Sunlight filtered through the thin curtains of my room, painting golden streaks on the ceiling. For a second, I thought I could ignore the gentle morning warmth and keep sleeping. But no. She was already there.

— Are you dressed yet, princess? What time is it?

— It’s 6:30, Daddy. I’m ready!

Emi’s voice cut through my laziness with that innocent energy only children possess. I opened my eyes slowly, and there she was, standing beside the bed, wearing her school uniform like it was an adventurer’s armor. Small, vibrant, full of life. Everything good the world still had… concentrated in her.

— Are you sure? I must be a terrible father. I could’ve sworn today was the weekend.

— I don’t know what you’re talking about, Daddy.

She shot me that little smirk at the corner of her mouth—the one that said “I tricked you” better than any words ever could. And for a moment, just one… the weight lifted. No scars, no regrets. Just the two of us.

— Alright, you got me, Dad.

— Aren’t you ashamed to do this to your old dad? I’m not exactly young anymore, you know?

— Daddy, you promised! Remember? Today’s the day you’re taking me to the park.

— Hm… are you sure it was me you made that deal with?

Her smile widened. There was no arguing with that. I got out of bed, trying to ignore the growl of my stomach in protest. The bathroom was cold, but the shower helped put my mind in order. I got dressed in a hurry, heading downstairs while Emi chattered away about school things—friends, cartoons, dreams.

The smell of freshly brewed coffee mingled with the pancakes she had tried to warm up on her own. Not perfect, but… it tasted like my happiness.

The phone buzzed on the counter. Screen lit up, name of the police station. Shit.

— I have to take care of some things at the station, princess.

— Really? But we were going to the park, Daddy!

That look. Not anger, but disappointment. The kind that makes your chest ache in a way no weapon ever could.

— I’ll do everything I can to take you tomorrow, I promise.

— Really?

— Really. Have I ever broken a promise?

— Pinky promise?

— Pinky promise.

The touch of our pinkies sealing the “contract” felt more sacred than any golden alliance. I kissed her forehead and left.

No one knew. No one could know. That mornings like this could be the last.

The case was trivial: a marital dispute that looked more like cheap theater. Yelling, tears, and the same ending as always. But I spent hours there, holding my breath while my mind wandered back to Emi. When I finally returned home, the city was already swallowed by a white blanket of snow.

And then I saw it.

The door, ajar. It made no sense.

The street’s cold was nothing compared to what I felt inside. I drew my gun, heart racing, steps slow. The lights were off. The silence was thick enough to stick to my skin.

— Emi?

Nothing.

— EMI?!

I went in. Everything… overturned. Like a hurricane had passed. My chest felt like it was going to explode. I kept calling, searching, running from room to room until—there.

A piece of her dress. Dirty. With… blood.

No. No. NO.

My hands shook. I almost dropped my phone while trying to dial. My fingers fumbled over the numbers. Finally, I managed.

Yuki was the first to arrive. Her face, usually light, now looked like carved stone.

— I came as soon as I heard. Any leads?

My throat was dry. My mind, in ruins. I… couldn’t accept it.

She placed her hand on my shoulder. A simple gesture, but it prevented me from collapsing.

— We’ll take it from here.

— Bring her back. Even if it means turning this city upside down.

— I’ll bring her back. I swear.

And then… everything went dark. Not literally. But inside me, the light… was gone.

Three years.

Three years since that day.

Today, I am only a shadow of the man I once was. I live in a messy apartment, where the most faithful companion is a cockroach wandering the floor as if it owned the place. I don’t care. About it. Or myself.

I grabbed a beer can from the fridge. Empty. Threw it on the floor. Instant noodles on a plate, a little moldy but edible.

And then… a knock on the door.

I ignored it. But it persisted.

I opened it. Of course. It was her—my old partner, Yuki.

— Hey, grumpy old man. Still alive?

— I’m going to close the door. I’m not in the mood for your jokes today.

— But you have patience to sit in a chair all day watching TV, lamenting how shitty life is?

— Doing that is definitely better than listening to you.

Her smile was the same as always, but… in her eyes, something different. Hard. Serious.

— Today, shit’s about to hit the fan, Haru.

— Why?

— The mayor’s gone. No one can find her.

And in that instant, I had no idea this case would turn my life completely upside down.