"So you mean... they specifically target wealthy individuals for kidnapping in order to raise money for something? Leaving aside what they want to do, this means that other kidnapping targets could also be wealthy individuals."

It was Asuka who continued the discussion, which surprised Arashikaze Manami.

"It seems like... is Amagi doing okay now?"

"Oh, she's fine."

Asuka shook her head, indicating that everything was fine.

The conversation shifted back.

"Do they need money for something?"

Katsuragi Reimi inquired.

"Well, I'm not sure about that, and besides, there are other possibilities for the act of kidnapping."

"Other possibilities?"

"Yeah, while the circumstances may vary, generally kidnapping is usually done for two main reasons: either to demand a huge ransom from the hostage's family, or to use the target as a hostage to threaten someone for something."

Asuka also understood the implications.

"So, they most likely kidnapped that woman to threaten someone."

"It's just a possibility... although I'm not sure of the specific purpose, I don't think it's for money ultimately. If it were for money, there would be no need to go to such lengths."

If it was just about money, there are better ways. Asuka continued to ask.

"What reasons could they have for threatening that person, and who is that person?"

"Well, it's hard to say at this point, but the person they want to threaten... I think it's likely the relatives of that girl, although I don't know that girl or her family at all."

"Threatening someone by kidnapping their family? That does make sense..."

Nodding in agreement, Asuka brought up another point.

"But what do they want to achieve by threatening that person? Definitely not anything good..."

"Well... that's..."

After a moment of thought.

"It could be to make that person hand over something, and that something is more valuable to them than money, or they want that person to do something for them, among other possibilities."

Katsuragi Reimi mentioned several possibilities.

"Do something?"

"Well, in the end, these are all just speculations. Like I said earlier, since we don't know that girl at all, and she's not here now, even if we wanted to gather evidence, there's no starting point. However..."

Katsuragi Reimi hesitated.

"Hmm? What do you mean?"

Prompted by Asuka, Katsuragi Reimi finally spoke up.

"If we change the perspective and speculate based on the identities of those people, we might come up with some unexpected answers, but again, this is all just speculation with no evidence."

"Could it be...?"

Although that's what was said, Asuka did not dismiss the possibility.

"Yeah, maybe it's just as you think, Amagi Asuka."

"Well, isn't it simple to figure out what is right? In the end, there's no need to make things so complicated."

"That's true, after all, the most compelling evidence is right in front of us."

With these words from Katsuragi Reimi, the terrifying gazes of the crowd quickly gathered on the two men in front of them.