A Mistake to Bleed for

After Class – The Streets of Jinsei

Kaito walked through the quiet alleyways near the school, his mind replaying the rooftop encounter. It wasn't about the fight—it was about the words left unspoken.

"Jinsei isn't a place where you can walk alone."

He knew that better than anyone. His brother had walked these same streets, and in the end, he had been swallowed by them.

A sharp whistle cut through his thoughts.

"Yo, new guy."

Kaito slowed his steps. A group of five guys blocked the alley ahead of him. Different school uniforms—this wasn't just Jinsei business. These were outsiders.

"Word spreads fast," one of them sneered. "You think you're hot shit just 'cause you took down some small fry at Jinsei?"

Kaito exhaled slowly. He didn't have time for this.

"I don't have a problem with you," he said.

"Too bad," the guy grinned, cracking his neck. "We got a problem with you."

A Street Painted in Violence

The first punch came fast, but Kaito was faster. He weaved to the side, grabbing the attacker's wrist and twisting it violently. A scream rang out, but another fist came from the left. Kaito barely managed to block, the impact sending a dull ache up his arm.

"Too many."

A fist crashed into his ribs. Then another to his shoulder. He staggered back, blood pooling in his mouth.

"Dammit… careless."

He had underestimated them.

One of them grabbed him by the collar, pulling him up.

"Not so tough now, huh?"

Kaito coughed, a smirk creeping onto his lips.

"If this is all you got…" he muttered, "then I was right to ignore you."

His forehead snapped forward, smashing into the guy's nose with a sickening crunch. The grip on his collar loosened, and Kaito wasted no time—he kicked off the wall, twisting his body mid-air to slam his foot into the face of another attacker.

The alley fell into chaos.

Kaito fought like a ghost, slipping through gaps, striking with precision. But five against one… it wasn't a fight he could win cleanly.

A pipe struck his back.

The world blurred.

The taste of blood filled his mouth.

And as he fell to his knees, he thought, "Is this what my brother felt in his last moments?"