*Neudämmerung — Library. Night.*
The library smelled of candle wax and old paper.
It was late. The torches in the hallway were already out. Through the far window came cold light—a nearly full moon, sky clear.
Kaito arrived exactly on time.
He thought it was a conversation.
He knew because he arrived unprepared, without notes, empty-handed. The kind of arrival one makes when a meeting requires nothing special.
Aria was already seated.
Small table, two chairs facing each other. A candle between them. A notebook open on Aria's side, several pages already filled with writing. A cup of tea on each side.
Kaito looked at the notebook.
Then he looked at her.
"How long have you been preparing this?"
"A few days."
"When did you decide it was necessary?"
"Since Vestria. When I saw how you received the news about Dreisburg."
Kaito sat down.
He took the tea. It was well prepared—she knew him well, after months together.
"What did you see?"
