As soon as Mishima stepped out of the train station’s ticket gate, he pulled out his phone and called Takizawa.
After a few rings, Takizawa’s calm voice came through.
"Dr. Takizawa, it's Mishima. I’ve just arrived at the station... but I’m being followed. I’ve lost visual on the man tailing me, but I’m sure he’s still back there—keeping his distance. Oddly, they seem to have mistaken me for you. If that’s true, they might be after my life—and the sample as well."
There was a pause before Takizawa responded in a cautious tone.
"We’ve had strange developments here too. Since this morning, security at the research building’s main entrance has been tightened—bag checks, ID verifications, the works. It’s clearly unnatural. I suspect the order came from the head of research, but the real hand behind it... is probably Globia Pharma."
Mishima slowed his steps and scanned his surroundings. If the tail caught up, words wouldn't be enough. A bullet could be next.
"So the main entrance is out."
"Exactly. It’s a trap. Don’t go through the front. Use the emergency stairs at the back."
Takizawa’s voice dropped lower.
"If you climb to the rooftop, I’ll unlock the emergency door from inside. That way, you can enter the research facility undetected. I’ll head to the roof now."
"Got it. How much time do we have?"
"Ten minutes, tops. And be careful."
When the call ended, Mishima tightened both hands around the straps of his backpack. He had managed to arrive within the critical three-hour freezing window. Inside the tank on his back was a specimen more valuable than his life.
Fear, anxiety, panic—all of it, he pushed down. The only thing that remained was purpose.
He had to deliver the truth.
"…Up the emergency stairs to the roof... I can’t let that guy spot me."
Mishima veered off the busy main street into a quiet alley behind the facility.
Behind him, the last remaining pursuer—dressed in black—followed, low and fast.
Meanwhile—
Mirei had exited the ticket gate and looked around, but Mishima was nowhere to be seen. A sudden flash of memory struck her: the moment she’d brushed against that man earlier on the platform. She’d felt something hard inside his coat.
A gun...?
The thought sent a chill up her spine.
She scanned the area again, trying to shake off the unease. Just then, the window of a black car parked at the station rotary silently rolled down.
"Mirei!"
It was her father, Taizo Sugihara, leaning out of the backseat.
"Dad!"
She ran over and climbed into the car beside him.
Taizo spoke immediately.
"Mishima’s headed to the Globia Pharma research building. Let’s go."
Just as the car pulled away from the curb, Mirei’s eyes caught sight of a man rushing down the sidewalk. His face was unmistakable—sharp eyes, hurried steps, an air of aggression.
That’s him—the man who was following Mishima-sensei!
She pointed urgently.
"That’s him! He might be armed! He’s after Mishima-sensei!"
The driver, Yada—the Sugihara family secretary—glanced in the rearview mirror.
"Should I follow him, sir?"
"Yes," Taizo said. "But don’t rush it. Keep your distance."
The car tailed the man through the streets until it reached a barricaded zone.
"Sorry, sir. We can’t go further. Vehicle access is restricted here."
Taizo hesitated for a moment, brows furrowed in thought, then made his decision.
"We’ll go on foot. Mirei, are you up for it?"
"Yes. Let’s go."
They got out of the car and hurried after Mishima.
Ahead, they saw a man—Mishima, presumably—slipping around the back of a building, backpack in tow. The pursuer was right behind him.
Taizo quickly pulled out his phone and dialed 110.
"Police emergency. What’s the situation?"
"This is an attempted assault. A friend of mine—a doctor—is being followed by a potentially armed man. We're near the Globia Pharma research facility. Send officers immediately. My name is Taizo Sugihara from Kashu Construction."
He ended the call and stared intently at the back of the building.
"Please, Mishima... make it in time."
Emergency Stairs
Mishima slipped around the rear of the research building. The black-jacketed man was right on his heels, staying low.
"Mishima-sensei…!"
Mirei had spotted them disappearing behind the building and now burst into a run. Her bag bounced, her steps stumbled, but she pressed forward.
Behind her, Taizo called out, breathless.
"Mirei—wait! I can’t... I can’t keep up..."
She spared him a quick glance and nodded silently. Then she kept running.
"I have to do this...!"
Her breath and footsteps echoed off the narrow alley walls.
Taizo staggered, nearly collapsing. Yada rushed over to support him.
"Sir, are you alright?"
"Just winded... help me to the car."
As Yada helped him back, Mirei turned the corner alone, chasing after the man who had vanished into the alley.
"Please, Mishima-sensei… be safe."
Determination burned in her eyes.
Mishima reached the emergency staircase, breath shallow. He grabbed the rusted metal rail and began climbing.
From behind—
"Stop! Don’t move!"
He looked back. The pursuer rounded the building, eyes wild, driven like a predator.
No time to hesitate.
The tank on Mishima’s back pulled heavily against his spine, but he climbed, gripping the stairwell with everything he had. The metal groaned beneath him.
Every step was a battle.
He’s too close.
Reaching a landing halfway up, Mishima glanced through the grated steps. Below—those bloodshot eyes were staring straight at him.
In the man’s hand—black metal. A gun.
A chill ran down Mishima’s spine.
"Just a few more...!"
He pushed on, lungs burning, pain radiating through his shoulders.
The sample must survive.
He powered through the last stretch. The rooftop handrail was within reach.
Then—
"Urgh!"
Something caught his ankle.
The man had grabbed him from below, grinning.
"You’re not going anywhere, Dr. Takizawa..."
He still thinks I’m Takizawa...
Mishima’s heart pounded.
The stairwell groaned. He was being pulled down.
Then—
"MISHIMA-SENSEI!"
Mirei’s voice rang out from below.
She was climbing, face pale but resolute.
"Mirei! Stay back! It’s dangerous!"
The man’s head whipped toward her.
"You again?! So this guy’s Mishima... doesn’t matter. You’re both dead."
In that brief distraction, Mishima seized his chance.
Gripping the railing, he swung his free leg up and—
"Hah!"
His heel crashed into the man’s temple.
"Guh!"
The attacker reeled, slipping back. He barely caught the railing, dangling.
Mishima didn’t wait.
He powered up the final steps, the freezing tank bouncing with each stride.
The rooftop door was just ahead.
As Mishima lunged for it—
The door opened.
Silently.
And someone stood waiting.
