A little past one in the morning. The convenience store in the residential area was strangely bright, as if a piece of daytime had been cut out and placed only around it. The moment he stepped out of the store, Shu stopped. Rain. And not the kind that would let up if you just waited a little.

With just that, Shu stepped back under the eaves. Black, loose-fitting clothes, and slightly long black hair. His slender body was already tired to a degree that did not seem possible from just a round trip to the convenience store. In one hand was a small bag. Inside were a drink, some snacks, and some kind of prepaid card. He had no umbrella or anything of the sort. The reason he had deliberately come out at this hour was because there were few people around. It was supposed to have been a perfect plan, but apparently he had not considered the weather. Shu checked the rain clouds on his smartphone and frowned slightly.