Chapter 70: Early warnings
Elias and Yui pushed through the thick crowd, maneuvering past groups of tourists and resort staff, the constant motion of people moving in every direction making the task of following their target more difficult. The scent of grilled food and ocean air mixed in the dense atmosphere, but neither of them had time to take it in. Their focus remained locked on the man in the white coat.
Yui cut through the crowd faster, slipping between gaps while Elias struggled slightly, his broader movements hindered by the sheer number of bodies moving around him. By the time Elias reached the side door of the hotel, Yui had already disappeared inside. The door swung shut just as Elias reached it, forcing him to push it open again and step inside.
The moment he entered, his gaze locked onto Yui, who already had a firm grip on the cuff of the man in the white coat. The doctor, his expression calm but clearly impatient, glanced down at Yui’s hold with mild irritation. Elias narrowed his eyes, the faint yellow tint from his vision still lingering at the edges.
"Is this guy a doctor or something?" Elias muttered, still trying to piece together why his ability had highlighted this specific person.
The man in the white coat swiftly pulled his arm free, straightening his sleeve with a quick flick of his wrist. "Sorry, young man, but I don’t have time to be playing games. I have a patient to see." His voice was even, professional, yet edged with impatience.
Yui didn’t back down. "We need to talk," he said, choosing his words carefully. "You’ve been... highlighted as someone who might be able to help us find someone important."
The doctor exhaled sharply through his nose, adjusting the strap of the black leather case he carried. "Make an appointment like a normal person," he said, already stepping away. "Otherwise, I’ll have to bill you for the time you’ve wasted." Without another glance at them, he pushed through a set of double doors leading to a winding staircase and disappeared from view.
Yui clicked his tongue in irritation, watching the man vanish up the steps. His hands twitched at his sides, his first instinct telling him to grab the doctor again, force him to stay and answer questions. But something about the situation made him hesitate. Instead, he turned back toward Elias.
"Are you sure he’s someone of interest? Why a doctor of all people?" Yui asked, his tone laced with skepticism.
Elias rubbed the bottom of his chin, his fingers brushing against the faint stubble forming there. "I’m trying to wrap my brain around it, but... I’m not sure. The vision hasn’t led me astray yet, though. There’s got to be something important going on here."
Yui exhaled, rolling his shoulders as he considered their next move. "We could follow him, but that might get security on our backs. Though, worst case, we just flash our credentials and let them know we’re military." His voice was casual, but his sharp eyes stayed locked on the stairwell where the doctor had disappeared.