Yokohama, Japan — Armed Detective Agency.
Today, the majority of the Armed Detective Agency's members once again diligently fulfilled their duties, contributing to the peace of Yokohama.
As the sun set in the west, fiery red light streamed through the windows.
With the chime of the clock, a girl who had been sleeping soundly on her desk suddenly sprang up.
"Hum hum hum, the ghostly night descends, and the monsters lurking in the darkness shall awaken."
Wearing a waist-length short skirt, a meaningless cross hanging on her chest, her arms, thighs, and right eye wrapped in bandages, the girl let out a bizarre laugh: "My comrades, I shall walk in the shadows and hunt the fallen monsters. When the dawn breaks tomorrow, let us gather here once more."
As she spoke, the shadow beneath her feet began to stir, slowly engulfing her inch by inch.
"Where do you think you're going?"
Before she could fully submerge into the shadow, a large, powerful hand grabbed the back of her neck and forcefully dragged her out.
Doppo Kunikida adjusted his glasses, placed Bandage three back in her seat, and glanced at the commission summary on the desk, which only had a few brief lines.
"You spent the entire afternoon and only managed to write three sentences?"
The corner of Kunikida's eye twitched a few times. Suppressing his anger, he said, "Didn't I already tell you that the police headquarters needs the full report by tomorrow, and that you had to finish it before the end of work today?"
"Reports are the epitome of stupidity!"
Bandage three pounded the desk and argued passionately, "As long as the commission is completed and the issue is resolved, isn't that enough? Writing a summary doesn't change anything!"
"It's the rules."
"Rules are made to be broken!"
"Then I have to report it to the boss and have him cut your bonus this month too."
"No, anything but that!"
At the mention of losing her bonus, Bandage three's stubborn expression instantly changed. "All of my salary goes toward protecting the world. Without a bonus, I won't even be able to buy cat food for Dozusuke!"
"All invested into protecting the world?"
Kunikida was momTachibanarily stunned, then seemed to realize something and turned to glare at Dazai Osamu, who was also trying to sneak away without finishing his report. "Dazai! Didn't I tell you to keep an eye on her and stop her from spending all her money on gacha games? What kind of guardian are you?!"
"Kunikida-kun, that's a bit unreasonable."
Dazai stopped in his tracks and explained helplessly, "We haven't been living in the same room for a long time. I don't even know when she's spending money on gacha. I can't exactly install a camera in her room, can I? That would make me a pervert!"
It had been a long time since the three major powers of Yokohama had allied with the North American organization "The Guild" to defeat the nightmare that attempted to engulf the city.
Although it remained unknown whether Tokisaki Kurumi had succeeded in returning to the past or in killing the "Phantom" who had granted her powers, the Armed Detective Agency's daily life remained unchanged.
They still walked the line between day and night—sometimes outwitting their old rivals in the Port Mafia, sometimes cooperating with them to combat greater threats from abroad trying to disrupt the peace of Yokohama.
The only difference was that a remnant of the nightmare had now joined the agency.
Calling herself Tokisaki Bandage three.
Bandage three's addition had both benefits and drawbacks for the Armed Detective Agency.
On the positive side, they now had a powerful ability user who could control shadows, making commissions from both the public and officials significantly easier. Even Dazai Osamu was so ashamed of being associated with her that he finally stopped wrapping himself in bandages.
The downsides were also clear.
Almost every member of the agency had become mentally exhausted from having to keep an eye on her constantly to prevent any trouble.
Even Dazai, who had once lived with her, couldn't bear her nocturnal lifestyle—sleeping during the day and partying at night—and stormed into the chief's office with a dramatic declaration: "Either she goes or I do!" Only then did Chief Fukuzawa allocate funds to expand the dormitory, giving Bandage three her own room.
"Dazai, in return for me saving your life during the last commission, could you write this report for me?"
Bandage three looked at Dazai with hopeful eyes, putting on an expression of "we're best partners."
But Dazai wasn't moved in the slightest. Instead, he clicked his tongue in annoyance.
"That was suicide! Suicide, do you understand?! You ruined it for me!"
Without hesitation, Dazai turned and briskly left the Armed Detective Agency's office.
Kunikida turned to Bandage three, ready to speak, but then his expression changed.
"Dazai! Get back here!" Kunikida rushed out after him. "You didn't write your report either!"
"I left it to Atsushi-kun! He's almost done!"
"As a senior, you should act like one!"
Although Kunikida disapproved of Dazai shirking responsibility, since the report was almost done, he didn't bother dragging him back.
"Oh yeah, I could ask Nakajima to write mine too."
Bandage three's eyes lit up. Smiling sweetly, she approached Atsushi Nakajima, who had a troubled expression, and handed him her report: "Senior Nakajima, with great power comes great responsibility. Could you help me finish this report?"
"Uh…"
Atsushi's expression immediately became conflicted.
He wasn't good at rejecting others, especially not girls.
Just as he was about to accept this second report that didn't belong to him, Kunikida walked over and, with unwavering discipline, shoved the report back into Bandage three's hands.
"If you don't want to become a terrible adult like Dazai, then write your own report." Kunikida said expressionlessly. "You're not going home until it's done. Otherwise, you really won't get your bonus this month."
"Guuh… Just kill me already…"
However, this time, Kunikida didn't continue arguing with Bandage three.
He gave her a look that said 'Do as you see fit', and like the rest of the members, he left the office for the night.
Soon, the sun had fully set, and the last rays of twilight vanished.
Yokohama was once again shrouded in darkness.
In the Armed Detective Agency office, only Bandage three remained, battling against the 5,000-word report and struggling to fill in the word count.
"Vmmm——!"
A spatial tremor rang out, and a deep, dark spatial passage suddenly appeared in the center of the office.
Just as Bandage three thought an enemy might be attacking and was about to summon her flintlock gun, a girl in a witch costume appeared in front of her.
"Hmm?"
"Huh?"
Tokisaki Bandage three and Natsumi Kyouno stared wide-eyed at each other, both equally shocked and confused.
For a moment, silence filled the air.