The only lead [Side Story 11 End]

At the secret puzzle cafe in Tokyo, Emeri once again met with Mimoko. "The event was a success. Thanks for your recommendation," Emeri nodded.

"I'm just glad I could help," Mimoko smiled.

"Hey, an I ask you one more thing?"

"Sure."

"When you had to fight to get the secret puzzle cafe here, did you face a guy with long blue hair?"

Mimoko thought back before nodding her head. "I didn't face him, but I certainly saw a man with long blue hair."

"Was he in the WWCF database?"

"No, trying to look him up resulted in an error message."

"Must be an executive board member, but why would he appear publicly then?"

"What do you mean?"

"His name is Bernie Rumis. We believe he is the one behind Phantom's mask."

"'Phantom'?"

Emeri flashed a rendition of Phantom on her smartphone.

"Ah, I remember him, he was with those British Desperados that dragged us to London!"

"He was also involved in the death of my friends' mentor. Though they haven't actively sought out answers, I've done research in the background via the web. However, that can only turn up so much information. So, Mimoko-chan, do you have any insights?"

Mimoko recounted what the others had told her of their encounters with Phantom.

"He can't use a DESPER, can't be tracked in the database, but is also a formidable chess player. And if his identity is Bernie Rumis, it deepens the mystery."

"Why?"

"Bernie Rumis reportedly died back in March of last year."

"But he-"

"Yeah, official reports and reality are two different things. The question is why he suddenly appeared before you last August."

"A shame, I've heard great things about you. Perhaps a different time and place," Bernie's voice echoed in Mimoko's mind.

"He implied we'd face each other eventually..."

"Seems this is your mission then."

"Ah! Speaking of missions, I still need to track down the 7th maestro and defeat the Ultima-master. Oh, and graduation's coming up too! I'm going to be so busy!"

"You got this," Emeri smiled as she patted Mimoko on the back.

"Thanks."

...

In an undisclosed location, Phantom slowly pulled back his mask and hood, revealing himself to indeed be Bernie Rumis. "Mimoko... The time is soon at hand, but if you want to face the Ultima-master, you must first beat the remaining maestros... all their SPCMs too... That will be the time, when we could face each other," he mumbled before his body went limp and crumpled to the floor.

From nearby, the sound of footsteps echoed, yet Bernie remained sprawled out on the floor. The footsteps grew farther away, until suddenly, they stopped and began getting louder as if whomever was making them was getting closer. When they became their loudest, Bernie still remained sprawled out until the footsteps came to a halt. Then slowly, Bernie rose.

"Seems there's still other business to attend to. So many duties, he mumbled as he pulled down his hood, causing a veil of black mist to shield his face.

[Side Story 11 End]