Ash knew who he was, but he didn't turn around. The sweet voice called him again, "Ash! I heard you and I are on the same team! I'm so happy!"
Her excitement was palpable, and Ash tried hard not to smile. "Hori, I'm also glad to hear that," he replied, his voice warm yet controlled. Inside, however, he thought, *God, she is so cute. No wonder I fell for her. *
The narrator chimed in, *Focus on the case, moron! I've given you some good hype, and here you are acting like a lovesick teenager. Stop it and focus on the mission! *
Suddenly, Ash's demeanor shifted. He straightened up, adopting a serious tone. "Yes, you're right. I'm sorry for that." He turned towards Hori, his expression now focused. "Hori, where is Yumi? Call her. We need to discuss the mission."
Hori's face transformed from happiness to seriousness in an instant. "Yes, Ash. I will call Yumi. You wait in the meeting room." With that, she hurried off to find Yumi.
As Ash tapped his foot against the ground three times—*tap, tap, tap*—he made his way toward the meeting room. Each step was deliberate, the soft sound of his shoes echoing in the quiet corridor. He walked with purpose, navigating the familiar space without touching anything, his senses heightened.
The air was thick with anticipation, and Ash felt the weight of the mission pressing down on him. He took a deep breath, pushing aside the flutter of emotions that Hori had stirred within him. *Focus, Ash. There's work to be done. *
As Ash entered the meeting room, he settled into a chair, the weight of the case pressing down on him. He traced his fingers over the file in front of him, absorbing the grim details. The victim was an old man, and the report indicated that his adrenal glands had been removed. The thought sent a shiver down Ash's spine, causing him to pause, lost in contemplation. What could drive someone to commit such a heinous act?
Suddenly, the door swung open with a loud slam, jolting him from his thoughts. Hori and Yumi burst into the room, their hearts racing with a mix of excitement and curiosity. In unison, they called out, "Ash, what is the mission?"
Ash struggled to suppress a laugh at their eagerness, but he maintained a serious demeanor. He took a deep breath, the gravity of the situation settling over him like a heavy cloak. "This case is very sensitive," he replied, his voice steady.
Hori, ever the casual one, seemed unfazed by the delicate nature of the investigation. She leaned back in her chair, a confident smile playing on her lips. Yumi, on the other hand, wore a mask of composure, but Ash could sense the tension radiating from her. He could hear the rapid thumping of her heart, a telltale sign of her discomfort.
"Yumi, are you okay with this case?" Ash asked, his tone gentle yet probing.
"I'm fine, Ash," she replied, her voice betraying her with a slight tremor. It was a lie, and Ash knew it.
He chose not to call her out on it, understanding the pressure she felt to appear strong. "Okay," he said, his voice calm and reassuring. "But if you feel uncomfortable, just let me know, and we can change it."
"Okay," Yumi replied, her eyes flickering with uncertainty.
As Ash sat there, he couldn't help but feel the weight of their unspoken emotions. He was blind, but he could see the tension in the air, the way Hori's confidence contrasted with Yumi's unease. It was a delicate balance, and he hoped they could navigate it together.
Hori approached Ash, raising an eyebrow in curiosity. Despite her initial hesitation, she obeyed and walked towards him, leaning in slightly.
"Will you please keep an eye on Yumi for me?" Ash asked, his voice earnest.
Hori's heart raced at the request. "Okay, I will keep an eye on her. You don't need to worry," she replied, her tone reassuring.
Ash smiled, feeling a wave of relief wash over him. In his inner thoughts, he marveled, *Wow, she is so understanding. I am so happy. *
The narrator chimed in, *Wow, even I love her. *
Ash quickly interjected, "Don't you dare! She is mine and mine alone."
"Ash, are you listening?" she asked, breaking the moment.
"Yeah, I am listening," Ash replied, shaking off the playful tension. "Let's go to the case scenario. We have a case to deal with."
They made their way to the car, with Hori taking the wheel. Ash settled into the passenger seat, while Yumi occupied the back. As they drove, the tension in the air was palpable. They soon reached the crime scene, and Ash suddenly paused, sensing something unusual. He brushed it off for the moment and exited the car, tapping his foot against the ground three times: thud... thud... thud. Hori and Yumi followed closely behind.
As they approached, a police officer came toward Ash. "Are you from the Devil Detective Company? I am Inspector Ashok. It's nice to meet you," he said, extending a hand.
"Hello, Mr. Ashok. I am Ash, and this is my team. Can we see the site now?" Ash replied, his voice steady.
As he spoke, he listened intently to the inspector's heartbeat. It was steady, but Ash could sense the underlying distrust—after all, he was blind. With a smirk, he tapped his foot against the ground three times again: thud... thud... thud. Both Hori and Yumi understood the signal.
Hori stepped forward, urgency in her voice. "Inspector, we don't have much time. Please, let's go."
Inspector Ashok nodded and led them to the site. They entered the one-story house, which had a small garden with a car parked in the garage. Inside, the maid stood to the side, sweating in the palm but maintaining a composed expression.
Ash stopped at the main door. "Hori, go inside and check everything. Yumi, you check the garden," he instructed. Both girls nodded and began their searches.
Hori moved into the crime room and soon found the lifeless body of an old man. "Ash! Yumi!" she called out, her voice echoing in the stillness.
Both Ash and Yumi entered the room. Yumi looked uncomfortable, her heartbeat quickening, while Hori's expression was grave. Ash, attuned to their emotions, noted the change in their heart rates. "Hori, tell the forensic team to come and check the body. It smells different," he said, his tone serious.
Hori glanced at Ash, surprised. "Different how?" she asked.
Ash paused, trying to articulate his thoughts. "It's different... I don't know how to explain it. Even for me, it feels off."
Recovering quickly, Hori called the forensic head, Sara. The phone rang: ring... ring... ring.
"Sara, I sent you the location. Come here immediately," Hori said as soon as the call connected.
"Okay," Sara replied softly before hanging up.
Within fifteen minutes, Sara arrived at the house, ready to uncover the truth behind the unsettling scene.