Yuki's heart still raced as she followed the silent operative through the narrow, dimly lit streets. Her mind struggled to comprehend what had just happened. Riku had known she would disobey him, had known she would try to take matters into her own hands. The realization left her both unsettled and strangely reassured.
How far ahead was Riku planning? Did he always expect everyone's moves before they even made them?
She glanced at the figure walking ahead of her, the operative who had swooped in just before Okada's men could take her. Their movements were precise, every step purposeful. Yuki had no idea who they were, but she understood one thing now—Riku never left anything to chance.
They reached a small, unmarked car parked in an alley. The operative opened the door and motioned for Yuki to get in. As she slid into the backseat, she couldn't help but feel a mix of fear and admiration. Riku was protecting her, even from herself. But for how long?
"Where are we going?" she asked, her voice still shaky.
The operative didn't respond, simply shutting the door and taking the driver's seat. In moments, they were weaving through the streets, heading toward the heart of the city. Yuki watched the buildings blur past, her mind racing just as fast. She was safe—for now—but the weight of her situation pressed down on her.
Riku stood on the roof of an adjacent building, his gaze fixed on Okada's headquarters below. The night was cold, the wind tugging at his coat as he surveyed the area with calm detachment. He had orchestrated every detail, anticipating Yuki's defiance, Okada's response, and the sequence of events that would bring everything to this moment.
He'd spent weeks dismantling Okada's operation piece by piece, severing connections, leaking information, and turning allies into enemies. The chaos had left Okada vulnerable, but now it was time for the final blow.
As he scanned the area, his earpiece crackled to life.
"Yuki is secured. The decoy plan is in motion," the operative's voice reported.
Riku gave a small nod. "Good. Proceed as planned. Keep her out of sight."
There was no room for error. Okada's focus was entirely on Yuki now, just as Riku had intended. The man's desperation had blinded him, making him believe Yuki was the key to controlling the situation. What Okada didn't realize was that Riku had already moved beyond that piece on the chessboard.
The real game was unfolding right under his nose.
Inside Okada's headquarters, tension crackled like static electricity. Okada paced the length of his office, frustration and fury darkening his features. His men had reported that Yuki was close, that she had walked right into the trap. But now, communication with his team had gone dark.
Something was wrong.
"Where's the report from the team?!" Okada barked, his voice echoing through the room.
His lieutenant, a nervous man in a rumpled suit, fumbled with his phone. "We... we lost contact, sir. There's no response."
Okada's eyes narrowed. "No response? How is that possible? You told me she was in the trap!"
"They were—she was," the lieutenant stammered. "But something happened. We're trying to re-establish communication."
Okada clenched his fists, the veins in his neck pulsing with anger. "This is Riku. It has to be. He's playing us. He's using her as bait."
He slammed his hand on the desk. "Send more men. Find her. I want her here now!"
The lieutenant nodded frantically and hurried out of the office. Okada's mind whirled with thoughts of revenge. He had underestimated Riku before, but this time, he wouldn't let that happen. This time, he would crush him.
But what Okada didn't realize was that he was the one walking into Riku's trap.
Riku's phone buzzed softly in his pocket, a message from Yusei, his contact within the police force.
"Everything's set. We've got the location marked."
Riku smirked. Yusei had quietly fed him inside information from the police's ongoing investigation into Okada's criminal dealings. With the right evidence planted in just the right places, Okada wouldn't just be finished in the underground—he'd be behind bars for a long, long time.
It was a perfect ending.
Riku didn't plan on killing Okada. That wasn't his style. Ruining a man, taking away everything he valued, and leaving him powerless—that was true revenge. And Okada would feel every ounce of it.
He looked down at the building below, seeing the flurry of movement as more of Okada's men scrambled to respond to the unfolding chaos. They had no idea they were already too late.
With one final check of his equipment, Riku began his descent, disappearing into the night like a shadow.
Inside the car, Yuki stared out the window, her mind heavy with doubt. She had tried to act on her own, to reclaim some semblance of control over her shattered life, but once again, Riku had intervened. Now, she was left with the unsettling realization that she couldn't escape him. He was always three steps ahead.
The car came to a stop in front of an inconspicuous apartment building. The operative turned to Yuki.
"This is where you stay for now. Don't leave until instructed. Riku will handle the rest."
Yuki nodded numbly, stepping out of the car and entering the building. Inside, the apartment was simple but secure. No one would find her here—not Okada, not anyone.
She sat down on the small sofa, her thoughts racing. What had she gotten herself into? Revenge had seemed like the only answer, but now she wasn't so sure. She was entangled in a web far larger than she had ever anticipated, and the one pulling the strings was Riku.
But no matter what, she couldn't back down now. Not after everything.
As Riku approached Okada's building, he moved with quiet precision, blending into the shadows. His plan was nearly complete, but there was one final piece to play: Okada himself.
Riku slipped through the side entrance, bypassing security with ease. He had memorized the layout of the building days ago, knowing every weak spot and every blind spot. His movements were deliberate, calm, as he made his way toward Okada's office.
This was it. The final confrontation.
And as Riku walked down the silent hallway, he knew one thing for certain:
He had already won.
End of Chapter 28