Allies

“Sakuya, wait!” Jun shouted after him, as they were running through the car park. “Wait, let me talk to you!”

And Sakuya waited, because Jun wasn’t Haruki and he still wanted to be a band, but not like this. Never like this. Jun kept walking until he reached Sakuya and drew him into a hug. Sakuya breathed a little easier. They had always gotten along well since the casting show.

“I’m sorry I didn’t know,” Jun said.

“You’re the last person who needs to be sorry,” Sakuya replied. “I actually came to find you, I just… It’s Kana… she disappeared after the information was publicised. We can’t find her.”

“We?”

“I got to know Kana’s friend Yuto. We’re looking for her together, but we could really use your help.”

“This is all going to hell anyway, so count me in.”

This time, they met up at Yuto’s place, which was a few stations down from Kana’s, closer towards the university. With two members of ‘Candy Apple’, they really couldn’t risk going back there anymore. Besides, they hadn’t found a single clue. Kana’s exit hadn’t been planned after all. It had been a split second decision. So there were no hints to be found.

Sakuya and Jun climbed the stairs to the third floor and knocked on Yuto’s door. The man himself opened.

“Oh,” Jun said.

“Oh,” Yuto said.

“Oh?” Sakuya asked.

“Who’s…” Yuto mumbled.

“That’s my group member Sasaki Jun. And Jun, that’s Kana’s best friend Nishida Yuto. So… wait.”

“Enchanted,” Yuto said.

“Likewise.”

“No, no, no. We don’t have time for this. If I’d known you’re as bad as Jun, I would’ve never—”

“As bad as?” Yuto asked with obvious curiosity.

“They had to edit most of his scenes out of the casting show and he still made first place. I’m about the only person he didn’t flirt with,” Sakuya said.

“Because you couldn’t be less into men if one murdered you,” Jun said.

“Focus on the topic?” Sakuya said.

“Alright, to be continued,” Yuto replied. “Come inside first.”

Yuto’s place was small, but that wasn’t what made it claustrophobic. It was the sheer number of things he had stacked on all walls, sometimes several layers deep. Books, pictures, toys, clothes, instruments—Sakuya even spotted a half finished oil painting in the corner. And… was that a jar of fermenting rice?

“It’s… nice,” he said.

“Don’t lie,” Yuto replied. “I’m a hobby hoarder. That’s what it does to one’s place. And I have only this room, so what else should I do?”

“It’s charming," Jun said.

“Aww, you really think so?”

“I do,” Jun answered with a smile.

“Guys.”

“You’re no fun. Where else am I supposed to meet people now?” Jun pouted.

“I get that, but not on a fucking rescue mission??”

Yuto smiled and pointed to a printed out city map of Tokyo on the table. He had decided to go old-school and circle locations on the paper with a red circle each.

“I marked all the places I know she could be found at while she still went outdoors. And the venues she performed at for good measure. Honestly, I don’t think it’ll help much, but I can’t just sit still.”

“Phone still doesn’t go through?”

“My messages are getting delivered at least, but she’s not picking up any calls,” Yuto said. “I can only continue to try. Maybe she’ll have a change of heart.”

“You think I…” Sakuya trailed off.

“No, I think that might actually scare her off right now,” Yuto said.

Jun crossed his arms. “Now what did you do this time?”

Sakuya grabbed the part of the map that covered the locations in Shimokitazawa, which were west of Yuto’s place. Most of the others were in Shibuya and Ikebukuro, to the north.

“I’ll do Shibuya, then,” Yuto said. “That’s where we went out most often before.”

Jun grabbed the last part. “Only Ikebukuro left. We should make a group chat before we leave.”

“You just want to get my number,” Yuto said with a wink.

“I’m very good at combining business and pleasure,” Jun replied.

“I’ll add you both to a group on the way. And Jun?”

“Yeah?”

“Thank you. I mean it.”

“Let’s just get this over with quickly,” Jun replied. “Haruki was in an abysmal mood when we left, and there’s no telling what else he’ll do.”

——

With Kana’s picture on her phone, Sakuya wandered around Shimokitazawa. The district and its main street were home to a great number of music bars and clubs, some of which Kana had appeared at as Decodol. While trying to spot her along the street, he went from

place to place, asking anyone and everyone if they had seen her. After trying the restaurants and izakayas, clothing shops and even the konbini, no one had given him a positive answer.

Staking out the street was always an option, but it would only lose time if they weren’t sure she was in the area. So he found a set of stairs on the side of the main road and called the group chat. The other two both immediately answered.

“No luck around Shimokitazawa… The area is smaller here, but no one has seen Kana. Where should I go next?” he asked.

Yuto hummed in thought. “Maybe come over here and help me with Shibuya. There’s just too many places here.”

“Got it. Jun?”

“No luck. I’ve even been to Sunshine City to check her favourite stores there. No one has seen her. One person did recognise me, though and I signed a photocard… I hope that’s okay.”

Sakuya laughed. “Of course that’s okay. Enjoy it.”

“Would you sign one for me too? I’ll buy your album right now,” Yuto asked.

“Okay I’m hanging up,” Sakuya stated and ended the call, cutting off Yuto’s vocal protest.