The search operation has been ongoing late into the night.

The Uesugi family's people were divided into three groups for the operation.

Uesugi Tano and Yuki formed one group, Yukino and Uesugi Yui formed another group, and Ziongzong formed a separate group on his own. Each group was accompanied by police officers.

They searched near Mizuo's home, near the school, and at the places Yuki and Mizuo usually went after school, but they couldn't find any trace of Mizuo.

They went around showing Mizuo's photo to everyone, but surprisingly, no one had seen Mizuo.

Is this possible according to logic?

One can only infer that Mizuo deliberately avoided people and didn't want to be found by Ziongzong and the others.

If she had been kidnapped, it would have been impossible to do so seamlessly with the police watching.

—Hopefully, she left on her own accord.

Outside Minri Elementary School gate, Ziongzong sat by the roadside, leaning against a wall, gazing up at the dark sky, praying for Mizuo's safety in his heart.

Not far from him, the police officers were making regular contact through phone calls.

From their gloomy expressions, it was evident that the other search teams had also made no progress.

—If Mizuo left on her own, why did she leave...

Ziongzong remembered the first time he met Mizuo. Since then, he had never fully understood this mischievous little girl.

—Wait, the place we first met...

"Mr. Policeman, have you searched the small park on Shitubocho near the four rivers?"

"Wait, let me check..."

The police officer searching with Ziongzong took out a small notebook from his jacket pocket, looked through it, and then excitedly said to Ziongzong, "We haven't been there yet. Do you think she might be there?!"

Ziongzong nodded vigorously, couldn't explain further, and quickly turned and ran.

The first time he met Mizuo was in that park.

It wasn't a pleasant encounter, but rather his wallet was stolen.

And the second time they met was also there.

It was not a happy memory either, but a trap set to catch the thief.

But now, looking back, they were all precious moments.

Ziongzong ran out of breath. His stamina was not that poor, but he hadn't eaten much today because he was worried about Mizuo.

At past one o'clock in the morning, he was extremely tired and exhausted.

But just the thought of Mizuo possibly being in the park made his heavy legs miraculously able to keep running.

He ran like there was no tomorrow, to the park, to the tree they first met under, but Mizuo wasn't there.

He searched meticulously around the park, using a flashlight.

Still no sign of Mizuo.

"Ah..."

The police officer accompanying him sighed.

"Uesugi-kun, why don't you go back and rest for today? We can gather the information tomorrow morning and make a new search plan..."

"Go back and rest? Mizuo might be somewhere starving and freezing right now. How can I rest peacefully?!!!!"

Before the police officer could finish, Ziongzong couldn't control himself and shouted.

This is not his usual style.

Impulsive actions, lack of calmness and rationality.

But the unease and worry accumulated in his heart eventually erupted.

Then, he lowered his head and reluctantly apologized.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to... I couldn't control myself just now..."

The police officer walked over and patted Ziongzong on the shoulder, giving him a tight hug.

"It's okay, I understand how you feel. It's good to let it out. Let me give you a ride back to the Shangsu family, it's better to go home late at night."

Ziongzong turned his head and glanced at the park one last time, disappearing into the night with the police officer.