Luminara's Shadow

The Next Morning

While cleaning one of the elevators at the police station, Kai noticed an intriguing detail. On the control panel, a button for a basement floor seemed inaccessible. Next to the button was a small lock, indicating that this floor required a key for access.

Keeping his relaxed demeanor, he turned to one of his colleagues, a weary-faced man scrubbing the nearby stairs. With a casual tone, Kai asked:

"Hey, what's with that locked floor? I saw the keyhole next to the button. Something special down there?"

His colleague, accustomed to the monotony of work, glanced up and shrugged before replying:

"Oh, that? That's the archives. They store all kinds of files there—old case records, confidential stuff. We're not allowed down there without the team leader. Cleaning is only done there once a month, and always with the boss. He supervises because the place is super secure."

Kai nodded, feigning polite disinterest, but internally, he knew he had stumbled upon something valuable. That basement could hold crucial information, especially about Inspector Sato and his ties to Eliott's case. However, he needed a plan to access it without drawing attention.

Throughout the day, Kai discreetly observed the comings and goings around the elevator. No one seemed to use that floor. No police officers descended there, and the area remained shrouded in mystery. He ended his day in silence, keeping a low profile as always.

The Following Day

Kai continued his cleaning duties as usual but kept a sharp eye on the locked elevator. Mopping the floor with calculated focus, he scrutinized every detail, every person entering and leaving the police station.

Suddenly, an unforeseen opportunity arose. A policewoman, clearly a secretary, emerged from a nearby office carrying a stack of files. Muttering in frustration, she said, "Ugh, I still have to drop these off at the archives..."

She headed straight for the elevator. Kai slowed his movements, pretending to be absorbed in his work while closely observing the scene. The policewoman pulled out a keyring, selected a specific key with practiced ease, and inserted it into the lock next to the elevator button. The red light on the control panel lit up, and the elevator descended to the basement.

Kai, still holding his mop, discreetly moved closer to the elevator under the pretense of cleaning. He swept the floor deliberately slowly, watching from the corner of his eye.

"1, 2, 3, 40, 100, 250, 400, 550... 620 seconds!" he counted under his breath.

A soft ding signaled the elevator's arrival.

The secretary, Léa, stepped out with a determined expression, her mind preoccupied with finishing the mound of paperwork. Her days were always filled with back-and-forth trips between the offices and archives, leaving little time for breaks.

"Another day without a pause," she muttered irritably. She didn't even notice the man in the janitor's uniform working near the elevator.

Lost in thought, Léa suddenly collided with something solid. Before she could process what had happened, she found herself on the floor, her files scattered everywhere. Panic rose as she saw her precious documents strewn about. But before she could react, a soft voice interrupted her.

"Oh, I'm really sorry!"

Looking up, Léa was startled to meet the icy blue gaze of the man she had bumped into. His eyes were piercing, almost unnaturally bright. For a moment, she froze, captivated by his intense stare. His face, though simple, exuded a mysterious intensity. A strange chill ran down her spine, but she quickly dismissed it as shock from the fall.

"It's nothing, don't worry," she stammered, trying to regain her composure. I didn't even see him, she thought, embarrassed by her clumsiness. She hastily began gathering her papers, her hands trembling as she tried to hide her flustered state. How could I not notice him?

The young man crouched beside her, helping her retrieve the documents with an efficiency that caught her off guard. "No, it's my fault. I should've been more careful. Sorry for knocking you over," he added.

She smiled faintly, attempting to ease the awkwardness. "Thank you so much. You're very kind."

Her cheeks flushed slightly as she stood up, her thoughts still scattered from the encounter. He's really handsome, she found herself thinking, her eyes drifting back to his striking features and unique eyes. She nodded, a little embarrassed, and refocused on her task of delivering the files to the archives.

As she walked down the hallway, Léa replayed the scene in her mind. The man, though seemingly innocent, had an air of mystery—something both fascinating and unsettling. I've never seen eyes like that before. She quickly shook her head, dismissing the thoughts. Focus, Léa. This isn't the time to daydream.

She quickened her pace, unaware that behind her, Kai was watching her intently. His hand clenched slightly, and in his palm was the archive key he had skillfully swiped during their collision.