The Empty Hideout

"Show me the picture again. I need to make sure he's the person I'm looking for!" Ryu said.

Kaito took out his phone and showed Ryu the picture.

Ryu carefully examined the screen.

'His face is hard to recognize, but his face and clothes look very similar to the person I saw when I visited Grandpa's house that time,' Ryu thought.

Kaito took his phone back.

"That's enough. Don't stare at it for too long."

"Take me to him right now!"

Kaito frowned.

"Huh? Are you kidding?! Who do you think you are, ordering me around like that?!"

Ryu glared at him.

Kaito turned his face away and started whistling.

"I'll pay you!" Ryu said.

Kaito immediately stopped whistling.

"Woohoo... How much is Young Master Ryu willing to pay?" he asked with a grin.

"One million yen. Take me there now!"

'This person must be very important to Ryu,' Kaito thought.

Kaito chuckled.

"One million yen is only enough to cover living expenses for a year. Double it, and I'll agree."

Ryu began to get annoyed with Kaito.

"One and a half million yen!"

Kaito smiled faintly.

"Two million yen, and I'll take you there."

"No! Forget it! Keep him!"

Ryu walked away.

"Wait!" Kaito said.

Ryu stopped.

"I'll accept one and a half million yen," Kaito said.

Ryu slowly turned around.

"Take me there now."

"Sorry, I can't go right now. I still have some business to take care of. I can only go around three in the morning."

"Fine. I'll go with you at three. But if you're lying, you'll pay for it!"

Kaito smiled.

"Relax. I'll contact you later."

After saying that, Kaito left Ryu behind.

Meanwhile...

Haruka tried calling Yūto's phone.

However, Yūto's battery had run out, so Haruka couldn't reach him.

"Yūto, where are you? Shiro isn't answering his phone either," Haruka murmured.

Time continued to pass.

It was already midnight, but the festival was still crowded and lively.

Amid the crowd, Haruka met some of her old school friends.

They talked and walked around together, enjoying the rest of the night.

A few hours later...

It was already two in the morning.

Haruka was too tired, so she decided to stay at one of her female friend's houses.

The festival slowly began to quiet down.

One by one, people started leaving.

Ryu sat by himself.

Takeshi approached him.

"Ryu, why aren't you going home?"

Ryu looked at him.

"I'm waiting for someone."

"We'll go home first."

Takeshi and Reika then left the area.

Ryu continued waiting.

A few moments later, he heard footsteps coming from behind him.

Ryu turned around.

"I didn't expect you to actually wait for me until three in the morning," Kaito said.

Kaito smiled.

Ryu immediately stood up.

"I don't want to waste any more time. Take me there now."

Kaito casually nodded.

"Let's go."

Kaito and Ryu traveled for about an hour and a half.

Eventually, they arrived at a narrow path beside the main road.

Kaito got out and started walking ahead.

"Follow me."

Ryu followed him without saying a word.

They walked quite a distance along the increasingly quiet path until they finally reached a hidden location.

In front of them stood a large building built directly against the rocky mountain cliff.

A large iron gate stood in front of it.

When they reached the gate, Kaito saw four of his men relaxing and drinking together.

They were all surprised when they saw Kaito.

"Boss! You're back?"

"Hey, you guys! Why are you relaxing like that?!"

"Everything is under control, Boss."

Kaito nodded with satisfaction.

"Good."

Then Kaito turned toward Ryu.

"Get the money ready, Ryu."

Ryu looked at him.

Kaito chuckled.

"You guys, open the gate!"

Creak...

The large iron gate slowly opened.

Ryu stared inside with anticipation.

But then...

The smile on Kaito's face slowly disappeared.

His four men suddenly fell silent as well.

They were all shocked.

"Where are those two?! Why aren't they here?!" Kaito shouted at his men.

"Uh... Uhm... Ah... Boss, we were still seeing them earlier."

"That's right, Boss. We're sure no one came here. We don't know either."

"Dammit! You guys are all useless! Find them and don't stop until you do. Now!"

Ryu stepped forward and looked around the room with wide eyes.

Ryu clenched his fists.

"Kaito..."

Ryu's gaze sharpened.

"You said he was here."

Kaito remained silent.

For the first time, the mocking smile completely disappeared from his face.

He stared at the empty place in disbelief.

"I knew it. You're nothing but a liar and a fraud!" Ryu said.

"What did you say?! You saw the picture on my phone yourself!"

"So what? Where is he?!"

Kaito lowered his head.

"Damn it!" he muttered.

Ryu simply walked away, leaving Kaito behind.

"How dare you!" Kaito grumbled.