Hana moved briskly through the precinct hallways, her footsteps echoing off the sterile walls. Nathan trailed just a step behind, his hands casually tucked into his pockets, his demeanor relaxed despite the tension that simmered between them. She could sense his gaze shifting around, taking in every detail with that peculiar blend of awkward curiosity and cunning.
As they stepped outside into the cool evening air, Nathan broke the silence. "You know, it's not every day I get to smell some air , Hana." he said, his tone teasing, but his eyes sharp and observant.
She didn't bother with a reply, her mind focused on their next step. Mrs. Tanaka might hold the key to unraveling the truth behind Mime's disappearance, but Hana wasn't interested in tipping her hand too soon. She shot Nathan a sidelong glance. " If this 'Circle of Renewal 'involved, we need to know now, not later."
Nathan nodded, his mouth twitching into a small, knowing smile. " it's fine thing that I found a person who trust his gut more ".
Hana didn't rise to the bait. Instead, she kept her eyes ahead as they walked toward the unmarked sedan parked in the precinct lot. "I trust both detective , But I'll admit—sometimes my gut does lead us to facts."
He chuckled as they got into the car.
Nathan turned the key in the ignition, and the car rumbled to life. As they pulled out onto the street, his fingers drummed lightly on the steering wheel, a small, subconscious beat that always accompanied his thoughts. Hana could almost see the gears turning in his mind, his seemingly careless exterior masking a sharp, calculating brain.
After a moment, he broke the silence again, but voice hana cut his thoughts tell him "So, what's the plan when we get there? ".
With faint smile he replied " wanna play good cop, bad cop, or are we both going in like bad cops? Because I've been working on a new look that screams 'unhinged.'"
Hana glanced at him, her expression flat. "You don't need to work on that look; it comes naturally."
Nathan laughed, the sound bright against the darkening sky. "Fair enough. But seriously, Hana, we need to be careful. If this Circle has got its hooks into the community, we might not get the answers we're looking for by knocking on doors."
Hana nodded, her eyes narrowing as she thought about Mime's parents, their scripted responses, and the way they clung to Nathan earlier, desperate yet guarded.
"We start with Mrs. Tanaka. She's involved but not directly connected to Mime's disappearance. She might slip up if we approach it right."
Nathan raised an eyebrow. "And by 'right,' you mean let me do the talking?"
"Maybe," she said, her lips barely curling into a faint smile. "Or maybe I just mean, don't say anything that'll get us kicked out before we get what we need."
He held up his hands in mock surrender. "I'm hurt, Hana. Deeply. I'll be a perfect gentleman."
She didn't respond, but the corner of her mouth twitched slightly, a hint of a smile breaking through her serious facade. It was a small moment of levity that somehow managed to ease the tension between them, even if only for a second.
They drove in silence the rest of the way, the car cutting through the city streets as dusk settled in, turning the sky a deep shade of blue. When they finally pulled up in front of Mrs. Tanaka's modest house, Hana noticed the lights were still on, and a shadow passed behind the curtains.
Nathan leaned forward, peering out the windshield. "Looks like she's home. Ready to charm our way inside?"
Hana gave him a flat look. "Let's just get this done."
They stepped out of the car and walked up to the front door. Nathan rang the bell, and they waited. Moments later, the door opened a crack, and a pair of cautious eyes peeked out. Mrs. Tanaka was a small woman, her face lined with age and worry.
"Good evening, Mrs. Tanaka," Nathan greeted warmly, his smile wide and disarming. "We're sorry to bother you at this hour, but we were hoping to ask you a few questions about Mime Kino. You knew her, didn't you?"
Mrs. Tanaka's eyes darted between Nathan and Hana. "I—I don't know much. I've already talked to the police."
Hana stepped forward, her tone more direct but not unfriendly. "We understand, Mrs. Tanaka, but we just need a little more clarity. You were close with Mime's parents, weren't you? Always at the Circle meetings together."
The mention of the Circle seemed to make Mrs. Tanaka flinch. She hesitated, then opened the door a little wider, motioning them inside. "Just for a few minutes," she whispered.
The interior of her home was cramped but cozy, filled with the scent of tea and old wood. They settled into the small living room, Nathan on a cushioned chair and Hana standing near the window, her posture rigid but attentive.
Nathan leaned forward slightly, his expression softer now. "Mrs. Tanaka, we're just trying to understand what might have happened to Mime. Anything you can tell us about her state of mind before she disappeared? Anything unusual you noticed?"
Mrs. Tanaka fidgeted with her hands, her eyes darting around the room as if she was looking for an escape. "Mime… she wasn't like the other children. She… she had doubts about the Circle. Always asking questions, always looking so tired."
Nathan nodded encouragingly. "Tired of what, exactly?"
There was a long pause, and then Mrs. Tanaka sighed, her shoulders slumping. "Tired of the rituals, of the constant pressure to conform. She said she felt… trapped. Like she couldn't breathe."
Hana's eyes sharpened, catching the subtle crack in Mrs. Tanaka's guarded demeanor. "Did she ever mention leaving? Did she ever say anything about wanting out?"
Mrs. Tanaka's face tightened, and she glanced nervously toward the front door. "Once, she told me she wanted to run away. That she couldn't stand it anymore. But her parents… they wouldn't allow it. They said she was just being dramatic."
Nathan exchanged a quick look with Hana, then leaned back, his posture more relaxed but his mind clearly spinning. "Thank you, Mrs. Tanaka. That helps a lot."
As they left, Nathan couldn't help but notice the way Hana's jaw was set, her eyes fixed on some distant point as if piecing together a puzzle. "So, what do you think?" he asked, breaking the silence.
She shook her head slightly, still deep in thought. "I think we're looking at more than just a missing persons case. I think we're looking at a girl who was trying to escape something much darker."