The next day.
"Ran, Hoshino! Good morning!"
Sonoko's cheerful voice rang out, full of energy. After breakfast, Kurosawa Hoshino and Ran went downstairs to meet her, and the trio headed to school together.
Along the way, Sonoko chattered like a happy bird finally set free. She talked about a banquet, being introduced to some company chairman, and eventually circled back to yesterday's events.
"Hoshino, you were amazing yesterday! You saved so many people. I can't even imagine what would've happened if that bullet train bomb had gone off."
"I just happened to overhear those two talking," Kurosawa Hoshino replied modestly. He had already received his reward—1 Origin Point, bringing his total to 3. Just 17 more for a new superpower. The thought alone was thrilling.
"Don't be so humble," Sonoko insisted with a grin. "You saved a lot of people. That's a fact."
"Yeah, I think so too," Ran agreed.
"Hehe~" Sonoko suddenly produced a notebook and pen from her bag. "Hoshino, I have a feeling you're going to get really famous. Give me an autograph now—first edition! I'll sell it for a fortune later."
"Oh? Mocking me now, Ms. Sonoko?"
"Just sign it, will you?"
"Alright, alright, I surrender. Stop teasing me." Kurosawa Hoshino shook his head in amused defeat.
"Fine, I'll let you off this time." Sonoko put the items away with a triumphant smirk, dropping the autograph request.
"Oh, right! I have a little tidbit for you guys." Sonoko suddenly remembered something, glancing around conspiratorially before lowering her voice. "At breakfast this morning, my dad mentioned that last night…"
She paused, winking playfully at Ran.
"Wait!" Ran panicked, remembering her friend's love for scary stories, and quickly hid behind Kurosawa Hoshino. "Sonoko, don't say it! I don't want to hear any ghost stories!"
"Haha!" Sonoko laughed, patting Kurosawa Hoshino's shoulder. "See? I haven't even said anything, and Ran's already imagining spooky stuff!"
"Huh?" Ran blinked, then realized she'd been tricked. Her expression had been a setup to make her jump to conclusions. Her face darkened instantly, and she shot Sonoko a glare.
"Sonoko, just tell us what you heard," Kurosawa Hoshino prompted.
"Right." Sonoko nodded, her expression turning serious. "My dad said several people died in a few towns around here last night. He told us not to wander around lately and to be home before dark."
"If your family is saying that, it must be serious." Kurosawa Hoshino stroked his chin thoughtfully. For the Suzuki Group to warn their daughter, the situation was undoubtedly grave.
"Who were the people who died?" Ran asked softly.
"No idea. I asked, but he wouldn't say." Sonoko shrugged.
"It's fine. We'll just head straight home after school these days," Kurosawa Hoshino reassured them. "As long as we don't get involved, it won't affect us."
"Yeah, you're right." Sonoko agreed, taking Ran's hand and slowing their pace. Once Kurosawa Hoshino was a few steps ahead, she whispered, "Ran, the day is almost here."
"What day?"
"Don't play dumb." Sonoko nudged her.
A faint blush colored Ran's cheeks. She dropped the act and nodded. "Why are you bringing this up?"
"We need to prepare in advance, of course! What else?" Sonoko's eyes sparkled with enthusiasm.
"Prepare… for whom?"
"..."
Ran's simple question rendered Sonoko speechless, effectively bursting her bubble.
"What are you two whispering about?" Kurosawa Hoshino turned back to look at them.
Sonoko's eyes lit up. She nudged her best friend and glanced meaningfully at Kurosawa Hoshino.
Ran blinked her pale purple eyes. "Hoshino?"
"Why not?" Sonoko puffed out her chest confidently.
"Well… I didn't say no." Ran shook her head, a helpless smile touching her lips.
"Are you two listening to me?" Kurosawa Hoshino stood before them, staring pointedly.
Snapping back to attention, the two girls smiled sheepishly and stuck out their tongues in unison, trying to look innocent.
"This better not be a prank aimed at me, or I won't go easy on you." Though he didn't know what they were plotting, Kurosawa Hoshino felt that with the often-unpredictable Sonoko involved, a preemptive warning was necessary.
"It's not, it's not!" Ran and Sonoko chorused.
The trio didn't linger and quickened their pace.
As they rounded the next corner, Kurosawa Hoshino's sharp eyes were drawn to a car parked by the roadside—a classic, retro-looking black Porsche 356A.
Gin?
His expression remained neutral as they walked past. As they drew alongside the car, he glanced inside.
It really is them.
Inside, the silver-haired, cold-faced Gin was looking down at a newspaper. Beside him sat Vodka, wearing his signature sunglasses.
Kurosawa Hoshino had no intention of stirring up trouble. He passed by like any ordinary pedestrian, his demeanor perfectly normal.
Inside the Porsche 356A.
As Kurosawa Hoshino and the two girls walked past, Gin set his newspaper down and watched their retreating figures with a calm, detached gaze.
"Big brother," Vodka spoke up. "Why did we go through all this trouble just to come here and buy a newspaper? You can get this paper anywhere. There's nothing special about it."
Gin's reply was casual. "Not many of our people come to Beika Town. We're just… familiarizing ourselves with the routes."
"Oh!" Vodka nodded, a look of understanding dawning on his face. "Right, brother. We should head back and lay low for a while. We took out a lot of people last night, and I've already seen several police patrol cars today."
"Have they been in touch?"
"Yeah. They said it was all a misunderstanding and that they'd use money to smooth things over." Vodka started the car's engine.
Gin offered no response.
"Brother, about Sherry…" Vodka ventured.
"Valentine's Day is in a few days. Let them meet then."
"Understood."