---April 30, 2016
---At Shibuya Tokyo, Japan
Takashi lay on his bed, staring up at the ceiling, his mind racing with thoughts on how to outsmart Sato and gather the necessary information on Ryujin. His body was still weak, but his resolve was stronger than ever. He needed to find a way to expose Sato without endangering Aiko or Yoichi.
(There has to be a way.) he thought.
(If I can get proof of Sato's corruption, then maybe...)
A gentle knock on the door interrupted his thoughts. Aiko's voice came through softly, "Takashi, I'm going to the pharmacy to get your medicine. Do you need anything else?"
"No, that's all. Thanks, Aiko," Takashi replied, keeping his tone even.
"Alright, I'll be back soon," she said, her footsteps retreating down the hall.
The moment he heard the front door close, Takashi's lips curled into a smirk.
(Detective Sato...)
---Meanwhile...
---April 30, 2016
---At Shibuya Tokyo, Japan
The scene shifted to Ryujin's perspective. He stood in a dimly lit, abandoned warehouse, leaning against a chair. In front of him, a man was tied up, hanging upside down with an apple shoved in his mouth. Kenji stood behind Ryujin, glowering as he argued with someone on the phone.
"You're not giving us what we need, Sato," Kenji spat, his voice dripping with frustration.
"You promised us protection and information. We're holding up our end of the deal. Why aren't you?"
Ryujin watched the man wriggle against his bonds, his eyes filled with fear. He took the phone from Kenji, his voice calm but threatening.
"Sato, if you don't start delivering, this partnership is over. And trust me, you don't want that."
On the other end of the line, Sato's voice crackled with barely concealed irritation.
"I'm working on it, Ryujin. These things take time. The heat is on after the café incident. You need to lay low."
Ryujin glanced at the tied-up man, then back to the phone.
"Time is running out, Sato. For both of us. If you can't handle the pressure, then maybe it's time for a change in leadership."
A tense silence followed, the weight of Ryujin's threat hanging in the air. Finally, Sato sighed.
"Alright. I'll get you what you need. Just keep things quiet."
Ryujin ended the call and handed the phone back to Kenji. He turned to the man hanging in front of him, his expression darkening.
"You heard the man, Kenji. Let's make sure our guest here understands the importance of silence."
Kenji nodded, stepping forward with a grim determination. The man's eyes widened in terror, but his screams were muffled by the apple. Ryujin watched, a mixture of satisfaction and impatience brewing within him. He needed results, and he needed them fast.
Boredom overtaking him, Ryujin suddenly yanked the apple out of the man's mouth. The man's gasps for air were interspersed with desperate pleas for mercy.
"Look at you," Ryujin mocked, alaugh escaping his lips.
"All tied up and nowhere to go. Must be quite the predicament, huh?"
The man's eyes darted around, searching for any sign of mercy. Ryujin leaned in closer, his grin widening.
"Don't worry, we're just getting started...Let's see how long you can be useful to us."
The man shivered, his terror palpable. Ryujin, feeling a strange mix of satisfaction and restlessness, let the apple drop to the floor with a thud, signaling the beginning of a long, torturous night for their captive.
---Some time later...
---April 30, 2016
---At Shibuya Tokyo, Japan
Hours later, a car sped down the highway. The man who had been hanging upside down earlier was now at the wheel, hands gripping the steering wheel tightly. Beside him, Ryujin lounged casually, though the pistol he had aimed at the man's ribs ensured that any attempt at escape would end badly. Kenji sat in the back seat, eyes flicking between Ryujin and the road ahead.
Ryujin chuckled, the sound devoid of warmth.
"So, what's your name again? Doesn't matter, really. You know, you're the worst getaway driver I've ever had. I mean, I don't expect you to have a career in this after tonight, but come on, at least try to keep it steady."
The man swallowed hard, his voice trembling.
"I'm sorry, I'm doing my best. Please, just don't-"
Ryujin cut him off with a dismissive wave. "Relax, we're not in a rush. Just keep your eyes on the road."
Kenji's phone buzzed, and he answered it quickly. Sato's voice came through, shaky but with an edge of forced authority.
"There's a new event coming up near Shibuya main street. You need to be careful."
As Sato spoke, a hand with a small revolver pressed harder against the back of his head. The mysterious man holding the gun whispered something inaudible, and Sato's voice wavered.
"I—I mean, it's going to be heavily monitored. Lots of police presence. Be smart about it."
Kenji raised an eyebrow, detecting the odd tone in Sato's voice. "We'll keep that in mind. Anything else we should know?"
Sato hesitated, the pressure of the gun evident in his strained response. "Just stay out of sight. They're watching closely. Don't do anything reckless."
Ryujin's eyes narrowed as he listened to the conversation.
"Sounds like someone's got a gun on them" he murmured, a smirk playing on his lips. He leaned closer to the driver, the pistol pressing harder into the man's side.
"Looks like Sato's not the only one having a rough night. Make sure you follow the directions, or we'll have to find a new driver."
Kenji ended the call, his expression thoughtful. "Something's off. Sato sounded... different."
Ryujin shrugged, unbothered. "Doesn't matter. We stick to the plan. If Sato's compromised, we'll deal with it. For now, just enjoy the ride."
The driver, beads of sweat forming on his forehead, dared not look away from the road. He could feel the tension in the car, the weight of the situation pressing down on him as heavily as the gun at his side.
As they approached the city limits, the lights of Shibuya glowed in the distance, promising another night of chaos. Ryujin and Kenji were ready, their minds already working through the next steps of their plan. The driver, on the other hand, could only hope that he would live to see the end of this night.
--1 hour earlier...
---April 30, 2016
---At Shibuya Tokyo, Japan
Detective Sato sat hunched over his desk, the soft glow of his computer screen illuminating the darkened office. It was late, and the stack of report papers in front of him seemed never-ending. His phone buzzed, breaking the monotonous silence. He glanced at it, seeing a message from an unknown number. The content made his heart skip a beat:
">Sato, this is Aiko. I accidentally told them...I'm sorry. And I need help."
The text had the same casual tone and wording Aiko typically used, convincing Sato it was genuine. Attached was a pinned location. Without wasting a second, he grabbed his coat and phone, rushing out of his office. He nodded nervously to the other officers who greeted him on his way out, but his mind was racing, panic gripping him.
"Hey, Sato! Coffee?" another officer asked, blocking his path with a friendly smile.
Sato moved aside, brushing past him without a word, urgency propelling him forward. He burst through the station doors and jumped into his car, dialing Aiko's number repeatedly but getting no answer. His anxiety grew with each unanswered ring. The location was an abandoned building on the outskirts of town, a place that sent chills down his spine.
When he arrived, the building loomed ominously in the darkness. He parked the car and approached cautiously, the silence around him deafening. The moment he stepped inside, he saw a figure emerge from the shadows. Takashi, his face hidden beneath a hoodie, stood before him.
Takashi's voice was cold and unwavering. "Hand over your revolver, Sato."
Sato hesitated, his hand instinctively reaching for his weapon. But Takashi's firm gaze and the weight of his words stopped him.
"I'm one of the victims from Café Harmonia," Takashi continued.
"I'm the pianist. If you resist, I'll reveal every lie you told on the news. Everyone will know the truth about you."
Sato's heart sank as the gravity of the situation washed over him. He reluctantly surrendered his revolver, his hands trembling. With the gun now aimed at his back, Sato listened as Takashi demanded answers.
"Why are you working for a sociopath like Ryujin...What does he have on you?, Why are you protecting him after what he did at Café Harmonia?."
Sato's voice wavered as he spoke, his fear palpable. "He has connections, power. He threatened my family. I had no choice but to protect him, or he promised he'd make them disappear. I'm trapped, Takashi. I'm sorry."
Takashi's expression softened slightly, his eyes narrowing beneath the shadow of his hoodie.
"You've made a grave mistake." he said firmly, pushing Sato forward.
"But we can make it right...You're going to help me take him down, or I'll pull the trigger."
Sato nodded solemnly, his resolve setting in. "I'll do whatever it takes," he whispered, his voice barely audible.
"Just, please, don't hurt me...I have a wife waiting for me a home."
With Sato's cooperation now secured, Takashi felt a grim satisfaction. This was the beginning of the end for Ryujin. Together, they would dismantle the empire of fear Ryujin had built, bringing justice for the victims of Café
Harmonia.