Chapter 6 — Old Companions

The rain had stopped by the time the three former Bravers entered a small neighborhood bar. It was far removed from the glamorous places celebrities usually frequented. The wooden floor creaked beneath every step, the walls were decorated with faded photographs, and soft jazz drifted through the room. Only a handful of customers occupied the tables.

The bartender recognized them immediately.

"The Green Braver... the Yellow Braver..."

His eyes then fell on Endou.

"...Detective Tachibana."

Roland smiled politely.

"Three meals, and whatever drinks she's planning to order."

He pointed at Saki.

Saki placed a hand dramatically over her chest.

"I'm offended."

"You make me sound like an alcoholic."

"You emptied half the refrigerator during our celebration after defeating King Cosmos."

"That was a special occasion."

"You said the same thing when Sakura released her first single."

"...That was also a special occasion."

Endou couldn't help but let out a quiet chuckle. Seeing it, Saki smiled warmly.

"There it is... I was wondering if your face had forgotten how to smile."

The three sat down at a corner table. For a while, nobody spoke. The silence wasn't awkward. It was nostalgic. Each of them remembered the countless evenings they had spent eating together after dangerous missions.

Back then, Taichi would always order far too much food. Sakura would quietly eat whatever everyone else didn't finish. Roland would lecture Saki about drinking too much, and Endou would inevitably end up paying because Taichi had forgotten his wallet. Again.

Saki looked around the table.

"...Feels weird."

Roland nodded.

"Too quiet."

Endou stared at the empty chair across from him.

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"...Yeah."

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Several minutes later, the food and drinks arrived. Roland raised his glass.

"It's been a while."

Saki lifted hers.

"Way too long."

Endou hesitated before doing the same, and the three gently clinked their glasses together. Roland smiled faintly.

"I wish it were under better circumstances."

Nobody disagreed. Their smiles slowly disappeared, and for a moment, silence settled over the table. Saki finally broke it.

"So, have you found anything?"

Endou slowly shook his head.

"...Nothing. The police found nothing, the military found nothing... and neither did I."

He stared into his untouched drink.

"It's as if Taichi simply..."

He couldn't finish the sentence. Roland quietly finished it for him.

"...Vanished."

Endou nodded.

"The government hasn't released any information. They're keeping everything classified."

Roland frowned.

"Not even to us? We're former Bravers. We fought beside him."

Endou sighed.

"They're more focused on making sure nobody discovers he's missing—the media, the public, international governments. They're terrified of causing panic."

Saki frowned.

"So instead of searching harder... they're hiding the problem."

Endou nodded bitterly.

"Exactly."

His fingers tightened around his glass.

"I've requested access to the military files four times, asked to examine the battle site again, and even requested the satellite data. Every single request was denied."

Silence settled over the table once again. Finally, Saki leaned back in her chair.

"...You should stop blaming yourself."

Endou blinked.

"...What?"

She looked directly into his eyes.

"I know you. You've been blaming yourself since the day he disappeared."

Endou forced a small smile.

"What makes you think that?"

"Because that's who you are."

Saki crossed her arms.

"When someone gets hurt, you always convince yourself it was somehow your responsibility."

Endou looked away.

"I should've been there."

His voice grew quieter.

"I was his partner. My job was to watch his back, especially when he was always the first to jump into danger. I was supposed to stop him from carrying everything alone."

Roland calmly interrupted him.

"And Taichi would've hated hearing you say that."

Endou looked toward him as Roland continued.

"Remember why we disbanded? Taichi wanted us to live, to chase our dreams. Hell, he practically forced me to spend more time with my family."

A small smile appeared on Roland's face.

"I still remember him saying..."

Roland laughed softly as he imitated Taichi.

"'If you miss another birthday because of work, your daughter is going to like Uncle Taichi more than you.'"

Saki burst into laughter.

"He actually said that?"

Roland nodded.

"He absolutely did."

Endou smiled despite himself.

"...That sounds exactly like him."

Saki rested both elbows on the table.

"Don't underestimate him just because he was younger than us."

Her voice became firm.

"Taichi was our leader for a reason. He was the bravest one among us... and probably the most stubborn."

Roland laughed.

"No argument there. He never knew when to quit."

Saki pointed a finger at Endou.

"So stop imagining the worst. Wherever he is, I bet he's still fighting."

Roland nodded.

"That kid isn't someone who dies easily."

Those words lingered in the air. For the first time in fourteen days, Endou genuinely smiled. Not because he believed everything would be fine, but because hearing his friends say it reminded him of something. Taichi had survived impossible situations before. Perhaps, just perhaps, he was still out there. Waiting.

Endou slowly straightened in his chair.

"...I've made my decision."

Roland raised an eyebrow.

"Oh?"

Endou looked at both of them.

"I'm returning to active duty."

He muttered as he took out his blue Braver phone device and glanced at it.

"My detective work isn't enough anymore. I'm going to find Taichi myself."

Without hesitation, Roland smiled.

"Then I'll come too."

Endou looked surprised.

"...Roland?"

"I was planning to return anyway. If Taichi needs help, I'll be there."

Saki raised her hand dramatically.

"Guess that means you've got another volunteer."

Endou blinked.

"...You too?"

She rolled her eyes.

"What kind of friend would I be if I stayed home while you two went looking for him?"

She smiled warmly.

"Taichi's our companion."

"We're definitely bringing him back."

For a moment, none of them spoke. They simply looked at one another. Three former heroes, united once again.

Endou quietly lowered his head.

"...Thank you."

Saki immediately flicked his forehead.

"Ouch."

"No thanking us."

She grinned.

"Save that for after we drag Taichi home and listen to him complain that everyone's making too much of a fuss."

Endou chuckled.

"...I'd like that."

For the first time since entering the bar, hope returned to the table.