As the two returned to Blue Mountain Park in Akira's car, Kaito was in a bad mood. His spirits were low, and he was in deep thought about the situation they discovered. He was not clear about the meaning of the zombie drug, but he was worried about the implications of the new information.

Akira had tried to explain the significance of the zombie drug even though she was not familiar with the variant in the shipping container.

In essence, the alpha-pyrrolidinopentionephenone was not exactly an illegal drug in most regions. As a designer drug, it had significant psychostimulant effects on users, but it could not be targeted by common drug tests.

Therefore, it was a dangerous but permissible product in numerous countries.

The effects of the zombie drug were not special in comparison to other psychostimulants. However, this did not make it less hazardous.

Users would experience psychosis, agitation and extreme paranoia in addition to hyperstimulation and hallucination after consumption. Unfortunately, the effects of the variant being shipped were unknown to Akira since she was not familiar with the compound.

However, the danger could not be small.

Kaito placed a small, new tracker on the shipment for continued monitoring of the movement of the product. He could not confiscate the entire cargo without understanding more about the specifics of the drug.

Furthermore, his uncle was a ruthless man. If he discovered any interference with his clandestine operations, he might not react well. Kaito could protect himself, but he did not want anyone else to be implicated.

The two of them took only a single packet before leaving.

Akira looked at the unusually quiet and sullen Kaito. She could not get used to this version of him even though she constantly rebuked him when he teased her or acted shamelessly.

"If you would like, I can ask someone to examine the drug closely." She said as she drove the small car.

Kaito broke free from his thoughts and looked at Akira before turning to the window.

"I don't want to trouble you," Kaito said with unfamiliar politeness.

"If you did not want to trouble me, we would not be here," Akira said with her usual huff and puff.

She glanced at his still brooding profile and looked away quickly before he looked away. Kaito noticed the movement, and his usual mood was restored a little. His little lady was a little awkward, but she was concerned about him.

How could he not be touched?

"Then, I will leave it to you." He responded.

Akira smiled a little as she focused on the road.

"Can you tell me what you are investigating?" She asked.

Kaito weighed the matter in his heart before replying. "My parents' death."

Akira was surprised. Since the Chief had told her that Kaito was an assassin, she thought he was a pure profiteer. So, she assumed that he was looking into a new case. This information made her feel a little unsettled.

It also reassured her.

She did not feel like she needed to report to the Immortal Sword Brigade as long as Kaito was not undertaking any assassination activities. Moreover, her task was to ensure that Kaito was not lured into treason. It was not like she could control him.

As an agent, she had her personal interpretation of instructions. In any case, the Immortal Sword Brigade was an independent agency, not an arm of the government. They supported law enforcement on request and did not fall under the control of the police.

"I am sorry." She said after a while.

"It's fine. I didn't know them." Kaito looked outside the window at the cityscape.

"That makes it worse, right?" Akira said in a low voice.

Kaito tried to step away from his morose mood. "You don't seem like someone interested in familial relations. I am surprised you are so amiable with the Yamazaki family."

Akira held the steering wheel a little tighter.

"I didn't want to meet with the Yamazaki family because I already had someone I considered family." She said.

Kaito turned to her with a searching look in his eyes. He was afraid that there was someone else in Akira's heart. Fear… That was an unfamiliar emotion.

"Did you like that person very much?" He asked.

"Mmmh… I know she was not a good person, but she cared for me when I was at my most vulnerable." Akira responded. "Even after she left, I could not let go. When I gained the ability to return to the Yamazaki family, I did not want to return because of her. I did not want to hear people say bad things about her."

Kaito made some guesses in her mind. Of the evil Brown twins, Helen Brown was the kinder one. If Harriet had Akira, she would have probably carved her face or flayed her skin.

"Why did you return?" He asked.

"I got a letter from her," Akira said.

"She told you to return to your family?" Kaito was confused.

Akira smiled a little wistfully. "On the contrary. She told me that blood-related family members were a burden. She said that if she had not chosen her blood, we would have both been happier. It made me a little curious about the Yamazaki family."

"Do you think she was right?" Kaito asked.

"Maybe. Maybe not. For now, I think of the Yamazaki family as I would a good friend. They might disappoint me, but I am glad I know them. They are a bit interesting." She responded as she drove into the garage.

When Akira was ready to step out of the car, Kaito caught her arm.

"Do you think we can have a happy family?" Kaito asked.

The statement was a little ambiguous. It was uncertain if Kaito was talking about each of them being happy separately or forming a family together.

Akira paused and looked at Kaito. There was a rare purity, free of wickedness and teasing, in his eyes.

"One day, we will." She answered simply.