Inside the shop, the air was thick with anticipation. Lyra, Cain, Fredrick, Hulk, and Shot waited patiently, eyes flicking toward the hidden passage as if expecting the walls themselves to speak.

Aria and Laisa emerged, stepping carefully from the concealed doorway, their movements quiet but filled with purpose. Aria's eyes swept across the room. "Where's Azreal? I don't see him anywhere."

Before anyone could answer, a crimson gate shimmered into existence, spilling brilliant scarlet light that bathed the room. The gate pulsated like a heartbeat, then split open, revealing Azreal stepping through first, his presence commanding, the air around him charged with authority.

Aria's lips curved into a smile, relief and excitement flooding her chest—but then another figure emerged. One step, then another, and the crowd collectively froze. Nena.

Aria gasped, her voice breaking with disbelief and joy. "Nena!"

The gate snapped shut behind them, vanishing as if it had never existed. Nena's presence, radiant yet playful, filled the room. She tilted her head, a teasing smile spreading across her face. "Isn't anyone happy to see me?"

Aria couldn't resist. She sprinted forward and threw herself into Nena's arms. "You're here! I didn't know you'd come with us!" Her heart pounded as she hugged her tightly.

Nena chuckled, holding her close. "I know. I didn't expect it either. But Azreal came home the other day and said he needed me here. I couldn't refuse."

Laisa's voice rang out, sharp and incredulous. "Nena's here? Lord Azreal, why didn't you tell us you were bringing her?"

Azreal's expression was calm but firm. "I was in a hurry. There wasn't time."

Cain stepped forward, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Nena, it's good to see you again." Aria slid aside, and Nena enveloped Cain in a hug that was equal parts warmth and mischief.

She pulled back slightly, hands on his shoulders, eyes glinting with playful suspicion. "Hope you haven't started causing trouble here."

Cain laughed, holding up his hands defensively. "We just got here. I haven't done anything yet."

"Good," Nena replied, her smile widening.

Fredrick's tone was cautious, probing. "My lord… bringing Nena here, there must be a reason, right?"

Azreal's gaze swept over everyone."Yes. There is a reason, one I will share with each of you in time. But first…" He paused, scanning the room. "Where are the others?"

A voice rang out from the doorway, breaking the tension. "We're back!"

All eyes swung to the shop entrance. Eric and Jack strode in, arms full of bags, their entrance casual . They dropped their shopping onto the counter, bags thudding against the wood.

Jack's brow furrowed. "When did Lord Azreal get back?"

Eric, cigarette dangling loosely from his lips, let out a sheepish laugh. "I didn't realize we took that long in the mall… and Nena's here too? Seems like we missed a lot."

Azreal's expression remained unreadable, calm as ever. "No, I just returned. As for Nena, her presence will make sense soon enough."

From the hidden passage, the wall shifted, revealing Lexi as she stepped in. "Sorry for being late," she said softly, joining the group.

Azreal's gaze sharpened, his voice steady and commanding. "Considering why we're here, and how we're going to proceed with our investigation, I devised a plan. It requires Nena's help, which is why I brought her along."

The room was silent for a beat, anticipation coiling like a spring.

"Starting today," Azreal continued, his tone shifting slightly, almost playful beneath the seriousness, "we will go into business."

Hulk's voice boomed immediately, full of excitement. "Business!"

Laisa blinked, confused. "What… what type of business?"

Azreal's lips curved into the faintest smirk, eyes scanning the room. "We will be selling coffee."

The word hit like a bomb. Silence crashed over the room for a while, as if the air itself had frozen.

"Coffee?" Aria's voice broke the quiet, her eyes darting toward the shop across the street. "But… they're already selling coffee."

Frederick frowned. "If we start selling coffee too, won't that just create competition?"

Azreal held up a hand, his calm presence cutting through the tension. "Relax. I've thought this through. Our shop isn't just going to sell coffee. We'll add… layers. Pastries. Bread rolls. Desserts. Something different."

Laisa's eyes brightened. "Oh… that changes everything."

"Yes," Azreal said, his gaze sweeping the group. "That's why I brought Nena. She'll be in charge."

He gestured to the shop — part of their house, accessible through a hidden passage. "We'll put it to good use. I've already made arrangements for inventory, placement… everything."

Sarah's panel appeared, flickering in the air, and a holographic blueprint of the shop spread before them, glowing in precise lines.

"I've decided to call it Nena's Caffé."

Nena tilted her head, a smirk tugging at her lips. "Isn't there a better name? We could just keep the old sign."

Azreal shook his head. "No. Nena's Caffé it is."

"First," he continued, "we'll need chairs, tables, uniforms… everything."

Shot tilted his head. "What's the point of the business for our investigation?"

Azreal's gaze was sharp. "We'll gather information from the customers. The shop will be more than a business — it will be a network, passing intelligence from one source to another."

Sarah's panel flickered again, showing role assignments.

"Laisa, Aria, Jack, and Frederick," Azreal explained, "you'll attend to customer needs. Shot, you'll handle home deliveries — that way you gather intelligence from outside as well. Lexi will manage take-away customers at her own station. Lyra will assist Nena in preparing pastries and desserts. Hulk, you'll act as the shop's security — your presence alone will deter trouble."

Hulk simply nodded. "Yes, my lord."

Cain frowned. "So… what's my role?"

Azreal's lips curved slightly. "Ever considered joining the police force?"

Cain blinked. "The police force?"

Nena arched an eyebrow. "How exactly do you plan to get him in?"

"That's up to Cain himself," Azreal said. "He's more than capable."

Cain grunted. "Fine." He pushed open the door and stepped outside. "I better get to work." The door clicked shut behind him.

Aria glanced at Azreal. "Do you really think this will work?"

He nodded. "Of course. Our information network will be strong. Cain in the police force will help us access vital records, find connections in the human deaths. Everything has a purpose."

"Tomorrow," Azreal continued, "we'll receive a shipment. The shop will look fully operational. If everyone performs their roles perfectly, everything will fall into place."

Everyone murmured agreement.

"Eric, contact the furniture team," Azreal added.

"Sure thing," Eric replied.

Jack unloaded the phones from their bags, handing one to each person.

"A phone?" Aria asked, puzzled.

"Exactly," Azreal said. "We need communication lines while we're here."

Jack and Eric organized their things, while Azreal added, "Now we wait on Cain to secure his position in the police force."

Night fell. The house grew quiet as everyone retreated to their rooms.

Azreal lay on his bed, eyes fixed on the ceiling.

Sarah's panel flickered to life above him. "All arrangements are made. Soon, your investigation will kick off."

Azreal exhaled slowly. "With Cain in the police force, the truth will come closer. Soon, we'll uncover the full story."

---

Somewhere in the city…

Lisa collapsed to the ground, her knees hitting the concrete with a dull thud. Her hands clutched at the edge of her dress as tears blurred her vision.

Before her, a shadowed figure gripped her mother by the neck, hoisting her off the ground. Lisa's eyes darted toward her father, who froze mid-step, a paralyzed scream caught in his throat.

"Dad… save her!" she screamed, her voice cracking, a tremor in every syllable.

Her father's legs wobbled. He bolted, arms flailing as if to push away the terror, but his feet betrayed him. He stumbled, fell hard, scrambled upright, and ran screaming into the night.

Lisa's hands shook, clutching at the pavement. "Dad…" she whispered, each syllable trembling.

The figure's grip tightened on her mother, and a rough object was shoved into her mouth. She gagged, choking, eyes wide, but the figure released her just enough for her to crumple to the ground.

Her head turned toward Lisa, lips barely forming a whisper.

"R…run…away…"

Lisa's body stiffened, muscles frozen, eyes locked on her mother. And then flames ignited across her mother's body, crackling, curling upward, consuming her with a fierce, unnatural blaze. The scent of scorched flesh filled Lisa's nostrils.

Tears streaked her face, falling freely as her lungs seized with a mix of panic and helplessness.

The figure stepped closer, hand reaching for her. Darkness swallowed everything around her, the edges of her vision faded and in a heartbeat they were both gone.

Her mother's charred body remained behind, lifeless, flames licking the night air.

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