Koharu snaps awake, before finding herself still strapped into her chair in the back of Hikari’s car. She blinks a few times, but then unfastens her seatbelt and immediately leans in to check on her family members in the front seats. They’re gone. Nowhere to be seen.

Koharu: … Mom? Mom!

In a panic, she opens up the car door and half-steps, half-rolls out into the rain, onto the asphalt of the highway, where she is immediately greeted by a car that only barely manages to avoid her, honking aggressively as it does. Startled, she immediately steps back, but the car pulls over and stops a few yards away from her. Visibly distressed, the driver gets out of his car, opens up an umbrella and runs up to Koharu, phone to his ear.

Driver: … yes… yes. Highway 607 in Mitakihara, Shinmachi Ward, around kilometer 56. A… A girl just came out, she seems unharmed, but I’m not seeing anyone—Hey, you! You! Young lady! Are you okay?

Without hesitation, the man puts his hand on Koharu’s shoulder, causing her to immediately recoil.

Driver: S-Sorry, I didn’t mean to— (he talks into his phone) She’s unharmed, but she can’t have been the driver, she looks, thirteen, fourteen?

Koharu: Sixteen.

Driver: Sixteen, sorry. She’s—(he turns back to Koharu) Who was driving the car? (Koharu has turned away, staring into the distance) Hey, hello! Young lady? Who was driving the car? I’m calling an ambulance.

Koharu: No, no, no, they’re gone. They’re gone!

Driver: Who is? Who’s gone? (he snaps his fingers in front of Koharu’s face as her gaze drifts off again, talking to her in a reassuring voice) Young lady! Look at me, please. You were just in an accident. I’m calling an ambulance. You can’t stay here, out in the rain.

Suddenly, a taxi pulls over as well, parking itself on the side of the road, behind the man’s car, and Yosuke darts out, running up to Koharu and the man, widely gesturing to get their attention.

Yosuke: Senpai! (grabbing onto Koharu’s arm, her produces an umbrella of his own, holding it over Koharu to shield her from the rain as he tries to introduce himself to the man) S-Sorry, she’s a bit— She was with her mother and sister, they’re— forget it, we need that ambulance! (he gestures at the man to finish his phone call with the first responders)

Driver: (to his phone) Yes, yes, she appears to be in shock… No, someone just arrived here in a taxi, a friend or something… yes, there were two others. She’s saying they’re “gone”, but maybe— Yes. Yes, ma’am. I will. Please, get her soon. (with a sigh, the man pockets his phone, before turning back to Koharu) An ambulance should be here in five min—Hey!

Shocked to see Koharu and Yosuke getting into the taxi, the man attempts to give chase on foot, before realizing he can’t abandon the scene of the accident. As the taxi drives off into the mist, he has no choice but to resort to waving his arms and hollering in frustration.

Driver: Oh, you cannot be serious!

In the taxi, Yosuke is gazing out of the window, ignoring the gesticulating silhouette in the corner of his eye before it disappears from his sight, continuing to watch the rain blurring the lights of the city as it barrages against the window. He doesn’t look up until a sudden weight on his left shoulder snaps him out of his stupor. He turns to see Koharu, unconscious and resting her head on his shoulder, before sighing and turning to the taxi’s driver.

Yosuke: (in Chinese) <She’s out like a light.>

In the rear-view mirror, he sees a pair of empty, yellow eyes staring back at him. They blink as the taxi leaves the highway, heading into the city.