Volume 1 – Chapter 7

The streets of Tokyo pulsed with their usual rhythm.
People hurried along the sidewalks, traffic lights blinked in steady colors, trains clattered somewhere in the distance – and amidst it all, Mirai and Senpai walked side by side.

She followed half a step behind him, afraid to stare for too long, yet hanging on to every word, every shade of tone in his voice.

He moved with a calm, effortless confidence – the kind that made strangers turn their heads without realizing it. Every now and then, a faint, warm smile appeared on his face, and each time it did, Mirai’s heart raced as if she’d just finished a marathon.

Trying to break the silence, she finally spoke:
– Senpai… can I ask you something?

– Of course, – he said, glancing at her briefly, attentive as always.

– How did you even solve those three riddles? They said even Einstein would’ve given up halfway through.

Senpai laughed lightly.
– Oh, that’s true. Einstein would have given up. Back then there wasn’t even the internet – not to mention a computer mouse. So yes, he really would’ve failed miserably.

Mirai burst out laughing, covering her mouth with her hand. The tension between them instantly eased.

– But still, – she tilted her head curiously, – how did you do it?

His expression turned a bit more serious, though his eyes were still bright. He took a slow breath, as if preparing to explain something intricate.

– Honestly, it wasn’t easy, – he said. – It felt like an endless chain of clues. Imagine this: one minute you’re looking for the third letter in the bottom row of a German plumbing website, and the next you’re checking an Argentinian real estate page for the same thing.

Mirai blinked, then burst out laughing again.
– That sounds absolutely insane!

– Exactly, – he grinned. – The links kept sending me to other pages, each one hiding another clue. But half of them were traps. You’d think you’d found the right letters, put them together – and boom, nonsense. Then you start again, compare, verify, second-guess. It was endless.

He spoke with such energy that she could tell he’d genuinely enjoyed the challenge.

– And on top of that, – he continued, – you couldn’t just find the letters; you had to prove they were there. Screenshots, explanations, solid evidence. Honestly, the agency did an incredible job – it was tough, but strangely exciting. Like a real adventure.

Mirai listened intently, eyes wide, a spark of admiration flickering in them.

– In the end, – Senpai smiled faintly, – once I realized the first word was “Pinta,” I started to think... Wait. That was one of Columbus’s ships. Then it clicked – of course! For a pirate like Marissa, clues about the sea, ships, and treasure would be perfect.

– Ooooh… – Mirai breathed softly, her eyes shining.

– So I followed that idea and hunted for the other names. Eventually I found them – “Niña” and “Santa María.” Everything else turned out to be red herrings. But sticking to that line of thought... that’s what let me finish in time.

He ended with a quiet confidence, a proud yet modest smile lighting up his face.

Mirai felt warmth spread through her chest. She looked at him and couldn’t help but say,
– I’m glad it was you who solved it – and that you made it in time.

A soft blush colored her cheeks the moment she said it.

– Thank you, – Senpai replied gently. Then he lifted a hand and gestured forward. – And… here we are.

Before them stood a cozy little side street with a cat café tucked between two small shops. The sign above the door showed a smiling cat winking at passersby. Through the window, they could see cats lounging lazily on shelves, blinking at the world outside.

Mirai paused for a heartbeat, drawing in a quiet breath. Her heart pounded again, almost painfully – but standing next to him, she somehow felt safe.

Senpai smiled softly. – Well then, shall we start our little date?