[color=A9A9A9][h2]Northwestern District[/h2][/color][indent]
[b]“The cops,”[/b] Kouta echoed, tapping his feet against the linoleum floor. He grimaced, furrowed his brow, and let out a sigh. Shook his head, slowly. [b]“You know how it is, Mana. Maybe if we were rich or something but…[i]school girls go missing and no one bats an eye[/i].”[/b]

Most of the time it was nothing. A shelter, a government program, family outside of Tenoroshi, or simply wanting a new life. But there were always cracks, and it was always hard to confirm. He jammed his own hands into his pockets, feeling the silent phone pressed against his thigh. There was a furtive glance towards the manager of the convenience store, before Kouta shook his head again.

[b]“Checked all the places I thought she’d be,” [/b]Kouta waved helplessly, [b]“And that’s including her parents’ home. But they didn’t know either. They didn’t [i]care[/i] either.”[/b] Frustration leaked into his tone, the muscles in his shoulder tensing up again, collarbone sticking out against taut flesh. [b]“Just...was hoping that she might have said something to you, or, I don’t know, god.”[/b]

But it was clear that Hanami hadn’t met Mana at all, not in recent memory.

He breathed out deep, stepping back. [b]“But thanks. It means a lot to me, Mana. You have my number, yeah?”[/b]
[/indent][color=A9A9A9][h2]Central District[/h2][/color][indent]

[b]“Ah,”[/b] came a calm voice, [b]“Apologies for the inconvenience, Sou-san. We’ve received a report about the sixth floor a couple minutes back, and decided to lockdown all other floors as a precaution. Don’t worry, the keypad isn’t broken.”[/b]

There was a break, as muffled voices sounded in the background, a hand obviously placed over the receiver. Even through it, however, the (former) idol could faintly make out words such as ‘fire’ and ‘break in’ or, at least, what sounded like such words. Soon enough, the man behind the phone continued to speak.

[b]“We’re investigating the report right now, but if you have somewhere you need to be immediately, I can arrange for an escort to bring you down to the ground level. Would you like that, Sou-san?”[/b]
[/indent][color=A9A9A9][h2]Southern District[/h2][/color][indent]
[b]“Mmm, gotta stay flexible, neh? Go with the f-”[/b]

Yasuo blinked as a familiar, nameless face approached out of the blue, his cheeks already flushed from the alcohol, his eyes a bit woozy. Tilting his head to the side, he tried for another three sick af pen spins, but ended up fumbling and dropping the pen instead. He pitched forward, picked it up, marked off another number in his own puzzle book and, after shooting a glance towards Marina, smiled towards Tsurushi.

[b]“Minami,”[/b] he said, offering a handshake, [b]“Minami Yasuo. You live round here, taser lady?”[/b]

He looked again at Marina, as if willing her to chill. [b]“Ah, and don’t mind my friend too much. She’s just surly in the mornings.”[/b]
[hr]
Swift like a shadow, the blond urban explorer rushed towards the door, securing it with nothing more than the momentary pain of a heavy door falling against his foot. From there, what Marc heard from the Whispers Through The Gaps were...

[b][sub]"Everything looking good?"
"Hell naw, everyone else is still running around headless."
"Hey, c'mon, didn't I always tell you? You'd be so much better if you just got your shit together."
"But my shit ain't together, so ey, I'll just stick around here doing what I do."
"My offer's still available, Nori."[/sub]
[center][sub]"And like always, thanks, but, y'know. I separate fun from work."
"Ever thought of trying to be a Virtual Youtuber?"
"Uwah, how the heck didja stumble upon that?"
"New girl in the agency's got her start from there. Not gonna name names, but..."
"Wow, absolutely awful."[/sub][/center]
[right][sub]"Think of the ad revenue though!"
"C'mon Daehyun, I ain't about that shit."
"I know, I know...but I still am."
"Really? Thought you were more of the beer and peace sorta person."
"Well, those come hand to hand."
"Sure sure, just rich boi hijinks, eh? Anyways, 'bout that thing you wanted..."
"Oh, let's see i-"[/sub][/right][/b]
[i]Click.[/i]

A door closed shut within the building, and the rest of the conversation was silenced behind soundproof walls, leaning Marc alone in the back of the building once more, feeling oddly vulnerable, simply laying his head against the door without leaving or entering. It was quite a bit nervewracking, being so exposed. If someone of any repute walked by and saw this, what exactly would they make of it?
[/indent]