Yamada’s troubles

Yamada stood stiffly outside the apartment building, his gloved hands neatly folded in front of him. Despite the chill in the air, his posture was impeccable, his expression composed, though a flicker of worry crept into his otherwise calm demeanor. He had been waiting for Zane’s return for hours now, and the growing unease gnawed at him.

The sound of approaching sirens pulled him from his thoughts. A police car rolled to a stop nearby, its lights casting an eerie glow across the street. Yamada adjusted his tie, watching intently as a man, disheveled and breathless, rushed to the officers.

“I saw it!” the man exclaimed, gesturing wildly toward the alley. “A guy—he was chasing some boy down there. The kid looked like he was in trouble. Dark hair, leather jacket—yeah, I think he ran that way!”

Yamada’s eyes widened slightly, the description unmistakably matching Zane. His calm composure faltered for a moment, and he quickly retrieved his phone, dialing Kimiko.

“Miss Kimiko,” Yamada began, his voice steady yet tinged with urgency. “I must inform you that Master Zane appears to have gone missing. I believe I may have… lost sight of him.”

“What do you mean, ‘lost sight of him’?!” Kimiko’s voice burst through the line, sharp and furious. “You’re supposed to be his butler! How could you let this happen, Yamada?”

“I assure you, Miss, I have done everything within my power to locate him,” Yamada replied, his tone calm and measured, though a trace of guilt seeped through. “The authorities are now involved. A witness described an incident in the alley that matches Master Zane’s appearance.”

“Unbelievable!” Kimiko snapped. “Do you even realize how dangerous this could be? I—”

Before she could continue, a uniformed police officer approached Yamada. “Sir,” the officer said politely but firmly. “May we have a word with you?”

Yamada inclined his head respectfully. “Of course, Officer. How may I assist you?”

“We’re conducting a routine search,” the officer explained. “May I see some identification, please? License, perhaps?”

“Certainly,” Yamada replied, reaching into his coat pocket and producing his identification with practiced ease.

The officer examined the documents briefly before nodding. “Thank you, sir. Just a few questions—have you seen anything unusual in the area tonight?”

“Indeed, Officer,” Yamada said, his tone even. “A young gentleman matching the description you received is my charge. I have been awaiting his return, though it seems he may have encountered trouble.”

The officer nodded, jotting down notes. “We’ll look into it. Stay close, sir, in case we need more information.”

As the officer returned to his car, Yamada pressed his phone back to his ear. “Miss Kimiko,” he began, but the line was silent. She had hung up.

Kimiko stormed through her small apartment, her hands trembling as she repeatedly tried to call Zane. Each attempt went straight to voicemail, the dull tone fueling her frustration.

“Come on, Zane,” she muttered under her breath, glaring at her phone. “Pick up!”

Her stomach twisted with unease. Something wasn’t right.