Part 1

Street SEKAI
Crase Cafe

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1

Toya

Listen

...

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2

Toya

Listen

Still no...
3

MEIKO

Listen

Toya's been peering at his phone every few seconds for a while now. Is everything okay...?
4

Miku

Listen

I don't know. Kohane, has he told you anything?
5

Kohane

Listen

Oh, actually...

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6

Akito

Listen

Hey.
7

KAITO

Listen

Oh, Akito, perfect timing!
We were just talking about Toya's odd behavior.
8

Akito

Listen

Huh? Ohh...
9

Akito

Listen

He might be acting that way because he's been waiting to get this new book by this author he likes until our next event is over.
10

Luka

Listen

A new book...?
11

Kohane

Listen

Yes. It's the newest installation in a popular series by a very famous mystery author.
12

Kohane

Listen

It's apparently been getting good reviews and was even featured on TV this morning.
13

Akito

Listen

Yeah, everyone was raving about it online on the day it released.
14

Miku

Okay, but... Why not just get it?
Wouldn't it be better for you to just read it?
15

Toya

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If I do, there's a high likelihood of me staying up all night reading it...
16

Toya

Listen

And once I finish it, I'll want to look up theories and reactions online. With that in mind, I can expect to lose several days...
17

Toya

Listen

I wouldn't want it to interfere with practice.
18

KAITO

I see... As disciplined as ever...
19

Miku

Listen

You stand to learn a lot from him, KAITO.
20

KAITO

Listen

Me? Haha...
21

Toya

Listen

I even thought about trying to simmer my craving by reading other people's reviews...
22

Toya

Listen

But I ended up refraining from doing so since I may come across some spoilers.
23

Kohane

Listen

And that's why you were peering at your phone just now.
24

Luka

Oh, Toya!
Can you tell us more about this book?
25

MEIKO

Luka, he's doing his best to not think about it...
26

Luka

Listen

Oh, right...
Sorry, Toya.
27

Toya

Listen

No, it's okay.
Talking about it may actually help.
28

Toya

Listen

It's the latest installment in a series of mystery novels by an author who's been hailed as a master of misdirection. And this one is supposed to be full of twists once again.
29

KAITO

Oh, like one of those books where everything is turned upside down during the last ten pages?
30

Toya

Listen

Yes, that's about right.
31

Toya

Listen

While reading, I find great enjoyment in being surprised and seeing how everything is elegantly tied together.
32

Toya

Listen

Also, the protagonist and surrounding characters are usually very intriguing people. I particularly enjoy the banter between the protagonist and his partner.
33

Toya

Listen

(However, in the previous book, he and his partner...)
34

Toya

Listen

Oh...
35

Akito

Listen

Toya...?
36

Toya

Listen

I-It's nothing, but...
37

Toya

Listen

I was just reminded of a fairly significant event that happened during the last book...
38

Toya

Listen

(Why did his partner do that...?)
39

Toya

Listen

(There seemed to be some sort of hint hidden within the conversation they had with that shadowy character, but I'm yet to read a prediction that isn't riddled with holes...)
40

Akito

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Are you sure this isn't having the opposite effect...?
41

Luka

I'm really sorry, Toya!
I shouldn't have asked you about this!
42

KAITO

Listen

Uh, how about...? MEIKO!
Why not pour Toya a delicious cup of coffee?
43

MEIKO

Listen

As much as I'd like to, he's already had five...
44

Miku

I was wondering why he was drinking so much coffee. This book must've been the reason.
45

MEIKO

Oh, I know.
How does a coffee float sound? That could help take your mind off it.
46

Toya

Listen

Thank you very much...
I'll happily accept your offer.
47

MEIKO

Listen

Okay, coming right up.
48

KAITO

Speaking of which, MEIKO, the way you brew nel drip coffee is always so interesting. It's such a nice twist on more common methods.
49

Toya

Listen

Twist...?
50

Luka

Listen

KAITO! Be careful what you say!
51

KAITO

Listen

Huh?! What did I do?!
52

Akito

Listen

Toya, you're clearly starting to hear things. Why don't you just read that book already...?
53

Toya

Listen

No, our event's just around the corner. I can't let my guard down now...
54

Toya

Listen

Our third event takes absolute priority.
55

Toya

Listen

I'll forget all about this once we start practicing. So, when Shiraishi gets here...

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56
Hey! Sorry about the wait!
57
Oh, Toya! It looks like the new mystery novel you were talking about just came out! I saw a bunch of copies in the bookstore on the way home!
58
It sounds really good.
They even talked about it on TV earlier!

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59

Kohane

Listen

An, wait...!
60
Huh?
61

Toya

Listen

I'm sorry, MEIKO...
Can I get a rain check on that coffee float?

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62

Toya

Listen

Everyone! Let's practice!
63
Good! That's what I like to hear, Toya!
64

Akito

Listen

Is that really a good thing...?
65

Kohane

Listen

W-Well, if it helps keep his mind off it...
66

MEIKO

Looks like we all need to avoid talking about that book until their event's over...
67

Miku

Listen

Or anything that even sounds like it.
68

Luka & KAITO

Okay.