Koharu opens the door as quietly as possible, as she always does to prevent Chiaki and Kayo from tackling her as soon as she announces her return. She loves her younger siblings, but she does wish they expressed their affection differently from time to time. Her hair still damp from her visit to the public bathhouse, she takes off her shoes, only to notice an additional pair on the pile.

She looks up to see her father sitting at the dining table, his hands in his head. On the other side, her mother, clutching a large mug of tea. They don’t notice her.

Hikari: … Did you take a picture?

Akihiko: Wha… No… No, of course not, I’m… I’m pretty sure that’s illegal.

Hikari: This goddamn city, huh… I guess it makes sense, in some messed-up way. Some sick bastard’s striking when the city is vulnerable like this. (she reaches out to take her husband’s hand) I’m here if you need someone to talk to, right? And maybe you should take some time off work after all, I, I’ve got dozens of applications out there—

Despite her best efforts to be quiet, the floor still creaks when Koharu walks in.

Hikari: (she sighs) You’re giving me a heart attack, kid.

Akihiko: (he looks up) Ah… G-Good evening, Koharu. How was the bath?

Koharu: What are you talking about? What happened?

Hikari: You don’t need to—

Koharu: This is about those murders, isn’t it? Of homeless people?

Hikari: (she sighs) … Dad had the misfortune of—Sorry. Well… Maybe you should just tell her, Akihiko. Experience tells me telling Koharu not to stick her nose into something usually has an adverse effect.

Akihiko: This… No, this is nothing a teenager should concern herself with. It’s… This is not a fun story, Koharu.

Koharu (she sits down at the table, in between her parents, staring intently into her father’s eyes) Tell me.