Chapter 1944: Chapter 1101: Night Raid (2)
Then Kato Shinjiro picked up a paper laid face-down on the table, which unfolded as a blueprint. Due to being overly enlarged, some details were not clearly visible.
"I received it and had Sakai Misaki print it out. There are 6 pages in total. Based on the feedback from Ogawa Haruka last night, I think we can basically confirm the authenticity of this blueprint," Kato Shinjiro explained.
Yang Xiao leaned closer for a better look. He confirmed that these diagrams depicted the layout of a tram station, but not entirely as expected, because the scale was much larger than typical tram stations.
Some layout details also differed from the tram station in his memory.
From the blueprint, the tram station seemed to have two levels, but Yang Xiao went through the entire set of blueprints and still couldn’t find the underground level’s structure.
"Stop looking; they’re not here. I wasn’t given the underground level’s blueprints," Kato Shinjiro reminded.
Now their mission target was to find the missing radio within Youjian Mountain Station, but since they had only one level’s blueprint and not the underground level’s, did this imply the radio was only on one level?
"The response from the other party was vague; they seemed conflicted. I think we can start exploring the surface level first, and if nothing is found, then look into the underground layer for clues."
Kato Shinjiro was equally puzzled; those mysterious people communicating with him seemed to know little about the station. He referred to the real secret behind this station.
Some questions he dared not ask too much since the matter concerned the Black Buddha Mother; once revealed, they might struggle to leave alive.
In the outside world, they were Angel Envoys who summoned winds and rains, but here, in the mission world, they were ordinary people.
Dusk descended again as night enveloped them; no one lingered any longer, and they continued to form groups. This time, Yang Xiao was drawn to stay at the Detective Agency.
Actually, the drawing lots weren’t so important tonight, given everyone present was bound to board that Ghost Train when the time came.
Except for Xiao Lin Zhengyan and Yamamoto Chunai, who were exceptions.
But Yandeta Chiyoda and Watanabe Gou clung to this fact, insisting on drawing lots again to select a group to voluntarily board the train tonight.
It was obvious to everyone that they were targeting Xiao Lin Zhengyan and Yamamoto Chunai, intending to drag them into the water to dilute the night’s risk.
Naturally, Xiao Lin Zhengyan and Yamamoto Chunai opposed this, but Yandeta Chiyoda proposed everyone raise their hands to vote.
As the parties involved, Xiao Lin Zhengyan and Yamamoto Chunai had no voting rights, leaving the remaining six to participate in the vote.
Yang Xiao and Takagi Reina naturally opposed it, not just to protect the two newcomers; more importantly, they hoped the unfortunate individual "chosen" to disembark tonight would be capable enough to find key clues quickly.
But things didn’t go as desired; in the end, only Yang Xiao and Takagi Reina opposed, while apart from Watanabe Gou and Yandeta Chiyoda, the previously neutral Kato Shinjiro and Sakai Misaki also raised their hands.
to 2, Yang Xiao and Reina lost their right to speak, and Xiao Lin Zhengyan had to act as a representative, participating in tonight’s boarding draw.
His luck was indeed bad; he drew the only short straw.
Upon seeing the short straw in hand, Xiao Lin Zhengyan felt terrible, barely suppressing the trembling of his hand, apologizing repeatedly to Yamamoto Chunai, believing it was his fault for implicating her.
He knew full well that with their capabilities, once aboard, their likelihood of being "chosen" to disembark was high.
"I’m sorry..." Xiao Lin Zhengyan lowered his head in shame, "It’s my fault, Miss Yamamoto, it’s me... I’ve caused harm to you."
"Don’t say that; you’ve already helped me a lot, Mr. Xiaolin. You’re a brave person, we won’t be in trouble tonight." Obviously frightened, Yamamoto Chunai still summoned the courage to comfort Xiao Lin Zhengyan.
Watanabe Gou watching this felt a kind of pleasure and couldn’t help but gloat, "Mr. Xiaolin, Miss Yamamoto, you must hide well tonight; in case... I mean, in case one of you is unfortunately ’chosen,’ do be cautious. Once off the train, be mindful of your surroundings; the station can be very dangerous."
"Whoever gets thrown off the train is still uncertain; don’t celebrate too early." Takagi Reina was long displeased with him, retorting unceremoniously.
"You can freely choose when to board the train; if ’chosen,’ don’t complain. If not ’chosen,’ leave the station quickly and beware of that Paint Ghost," Kato Shinjiro reminded.
Because of what happened earlier, Yamamoto Chunai suddenly found him disagreeable, ignoring him.
Seeing neither of them was paying attention to him, Kato Shinjiro couldn’t help but furrow his brow, saying no more.
Normally, he wouldn’t stoop to such means, contrary to his gentlemanly conduct; but if not done, pulling these two into the situation tonight would leave Sakai Misaki unable to escape fate.
Last night, Sakai Misaki was already exposed; she survived solely due to everyone’s unfamiliarity with the Ghost Train’s rules, but tonight... she wouldn’t have such luck.
After saying what needed to be said, everyone dispersed one by one, leaving only Yang Xiao, Takagi Reina, Xiao Lin Zhengyan, and Yamamoto Chunai in the Detective Agency.
Yang Xiao intended to persuade them to leave, given staying with him tonight was of no use, but Xiao Lin Zhengyan refused to go.
"Hey, I’ve got to tell you two, there’s a high chance that ghost train ticket will end up with this guy and me tonight. If you don’t leave now, it could be too late later," Takagi Reina acted with a grim and spooky intent to scare the two.
But Yamamoto Chunai wasn’t frightened at all, shaking her head repeatedly, "No way; you guys are good people; you won’t receive such things. Besides, Miss Takagi and Mr. Chu wouldn’t harm us."
"Alright, alright, won’t listen, will you?" Takagi Reina gave up, folding her arms, slumping on the sofa with a sulk.
"If we receive the ghost train ticket tonight, you don’t need to go; stay here and hold watch," Yang Xiao made a contingency plan for tonight’s mission.
"Then I’d rather go. I don’t want Mr. Chu in danger," Xiao Lin Zhengyan sincerely said.
He turned to Yamamoto Chunai, who looked dejected, softly instructing, "Miss Yamamoto, the responsibility for this matter lies with me; it’s enough for me to go tonight. You stay behind and remember not to open the door for anyone."
"Enough, stop dawdling. Are you tired? If not, keep watch; I’ve had a tiring day," Takagi Reina rudely snatched up a duvet, lying down to sleep.
But before she could lie down, Yang Xiao grabbed her single-handedly, the reason being simple: Yang Xiao spent a tiring day too and needed sleep.
The two bickered without yielding, finally deciding to squeeze in, sleeping together.
Though Xiao Lin Zhengyan was proud to help Yang Xiao and the others with anything, he voluntarily proposed to hold watch, with Yamamoto Chunai keeping him company since she couldn’t sleep.
Yang Xiao instructed them to wake him before 9 o’clock; meanwhile, he set the agency’s desk clock accordingly.
In case they indeed receive the ghost train ticket, they will be well-prepared.
Perhaps exhausted, Yang Xiao fell asleep soon after lying down, followed by Takagi Reina.
Time ticked away second by second; Xiao Lin Zhengyan felt a little weary as his eyelids drooped steadily, for he hadn’t rested well these days, always on night watch.
Noticing Xiao Lin Zhengyan’s fatigue, Yamamoto Chunai suggested he nap a bit while she took over his duties.
But Xiao Lin Zhengyan refused, so Yamamoto Chunai prepared to make him a cup of coffee for a boost. She trod softly, cautious not to disturb Yang Xiao and Takagi Reina’s good dreams.
Soon, the coffee was ready. As she carried it back, her peripheral vision seemed to catch something.
By the side along the wall, one lamp was broken. It had been broken upon their arrival. As it didn’t affect overall lighting, no one had bothered to repair it.
At this moment, in that slightly dim area, something seemed to be moving.
Yamamoto Chunai rubbed her eyes, peering closely; in less than two seconds, she widened her eyes abruptly.
It was a shadowy human figure cast against the wall, faint enough to be almost invisible without scrutiny. The shadow was bouncing along like a papercut figure towards the sleeping Yang Xiao and Takagi Reina.
