Time passed painfully slowly, minutes felt like eternity. It seemed like he had called Kenta to pick him up ages ago.

  He stood up from the bed and opened the doors, glancing down the hallway, hoping Kenta would appear. But he didn’t feel like a prisoner anymore. He could walk away right now if he wanted. A small smile crossed his lips as he looked down at his feet. He was wearing slippers, and it was already cold outside.

  Finally…a familiar figure appeared at the end of the hallway. Kenta was rushing toward him, bags in his hands. As he came closer, Takashi smiled.

  “What took you so long?” he asked.

  Kenta grabbed his hand and pulled him back into the room.

  “I was at work, you know. Then I stopped by your place to pick up some clothes. Or were you planning to go out in pajamas and barefoot?”

  “Actually, I was thinking about doing that a moment ago. But you finally showed up." Takashi laughed.

  “Here." Kenta said, placing the bags in his hands.

  “Hurry up. Get dressed.”

  “Turn around." Takashi said, pulling off his pajama top and laying it on the bed.

  His stomach was wrapped in bandages.

  “Does it hurt?” Kenta asked, his eyes softening at the sight of the wound.

  “Do you need any help?”

  He moved closer to the bed.

  “No…I can do it myself." Takashi said, taking a step back.

  “It’s not like I’ve never seen you without pants. Sit down...let me help you.”

  Takashi finally gave in and sat on the bed. They didn’t say anything, but they both knew. It wasn’t embarrassment…Takashi simply didn’t want Kenta to see him like this.

  During the drive, Kenta talked nonstop... about work, his colleagues, and how much everyone missed him. But Takashi’s thoughts were focused on only one thing… he was finally free, and he could now begin his search for the man from the alley.

  They stopped in front of Takashi’s house and Kenta helped him out of the car. Then he opened the trunk and pulled out a few bags.

  He slipped an arm around Takashi’s waist, and they went inside. He helped him onto the bed and began unpacking the bags. Inside were lunch boxes filled with food.

  “My mother made you some food.” Kenta said. “I’ll put it in the fridge. You can heat it up when you’re hungry.”

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  Takashi’s eyes were filled with softness as he looked at Kenta. He hated the thought of lying to him…

  I’ll tell him the truth when the right time comes…

  Right now, he would only be angry...and he

  wouldn’t support my decision.

  “She wished you a quick recovery." Kenta added, closing the fridge and resting his hands on his hips, like a worried father.

  “Tell her thank you for me. She didn’t have to go through all that trouble. I could’ve just ordered something.” He felt embarrassed.

  When they were younger, she often invited Takashi over for dinner. After he lost his mother, she always cooked too much and insisted they come to eat. But he knew it was only her way of taking care of him.

  “I need to get back to work.” Kenta placed the medication on the table, poured a glass of water, and set it beside Takashi.

  “Don’t forget to take this, and call me if you need anything.”

  “Don’t worry…just go. You’re acting like I’m a child." Takashi laughed.

  The door closed behind him, leaving Takashi alone on the sofa. Finally… he was home.

  Two days later, he had to go to the hospital for a checkup. He was feeling good. The nurse changed his bandage and smiled.

  “Next time, we can take out the stitches. Just follow the instructions, and you’ll be feeling better in no time.”

  He left the hospital and called a taxi.

  “Where are you going, sir?” the taxi driver asked politely.

  Instead of heading home, Takashi gave the address of the police station. He couldn’t wait any longer.

  He’s a criminal. There must be a record of him somewhere. I need to start there, he thought...

  I’ll make an excuse...I’ll say I only came to visit, he thought.

  He hoped Kenta wouldn’t be there.

  What would I tell him if he saw me?

  His thoughts were a mess, but he didn’t give up.

  I’ll figure something out as I go.

  The car stopped in front of the police station, and he stepped inside. Everyone looked shocked to see him.

  He greeted them politely.

  “I couldn’t stay away any longer. I just wanted to come and thank you for the gifts and all your concern." he said with a smile.

  They gathered around him, asking how he felt. Everyone seemed genuinely happy to see him.

  “I thought you were back at work already." someone said.

  “No.” he smiled. “I just came to visit for a bit and grab some files from my computer.”

  After a short conversation, everyone returned to their work. Takashi quickly went to his desk and turned on his computer. Kenta wasn’t there.

  I need to hurry...

  Photos flashed across the monitor as he scrolled through them.

  He narrowed the search, typing in the keywords: 25 to 29 years old, blond hair.

  But there was nothing. No sign of him.

  Then he remembered...he had a colleague at a smaller police station in the Shirogawa district. There was a strong chance he would find him there.

  Nervously, he took his phone from his pocket and made the call.

  “Hi…Ryo. It’s Takashi. I’m sorry if I’m bothering you, but I need some help." he said politely.

  “Could you send me the police records from the past five years in your district? I’m trying to find someone.” His expression was tense.

  “No…I only know what he looks like. I need to go through the photos. I’d really appreciate it if you could send them to me now.”

  “Thank you so much. I’ll wait for the files to transfer.”

  He placed the phone on the table and waited nervously. Finally, a soft beep announced the file transfer. Takashi entered the keywords again and began scrolling through the photos. He wasn’t thinking about anything anymore. He forgot about Kenta and everything around him.

  Suddenly, his eyes widened. There he was... the man from that night.

  Sota Hayami, 27 years old…He had been arrested a few times for street fights in front of the Kurotsuki Bar.

  He leaned back in the chair, relief washing over him, unaware of everything around him.

  I found him…

  He had to be a regular at that bar. There was no time to waste...he needed to go there as soon as possible.

  “You really are something, Takashi." Kenta said as he marched toward his desk.

  Takashi closed the tabs on the screen the moment he saw him.

  “I just came to visit and pick up some files so I can work from home." he lied once more.

  “And out of all the things you could do at home, you chose to work. You could make some popcorn and watch a movie like every normal human being, you know?”

  He added, worry visible on his face.

  “Don’t worry…I was at the hospital for a checkup. The nurse said I’m perfectly fine. I’m going home right away." he said with a smile.

  “Come on…I’ll drive you home.” Kenta pulled him gently by the arm. Takashi turned off the computer.

  “I missed this so much." he said, turning his head to look at the office.

  “I know…” Kenta comforted him

  He was very quiet in the car. His mind was fixed on only one thing. Tonight…he would go to the Kurotsuki Bar and search for Sota.