That morning, the breakfast atmosphere was tense. Not a single word was spoken, only the clinking of spoons and forks broke the silence. Everyone was anxiously waiting for news about Joan.
Unable to bear the heavy quiet any longer, Arkhan finally spoke up.
"How about we try investigating this ourselves?" Arkhan suggested.
"How?" Nero asked, turning to him.
"We go to the café where Joan was last seen. Maybe one of the employees or customers saw something—like he talking to a stranger or anything unusual."
"Good idea. Who's going?" asked Sena.
"San, can you go?" Arkhan turned to Sandy.
"Can't. I've got extracurriculars after school," Sandy replied while sipping his milk.
"You and I will go then, Khan," said Levan softly, though he looked a bit nervous.
"You're free?"
"Yeah, it's fine."
"Alright. After school, we'll head there," Arkhan said.
Suddenly, Sena stopped eating, feeling uneasy under Nero's unreadable gaze.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" he asked.
"You fell yesterday, didn't you?" Nero asked, raising an eyebrow.
"No. Why?"
"Because I saw a red line on your neck. Thought it might be from a fall."
Sena paused, instinctively touching her neck. "Seriously? I didn't even notice."
"That's why I asked. It was a thin red mark. Not long."
Sandy chimed in, curious. "A short red line? Like from a rope?"
"That's creepy. You think someone strangled me with a rope?" Sena said, eyes wide.
"It wasn't a rope. It was short," Nero clarified.
"Not a rope. Short. Maybe… a taser?" Sandy mumbled.
"Taser? That stun gun thing?" Jio, who had been quiet, suddenly joined in.
"Yeah. In a story I read, tasers leave small red marks that disappear after a while," Sandy explained.
"You're sure you're okay, Sen?" Levan asked with concern.
"Totally. I'm fine," Sena assured them.
"Yesterday, Joan told you to go home first. Why?" Arkhan asked.
"he wanted to relax. he hadn't finished eating and was watching a K-drama. he told me to head back so I wouldn't have to wait around."
"About that mark, you didn't feel anything strange?" Arkhan asked.
"Not at all. I just went about my day like usual."
"Still, we need to stay alert. Someone might really be targeting us," Levan warned.
"If anything weird happens, speak up. Don't keep it to yourself," Jio added.
"We've got each other's backs," said Sandy.
"For sure," Nero agreed.
"Seriously, Sen. If you feel off or anything strange, just say it," Arkhan said.
"Yeah, we'll help," Jio added.
"Haha, okay, okay. But you guys seem super close now, like glue," Sena joked, trying to lighten the mood.
"I'm just closest to this snowball," Arkhan teased.
"We just happen to be partners," Sandy said casually.
"Wow, 'partners'? Someone's feeling cool," Jio joked.
"Partners in cheating, probably," Nero teased.
"Wrong! We're partners in stealing fried snacks from the canteen," Sandy replied, flashing a big grin.
"Stealing? You better be paying for that!" Jio scolded.
"Anyone who's never stolen snacks, please remain silent," Sandy laughed.
Suddenly, a knock on the door snapped them all to attention. They turned instinctively. Arkhan stood and carefully approached the door.
It was the police from the day before—this time, bringing news for them.