Today was another normal day. Kazami Yuya was on his way to work overtime again. His body was exhausted, but his spirit was high.
He'd been running around for Kazawa's business these past few days. His arms were going numb from all the driving.
News from Furuya-senpai came in—Rye had already departed to partner with Gin on a mission. That probably meant Rye was no longer monitoring Kazawa, and their operation could officially begin.
The Public Safety Bureau's protection and identity-switch plan was running smoothly. The vehicles and alternate routes for the transfer had been thoroughly checked. Now, he just needed to get in touch with the coroner to have the soon-to-be "falling death" certified as Kazawa Sho, issue the death certificate, then coordinate with the household registration office to finalize Kazawa's death record and activate his new identity...
Kazami Yuya mentally ticked off each item on the list. He felt positively optimistic.
It was going to be a busy few days. He'd be running around like crazy—not just him, but the whole Zero Division would be tied up as well. To ensure Kazawa's safety, they would be intervening heavily in the transfer process, eliminating any chance of error.
But the future was bright!
That troublemaker who kept flirting with danger and scraping against the edges of newspaper headlines...
He was finally going to leave Tokyo!
Thank god!
The endless overtime nights were almost over. Dawn was right around the corner. A little exhaustion was a price worth paying—so Kazami told himself.
Ding ding.
A cheerful but stubby ringtone rang out, interrupting Kazami's determined stride through the parking garage. He stopped, fished out his phone.
It was the sound every overworked employee dreaded: a message from the boss.
Screen lit. Unlocked.
The email popped up full screen. The white background and black text glowed coldly on Kazami's already sleep-deprived face.
In short: His forehead turned dark with doom.
[Emergency.]
The very first line punched him right in the chest.
[Rye was exposed during the operation.]
The second line made Kazami blink rapidly. "Exposed." That wasn't a word used lightly in reference to the Organization—unless...
[The Organization has confirmed that 'Black Rye' Moroboshi Dai is actually FBI agent Shuichi Akai.]
The third line fried Kazami's brain. He staggered a bit, reflexively clutched his forehead.
[The Organization has issued a kill order on Shuichi Akai. His last known location was near Gunma Prefecture. I'll be leaving Tokyo shortly.]
Kazami's expression went blank. He read it twice over before he finally absorbed the meaning.
His breath caught as he stared at the last line.
[I won't be able to oversee Kazawa Sho's identity switch. The rest of the plan is now your responsibility. Complete it before I return. This will also serve as the best cover for my own identity. Hurry.]
Kazami's knees buckled. He had to brace himself against a nearby pillar.
So… "Black Rye" was an FBI mole. He'd been exposed. Furuya-senpai was now going to participate in the hunt for him.
Which meant—
Kazawa Sho's fake-death escape plan was now on Kazami Yuya alone.
"Furuya-senpaaai!"
A broken cry tore from Kazami's throat.
He hadn't slept in two days. Don't do this to me. I really can't take it anymore!
——
"These next few days, behave yourself. Something happened with the Organization," Furuya Rei said as he closed Café Poirot for the night. He spoke to Kazawa, who was helping clean up. "I'll be leaving Tokyo soon. The Organization might send someone else to keep an eye on you or even tail you temporarily. Don't wander off with strangers. Stay close to the café, and keep a low profile."
Of course, someone like Kazami Yuya, who'd already been in contact with Kazawa, wouldn't count as a stranger. Furuya tried his best to hint at that, subtly revealing that there was now a gap in the Organization's surveillance.
Kazawa had always been sharp—he would understand the implication.
As long as Kazawa went along with Kazami's arrangements during this window, the Organization would receive word that, due to the chaos surrounding Rye's betrayal, Kazawa Sho had died suddenly after slipping out of sight.
They might be suspicious about the "accidental fall," but all the documentation had been prepped. Once they confirmed it, the Organization would likely assume that foreign intel agencies—possibly even the FBI—had eliminated Kazawa Sho, shifting all their focus away from the real one.
Ideally, they'd even assume that Shuichi Akai, exposed and desperate, had killed or abducted Kazawa. The more they pinned on Akai, the safer Kazawa would be.
"Is it that serious?" Kazawa asked, putting down the cleaning rag, worry in his eyes. "Is it dangerous?"
"I'm not the one in danger." Furuya smirked coldly, the mask of Bourbon slipping into place.
That bastard… An undercover agent. An FBI agent…
Scotch's death now felt like the punchline to a cruel joke.
The sound of a gunshot, the smashed phone, Rye's blood-spattered, expressionless face as he put away the gun—
All of it replayed again in his mind like it always did.
Shuichi Akai—he'd known Scotch was an undercover agent too.
Yet just to protect himself, to climb the ladder, to win the Organization's trust...
He'd killed Scotch.
Without hesitation.
Without remorse.
Furuya's gloved fists clenched tightly, the fabric stretching at his fingertips.
He would never forgive that man.
Furuya hid the murderous glint in his eyes, picked up the suitcase by his feet. It was packed with a handgun, firearm components, and assorted lethal equipment for missions.
"Don't worry," he said as he turned toward the door, voice calm and firm. "It'll all be over soon. You won't have to wait long."
He gave Kazawa a sharp, confident smile, then strode out of the café.
"…Take care out there," Kazawa murmured, watching his hasty departure, lips curling up in a small smile.
He looked confident on the outside—but Kazawa was pretty sure Furuya's plan wouldn't go smoothly.
Not with him.
Not with Akai.
Sorry in advance, Amuro-san.
Kazawa sat down, propped up his cheek, and watched the white Mazda roar away into the night. His lips moved lightly:
"Since I'm technically an ally, don't be too mad when the surprise hits, Amuro Tooru."
He was preparing a little gift for Furuya Rei.
A real shocker.
Okay, maybe it was a little mean.
But hey—it's for the mission. The mission, alright?
He just hoped…
When Furuya opened that gift, he wouldn't lose his temper.
And if he did throw a punch—
At least hold back a little, yeah?