It’d been weeks since Hakuba had last paid a visit to the Kudou home; it was mostly because he’d been so busy, but also partly because he’d become so entirely discouraged with the investigation that it pained him. His colleague had been missing for months, and while there were whispers and rumors that he was still alive and well, he’d yet to find any concrete evidence himself.

All of this bothered him, of course. It was so like the media to ignore a missing detective who had once been their shining star simply because there hadn’t been a scandalous story reported along with it. As far as Hakuba was concerned, there was something very, seriously wrong, and the lack of attention on the matter pointed to a coverup. 

While that had waving red warning flags all over it, Hakuba found himself continuing the investigation in his spare time, which included making housecalls. Which is what he was doing that morning, parking his car in front of the house and approaching the gate with a sigh. It didn’t look like anyone was home – as usual – but as his phonecalls and letters had been ignored, he felt he had no choice.

It took very little effort to get through the gate, and he made his way to the door with a grim frown, ready to be disappointed yet again.