Whispers of Vengeance

After Class…

The final bell rang, a sweet release signaling the end of the school day. The three of us—Hanako, Kamuro, and I—walked toward the school exit. The halls were a sea of students, chatting and laughing, relieved. Golden rays of the setting sun streamed through the windows, casting long, dramatic shadows.

Hanako stretched her arms, a sigh escaping her lips. "Finally, we're free. That last lesson nearly put me to sleep."

Kamuro chuckled. "Same here. I swear, if the teacher spoke any slower, I would've started snoring."

I walked beside them in silence, listening to their banter.

As we passed through the main hallway, Hanako suddenly spoke, her tone curious. "Hey, did you guys notice one of our classmates earlier?"

Kamuro and I exchanged glances, both raising an eyebrow. Then, in perfect sync, we responded.

"Who?"

"Who?"

Hanako gestured with her hands. "The girl sitting in front of our classroom. The one with glasses. She kept looking at me during class today."

I blinked, searching my memory, but finding no one. "No clue," I said, my tone calm.

"Yeah, no clue," Kamuro added.

Hanako frowned. "Is it just my imagination? Because I swear, every time I glanced her way, she was already staring at me. And the moment I caught her, she quickly looked away." She shivered slightly. "It's creeping me out."

Kamuro smirked. "Maybe she has business with you, but she's too scared to approach because you're intimidating."

The moment Kamuro finished his sentence, Hanako's friendly smile twisted into something far more menacing. Slowly, she turned her gaze toward him, her eyes narrowing. Her voice, dangerously sweet, cut through the air.

"What did you say, Hajou-kun?"

Kamuro visibly tensed, sweat forming on his forehead. Then, in an instant, he bolted.

"No!!! H-Help me!" he cried out as he ran down the hallway.

Hanako, now grinning like a predator, sprinted after him. "Get back here! I'm gonna beat you into a pulp!"

I sighed, watching them from a distance, my eyes tired. "Idiots…"

Meanwhile, Outside the City…

The night had settled over the outside city, casting the streets in a cold, eerie glow.

Inside a towering building, footsteps echoed through a dimly lit hallway. The guards standing on both sides remained still, their expressions unreadable, as Mikami Haruno walked past them. His eyes were shadowed, his expression unreadable.

At the end of the corridor, he stopped in front of a large door. His hand hovered over the doorknob, hesitating for a moment before finally pushing it open.

Inside, a man with tattooed arms sat behind a desk, a golden ring glinting on his finger. A wisp of smoke curled from his lips as he exhaled a slow breath.

"Hey," the man greeted, his deep voice cutting through the silence.

Haruno stepped forward, his glare sharp. "What do you want this time?" His voice was laced with irritation, barely concealing the hostility simmering beneath the surface.

The man leaned back in his chair, eyeing him with amusement. "I heard you've started killing students. Three, so far."

Haruno crossed his arms. "What about it?"

The man exhaled another puff of smoke before shaking his head. "To be honest… I'm disappointed."

Haruno's gaze darkened at the insult, his fingers twitching in anger.

"I expected more from you," the man continued, his tone dripping with condescension. "If you keep moving at this pace, you'll never be better than him."

The moment those words left his mouth, Haruno snapped. His eyes widened in fury as he lunged, ripping a gun from one of the guards' holsters and pointing it straight at the man's head.

Before he could pull the trigger, a second guard moved swiftly, twisting his arm behind his back and slamming him to the floor. The impact sent a sharp pain through his body, and blood trickled from his nose.

"Let go! I'll kill that bastard!" Haruno growled, struggling beneath the guard's grip.

The man slowly rose from his chair and approached, crouching down to Haruno's level. With a smirk, he extended his index finger and pressed it against Haruno's forehead.

"You can't kill me," he said, his voice firm. "Keep that in mind."

The guard holding Haruno didn't loosen his grip. Instead, he hoisted him up before throwing him out of the office. Haruno crashed against the hallway wall, slumping to the floor.

Gritting his teeth, he clenched his fists and slammed one against the ground.

"Damn it!" he spat, frustration boiling over.

Mikami Haruno's Inner Monologue

I'll kill him.

No matter how long it takes… no matter what I have to do… I'll make sure that bastard dies by my hands.

The thought burned in my mind as I forced myself back onto my feet, walking through the long, dimly lit hallway. Moonlight streamed through the windows, casting pale shadows across the floor. The guards at the sides of the hallway stood like statues, their expressions cold and unreadable.

Then, ahead of me, two figures appeared, blocking my path.

Kiara Aoi.

Dinn Hajime.

The moment I laid eyes on them, their lips curled into smirks, their postures casual yet radiating confidence.

Kiara was the first to speak, her dark red hair falling over one shoulder, crimson eyes gleaming with amusement. "Well, well. If it isn't the legendary Mikami Haruno." She placed a hand on her hip. "I was wondering what that pathetic whining was. Turns out it was just you throwing another tantrum."

Dinn chuckled beside her, flipping his long, dark green hair over his shoulder. "And here I thought you'd be doing better than just three measly kills." He let out a mock sigh. "You're really embarrassing yourself, Haruno."

Kiara clicked her tongue. "It's sad, really. You used to talk big, but now? You can't even put up decent numbers. Three bodies? That's all? Even amateurs have better kill counts than you."

Haruno clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms.

"Shut up."

Dinn raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Did we hit a nerve?" He smirked. "I mean, let's be honest here, Haruno. You're just a second-rate killer. A weakling who's barely scraping by. You think you're some unstoppable force, but in reality? You're just a sad little boy throwing a fit because he can't compete with the real monsters in this world."

Kiara leaned closer, lowering her voice to a whisper. "Face it. You'll never be good enough."

Haruno's body tensed. His breath grew heavier, his vision clouded with rage.

"You bastards…" His voice was low, shaking with fury.

Dinn scoffed. "What? Gonna cry? Maybe you should go back to being an errand boy. Killing clearly isn't your thing."

Haruno snapped.

With a furious roar, he lunged at Kiara, aiming a punch straight for her face.

But she was faster.

Before his fist could connect, Kiara's body moved like a blur. With precise speed, she sidestepped the attack, grabbing Haruno's wrist and twisting it painfully behind his back.

Before he could react, Dinn struck. A powerful knee drove into Haruno's gut, knocking the air out of him. His body lurched forward, but Kiara kept her grip firm, twisting harder until his arm felt like it would snap.

"Too slow," Kiara whispered into his ear.

Haruno gritted his teeth, trying to break free, but Dinn delivered a brutal elbow to the side of his face, sending him stumbling. His vision blurred, pain flaring through his skull.

Kiara didn't give him a second to recover.

With a swift, elegant motion, she drove her foot into his stomach, launching him backward. Haruno hit the cold floor with a painful thud, coughing as he tried to get air back into his lungs.

Dinn crouched beside him, smirking. "That's all you got? Pathetic." He grabbed a handful of Haruno's hair and forced him to look up. "If you can't even handle us, what makes you think you can take down him?"

Kiara sighed, shaking her head. "You're just embarrassing yourself, Haruno. Maybe you should quit before you get yourself killed."

With that, Dinn shoved Haruno's face into the ground before standing up. Kiara dusted off her clothes, turning away without a second glance.

The two walked off, their footsteps fading into the distance, leaving Haruno lying there—humiliated, beaten, and seething with rage.

His body ached, his vision swam, but one thought burned in his mind.

One day…

One day, I'll kill them, too.

Kiara and Dinn's Walk to the Office

The hallway was quiet except for the rhythmic sound of their footsteps. The dimly lit corridor stretched ahead, lined with the same cold, unfeeling guards that had stood there when Haruno was thrown out.

Dinn Hajime let out a low chuckle, stuffing his hands into his pockets. "That was way too easy. I thought Haruno would at least put up a fight."

Kiara Aoi scoffed, flipping her dark red hair over her shoulder. "Please. He's all bark, no bite. A reckless little mutt who thinks he's some kind of wolf. Pathetic."

Dinn smirked. "You think he's still lying there? Crying about how unfair life is?"

Kiara laughed. "Probably. If he's smart, he'll take the hint and crawl back into whatever hole he came from. If not… well, I wouldn't mind finishing him off next time."

Dinn grinned. "We'll see. But for now, we've got business."

The two stopped in front of the large, reinforced office door. Without hesitation, Kiara pushed it open, stepping inside with Dinn following closely behind.

Inside the Office

The man inside leaned back in his leather chair, a trail of smoke drifting from the cigarette between his fingers. His arms, covered in tattoos, rested on the desk as he eyed them with an unreadable expression. The golden ring on his finger gleamed under the dim light.

"Hey," he greeted lazily, exhaling another puff of smoke.

Kiara and Dinn bowed slightly out of formality.

The man's gaze flicked up at them. "So? How did the assassination go?"

Dinn grinned, his tone smug. "Flawless. Not a single one left breathing."

Kiara crossed her arms. "We made sure of it. We burned everything, erased any trace. No witnesses. No survivors."

The man let out a low chuckle, nodding approvingly. "Good. That's what I like to hear."

His eyes then drifted past them, to the large screen behind his desk, which displayed live security footage of the billionaire's estate—now nothing but a ruin.

The camera zoomed in on the main hall. A lifeless body lay sprawled out across the luxurious marble floor, blood pooling beneath him. The billionaire's once-proud figure was now nothing more than a husk, his expensive suit stained with red, his dead eyes staring blankly at the ceiling.

A fitting end for a man who thought money could buy him safety.

Dinn smirked at the sight. "Guess all that wealth didn't do him any good, huh?"

Kiara chuckled. "No amount of security could've saved him. Not from us."

The Arrival of 'Him'

Dinn's smirk faded slightly as he leaned against the desk. "So, how's he doing?"

The man took another drag of his cigarette before exhaling slowly. "He's doing just fine. In fact, he'll be here any moment now."

Dinn and Kiara exchanged glances.

The man checked his watch, smirking. "Actually… looks like he's already here."

A soft click echoed in the room as the office door swung open.

Standing in the doorway was a man with dark brown hair. His face was shrouded in shadows, making his features unreadable—faceless, yet his presence was undeniable. A cocky grin stretched across his lips as he stepped inside, his aura dripping with confidence and danger.

"Miss me?" he asked, his voice dripping with amusement.

Kiara's crimson eyes narrowed slightly. Dinn straightened up, his hands slipping out of his pockets.

The man behind the desk let out a low chuckle, crushing the cigarette into an ashtray. "Right on time."

The faceless man strolled into the room, glancing at the screen displaying the lifeless billionaire. He whistled. "You guys did a number on him, huh?"

Kiara smirked. "As expected."

The faceless man nodded approvingly. "Good. Because things are just getting started."

Dinn raised an eyebrow. "What's next?"

The man behind the desk leaned forward, placing his elbows on the table. "Control. If we want to rule this world, we need to crush every last bit of resistance. One kill at a time."

The faceless man grinned. "Then let's get to work."

Morning at the Shelter

The sun filtered through the cracks in the worn-out curtains, casting a warm glow across the room. I blinked a few times, my vision still hazy from sleep. Slowly, I sat up, rubbing my eyes before tying my hair into a ponytail. Stretching my arms and legs, I let out a quiet sigh before sliding off the bed.

As I stepped out of my room, the familiar scent of freshly cooked food greeted me, wafting through the small shelter we called home.

"Oh, good morning, Yaku," my grandmother greeted me with her usual warm smile, standing by the stove as she stirred a pot.

"Good morning, Grandma," I replied in a calm tone, my voice still laced with drowsiness.

"The food is almost ready. Just wait a little longer, okay?" she said with a gentle chuckle.

I nodded. "Okay."

My eyes wandered around the shelter as I made my way toward the living room. The place was small, old, but filled with the warmth of my grandparents. As I reached the shelf, my gaze landed on a familiar picture frame.

A photograph of our family—me, my mother, and my father—all together. A picture of a life that no longer existed.

My expression darkened, my fingers gripping the edge of the frame as memories flooded my mind. My jaw clenched as I recalled the night everything was stolen from me.

Yaku Hanama's Inner Monologue

The ones who did this… the ones who tore my family apart… I will find them.

I don't care how long it takes. I don't care how deep I have to dig.

Whoever was behind it—whoever gave the order to kill my parents—I'll make them pay.

And those two men… the ones who carried it out… I'll carve their screams into my memory before I silence them forever.

Flashback: The Night Everything Changed

"You need to live, Yaku…!" My mother's desperate voice rang in my ears as I ran, my legs burning, my breath ragged.

Behind me, our home was in chaos—flames crackling, the scent of smoke thick in the air. The two men who had barged into our house were close, their footsteps pounding against the ground as they chased after me.

I ducked into a dark alleyway, pressing myself against the cold brick wall, barely daring to breathe.

The men rushed past me, disappearing into the burning streets ahead.

Once I was sure they were gone, I turned and sprinted back to our apartment. My hands trembled as I pushed open the door, stepping into the wreckage that used to be our home.

I rushed through the hallway, stopping in front of the bathroom door. My heart pounded against my ribs as I reached for the handle.

SLAM!

The door flew open.

And there they were.

My mother and father, lying lifeless in the bathtub. Their blood painted the porcelain red.

A sharp, broken sob escaped my lips as I stumbled forward, collapsing beside them.

"Mother… Father…" My voice was barely above a whisper as I hugged them tightly, my tears mixing with the blood.

I didn't know how long I stayed there. But eventually, I forced myself to move. I had to run.

I had to survive.

I left everything behind.

Reaching Safety

By the time I reached the next city, I was nothing but skin and bones—dirty, bruised, exhausted.

A security guard noticed me from a distance and quickly approached, concern written all over his face.

"Hey, kid. Are you okay? What happened to you?" His voice was filled with worry.

I tried to speak, but my throat was dry, my body barely holding on.

"G-Grandma…" I managed to stutter before my legs gave out beneath me.

"You're looking for your grandma? What's your name?" the guard asked, his voice urgent as he held me up.

"Y-Yaku… Hana…ma…" My vision blurred, and before I could say anything else, everything faded into darkness.

The last thing I heard was the security guard calling for help through his radio before I was carried away.

Present Day: Breakfast with Grandparents

I snapped back to the present, the warmth of my grandmother's cooking pulling me from my thoughts.

Sitting at the table, my grandparents and I ate together, the quiet atmosphere only broken when my grandmother spoke.

"By the way, how's school, Yaku?" she asked, her tone laced with concern.

"It's fine," I replied neutrally, taking a bite of my food.

My grandfather set his cup down with a thoughtful hum. "I heard there was an outsider in the city recently. There's already been a murder case a few days ago."

"Are you safe at school?" he asked, his voice steady but serious.

"Yeah. We're safe there," I assured him.

My grandmother let out a relieved sigh. "That's good… I was worried something bad might happen to you."

"Don't worry, Grandma, Grandpa. I'll be okay," I said, giving them a small, reassuring smile.

Meanwhile, in the City…

The bustling streets were alive with energy. People wandered through markets, children laughed and played, and the sound of singing echoed from a karaoke bar.

Inside a jewelry shop, Hanako and Kamuro browsed the display, their eyes scanning the elegant collection of necklaces behind the counter.

"That expensive?!" Hanako blurted out in shock.

The jewelry seller, a neatly dressed woman with a professional demeanor, smiled politely. "Yes, these are our finest, high-quality pieces."

Kamuro chuckled, crossing his arms. "Come on, Jana-chan. Did you really think something this fancy would be cheap? Just look at it—it screams expensive."

The seller nodded. "Actually, this particular necklace comes from Imperial Luxuries, one of the biggest jewelry companies in the city."

Hanako and Kamuro exchanged glances before speaking in perfect sync.

"What?!"

"You mean Imperial Luxuries?!" Kamuro asked, clearly surprised. "That place is loaded with security."

"That explains it," Hanako muttered, sighing in defeat.

Kamuro patted her shoulder. "Well, no helping it. Let's go grab some coffee instead."

"Fine," Hanako grumbled as they exited the shop.

Yaku Hanama: A Walk Through the City

I walked along the sidewalk, watching the peaceful streets. The city felt safe, secure—every corner lined with security to protect the citizens.

But was it really safe?

I couldn't help but wonder. Beneath this peaceful surface, corruption always found a way to seep through.

I glanced around, thinking about Hanako and Kamuro. What are they up to right now?

As I scanned my surroundings, my gaze landed on a familiar figure—dark blue hair, walking past a food stall.

Haruno.

My expression remained neutral as I watched him disappear down the street.

Curiosity tugged at me. Where was he going?

I quickened my pace, following his trail. But as I reached the stall he passed earlier and looked to my right—he was gone.

Where did he go?

A Dark Encounter

I walked further ahead, noticing a dark alleyway.

Something in my gut told me to go in.

As I stepped inside, the scent of blood hit me immediately.

I stopped.

A few feet away, Haruno was beating a man mercilessly, his fists landing blow after blow. Blood dripped from the man's nose, staining the ground.

I watched in silence.

Then—clink.

My foot had nudged an empty can.

Haruno's fist froze mid-air.

He turned sharply.

"Who's there?" His voice was ice-cold.

I remained silent.

"If you don't come out, I'll find you and kill you myself," he threatened.

I sighed internally. I have no choice.

Stepping forward, I revealed myself.

Haruno's eyes narrowed.

"You again? Are you following me?"

I met his gaze, my expression unreadable.

A grin stretched across his lips.

"Looks like you have a death wish."

Haruno said as he reached for my shirt.

Before his fingers could grab hold, I intercepted his hand with mine, blocking his attempt.

His expression darkened, irritation flickering across his face.

"What do you think you're doing?" he asked, his voice now laced with annoyance.

Without warning, he swung his left fist toward my face. But I had already anticipated the attack. I leaned back just in time, dodging his punch, then swiftly jumped backward to create distance.

Haruno paused, studying me with an unreadable expression. Then, a small smirk tugged at his lips.

"You move well," he said, his tone now neutral. "I was right about you."

I remained silent, my face betraying no emotion as I met his gaze.

"It's not just you," he continued, his voice calm. "Those two who are always with you… they're the same."

His eyes briefly flickered to the motionless body lying on the ground. Blood pooled beneath the man, the life already drained from him.

"Don't worry," Haruno said, his grin widening as he turned back to me. "The three of you are next. You'll all fall by my hands."

I stared at him, my expression neutral, yet beneath the surface, a cold fury burned within me.

"How stupid," I finally spoke, my voice steady and indifferent.

Haruno arched an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. "Hm?"

"Kill the three of us?" I repeated, my gaze unwavering. "And how exactly do you plan to do that?"

His smirk deepened. "Oh, don't worry. You'll find out soon enough."

For a brief moment, silence filled the alley. The distant sounds of the city seemed to fade, leaving only the quiet tension between us.

Then, Haruno's expression shifted slightly, amusement gleaming in his eyes.

"By the way… you're not just an ordinary student, are you?" he asked, tilting his head slightly.

"The same goes for those two friends of yours—the ones always beside you," he added, his tone casual yet laced with something deeper.

He then leaned in slightly, his smirk turning sharp.

"At the mall… it was you, wasn't it?" His voice dropped slightly. "The one who killed those two students from the other school."

His words hung in the air, heavy with meaning.

I didn't flinch. I didn't speak. I simply stood there, looking straight into his eyes.

Silence.

A battle of gazes.

Haruno's smirk remained, as if waiting—waiting for a crack in my composure.

But I gave him nothing.

Not a word. Not a reaction.

Just silence.