The morning mist arrived at Taoko's house like a silent, wet shroud. It was a heavy, humid climate—a perfect morning to start his day. The air felt thick, the soft weather carrying a damp chill that made everything feel insulated and quiet.
Outside, the blades of grass were still bowed low, weighed down by the morning wetness. Across the street, the sun was beginning to glow behind the fog like a giant, frosted bulb, casting a pale, milky light across the neighborhood.
Inside, Taoko finally stirred. He awoke with a calm that bordered on the unnatural.
His sleeves were still loose around his lean body as he sat up, stretching with a slow, feline grace. He made his way downstairs, his face still holding the soft, unformed vulnerability of a baby who had just woken up.
It was a face that invited trust—a face that looked like it had never known a dark thought.
He slowly pushed open the bathroom door. The porcelain and tile felt cold against his skin. He grabbed his brush, carefully squeezing a precise line of toothpaste onto the bristles, and began his morning ritual.
After several minutes of methodical cleaning, he splashed ice-cold water onto his face, scrubbing away the last traces of sleep. When he stepped out, the "mask" was firmly in place.
He headed to the kitchen. His movements were a symphony of domestic efficiency.
He placed a pan on the stove, the blue flame clicking to life. He cracked eggs with a sharp, singular pop, the whites sizzling the moment they hit the heat.
He moved to the toaster, tossing in thick slices of bread, then turned to the coffee machine, setting the brew with the practiced ease of someone who had performed these exact motions a thousand times.
In the middle of the sizzle and the hum of the machine, he heard a soft, female yawn from above. The sound of someone waking up.
Taoko's eyes shifted toward the kitchen table. There, sitting in the light, was the remains of Experiment Subject-7. He looked at it for a moment—a cold, analytical stare—before slowly sweeping it into the dustbin, burying it beneath the coffee grounds.
Heavy footsteps descended the stairs. Jaya appeared, rubbing her eyes as she came up behind him.
"What are you making?" she asked, her voice raspy with sleep.
Taoko turned, his expression melting into a warm, fatherly smile.
He gently guided her to a chair. "I'm making breakfast. But you should probably go wash your face first; you're looking like a little monkey baby who just woke up." He chuckled, the sound bright and musical.
"Fine, fine," she muttered with a sleepy grin. "I'll be right back."
While she was in the bathroom, Taoko worked with a terrifying speed. He plated the omelets, popped the toast, and poured two steaming cups of coffee.
He reached for a jar of peanut butter, spreading it across the bread with surgical precision. By the time he was done, a decent, hearty breakfast was ready—and he still had plenty of time left.
He glanced at his watch: 5:45 AM. The world was still early and gray.
When Jaya returned, she looked fresh, her eyes bright. She took her seat, and Taoko placed the plate and coffee in front of her before sitting down beside her. He took a slow, methodical sip of his coffee, his eyes drifting to the window.
"Hmm, what a nice day, don't you think, Jaya?"
"Yeah, it looks nice," she said, munching on her toast. "But... don't you think we're eating breakfast a little fast? It's barely light out."
"It's an early start," Taoko said smoothly. "But you know, today at the school, Mr. Harlen is coming. He's bringing his associate, Reyes."
Jaya nearly choked on her coffee.
She gasped, her eyes wide. "What do you mean? The Detective Harlen? The real one is coming to your school?"
"Yes," Taoko said, his voice a calm contrast to her excitement. "The real ones are coming."
"But why?" she asked cautiously. "Why would a famous detective come to a secondary school?"
"Well, as you know, there are many creeps and freaks lurking around these days," Taoko said, taking a deliberate bite of his bread. "In our very neighborhood. He's coming to teach the students how to deal with thugs and predators. Safety protocols, red flags—that sort of thing."
"That sounds incredibly useful," Jaya said, her voice filled with awe. "To have a famous detective show the kids how to protect themselves... it's amazing."
"Hmm, yes. So, today there's no regular teaching. Mr. Harlen will show off his skills and teach self-defense. And the best part? We were told we could bring a guest to observe the session." He paused, his gaze dropping to the smooth line of her neck.
"Really? Can I actually come with you?" she asked, her excitement peaking. "I really want to see how he works."
"Yes, you can come. But finish your breakfast first," he said, his eyes still fixed on her throat.
(Inner thoughts of Taoko: "Her neck looks so perfect to be cut open. I wonder how the breathing pipe would look—white, ridged, pulsing? I wonder if the sound of her final breath would be as sweet as her laughter.")
"I'm almost done!" Jaya said, oblivious to the darkness beside her. "Just the coffee left."
After breakfast, Taoko dressed in his sharp, professional school attire. Jaya, meanwhile, was busy at the vanity.
He watched her apply lotion, beauty powder, and a careful layer of lipstick. She grabbed a foundation, blending it expertly, then packed a face mask for later.
"Bruh," Taoko said, leaning against the doorframe. "Do you really have to put all that on your face just to see a detective?"
"Yeah, yeah, just one more minute!" she called back, reaching for more lotion.
Finally, Taoko grabbed his car keys.
He decided to go out and open the garage from the exterior today, wanting to feel the damp morning air.
"You ready?"
"Yes, fully ready!" she said, stepping out.
The fresh air hit their lungs—a natural cooler, far crisper than the stagnant air of the afternoon. Taoko opened the garage, backed the car out, and pulled up right beside her.
"Hey, get in. It's 7:34 AM. We need to be at the school well before 9:00 AM."
Jaya looked at him, puzzled. "What? I thought school opened at 8:00 AM. Why are we going so early if it opens at 9:00?"
"What are you thinking about? We have work to do. We're going to be late," Taoko said, his voice firm.
She didn't say another word, simply sliding into the front seat. Taoko drove through the quiet streets. When they arrived, the school was a ghost town.
Only two or three staff members were present, the distant whir of floor polishers echoing through the corridors. Taoko parked and they stepped out into the silence.
"Let's go to the hall," he said. "That's where the work is."
Their footsteps sounded like shattering crystal against the polished floors. Taoko pushed open the massive doors to the assembly hall.
It was a cavernous space with high, daunting walls and heavy red curtains that looked like draped velvet blood.
"First task," Taoko said, his voice chill and calm. "We have to place 1700 chairs in perfect rows. Then, we carry the musical instruments to the staff room. And finally, we buff these floors."
"Seventeen hundred?!" Jaya shrieked, her voice echoing off the rafters. "Taoko, that's insane! You expect us to do that alone?"
"Only 1700," he repeated, his face a mask of serenity.
"Okay, fine! But I'm not doing the chairs. I'll carry the instruments to the staff room, okay? That's my limit."
"Hmm, okay. I can handle the cleaning and the chairs."
They began. Jaya struggled with the instruments, her breath coming in ragged gasps by the time she reached the fifth one.
She wiped sweat from her brow and looked back at the hall. She froze.
The hall was... finished.
Every single one of the 1700 chairs was perfectly aligned, spaced with the precision of a graveyard.
The floor was buffed to a mirror shine, cleaner than she had ever seen it.
"How on earth did you do that?" she asked, her voice trembling with shock. "Are you a robot or something? You did all this before I even finished the easy work!"
"Don't worry about it. I can handle a little labor," Taoko said, walking over and effortlessly taking the remaining instruments from her tired hands.
He finished the rest of her task in minutes.
"You're incredible," she whispered. "You're like... husband material or something."
Taoko smirked, a dark glint in his eyes. "Husband material, huh? "
"Don't look at me like that." She turned her head while blushing.
(Inner thoughts of Taoko: "Why do I feel this urge to bite her neck? To feel the blood splatter across my face and coat this clean, polished floor?")
Soon, the students arrived. The hall became a marketplace of noise and movement. As everyone settled, a black sedan pulled up outside.
Detective Harlen and Officer Reyes stepped out, their footsteps heavy and authoritative. As they entered, the room seemed to grow colder. Taoko greeted them with his most perfect smile.
"Hello, sir. It is a pleasure to meet you."
"Mr. Taoko, I assume?" Harlen asked, his eyes sharp as scalpels.
"Yes, I'm Taoko."
"It's surprising," Harlen said, glancing around the hall. "The staff mentioned you completed the setup in record time. Alone."
"Oh, no, sir," Taoko said, gesturing to Jaya. "Jaya here helped me immensely. I couldn't have done it without her."
Jaya blushed, looking at the floor. "No, no, he did all the real work..."
"Hmm," Harlen said, his eyes lingering on them. "You two look perfect together. A couple, I assume?"
He didn't wait for an answer, turning his gaze toward the 1,700 students. "Please, lead us to the stage."
Harlen and Reyes took the stage.
Harlen's voice was deep, commanding the attention of every soul in the room. "I am Detective Harlen, and this is Officer Reyes. Today, we aren't here for math or history. We are here to talk about survival. We are here to teach you how to spot a creep—and how to defend yourselves."
The teaching was masterful. Harlen explained complex psychological red flags so simply a child could understand.
He demonstrated self-defense, boxing techniques, and the use of pepper spray.
When it ended, Taoko took the mic. "A big thanks to Mr. Harlen for explaining these complex dangers so normally. His experience is clear. Everyone should practice these techniques at home."
As the crowd left, only the four remained. Harlen walked up to Taoko and leaned in, his voice a low whisper.
"Mr. Taoko... when I entered this hall today, I sensed a criminal. My gut is never wrong.
Someone was watching this whole session in total, cold silence. I couldn't find them in the crowd, but they were here."
Taoko's expression didn't flicker. "Really, sir?"
"Yes. Here is my card. If you suspect anyone—anyone at all—call me. I'm always ready."
"That's a pleasure, Mr. Harlen," Taoko said, pocketing the card. "If I suspect anyone, you will be the first to know."
"Good. We must be going."
As they turned to leave, Jaya called out. "Wait! Mr. Harlen? Could I... could I get an autograph? I read all your articles on the murder mysteries you've solved. You're incredible."
Harlen looked surprised. "An autograph? Well, I suppose so." He signed the paper with a quick flourish before heading to his car.
"How was it, Jaya?" Taoko asked as the sedan pulled away.
"It was amazing! I'm such a huge fan. The way he handles murderers... he's a hero."
"Hmm, yes," Taoko said. "The way they explained things was very... experienced."
(Inner thoughts of Taoko: "You think his 'normal' words change anything? Half these people weren't even listening. They'll ignore the training until the knife is at their throats.
Just wait, Detective... I'll see through your little tricks before my big event begins.")
Meanwhile, in the car, Harlen drove in silence for a long time. Finally, he spoke.
"Reyes, did you see anything unusual today?"
"No," she said, leaning back. "Everything seemed standard."
"No," Harlen said, his grip tightening on the wheel.
"Mr. Taoko. His smile is too sweet. His movements... he moved 1,700 chairs and cleaned that massive hall, yet he wasn't even breathing hard. Even a professional athlete would be sweating."
"He's just a fit, young guy, Harlen," Reyes sighed. "Maybe the girl helped more than she said. You need rest. This case is getting to you."
"Yeah," Harlen muttered. "Maybe."
(Inner thoughts of Harlen: "Taoko... why is your smile so perfect? And your gaze—it's sharp, like a razor hidden in silk. You hide it well, but I saw it. You have the face of an angel, but the soul of a professional killer. You're a devil in a schoolteacher's tie, and I'm going to prove it.")