A girl is sitting in her room, looking through old papers and documents.

Her name is Yuri

Yuri (thinking): “The Matsumoto family… there are so many rumors about them.”

In her hands she holds a file with Taro Matsumoto’s name on it.

Yuri (thinking): “If I want to find out the truth, I must get closer to him.”

A flashback of Yuri talking to an informant in an alley.

Informant: “If you investigate too much, you’ll become a target.”

Yuri: “I know.”

Yuri looks at her phone, hesitating to send Taro a message.

Message on screen: “Can we meet up?”

Her fingers tremble before she hits send.

Panel 1: Elsewhere, Taro is in a bar, looking at the card he found on the murderer’s corpse.

Taro (thinking): “The Asakura… never leave any loose ends.”

His phone vibrates. He sees Yuri’s message.

Taro sighs and replies:

Taro’s message: “Where?”

Yuri, seeing the reply, smiles slightly.

Yuri (thinking): “It’s working.”

The scene changes to an empty restaurant where the two are meeting.

Taro and Yuri are sitting across from each other. Taro crosses his arms, looking at her suspiciously.

Taro: “Why did you want to see me?”

Yuri takes a deep breath before answering.

Yuri: “I want to know more about the Matsumoto family.”

Taro narrows his eyes.

Taro: “Why?”

Yuri hesitates. He knows he can’t tell the truth yet.

Yuri: “Just… curious.”

Taro laughs coldly.

Taro: “Curiosity will kill you.”

Before Yuri can answer, a man in a long coat enters the restaurant.

Taro instantly recognizes him and tenses.

Taro (thinking): “Shit… what is he doing here?”

The man sits down at a nearby table and gives Taro a look.

Mysterious man: “It’s been a while, Matsumoto.”

Yuri notices the tension on Taro’s face.

Yuri (thinking): “Who is that?”

Taro mutters to himself.

Taro: “Asakura…”

The mysterious man smiles.

Asakura: “We have a lot to talk about.”

Yuri watches the interaction with interest.

Yuri (thinking): “Is this man part of the yakuza?”

Taro slowly stands up.

Taro: “I have nothing to say to you.”

Asakura smirks.

Asakura: “Oh, but we do. Especially after what you did in that bar…”

Yuri frowns.

Yuri (thinking): “What is he talking about?”

End of chapter.