The day had been long, filled with training and strategic discussions about their next moves. Kai had spent most of it buried in drills, trying to keep his mind off the growing worry gnawing at him. Every time he closed his eyes, he saw his brother's face—gaunt, weary, and trapped in that facility.
Even as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the academy grounds, Kai couldn't shake the uneasy feeling that something was still wrong.
After a quick shower, he made his way back to his dorm room, eager to collapse into bed and sleep off the tension. The hallways were quiet, the usual bustle of students now replaced by the muffled hum of night settling in.
He reached his door and fumbled with the key, his exhaustion making even the simplest tasks feel monumental. As he stepped inside, he was greeted by the familiar sight of his room—minimalist, tidy, just the way he liked it. He tossed his bag onto the chair and was about to fall into bed when his phone buzzed on the desk.
Kai glanced at the screen, expecting it to be a message from Reina or Mei about tomorrow's training. But when he saw the caller ID, his breath caught in his throat.
It was an unknown number, but something about it felt familiar. His heart raced as he hesitated, his thumb hovering over the answer button. Could it be…?
Finally, he pressed the button and brought the phone to his ear. "Hello?" His voice came out more strained than he intended.
There was a moment of silence, followed by a deep, steady breath on the other end. Then, a voice that Kai would recognize anywhere filled his ears, sending a shockwave of relief through his entire body.
"Kai… it's me."
Kai's knees nearly buckled as he sank onto the edge of his bed. "Brother? Yuta? Is it really you?"
The voice on the other end let out a soft chuckle, one that Kai hadn't heard in what felt like an eternity. "Yeah, it's me. I'm… I'm okay, Kai."
Kai closed his eyes, fighting back the sudden surge of emotion that threatened to overwhelm him. "You don't know how good it is to hear your voice, Yuta. I've been so worried. Where are you? Are you safe?"
Yuta's voice was calm, but there was an underlying weariness that Kai couldn't ignore. "I'm fine, Kai. I managed to get out of there… Kaito helped me. He's not as bad as we thought."
"Kaito?" Kai's brow furrowed in confusion. "What do you mean? How did he help you? I thought—"
"I know," Yuta interrupted, his tone understanding but firm. "I thought the same thing, too. But he… he saved me, Kai. He's getting me the medical attention I need, and he said he's not going to hurt me. He wants to help us end this whole operation, whatever it takes."
Kai sat in stunned silence, trying to process this information. Kaito had always been an enigma, a figure cloaked in shadows with motives that were impossible to read. The idea that he would help Yuta, let alone save him, was something Kai had never considered.
"Why?" Kai finally asked, his voice tinged with suspicion. "Why would he help you? What's in it for him?"
Yuta was quiet for a moment before responding. "I don't know all the details yet, but he mentioned something about paying a debt—something that goes way back, before all of this started. I think he's trying to make things right, in his own way."
Kai's mind was racing. Kaito, the man who had been a thorn in their side from the beginning, was now playing the role of savior? It didn't make sense, and yet… here was Yuta, alive and speaking to him because of Kaito.
"Are you sure you're okay?" Kai asked again, his voice softer this time. "They didn't hurt you?"
"I'm okay, Kai," Yuta reassured him. "I promise. I'm getting stronger every day, and I'll be back soon. But Kai… there's something you need to know."
Kai's heart skipped a beat. "What is it?"
Yuta's tone became serious, almost urgent. "Kaito said that the facility you're dealing with is just the beginning. There's something bigger, something more dangerous, that they're planning. He didn't give me all the details, but he said you need to be prepared. The real fight is just starting."
Kai's grip tightened on the phone. "What do you mean? What are they planning?"
"I don't know yet," Yuta admitted. "But whatever it is, it's going to be huge. Kaito wants to help us stop it, but he said we need to be ready for anything. He's trying to gather more information, but you have to be on guard, Kai. This is far from over."
Kai felt a chill run down his spine. He had known that their battle was far from finished, but hearing it confirmed by Yuta, after everything they had already been through, made it all the more real.
"Okay," Kai said, his voice steady. "We'll be ready. Just… stay safe, Yuta. We'll get through this together."
Yuta's voice softened again. "I know we will. I'll be back as soon as I can, and when I am, we'll take them down. For good."
Kai smiled, a wave of relief washing over him. "I'm holding you to that. Just take care of yourself, okay?"
"I will. And Kai… thank you. For everything."
"You don't have to thank me, Yuta," Kai replied, his voice thick with emotion. "You're my brother. I'd do anything for you."
There was a brief pause, and then Yuta said softly, "I know. And that's why we're going to win this. No matter what."
The call ended, and Kai sat there in the quiet of his room, the phone still clutched in his hand. The weight that had been pressing down on him for so long had finally started to lift, replaced by a renewed sense of purpose.
Yuta was safe. He was alive. And together, they were going to end this once and for all.
Kai let out a long breath, his mind already turning to the next steps. There was still so much to do, so many battles left to fight, but for the first time in what felt like forever, he felt like he could finally see a light at the end of the tunnel.
And with his brother by his side, there was nothing they couldn't overcome.
With newfound resolve, Kai stood up, his exhaustion forgotten. There was no time to waste. The fight was far from over, but now, more than ever, he was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.
For his brother, for Reina, for everyone who had fought by his side—he would see this through to the end. And together, they would emerge victorious.