𝐁𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐒𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐬

file 056 | explosions and murder (what else is new?)

"Were you scared?" Heiji asked teasingly, leaning towards Suzume's face with a wide grin.

She huffed in response, ignoring how close he was. "You wish," she grumbled.

"You got here at a good time," he continued. "Lend me your mind for a sec, Suzume." He froze as she crossed her arms, showing the ID on her wrist. "No... You, too?"

Suzume blinked, looking at him in surprise as he pulled down his sleeve to reveal an ID. Her heart skipped a beat in fear.

"You're the other detective he mentioned," she breathed.

"Yeah." He nodded, straightening his back. "Kazuha's a hostage. But she has no idea. She's just having fun at the amusement park right now."

~ — — — ~

"The number you dialed isn't within our service area or isn't currently on. As such, we are unable to connect you at this time."

"Geez, what's up?" Kazuha sighed with irritation, her foot tapping on the ground. "He told me to have fun waiting as he had something to sort out quickly. I really feel like Ran-chan, always waiting around for Suzume."

"Huh, Kazuha-chan?" Speak of the devil and she appears. Ran stared at Kazuha, surprised to see her at Miracle Land.

"Ran-chan, is that you?"

"Kazuha-chan, it's been such a long time!" Ran said as she walked over, a grin on her face. "So you came here? Where's Hattori-kun?"

Kazuha scowled. "Work, W-O-R-K."

"I see." Ran smiled sympathetically. "How boring."

"Kazuha-chan?" Sonoko said, noticing her after Ran stopped following.

"Sonoko-chan!"

"We're going to a cake buffet, wanna come?" Sonoko offered with a smile.

"I really love cake!"

"Then let's go."

"C'mon Ran, we're going!"

"Wait!"

All three teenage girls were unaware that Ai was trailing behind them, ready to stop them from leaving the amusement park.

~ — — — ~

"I see," Heiji sighed. "So she's been taken hostage as well."

"Yeah."

2:25 PM

"It's not just Ran, though," Suzume continued. "The kids and Ai, too." She paused as an armored car drove past them and quickly bolted after it, leaving Heiji to flounder for a half-second before chasing after her.

"Oi, what's wrong?" he asked as they ran.

"The ski mask, the gun, and the getaway car," Suzume listed.

"I see! It was an attack on that armored car!" Heiji realized.

"Yeah!"

They stopped at the corner of the block and watched as the armored car backed into a building, armed guards keeping an eye out.

"Is that what he was talking about?" Heiji wondered.

"Probably," Suzume replied as she crossed the street behind them to a woman who had a table set up. The woman looked up at her as she approached. "Can I have a minute of your time?"

"What is it, ma'am?"

"Has that armored truck ever been attacked?"

"Yes, it has," the woman replied. "I think it was April 4th."