9:30 P.M...At Metropolitan Police Department's (MPD) Headquarters, Superintendent Kuriyama's office.
Kaori and Officer Natsuki has been called to report what they have observed throughout the day of spying on Arata and Shinji.
So, what's your report? Superintendent Kuriyama asks his voiced a bit shaky.
I followed Shinji and Arata on their way at school earlier and have not noticed anything suspicious, they are just talking about their future plans and Shinji constantly teasing Arata. Also, after school, Arata and Shinji go to separate ways Arata goes to his part time job he is a waiter at an internet cafe 25 minutes away from Sakurazaka Highschool called "Kaido Internet Cafe" I decided to follow him since Shinji is with Ms. Kaori and her friends that time. I have not noticed anything unusual as well he was just casually taking orders and serving them to the costumers he was even engaging in some short conversation with them at times. At 8:45 P.M after his shift, He head straight at their apartment. That concludes my report, Sir! Officer Natsuki calmly concludes her report followed by a confident salute.
"Of course, I won't share the part where I got figured out and cornered by those two earlier in the morning at that damn alleyway." Officer Natsuki taught to herself, maintaining her calm facade.
How about you, Sweetie? Superintendent Kuriyama said his tone shifts into more sweet and playful one.
Kaori cringes slightly at his father's demeanor, then she clears her throat to start her report.
Father, I observed them throughout the entire school hours and I haven't noticed anything unusual about those two as usual they are just talking about some subjects, Shinji annoying Arata in every opportunity he gets, and talking about the future. After school, I tried to invite them to hang out but Arata isn't free because of his shift so I only get to observe Shinji by that time. And, I also haven't notice anything unusual or inconsistency in his behavior throughout our time together. That concludes my report, Father. Kaori said confidently.
"I am sorry, Father...for lying to you. But this is the only way to gain the brothers' trust and let me join their team, Unfortunately, once I have succeeded...We will be enemies." Kaori taught to herself while maintaining a cheerful smile outside, Her father not aware that everything she said is just white lies.
Great, You two are dismissed. Kaori, get straight to the house it's already evening. Superintendent Kuriyama said with a serious tone.
Officer Natsuki gave the Superintendent a salute before exiting the room, Kaori just casually follows behind Officer Natsuki.
Takahiro...what did you even see in this seemingly normal children to suspect them in this kind of degree, even resorting to put them in thorough surveillance. Superintendent Kuriyama mutters to himself followed by a sigh I should inform him first about the reports. He picked up his phone and dialed Takahiro's number.
9:45 P.M...At Takahiro's house, He is creating lesson plan for tomorrow's class while watching the brothers through the secret cameras inserted in their apartment.
"Well, I see no inconsistency in their behavior and unusual activities so far." Takahiro taught to himself.
A knock disrupts him from his thoughts.
Yes, you may enter! Takahiro said calmly.
The door opens, It was his daughter, Haruko who is also in his class and a classmate of Arata and Shinji!
Dad! You left your phone again somewhere! Geez! Haruko said feigning annoyance followed by a sigh You're hopeless, Dad...She hands him his phone.
Right, my bad...Thanks you, Sweetie. Takahiro said calmly, sweetness evident in his voice.
Whatever...Haruko blushes and looks awya then eventually leaves the room.
Is that what they call a tsundere? Takahiro mutters to himself and he takes a look at his phone Oh, it's Kuriyama. He said nonchalantly as he answered the call What's the report? Takahiro asks coldly.
Your perceptive as usual, you already know why I called... Superintendent Kuriyama said calmly Anyways, as the findings from our investigators and my daughter have observed...those two are completely clear, they seem innocent to me. Superintendent Kuriyama said confusion evident in his voice I understand and know the reason behind your first and second condition to me in order for you to lend me a hand on this Harmony Duo case, but you haven't told me anything about the third. What did they do to make you suspect them in this degree that you even put them under thorough surveillance? Superintendent Kuriyama said confusion evident in his voice laced with seriousness.
Fine, I tell you...those two suddenly just transferred into my classroom they are mysterious no one even knows about their clear background that is why i asked you to put them under thorough surveillance and to investigate their backgrounds. I felt something ominous everytime they are around...and the demeanor and intellect of the masked duo especially the black masked one somehow almost matches those two...I suspect that they are connected to those two or maybe...they are those two...I mean the masked duo terrorists. Takahiro said with cold tone.
I see... Superintendent Kuriyama mutters.
I have my own reasons just trust me. Takahiro said reassuring him.
Anyways, you have full access in the secret camera we have implanted in their apartment. Did you notice something unusual? Superintendent Kuriyama asks curiosity evident in his voice.
Nothing so far...But, I feel like something bad will happen. Takahiro said wary evident in his voice.
What do you mean by something bad will happen? Superintendent Kuriyama asks his voice turning serious.
Nothing. Maybe, I am just being paranoid. Takahiro said facepalming.
Alright, I won't take much of your time anymore. Get yourself some rest...Superintendent Kuriyama said wary still evident in his voice, moments later he hangs up the phone call.
Takahiro puts down the phone and scratches his head, he take a quick glance at the brothers in his laptop.
"They seem normal that's true...But why do I feel like they are pretending? And what is this ominous feeling? Are they really just pretending or not? I need to find out more...this case, and thisntwo individuals in particular, really managed to mess up my mind." Takahiro taught to himself.
The next day...
8:00 A.M At Sakurazaka Highschool Class 3-C classroom, Takahiro just entered the room to tecah the first subject of the day which is "Science".
Good morning, everyone. Takahiro said with his usual stern expression and calm tone.
He scans the classroom to check if there are absentees today.
Seems like you guys are complete today, what a rare miracle indeed! Takahiro said sarcastically.
The class burst into laughter at his sarcastic remark yet again.
Arata justs adjusts his glasses directly looking at Takahiro, Takahiro manage to catch Arata look him so he did the same.
The class murmurs again at their intense "usual" eye contact.
A sudden ring from Takahiro's phone disrupts the eye contact of the two, He takes a look at his phone.
Kuriyama, again... Takahiro mutters to himself followed by a sigh and a scratch in the head Just a moment, I need to take this phone call. Takahiro immediately steps out of the classroom and answered the call What is it this time, Friend? Takahiro said feigning annoyance.
Takahiro, I really feel like you should put a stop on those two's surveillance. Superintendent Kuriyama said with a serious tone.
What's the reason? Takahiro felt something suspicious, his tone getting cold.
Well, that's because... Superintendent Kuriyama said his voice shaky.
Inside the classroom...
Hey, look! Another video from those masked weirdos got released! A random classmate said.
The others are a bit surprised from the news, they all gathered at that classmate's desk to watch the video. Arata and Shinji are also surprised themselves.
Going back outside with Takahiro...
What?! Another video? What time did that video got released? Takahiro's stern facade falters completely he was caught off guard and is shocked.
8:00 A.M Superintendent Kuriyama mutters.
"What? That was..." Takahiro taught to himself.
He takes a look at Arata and Shinji at the window.
"From their reaction they are completely surprised as well like the other classmates. That only means they are clear...But, why do I feel like something is still a miss...who did this? is this a work of an imposter or the real deal themselves...Who exactly is this two? Arata and Shinji...and those two nasked terrorist." Takahiro taught to himself with a scowl.
Back inside the classroom...
Haruko is also among those peopel who came to the random classmate's desk to watch the video, she felt a sudden sense of familiarity.
Arata and Shinji tries to blend in the crowd to avoid suspicions, but Haruko who has her back turned in them felt an ominous feeling in her back that made her take a look at her back and it's the brothers.
"What was that...cold presence..." Haruko taught to herself.
She takes a moment to glance at the two individuals at the video and turn her gaze back at Arata and Shinji.
"Who really are you, you two?" Haruko taught to herself as she maintains a calm facade.