Chapter 3: Roundtable

Tokio Yukawa had just scribbled the last answer on his worksheet. He threw down his pen and stretched with a triumphant sigh.

“Aah, I’m finally free from the chains of homework!”

“Dude, you just finished one,” Blade said flatly, mashing buttons on Tokio’s Nintendo. “There are two more left. Why do you keep saying that every time? You think your delusions will magically finish the rest?”

“Ugh, shut up. I’m just saying that to keep my composure. And what are you even doing in my house?” Tokio snapped back.

He turned and glanced around. Eyepatch was lying on the floor, reading a book in full chill mode. Anya was lounging on the couch, casually watching TV.

“…And you two?”

Suddenly, Memeko appeared from the kitchen, munching on chips and holding a packet.

“Senpai, your snack stash is officially gone,” she announced.

“What?! And you too?!” Tokio snapped, completely exasperated.

“Hehe, you guys are so fun,” Anya chuckled from the couch. Then she added sweetly, “Can I have a chip too, Memeko-chan?”

“Yeah, here you go,” Memeko said, tossing her a few.

Tokio sighed and leaned back in his chair, shooting a brief glance at Anya before slipping into thought.

This girl, Anya Yomizaki… the silly little witch… still a middle schooler, yet sharp as a knife. The youngest member of this so-called “Phantoms,” huh? And the one who actually knocked me out with such a cheap magic trick—chloroform like it was no big deal. How the heck does she even have that stuff? Seriously, this group is full of weirdos.

Blade just barges in whenever he wants, playing video games like my house is some kind of console café. Then there’s Eyepatch, quieter than Blade, always tagging along, usually reading. I guess that’s a decent hobby, at least. Though I never saw him wearing the eyepatch except on the first day we met. Probably just for that dramatic entrance.

The hacker girl, Memeko… she doesn’t come over often, but when she does, she’s either glued to my PC or raiding my fridge. She’s a freaking eater. And what’s with their weird-looking title names? They’re so ridiculous.

And last but not least, the so-called boss—

He paused, suddenly realizing something.

“Hey, where’s the boss lady? Didn’t she come with you guys?” Tokio asked, sitting up.

“Nah,” Blade replied, eyes still on the screen. “I think she’s busy with her family business or something.”

“Hah, whatever,” Tokio sighed, slumping back into his chair again.

Shina Yatoizawa… the leader, and definitely the weirdest one of the bunch. I’m guessing she’s the founder of this ridiculous group, the Phantoms. I still don’t get what she wants from me or more specifically, from the so-called “cringy mad scientist” thing, as she keeps calling me…

His thoughts trailed off, and he turned to Blade.

“Earlier, you mentioned something about her family business… what kind of family business were you even talking abou—”

Before he could finish, the door swung open with a sudden bang.

Shina walked in, arms full of pizza boxes.

“Tada~! Your favorite boss has arrived!” she announced, grinning.

“Whoa, you brought food, Bossy? Dang, I was starving,” Memeko said, her eyes lighting up.

Here we go again… Tokio thought, already bracing himself for another round of chaos.

Memeko served the pizza, and in an instant, the group swarmed the boxes like a pack of starving wolves.

“Whoa, this is so good… sour cream and onion, ummm~,” Memeko mumbled with her mouth half full.

“Aah man, I got so hungry fighting that final boss,” Blade said, stuffing a giant slice into his mouth.

“Thanks for the meal, boss,” Eyepatch said calmly, still flipping a page in his book as he chewed.

“Tasty! You’re so cool, Shina!” Anya chirped, her eyes sparkling with delight.

Tokio picked up a slice reluctantly, thinking to himself, Hah… whatever. At least there’s free food.

He took one bite, leaned back and then glanced down.

The pizza boxes were empty.

“What?! I just barely got one slice!”

An hour later, Tokio finally put his pen down, slumped in his chair, and let out a long sigh.

He looked around the room.

Blade had switched from the handheld to the console, still completely absorbed in his game. Eyepatch was now reading a newspaper like some retired old man. Anya had fallen fast asleep at the desk, her arms dangling. Memeko typed furiously on her laptop, eyes glued to the screen.

Then, Shina’s voice cut through.

“So, you finally finished your homework?”

“Yeah,” Tokio replied, rubbing his neck.

Shina stood up, her tone shifting just slightly serious, but not cold. “Then I guess it’s time… to begin our secret meeting.”

Everyone gathered around the table instinctively, settling into their seats.

Except Anya, still snoring softly, face half-buried in her arms.

“Should I wake her up, Bossy?” Memeko asked.

Shina shook her head. “No. Let her rest.”

Tokio raised an eyebrow. “So what is this? Some kind of ritual you weirdos do after stealing my snacks and free Wi-Fi?”

Memeko chuckled. “Welcome to Phantom HQ, genius.”

Shina’s expression turned serious. “Last week, someone posted anonymously online… claiming there will be a terrorist attack in this city. No confirmed date or location yet, but we can’t afford to lower our guard.”

Tokio straightened up. “Wait… are you talking about that ‘Abyss’ group you mentioned the other day?”

Shina nodded. “Yes. It has to be them.”

He frowned. “But how do you know it’s not just a bluff? Some random idiot posting for attention?”

“There’s always that chance,” Shina replied calmly. “But this time, we’ve confirmed it. Memeko?”

Memeko leaned forward. “I installed a RAT, remote access tool, on one of Abyss’s members’ phones. Back when we encountered him last time. He was unconscious, so he didn’t notice.”

“What?! Are you serious?” Tokio’s eyes widened.

She nodded. “Through that, I’ve been intercepting his calls. And what I heard lines up exactly with what Bossy predicted.”

Gimme a break, he thought. These guys are so dramatic. I thought this whole “Phantom” thing was just some elaborate game… like a cosplay club with delusions of grandeur and way too much free time. Hacking a terrorist’s phone? Intercepting calls?

That’s… ridiculous. Obviously.

…Still.

That level of detail wasn’t something you pulled out of thin air. Not unless you were really committed to the bit.

Nah. They’re joking. They have to be.

…Right?

He spoke up again. “Then shouldn’t you make the info public? Go to the authorities?”

Shina’s eyes narrowed. “No. That won’t work. Without a time or place, no one will take it seriously. Worse, Abyss will realize they’ve been exposed. They’ll change their plans. Go underground.”

She leaned closer.

“Our goal isn’t to warn people. It’s to find their leaders, trap them, and cut the head off forever.”