Yume crossed the entrance, stepping into a narrow corridor.
At the end, an intense white light forced her to squint.
— It's blinding… — she thought.
When she reached the source of that light, she was stunned:
before her stretched an amphitheater.
Everything was white—walls, lamps, floor. Every detail radiated a disturbing order, as if that purity was meant to conceal what was about to happen.
But what truly struck her was something else.
«All these people…» she whispered, looking around.
The stands were full, with only a few empty seats left.
«They all came here to buy. Objects, or people…»
She spotted two empty cushions near the top. She made her way there and sat down.
«I hope Kaito is safe…»
She turned toward the empty seat beside her.
— These places… they bring back awful memories. —
She couldn't keep those thoughts from overwhelming her: the four years spent with Shirogane, the shady places, the greedy faces.
For her, once upon a time, this had been normality.
Suddenly, the murmur of the crowd died out.
From the small stage at the base of the amphitheater, a figure emerged, their long coat concealing their face.
«Greetings, my dear buyers,» the voice rang out brightly.
«I am pleased to announce that, in ten minutes…»
They paused, scanning the crowd.
«…the Kageichi Auction will begin!»
A roar of excitement exploded in the air, filling the White Place.
— Ten minutes… —
Yume looked around, searching for Kaito among the crowd.
— He hasn't returned yet. —
She closed her eyes, gathering her thoughts.
— Very well. I'll carry out the plan alone. —
She opened them again, filled with determination.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the Tenshō Tower, Kaito was still following the masked young man.
«Is it much farther? I don't quite trust my bodyguard… I'd rather see the goods myself,» he said, trying to keep up the act.
«Don't worry, we're almost there,» the man replied.
— Tsk… I don't have time to waste. If he were just some ordinary guy, I'd have already taken him down… — thought Kaito, watching his back.
— Still, something tells me that if I fought him now, I'd waste even more time. —
His thoughts were interrupted by the boy's voice:
«See that door at the end?» he asked, pointing with his finger. «Go there. Someone wants to talk to you.»
Kaito frowned.
«What are you saying? You said you had questions for me,» he replied, slowly moving his hand toward his blade.
«I won't be the one asking them,» the boy answered.
Silence fell between the two.
Suddenly, Kaito headed for the door. «Fine. Thanks for your courtesy.»
The boy gave no answer and walked off in the opposite direction.
— I wonder if we've already been exposed… — thought Kaito as he walked. — But how would they know? Could it be the Mugentamashii? Or maybe the gang that was slaughtered? —
He reached for the handle. — I'll find out now — he thought, as he grabbed it and pushed the door open.
He stepped into an office. To his right, a black sofa and a glass table. To his left, a bookshelf filled with volumes.
But what caught his attention most was not the furniture.
Seated at the desk before him was a woman.
She set down the pen she'd been writing with, as if every word had suddenly lost its importance, and lifted her gaze to study Kaito more closely.
«I've long desired to make your acquaintance,» she said with a calm, almost maternal voice, laced with subtle ambiguity.
«The pleasure is mine,» he replied, bowing his head slightly. «But I believe you've mistaken me for someone else.»
«You're quite the actor, Kaito… am I right?» she asked, seeking confirmation.
Kaito's heart skipped a beat. Hearing his own name on her lips froze him in place.
— Damn… it's over. —
He cautiously lifted his gaze.
«I assume you're the head… of this vile auction,» he said, drawing his blades from their sheath.
«I didn't take you for such a rash type. I haven't even introduced myself,» she replied, calmly eyeing his weapons.
«Just as I was told: you don't even possess a spirit, and yet you'd dare face my family.»
«It's not a matter of having one or not. I simply never tolerated people like you…» Kaito retorted, shifting into an offensive stance.
«You're an interesting boy. I've decided…» she smiled. «I'll reveal my name to you.»
She held his gaze for a moment, then made an elegant gesture.
«Kaito, it's a pleasure to meet you. I am… Chizuro Fuyumi,» she introduced herself, bowing slightly, her left arm folded behind her back and her right hand placed upon her chest.
«I want to know two things… Chizuro,» said Kaito.
«Please, ask away,» she answered, lifting her head with a serene expression.
«First: how did you find out about me? Second…» he tightened his grip on his blades, eyes fixed on her. «Where is the Mugentamashii?!»
Chizuro didn't reply right away. She waited, as if putting her thoughts in order.
«How I found out about you… you'll discover later,» she said, slowly approaching the boy.
«From what I hear, you seek revenge against the Mugentamashii, correct?» she asked, though she already knew the answer.
«Two of their members will be here soon. They were tasked with ensuring the auction's success.»
Chizuro and Kaito now stood face to face.
«Tasked… by whom?» he demanded, hungry for answers.
«Well, isn't it obvious… by the leader of the organization,» she replied with certainty.
Then, without warning, Chizuro stepped past Kaito, opening the door behind him.
«Where do you think you're going?» he aimed his blade at her.
«I'm not done talking with you!»
«I'm sorry, Kaito, but I have an auction to run,» Chizuro said with a smile far from kind.
Kaito stepped forward, ready to strike with his blades…
But three figures interposed themselves between him and Chizuro.
Instinctively, the boy took a step back, trying to put distance between them.
«And who might these be?» he asked, narrowing his eyes at the new enemies.
«Elite agents,» the woman explained calmly. «A sort of bouncer… directly under my son's command.»
«Your son?!» Kaito blurted, startled.
Chizuro smiled with satisfaction. «Didn't you realize?» she paused briefly. «The boy who led you here… is my son.»
«What?!» Kaito exclaimed, eyes wide.
Chizuro watched him with delight.
«We'll meet again later, Kaito,» she finally said, calmly closing the office door.
— I must warn Yume right away… But... —
Kaito glanced at the three agents. No words were needed: from the arrogant look in their eyes, it was clear enough… they were all possessors.