Yuki sat alone in the small, dimly lit apartment Riku had arranged for her, her thoughts spiraling. It was a far cry from the life she once had—a respectable career, a loving family, and a future that had seemed so secure. But now, everything was in ruins.
She absentmindedly traced the rim of the coffee cup in her hands, the heat barely registering as her mind wandered back to her last meeting with Riku. His cold, unfeeling demeanor had been a stark reminder that he wasn't a friend. He wasn't a savior. He was a force, one that would tear through anything in his path, even her, if necessary.
The deal she made with him still haunted her. She had agreed to pay whatever price he asked, and even though he hadn't asked for payment yet, Yuki knew that day would come. She didn't want to think about what he might demand. But revenge was all she had left. Her life had been destroyed—her reputation tarnished, her job stolen, her dignity shattered. And the men who did it to her had walked away unscathed, their lives untouched.
Her former boss, Okada, and his cronies had played her like a pawn, framing her for a crime she didn't commit. In their eyes, she was nothing—a disposable obstacle in their pursuit of power and wealth. Yuki gripped the cup tighter, her knuckles turning white as a wave of anger surged through her. They would pay. With Riku's help, they would lose everything, just like she had.
But there was still a part of her that feared what would happen after. Riku's warning echoed in her mind—"There's always something left to lose."
"What else do I have to lose?" she whispered to herself, her voice barely audible in the quiet room.
Her phone buzzed, snapping her out of her thoughts. She glanced at the screen—an encrypted message from Riku.
"Tomorrow. Be ready."
A shiver ran down her spine. Tomorrow. It was starting. The revenge she had craved for so long was finally within reach, but the weight of what was to come pressed heavily on her. She felt the enormity of the decision she had made, the uncertainty of whether this path would bring her the closure she desperately sought or lead her down a darker road she wasn't prepared for.
The next day, Yuki found herself sitting in the backseat of a car, staring out the window as the city passed by in a blur. Riku hadn't told her much—just that today would be a critical step in bringing Okada and his associates down. The anxiety gnawed at her insides, but she trusted Riku. She had to. He was her only chance.
The car came to a stop, and the driver—a silent, professional man—motioned for her to get out. Yuki's heart pounded as she stepped onto the sidewalk. She recognized the area. This was the upscale district where Okada and his powerful friends worked, the heart of their empire of lies.
Riku was waiting for her near the entrance of a sleek office building, his posture as calm and controlled as ever. He gave her a brief nod as she approached. "You know what to do," he said, handing her a small envelope.
Inside was a USB drive.
Yuki swallowed, her hands trembling slightly. "This is it, isn't it? The evidence?"
Riku nodded. "This will expose Okada's involvement in illegal deals and criminal activities. Once it's in the right hands, his world will start to crumble."
Yuki stared at the USB for a moment, the enormity of it sinking in. She had dreamed of this moment for so long—seeing Okada fall from his pedestal, his smug smile wiped away, his power stripped from him. And yet, now that it was finally here, she felt a strange sense of unease.
"What happens after?" she asked quietly, looking up at Riku. "After Okada is ruined… what happens to me?"
Riku's gaze remained steady, unreadable. "That's up to you. Revenge doesn't fix everything. You'll still have to face the consequences of what you've lost. But it will give you a chance to start over."
Yuki's chest tightened. She wasn't sure if she could start over. But this wasn't just about her anymore. It was about making sure Okada didn't get away with destroying lives, about showing him and everyone else like him that they weren't untouchable.
She nodded, her resolve hardening. "I'm ready."
Riku handed her a phone. "There's a contact in the building. Go in, drop this off, and leave. Don't linger. This isn't the endgame yet—just the beginning."
Yuki took a deep breath and entered the building, her mind racing. The sleek, modern design of the lobby felt surreal, so different from the crumbling reality of her life. Every step she took echoed loudly in her ears as she made her way to the designated office. The contact was a whistleblower, someone on the inside who had seen enough of Okada's corruption and was willing to help bring him down.
It was a simple drop. No one would notice her. She would be in and out before anyone knew what had happened.
Yet, as Yuki handed over the USB and exchanged a brief nod with the contact, a strange feeling gnawed at her gut. This should have felt like a victory—a step closer to justice—but instead, all she felt was emptiness.
As she left the building, the sun setting over the horizon, Yuki realized something: this revenge wasn't about closure. It was about survival. And even after Okada fell, the hole in her heart wouldn't be filled.
But for now, this would have to be enough. She had made her choice, and there was no turning back.
Riku's voice echoed in her mind: "Revenge comes at a price."
Yuki was beginning to understand just how true those words were.
End of Chapter 20