[Masato Kai Arc 3] How’d our ace detectives do?

—Afternoon, back alley of Kabukicho.

After a string of failed leads, Rena and Hayata walked side by side.

Rena stared silently ahead, while Hayata trailed behind her at a cautious distance.

“…Rena-san, are you mad?”

“Not particularly.”

She replied curtly.

(Yeah, she’s definitely mad…)

Hayata sighed inwardly, just as—

“Yo.”

From up the alley, Kosuke Kaname appeared in casual clothes, waving with one hand while chewing on something.

“Good work out there. So, how’d our ace detectives do?”

“…Nothing worth reporting.”

Rena answered flatly.

Hayata looked down, saying nothing.

“I see, I see.”

Kaname chuckled, pulling a brown envelope from his bag.

“Well, that’s how it goes at first. Anyway—here’s an update.

We’ve got a new lead.”

Rena raised an eyebrow.

“…Where to this time?”

“This one’s a gym.

You know, where people go to lift weights and stuff. It’s just around the corner.

Apparently, one of the trainers might be tied to a dealer.”

“A gym…?”

Hayata echoed in surprise.

“Yep. There are more than you’d think in this area.”

“…Doesn’t quite match the ‘nightlife district’ vibe.”

Rena commented with a hint of sarcasm.

Kaname shrugged with a grin.

“Well, good or bad, this is a city where looks are part of the business.”

—

The three of them entered a narrow, mixed-use building behind the alley.

From beyond a heavy iron door at the back of the stairwell came the sound of—

Barbells clanging,

trainers shouting,

and bass-heavy music thudding in time with the rhythm of the gym floor.