The night was cold, and the phone kept ringing in Takashi’s pocket.

  He knew exactly who it was, but he didn’t dare to answer.

  He’ll give up eventually, he told himself, clinging to Sota.

  He hated himself for betraying his friend.

  He hated the person he was becoming.

  Cold sweat ran down his body.

  “Will you answer it?” Sota reached for his pocket.

  “No…let it ring. It’ll stop eventually.”

  Takashi brushed his hand away.

  “Where did you park your car? Which way should we go?”

  “I came by taxi…I couldn’t come here in a police car." Takashi replied.

  “You shouldn’t have come at all…but here you are.”

  It felt like déjà vu…the blood, the coldnes, the sound of the waves, and Sota’s warm body beside him. It almost felt like destiny was pulling them together.

  Eventually, the phone stoped ringing...

  He didn’t know where Sota was taking him or what awaited him, but he trusted him.

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  He couldn’t explain the feeling, but something in Sota’s eyes and the warmth of his touch made him feel safe.

  “Come on…” Sota opened the car door with one hand.

  An old Nissan Cedric waited by the curb, its dark paint still polished despite the years.

  Takashi got into the car and closed the door.

  His hand was pressed against his wound, as if that alone could stop the bleeding.

  Sota got in and started the engine. Then he pulled his phone from his pocket and dialed a number.

  “Hi…are you at work? Okay. Then I’m coming to your apartment.

  I’m sorry for bothering you, but I need your help.

  No…nothing serious. I’ll be there in fifteen minutes.”

  He hung up and pulled the car into the street.

  Takashi didn’t ask, and Sota didn’t explain.

  He simply leaned his head back against the car seat, tired, but relieved.This was the first step toward the truth.

  Sota kept his eyes on the road as Takashi turned his head toward him, studying his face.

  He was still convinced that Sota didn’t belong to that underground world.

  Maybe his father had seen that too.

  Maybe they had been close.

  Maybe he had given him the necklace.

  There were so many questions in his mind, but he didn’t say a word.

  He didn’t want the night to end.

  Afraid that once he let him go, all those questions would stay nothing more than questions without answers.

  “You were close to my father?”

  Finally, the thought escaped his mouth.

  Sota was silent for a moment…

  Then, finally... “Yes, I knew him.”

  “Then…why did you lie?”

  “Because sometimes it’s better not to know.” Sota said quietly.

  “The truth can be dangerous. You’re very stubborn, Detective Mori.”

  He glanced at Takashi.

  “And what will you do now that you know? What would that change?”

  He didn’t know the answer but a strange sense of relief filled his chest, stronger than anything he had felt before.

  “I can’t change what happened…I waited ten years for answers.

  Ten years to avenge my father and my mother.

  Do you really think I’m afraid of the truth?”

  “Why do you think I can help you? I was just a kid back then." He paused, like he felt uncomfortable talking about it. Then he added with hesitation "A servant. Nothing more.”

  Takashi felt the pain hidden behind his words.

  He was broken...just like him...

  He stopped the car in front of a building.

  They were out of the Shirogawa district now, closer to town.

  Takashi didn’t ask questions. He simply reached out and took Sota’s hand as he helped him out of the car.

  He held onto him tightly, as if he were afraid to let go.

  Unanswered questions lingered in the air.

  But he was determined.

  He wouldn’t let go, not until he found the truth and claimed his justice.