[ At this point, it's inevitable. Ren and Akechi are gone -- she's searched high and low, and she knows that the other girls probably have at this point, too. It's why she's asked them to meet her here, at the cafe, for a meeting. The search isn't quite over, three sets of eyes are far better than being separated, maybe, but Ann's coming to accept the reality of their situation.

It's strange to be seated here at the usual booth, without Ren's smiling face behind the bar, or Akechi sitting at one of the stools. The coffee and tea she's made is a cheap imitation of what Ren's capable of, but it's something for them to sip on, at least, while they discuss how to proceed with... whatever comes next. ]

Hey... thanks for coming, you guys. I wish... it were for far better circumstances, though.

[ Ann runs a finger around the cup of her obscenely watered down iced coffee, staring down into the liquid for a few moments before she finally looks up at the two girls. ]

So, it's just the three of us right now. I know we're not at home, but... we're still a team, and I think that's what Ren would want for us to remember, too.

[ Leaning back in her seat, she crosses her left leg over her right and folds her hands in her lap finally. ]

I've looked everywhere and I haven't found any trace of either of them. We could go out as a group, if you guys want, and try again... but honestly, at this point, I think... we need to start focusing on what we do now.

[ Without Ren and Akechi... which is such a strange, foreign concept. ]