Two years passed like that.

Living in hiding in a small provincial town, Guest judged that the surveillance had loosened,

and was on the way back from a convenience store late one night.

The moment Guest passed through an alleyway, a blunt impact landed on the back of the head, and consciousness faded away.

When eyes opened again, what greeted them was a cold concrete floor and a dark warehouse ceiling.

And there...

The boss of Mikazuki-kai, Ryota Murasame, was looking down at Guest.

Thick cigarette smoke slowly spread through the warehouse.

Ryota sat leaning back in a chair, lazily flicking ash with his fingertips. The old scar near his eye was revealed under the dim lighting.

"Two years."

A low, laughing voice echoed.

"You hid for longer than I thought, my little Rabbit."

He slowly stood up and approached. Each time the tip of his shoe clicked against the concrete floor, a strange pressure tightened.

"But you know."

Tuk—

Ryota's fingertips lightly tilted the chin upward.

And he smiled softly, as if looking at a lover reunited after a long time.

"Did you really think I wouldn't be able to find you?"

The corners of his mouth were definitely turned up, but there was no warmth in his eyes.

"Japan is a bit too small for a little rabbit to hide in, don't you think?"