Kairo's Whereabouts

A new day dawns on Daimon Island. In the commons sector, at ‘Casa De Reyes,’ Miguel is seated at a table in the back, savoring a fresh drink while soaking in the vibrant atmosphere of the restaurant. As his eyes wander aimlessly, he notices Yamato approaching the waitress at the front. After a brief exchange, the waitress glances in Miguel’s direction. Curious, Miguel signals to the waitress to allow Yamato to join him. Yamato weaves his way through the restaurant and sits down across from Miguel.

“Detective Fujimura!” Miguel greets with a sly, intrigued smile. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”

“I’m looking for someone, and I don’t have much time. I was hoping you’d help me,” Yamato replies.

“And Kiria let you come all by yourself?”

“It’s my day off. He doesn’t know I’m here.”

“Ahaha, how bold of you. Alright, Detective, why should I help you? What do I gain out of this?”

“The drug dealer you wanted us to find... There’s clearly more to him than you’re letting on.”

“Him, huh?” Miguel raises an eyebrow.

“We’ll stop hunting him down unless you help me,” Yamato presses.

Miguel smirks. “I get he’s desperate, but this is a terrible bluff… Though I suppose there’s no harm in indulging him just this once. Fine, Detective, I’ll help you.”

“You will?” Yamato asks, surprised.

“That’s what I said, didn’t I? Now, who is this person you’re looking for?”

“What do you want in return?”

For a moment, Miguel pauses, a devious smile forming on his lips. “Who is this person you’re after, Detective?”

Yamato hesitates, uneasy about what he’s stepping into. Ultimately, he chooses to press forward.

“His name is Kairo Arasaki, a hitman for Madam. Since you seem to know everything about Madam for whatever reason, I figured you might know something about him.”

“I do… For one, he’s no longer working with Madam. He left the business a couple of years ago.”

“Why?”

“Not sure. Word is, he didn’t want to kill anymore. Which is ironic for someone who was once Madam’s child prodigy.”

“Child prodigy?” Yamato asks, leaning in.

“Yeah. He got his start in the hitman trade as a young teen. It didn’t take long for everyone to recognize his talent.”

“Do you know if he’s killed anyone important? Someone whose relatives might come back for revenge?”

“Heh, he’s killed so many people he’s probably lost count. You could say practically everyone he’s killed was ‘important' in their own way. Anyway, I assume you want his location?”

“Yes. Can you get it for me?”

“I can. In fact, I already have it.”

“You do?”

“4921 Hollow Lane. That’s where he’s been hiding out. When I first heard he left, I had my best people tail him and track down this information.”

“And I’m supposed to believe you just remembered that off the top of your head?”

“I wouldn’t say off the top of my head. I have a photographic memory, Detective. I can recall things like this as if I’d written them down.”

“Well, I guess I have no choice but to believe you.”

“If you don’t mind me asking, Detective… why are you so interested in this guy?”

“I do mind. Goodbye.”

“Heh, later, Detective.”

Yamato rises from the table and exits the restaurant, his unease growing with every step. The weight of his decisions begins to bear down as the day moves forward.

***

Night envelopes Daimon Island. Yamato finds himself back in the same ominous alley where he had spoken with Yuto before. He checks the GPS tracker clipped to his side, fiddling with it impatiently.

“Is this thing even working? He should be here by now,” he mutters to himself.

Suddenly, the sound of footsteps echoes from the darkness ahead. Seconds later, Yuto appears from the shadows in his vigilante suit.

“What took you so long?” Yamato asks, trying to mask his frustration.

“I had to make sure this wasn’t a trap. Did you find Kairo’s location?”

“Yeah. Kairo Arasaki’s last known location is 4921 Hollow Lane. Whether the information is accurate or not, I can’t say. But I’ve done my part. Now, it’s your turn. Tell me what you know about Ryota and the radiation victims. Is he the one behind the radiation attacks too?"

Yuto shakes his head. “No. But he is working with whoever the attacker is.”

“Working with him?”

“The DIPD hasn’t pieced it together, but every one of Ryota’s victims has something in common—they’re all sons and daughters of the heads of science laboratories. The same laboratories where the radiation victims worked. That can’t be a coincidence.”

“I doubt it is.”

“If you can find Ryota, you’ll likely find whoever’s behind the radiation attacks, too.”

“That’s solid information,” Yamato admits, “but it doesn’t get me any closer to finding Ryota. I still don’t know where he is.”

“You should already know how to find him, Detective,” Yuto responds.

“How?”

“What does it take to catch a fish?”

“A good bait?” Yamato answers cautiously.

Before Yamato can press further, Yuto grapples away, disappearing into the night without another word. Yamato contemplates his next move, the weight of these events growing heavier by the moment.