Aqua walked through the dimly lit streets, his hands buried in the pockets of his black hoodie, layered over a dark sweater and white shirt.
He came prepared, with a small recorder concealed in his pocket.
I'm not going to waste my life again.I need to keep myself alive this time—not just for my own sake, but for the ones who care about me.
He stopped walking.
"Should I ask Akane for help??" he muttered. "No. I can't involve anyone close to me. There has to be a way to end this without losing everything."
He entered a private bar in Minato—an obscure place he had tracked Hikaru Kamiki to.
But the moment he stepped inside, chaos unfolded.
People were screaming, running for the exit. Tables overturned, drinks spilled, and glass shattered everywhere. At the center of it all—Hikaru Kamiki.
A masked man stood behind Hikaru, dressed in a dark, hooded outfit that concealed his entire body. The heavy fabric swallowed the light, revealing nothing of his face. One gloved hand rested firmly on Hikaru's shoulder, while the other held a sharp knife pressed against his throat.
"I don't even know you," Hikaru said, his voice trembling. "Why are you after my life?"
"You've caused me so much pain," the masked man growled in a low, furious voice. "You won't play with anyone's life ever again."
Aqua froze.
The voice echoed unnaturally, distorted—as if its pitch had been deliberately altered.
…This voice… it feels familiar, Aqua thought.
Who… is that?
The knife slashed across Hikaru's throat.
Blood sprayed.
Aqua's eyes widened in horror.
"Wait… he kil—killed him." Aqua looked on as fear engulfed him completely.
The masked man turned and looked directly at Aqua.
"Now it's your turn."
He charged, knife in hand.
Aqua stumbled back, panicking. He turned to run—but his foot landed on a wine bottle, sending him crashing to the floor.
Before he could react, the masked figure was already upon him. He moved the knife closer to Aqua's neck, the cold blade grazing his skin.
"Don't worry," the man whispered, pressing the knife near Aqua's throat. "It'll be quick. It won't hurt."
Then he suddenly moved his hand to slash Aqua's neck.
Damn it. Is this the end for me?
Aqua shut his eyes—
—and suddenly found himself outside the bar.
He gasped for breath. His body drenched in sweat. His heart pounding like a drum.
"Was that… a dream? A vision?"
Aqua looked down at his hands—they were trembling uncontrollably.
He clutched his forehead and looked back toward the bar.
"…Not now. It's not the right time."
He walked away.
---
Later that night...
At the apartment, Miyako and Ruby sat on the couch, watching TV.
Aqua entered, still visibly shaken.
Suddenly, the television blared with breaking news.
Breaking News: "Hikari Kamiki found dead in a private bar in Minato. All security camera footage was deleted. His body was discovered on the bar floor with his throat cut by a sharp weapon."
Aqua stared at the screen, frozen.
"No fingerprints were found. Police suspect the involvement of a professional or an underground organization. Investigations are ongoing."
Ruby's expression turned serious. "Maybe I would've forgiven him… I don't know. But fate didn't. He caused Mama so much pain."
Miyako frowned. "Who could've done it? Deleting the footage, leaving no fingerprints… They must've planned it."
Ruby nodded. "He was probably one of Hikaru's victims."
Miyako looked at Aqua. "What do you think, Aqua?"
No response.
"Aqua?"
"Oh—uh... I don't know. I'm just… tired."
Miyako gave a soft smile. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have brought that up. Don't worry about it—it's not our problem anymore."
But in Aqua's mind, the thought burned.
It is my problem now.
Who was that guy? Why did his voice sound... familiar?
To be continued…
Next Chapter: "No Trace, No Time"