The grey dawn broke over Kyoto. Low clouds hung in the sky like an omen of what was to come. In the office, Kaito Fujimoto and Aiko Nakamura went through the reports from the Haruka Miyazawa case. The atmosphere was heavy; both knew that the discovery of organ trafficking was only the tip of the iceberg.

Silence was broken when Aiko, notebook in hand, reviewed the list of relatives they had interviewed so far.

‘Her brother knew nothing…’ she murmured. ‘Her parents said Haruka had seemed happy lately, as if someone special had come into her life.’

Kaito nodded, frowning.

‘A boyfriend, perhaps?’ he asked.

‘I don’t know,’ she replied thoughtfully. ‘But what’s clear is that it wasn’t some random stranger. She trusted the person who led her to her end.’

During the day, they dedicated themselves to visiting more relatives and acquaintances. Her aunt, cousins, even former colleagues. All repeated the same: Haruka was a kind, reserved woman, but recently livelier, as if someone had lit a spark in her life.

Frustration was beginning to mount until, at the house of a distant cousin, a timid voice offered them a lead.

‘Have you spoken with Miyuki Sato?’ the woman asked, serving tea. ‘She was her best friend. If anyone knew anything about Haruka, it was her.’

The name hung in the air like an unexpected key. Kaito and Aiko immediately exchanged glances, that spark in their eyes flaring when a path opened through the fog.

The meeting with Miyuki took place in a discreet café, away from the bustle. The woman, in her thirties, wore a grief-stricken face. She was still mourning the loss of her friend, but she was willing to cooperate.

‘Haruka told me everything,’ she said with a trembling voice. ‘She’d met a man at work. He was charming, elegant… she said his name was Ryoichi Tanabe.’

Kaito tilted his head, attentive to every word.

‘Do you know exactly what he did there?’

‘Yes, he worked in the same company, in the sales department. Haruka said he was charismatic, that he knew how to make a woman feel special. I warned her to be careful… but she didn’t listen. She was infatuated.’

Miyuki’s hands shook as she held her coffee cup.

‘The last time I spoke to her was the day before she died. She told me he had invited her to dinner that night. And now…’ her voice broke.

Aiko placed a hand over hers in a gesture of comfort. Kaito, meanwhile, kept his face firm, though inside rage was beginning to burn.

Back at the office, Aiko broke the silence with determination.

‘We have a name, a workplace, and a method. Ryoichi Tanabe is our man.’

Kaito crossed his arms, serious.

‘He is, but we need proof. If we arrest him now, he’ll be out in hours. This man doesn’t act alone, Nakamura. He’s connected to an entire network.’

She looked at him intently.

‘Then let me get close to him.’

Kaito stared at her, incredulous.

‘What are you saying?’

‘I’ll pose as a potential victim. A client interested in his services. If he really uses his charm to lure women, he’ll fall into the trap.’

Those words landed like thunder in the room. Kaito stood up at once, slamming his palm on the desk.

‘Are you out of your mind? I’m not going to let you risk yourself like that.’

Aiko didn’t flinch.

‘Kaito, if we don’t, we’ll never reach the network. I can handle this.’

He gritted his teeth, pacing, tension marked in every step.

‘And if something goes wrong? What if I can’t get to you in time?’

She looked at him with a mixture of firmness and tenderness.

‘Trust me. I’m not alone. I’ll have you listening to every word.’

There was a long silence. Kaito’s heart screamed at him to say no, to protect her at all costs. But reason reminded him that Aiko was right: it was the only way to catch Ryoichi red-handed. Finally, he lowered his head and sighed.

‘All right…’ he muttered tensely. ‘But if anything gets out of control, I’m going in.’

A faint smile formed on Aiko’s lips.

‘Deal.’

The operation began the next day. Aiko presented herself at Ryoichi’s company, pretending to be a client interested in one of the products he handled. She wore an elegant yet simple outfit, designed to draw attention without appearing obvious. A microphone was hidden in the collar of her blouse, linked to Kaito’s earpiece, who listened from a car parked nearby.

Ryoichi arrived punctually: an attractive man, perfectly pressed suit, charming smile and eyes brimming with confidence.

‘Miss Nakamura, a pleasure to meet you,’ he said in a smooth voice, shaking her hand. ‘I hear you’re interested in our services.’

‘That’s right,’ Aiko replied, feigning the tone of an intrigued client. ‘I wanted to know more about what you offer.’

The conversation flowed naturally. Ryoichi exuded calculated charisma, every gesture measured to transmit trust. Kaito, listening from the car, gripped the steering wheel tightly. Every laugh from Aiko, every compliment she gave the suspect, echoed uncomfortably inside him.

‘It’s impressive how well you master your work,’ Aiko said sweetly.

‘I try,’ he replied, leaning slightly closer. ‘But there are some things one does better in other settings.’

Kaito frowned, his pulse quickening. It wasn’t easy hearing his partner flirt with a man who could well be a murderer.

Finally, Ryoichi let slip the invitation they had been waiting for.

‘What do you say we continue this conversation somewhere a little more… relaxed? Perhaps I could take you to dinner tonight.’

There was a brief pause in the earpiece. Kaito held his breath.

‘I’d love that,’ Aiko answered naturally.

Kaito’s heart pounded in his chest. He knew it was part of the plan, but hearing her accept that invitation stirred something deep within him.

That very evening, Aiko returned to her flat to prepare. The air was heavy with tension. Outside, in the car parked in front of the building, Kaito adjusted his earpiece and checked the gun at his belt. Every muscle in his body was on alert.

From his seat, he watched as the lights in Aiko’s apartment flickered on. He knew that, in a matter of minutes, Ryoichi Tanabe would arrive for the date. And then, the real game would begin.

The distant murmur of the city accompanied the silence inside the car. Kaito clenched his fists, aware that this was merely the prelude to something far bigger.