I was bored out of my mind.
Lying on the roof of the bus, I stared at the ceiling of the basement parking lot. I had done everything I could for now—explored, investigated, suspected every possible angle—and yet the answers still slipped through my fingers like ash.
Should I just talk to Bram? Maybe tell him his secret so he believes I'm telling the truth?
No.
That would be a mistake.
Let him think he's the only one carrying heavy truths. It gives him strength.
But then there was Jace and Theo. They were hiding secrets far bigger than mine. Wild secrets. Dangerous ones.
And Yuki… she was no help here. Not her fault. She always tried to talk to me, always smiled. But in this, she was just too soft.
Maybe I should try convincing the old man, Silas, or his granddaughter Tessa?
No… people don't trust words anymore. Not in this apocalypse. Not when lies walk on two legs and wear your friend's face.
"You look bored," a voice said.
My body jerked, adrenaline spiking. I sat up fast and turned.
It was Jun, standing casually near the back of the bus.
"I checked the list," he continued. "I've met almost everyone in your group... except one."
I smiled faintly. "And that one's me."
"Bingo." He shrugged. "Now I see why they locked you up. Most people say you've gone a little... unhinged. Since your parents' death."
He paused.
"Oh—sorry. Didn't mean to be rude."
"It's fine," I said.
Jun tilted his head. "Still. Why are you so sure there's a shapeshifter in the apartment?"
"I can't explain it logically," I said. "But I feel it. Like a shadow clinging to the back of my mind."
Jun looked at me for a few moments, then let out a sigh.
"Alright. Here's the deal. You've got my permission to roam the apartment—but only during the second batch's shift. While the First Batch sleeps."
My eyes widened. "That deal sounds too good to be true."
He smiled. "Then don't screw it up."
It's been two days since that conversation.
Only Jun and Yuki know I'm moving around at night. During the day, I sleep. Yuki manages the situation, covering for me if someone asks.
But damn, this search is killing me.
I've been sniffing around like a bloodhound, checking rooms, storage spaces, stairwells, even the corners behind water tanks. But the result is the same every time—nothing.
Jun, for some reason, won't let me search the fifth floor and above. Says it's too risky. Probably hiding something. Or maybe he's just being cautious.
Still, I needed help.
"Hey," I said to Jun that night. "How about letting someone tag along with me? Just to make things less... boring."
He grinned. "I've got the perfect person for you."
"Oh?"
"You've probably heard of him. His name's Aki."
"Aki?" I repeated. "Where is he?"
"Room 304."
I knocked on the door of Room 304 and stepped inside. What I saw nearly made me drop my flashlight.
There was no bed. No mattress. Not even a blanket.
Instead, the room was buried in manga and light novels.
Towering stacks of paperbacks formed mini walls in the hallway. Volumes 1 to 45 of every genre imaginable. Some shelves held books past Volume 100. There were books in the bathroom. Books under the sink. Books even in the microwave.
And in the middle of it all, sitting like some manga monk, was Aki.
Long hair. Round glasses. Reading a thick mystery novel like the world around him didn't exist.
"Hey… are you Aki?" I asked.
"Yes. And now you've disturbed me," he replied without looking up.
I stared at him.
Grumbling inside.
Great. Now I've got to convince this idiot to help me.
I was about to argue—but then my eyes drifted to the stack behind him.
Holy hell.
That's the full collection of 'Detective Hanzō'—first editions.
…And that was 'Demon's War Journal.' Complete.
Even the legendary and out-of-print 'Soul Bloomers: Omnibus Vol. 1–5.'
Suddenly, my motivation shifted a little.
Forget the shapeshifter. I kind of want to just live in here.