The Aftermath of a Lesson

Somewhere in the City – A Forgotten Warehouse

Pain.

That was the first thing Kaito felt as his consciousness returned. His arms were tied behind his back, the cold metal of a chair digging into his skin. His ribs throbbed, his lip was split, and dried blood clung to his face.

A dim light flickered above him.

"You finally awake, huh?"

Kaito lifted his head.

The guy from before—the one who led the ambush—stood in front of him, arms crossed.

"You should've stayed in Jinsei and kept your head down, kid. But no… you just had to act tough."

Kaito didn't respond. He simply stared at him.

His silence made the guy click his tongue.

"You think you're better than us, huh?" He leaned in. "You think because you had a brother in this city, you can just waltz in and—"

"Crack."

Kaito's head shot forward, smashing into the guy's face before he could react. Blood spurted from his nose as he stumbled back, cursing.

Even tied up, Kaito had no intention of bowing.

"You're all barking dogs," he muttered, his voice hoarse but steady.

"YOU LITTLE—"

The warehouse door swung open.

"That's enough."

A new voice. Calm. Deep.

The temperature in the room seemed to drop.

Kaito turned his head slowly. A man stood in the doorway, dressed in a black jacket with an insignia on the sleeve—a crow, wreathed in flames.

A hush fell over the room. Even the guys who had jumped Kaito seemed to shrink back.

"You're causing unnecessary trouble," the man said. "Let him go."

"But—"

"I said, let him go."

The ropes around Kaito's wrists were cut. He rubbed the raw skin, standing up despite the pain. His eyes locked onto the newcomer.

There was no doubt.

This man… he was part of something bigger.

Something that Kaito was about to become entangled in.

And for the first time since coming to Jinsei, he felt like he was walking the same path as his brother.

But where would that path lead?

Only time would tell.