*Chapter 7: The Deal with the Devil*

Taro's world had grown darker since the initiation. The haze of excitement from the first party had long since passed. Now, he was a full-fledged member of Kaito's gang. Every job, every mission, was a step deeper into the underworld. Taro wasn't afraid of the violence—he had lived through enough of it—but there was something unsettling about how the gang operated. The loyalty, the respect, the power. It was all real, and yet it didn't sit well with him.

In the quiet moments, when he wasn't working or proving himself, his mind kept drifting back to Mia. She was always there, cleaning, hiding in plain sight, a part of the gang yet removed from it. There was something about her that intrigued him. She wasn't like the others—the women who smiled in exchange for favors or the men who were hungry for power. Mia had been through something. Something dark, something that had broken her spirit long ago.

Taro had made up his mind. He was going to give her the chance to escape. To free herself from this life. But he also had his own mission. He needed evidence. Evidence that would bring the boss down. There was no way he could do it alone. But Mia, she could help him. He was certain of it.

It was early evening when Taro caught sight of Mia in the hallway, her head down as she walked toward the kitchen. He knew what he had to do, but a part of him hesitated. Asking her to help him was risky, especially when he didn't even know if she trusted him yet. But he couldn't wait forever. This was his chance.

"Mia," he called out softly, his voice cutting through the otherwise empty hallway.

She stopped, turning slowly to face him. "Taro," she replied, her tone neutral. She always seemed distant, like she was trying to hide something, though Taro couldn't quite put his finger on it.

"You got a minute?" he asked, his eyes scanning the hall for any prying eyes.

Mia nodded, her gaze shifting to the floor. She didn't seem surprised by the request. She was used to people wanting something from her.

"I need to ask you something," Taro said, taking a step closer, his voice lowering. "What do you want, Mia?"

She blinked at him, her eyes wary. "What do you mean?"

"I mean, what do you want out of life?" Taro asked, his words measured, his tone serious. "You've been stuck in this world for far too long. But you don't have to stay here. You can leave. I can help you."

Mia's expression hardened, but she didn't respond immediately. She studied him, her eyes lingering on his face as if weighing his words.

"do you think I've never taught of running away before, do u think I just love being treated as a piece of junk, or I don't want freedom- if u want to talk about running away I have done that numerous times but to no result, kaito gang spans that entire city, where do want to run to" she said sharply as anger filled her words and tears in her eyes.

This further saddened taro heart as he said calmly " I just happen to have was in bring kaito down, and if kiato is down this gang will fall into chaos and by then we shall have a room for escape.

Mia's face brighten as the sign of hope "And what do you want in return?" she asked, her voice low but sharp.

Taro exhaled slowly. "Freedom," he said simply. "I want you to have it. But I need something from you in return."

Mia frowned, her gaze dropping to the floor. "What could I possibly help you with?" she asked bitterly. "I'm a slave in this place, Taro. You think I have any power here?"

"I think you do," Taro replied, his voice firm. "You've seen things. You know things. If you want out, I can make it happen. But you have to help me."

She looked up at him, confusion flashing in her eyes. "Help you? With what?"

"Evidence," Taro said, his eyes locking with hers. "I need evidence to bring down the boss. If you want freedom, I can guarantee it. But we need to work together. I need you to help me find proof. You've been here longer than I have. You know the dark corners, the things people don't want to talk about."

Mia stared at him for a long moment, her face unreadable. "And if I refuse?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Taro stepped closer to her, lowering his voice. "You don't have to decide now," he said softly. "But think about it. You don't like this life, do you? Neither do I. We have that in common."

For a moment, the two of them stood in silence, a deep, unspoken understanding passing between them. Then Mia finally spoke.

"I'll think about it," she said, her voice softer now. "But don't expect me to make any promises."

Taro nodded. "Fair enough," he said, before turning and walking away, leaving Mia to process his words.

*Days Turn to Weeks*

The following days were a blur of missions, gang business, and constant movement. Taro continued his work, but his thoughts often drifted to Mia. He tried to keep his distance, but the weight of his conversation with her still lingered.

He saw her often, cleaning and doing whatever chores were needed. She looked tired, but there was a subtle shift in her demeanor. A flicker of hope? Or maybe it was just her usual quiet resistance. Taro couldn't be sure.

As time passed, he grew increasingly frustrated. Mia hadn't responded yet. Was she even considering his offer? Or had she dismissed him entirely?

As he wandered the hallways looking for Mia, he is meet up on by Lee. The arrogant and merciless Lee, the one who was as evil as the devil himself, the one who kill people for fun.,Yes that Lee

As Taro tried to act respectfully as possible and stand at the corner because Lee was of higher rank than him, and he wanted as little problem as possible.

But that was just wishful thinking, as Lee stood in front of him shaving a strong pressure, with sun glasses in his eyes said to Taro as he stood in the corner that " you slave boy, what you doing here" he said with arrogance and suspension,

Taro replied " am just looking for Mia so I may collect my next mission from her"

Immediately Lee bursted into laughter as he said with anger " stay away from Mia you pretty boy, that is you want to survive in this place that is, I don't like you, you are rising to quickly for your own good and do u know Wat I do to people I don't like- I send them to sleep, so be careful, am watching you". He immediately resumed his walk through the hallway as Taro felt anger towards Lee but decided to suppress them because he was of no importance in the gang compared to Lee yet