VISION GRID SYSTEM: THE COMEBACK OF RYOMA TAKEDA

Ryoma remains still, staring at nothing as he tries to make sense of the images that have just flashed through his mind.

Then the same image flickers into existence again for barely a moment, only this time, he's so close to Reika that their lips are almost touching, as though they are about to kiss.

The image disappears the instant Ryoma recoils from it, a sharp rejection jolting through his mind.

Before he can piece them together, the voice in his head breaks in with a familiar, mocking tone.

<< Well, look at you. Already fantasizing about Reika, huh? >>

<< And here I thought you were doing such a convincing job pretending you weren't interested in her. >>

"Could you stop it?" Ryoma mutters, immediately turning away from the thought.

He crosses to the wardrobe and begins sorting through his clothes, pulling out one shirt before putting it back and reaching for another.

<< You don't have to fight it that hard. Reika is gorgeous, charming, and you know it. Those eyes, that scent, those sensual lips... >>

"Stop it. Can you not talk about that vision for now?"

<< Hey, stop treating the idea of fantasizing about a beautiful woman like it's some kind of taboo. You're a man, and a healthy one. It would be more concerning if you didn't have desires like that. >>

Ryoma finally gives up on choosing clothes. He then grabs a towel and leaves the room.

<< Besides, you've already become World Champion. >>

<< And hey... having a great woman by your side can be an achievement too. >>

By the time Ryoma reaches the bottom of the staircase, the living room comes into view. Reika is still sitting on the sofa, but she has been watching him ever since he started down the stairs.

Ryoma looks up and catches her gaze. For a second or two, he doesn't look away, and that brief moment is enough for warmth to creep into his cheeks before he quickly breaks eye contact, and walks toward the bathroom.

Reika keeps watching him, her brows slowly lifting as something about his reaction begins to register. And it takes only a moment for warmth to creep into her cheeks as well, turning them faintly red.

Aki notices it, and brings her face unnecessarily close for an exaggerated inspection that succeeds in pulling Reika's attention.

"What?"

"Your cheeks are turning red again..." Aki shakes her head. "You really are still weak to his charms. Though I have to admit, even looking like he just rolled out of bed, he still looks pretty damn good. And hey, he's a World Champion now."

Reika's gaze drifts toward the championship belt resting on the coffee table. The sight of it brings a new concern to the thought that has only just begun to take shape in her mind.

Ryoma's new status is only going to make what she wants even harder to reach. Getting him has already been a huge challenge. Keeping him would be an even greater one.

"I've told you this enough times," Aki continues. "He's not interested in you. And I know you're going to keep chasing him anyway. Just prepare yourself in case he goes back to treating you like a stranger."

"What are you talking about?" Reika replies, lifting her chin with a hint of arrogance. "You may not have noticed, but I think we're getting closer."

"Are you sure that isn't just your own wishful thinking?"

"We spent a long night together yesterday," Reika suddenly reveals.

Aki blinks. "You... and Ryoma? Alone?"

"Yes. And just so you know, he was the one who came to my car. I didn't ask him to."

"No way..." Aki's eyes light up, her instincts as a journalist instantly kicking in. "Then what happened? Did you have a separate celebration? Visit somewhere romantic? Have dinner together?"

Reika turns toward her, a smug glint appearing in her eyes. "We went somewhere far too private for me to tell you about."

"Wait... is this what I think it is?" Aki asks.

"You can bet your wildest fantasies on it."

"You've got to be kidding me!"

"Hey, keep your voice down. We're in someone else's apartment."

Aki immediately leans closer, lowering her voice to a whisper. "So? How was it? Was it good?"

The smugness suddenly disappears from Reika's face. She looks away, her cheeks beginning to warm again.

"Not really..."

"Huh?"

"It was my first time," Reika admits quietly. "So I didn't really know what I was supposed to expect."

A few moments later, when Ryoma emerges from the bathroom, he finds the two women sitting whispering to each other. And the conversation stops the instant they notice him.

Aki suddenly becomes very interested in the championship belt on the coffee table, while Reika turns her attention toward the opposite side of the room.

Ryoma notices immediately. Whatever they were talking about, he has a fairly good idea who the subject was. Still, he says nothing and simply walks toward the staircase, maintaining the same indifferent expression.

"Sorry to keep you waiting," he says. "I'll be down in a moment."

"Take your time," Aki hums, doing her best to sound perfectly normal.

***

As they prepare to leave, Aki instinctively keeps a little distance from Ryoma and Reika. Somehow, being between the two of them now makes her feel like an unwanted third wheel.

When Ryoma stops to lock the apartment door, Aki even picks up her pace, heading down the stairs leaving the two behind.

At the top of the staircase, she sees a man coming up. She stops and recognizes him immediately.

"Ah, good day, Detective-san. Are you here to see Ryoma?"

"Are you an acquaintance?" Tachibana asks.

Aki nods. "Yes. We're heading out to celebrate his victory."

Before Tachibana can say anything else, Ryoma appears with Reika behind him.

"Tachibana-san. You wanted to see me?"

"Yes. There's something important I need to discuss with you."

"Is this about Hayashida Muneyaki's death?"

Tachibana nods. "Could I speak with you alone for a moment?"

"Of course."

Ryoma gestures for Tachibana to move a little farther away from the others.

"Sorry, Aki," he says without turning around.

The brief exchange immediately catches both Aki's and Reika's attention. Their curiosity rises, and fortunately for them, Tachibana and Ryoma do not go very far.

They stop directly in front of Ryoma's apartment door, close enough for the two women to remain within earshot.

"You don't look surprised," Tachibana begins.

"I already saw the news," Ryoma says.

"I see." Tachibana gives a small nod. "It seems God has been rather kind to you. There have been quite a few difficult things, and some rather complicated ones, happening around you lately. Yet somehow, everything keeps falling into place without interfering with your path to becoming World Champion."

Ryoma gives him a skeptical look. "You're starting to make it sound like there's some mafia organization working behind the scenes to protect my career."

Tachibana chuckles. "Now that you put it that way... I suppose I did make it sound like that." He gives a small shrug. "But really, it somehow makes my job easier."

"So, what about this suicide story?"

"You doubt it?"

"Not really." Ryoma shrugs. "I just want to make sure he wasn't killed by whoever actually ordered him to come after me. Like eliminating the loose end."

A knowing smile crosses Tachibana's face. "Still sharp as ever. And yes, this is definitely not suicide. Someone killed him and tried to cover it up."

Ryoma's expression changes immediately. The casualness disappears from his face.

"So they're still after me?"

"I think it's too early to rule anything out."

Tachibana reaches into his coat and takes out a pen and notebook.

"Now, considering your history with Hayashida, I'd rather be clear about something. I just heard you were about to celebrate your victory. Does that mean you didn't have any after-fight celebration last night?"

"There was one," Ryoma says. "But I left early. I promised Aki and the other journalists I'd spend some time with them today."

Tachibana begins writing. "When did you leave?"

"Around five."

"And what did you do afterward?"

"I went home. Planning to rest… but then I came back out to borrow the gym's van."

"You went somewhere?"

"Yeah. I went to see Ryohei."

"Ah, Ryohei. The one who was stabbed while protecting you. What time did you get there, and how long did you stay?"

Ryoma blinks at him. "Come on, Tachibana-san. You can't be serious. You think I killed the man?"

"No, no." Tachibana keeps his voice calm. "I haven't identified a suspect yet. From where I'm standing, everyone connected to Hayashida Muneyaki needs to be questioned. Protocols."

"Fair enough." Ryoma gives a small laugh. "I suppose I need this to support my alibi too, right?"

"Exactly. So, after you left Ryohei, what time did you leave?"

"I didn't really check the time. You can ask Ryohei later. I wasn't there for more than five minutes."

"And after that?"

"I came home and went to rest."

"What time did you get back here?"

"I saw the wall clock. 6:40. After that, I went straight to my room and slept."

Tachibana continues writing, but Ryoma notices the slight change in his expression.

"What? Is my alibi really that weak?"

"If that's all you can give me..." Tachibana gives a small shrug. "Then, yes. It's not enough to get you off my list."

Ryoma laughs. "Come on. What time was the estimated time of death?"

"Planning to adjust your story after you hear it?" Tachibana asks with a teasing edge.

"I'm just curious. Come on, Detective. Tell me. I promise I won't change anything I've already told you."

"It's between seven and eight last night. So, if you came home alone and went straight to sleep, I'd say your alibi is a little thin. But of course, that alone isn't enough to accuse you of…"

"I'm sorry, Detective-san." Reika suddenly steps into the conversation.

Her voice carries a note of panic, and the concern on her face is unmistakable. The possibility of Ryoma getting dragged into a murder investigation seems to have finally become too much for her to ignore.

"Ryoma is innocent," she says. "If the victim died around that time, then he has an alibi. He spent the entire night with me."

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