When he wasn’t schooling, Toshihiro would join his fellow roommates in putting together new volumes to their manga series, trying to beat each deadline. Other than that, he offered his expertise to the Neon Ninjas and their never-ending quest in keeping the streets free of crime. He barely brought it up, but a fateful encounter with Detective Daigo was what led him to the path of being a crime fighter. In fact, he was once a criminal himself having been recruited by the Crow Claw Brigade, thinking that it was the best way to help pull rival gangs off the streets.

     With time, though, it started to fill Toshihiro with doubt.

     “Am I doing the right thing?” he thought to himself.

     As an orphan from the streets, Toshihiro had no one to rely on but himself, leaving him with very little moral compass. In fact, he often looked for trouble from stealing for survival to pickpocketing just to impress his friends. What he learned from the streets served the Crow Claw Brigade greatly to an extent but, at the age of twelve, and appalled by the actions of his recruiters, he began to yearn for something more.

     This was where Daigo stepped in. The detective took a break from gathering intel, and stepped into a local tea house for a hot beverage. But, throughout his stay, he couldn’t help but notice the young Toshihiro keeping to himself in a corner. “What’s he doing out of school at this hour?” he thought. Rightfully so as it was just one o’ clock in the afternoon, with Toshihiro showing no signs of ailment. Instead, he looked troubled, tempting Daigo to walk over to his table.

     “Is this seat taken?” Daigo asked.

     “No. Go ahead,” Toshihiro said to him.

     Daigo took his seat, before asking, “Is there any problem? You look down.”

     “It’s nothing,” Toshihiro said. Reluctant at first, he opened up by saying, “Hey, Can you give me some advice?”

     “Sure. What sort of advice?” Daigo asked.

     “If someone is doing something good but, at the same time, they’re hurting others more to achieve it, what do you think?” Toshihiro asked.

     “Good question,” Daigo said. He then proceeded to answer Toshihiro with a question, asking, “Have you heard of the saying ‘The road to Hell is paved with good intentions?’”

     “No. This is my first time actually,” Toshihiro said.

     “If someone is causing harm just to do good, they’re still harming people, and not a good-doer,” Daigo said. “But, if harm was brought against criminals, the police and the justice system should have been called in to handle the matter themselves. ‘Justice’ and ‘vengeance’ aren’t the same.”

     “I see,” Toshihiro said.

     “Someone you know?” Daigo asked.

     “No,” Toshihiro said, even though he was lying.

     Daigo then turned his attention to the cashier calling out to him. The items that the detective ordered were ready to be picked.

     “I know something’s troubling you,” Daigo said, as he brought out his wallet. Toshihiro thought that he was getting ready to make a payment to the cashier, but was stunned when the stranger handed him a business card. “Whenever you feel comfortable, let’s talk more. It could make a difference,” Daigo said to him before walking away.

     As Toshihiro suspected, the stranger was a man of law, or a detective in this case. He took a good look at the business card, but wasn’t sure if he should accept Daigo’s offer considering his role in a criminal group. On the other hand, the actions of those whom he worked for had put him at a distance. Even if he were to serve time, he decided to head over to the station later in the day.

     “Welcome,” Daigo greeted Toshihiro in delight, as he entered his office. “I never did ask you for your name, did I?” he then asked.

     “No, sir. It’s Toshihiro,” said Toshihiro.

     “Is Toshihiro your family name?” Daigo asked.

     “No, sir. I grew up in the streets as an orphan. The name ‘Toshihiro’ was given to me by my mentors,” Toshihiro said.

     “I see,” Daigo said. He then gave Toshihiro a cold bottle of water to Toshihiro, before saying, “Now, Toshihiro, tell me everything you know. Help us lift that burden off you.”

     Toshihiro expected to serve jail time for being part of the Crow Claw Brigade, but he didn’t expect to compensate by simply spying on his own gang group as an informant. Ever since, Daigo had served as Toshihiro’s mentor, with the young man pursuing his own career path as a mangaka, sharing a similar role as his fellow roommates at his dormitory. When he wasn’t working, he would often share his expertise with the police and the Neon Ninjas.