CHAPTER 1 – For You, Till I Die

Osaka, Japan. Interrogation Room. Dim light. A single lamp flickers overhead.

A burly man sat handcuffed to a chair, his skin a weary shade of brown, his eyes dim yet defiant. Rain pelted the windows, drowning out the silence. Officer Yuta paced slowly, a shadow moving across the cold, grey floor.

YUTA (voice monotone, cold):Your case is... tragic. Your wife—gone. Your daughter—clinging to life.(He paused, leaning into the harsh light.)But murder doesn't wait for grief, Mr. Aditya Mishra. And all the victims seem to revolve around one name—your daughter's.

Aditya lifted his head. His voice was gravel, worn from countless sleepless nights.

ADITYA:You speak of regret, Officer... yet your tone accuses. You're not here to mourn—you're here to blame.

YUTA (calmly):We'll determine the truth in due time. For now—you're free to go.

Aditya stood, slow and silent, like a storm gathering strength. As he stepped into the downpour, his phone rang. One glance—and he ran.

ADITYA:Take me to the hospital.

Hospital Room – later that night

Rain lashed against the window as Akari stared out with hollow eyes. Her face was pale, her gaze distant—like a corpse pretending to live.

The door creaked open.

Doctor:Adi-san... Her body bears the scars of unspeakable pain. Bullying. Assault. She has become what we call... a corpse with breath. Her soul is shattered.(He placed a hand on Aditya's shoulder.)She needs patience. She needs you.

Aditya nodded. He approached her bedside, kneeling beside her fragile frame.

AKARI (flatly):I should've died.

The words struck like a dagger. Aditya's hands trembled.

ADI:Don't say that, my child. Please.

AKARI:Everyone says I'm as good as dead. That I ruined our family... that Mom died because of me...

ADI (interrupting, voice cracking):No. You didn't cause this. None of this is your fault.

She tried to rise but collapsed into his arms.

AKARI:How long will you keep waiting for me, Papa...? How long can you love a monster?

ADI:You're not a monster. You're my daughter. And I'll wait...(He kissed her forehead.)I'll wait for you till my last breath.

She slowly closed her eyes, the sedatives taking hold. He stayed beside her, watching each breath as though it might be her last.

Abandoned Factory – Midnight

Flashing lights. Police sirens. A body lay sprawled beneath the rusted rafters—burned, broken, mutilated.

Yuta lit a cigarette as he approached.

YUTA:Third one this month...(He glanced at the body, unflinching.)Cause of death?

OFFICER:Burn marks, deep lacerations... Eyes and mouth stitched shut. Tortured alive. Sir, this wasn't just a killing. It was punishment.

YUTA:He's not just a killer... He's delivering justice. And he's only just begun.

Somewhere in the darkness...

A black hoodie. Gloved hands. Photos of schoolgirls pinned on the wall.

The man stared at the next name. The next face.

ADI (whispering):You'll be next.