The night air was crisp as Riku walked through the dimly lit streets of the city. The streets were quieter than usual, with only a few late-night wanderers moving between bars and convenience stores. The shadows seemed to grow longer as he moved deeper into the city's less trafficked areas. It was a part of town he knew well, where secrets were kept hidden under layers of silence.
He wasn't alone tonight, though. He had sent the message, and his old friend would be meeting him soon.
Yusei Tetsuya. The name echoed in Riku's mind. They had been friends for years—long before Riku had begun his work as an agent of revenge. Yusei had always been the more righteous one, pursuing a career as a police officer to uphold justice. But their bond had never broken, even as Riku strayed into the shadows.
Yusei was unique. He walked a fine line between the law and the world Riku operated in. Though a policeman by profession, Yusei had always held a complex view of justice, one that made him occasionally cross lines that most wouldn't. And in those rare moments, he had helped Riku from the inside, using his position and access to information to give Riku an edge.
Riku arrived at a small alley, tucked away between two old apartment buildings. It was their usual meeting place—quiet, out of sight, and safe from prying eyes. He leaned against the wall, lighting a cigarette, his mind still lingering on the message from Yuki earlier. He'd help her, of course. But this time, it felt different. Kenta's words from a few nights ago had stuck with him. Maybe his past was finally catching up.
The faint sound of footsteps approached from behind, and Riku didn't need to turn to know who it was.
"I see you're still smoking those cheap cigarettes," Yusei said, his voice tinged with amusement as he walked into view.
Riku exhaled, a thin plume of smoke escaping into the night. "Not everyone gets a government salary, Yusei."
Yusei smirked, his hands stuffed in his pockets. He was still in his police uniform, though he had ditched his hat and unbuttoned his jacket to blend in a little more. His tall, lean frame and casual demeanor made it hard to believe he was a detective, but that was part of his charm. People underestimated him—until they didn't.
"You called me, so I assume something interesting is brewing?" Yusei asked, leaning against the wall next to Riku.
Riku nodded, flicking the cigarette to the ground. "I've got a new client. A woman named Yuki. Says someone 'took everything' from her."
Yusei raised an eyebrow. "Another revenge case, huh? So why do you need me this time? You've handled dozens of these without needing to drag me in."
Riku hesitated for a moment, thinking carefully about his words. Yusei had been his secret ally for years, feeding him information from within the police department when necessary, helping him navigate around legal barriers when it suited them both. But this time, something felt different.
"It's not just the case," Riku admitted. "It's... everything else. I think Kenta got into my head."
"Kenta? The guy who just finished his revenge tour? Didn't you say it went perfectly?" Yusei's tone was light, but there was concern beneath it. He knew Riku better than anyone, and he could sense when something was off.
"It did. But... he asked about my past," Riku said, his voice low. "About why I do this. And for the first time in years, I didn't have a clear answer for him."
Yusei looked at Riku, his expression softening. "You never told me the full story either, Riku. Not really. We've been friends for a long time, and I've always had your back, but even I don't know what drove you into this line of work."
Riku's jaw tightened. His past was something he had buried deep—a wound that had never fully healed. He glanced at Yusei, his eyes hard. "And I never will. The past is where it belongs."
Yusei didn't push. He never did. But he also didn't look away. "You know, Riku, you can keep running from it, but eventually, it's going to catch up with you. Kenta might just be the first person to shake that loose."
"I don't need a lecture," Riku said, his tone sharper than intended.
Yusei raised his hands in mock surrender. "Alright, alright. So, what do you need from me with this Yuki case?"
Riku exhaled, running a hand through his hair. "I need information on her. I need to know who she's targeting, who ruined her life. If it's someone with power or influence, I need leverage before I make my move. Can you dig around quietly?"
Yusei nodded, his expression becoming serious. "Yeah, I can get something for you. Just give me whatever details you've got so far. I'll look into it, but I'll need to be careful. If anyone starts connecting you to me, it could get messy."
Riku knew that was true. Yusei had put a lot on the line by helping him over the years. If his colleagues in the police force ever discovered their arrangement, Yusei's career—and possibly his freedom—would be over. But Yusei had never hesitated to help, not once. Their bond was too strong for that.
Riku handed Yusei a small envelope with the information he had on Yuki so far. "This should be enough to start with. Just be discreet."
Yusei took the envelope and pocketed it. He gave Riku a long look, his usual playful demeanor fading. "You've been playing this game for a long time, Riku. I just hope you know when to stop."
Riku met Yusei's gaze, his eyes unreadable. "Stopping isn't an option, Yusei. Not for people like us."
Yusei shook his head, a small sigh escaping his lips. "Yeah, I figured you'd say that."
He turned to leave, but paused for a moment, glancing back at Riku. "Take care of yourself, Riku. This Yuki case—don't let it push you too far."
With that, Yusei walked away, disappearing into the shadows of the city. Riku watched him go, feeling the weight of his old friend's words settle on him.
The next night, Riku stood on the rooftop of an abandoned building, waiting for his meeting with Yuki. The wind howled softly, whipping through his coat as he stood near the edge, his eyes scanning the city below.
He had received a message from Yusei earlier that day. He had done some digging and found a few things about Yuki's life—nothing concrete yet, but enough to confirm that her case wasn't as simple as she had made it seem. Whoever had "taken everything" from her wasn't just an ordinary person. It was someone with influence. Someone dangerous.
Riku's phone buzzed. Yuki had arrived.
He turned around to see a young woman, no older than her late twenties, walking cautiously towards him. Her eyes were puffy, like she had been crying, but her face was set with determination. She was clearly someone who had been through hell—and had come out the other side with nothing left but a burning need for vengeance.
"Riku?" she asked, her voice shaky but resolute.
"That's right," Riku said, his tone measured. "You wanted revenge."
Yuki nodded, stepping closer. "They took everything from me. My family, my career... they ruined my life. And I want them to pay."
Riku studied her for a moment, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Who are 'they'?"
Yuki hesitated, her hands trembling as she gripped the hem of her coat. "It's... it's my former boss. And his... associates. They framed me for a crime I didn't commit. They destroyed my reputation and blacklisted me from my industry. And now... now they're living their lives as if nothing happened."
Riku's mind worked quickly, piecing together the fragments of information Yusei had provided earlier. Yuki wasn't just some disgruntled ex-employee—her former boss was involved in something far deeper, something that had pulled powerful strings to cover up the truth.
Riku nodded slowly. "I'll help you. But this won't be easy. You need to be ready for whatever comes."
Yuki's eyes hardened. "I've already lost everything. What more do I have to lose?"
Riku smirked faintly, recognizing the familiar hunger in her eyes—the same hunger that had driven so many of his clients. But there was something about Yuki, something that felt dangerous, even to him.
"Alright then," Riku said. "Let's begin."
End of Chapter 10