Outbound

Urgent Matter

October 2nd Tuesday - Midnight

Ms. Fujiwara, Hanabi, Hayakawa and Jun are still waiting for Naoya to return. Rei on the other hand is sleeping peacefully on the couch with a blanket over her. As the clock strikes midnight, worry begins to settle in. Ms. Fujiwara is fidgety, glancing at the door every few minutes, hoping for Naoya's return. Hanabi and Hayakawa, though not openly expressing it, share the same undercurrent of anxiety. Jun, who's trying to stay composed, starts pacing up and down the floor. Hayakawa speaks up, "He possibly didn't get attacked right? We have been making sure to not leak any location of ours." Hayakawa's doubts echo the fears held by the rest. He voices the question on everyone's mind, trying to reassure himself and the others that Naoya should be safe. The worry is obvious in his tone, mixed with an attempt to maintain composure. The room is filled with a palpable tension, each person lost in their own thoughts about Naoya's possible safety. Ms. Fujiwara, trying to stay positive, offers, "I'm sure he's just taking his time to ensure he loses any potential followers." However, even her words seem more like wishful thinking than optimism. "For this long?" Jun asks. Jun's response is tinged with disbelief, expressing his growing concern. "It shouldn't take this long for him to shake off any followers. Something isn't right." Despite his skepticism, he refrains from giving in to outright panic, but the tension in the room escalates with each passing minute. 

Hanabi joins in. "Can't you guys just call him with a burner phone or something?" Hanabi's suggestions cuts through the tension, offering a practical solution. "Why don't we just call him? Maybe he's just being extra cautious to shake off any possible pursuers. We have a burner phone for situations like this." The idea resonates with everyone, and they quickly retrieve the burner phone. As Jun points towards the table, they realize that Naoya's phone is lying there, untouched. This revelation silences the room further, the implications clear. Naoya has left his phone behind, which is unlike him, adding to the growing uneasiness and deepening the mystery of his absence. "Will waiting make this any better?" Fujiwara asks. Ms. Fujiwara's words hang in the air, filled with a sense of urgency. Waiting is clearly not an option. "If he's out there and in trouble, we need to act fast," she says, her worry transforming into determination."I'll go out and check on my own." Jun says. Jun's offer to venture out on his own is met with a mix of concern and appreciation. "Be careful," Ms. Fujiwara cautions, "We don't know what's out there. Stay alert." The tension in the room spikes even further as Jun prepares to embark on the mission to find Naoya. 

Hours later, Jun finally returns, his face pale from exhaustion and his voice filled with dread. He looks around the room with a grim expression, delivering the horrifying news. "I found the bodies. It doesn't look good." The air in the room immediately grows thick with tension, as everyone absorbs the gravity of the situation. Hanabi was also asleep at this point in the couch across the room. Ms. Fujiwara and Hayakawa on the other hand were waiting for Jun to return. Hayakawa asks right away, "Bodies?", "Where?" Hayakuwa's voice trembles slightly as he asks about the bodies, his face etched with concern. Jun steadies himself to break the bad news. "At the park... There were three of them." His voice trails off, the magnitude of the discovery setting in. The room falls eerily silent for a few moments, each person processing the weight of the words. "I am assuming Naoya killed them?" Ms. Fujiwara asks. Ms. Fujiwara's question is measured but direct, cutting through the taut silence. Jun takes a deep breath before nodding, his expression confirming the grim scenario. "Yes, it seems so." His words hang heavily in the air, the atmosphere growing even more grim with this revelation. "I didn't touch the bodies. However, there is one woman and two men dead." Jun's revelation adds another layer of complexity to the situation. He continues, "The woman was dressed in black clothing, and she wasn't carrying any identification on her. The men were also wearing black and seemed to be trained professionals. But they didn't have any identification either." Jun continues, "The woman was shot from the side of her head. Other two men were shot from the head too. Most likely forehead." Jun's description of the victims' wounds adds a chilling detail to the tragedy. His words paint a stark picture, the violence and lethality clear in the manner of death. "The wounds look like precise shots, executed with the kind of precision and brutality that only someone extremely skilled could manage." 

Hayakawa speaks, "There are 3 possibilities. First, he killed them and went to somewhere else so he didn't bring any unwanted attention to where we are right now. Second, he killed them however, he might have some sort of wound and he is somewhere else. Third, There were more than 3 people in the park and he got taken by them." Hayakawa's assessment is pragmatic and clear, outlining the possible scenarios with precision. His words resonate in the room, echoing the weight of the situation. "We need to consider the fact that Naoya might be injured and unable to return to us. Or worse, that he has been taken captive by the assailants." He contiunes, "We have to gather Outbound early in the morning and search for clues." Hayakawa says. Ms. Fujiwara nods in agreement, her face set with determination. "You're right. We'll need to gather Outbound to search for clues and gather any information we can. It's crucial that we find Naoya as quickly as possible." Her voice is firm, emphasizing the urgency of the situation. Jun speaks up, "He wouldn't die just from that right? Right?" Jun's words carry a hint of desperation, a plea for reassurance in the grim situation. Ms. Fujiwara offers a measured response. "Naoya is skilled and resilient. He has the ability and training to withstand a lot. We can't give up hope just yet." Her words hold a note of optimism, but the worry remains evident in her eyes. Hayakawa speaks again, "I'll make some calls right now. I have to wake up people from their sleep but it's urgent."

Hayakawa nods resolutely, immediately taking action. "I'll start making those calls. We need to get the team moving as soon as possible." His determination is palpable as he prepares to wake up the Outbound team members, understanding the urgency of the situation.