For Paying Customers Only

Zzz... mmm...

Chisato, wake up.

Chisato!

Ngh... Is it morning already...?

Ahh! It's so bright!

Wait, why was I sleeping outside?

Sleeping outside isn't the issue here.

We seem to have woken up in an unknown location.

No way...

Wait, really?

This place... looks like a park, kind of.

Let me call LycoReco and...

...

Huh? It says there's no signal.

I suspected as much. Mine says the same.

I asked people around here, but I still have no clue as to where we are.

Ohhh, I know where we are!

You do?

We're in a dream!

I knew you'd say that.

Unfortunately, this is reality.

Kurumi's here too?

And she's outdoors with us... This is definitely a dream!

Enough with the nonsense. Let's focus. I wanna get home as soon as possible.

All right, then let's start with what we know.

Takina, when you tried talking to the people around here, did you have any problems communicating?

No, communication wasn't an issue.

We understood each other just fine.

Which means we're definitely not anywhere foreign...

In that case, we should see if we can borrow someone's phone.

And then let's go to a cafe to get some snac... I mean, information.

Just to be clear, we're not here on vacation.

Yeah, but we can't just sit here and do nothing! We need to figure out what's going on!

How about that cafe over there?

Ooh! Perfect!

...

*Sigh...*

Customer. Here.

Sugar. Take order.

All right, I got it.

Hi there!

Hello.

Sit wherever you want.

Menu's simple: sugar coffee, cream coffee, milk coffee.

What'll it be?

... The service here is a little lacking.

Haha, I bet it's just part of the theme for this place.

You know what I'm talking about, right?

Those places that are rude or mean to customers as part of the experience.

You gonna order?

Or no?

Ah! Sorry about that.

I'll have a milk coffee...

Ahem!

Uh...

Milk...

*Cough, cough* Sugar *cough, cough!*

...

Sugar...?

Got it. One sugar coffee.

And you two? Same thing?

Yes, the same for me, please.

What is this place...?

Also, I apologize for asking, but could I borrow a phone?

I need to contact someone urgently, but I can't get a signal.

You're not gonna just call your own phone to get my number, right?

... What? No.

Okay. Here.

Thank you.

Uh...?

Kurumi, have you ever seen a phone like this?

Lemme take a look...

...

No...

How can there be a model I've never seen before...?

Well, it seems similar enough to our phones, so I'll try contacting LycoReco.

Yeah, okay.

Oh, our cafe's policy is to pay up front.

Go ahead and take care of that first.

You can talk to the one who's half-asleep over there to pay.

Okay!

How much is it?

What's that...?

What do you mean? It's money.

You know, cash. Currency.

...?

???

Need credits.

Cred... what?

Oh, do you only take cards here?

Chisato, Kurumi. We have a problem.

I can't reach anyone!

These people. Not customers.

No money!

J-just hold on a sec...!

Sorry for the sudden call.

Do you have a moment?

No, we don't have that kind of time.

I've sent you coordinates. Get over there quickly.

We've detected a D-Wave, with three biosignatures confirmed.

Right in the heart of the Ark, no less.

That's why I told you to hurry.

No reports have come in as of yet, so everything might be fine...

But the situation could easily take a turn for the worse.

I'm counting on you.

No, not really.

Hahaha! That's hilarious. I'm literally dying right now.

Sooo, where are we, exactly?

The Ark...?

Yeah, the Ark.

What's the Wi-Fi password?

Did you hear me?!

Pay for your coffee first!

When you said credit, I assumed you meant a regular credit card.

Could you at least show me what a "credit" looks like?

Virtual currency. People. Use cards. Usually.

Oh! Pal!

Perfect timing.

I wasn't going to make a big fuss because they look like they're just students, but they're saying they can't pay for their coffee.

Like I said, we do have money.

Kinda suspicious asking what the Ark is while you're in it.

Are you spies?

Can't say that I do.

They kinda explained it, but it only made me more confused.

Not a clue. What does any of that mean?

This really is a dream, isn't it?

You seem to know what's going on. Could you explain it to us?

Oh, I heard about that.

I thought it was nonsense, but... I guess it was real.

So these punks...

They're from another world?

They look way too normal for that.

I can't believe it!

This is like those shows where the main character gets reincarnated in a different world!

That's ridiculous...

This might all be a trap.

I can check.

Tell me the Wi-Fi password.

You keep asking for that. What exactly are you gonna do online...?

It's 000000.

...

That's a shockingly low level of security.

What'd you say?!

By the way, I've been wondering...

That gun... Is it real?

What, this?

You really aren't from this world, huh?

Of course the gun's real.

We're in a war.

...!

What the...?!

Where did that gun come from?

Takina...!

Just as I thought. This is all a trap.

There's no way an ordinary civilian could walk around with a gun that big...!

Nikkes.

So that's what you're called.

Ooh.

Quick on the uptake, aren't you?

I've read up on the basics about this world.

They're Nikkes. In the fight against something called Raptures, they were built to...

Oh, so you're machines.

...!

No way... Just look at them! They're totally human.

This right here is.

Your brain...?

Everything else isn't.

!!

In short, we really are in a different world.

Wow! Does that mean we're in a movie now?!

...

So, how do we return to our world?

You should talk to Partner over there about it.

Also...

how long are you gonna keep that gun pointed at me?

Ahem...

I'm positive you weren't holding a gun, and then suddenly you were.

Guess you're not exactly normal either.

Ahaha...

I guess we can tell you who we are, since this is a different world and all.

I'm Chisato Nishikigi, and this is Takina Inoue.

We're both good with guns for, uh, reasons.

What about the kid next to you?

Kid? That's rude.

Her name's Kurumi.

She may look like like a kid, but—

Ugh, what song is that?

Frima, did you change the music?

Not me.

There's still a lot of files that I'm not seeing yet,

but the fundamentals of data handling and network protocols are the same.

Let me guess. Kurumi does all your hacking?

She's a lot more skilled than she looks.

So, what exactly do we need to do to get back to our world?

Two ordinary-looking girls with special training.

And one skilled hacker.

Understood.

You said you're at Cafe Sweety in the Ark right now?

Good. That works out nicely.

I'll designate that cafe as a temporary base of operations.

You'll take charge of the three girls for the time being, together with Cafe Sweety.

We're unable to pinpoint its location at the moment.

There's no way those girls would have seen it, or even known about it.

We're searching for clues. Sit tight for now.

*Sigh*

I've already got my hands full with work, and now I have to babysit too.

It actually works out for us.

We get help with the cafe in exchange for the coffee they didn't pay for last time.

I didn't even get to drink mine! I feel like we're getting the bad end of this deal.

Chisato, what matters is that we've secured a base in an unfamiliar place.

And helping at the cafe has taught us a lot about this world.

Agh...

I can't believe I'm a server even here! It would've been so much cooler to be a hero that saves the world...

You've watched far too many movies.

At any rate, this cafe hasn't had a single customer in days.

...!

Now that you mention it, you're right.

Ugh...!

Is this place on the verge of going under?

Hit nail. Right on head.

W-what are you talking about?!

We usually get plenty of customers! It's just slow lately, that's all!

Hmm...

Do you serve anything here other than those three kinds of coffee?

No.

Any amazing desserts?

No.

Ahem! Everyone, gather up!

We finally have something to do.

Times like this call for an event!

An event?

Chisato, what're you doing...?

They said that we can't return to our world right away, right?

That a bunch of important people are having big meetings and stuff.

That leaves us stuck here in the meantime.

Honestly, without any customers, I'm bored out of my mind!

What'd you say...?!

So, let's turn Cafe Sweety into a place with great coffee and desserts, just like Café LycoReco!

It's where we worked in our world.

There are only three kinds of coffee on the menu here, so if we add stuff from our menu, I bet it'll sell like crazy!

How about it, Takina?

...

I agree that we can't stay here without contributing.

And it's not actually a bad idea, especially considering your other ideas.

You know you can just compliment me normally, right?

Of course, you're gonna help out too, Kurumi!

Gotta work if you wanna eat, don't you think?

Ugh...

Kurumi.

Fine, fine.

Okay, so what happens now?

Leave everything to us!

We'll make the interior all nice and draw in tons of customers!

... I'm not sure about this.

...

Nothing. To say.

Yeah, let's see how this plays out.

You weren't kidding when you said your bodies are machines.

You moved everything so quickly, even the heavy things...

Ooh, this definitely feels new.

Yeah, it feels like a whole different cafe.

So that's it for the inside?

Storage room. Not done.

Ah, Kurumi said she was modifying that room.

Modify?

Hmm... Worried.

She won't do anything too disruptive... most likely.

Ta-da!

Presenting our new items for the menu!

They're not just pretty, they taste great too! Wanna have a bite?

Right? Hehe!

Mmm...

Kinda plain, isn't it?

I bet it'd taste better with a good... eight more spoons of sugar or so.

Y-you're joking, right...?

Feels like it needs some milk in it.

Needs. Cream.

Wait a second.

We're still going to sell your three original drinks, so please be content with that and don't make changes to these.

All right, then.

Starting tomorrow, we'll be reopening Cafe Sweety as...

Café Sweety!

Welcome!

Welcome.

Phew, finally made it inside!

That line was really long, huh?

Yeah, it was rough...

I didn't even know there was a cafe here. How did it suddenly get so popular?

People say the new menu items are really unique and super good.

Oh yeah?

Money!

Money!

Money.

Money is rolling right in.

Partner, can we keep them here?

We'll feed them and make sure they're taken care of.

Welcome!

Welcome.

Oh... What's going on here?

Wasn't this the cafe where those scary girls used to pressure people into buying coffee?

Yeah, that's what I thought too...

I can't believe it's cute girls doing the serving now...!

We should start coming here more often.

Should I shoot them?

Should I make them disappear?

Unforgivable.

We're allowed to kick out problematic customers, though.

We'll take everything on the menu, please.

... They might be a little mouthy, but they're good customers.

Anyway, Kurumi...

Are you not gonna work?

What do you mean? I am working.

I'm analyzing our customer base and playing songs that fit their tastes.

What about you three? Are you not gonna work?

I. Handle payments.

I'm making sure there are no problems with the payments.

I'm making sure these punks don't do anything suspicious with the payments.

Pff...

Mocking. Us?

No, nothing like that.

I was just thinking how we were kinda lucky to have met you after getting dropped in this world.

You got that right.

If you'd met someone else first, they might've put you away for being suspicious!

We feed you and even give you a place to stay... Where else are you gonna find angels like us?

...

...

There are too many customers...

Kurumi, help out with the serving too!

... This again, huh?

We can't fulfill orders fast enough to keep up with the customers.

It would help if we had a few more people.

... Fine. I'll help.

I swear... You hire new people, but in the end it's the bosses that still end up doing all the work.

*Yawn* Sleepy.

Hey, you're not gonna help?

Can't go.

Payment handler. Needed.

Tch. I hate to admit it, but you're right.

Okay, let's do this!

Oh, and Pal, you're coming too.

Mmm... Mmhmm...!!

This one tastes amazing, and so does that one!

Hmm?!

Is that you, Captain... err, Master Captain?

Are you working here?

Oh, I was helping out the maids for a bit,

which is when I heard about how popular the new desserts are here!

I got curious and came to check them out!

Whoa, word's really spread that far...?

Well, how does it taste?

SO good!

As in, I want the recipe so I can take it back to the Maid Cafe.

Haha, it's pretty great, right?

Feel free to drop by often.

Haha! I will!

And that's a wrap! I'm done for the day.

Phew, I'm exhausted.

You did good today.

Agh...

This isn't gonna work.

...?

Frima, we need to talk!

Eek.

Don't say. You. Quit?

Much work. Need people.

Cannot. Quit.

C'mon, you think we'd quit?

We've got nowhere else to go.

Then. What?

Hire more people!

We can't keep up with just the people we have now.

More workers. Cost money.

I agree with Chisato.

Customers have been complaining.

At this rate, we'll start to lose them.

Fewer customers? How many?

Mm.

About the same number as before we showed up, give or take?

No good!

That. No good.

We hire. More people.

Think we'll even find anyone decent?

Mm.

Mmm...

Oh! I just thought of someone.

Greetings!

I'm Mast. I'll be working here starting from today.

You found someone that fast?!

Milk, you're amazing!

I mean...

I didn't think she'd agree to it this fast, either.

What can I say? Those new desserts I ate really struck a chord within me...

You could even say it felt like fulfilling both the pirate dream and the maid dream at the same time...!

I didn't really understand all that, but it sounds like you're a fan of our desserts!

You get me!

By the way, Mast.

Where did you get that outfit?

Oh, this?

I'm of the opinion that there's a perfect outfit for every role.

I figured something like this would be a nice fit for this cafe,

so I went out and got it myself!

Does it look... weird?

No, it looks great on you!

We wore similar outfits at our old workplace too.

Haha! Well, that's a relief.

All right then, Mast.

We'll be counting on you for a while.

Aye aye!

We're done for the day!

Great work, everyone!

Phew... good job, everyone.

We did well today.

Agh... I swear, we keep getting more and more customers.

I bet we'll have even more tomorrow.

... I'm not sure that's possible.

No.

Tomorrow. Closed.

What? We won't be open?

...!

Does that mean we get the day off?

Day. Off.

Yay!

Yippee!

A job came in.

Sugar and I are going together.

A job? What kind?

We used to get lots of jobs too! Like finding lost cats, carrying boxes for people...

Stuff like that.

... Eh, I guess there's no harm in telling you.

We're keeping tabs on a certain individual.

Surveillance?

Yeah.

We might not look it, but we're pretty capable problem solvers.

Problem solvers...

...

May I come along with you?

I won't get in the way.

Sounds fun! Can I come too?

Too many people would be a pain.

Yeah, you don't even know your way around this place.

I've mapped out the entire area.

I hacked all the cameras, and scanned any blind spots with the drone.

It should help.

...

Nice.

So, are we all going?

It's surveillance. We just need to hide and keep watch.

The target should be around here.

I see.

Understood.

Ooh...!

...

...

...?

There's nobody here!

Yeah.

Something's off.

Let's split up and look around.

Okay.

You remember the target's face from the photo we showed you earlier, right?

Milk and I will take the left alley. You two go the other way.

Roger that!

... I'm still not convinced.

Are you two really gonna be okay?

Of course they will be.

Don't worry. I'll be watching from above with my drone and guiding them the whole time.

Besides, we're good at this kind of thing!

*Sigh* Fine.

If something happens, we'll reach out right away.

Lead the way, Kurumi.

Okay.

For now, just keep going straight.

...

I somehow doubt the target suddenly changed locations...

There's no sign of anyone having been here, either.

Hmm...

Let's get moving.

Yeah.

Nothing here either...

Ah.

Found 'em.

...

...

Hey.

I found our target.

Oh, really?!

We'll head over there now.

No, stay right there.

The target's dead.

...!

...

Have they been dead for long?

No, not long.

The killer couldn't have gone far.

Understood.

...

From this moment on, our job is now to find whoever killed the target.

...

...

This escalated much more than I expected.

No kidding.

Let's stay sharp and head out.

Okay.

!!

Someone just ran by.

I saw.

Kurumi!

Biosignature detected. It's moving fast.

Chisato, head straight and take a right. You can cut them off from the front.

Got it.

...!

Mm?

You're... just a kid?

Are you okay? Sorry for scaring you.

Oh... Th-that's okay.

Thank you.

...

This alley isn't exactly a bustling street.

What are you doing in a place like this?

...

Takina, you look pretty menacing right now.

I think you're scaring her.

Hey, it's dangerous around here, so you should hurry on home, okay?

Uh...

Are you lost?

Mm... Um...

Not exactly...

Hmmm.

Then how about this? Why don't you come over for a nice refreshing drink?

Chisato...!

We're at the cafe on the main road over there.

We've got a special event going on too, so stop by if you have time.

Oh, and make sure you bring money, okay?

I'd love to treat you, but the two of us are broke.

*Sigh...*

No other tracks.

Just these footprints.

They look pretty fresh.

But they're too small to belong to the culprit.

Yeah, I'm guessing it's a trap.

Whew...

It's been a while now.

They're probably long gone.

You didn't hear anything from the other two, did you?

Nothing.

*Sigh* Let's just head back.

Yeah.

This job's turning into a mess.

Great. Work.

Job... done?

In a sense.

The problem is the target was already dead.

Not technically, since we weren't on security detail.

It's kind of a grey area, though.

Stuff like this keeps happening lately.

This wasn't out of the ordinary, then?

Nope.

...

Recent jobs. Weird.

People. Keep dying.

No evidence. No witness.

No common thread between the victims?

Different gender. Different age.

Only one. Common thing.

All. Legal professionals.

They all work in law?

Think someone could've hired an assassin because recent legal rulings didn't go their way?

Enikk's the one who makes all the rulings, right?

If they're upset, they should take it up with Enikk! Why're they taking it out on the workers?

I don't get it.

I don't even want to know.

Getting caught up in all that will get you nothing but a headache, or worse.

Hm? Who's that?

Do they not see the sign that says we're closed?!

I'll go take a look.

Huh?

You actually came!

H-hi...

It says you're closed today... Is it really okay for me to come by?

Come in, come in! Of course it's okay!

Says who?!

What, you're gonna send her home?

This poor little girl? Really?

Reaallllyyyyy??

Tch...

Who is she, anyway?

We ran into her earlier while searching for the culprit.

Chisato invited her to the cafe personally.

Uh...

Hi, I'm Jane.

Is it really okay if I come inside...?

Of course. You were invited, right?

Then come in!

Th-thank you...!

You didn't do anything wrong. Stand up straight!

O-okay...!

Wow...! Thank you!

Here's the payment.

Keep it.

We're closed for business today. Means we're not charging.

Oh... I-I see.

I've actually never been to a place like this before, hehe...

Really?!

Yes...

It's my first time at a cafe, and also my first time being invited somewhere.

So, um... it made me really happy.

Thank you...!

...

...

...

You can come here anytime!

Again, says who?!

Ah, hello again...!

Welcome, Jane!

Um...

I brought this today...

Oh? What'd you...

No way!

A board game?!

Yes, that's right.

I don't know if you'll find it fun...

Oh, come on. Who even likes that childish—

It's a board game!

Kurumi! They have board games in this world too!

A board game, you say?

I hope it's that one where we see who can become a pirate first!

What kind of game is it?

Honestly, I'm not really sure.

It's just something we had at home...

It looks really old, and yet you've never played it?

No, I've never had time.

I've been getting excited the whole day just thinking about playing it with all of you!

Hehe...

We still have an hour left until closing, so please enjoy this while you wait.

Okay! Thank you!

...

That kid's changed over the past few days, don't you think?

Yeah.

She was all shakey and nervous at first, but now she seems at home here.

Hm.

...

How can I not win...?! Me, the Great Chisato...!

Agh...!

This is our last chance to turn the tables.

Do it, Takina!

Roger that!

Oh...

Wow, I won again!

Yay! Hehe!

Three wins in a row. Terrible.

Exactly! This must be rigged!

Looks like you're good at games like this.

You should play with your family, too.

My family...

Do you have someone to play with? Like a brother or something.

Granted, the game's probably only fun if you have a few players.

I do have an older brother!

But our schedules never match.

It's always sad.

Schedules?

Err...!

S-school! Our school schedules!

Hmph, I see.

Now that you mention it, is it okay for you to be out this late? You're not gonna get in trouble?

Ah...

I-I'm still okay.

Have you been ditching class just to come here?

A bad girl. Unlike appearance.

No, no! I always finish everything I need to do before coming.

I've been working even harder because I want to come to the cafe as soon as possible...

... Jane, do you like it here more than at home?

Yes! Home isn't fun.

It's always kind of a mess, heh...

So, one more round?

I'm winning this time.

Sounds good!

You.

Your turn.

Hurry it up already!

I had fun today. Again.

But, uh, am I bothering you by coming every single day?

No. You cute.

Come again tomorrow. Okay?

Hehe! Okay!

Let's hang out every day!

All right, that's it for the day!

Good work.

I'll clean up. You go rest.

Thanks!

Mast, thanks for sticking around late again.

You go get some rest, too.

Wheww, okay.

Great work today, everyone. See you tomorrow!

Oh, right.

Another job's come in, so we're closed tomorrow.

A day off it is, then.

Don't overdo it, mateys!

Get home safe!

All right then.

A job, huh?

Same as last time—surveilling a target individual.

You coming?

This time we're planning to get there early and stake the place out.

Since you've helped us so much and all, it's time we show you what we can do!

Send me the target's info and the location for the job.

Got it.

...

Last time your teamwork was solid. I knew you were useful.

Partner, are you sure we can't just keep them here?

I'll make sure they're taken care of.

...

Target spotted.

Alive and well, too. Good thing we came early.

... Looks like they're taking a nap in the park in broad daylight.

Good.

Milk and I will guard the target. Chisato and Takina, you two watch the perimeter.

Yay!

Takina, you take the rear!

It's been two hours.

Fortunately, nothing seems to be wrong, but times like these are precisely when we mustn't let our guard down.

That's exactly right.

Times just like...

these!

Chisato?!

Tell Sugar and Milk I spotted someone suspicious!

Will you be all right on your own?!

...

Kurumi, tell me where to go.

You're running faster than they are.

As long as you don't lose sight of them, you'll catch up to them.

Okay!

They're trying to lure me into the alley, aren't they?

Looks like it. Just keep going after them.

Is that a kid...?

They look too short to be an adult...

...

Tch!

Whoops.

Huh...?

Did you see their face?

Yeah, a little.

He's just a boy. He looks about ten years old.

And, um...

Chisato.

You grab the suspect?

No, I'm chasing him now.

Mm.

The person we're supposed to protect is safe.

Our job ends here, so you can head back.

What? Aren't we supposed to catch him?

It's okay. You shouldn't put yourself in danger.

Come back.

Okay...!

I lost sight of him.

The signal's gone too.

No worries!

For now, let's head back and regroup.

Takina! Milk! Sugar!

Hey, Chisato!

You hurt?

Nope! I managed to make it back safe and sound.

Plus, I even picked up a pretty good lead.

Oh, really?

What is it?

Before I tell you, how's our target?

Nothing happened. They're still in one piece.

We watched them right to the end. They got home safe.

That's such a relief!

So, what's this lead you found?

You know the person I chased?

He was just a boy, probably around ten years old,

and he looked a lot like Jane.

...!

...

You mean...?

Maybe it wasn't a coincidence that you met Jane that day.

Maybe, but I want to believe Jane.

Hm.

Honestly, I don't wanna believe it's her either,

but we've still been keeping a close eye on her.

She was the only one we found at the scene, after all.

...

Chisato.

You were the one who told Jane to come by the cafe the day you first met her, right?

Yeah.

Why?

Why invite some random girl you barely know?

Mm... Just trying to get more customers...?

This isn't a joke, you punk!

I'm not joking.

She didn't look lost, and she kept hesitating to answer our questions,

so I figured it'd be better to bring her somewhere she could feel safe first.

If Jane was really the one who did it, she could've attacked us.

I didn't get the impression that she'd do something like that.

Seriously? You're way too trusting.

I really can't tell whether you're smart or clueless, Chisato.

Still, from everything we've seen, Jane does seem like she's a good kid.

Right? She really is.

Well, putting that aside, what now?

We lost track of the suspect.

And it's not like we can just ask Jane point blank, "Who are you really? Spill it!"

Hmm... Then how about this?

Think it'll work?

What if they're strangers? Or hate each other?

Doesn't matter. Either way, it's new info for us.

Yeah, if it's just testing the waters, I'm okay with it.

But you have to promise not to jump the gun and yell at Jane or accuse her of anything, okay?

Yeah, yeah.

Let's head back for now.

We can't let Jane leave the cafe in the meantime.

Yes, that's right!

My twin brother's name is Rain.

Yes! We look exactly the same!

Next time. Come to cafe. Together.

R-really? Is that okay?!

Of course.

I really hope our schedules match up, though...

Hehe! I do!

He worries about me all the time.

Good.

I'm back.

Ugh, I'm starving.

The target survived.

But we think someone did come to kill them. Don't know who just yet.

Chisato went after the suspect, but she lost them.

...

Hmm.

Chisato, you said he was a boy who looked around ten, right?

Yeah, that's right.

Hmm. Our suspect's a ten-year-old boy...

What happened to him must've hurt, right? Wonder if he's okay...

!!

Oh, right. Jane's still here.

This isn't a topic to discuss in front of a kid.

Sorry, did we scare you?

Uh... I-I...

I'm s-sorry. I think I need to go home for today...!

Wait, you're leaving already?

We just got back.

Uh... Um...

M-my homework! I forgot to do my homework.

Homework, huh? Yeah, can't be skipping out on homework.

It's too bad. We barely got to talk today.

See you tomorrow.

...

I've got a drone tailing her.

Thanks, Kurumi.

What?

Do you remember when we first met Jane?

It was on the day of that last job.

We had a dead body, no suspect, no perp.

The only person we found was Jane.

And the only clue we found was a kid's shoeprint.

That doesn't mean she did it, but I had a feeling she might be related to this whole thing,

so I decided to keep an eye on her.

We actually asked Kurumi to check on Jane every time she went home, for similar reasons.

However, her route changed every day,

and she kept disappearing at some point along the way.

It's almost as if there were a hidden path or door.

What bothers me the most is that boy I saw.

Why would someone who looks just like Jane show up near the target, of all places?

It feels like there's something going on.

That's why I exaggerated a bit when I was talking earlier.

Judging from Jane's reaction, it's safe to say something is definitely going on.

That whole line about how he got hurt and wondering about if he's okay.

Nothing actually happened to him. He's fine.

Yeah.

Anyway, she seemed pretty shaken up about it so she'll probably take the fastest route home.

How's it looking, Kurumi?

So far, the drone's keeping up just fine.

She doesn't seem to be purposefully taking a longer route, either.

And just like that, we'll know where she's going in no time.

...

I'm telling you, Partner, if we could just keep these kids—

There's something I'm wondering.

Jane's most likely connected to the culprit, right?

Then why'd she start coming to our cafe so willingly?

Not to mention Chisato and Takina pointed their guns at Jane the first time they met her.

Good question.

She knew we were looking for whoever did it...

Do you think she was spying on us?

See? She's a good kid!

I can just tell!

Agree.

Jane. Comes. Every day.

Talks. A lot.

People let their guard down around kids.

It's the same reason we make ourselves look like totally normal, cute high school girls!

The world's going downhill fast.

Also, I'm not certain yet,

but their situation might be similar to mine and Chisato's.

No, Takina.

It may seem similar on the outside, but it's completely different.

Most likely, someone is using those little kids to commit crimes.

Their everyday lives have been taken from them, so that something as normal as coming to a cafe and chatting feels special.

...

If that's true, it's messed up on so many levels.

Too many. No forgive.

Hey.

I think Jane just reached her destination.

I've got the feed up on this tablet.

What the...?

It's pitch-black.

Are you sure the screen's on?

Take a closer look.

... Still, it's way too dark.

Are there no streetlights?

Switching to infrared.

Hmm, what is this place?

A school?

It feels weirdly familiar...

I'll move in a little closer.

...!

Hold on.

This place...

What...?

The fact that this so-called protection center has location detectors on all the kids.

Running up to the surface on her own is practically suicide,

yet she did it anyway.

Did she feel she had no other place to go?

Mm.

Honestly. Not much.

But.

Visited before.

Ugh, fine.

I guess it's time to tell you about our first failure...

Old case.

Cafe Sweety. Took job.

My child went missing, and I think she's in that orphanage.

This is what she looks like...

Please, I'm begging you to help me!

We checked. Orphanage.

Found traces.

But. Only traces. Kid. Gone.

W-what do you mean...?

What do you mean my child isn't there...?!

Please... Find out what happened to her... Please...

Job. Expanded.

Found. Orphanage. True nature.

Illegal. Child trafficking. Made Nikkes.

S-so... you're saying...

My child... became a... a Nikke?

H-how did that happen...?!

Orphanage. Get away.

We. Fail to stop.

Is there any way I can meet her, even if she's a Nikke now...?

Oh...

She... already left... for the surface...?

...

Thank you... for everything...

Couldn't protect. Client.

First. Failed mission.

That whole ordeal hit us pretty hard.

So we started regularly doing volunteer work at child care facilities to make sure it wouldn't happen again.

Well, half volunteer work, half surveillance.

The Ark Child Protection Center was one of our stops.

It didn't seem suspicious at the time...

...

Must not. Repeat. Same mistake.

Yeah.

For the pride of Cafe Sweety,

let's go see for ourselves what's really going on!

Yeah.

All right, let's go!

Dangerous. I oppose.

Aw, come on! Don't tell me you're underestimating my skills now.

We turned out to be more useful than you expected, didn't we?

Very useful, actually.

But this is a job for Cafe Sweety.

You're not connected to this. We can't drag you in—

We are connected to it.

I'm against taking risks in an unfamiliar place,

but I want to know what's happening with those children.

...

Okay.

No. Interference.

Danger. Not responsible.

Don't worry!

... Thanks. For help.

Counting on you.

No need to thank us. It's what friends do for each other, right?

Hmm.

I figured something like this might happen, so I prepared a little something.

Everyone, come with me.

I'll show you.

Oh, this is the storage room they said Kurumi was modifying!

I totally forgot about it.

This will come in handy.

...!

H-holy...! This is insane!

Amazing.

I set up my computer and a bunch of programs so I can do my hacking in comfort.

This'll help me be way more efficient.

I knew it, Kurumi.

This is exactly why I asked you to work with us.

You're really something else, you know that?

Color me impressed!

Stuff like this is a piece of cake.

... Figures.

Interior cost. Way higher. Than expected.

Look. This. Equipment cost.

...!

...

But. Our event. Huge success.

Made. Lots of money.

Keep up. Support. Please.

You bet.

Just leave it to me.

Our cafe will be closed for a while.

See you again soon!