Avocado

[Opening Scene: Hotel L Toyohashi ― Lobby ― Night]
Soft jazz piano drifts through the air, playing from a lacquered radio tuned to NV101.9 FM. The station's DJ speaks with a calm, velvety tone, introducing the artist―an obscure Tokyo pianist―and pausing to congratulate X-Spence Corp. for the overwhelming success of the very first Night Market at Toyohashi South Station Square.

Through the lobby's floor-to-ceiling glass, bursts of fireworks light the night sky in dazzling reds and whites, their reflections painting slow-moving shapes across the polished marble floor. The lobby glows in golden, ambient light ― warm, elegant, and softly deceptive.

A woman in a black face mask sits alone in a velvet lounge chair tucked into a shadowed corner. Her legs are crossed, one heel swaying idly in the air, the other tapping with an irregular rhythm against the floor. Her eyes ― visible and sharp ― are fixed on the entrance, unblinking, as if waiting for something... or someone.

Behind the front desk, two Japanese hotel staff ― both in their early 30s ― whisper in amused tones, stealing glances toward the lounge area.
Staff 1 (whispering, amused):
また別の女？あのカナダのプレイボーイ、本当にすごいね。
(Another girl? That Canadian lover boy is really something.)
Staff 2 (snorting softly):
ラリー・スミス様、また違うフレーバーか。今度は…フランス人？タイ人？ロシア人？
(Mr. Larry Smith. Always a different flavor. What now — French? Thai? Russian?)

The sliding door WHOOSHES open.

Enter Billy Spence, under his alias Larry Smith. The scent of Versace Eros hits the lobby like a seductive spell. He wears a tailored trench coat and a sleek black mask. Casually charismatic. A wolf in designer clothing.

Staff 1 and 2 (bowing):
「いらっしゃいませ！」(Irasshaimase!)
Staff 1 (playfully, in English):
"Welcome back, Mr. Smith. What flavor tonight?"

Billy (Larry Smith) speaks on his mask.
Larry Smith (with a playful gleam):
"Avocado. Mexican Avocado."

Staff 2 chuckles wickedly, already preparing the key card.
Staff 2 (teasing):
"Careful not to crush the avocado, Mr. Smith!"
The seductive Mexican woman walks over — face still half-covered — and wraps her arms tightly around Larry like a plush toy.
Mexican Girl (pouting):
"Hug me back! It's freezing… be my human blanket."
Larry chuckles, embraces her. The staff watch, visibly impressed. As the couple walks toward the elevator, Larry turns his head — catches the boys staring, envious.
Staff 2 can't resist.
Staff 2 (calling out):
"Have fun, Avocado!"

[Inside the elevator]

Soft lighting. The elevator hums upward. The Mexican girl leans into Larry, her voice low and teasing.
Mexican Girl:
"Did you really order avocado?"

Larry Smith (grinning):
"Sure did. But it’ll be served after three rounds of bout."

She lets out a sultry laugh, her breath fogging slightly from excitement. She tightens her grip on his arm, eyes sparkling.

The elevator dings.
Doors open into the night’s secret chapter.

[Toyohashi South Side Station Square ― Shu Cream Stall (Food Truck) ― Night]
The scene opens with a warm night lights, string lanterns, and the soft hum of chatter and footsteps. It's almost 10:30 PM. The night market pulses with energy, still lively after the latest episode of Voice of Tomorrow aired.

Locals and tourists of every background roam between stalls ― laughter, sizzling food, neon signs flickering in the breeze.
Voice Over (PA System, upbeat):
"This first ever Night Market in Toyohashi South Station Square is brought to us by NV101.9 and X-Spence Corporation! A special thanks to Mr. Billy Spence for sponsoring this beautiful community event!"
Cheers echo through the plaza.
Crowd:
"Woohoo!"
"Billy Spence is the best!"

A retro-style food truck ― docked with vintage lettering and flickering lights ― bears the bold sign: "Raven Cream Puff."
A chalkboard menu leans outside the truck, partially smudged from the night air. A long line snakes along the side of the truck.

The young artist, early 20s, stands holding a shu cream. Eyes are hazy. Dazed. Lost. A badge number sticker ― #40802 ―peeks from his coat. The Shu Cream Maker removed the number and...
Shu Cream Maker:
(SNAPPING FINGERS!) "Here's your change. Enjoy your yummy Raven Shu Cream!"
The artist blinks at the pastry as if unsure where he is.
Then a cheerful voice cuts through the scene.
Aiko (on the side):
"Hey there! Enjoying it?"
Aiko, in a sporty, branded tracksuit, approaches with a wide, friendly grin ― the kind that hides more than it reveals.
Aiko:
"Mind if I ask―how much was that shu cream?"
Young Artist (uncertain):
"Uhhh... 250 yen?"
Aiko (gently):
"Do you know who I am?"
Young Artist (blinking):
"...no?"
Smiling brighter, Aiko hands over a glossy Voice of Tomorrow pamphlet.
Aiko:
"No worries! I'm Aiko, life coach for Voice of Tomorrow! You've got the look of a star. Join us!"
The artist looks at the pamphlet, eyes flickering with a familiar hope ― like hearing a melody they once forgot.
As the artist walks off, Aiko watches carefully. She pulls out her phone and dials.
Aiko (whispering, thrilled):
"Ryuji, the 'stamp of crow's foot' in the barley tea pet bottle worked. #40802 and others forgot their last three hours. They didn't recognize me at all."
She glances at the artist fading into the crowd.
Aiko (continued):
"Tell Ms. Mirano it's a brilliant tactic. We don't need new talent. They'll rejoin on their own, again and again."
Then―A flicker of purple in the distance. A hooded figure.
Aiko's smile fades slightly. Her eyes narrow.
Aiko (sharply):
"Wait... purple hood... Sam?"
Ryuji (on phone, confused):
"What? Are you saying something?"
Aiko (cold, focused):
"Tell Ms. Mirano I just saw Sam. And she's alone."
Aiko cover the phone mic and signals her nearby staff.
Aiko (urgent, low):
"Go. Stall her (pointing at the hooded figure). Distract her. Offer her a pamphlet."
The staff nods and jogs across the stalls. Aiko abruptly dropped the phone-call.
The staff catches up to the girl in the purple hood.
Staff (smiling):
"Hi, Have you heard about―"
Sam (interrupting, calm and direct):
"Where's Aiko?"
The staff freezes. Eyes widen.
Staff (nervous, glancing around):
"Uh... over there!" (looking and pointing towards the Raven Cream Puff truck)When he turns back―Sam is gone. A cool breeze brushes through the tents and lights.
The staff returns, shaken.
Aiko (tense):
"What happened? Where is she?"
Staff (confused):
"She just... vanished."
Aiko scans the crowd again. Nothing.
Then―something catches her eye.
On the chalkboard menu, freshly drawn in white chalk:
A massive, deliberately symbol ― #.
Below it, written in a delicate, almost feminine script: "We'll meet again soon. But not today."
Aiko's face hardens. Her smile disappears.
She turns to her staff ― voice cold.
Aiko:
"Erase that. Now!"

[Hotel L Toyohashi ― Porte Cochere ― Night]
A sleek black Maserati purrs up to the curb.
Mr. Billy Spencer ― still using the alias Larry Smith ― steps out with swagger. He gently kisses the Mexican girl's cheek, handing her a discreet brown envelope.
Larry (soft, playful):
"Wait for your service, my Avocado."
She giggles. Larry tosses two crisp ¥10,000 bills to the chuckling hotel staffs.
Moments later, a Toyota Noah van glides in to collect the girl. She waves briefly before vanishing behind tinted windows.

[Inside Maserati]
Billy reclines in the leather seat, half-awake. Jazz plays firmly from the radio. The scent of Versace Eros still clings to his coat.
Billy (mumbling):
"How's the Night Market?"
Driver (Indian accent, polite):
"It was lovely, sir."

Billy yawns, fumbling for his phone.
Billy:
"What time is it? Can we swing by a konbini? I just need one stick of tobacco and one phone call."
Driver (checking dash):
"Almost 3:00 AM sir. There's a Family Mart nearby. We can stop there."
Billy:
"Cool."

[Final Scene: 3:02 AM ― Family Mart ― Smoking Area]
A convenience store worker hauls plastic garbage bags toward the near dumpster. Nearby, a covered smoking area glows under cold fluorescent light.
Billy stands alone, phone pressed to his ear, smoke curling from a fresh cigarette.
Billy (tense, quiet):
"Sorry to bother you. It's 3:00 AM, and a Sunday... I just saw your email about the 'Storm Maker system' upgrade."
He exhales slowly, watching smoke vanish into the dark.
Billy (continued):
"I'm not questioning the invoice. What I want to know is―where's the damn machine? Police said they didn't find anything at the Futagawa Warehouse. No monster. No machine."
A brief silence. A female voice, half-sleep, responds on the other end.
Female Voice (yawning):
"Sir... I don't have personal knowledge about the Storm Maker Machine. I'm sorry―I can't answer your concern right now..."
Billy's jaw clenches. His tone hardens but stays measured.
Billy:
"Judith held back my Vietnamese foot soldiers and agents. She launched that Raven Cream Puff truck without my knowledge. She's partnering with Takahashi, again, behind closed doors―and now this?"
His voice trembles faintly with the weight of what's coming.
Billy (continued):
"Alright. Set an urgent meeting. Judith, Ryuji, and Dr. Takahashi. No board members. Not yet."
A pause, then his voice softens, almost fatherly.
"...Thank you, Cassy. Goodnight."
CLICK.

He pockets the phone. A gust of wind stirs the cigarette ash as it falls to the wet pavement.


[Next: Rusted Timeline]