"Nina brought back some valuable information from Katashi's University. Apparently, the kid dropped out and withdrew himself from all his classes before he disappeared. So I'm starting to think this kidnapping case may be changed to someone who ran away." Haruka placed his coffee mug on the counter.

"That doesn't sound like Katashi at all." Wilson lit his cigarette and slouched over his couch. "That kid is timid."

Everyone met at Wilson's apartment to discuss whatever intel they've gathered over the week. Kaito had been a bit distracted by his mother reprimanding him for staying at her home for so long. It had already been a month since they arrived in Japan.

Kaito did hope to finish solving this case with Haruka by now, but things have been slow because Haruka had been bombarded with other cases and Asuka was still on the loose trying to hunt Kaito down. Haruka was trying to catch Asuka, but Katashi's case was still prioritized at the police station.

Everyone was going in circles, making no improvements. It was frustrating Kaito.

"Does anyone know why he did it?" Kaito folded his arms and leaned on the pillar that was creating an open space between the kitchen and living room.

"No one at all," Haruka grunted. "I wish we had this information earlier before we started the investigation. It would've saved us a lot more time."

"It would've," Kaito grumbled in agreement. He placed his hand over his mouth when a yawn escaped him.

"Are you okay, Kaito?"

"I'm fine." Kaito lied. He was exhausted. He didn't understand why, but lately, he couldn't sleep. Something was making his heart throb little by little, but he couldn't pinpoint what exactly that feeling was.

"Is Samantha wearing you out?" Wilson smirked.

"Always." Kaito rolled his eyes. Samantha was such a heavy burden for him. He couldn't understand her at all. The women in Japan were so different from her, wanting the same usual things in their country. But Samantha was unpredictable. He hoped she would keep her distance from him when she acknowledged his real identity.

And he thought Samantha would disagree after finding out his true occupation. But he never expected him to be the one wanting to keep his distance from her. Her confession still surprised him, and he didn't know how to respond to all her admittances of love.

He wasn't used to it. It wasn't normal for his family to tell each other "I love you." Everything he did before she found out he was an assassin was all an act. "She's an eyesore."

"That's cute." Wilson fluttered his eyes in a teasing manner, and Kaito threatened him with a look.

"Don't make me beat you to a pulp." Kaito snapped. "Anyways, Haruka.. there's something I want to discuss with you. I found the man who had been sending those bills and statements to Hana's house. I have suspicions on someone I'm familiar with, but I think it's wise if I investigate on my own first."

"Absolutely not." Haruka cackled. "I want to keep an eye on you. No more running off on your own. I can't afford for you to kill anymore people." Haruka took another long sip of his coffee. "Who is the person you have suspicions about?"

"A friend," Kaito answered.

"A friend?" Haruka raised a brow.

"Inochi Naka." Kaito slumped back in his seat. "The man who delivered those letters works for Inochi Naka. He is responsible for recruiting the poor or people in debt to do dirty work for the Yakuza. I feel like he has something to do with my brother." Kaito placed his fingers under his chin and mumbled. "I'm not exactly sure what's happening, but I want to find out."

Haruka leaned against the counter. He didn't know who Inochi was, the authorities never heard of him. The lack of information stirred the feeling of anxiety within him. And after the past few weeks, he didn't trust Kaito to work alone.

"How exactly did you find out that the man who delivered those letters worked for Inochi?" Haruka tilted his head and eyed Kaito suspiciously.

Kaito fiddled with the inside of his pockets and pulled out the business card he took from the fake postal worker. He tossed it on the counter and slid it towards Haruka. "This card has his number. I tested it out myself after I recognized it."

"You called him?"

"Of course! I knew who the number belonged to, so I called it. It wasn't on my phone though."

Haruka examined the card longer and sighed in frustration. "Kaito, I think we should wait and look into this guy. If Katashi really does have anything to do with this scum, we should get some intel before rushing in and doing any lethal investigation."

"Lethal investigation?" Kaito scoffed. "What in the world are you talking about? We can't sit around and wait for you to do some research on him, I know him personally!"

"You've been away from Japan for a while Kaito, how do we know that this crook won't stab you in the back?"

"If we wait for you to do unnecessary snooping that could take forever, and we may never find Katashi!" Kaito spat venomously. "You know what happened the last time I waited for you to take charge. I got involved with a woman and now I've got to support a child!"

"You chose to do that on your own, so it's your own fault. I told you to leave the woman alone."

"How else would we have gotten any info on Asuka, Baka! Idiot!"

"Watch your mouth!"

"Don't treat me like a child!" Kaito pounded his fists on the counter, and his boisterous yell caused the entire room to go silent. "Don't act so condescending! You have no right to treat me like that after you—" Kaito stopped himself after realizing that his emotions were getting the best of him. He gripped the edge of the counter, trying his best to calm himself back down. It wasn't easy, so he ended up grinding his teeth as he mouthed his words. "Let me talk to him."

"We have to understand our enemy." Haruka blinked away the hurt in his eyes. He knew what Kaito was getting at. It was no secret that he abandoned Kaito, but it surely was enough to make Haruka feel an immeasurable amount of regret. "I was the one who taught you, to have your friends close, but your enemies closer. Don't forget that." He tapped Kaito on the shoulder.

"You don't trust me." Kaito sneered.

"And you are having trouble recognizing whose side you are on. You promised not to work for the Yakuza anymore, but you are disobeying my orders by going ballistic and killing people!"

"I only killed because they tried to kill me first!" Kaito raised his shirt and gestured towards his wound. It was healing up, but the scar was going to remain there forever. "I know very well whose side I'm on. But get one thing straight pal, I'm not a cop. Not a foolish one like you."

"You need to learn how to hold back your anger and bring your insulting words to a minimum." Haruka rolled his eyes. Haruka knew what was doing deep down. He understood that Kaito defended himself, which is why he was so hesitant about sending him off to go speak to this criminal recruiter. Things obviously have changed. The Yakuza weren't treating Kaito as superior anymore.

It was hard for him to show and say it, but Haruka did love and was looking out for his son.

"Don't try and teach me how to talk." Kaito huffed. "Forget it, I'm done talking with you."

"Wait," Haruka demanded and Kaito halted in his step just as he moved toward the door.

"What now?"

"I know how reckless you are." Haruka hummed. "If you want to go to Inochi, bring Nina with you."

"Have you lost your mind?" Kaito laughed. "Do you know what will happen when Inochi finds out that I brought a cop within HIS presence?"

"She won't go inside with you, but with the gear that I'm able to get for you, she can gather the intel from outside and make sure you don't kill anyone else."

"No, absolutely not." Kaito snapped. "Nina will only slow me down."

"She'll be in danger!" Wilson blurted out, and both Kaito and Haruka turned to face him with stunned expressions. Wilson's face turned a light shade of red and he stuttered. "I m-mean, she's really athletic and helpful, but don't you think sending Nina out with Kaito is a bit too dangerous for a cop?"

"Would you rather go with him?" Haruka suggested.

"Heavens no!" Wilson snorted. "I am a skinny white man who still has some debt to pay off! Inochi and his goons will rip out my kidneys and sell them to the black market!"

"Then Nina will have to be the one to go."

~

The moment Kaito arrived back in his mother's home, he collapsed on the couch face forward. All he wanted to do was sleep. But he knew it was going to be difficult once he heard the soft putter patter of Hana's house slippers get closer.

"Nē itsu watashino ieo deruno?" She rolled up a magazine and slapped the top of his head with it. She was nagging him about him and his family's stay. It's already been over a month, and Kaito's wife and child were still there at her home. She thought it was odd because she thought Kaito had a good job. But lately, it felt like he was leeching off of her. She had suspicions that maybe he lost his job.

"kyūsokuga hitsuyōda.." Kaito replied softly, shooing her away with his hand. He wanted her to let him rest. Hana raised the rolled-up magazine and slapped him with it again, but it was much more firm. Then she began yelling at him and asking him questions.

"Mama!" Kaito groaned and snatched the magazine out of her hands. "Please!" He groaned tiredly.

"Anatato okusan'ni mon'daiga arunodesuka?" Hana thought that maybe marital problems were the issue. She noticed that Kaito and Samantha weren't that affectionate with each other, which was all the reason for them to leave and find their own place so they could satisfy each other's needs.

Either that or they could go to a love hotel. There were plenty in Osaka.

"No." Kaito massaged the bridge of his nose. He was so tired that his native language was starting to sound dragged out and sloppy. He chucked the magazine away and plopped back onto the couch, turning his body over in a more comfortable position. In seconds, he was out cold.

It seemed like a few minutes, but Kaito opened his eyes once he felt a slight warmth being tugged away from him. The light from the kitchen shone into the living room, and Kaito saw that he was covered in a blanket. The warmth on top of him was Keiji.

"Oh, I didn't mean to wake you," Samantha whispered. Her voice was low because of the time. It was dark outside. Kaito couldn't believe he had slept the entire day.

Samantha tried taking Keiji off, but his body was sluggish because he was deep asleep as well. "I was just trying to move him. I know it's a bit bothersome."

"Don't mind," Kaito mumbled and brushed her hands away. "Let him stay." He tugged his son closer and pulled the blanket over Keiji's small body.

"Are you sure?" Samantha frowned.

"If you wake him, he'll just cry. And then I'll be extremely annoyed." Kaito sighed.

"You're right." Samantha looked down at Keiji. She felt bad because she knew that Kaito only tolerated Keiji. It made her feel so hurt, to be clueless and not know if the man she loved so much loved them back. She leaned over and kissed Keiji's forehead.

Kaito noticed the change of mood and his arm stretched over without realizing it. He stroked the back of her head in a way to reassure her, but then he stopped and pulled away immediately. Samantha was surprised at his sudden act of affection.