CHAPTER 9

The evening air in Kyoto was crisp, carrying the scent of grilled food and the faint chatter of people enjoying their meals. Kei and Kerin walked side by side, the quiet rhythm of their steps matching the exhaustion they both felt.

Kei rolled his shoulders, trying to ease the stiffness from sitting on the train too long. "I hate traveling," he muttered. "It messes with my head."

Kerin laughed, nudging him playfully. "You hate a lot of things, don't you?"

Kei gave her a sideways glance but didn't argue. He was too tired to. More than anything, he was hungry.

Soon, they arrived at Han Tanuki, a cozy, well-lit restaurant tucked between two buildings. The aroma of sizzling batter and savory sauces filled the air as they stepped inside. The warm atmosphere, with wooden panels and noren curtains swaying at the entrance, made Kei feel at ease.

Settling into a booth near the window, they glanced at the menu, though Kei already knew what he wanted.

"I vote for okonomiyaki," Kerin said, tapping a finger against the table. "And… two mochi. Oh! Fried egg, and a little pork too."

Kei raised an eyebrow. "You're really just listing random things now, aren't you?"

Kerin grinned. "Hey, I don't know how to cook. I deserve good food after a long day."

When the order arrived, the okonomiyaki was thick and golden, drizzled with a generous amount of okonomiyaki sauce and mayonnaise, topped with bonito flakes that danced from the heat. The fried egg had perfectly crisp edges, and the mochi glistened with a slight char from the grill. The pork was thinly sliced, seared just enough to bring out its rich, smoky flavor.

Kei sighed as he picked up his chopsticks. "Finally. Food that makes sense."

Kerin snickered, already taking a bite. "You overthink too much. Just eat."

And for the first time that day, as they shared their meal, the weight on Kei's chest felt a little lighter.

WEEK PASSED

A dimly lit penthouse overlooking Tokyo. The atmosphere is tense, the air thick with unspoken frustration. Multiple screens glow in the background, displaying endless streams of data. Yuchi is at his workstation, Osamu stands near the window, Tetsu is on the couch, and Toshiro sits at the table, reviewing documents. Ayume FujiKawa, their leader and the man who has built an empire while hiding his true identity, stands at the center of the room, a cigarette burning between his fingers.

---

Ayume (exhaling smoke, his voice low and controlled):

"Tell me again, Yuchi. Who did it?"

Yuchi (typing rapidly, eyes scanning the screen):

"The same names, the same untouchable ghosts. Businessmen, politicians… the kind of people who don't get their hands dirty but control everything from the shadows." (He clenches his jaw.) "They erased every trace of their involvement. No direct links, no proof. They made sure of that."

Tetsu (leaning forward, voice tight with frustration):

"And we're just supposed to accept that? After all these years, we still don't have a way to make them pay?"

Osamu (gritting his teeth, stepping forward):

"You know I'd burn this entire city down for you, Ayume. Just give the word."

Ayume (gazing out the window, silent for a moment):

"Burn it down?" (He chuckles darkly.) "And then what? They rebuild, stronger than before. Meanwhile, we lose everything. This isn't a fight we can win with brute force."

Toshiro (calmly, adjusting his glasses):

"He's right. These men control industries, governments. If we act rashly, we become the hunted."

Tetsu (clenching his fists):

"So we wait? Sit here while they keep living their perfect lives?"

Ayume (turning back to face them, his eyes cold, voice unwavering):

"No, we don't wait. We move in the shadows, like they do. We dig until we find their weaknesses, and when we strike, it won't be loud. It won't be messy. It will be absolute."

(A heavy silence follows. They all understand—Ayume doesn't just want revenge. He wants destruction. And when the time comes, nothing will stop him.)

The penthouse remains tense after Ayume's final words. The air is thick with unspoken emotions, each man deep in thought. But then—

The front door swings open with a burst of energy.

Scene:

Michi FujiKawa (grinning as he walks in, hands full of shopping bags):

"Alright, enough with the brooding faces! Every time I step in here, it's like walking into a storm. Someone has to brighten this place up!"

(Everyone turns to him, the shift in atmosphere almost immediate. His presence, as always, carries a certain warmth—something none of them can ignore.)

Osamu (softening, arms crossed):

"Michi, you always show up at the right time, don't you?"

Michi (grinning wider):

"Of course! I have important news, after all!"

Yuchi (glancing over from his computer, curious):

"Something good, I hope?"

Michi (turning dramatically to Toshiro, eyes sparkling):

"The best! In exactly one week, our dear Toshiro is getting married!"

Toshiro (calmly setting down his papers, smiling slightly):

"Yes. Harumi and I are finally making it official."

Tetsu (nodding approvingly):

"It's about time. She's is the best person"

Michi (clapping his hands together, beaming):

"And that means we celebrate! I have big plans, Toshiro. Your bachelor party will be something to remember."

Ayume (finally speaking, his tone lighter than before):

"Just make sure Toshiro makes it to the wedding in one piece, Michi."

Michi (placing a hand on his chest, mock-offended):

"Big Brother, you wound me. Do you not trust me?"

Ayume (giving a rare smirk):

"Always."

(A warmth settles over the room. Despite everything—despite the darkness they navigate every day—this moment reminds them of who they truly are. A family.)