Part 1

Street SEKAI

Crase Cafe

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1

Toya

...

Sound Effect: Play

2

Toya

Still no...

3

MEIKO

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

4

Miku

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

5

Kohane

Oh, actually...

Sound Effect: Play

6

Akito

Hey.

7

KAITO

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

8

Akito

Huh? Ohh...

9

Akito

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

A new book...?

11

Kohane

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

12

Kohane

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

13

Akito

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

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

16

Toya

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

I wouldn't want it to interfere with practice.

18

KAITO

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

19

Miku

You stand to learn a lot from him, KAITO.

20

KAITO

Me? Haha...

21

Toya

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

22

Toya

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

23

Kohane

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

Oh, right...
Sorry, Toya.

27

Toya

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

28

Toya

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

Yes, that's about right.

31

Toya

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

32

Toya

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

33

Toya

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

34

Toya

Oh...

35

Akito

Toya...?

36

Toya

I-It's nothing, but...

37

Toya

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

38

Toya

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

39

Toya

(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

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

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

43

MEIKO

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

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

47

MEIKO

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

Twist...?

50

Luka

KAITO! Be careful what you say!

51

KAITO

Huh?! What did I do?!

52

Akito

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

53

Toya

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

54

Toya

Our third event takes absolute priority.

55

Toya

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

Sound Effect: Play

56

An

Hey! Sorry about the wait!

57

An

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

An

It sounds really good.
They even talked about it on TV earlier!

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59

Kohane

An, wait...!

60

An

Huh?

61

Toya

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

Sound Effect: Play

62

Toya

Everyone! Let's practice!

63

An

Good! That's what I like to hear, Toya!

64

Akito

Is that really a good thing...?

65

Kohane

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

Or anything that even sounds like it.

68

Luka & KAITO

Okay.