[Rena Henmi Arc 4] That has nothing to do with me

—Shinjuku Police Station, Urban Nightlife Crime Division Office.

The old office space was cluttered with cardboard boxes, and dust floated visibly in the stale air.

“…Ugh, what is with all this dust?”

Rena wrinkled her nose as she stepped inside.

Kaname dropped onto the couch without a second thought, sending up a puff of dust that made Rena cough and recoil.

“Yeah, no thanks. I’ll sit over there.”

She pulled over a stool and sat down instead.

Kaname, unfazed, tossed some case files onto the table.

“—There’s been a string of knockout robberies at clubs.

So far, we’ve got no leads on the culprit.”

“Knockout robberies…? What’s that supposed to mean?”

Rena frowned.

“Basically—get the victim drunk, knock them out, and take their stuff. That’s the short version.”

At that, Rena stood abruptly and turned toward the door.

“…Sorry, but that has nothing to do with me.”

“—They’re tampering with the drinks.”

Kaname’s calm voice stopped her in her tracks.

“Yesterday… a friend of mine got hit.”

Hayata, his voice low and eyes downcast, chimed in.

“Had a drink at a club, passed out all of a sudden… Woke up and his wallet was gone.

And there are more people who got hit the same way.”

Rena slowly turned around.

“…What kind of drink was it?”

“Just a regular cocktail, apparently.

Didn’t taste or smell weird at all…

We think the drug they used was tasteless and odorless…”

At that, Rena gave a sharp laugh through her nose.

“—There’s no such thing as tasteless and odorless in this world.”

Hayata straightened up involuntarily.

(They all keep disrespecting food…)

“And another thing—”

A light flared in Rena’s eyes as she locked her gaze forward.

“Messing with drinks—meant to be enjoyed—for something like this…

That’s the one thing I absolutely won’t forgive!”

Bang!

Her right heel slammed down onto the seat of the stool, sending a creaking sound through the room.

“W-whoa… She’s seriously badass…”

Hayata whispered under his breath.

Kaname nearly chuckled, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth.

“—Well, I guess that settles it.”