Chapter 75 - The Setup

Tension crackled in the air as Hotaru and the team worked swiftly to turn their safe house into a trap.

Renji had been watching them. If he was truly an enemy now, he would make his move soon.

Tora's fingers flew across his laptop, hacking into the building's security systems. "Alright, I've looped the cameras. If Renji's got backup, they won't see a thing."

Ryuuji twirled a knife between his fingers, eyes gleaming. "And if he walks in alone?"

Mira loaded her gun. "Then we handle him."

Hotaru stood in the center of the room, arms crossed. She had spent the past few hours replaying every moment with Renji in her mind. Did he ever hesitate? Did he ever slip up?

But the Renji she knew was… a friend.

"Damn it," she muttered under her breath. How much of it was real?

Sai noticed the turmoil in her eyes. "Second thoughts?"

Hotaru exhaled sharply. "No." She looked at them, her team, her family. "I just don't want to make a mistake."

Sai placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Then let's make sure we don't."

—

Two Hours Later – 11:45 PM

The team lay in wait. Everything was set.

The lights flickered as Tora's laptop beeped. "Movement detected."

A red dot appeared on the screen—Renji.

He was approaching the entrance, alone.

Hotaru clenched her fists. "Positions."

Mira, Sai, and Ryuuji took cover, ready for an ambush. Tora kept his laptop open, monitoring any changes.

The front door creaked open.

Renji stepped inside.

His usual calm expression was unreadable, but there was something in his eyes— something different.

He took a slow step forward. "I know you're here."

Silence.

He sighed. "So… you finally figured it out."

Mira's voice was ice. "Did we?"

Renji smiled faintly. "If you didn't, you wouldn't have set a trap."

Hotaru stepped out of the shadows, standing right in front of him. "Why?"

Renji looked at her for a long moment. Then, he chuckled. A low, bitter laugh.

"Because I didn't have a choice."

The team stiffened.

Sai's eyes narrowed. "What the hell does that mean?"

Renji's fingers twitched toward his belt.

Mira's gun clicked. "Don't."

Renji raised his hands in surrender. "Relax. I'm not here to fight you."

Hotaru didn't lower her guard. "Then what are you here for?"

Renji met her gaze.

"…To warn you."

BOOM.

The ground shook violently as an explosion erupted just outside the building.

Tora's laptop beeped wildly. "Shit—multiple heat signatures incoming!"

Hotaru's heart pounded. They weren't just watching. They were waiting.

Renji's voice was urgent. "They're coming for all of you. You need to run. Now."

Mira hesitated. "How do we know you're not lying?"

Renji gave her a dark look. "Because I was supposed to bring you in alive. But I'd rather you escape."

Sai grabbed Hotaru's wrist. "We need to move!"

The walls trembled. Footsteps pounded against the pavement outside. Enemies were closing in fast.

Hotaru looked at Renji one last time.

"…You better not be playing us."

Renji smirked, drawing his blade.

"Guess you'll just have to trust me."

To be continued…

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