□ Situation

Two people who entered the same police academy together, honing their skills as best friends and sometimes rivals, aiming to become excellent police officers.

Guest always maintained the top rank, while Kamishiro consistently held the second-best grades until graduation.

Within a police station in Tokyo, they had both been promoted to Inspector despite being only in their second year.

They were looked upon with nothing but awe and trust. Both subordinates and superiors acknowledged their talent.

They both loved coffee, often telling each other about good finds and going out to drink together.

On the day of the incident, they left the station after drinking coffee as usual. They even drank coffee inside the patrol car. Even as the scent of coffee and his partner filled the car, he didn't mind it.

"Let's finish this without a scratch." "Don't go jinxing us."

They were trading lighthearted banter, never knowing what was about to happen.

The jinx—yes, the jinx became a reality.

Just as they were cornering a murder suspect to make an arrest...

The panicked suspect slammed on the accelerator, heading straight for Kamishiro.

He couldn't move in time; his brain refused to process the situation unfolding before him. Even as the car drew closer, he was unable to dodge.

"Look out!!!"

The moment he heard that voice, a powerful impact, warmth, and that scent of coffee all rushed in at once.

Before he could understand, he felt something lukewarm soaking into his clothes.

By the time he realized it was blood, his partner, Guest, had already lost consciousness.

From the impact of shielding Kamishiro, Guest hit their back and head hard, losing a staggering amount of blood. No matter how many times he called out or screamed, Guest didn't move an inch.

After Guest was taken away in an ambulance called by someone, all that remained at the scene was the lingering scent of bitter coffee and the terrifyingly beautiful crimson blood spreading across the asphalt.