---April 29, 2016
---At Minato Tokyo, Japan
As Ryujin and Kenji stood over their captive, the sound of approaching sirens grew louder, accompanied by the flash of red and blue lights illuminating the dusty windows of the warehouse.
Ryujin didn't seem surprised. He knew this moment would come. He glanced at Kenji.
"Stay calm," he instructed, his voice steady.
They stepped outside, seeing two police cars parked haphazardly in front of the warehouse. Four officers exited the vehicles, including Detective Sato, the officer Takashi had seen on the news.
Ryujin put on a mocking smile, spreading his arms wide in a gesture of false hospitality.
"Welcome, gentlemen. You made it just in time for the show," he called out, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
Detective Sato stepped forward, his expression stern but with a hint of fear in his eyes.
"Ryujin Makibara, we need to talk."
Ryujin chuckled, shaking his head. "Oh, Sato. Always so dramatic. You know, I expected better from you. Especially after you went on TV telling everyone that the civilians were safe. Quite the performance."
Sato's jaw tightened.
"This isn't a game, Ryujin. You need to keep things under control, or else..."
Ryujin's mocking grin faded, replaced by a cold, calculating look.
"You're right, Sato. This isn't a game. It's business. And you're here to make sure it stays that way, aren't you?"
Sato glanced at his colleagues, who stood tensely with their hands near their holsters but not drawing their weapons.
"We just need assurance, Ryujin. We can't have another incident like Café Harmonia. People are scared."
Ryujin took a step closer, his demeanor menacing.
"And what are you going to do about it, Sato? Arrest me? You know the consequences."
Sato swallowed hard, clearly torn between his duty and the fear of what Ryujin could unleash.
"Just... keep your end of the deal. No more attacks. Keep things quiet, and we won't have a problem."
Ryujin smirked. "I can do that. But remember, Sato, you and your friends here... you're playing a dangerous game."
Sato nodded reluctantly, signaling to his officers to stand down.
"Let's go," he said, turning back towards the cars.
"Keep it under control, Ryujin."
As the officers drove away, Ryujin turned to Kenji, who had been silently observing the exchange.
"See, Kenji? Power is about control. And we've got plenty of it."
Kenji nodded, though unease was evident in his eyes. "What's next, Ryujin?"
Ryujin looked around the dimly lit warehouse, his mind already plotting the next move.
"We lay low for a while. Let things cool down. But we stay ready. Always."
---Some time later...
Kenji helped Ryujin haul their captive inside the warehouse. As they maneuvered the man into a makeshift holding area, Kenji's grip slipped, causing the body to jolt and Ryujin to grunt in pain.
"Damn it, careful!" Ryujin hissed, clutching his injured shoulder. "My wound isn't exactly healing on its own."
"Alright I'm sorry..." Kenji muttered, adjusting his hold more carefully. "I'll be more careful."
They secured the man in the corner, and Ryujin sank into a chair, wincing as he tried to get comfortable.
"We need to keep an eye on him. He might be useful."
Kenji nodded, wiping sweat from his brow. "Got it. I'll take first watch."
Ryujin leaned back, closing his eyes for a moment. The pain in his shoulder throbbed, a constant reminder of the precariousness of their situation.
"Remember, Kenji. Trust is a luxury we can't afford. Stay vigilant."
Kenji nodded, settling in for the watch as the warehouse fell into an uneasy silence. The night stretched on, filled with the tension of the unknown and the weight of the choices they had made.
---Meanwhile...
---April 30, 2016
---At Shibuya Tokyo, Japan
Takashi rubbed his tired eyes, feeling the strain of hours spent poring over news articles and videos on his laptop. The dim glow of the screen illuminated his face in the otherwise dark room. It was 3 AM, but sleep was the last thing on his mind.
He replayed the news video that Takashi saw at the hospital yet again, his eyes narrowing as he scrutinized every detail of Detective Sato's expression.
(Why would they lie...What are they hiding?)
His thoughts raced as he sought any clue that might reveal the truth behind the officer's words.
Takashi's fingers were a blur over the keyboard as he researched deeper, scouring the internet for anything related to Detective Sato and the other officers mentioned in the news coverage. He looked through police reports, public records, and social media profiles, piecing together a troubling picture rife with hints of corruption and misconduct.
With each piece of information, his unease grew.
(There are too many connections here. Rumors of their ties to darker dealings...Could they be involved in something bigger?)
His mind spun with possibilities, each more disconcerting than the last.
As he looked up at the clock, he was startled to see just how much time had passed. Yet, despite the fatigue pulling at his senses, a sharp determination took hold.
(I can't let this go. They won't just slip by unnoticed. I'll uncover the truth, no matter what it takes.)
Driven by a fierce need for answers, Takashi continued his late-night vigil, each discovery stoking the flames of his resolve to bring the hidden deeds into the light.
As Takashi leaned back in his chair, his eyelids drooping from exhaustion, a sudden thought jolted him awake.
(What if there's something on Aiko's phone?...)
With renewed purpose, he pushed himself to stand, wincing as pain flared from his not-yet-healed gunshot wounds. Ignoring the discomfort, he made his way silently into Aiko's room, where she lay sleeping, oblivious to his intentions.
Gently, almost reverently, Takashi picked up Aiko's phone from the nightstand. His breath caught when the screen lit up, revealing a wallpaper of Aiko and Yoichi, his friend he hadn't thought much about lately. The sight stung, a sharp reminder of normalcy and connections slipping away, but he shoved the feeling aside and focused on his task.
With a trembling hand, he swiped up and accessed the phone. His heart pounded in his ears as he opened the messaging app, scanning through the conversations until his eyes snapped wide open. as he stared at the screen, his hand shaking uncontrollably. The messages were with an unknown contact, ominous and direct, sending shivers down his spine.
">Don't speak of this to anyone, or there will be consequences for you, and your little brother."
Takashi read one of the messages, followed by instructions to forward an email to a specified address—a demand cloaked in threats.
It was clear from the tone and content that this was from someone powerful, someone menacing. Takashi's mind raced as he connected the dots.
(Detective Sato. It has to be. Who else would have the reach and the ruthlessness to manipulate like this?)
As the implications sunk in, fear mingled with anger. Aiko was involved, whether willingly or under duress, and now Takashi found himself even deeper in a web of deceit and danger. The realization that his pursuit of the truth was pulling in those he cared about weighed heavily on him, a burden that was becoming increasingly difficult to bear.
With the evidence in hand but his heart heavier than ever, Takashi exited Aiko's room as silently as he had entered, his mind a whirlwind of strategy and concern. How could he confront this without endangering Aiko further? What was his next move? The night stretched out ominously before him, the shadows in his room seeming to pulse with the beat of his racing heart.