The van screeched to a halt in front of a dilapidated diner, the neon sign flickering as if it, too, were debating whether to stay open. Inside, a handful of customers sipped their coffee, looking as lifeless as the décor.
Kenji leaned out the window, squinting at the sign. "The Midnight Munch? That sounds like either the best food we've ever had or instant regret."
"Let's hope it's not both," Rei said, stepping out of the van. "We need a place to regroup, and this looks quiet enough."
"Too quiet," Sora muttered, clutching their gadget like it was a lifeline. "Places like this scream 'secret villain lair.'"
Kenji shrugged. "Or they scream 'best pancakes of your life.' Let's find out!"
---
A Meal to Remember
The group shuffled into the diner, immediately overwhelmed by the smell of burnt coffee and grease. A cheerful, if slightly unhinged, waitress greeted them with a smile that seemed too wide for her face.
"Welcome to The Midnight Munch! Our special today is the 'Heartbreaker Burger,' served with a side of existential dread!"
Kenji's eyes lit up. "I'll take two!"
Rei pinched the bridge of her nose. "We're not here for a feast, Kenji. Just keep it low-key."
"That's what the fries are for," Kenji said, sliding into a booth.
Akira and Ryo exchanged glances, silently agreeing that Kenji's appetite was the least of their worries right now. They needed a plan.
As they waited for their food, Sora pulled out their gadget, frowning at the screen. "The shard's energy is stabilizing, but it's still giving off a faint signal. If we stay here too long, Kurogami's forces could pick it up again."
Ryo nodded, his expression serious. "We'll keep moving after this. But we need to figure out where to go next. We're running out of places to hide."
"Hey, can we talk about this after the fries?" Kenji said, raising his hand as the waitress approached with a tray piled high with food.
---
An Unexpected Visitor
As the group dug into their meal—Kenji with unparalleled enthusiasm—an unexpected figure entered the diner. The man was tall and wiry, wearing a trench coat that seemed two sizes too big. His eyes darted around nervously, and he clutched a briefcase like it held the secrets of the universe.
The group froze, their instincts on high alert.
"Is it just me," Rei whispered, "or does that guy scream 'spy'?"
Kenji shrugged, a fry dangling from his mouth. "He also screams 'bad fashion choices.' Seriously, who wears a trench coat indoors?"
The man sat at a table near them, glancing over his shoulder every few seconds. His movements were jittery, like he was expecting someone—or something—to burst through the door.
Sora leaned closer to the group. "This could be nothing. Or it could be a setup."
Kenji snorted. "Or maybe he's just really into his soup."
"Stay focused," Akira said sharply.
---
The Briefcase Incident
Just as the group was deciding whether to confront the man or leave, the waitress accidentally bumped into his table. The briefcase fell to the floor, popping open and scattering papers everywhere.
Ryo's eyes widened as he caught sight of one of the documents—a blueprint with the Kurogami logo stamped in bold letters.
"Definitely not soup," Rei muttered, her hand drifting toward her weapon.
The man scrambled to gather the papers, muttering apologies under his breath. But before he could close the briefcase, Kenji was already beside him, holding up one of the blueprints.
"Hey, buddy, this yours?" Kenji asked, feigning innocence.
The man looked like he wanted to disappear into the floor. "N-no, it's... just a work project."
"Work for Kurogami?" Ryo asked, standing up.
The man's face turned pale. "I—I don't know what you're talking about!"
Kenji leaned in closer, grinning. "Relax, we're not gonna hurt you. Unless you make me miss dessert. Then we might have a problem."
---
Interrogation, Kenji-Style
Back in the van, the group sat in a loose circle around the man, who was now sweating profusely.
"Okay," Ryo said, his tone firm. "Start talking. Who are you, and why do you have Kurogami's blueprints?"
The man swallowed hard. "My name is Takashi. I... I used to work for Kurogami. But I couldn't take it anymore. The things they're planning..."
"What things?" Rei pressed, her eyes narrowing.
Takashi hesitated, glancing at the shard in Ryo's hand. "They're after the shards. All of them. They believe combining them will awaken... something ancient. Something powerful."
"Sounds bad," Kenji said, munching on a leftover fry. "But also kind of vague. Can you be more specific? Like, is it a monster? A genie? A giant frying pan?"
Everyone stared at him.
"What? I'm just saying, it's good to know what we're up against."
Takashi looked at Ryo. "I don't know exactly what it is, but the energy from the shards is unlike anything we've ever seen. If Kurogami gets them all, they'll have the power to reshape reality itself."
"Great," Sora said, throwing up their hands. "So we're fighting a shadowy corporation and a reality-bending artifact. No pressure."
---
A New Ally
Despite his initial reluctance, Takashi eventually agreed to help the group, providing them with information about Kurogami's operations and their next likely target.
As they prepared to leave the diner, Kenji patted Takashi on the back. "Welcome to the team, buddy. Don't worry, we'll keep you safe. Probably."
"Reassuring," Takashi muttered.
Rei rolled her eyes. "Let's just focus on staying alive."
As the van pulled onto the road, the shard pulsed faintly, its energy resonating with Ryo's. The group's journey was far from over, but with Takashi's intel and their growing bond, they were more determined than ever.
Kenji leaned back, smirking. "You know, I think we've got a good thing going here. Shards, bad guys, mysterious allies—it's like we're living in an anime!"
Rei groaned. "Kenji, if this were an anime, you'd be the comic relief."
"And proud of it!" Kenji said, grinning.