Yuriko sat on the bay window, staring out at the city below. Jun Lei lived in a tall luxurious apartment building, taking pride in her rich upbringing. However, as the sun began to set, Yuriko could still, like the past three days, only think of two things. Her grandfather and Mystic. She didn't even know if the girl was alive. She sat with both legs folded, her head leaning against the glass. No fear of heights, like always. She hadn't had her medication in a few days, either.
Dressed in nice white pyjamas, slippers on the ground, she had nothing physical to wish for. A nice bed, a warm bath, a… caring mother. She knew her thoughts, so she knew she cared. However, she could still hear her crying in the other room sometimes, hiding her tears from Yuriko. She lost someone, too. Maybe it was worse for her, in a way.
Yuriko heard the door open, but she did not turn to look. She knew who it was. Hearing the soft footsteps of her mother approaching, she stopped beside her at the bay window. For a long time, she didn't say anything, her thoughts rampant with wondering. Finally, a sigh came from her.
"They found him," Yuriko said.
"Yes," Jun Lei replied. "I just got the call."
"Is he…" Her voice wavered, and she swallowed. "Is he recognisable?" Silence. "No… Why would he be…"
"It wasn't your fault, Yuriko," She said.
"How is it not?" Yuriko sniffed. "I could have done so many things differently that would have saved him. I could have called him, I could have ran faster, I could have brought him to the festival. If I just…" She hugged her legs. "If I wasn't so stupid…"
"Yuri…" Jun Lei whispered.
"We had an argument," She said. "I was mad at him for not letting you see me. I asked if he and I could talk after the festival, discuss some things, but I…" She turned her head into her knees. "I should have said something earlier."
"Oh, darling," Her mother cooed, walking closer and petting her hair. "Please understand, we can't change the past. There was nothing you could have done. This was always how it was going to turn out."
"And my friends…" Yuriko whimpered. "My friend got hurt, and… I don't even know if she's alive. I don't know if I could take another loss."
Her mother was about to say something else, but the doorbell rang and interrupted them. They both looked up, and Yuriko faintly recognised the thoughts that protruded inside her mind. She slipped off the bay window ledge, following her mother out into the kitchen as she opened the front door.
"Yes?" She answered.
"Hello," A familiar voice answered. "I am Officer Tanaka. Is Yuriko Romanov here?"
"More questions?" Jun Lei hissed. "We already answered so many."
"I'm afraid so," He sighed. "May I speak with her?"
Her mother growled a little, stepping to the side and letting him in. He stepped into the apartment, looking around – a duffle bag was in his hand. Settling his eyes on the table, he set down the bag and turned to Yuriko, bowing. She did not return the gesture, simply staring at him, already knowing why he was there.
"Yuriko Romanov," He gestured to the chairs. "Please, take a seat." She obliged, sitting down across from him. "I am sorry for your loss, to both of you." Jun Lei closed the door, crossing her arms as she watched. "Yuriko, please forgive my bluntness, but I remember you from a year ago. You were the girl who was attacked on your way home from school, yes?" She nodded silently. "I figured. Apologies for bringing it up. Well, anyway, we wanted to show you a video we, the police force, received this morning."
He pulled out his phone and set it on a stand in front of her, sideways. Jun Lei walked over to stand over Yuriko, watching the screen. He started a video, and on the phone, she saw two figures. The same white-haired ones she had seen in the flames of the festival, wearing the masks and outfits they did before.
"Heya!" Said the girl, leaning up close to the camera, making a peace sign and winking. "I'm Flower."
"And I'm Vin," The boy tilted his head.
"Did you enjoy the boom booms Thursday?" Flower mused, crossing her arms. "I loved them! They looked sooo good with the fireworks."
"I made them," Vin hiked a thumb at himself.
"But this is only the start," The girl purred, holding up a stuffed bear. "We brought all the toys this time!"
"We plan to set off the third bomb on Friday," The boy clarified. "Can you find it before three P.M.?"
"Here's a hint – Mystic is at the spot we placed it in!" Flower wiggled the bear.
"So, everybody," Vin leaned in next to her. "You better figure it out soon."
Yuriko stared at the phone as the video ended, and looked up at Tanaka. "It's two thirty P.M.," She said.
"I know," He sighed, picking up the device. "We have police and bomb experts around the entirety of Japan. Do you know anything?"
"I do," She said, standing up. "Let me make a call…"
He nodded, and she walked away for a moment. Taking out her phone, she flipped through the recipients, flinching when she saw Jiichan. Taking a deep breath, she tapped on the correct one, and held the phone to her ear. Waiting for it to go through, her heart nearly skipped a beat when she heard the voice on the other line.
"Yuriko?" Jayce said.
"Hey," She whispered. "I have an odd question... Is Mystic alive?"
"Yeah, she's fine," He sighed.
"Good," Yuriko breathed. "What hospital is she in?"
"Huh? You want to visit her?" She could practically hear Jayce smiling a little. "Matsuda and Vinny are there right now. She's at Leyu Memorial Hospital."
"Thanks," She said. "Now call them both and tell them to get out of there."
"What? Why?" He asked.
"Because a bomb is about to go off there in half an hour," Yuriko answered.
"Oh… oh no…" Jayce gasped. "We have to tell the police."
"I'm on it," She said, before hanging up. With that, she turned back into the kitchen. "The bomb is in Leyu Memorial Hospital."
Tanaka let out a sigh of relief. "Do you know where?"
"Try the room that Naomi Kiyama is in," Yuriko answered.
Tanaka spoke into his radio, calling in the details. Then, he looked back up at her. "There was one more thing."
"What is it?" She asked.
"We found something in the rubble. Everyone figured it was just dojo accessories," He answered, unzipping the duffel bag. Reaching inside, he pulled out two wakizashi blades, one with a red ribbon around the handle, and set them down. Next, he took out a pile of black clothes. He looked up, staring her in the eye. "Except me. Wakizashi, I know these are yours."