Lin sat on a park bench alone at night. It was near the Banba Detective Office, so they came to this park regularly to play catch. Normally children would be all over the place, but it was late into the night, leaving no one else but Lin present.

Lin had left a message on Banba's cell phone, telling him to come to the park. After waiting on the bench for a couple of minutes, he heard the sound of an engine. Then he heard a man's footsteps come closer.

“You're here.”

Lin muttered and stood up from the bench.

He could see Banba, illuminated by the dim lighting from the street lamp. His mini cooper was left near the entrance of the park, and he was walking towards him. He still wore a suit but his Niwaka mask was absent. He carried a bat case over his shoulder, which probably contained his j.a.panese sword.

Banba asked with a chilling voice expressionlessly. “What do you want?”

Lin faced him and stated.

“I was asked to do something about the Niwaka Samurai. You're in the way.”

Banba frowned slightly.

There was no way Banba would remain quiet and do as he asked. But naturally Lin could not kill a friend, regardless of the job he was tasked with. He would leave him in the office until everything was over. He would tie him up and confine him so he would not get in the way. He would just get roughed up a bit.

“Anyway, I'll spare your life.”

Immediately afterwards, Lin moved. He took a heavy step forward and closed the distance between them. He got up right in front of Banba in an instant and swung his fist, aiming for his solar plexus to knock him unconscious.

But the attack did not reach. Banba blocked it with his hand. He spoke while still keeping his grip on Lin's fist. “I don't got time to play with you.”

“Me neither.”

Lin swung his other fist as he replied. He aimed for his face, causing Banba to raise his arms to guard himself. He fell for it, Lin smirked. His left swing was a fake. Lin went to strike him with his right fist into his now unguarded stomach. But just then, Lin's cell phone went off. He heard the Izayuke Wakataka theme begin to go off at roughly the same time. Banba's cell phone was ringing too. Lin was not the only one who got a call; Banba did too.

The two instantly stilled and took out their cellular devices.

“Who the h.e.l.l is it!? I'm in the middle of something!”

Lin had accepted the call and shouted protests the moment he picked up.

‘It's me.'

He heard the voice of one of the men from the Chinese group.

“What is it?” He replied back in irritation. I'm busy. Don't get in my way. “Tell me what you need in five seconds.”

‘We're heading over to Sunset Park now.'

“...Ha?”

Sunset Park? What's this about?

Lin's eyes were wide.

‘We have a drug trade to do. Come with us.'

“Got it.”

Lin answered curtly and dropped the call.

Banba finished his conversation at about the same time. Banba turned away from Lin once he hung up before attempting to leave.

“Hey, where are you going?”

Lin questioned with a sharp tone, stopping him.

“Sunset Park.” Banba replied, still facing away from him.

“What?” That was a coincidence. “What are you going to Sunset Park for?”

“I ain't tellin' you.”

Banba responded sharply.

The Chinese men said they had a drug deal there and called Lin to come along. And Banba, who was employed by Kis.h.i.+hara in the Noma Group, was called to Sunset Park at the same time he was. What was the meaning behind this?

Banba began to walk away as Lin pondered to himself.

“Hold it,” Lin quickly called out to him. “I'm not done talking to you.”

There was something he had to say to this man.

“There ain't nothin' to talk about.”

Banba's demeanor was unnaturally curt. He must still be upset about the ball Lin threw out.

He's so stubborn. Lin was sullen. “What's up with your att.i.tude? Don't sulk like a kid.”

“I'm not sulkin'.” Banba responded, still turned away from him.

“How long are you going to hold a grudge for? You're so stubborn.”

“I don't got a grudge.”

“Liar.”

“I just don't wanna talk to someone who don't apologize for throwin' out people's things.”

“So you do have a grudge against me!”

Lin shouted.

“But isn't it your fault for not cleaning up in the first place!?”

“Come on!” Banba briskly spun around. He yelled, pointing a finger at Lin's face.

“Dontcha put the blame on others! I hate that about you!”

“What did you say!?”

The two's yells echoed in the quiet park at the dead of night.

“I'm not putting the blame on others; it was your fault to begin with!”

Lin refuted, unwilling to back down.

“If it was so important, don't leave it in an open place to get thrown away!”

“I did!”

“Where!? You just left it on the desk!”

“It was a decoration!”

“Give it up already! I'll give you a good one!”

“Go ahead and try! If you can that is!”

Lin lost it. He had reached his limit.

“You stubborn a.s.shole!”

Lin shouted, unconcerned of the noise he was making to the neighbors, and went to punch Banba.

“That's my line!”

The other made a counter attack. He held up his left fist just like him.

The next moment, their fists sunk into each other's cheeks. They were strong blows. Both of them fell back from the force. Dizziness overcame them.

Lin and Banba both fell on them backs in the park simultaneously.

A sharp pain expanded from Lin's head, and heat blossomed in his right cheek.

Lin gazed up at the expansive dark sky that was visible in his blurry vision. The stars are so pretty today. Just as that thought pa.s.sed his mind, consciousness escaped him.

Bottom of the Seventh Inning