The silence in the reception shattered when the newcomer uttered a name Kaito hadn't heard in years.
"Hiroto…?" the man said, a mix of surprise and relief in his tone.
Aiko and Reiko exchanged quick glances, clearly puzzled.
Kaito felt a cold weight in his chest. His breathing slowed, but his eyes locked onto the visitor.
"I need to talk to you… outside," Kaito said, almost in a whisper, but with a firm tone that left no room for argument.
Both stepped out into the corridor, then onto the street. The afternoon wind swept between the buildings, carrying dry leaves with it.
"Don't use that name," Kaito warned, his voice low and grave. "I'm not Hiroto anymore. Now… my name is Kaito."
The man—Renjiro—looked at him with a half-smile of disbelief.
"Incredible… Back at the station, everyone was worried sick about you. It's been nearly three years without a single word."
"And that's how it should stay," Kaito replied, calmly lighting a cigarette. "Forgetting the past is the best thing I can do. Starting over."
Renjiro raised his hands in apology.
"I had no idea… Sorry for calling you that in front of them."
"It's fine. Forget it," Kaito exhaled a long plume of smoke, his eyes fixed somewhere in the distance.
Renjiro frowned.
"I don't remember you smoking."
"I didn't… back then," Kaito said, a trace of bitterness in his voice. "Things change."
There was a short silence before Kaito asked:
"What are you doing here? I thought you were still an important asset for Hiroshi."
Renjiro averted his gaze.
"Since you left, everything's changed. The station isn't the same. It's like… they've stopped fighting for the people. So I decided to go it alone. Help in my own way."
Kaito nodded slowly, understanding more than he let on.
"We were supposed to be paired for a mission. But knowing you're a former cop like me… I'm wondering if it's even necessary."
Renjiro smirked.
"We could run an undercover job, like we used to in Tokyo."
"I'm not sure. Since I left, I've always worked alone… Well, until yesterday, when I worked with a partner."
Renjiro's eyebrows rose.
"That's new… Seems you're slowly coming back to life, after what happened with your wife."
Kaito glanced sideways at him but said nothing.
"Come on, let's take on a mission together. It's been ages since we worked as a team. Could be… interesting."
After a few seconds of silence, Kaito gave in.
"Fine. But if they ask anything, just say you got the name wrong. Admit we knew each other in Tokyo, and that we were friends back in secondary school."
"Deal," Renjiro replied, giving him a light pat on the shoulder.
They went back inside. Reiko and Aiko were waiting.
"Renjiro, right?" Reiko said, shaking his hand.
Aiko smiled and asked,
"So you two already knew each other?"
"Yes," Renjiro replied without hesitation. "We studied together in secondary school."
"Then why did you call him by another name?" Reiko pressed.
"I got mixed up," Renjiro said with a small laugh. "It's been a long time."
Kaito cut in.
"Do you have something for us? He and I will be going on a mission."
Aiko's smile turned slightly forced, concealing a flicker of jealousy.
"Come to my office," Reiko instructed.
Inside, a photograph and a file lay on the desk.
"The victim's name was Miyuki," Reiko explained. "She was murdered yesterday. No suspects. Her boyfriend contacted us—he says he has information."
Kaito took the photo, studied it, then passed it to Renjiro.
"Let's go."
The Investigation
In the car, the engine purred as the city slid by outside the windows.
"Almost three years…" Renjiro began. "How have you been?"
"Better. Not like at the start. I'm changing… but far from Tokyo. Far from my old life."
Renjiro nodded seriously.
"I get it. But you should call Riku. He was really worried."
Kaito kept his eyes on the road, gripping the steering wheel.
"Now's not the time."
They reached Miyuki's boyfriend's house. The young man, deep dark circles under his eyes, opened the door.
"Thanks for coming," he said, gesturing them inside.
In the living room, the air was heavy.
"I found her yesterday…" His voice broke. "She was… dismembered. In a ditch."
Kaito and Renjiro exchanged a grim look.
The young man showed them messages on his phone.
"She told me someone was following her. She sent me her real location—Higashiyama district. I left work to go find her, but… then the location changed. I found her at Nanzen-ji Temple."
Kaito clenched his fist, anger flickering in his eyes.
"Thank you. We'll check it out."
Following the Trail
In Higashiyama, they questioned bar and restaurant owners, showing the photo.
Most denied having seen her—until one man behind a bar, polishing glasses, said:
"I think she was here… with a tall guy, black hair, business suit. She mentioned something like Renzo… or Renjiro… something with Ren."
Renjiro thanked him for the lead.
"Let's split up. I'll check the temple. You talk to Kazuma."
Kaito went to Kazuma's home and got straight to the point.
"Do you know anyone who worked with Miyuki?"
"Renzo," Kazuma answered. "But I didn't know anything about… them being together."
Kaito relayed what they'd found. Kazuma's face tightened, discomfort clear.
Renjiro called.
"Nothing at the temple. I'm heading your way."
"No. Go get Renzo. Here's his address."
The Confrontation
At Kazuma's place, all four were present: Kaito, Renjiro, Kazuma, and Renzo.
Kaito questioned Renzo.
"What did you do yesterday?"
"I was with Miyuki at my place. Then she left, on her own."
Kaito stepped outside and relayed the answer. Kazuma went pale.
"It was him! Put him in prison."
"It's too soon for that," Kaito calmed him.
Renjiro asked to speak to Renzo alone. Outside, Kaito noticed Kazuma sweating, his hand fixed at his neck.
"You alright?" Kaito asked.
"Yeah… of course," Kazuma muttered, avoiding his eyes.
Renjiro came back.
"We should take him in," he said of Renzo.
Kaito nodded, but before leaving, he grabbed Kazuma's arm and moved it from his neck—revealing fresh scratch marks.
"It was you," Kaito said coldly. "You killed her after finding out she cheated with Renzo. And when you had the chance to name someone, you threw his name out to frame him."
Kazuma stammered an excuse, but in a swift motion, he pulled a knife. Kaito barely had time to react before Renjiro struck him in the face, sending him sprawling.
Renzo, trembling, murmured,
"Thank you… for saving me."
Kaito called the police.
As they took Kazuma away, Renjiro grinned.
"A murder solved in a single day. Now that's a job well done."
"See you tomorrow," Kaito replied, lighting another cigarette.