The moment Ritsuka heard the name Chaldea from Rikka, his emotions surged all at once. Nostalgia, fear, anger, and sorrow blended together. He fell silent for a moment, sinking deep into his thoughts.
From the other end of the phone, Rikka's voice sounded anxious.
"Hey, bro… are you okay?" Rikka asked.
"Ah… yeah. What is it?" Ritsuka replied, a beat too late.
"You suddenly went quiet. I called you over and over, but you didn't answer," Rikka said.
"I'm fine," Ritsuka replied, trying to steady his voice.
"Really?" Rikka asked doubtfully.
"Yeah. By the way, are you sure that job is safe?" Ritsuka asked, deliberately changing the subject.
"Relax, it's safe. They said I can start working today," Rikka answered.
Ritsuka raised an eyebrow slightly.
"That fast? Rikka, send me a photo of the job advertisement."
"Huh? Why?" Rikka replied lazily.
"I already threw the pamphlet into the trash."
"Just take a photo, quickly," Ritsuka said firmly.
"I'll treat you to ice cream later."
"Ice cream?!" Rikka's voice instantly brightened.
"Alright, wait a bit. I'll look for it."
Ritsuka placed his phone on the sofa, keeping the call connected.
"That kid is too careless," he muttered softly.
"She accepted a job without even investigating it properly."
Then a voice suddenly came from the floating mass of water that had been given to him by the light child.
"Hello? Can anyone hear me?"
The voice came directly from the water mass.
Ritsuka startled, nearly falling off the sofa.
"W—what was that?" he muttered in panic.
He immediately turned toward the floating water. A moment later, another voice followed.
"That voice… you're Koko, right?" said the voice of an old man.
"Yes, it's me," Koko replied.
"If you want to talk, just touch the water mass. You'll be connected instantly."
Ritsuka hesitated for a moment, then reached out and touched the floating water. Instantly, he felt a connection form.
"Wow, this feels like using a landline phone," Ritsuka said in amazement as his voice connected to the group.
"It seems this device can be adjusted so it's invisible, and so no one else can hear our conversation," L said calmly.
Soon after, another voice joined in.
"Greetings, everyone. Nice to meet you. My name is Amane Ubuyashiki," the gentle voice said.
Silence followed for a moment. No one responded right away.
"Oh? A woman's voice?" Zelretch finally spoke.
"She wasn't one of the members invited directly earlier, was she?"
L immediately responded in a wary tone.
"Who are you?" he asked.
"From your name, it seems you're related to Kagaya."
"I am Kagaya Ubuyashiki's wife," the woman replied calmly.
"His wife?" Koko interjected.
"Did Kagaya tell you about this group?"
"Yes," Amane answered softly.
"Oyakata-sama explained everything to me. He also gave me permission to speak with all of you."
L spoke again, his tone still cold.
"Is Kagaya there with you? If so, I need to speak with him directly."
"He's beside me," Amane replied.
"I'll connect him now."
A moment later, a familiar voice was heard.
"What is it, L?" Kagaya asked.
"Kagaya, what you're doing right now is extremely risky," L said coldly.
"You mean involving Amane, L?" Ritsuka asked.
"Yes," L replied shortly.
"Kagaya, you brought someone else into our first conversation. That was reckless."
"There's no need to worry," Kagaya replied calmly.
"Amane is the person I trust most. She has supported me all this time. She is my eyes and my body. I trust her completely."
L fell silent for a few moments.
Then he spoke again, his voice flat but firm.
"Very well. But don't do it again.
I don't want information about this group spreading to irresponsible parties—especially your enemies. Those oni."
"Yes, rest assured. I won't reveal this group's existence for now," Kagaya replied.
L didn't respond, but his faint muttering suggested he was satisfied.
Koko then spoke up.
"Nice to meet you, Amane. My name is Koko Hekmatyar. I'm glad Kagaya brought you in. I was the only woman in this group, so it was pretty lonely," she said casually.
Soon, Amane's voice responded.
"Nice to meet you, Hekmatyar-san," she said gently.
"You can just call me Koko," Koko replied.
"Alright, Koko-san," Amane answered.
"Hey, Amane. You can call me Zelretch," Zelretch said casually.
"And over here is a man named L. He probably won't introduce himself properly, so I'll do it for him. He's the one who was asking Kagaya earlier," he added lightly.
L didn't respond. Only the sound of him eating something could be heard.
"Nice to meet you, Zelretch-san… and L-san," Amane said politely.
Ritsuka was about to introduce himself when his phone suddenly vibrated and rang.
"B–bro… are you still there?" Rikka whispered anxiously.
"Yes, I'm here. What's wrong?" Ritsuka replied calmly.
"Bro… p–please. Someone broke into my house," Rikka whispered, her voice trembling.
"Huh?" Ritsuka reflexively raised his voice.
"Don't joke around. I won't fall for your prank again," he said, thinking it was a joke.
"N–no… this is real, bro. P–please help me," Rikka's voice shook, mixed with sobbing.
Ritsuka fell silent. His previously relaxed expression turned serious.
From the water mass, Koko's voice was heard.
"Ritsuka, what's wrong? Why didn't you introduce yourself?" she asked.
Ritsuka hesitated. He debated whether to explain the situation to them. But there was no time.
"Alright, Rikka," Ritsuka said firmly.
"For now, hide. Make sure your phone stays on. I'll call the police."
"O–okay…" Rikka replied weakly.
Ritsuka immediately moved, running toward the landline phone. He connected the call, then spoke again toward the water mass.
"Everyone," he said briefly,
"I need help."
"What's going on, Ritsuka? You sound serious," Koko said.
"Strangers broke into my cousin's house," Ritsuka replied quickly.
"It's in a rural village. I need your help."
From the landline, another voice came through.
"Hello, police department. How may we assist you?"
Ritsuka replied clearly and firmly.
"Please come to the address I'm about to give you immediately. There has been a home intrusion."
He then gave them Rikka's rural address.
Soon after, voices from the water mass were heard again.
"Help? But how can we help you from here?" Koko asked.
But L immediately interrupted, his voice cold and precise.
"Ritsuka, turn on your phone's speaker. Record this entire conversation. Describe the surroundings of her house, and relay my instructions to her," L said curtly.
Ritsuka rushed to his room while explaining the surroundings of Rikka's house—a quiet rural home with very few residents. He grabbed a handycam, turned it on, and began recording the entire conversation.
"Rikka, where are you hiding right now?" Ritsuka asked, relaying L's instructions.
"Bro… I'm under the bed," Rikka replied, her voice shaking, her sobs audible.
"Alright, calm down," Ritsuka said.
"I've already contacted the police."
"O–okay…" Rikka replied faintly.
L then issued further instructions, which Ritsuka immediately passed on.
"From now on, answer only yes or no. Don't explain anything without my permission," Ritsuka said.
"Now answer me. The people who broke in—are there more than one?"
"No," Rikka answered softly.
"Did they force their way in loudly?" Ritsuka asked.
"No."
"Are they carrying anything like ropes or handcuffs?" Ritsuka continued.
"Yes."
"Now speak very quietly," Ritsuka said reassuringly.
"If you hear anything they say—even a little—tell me."
"Th–they said…" Rikka whispered, her voice trembling.
"'F–find that kid,' they said."
From the water mass, Koko's and L's voices overlapped.
"This is a kidnapping."
Ritsuka swallowed, then continued relaying L's instructions, his voice controlled.
"Rikka, did you have contact with any strangers yesterday, or did you receive anything from them?" Ritsuka asked.
Rikka fell silent for a moment, her breathing uneven.
"J–just one… Chaldea," she replied in panic.
"I'm scared, bro. Please help me," she said, her voice shaking.
"Focus, Rikka," Ritsuka said, trying to calm her.
"Now listen carefully. Are Uncle, Aunt, or anyone else at home with you?"
"No," Rikka replied faintly.
Ritsuka took a deep breath.
"Alright. Now the most important part," he said seriously.
"This is an attempted kidnapping. You are the target. And they will find you—they will capture you."
Rikka immediately broke down.
"No…" she cried.
"Listen, Rikka. If they catch you, shout out everything you can see about them," Ritsuka said firmly.
"Their number, physical features, what they're wearing—anything. Keep talking even if they grab you."
From the phone, the sound of footsteps entering the room could be heard.
"I'm scared…" Rikka's voice trembled.
"Don't panic," Ritsuka said quickly, forcing his voice steady.
"I promise I'll save you. Even if it's all the way to Antarctica, I'll come."
"Big brother…" Rikka whispered.
Several seconds passed in suffocating tension. Then Rikka screamed.
"THERE ARE SIX OF THEM! THEY'RE WEARING BLACK SUITS AND WHITE GLOVES—!"
Her words were cut off.
"RIKKA! HELLO, RIKKA!" Ritsuka shouted in panic.
There was no answer.
"Damn it!" Ritsuka cursed, throwing his phone in frustration.