After treating Miwako to lunch, there was naturally no need for another meal.

Ren didn't know exactly how much that lunch cost, but he had a feeling it wasn't cheap.

After walking Miwako back to the ground floor of her apartment, Ren took out a two-person cake.

"A birthday cake. It just doesn't feel like a real birthday without one."

"Do you normally eat cake with rice?"

Miwako didn't dislike cake. In fact, she had a bit of a sweet tooth. But eating cake right after a big meal still felt a little indulgent.

Still, when she thought about it… She'd just learned the truth behind her father's death 18 years ago and even identified the real culprit. Maybe this was a moment worth celebrating.

Whether for her or her mother, this was a milestone.

Alcohol wasn't ideal, and eating cake was a more modest way to celebrate.

"Thanks."

"Don't mention it."

Ren handed her the cake box and was about to take his leave.

"Wait, Ren."

He paused slightly, sensing Miwako step closer.

He felt a sudden warmth on his cheek.

When he came back to his senses, he saw Miwako smiling confidently in front of him.

"Thank you~"

"See you later."

With that, she turned and headed toward her apartment building, cake in hand.

Ren looked at the cheerful bounce in Miwako's step. He turned and left the apartment complex.

However, the sudden exchange between the two hadn't escaped the attention of a certain observer on the third floor—Miwako's mother.

"Looks like that girl's finally falling for someone…"

Mrs. Sato was very familiar with her daughter's bright and bouncy steps. Maybe she wouldn't have to nag her about dating anymore.

But she still needed to understand more about that boy.

And judging by Miwako's reaction, she clearly had strong feelings for him. Otherwise, she wouldn't be acting this way.

After waiting at home for a short while, Mrs. Sato heard the sound of the door opening.

"I'm back."

There was a lightness in Miwako's voice that confirmed Mrs. Sato's suspicions. Her daughter was in an exceptionally good mood.

Probably because of that kiss…

Mrs. Sato smiled and walked toward the entryway.

There, she saw Miwako carrying a cake box.

Almost immediately, she noticed something new on Miwako's wrist—not part of the cake box.

A silver-blue crystal bracelet. Clearly brand new. Definitely a gift.

Mrs. Sato stepped forward and took the cake box from her daughter's hand.

"What's with the cake tonight? Aren't you afraid of gaining weight?"

"It's from Ren. I do think it's a bit sinful to eat cake right now, but today's a special case."

Miwako smiled, her expression slowly turning serious.

"Mom, I found out who the person my father was chasing 18 years ago really was. The one who caused his death."

Mrs. Sato's heart skipped a beat. At long last… an answer.

She took a deep breath, trying to steady her emotions.

"Don't talk about it here. Come inside. We'll discuss it properly."

"Okay."

Mother and daughter entered the living room together.

The cake box was opened and placed on the heated table. The two sat across from each other, the air warm and the mood subdued.

"Did that boy tell you?"

"Yeah."

"Is it reliable?"

Mrs. Sato couldn't help but ask.

She wouldn't be upset if they never got an answer, but she feared they might get the wrong one.

She had once longed to find the person responsible for her husband's death, but lacked the means to do so.

Now that Miwako had received an answer, Mrs. Sato only hoped it wasn't a mistaken one.

"We always thought it was a name. The detectives handling the case thought so too, but that interpretation was wrong."

"Wrong? How so?"

Mrs. Sato looked stunned. She had also once suspected that it wasn't actually someone's name, but she hadn't known where the logic failed.

"It was the wrong direction."

Miwako nodded slowly.

"It wasn't a name. It was my father's final plea to the suspect—to surrender."

"He was speaking to someone he knew. Someone he hoped would turn himself in."

"If they had investigated from that angle back then, they might've realized that the person who left the country at the time was the true culprit behind my father's death."

This revelation hit Mrs. Sato like lightning.

When it came to her husband's acquaintances, there was only one person who had gone abroad at that time. She still remembered that name clearly.

It referred to Shuji Kano.

Everything from back then—each piece of evidence—pointed toward the same person.

But 18 years ago, the clues had been so fragmented. Everyone had focused too much on interpreting the words, when in fact it wasn't a name at all—it was a plea. That single misunderstanding had thrown off the entire case.

If someone had realized this back then, the case in 2007 wouldn't have become an unsolved mystery. The murderer could have been caught quickly.

"Yeah."

Seeing her mother react with understanding, Miwako nodded.

"But even so, hasn't the statute of limitations already expired…?"

Mrs. Sato recalled that the statute of limitations for a bank robbery was 15 years. That meant it would've expired three years ago. In other words, the case could no longer be prosecuted.

"No, there's still time. If the suspect fled the country after the crime, the statute of limitations is suspended while they're abroad. That time doesn't count against the total."

"And he's clearly been avoiding coming back to Japan all these years. So technically, the clock stopped ticking."

"Even if the robbery charge eventually times out, we can still pursue the stolen money. If we can find where he hid it, we'll have a solid case."

Stolen bank funds don't become legal just because time passes. Miwako was convinced that the suspect hadn't touched that money yet. He was likely waiting for the heat to die down, planning to use it only after people had forgotten.

So yes—there were still opportunities.

(To be continued.)

Junkdog's Note: Once again, I am sorry, guys.