2 Hours Before Xianye's Arrival.

Thud.

Ryo placed the makeshift bookmark he had made between the pages and placed it back on the shelf. 

He quietly walked out and went to his room. There, he instantly picked up his phone and checked the time.

[12:30 PM]

'It's already twelve-thirty... I don't think anyone is here in the Headquarters, except maybe Xianye... But he probably isn't cooking but rather working...'

'Should I take my car and go off to have my lunch? But then... What will happen if I leave his place alone...' Ryo rubbed his forehead wondering what to do. 

At first he had though to call a core-member of the Squad 8. However, the problem was that he did not have the number of anyone. And, if by chance he did, he would most-likely avoid calling them so as to not bother the presumably busy person.

Eventually, he gave up on it and instead decided to go to the kitchen. 

'There's probably something in there...' He preliminary judged as he made his way towards the kitchen.

However, on his way he felt a sudden chill run down his spine as he turned to see a woman wearing formal wear and towering over him.

Her emerald-green eyes shaking as she had a startled expression on her face, much like Ryo himself. 

'What if the she thinks that I'm trying to snoop around- ' The two quickly composed themselves and stared for a while before Ryo hurriedly explained himself, "I- I'm really hungry so I was going to the kitchen..."

Haori's shoulders loosened as she slumped down and said, "There's nothing in there, I- I was going to make some food right now, though it will take some time for it to be finished."

"It's also going to be only you, me, and Yoru who'll be the only ones having lunch right now... I doubt Raphael or Xianye will be coming back right now, since they are gone on investigations." She quickly added. 

'So Xianye and Raphael both are gone on investigations... Is it the missing-items case? Well, it doesn't matter...' He quickly began thinking about something else and asked after a few seconds of awkward silence, "Would you and Yoru like to come with and have some food at someplace else? Someplace outside... A restaurant maybe?" 

After another moment of silence, Haori shrugged lightly and replied, "S- Sure we can... But, we still haven't asked Yoru... Or maybe you did...?" 

'I didn't even know he was here...' 

"I did not asked Yoru about it... I'll go right now and ask!" He quickly replied rushed towards the first floor. 

Knock! Knock! Knock! He knocked multiple times before hearing a Clack! sound and stopping. 

As the door opened, sounds of various voices could be heard from his television. Yoru's head popped out, his cream hair disheveled, his pure-white eyes diluted as if realizing something as he quickly stretched to his right. 

With it, the the loud volume from the television quietened. Yoru welcomed him and asked why he was there. "Hey, Ryo! What is it, did'ja need something?" 

Ryo forced saliva down his epiglottis and asked, "Uhm, since there was no food made, Haori and I've decided to eat outside, would you like to join us?" 

Before Ryo could receive his answer, Yoru gave a surprised look and exclaimed, "Haori's back already?!" 

"Yes." Ryo answered. 'Was... she not supposed to be back? Come to think of it... Does she always wear formal wear at home...'  

Still shocked Yoru replied and asked, "Alrighty, let's go and have lunch, but, do you have a place to go to...?" 

Thud. Before receiving a reply, he shut his door and took the lead, going downstairs shortly followed by Ryo who was trying to come with an answer.

"Well if you don't then let me take you to one, hmm?" He suggested. 

As Ryo thought about his suggestion, a deep, familiar female voice came, replying in his stead, "Uhm, Yoru. If it's one of those big restaurants... Then can we choose some place else...?" 

Yoru scratched and ruffled his hair, disheveling it further before he replied, "Fine... Well, who's driving and which car are we taking? Mine?" 

"No, we'll take Ryo's car, since it's Sedan, we'll all fit inside... Three people can't sit in your car and I don't think that taking a military vehicle is good, so that's our only option!" Haori said as the trio made their way towards the garage, going down the hill-like path from the main hall. 

In response to Haori's suggestion, Yoru nodded and Ryo complying, withdrew his UII and tapped on it.

Blink! Blink! The car's headlights blinked as it produced a blinking sound. 

The three quickly got in. Ryo sat on the driver's seat, Yoru sat directly next to him and Haori sat at the back seat. 

Vroom! He started his car as it began to hang in the air. 

Going up through the Area of Perimeters, Ryo noticed the Fragmented Tongue engravings on curved walls. 

At that moment, he wanted to ask about the engravings, but he refrained as the hunger creeping in and invaded all thoughts. 

As they drove out of the Squad 8 Headquarters, after a while of aimless hovering of the car, Ryo suggested hesitantly, "When I was coming here, I ate at a place, should we go there...? Although it is far away from here, since it is around the borders of Sector Six."

The two nodded at Ryo's suggestion and asked him to head towards the place.

As they drove on, they went past a familiar looking military vehicle, however they didn't pay much attention to it and continued looked ahead.

'Raphael's here... I hope he ate.' Haori leaned back fully, her emerald-green eyes staring at the car's headliner fabric interior roof.

At that moment, Yoru noticed a notification. 

He picked his phone and after reading he said, "Raphael said he already ate at MC's. And that he's sorry for not informing us about it, he hopes we ate too." 

"I don't think he noticed Ryo's car, did he. He was probably looking at his phone and typing this out..." Yoru added.

Haori giggled quietly and told Yoru to assure Raphael that they ate, or at least were going to.