had been tasked with purchasing essentials such as clothing and undergarments on her behalf. Before Takumi could place the newly purchased items into the bag—also one of his thoughtful acquisitions—a maid entered the room and seamlessly took over the task, her movements efficient and unassuming. Takumi stepped aside, allowing her to continue, though his presence lingered, offering a subtle reassurance. Theresa sat nearby, her fingers pressing anxiously against the call card hidden in her pocket. She longed to share the truth with Takumi, to tell him everything she had discovered. Yet, each time the words formed in her mind, they dissolved under the weight of uncertainty. How could she articulate the inexplicable? How could she explain that Kaiser and Kim were far more than they appeared to be? The fear of disbelief, or worse, the impli
"Zach, how delightfully uninvited you are to be here," Takumi remarked dryly as he stepped out of his car, his gaze narrowing in faint irritation. At the sound of his voice, Zach, Sai, and Dryzza turned to face him, their surprise fleeting but palpable. One of Takumi’s guards quickly approached, taking his car keys with a bow before driving the sleek vehicle through the gates. “New car?” Zach asked, his eyes lingering on the vehicle’s elegant frame until it disappeared into the estate. Takumi allowed a faint smirk to curve his lips. “Yes, La Rose Noire Droptail. A small indulgence.” The mention of the car left Dryzza and Sai visibly stunned. It wasn’t every day someone casually referenced owning the most expensive car in the world. Dryzza, in particular, shifted uncomfortably, almost tempted to shield her own modest vehicle from view. “I sometimes wonder how much you really make as a psychiatrist,” Zach quipped, though his tone carried a knowing edge. He, better than
"Is everyone prepared?" Tomoya muttered, his voice laced with a quiet intensity, as he observed through the vast window of the house. The gates creaked open, revealing a procession of officers and three faces he knew all too well. He had suspected this visit was imminent since his earlier interaction with Dryzza and Sai. With a sigh of resignation, he couldn't help but flick his imaginary long hair in a dramatic flourish before turning to the five maids standing in wait behind him. "So, how do I look?" he inquired, purposefully inclining his face toward them, eager for their judgment. In unison, they raised their thumbs, a silent affirmation of his presentation. "Totemo ii desu, Tomoya-sama! Hontō ni, onaka ga yokatta hito mitaina kanji desu." ("You look incredibly good, Tomoya-sama! Like a real person with stomach issues.") Kotomi, the youngest of the maids, smiled as she tapped his shoulder. Haneul, around his age, also tapped his other shoulder. "Geunyeo neun ilgga, T
“Are we finished here?” Takumi inquired, his voice steady but edged with the faintest hint of impatience as Zach’s team regrouped in the center of the grand living area. The soft lighting of the space, coupled with its immaculately curated decor, belied the tension lurking in the atmosphere. Zach straightened, his gaze fixed on the papers in his hands before addressing the room. “The estate is extensive, Takumi. A thorough search would require several days at the very least. That said, based on my team’s preliminary report, no incriminating evidence has been discovered thus far. So far, so good.” He paused, lifting his head to glance around the room with a measured air of authority. “However, this isn’t the end. We retain the right to continue our search, and I assure you, my team will return tomorrow.” He gestured nonchalantly toward Sai and Dryzza, who stood at a slight distance, visibly affected by the opulence of their surroundings despite their best efforts to project an a
The morning erupted in chaos before Samantha even had a chance to process where she was. The muffled sound of a ringing phone reverberated through Tomoya’s small apartment, followed by the sharp clatter of something being knocked over. From the kitchen, the scent of burnt coffee mixed with the faint tang of disinfectant, remnants of whatever frantic cleaning had taken place the night before. She sat on the worn-out couch, her fingers curling around the fabric of Tomoya’s blanket draped over her lap. Her mind was sluggish, heavy with exhaustion, yet confusion gnawed at her. Why was she here? Why Tomoya’s apartment, of all places? If Takumi wanted to keep her safe, wouldn’t Kathleen’s home have been a more logical choice? Kathleen would have welcomed her without hesitation. But instead, she had woken up to Tomoya pacing the small living room, muttering to himself, his laptop glowing with lines of code she couldn’t decipher. Samantha’s pulse quickened as she tried to recall the las
The stillness of the Takahashi estate lingered in the air like a suffocating fog, broken only by the hurried footsteps of Anwar and Anthony as they dragged Gerald back inside. The young guard’s face was pale, his wide eyes darting around like a hunted animal. “I… I swear I didn’t mean to wander around,” Gerald stammered. “Something… something pulled me into the garden. I just… got lost.” Takumi’s sharp gaze pierced through him, but he said nothing, gesturing for Anwar and Anthony to continue their investigation. When they reached the surveillance room, the scene before them deepened the mystery. Two guards, barely conscious and bloodied, were slumped against the consoles. Their wounds weren’t life-threatening but told a tale of a brutal struggle. The air in the room was thick with the metallic tang of blood and the faint hum of the untouched monitors. “Junel,” one of the injured guards managed to rasp. “It… it was him. He attacked us out of nowhere… like he was possessed.” Anthon
"J-Junel! What’s going on? What are you doing?" Samantha’s voice cracked as fear tightened its grip on her throat. Her feet stumbled backward as Junel advanced with slow, deliberate steps, his shadow looming larger under the dim light. Samantha’s heart pounded wildly, her eyes flicking between the knife in his trembling hand and his face—blank, emotionless, and eerily pale. His movements were mechanical, devoid of humanity, as if he were a puppet pulled by unseen strings. "C-Cut it out, Junel!" she pleaded, her voice breaking into a desperate groan. "One more step, and I’ll scream! The guards—they’re right outside. I swear, I’ll sue you!" But Junel didn’t stop. His gaze, glassy and unfocused, passed through her as though she weren’t there. He moved with a haunting slowness, each step a deliberate march toward her. Samantha's stomach churned as she realized something was horribly wrong. This wasn’t Junel—at least not the Junel she knew. It was as if a stranger had stepped into
"You need what now?" Zach’s voice was sharp, though he leaned closer as if Takumi’s request was somehow a mistake he had misheard. Takumi sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose. The words had been difficult enough to say the first time, but now he had to repeat himself. “Samantha’s belongings. The ones taken from her office and from her home for evidence after the incident.” Zach sat back in his chair, his expression shifting from disbelief to suspicion. “You’re kidding me. That’s highly restricted material. Chain of custody rules. You know I can’t just hand it over.” “I’m not asking you to hand anything over,” Takumi replied evenly. “I just need access. A chance to examine them.” “For what?” Zach asked, his tone laced with doubt. “You think her hairbrush or her diary is going to solve this mess?” “It’s not about the belongings themselves,” Takumi said, his voice calm but firm. “It’s about what they might reveal. Patterns, traces—clues that could explain what’s been happenin
The stillness of the Takahashi estate lingered in the air like a suffocating fog, broken only by the hurried footsteps of Anwar and Anthony as they dragged Gerald back inside. The young guard’s face was pale, his wide eyes darting around like a hunted animal. “I… I swear I didn’t mean to wander around,” Gerald stammered. “Something… something pulled me into the garden. I just… got lost.” Takumi’s sharp gaze pierced through him, but he said nothing, gesturing for Anwar and Anthony to continue their investigation. When they reached the surveillance room, the scene before them deepened the mystery. Two guards, barely conscious and bloodied, were slumped against the consoles. Their wounds weren’t life-threatening but told a tale of a brutal struggle. The air in the room was thick with the metallic tang of blood and the faint hum of the untouched monitors. “Junel,” one of the injured guards managed to rasp. “It… it was him. He attacked us out of nowhere… like he was possessed.” A
Outside, she cast a glance at Takumi’s butler, who stood rigidly by the car. “Not joining us, sir?” she called out with a casual edge.The butler smiled faintly. “I’ll wait here, detective.”Dryzza shrugged and headed into the station. Inside, she spotted Takumi seated at Zach’s desk, his posture deceptively relaxed but his eyes betraying an intensity that made her pause. Across the room, Sai was furiously dialing Zach’s number on the office phone.“Why’d you leave him out there?” Dryzza hissed as she slipped into the chair beside Sai.Sai glanced at her, lowering his voice. “He wasn’t saying much—just sitting there quietly. It’s unnerving.”Dryzza’s lips curved into a sly grin. “Sounds like a golden opportunity.” Without waiting for Sai’s protest, she strolled toward Takumi.She eased into the chair across from him, letting the silence stretch. Just as she opened her mouth to speak, Takumi cut her off, his voice steady and deliberate.“I believe I was clear about who I wanted to see,
"Where are you heading this time, Dryz?" Sai's voice cut through the quiet night as he hastily followed Dryzza toward her car, his footsteps echoing against the pavement."Go back inside, Sai," she replied, her tone low and clipped, almost swallowed by the soft hum of the wind. She pulled open the car door with an air of finality, her movements precise and deliberate."Not until you tell me where you're planning to go," Sai groaned, quickly stepping in front of the car, blocking her path with arms spread wide. "Don't tell me you're going to storm into Dr. Takahashi's manor. We're set to search the place again tomorrow. Can't you just wait and stick to the process?"Dryzza's jaw tightened, her knuckles gripping the edge of the car door. "If we stick to the process, every step we take will already be anticipated," she countered, her voice sharp yet calm."And what will that accomplish?" Sai snapped, his frustration bleeding into his words. "Gathering evidence that can't even be used in
The room was steeped in silence, the kind that pressed against her ears and made her chest feel heavy. Samantha lay there, her eyes locked on the stark white ceiling. It loomed above her like a canvas begging for answers she couldn’t give. The darkness around her seemed alive, creeping into the edges of her thoughts, amplifying her confusion.The bed Takumi had lent her felt foreign—too soft, too pristine—yet it offered no comfort. Sleep was out of the question, as her mind churned relentlessly. Questions piled atop one another, their weight crushing her resolve. She refused to accept what they had told her. Every word they spoke felt like a carefully crafted lie, a puzzle with pieces that didn’t fit.The air in the room grew colder, or perhaps it was her imagination. Her fingers gripped the blanket as if it were the only tether to reality she had left. But even that felt insubstantial, like everything else in this unfamiliar world. The longer she stared into the void of the ceiling,
Takumi’s piercing gaze never wavered from Victor’s. The tension between them was almost tangible, stretching like a taut string that could snap at any moment. Both men stood firm, silently measuring each other, their expressions unreadable, yet each fully aware of the weight of the confrontation.Victor finally broke the silence, letting out a dry, almost forced chuckle. “I believe we agreed to meet to talk,” he said, his voice calm but edged with unease. “What is it that you want?”Takumi’s expression hardened, his eyes narrowing as he stepped forward, closing the gap between them. “How is that even a question?” His voice was low, deliberate, every word laced with disdain. “I heard from someone that you escaped that place after making a deal with some demon…” He trailed off briefly, studying Victor’s reaction. Then his lips curled into a thin smile, one devoid of warmth. “But that doesn’t matter now.”Victor tilted his head, his grin faltering just slightly. “So, what does matter, Ta