Chapter 6: Togo Takumi

  Togo Takumi parked his motorcycle in the convenience store parking lot and opened a can of coffee.

  "Why don't they have caramel popcorn at that movie theater...?"

  He muttered to no one in particular, taking a sip. As the cold coffee slid down his throat, the plot of the movie Choker 2 he had just seen came to his mind.

  "Honestly, we didn't need a sequel."

  The first movie had been perfect as a standalone, and now they were digging it up and making it worse. What kind of mentality was that?

  Still, Togo had been hopeful.

  Even though the first movie was complete, he thought they might show something more, something beyond it. It was because of that hope that his anger was simmering so uncontrollably now.

  Apparently, the director had said, "That wasn't Choker; it was Daniel." Well, if that's the case, they should've just called it Daniel from the start.

  They'd pulled out a character who didn’t even feel like an evil charisma, and this was the result.

  Certainly, the lead actor Akiton's performance had been fantastic. But that was about it. The script was atrocious, full of unnecessary musical scenes that were so pointless they were infuriating to watch.

  Stolen novel; please report.

  Some people said it was deep or that the analysis was interesting, but that was probably a lie. They should just talk about whether it was fun or not, but too many people were too proud and complicated about it.

  Togo sighed softly, crushing the empty coffee can in his hand. At that moment, his smartphone in his chest pocket vibrated. The display showed "Special Management Nagoya Headquarters."

  "Got a bad feeling about this..."

  He frowned and held the smartphone to his ear.

  The operator's voice came through, sounding panicked.

  "Togo-san!? Can you talk right now!?"

  "...What's going on? I should have submitted my day off request today."

  Togo’s voice carried annoyance, not directed at the operator, but the lingering frustration from the movie.

  "We've detected abnormal vital signs in the transport vehicle escort team—"

  At these words, Togo tossed the crushed can into the trash and stood up.

  "Are they dead?"

  "...We don’t know yet. But it’s believed that everyone is incapacitated."

  The operator's voice briefly cut out. Togo's expression tightened as the faces of the escort members flashed in his mind.

  "That would be Seigawa-san and the others, right?"

  He thought of Seigawa, a veteran in his 40s, highly regarded within the Special Management. Memories of training together in joint exercises resurfaced. Seigawa’s quiet, precise commands, his ability to quickly grasp the situation, had made him a role model for younger Adepts.

  What kind of enemy could take down someone like Seigawa?

  "...And the transport vehicle?"

  "It’s stopped in the southern suburbs of Gifu! We’re sending the exact location now!"

  A map appeared on Togo’s smartphone screen. He quickly checked the distance from his current location and nodded curtly.

  As the communication ended, Togo grabbed his helmet and mounted his motorcycle. He started the engine, the low growl reverberating through the air. He twisted the throttle and sped off down the road, the fading sunlight still casting its last rays on the path ahead.

  I would greatly appreciate any reviews or support, as it would be a huge encouragement to me!"