What Is Being Investigated ?

It had been two days since my brother disappeared, ever since that last night when we crossed paths during that incident.

I was heading to the police station to find out how the investigation was going.But the moment I opened the door, the police officers were all taking it easy, sprawled lazily in their chairs. 

Some were playing cards, others were napping at their desks, while a few laughed at funny images on their phones.

 The smell of stale coffee and cold pizza lingered in the air. One of the officers, Captain Ishida, had his head tilted back, snoring so loudly that the badge on his chest shook with every breath.

I cleared my throat. No one looked up.I slammed my fist against the cracked wooden counter.

“Is there anyone here? My brother has disappeared, and I’d like to know where the investigation stands!” I said, slightly irritated.

Captain Ishida straightened up, his eyes glassy, then shrugged.“We sent two officers on the case, Miss Morisaki, but there’s been no progress. You know, Tokyo isn’t a small city.”

His mustache twitched with every word, as if he were apologizing for being so useless.“But… did you find something ? Any clues? I know there was an altercation!”Ishida sighed, rubbed his temples, and pulled a crumpled sheet of paper from his drawer.

“We have nothing, Yoruhime-san. No videos, no fingerprints, nothing. It’s probably just a runaway.”His tone was that of a tired father trying to comfort a spoiled child.

“It wasn’t a runaway! He… he would’ve told me if he planned to go somewhere else!”Ishida crossed his arms.“Raising your voice won’t speed up the procedure.” He gestured to two other officers. — Take her home.Before I could protest, two officers gently but firmly escorted me toward the exit. I rushed down the steps of the police station, furious, anger boiling beneath my skin.

I stopped at the street corner, short of breath, my hands trembling. My pockets vibrated. A message had just arrived.

“You’re looking for answers? Meet me tonight at ten p.m., in the United Kingdom. Your travel ticket has already been transferred. Come alone.”No signature. No number.

I looked around me. Then I checked my email and saw the travel ticket.It felt suspicious, and like any normal person, I should have ignored that message. But I wanted to understand what had happened to my brother—and if I had to go through this person to do so, then I was ready to take that risk.