[Rena Henmi Arc 5] Don’t draw attention

—Late night in the entertainment district.

At the edge of Kabukicho, in front of a nightclub swirling with light and sound.

“…Are we seriously going through with this?”

Hayata murmured nervously, glancing up at the vibrant scene.

“She can’t go in there alone. If you’re worried—here, wear this.”

Kosuke Kaname tapped his own ear, gesturing toward the earmuffs hanging around Hayata’s neck.

Next to them, Tadakatsu Shinozuka from the property crimes unit stood with arms crossed, wearing a deep frown.

“…Listen. Don’t cause any trouble in there. If anything goes wrong, you’re pulling out immediately.”

“Yeah, yeah, I got it, brother.”

“Who the hell’s your brother?!”

Shinozuka barked, but Kaname waved it off with a casual raise of his hand.

Then he turned to Hayata and Rena.

“You two go in like regular customers. Don’t draw attention.

If someone offers you a drink, Rena will taste it and report back.”

“Got it!”

Hayata clenched his fist with enthusiasm—but his face was a little stiff.

“…Guess I’ve got no choice.”

Rena shrugged, smoothed out the hem of her skirt, and clicked her heel as she stepped forward.

The two of them slipped into the flow of intoxicated partygoers, heading toward the entrance of the club—

where flashing neon and pulsing bass swirled into a sensory storm.

Dazzling lights, a crush of people, waves of heat and sound.

In front of the entrance, groups of young people laughed and chatted, unaware of the mission unfolding in their midst.

“Whoa… this is insane…”

Hayata looked up, wide-eyed.

With the city’s restless buzz at their backs,

the two shadows were soon swallowed into the darkness of the club.