The city of Shinkase was in greater turmoil than usual that day.
A convoy of black cars advanced in formation toward the most imposing tower of the metropolis: the Tenshō Tower.
From the vehicles stepped out numerous elegantly dressed men and women, all united by a single purpose.
«I wonder what we'll be able to buy today,» one of them said, letting out a smug grin.
«The last girl we got didn't even last a month! Hahaha!» replied his companion with a grotesque laugh.
All the guests headed toward the tower entrance.
Among them were two familiar faces: Kaito and Yume.
He wore the suit he had been given just a few days earlier.
She wore a tight black shirt tucked into dark trousers. Her hair was tied up, a watch circled her left wrist, and around her neck hung the pendant she had received from the gang's leader.
«These people disgust me,» Yume whispered after overhearing the repulsive exchange.
«They're all members of Shinkase's underworld. Not surprising,» Kaito answered in a low voice.
As soon as they crossed the entrance of the tower, they found themselves in the reception hall: an immense space with tall white walls.
From the ceiling, decorated with glass panels, filtered a surreal, almost heavenly light.
At the center stood the reception desk, where several clerks worked quietly, typing and speaking in hushed tones.
Yume started moving toward them, but Kaito quickly grabbed her by the wrist.
«What are you doing?» she asked, puzzled.
«Look...» he whispered, signaling with his eyes toward the others. «They're all heading straight to the elevator.»
«You think there's no need to check in?»
«I believe the registration is done directly inside the White Place,» he murmured.
Reaching that conclusion, the two decided to follow the other buyers.
They stopped before the Ai elevators: four wide lifts, designed to carry many people at once.
Kaito and Yume found themselves in one of them, alongside about fifteen people who seemed familiar with one another.
«You look as lovely as ever, Misaki,» said a man leaning against the elevator wall.
«And you're still the same old womanizer,» she replied, without even glancing at him.
«Still so bitter... but today, you're not the only beauty here,» he added, shifting his gaze toward Yume.
«What's your name?» he asked, stepping closer.
Yume, calm and unafraid, was about to reply when Kaito cut in.
«She's with me,» he said firmly, locking eyes with him.
The man sized him up from head to toe.
«Well, well... a little kid trying to act tough, huh?»
The tension inside the elevator rose. The other guests began watching silently.
«So tell me... what would you do if I didn't back off?» he sneered.
Suddenly, Kaito felt a slight tug on his suit.
—Yume?—
The girl stepped forward with composure.
«I'm sorry, sir,» she said, bowing her head slightly.
«But I'm not interested in old men.»
Her words cut the air like a blade. A brief silence followed—then laughter erupted among the guests, especially from Misaki.
«What did you just say?» the man roared, enraged by her remark.
At that very moment, the elevator doors slid open.
«Enough fighting. Let's go,» Misaki said coldly.
The furious man stormed out.
Kaito and Yume lingered for a moment.
«Sorry, Yume. I should've let you handle it,» Kaito said, staring ahead.
«That's right, I had it under control.»
She stepped out of the elevator, then turned back to him.
«But I really appreciated it,» she added with a smile before walking on.
Kaito blinked in surprise.
«Tsk... that girl,» he muttered, following her.
The two entered a long corridor. Red carpets lined the parquet floor, forming paths like roads, while the white walls glowed under elegant wall lamps.
Once again, they followed the group, passing several doors until the procession stopped before a wall.
«Why did we stop?» Yume whispered.
«No idea... let's see,» Kaito replied.
To their astonishment, the walls shifted, revealing an underground passage.
«Always the same theatrics...» muttered one of the buyers indifferently.
«Looks like this is it,» Kaito said seriously, glancing at Yume.
Once they crossed the threshold, the wall sealed shut behind them.
They descended a well-lit staircase leading to a lower level.
At the end stood a great white gate, guarded by several men.
«That must be the entrance to the White Place,» Kaito murmured.
Yume nodded, slightly tense.
One by one, the guests paid their tribute for the auction and presented their invitations.
Yume glanced around. The air was cold, tinged with faint incense. She looked at Kaito, noticing he seemed different.
—Is he feeling unwell? We're about to face the Mugentamashii... I never asked him how he feels about it...— she thought.
She was about to speak when a voice cut her off.
«You two, step forward,» a guard said coldly.
Kaito handed over the envelope filled with brush, while Yume offered the necklace.
«You may enter,» the guard confirmed after checking both money and invitation.
—It worked,—Kaito thought as he passed through the gate.
«You two, don't move.»
A shiver ran down Yume's spine.
Kaito clenched his fists and turned around.
The one who had stopped them... was no ordinary guard.
Every other guard stiffened at the sight of the newcomer.
The only sound in the room was the dull echo of his footsteps.
He was about their age, dressed in a spotless white suit with a black mask covering his face. His amber eyes seemed to pierce right through them, framed by hair as bright and blazing as fire.
«Why did you bring weapons?» he asked, his voice icy.
—He noticed the blades!—Kaito thought, hesitating for a moment.
«Well...» he began, trying to think of a convincing excuse.
«I know many Spirit Users attend this event. Since I don't have one of my own, I thought I should bring these.»
He drew one of the blades hidden beneath his jacket.
«For my own protection.»
«Do you really think blades can stop a Spirit User?» the boy asked mockingly.
«Not blades alone. That's why I also brought my bodyguard.»
He gestured to Yume, who stood silently at his side.
The boy said nothing. He simply stared at them, motionless.
—If I can fool him, we won't have to fight.—
—If our plan fails here, it's all over.—
«Come with me,» he said at last.
«Excuse me?» Kaito asked, startled.
«I want to make sure you're not a threat.»
He then turned to Yume.
«In the meantime, your companion may go ahead and save your spot.»
Kaito and Yume exchanged a quick look.
—What are you planning to do, Kaito?— she thought.
—I have no choice.—
«Fine. I'll go with you,» he said firmly.
«Wait... are you sure?» Yume asked instinctively.
«Don't worry. Focus on buying as much as you can.»
He gave her a faint smile, then stepped closer to the boy.
«Alright... I understand,» she replied, masking her concern.
«Good. Let's talk in another room.»
Moments later, Yume made her way toward the White Place.
«As for you,» the boy addressed the guards, «if you lose focus again, you won't get away with it.»
His gaze alone made every man in the room tremble... everyone except Kaito, who at that moment had only one question in mind:
—Who is he?—