The groom’s car is here. Looks like they made it before us.

(Yuki-nii and the others should be here according to the tracker…)

(I hope we can resolve some stuff before Netaro-kun and Toi-kun arrive…)

Come on, Netaro-kun, get in. We gotta go.

Ah, I will not be going! And neither will Toy!

Oh, he’s right. I apologize…

What? Why?

Call it a detective’s intuition. I will be taking Toy with me as a temporary assistant!

Yes, as he said. I’m not really sure if I’ll be much help, but…

…Okay. You have your own hypothesis, right, Netaro-kun? Just be careful.

You too, Doudou! ♪ And take the Mission in Happening Umbrella with you!

You won’t have to worry with it by your side! Quite a revolutionary invention, if I do say so myself. ♪

(This is the umbrella that had the dove and the tea, right? Is it supposed to…help somehow?)

Thanks, Netaro-kun. I’ll use it well.

(…There are footprints inside.)

It looks like someone was here not too long ago.

Where’s my wife…? Where’s Tsubaki…?!

Miyamori-san, if you run too fast, you’ll slip and fall…!

That doesn’t matter right n⁠—

Hello, everyone. You’re late. I was getting tired waiting for you.

Kuguri-san!

(There’s someone tied up next to him…?!)

……

Yuki-nii…!

(Chief and Kafka…! They came to get me…!)

…Chi⁠—

Yukikaze, remember our arrangement.

…Kh.

(Right. I need to keep my promise. Besides…)

……

(It doesn’t look like they can see Tsubaki-sensei from where they are…)

Alright. I’ve removed your handcuffs.

Thanks, Kuguri.

Follow me.

I did what you asked, so now you’ll be one of my pawns. That means you will be silent and obey my orders, like a puppet.

…Alright.

Yukikaze-kun…! I’m sorry you got dragged into this! I…!

Tsubaki-sensei! I’m so glad you’re alright!

Good grief. What a reckless little lány.

You were just about to set off on your journey. Were you feeling lonely?

I’m really sorry. It’s just, when I charged my phone, I saw all of the messages from people who were worried about me, so I felt bad…

I started having doubts about everything. And right after talking to you finally gave me the courage to be broken…

Broken…?

(What kind of conversation did they have…? Tsubaki-sensei looks really unwell too…)

Hm, let’s leave it at that for now. It seems like the whole cast is headed our way.

It’s time for the encore.

Hmm. Cica, Kafka, and the groom all in a row… I don’t see Netaro and Toi with you. I assume they’ll be arriving later.

Welcome to my hideaway. I’m not in a position to show you around, but I hope you’ll forgive me.

Domeki Kuguri! So you did this!

Where’s my wife?! Why did you do this…?!

Kuguri-san…!

Oh, my. Poor things. You look all shaken up.

I didn’t do much, really. I simply extended a helping hand to my lamb. If any one of them desires to be ruined, I grant that privilege to them, that’s all.

Well… I do suppose there was a plus-one this time.

Ruined…? What do you mean?!

Motherfucker…!

Kuguri-san, why would you say it like that…? You know it’ll just make them angry.

…Listen, Kuguri.

I don’t understand what kind of agreement you made with Tsubaki-sensei, but…

I assume that it has nothing to do with Yukikaze. So why is he tied up next to you?

……

Nothing to say, huh?

What about you then, Yukikaze? Don’t you have anything to say after you made our chief worry about you?

I…

(I believe in Kuguri as his big brother… I think he has a reason for doing all of this.)

(But…)

I started having doubts about everything. And right after talking to you finally gave me the courage to be broken…

(What did she mean by that? What was Kuguri planning on doing with her…? Is it really right for me to stay silent?)

Yukikaze, you’re not going to lie to our chief, are you?

…!

(Me? Lie to the chief? I’d never do that.)

(But I can’t break my promise with Kuguri…)

……

……Gh.

…! Nii-san! Over there, where Kamina’s looking!

…!

Miko-sama!!!

I knew that bastard had Miko-sama hidden away somewhere! Nii-san, we need to get her b⁠—

Not on my watch.

Tsubaki has the right to choose her own path to destruction. Since she entrusted it to me, I won’t let anybody intrude until it’s over.

What the hell are you talking about…?! You kidnapped her and held her captive!

Give my wife⁠— Give Miko-sama back!! If you won’t, I’ll take her back by force!

! Kuguri, watch out!!

…Kh!

Yuki-nii!!

He protected Domeki…?! I knew you were in on this too!

You’re not a very good pawn, Yukikaze. I thought I told you to stay silent and keep still.

I’m sorry, Kuguri. But…

I’m your big brother before your pawn. I can’t just sit by and watch my little brother get hurt.

*scoff* You’re crazy.

The four of us can take you two on, no problem!

W-Wait, please!!

I-If you get any closer to them… I’ll shoot!

What?!

I won’t let you hurt Yuki-nii and Kuguri-san! So do what I say and back up…!

Kaede!

Chief, be careful!

Stay back, you two! I’ll protect everyone!

(Damn it! The blood’s rushing to my head…!)

(If push comes to shove, I need to protect our chief, even if I have to put myself at risk…!)

So you’re all a part of this! Fine. Then we’ll just have to⁠—

The Great Detective is here to save the daaaaaay!!