"You guys still haven't found Kazu-san? He should've been here by now…" Aiko said, her voice heavy with worry.
The entire E.S.C. is now on the lookout for Kazu after his disappearance last night.
Officers scan around the inner city's borders where he was last seen by civilians, yet unfortunately they couldn't find anything.
Aoto and Fumiko are searching throughout the places where there are many high points to see if he's there, but they also come up with no result.
"This dumb idiot… He should've been back when it was dinnertime, and now we have to go looking for him." Aoto said with annoyance.
Fumiko nods in agreement, looking around the abandoned houses and destroyed buildings.
"I'm starting to get a bit anxious… What if he resigned from the exorcism team!?" Fumiko said with even more concern.
"For the love of the Priest, can you PLEASE calm down!?" Aoto groaned out.
"I'm sure he's out somewhere still doing a commission; he will be back eventually. Don't you remember what happened two weeks ago when he ran off without saying anything?" Aoto questioned while crossing his arms.
At Aoto's words, Fumiko calmed slightly. She straightened her uniform and let out a deep breath.
"I guess you're right… But he has never been out this long. Let's go back to the E.S.C. to get more information."
When they head back to the E.S.C. building, they inform the party of their shortcomings.
They notice Aiko sitting alone while looking incredibly concerned for her senior.
"Don't worry, Aiko-senpai! We'll find him; I know we will!" Fumiko says while trying to lighten the mood.
Aiko smiles softly at Fumiko's words, but she still can't help but feel a sense of doubt.
"Thanks a lot, guys… I know Kazu-san might be fine, and he won't just leave us without explaining himself… Well, except for that time two weeks ago, but that was my fault." Aiko said sheepishly.
Just then, the speakers turn on with slight feedback.
"Attention all staff of the Elite Safety Committee, please report to the main hall in approximately 3 minutes."
All officers and the main group immediately make their way to the main hall as quickly as possible.
When they arrive, many officers from different E.S.C.s, and even the 1st and 2nd Division, are there.
One of the officers from the 1st Division noticed the 3rd Division and quickly made their way to the group.
"Hey, aren't you guys in the 3rd Division of the Elite Curse Exorcism Team?" The officer asked while tilting his head.
Aoto scoffed and crossed his arms. "Yeah, what about it? You came lookin' for a fight?"
Aiko suddenly whacked him in the back of the head. "Oh, shut up! Sorry, don't mind my grouchy brother. But this is the 3rd division; is there something you'd like to discuss?"
The officer looked quite surprised, but he kept his composure.
"Ahem… Anyways, I was asking because I heard your senior went missing recently. I'm not trying to be that guy, but I'm pretty sure I saw him last night fighting someone."
He paused before continuing,
"My team and I were heading back for dinner when we saw him fighting some sort of electric entity. They had the powers of a Summon, but the body of a human… It was so strange."
Aoto looked confused at the officer's words, but Aiko and Fumiko knew exactly who he was referring to.
"Aiko-senpai… That sounds like the person we saw the other day talking to Kazu-san. I knew he was up to no good!" Fumiko said with vexation.
Aiko's heart almost shattered at the officer's words, but she still wanted to hear the rest.
"Did you see anything else? Did you see where they went after the fight?" Aiko asked pressingly.
The officer was about to speak, but his team started calling his name.
"Sorry, that's my team calling me. All I know is that after the fight, that electric entity was standing very close to your senior, almost as if he was hugging him or something… I dunno. If I have more information, I will let you guys know."
And with that, the officer leaves to join his team.
Aiko is left with so many questions she wants to know, but she doesn't know how to ask them without seeing Kazu first.
"Let's leave this to rest for now. Right now, we have to see why everyone was called to the main hall." Aoto pointed towards the crowd of people.
Aiko still wanted to press on about the situation, but she couldn't help but forget about it for now. She nods, and the group makes it towards the crowd.