The wind howled through the narrow alley, cutting through Yuki Matsuoka's thin coat like a knife. She pulled it tighter around her shoulders, her breath coming in short, frantic gasps as she hurried through the dimly lit streets. Her world had crumbled around her, piece by piece, until there was nothing left. All she had now was the cold, the darkness, and the faint glimmer of hope that had led her here.
To Riku.
But before she had found him, Yuki's life had been very different.
Five Months Ago
Yuki's laughter echoed through the bustling office, her bright smile lighting up the room as she joked with her colleagues. She had everything she could have ever wanted—a promising career in public relations, a loving fiancé, and a future that seemed as bright as the Tokyo skyline. Her hard work had finally paid off. She was about to be promoted to a senior position, one step closer to her dream of starting her own agency.
But that was before he came into her life—Okada, her new boss.
Okada was charming at first, all smiles and sweet words. He praised Yuki for her work, complimented her creativity, and made her feel like she was on the fast track to success. But beneath his kind exterior, there was something darker. Slowly, he began to pressure her for favors—personal meetings late at night, inappropriate comments, subtle threats hidden behind smiles. Yuki tried to ignore it, hoping it would go away, but the situation only worsened.
When she finally rejected his advances, everything changed.
Her career, which had been flourishing, suddenly began to unravel. Projects she had worked on for months were reassigned. Her colleagues started avoiding her, whispering behind her back. Okada used his influence to turn the office against her, and before long, rumors spread that Yuki had been stealing company secrets.
It wasn't long before she was fired, her reputation in ruins. Her fiancé, bombarded with lies about her infidelity and betrayal, left her without a second thought. In a matter of weeks, Yuki had lost everything she had worked for—her career, her love, her future.
Okada had taken it all from her.
But that wasn't enough. He made sure she couldn't find work anywhere in Tokyo, blacklisting her from every agency and company she applied to. Her life became a series of closed doors and unanswered calls. She was left penniless and broken, forced to take menial jobs just to survive.
It was in this pit of despair, with no one left to turn to, that Yuki heard about him.
One Months Ago
Yuki had been sitting in a small, rundown café when she overheard two women talking at the table next to her. They whispered about a man who could fix the unfixable, someone who could help people get revenge on those who had wronged them. At first, Yuki thought it was some urban legend, a ridiculous story about a vigilante who operated outside the law. But the more she listened, the more intrigued she became.
"His name is Riku," one of the women said in hushed tones. "He doesn't come cheap, but if you're desperate enough, he'll take your case. He's taken down CEOs, politicians, even criminals who the police couldn't touch."
The other woman scoffed. "Sounds like a fantasy. What does he do, break into people's houses and steal their secrets?"
"Something like that," the first woman replied, lowering her voice even further. "But he doesn't do it for free. You have to pay him in a way you'll regret. It's like selling your soul."
Yuki had leaned forward, her heart racing. Could this man—Riku—really help her? She had nothing left to lose. Her life had already been destroyed. And so, she decided to search for him.
It wasn't easy. Riku didn't advertise his services, and finding a way to contact him took weeks. She followed rumors, visited shady internet forums, and asked the wrong people the right questions. Eventually, she stumbled upon a link to a bizarre website that seemed like a joke at first glance: tokyo-retribution.com.
The site was filled with silly slogans and cartoonish images, but Yuki recognized it for what it was—an invitation. She filled out the form with trembling hands, explaining what had happened to her, how Okada had ruined her life. She wasn't sure if it would lead anywhere, but she was desperate.
And then, three days later, she received a reply: Meet me at the rooftop of the Takano Building, midnight. Come alone.
Present Day
As Yuki approached the rooftop of the Takano Building, her memories weighed heavily on her. She had been through hell, but nothing could have prepared her for what she would find here.
The night was cold, the wind biting at her skin as she stepped onto the empty rooftop. There, standing with his back to her, was Riku. His coat billowed slightly in the wind, and his silhouette was sharp against the backdrop of the Tokyo skyline.
"You came," Riku's voice was calm, almost casual, as if he had been expecting her all along.
Yuki nodded, her heart pounding in her chest. She had no idea what to expect from this man. Was he a savior? A criminal? Something in between?
"I didn't know where else to turn," she said, her voice barely audible over the wind. "You're my last hope."
Riku turned to face her, his expression unreadable. His dark eyes seemed to see straight through her, as if he already knew everything she had been through.
"I know what Okada did to you," Riku said, his voice cold but steady. "I know how he ruined your life."
Yuki felt a lump form in her throat. Hearing it spoken out loud, so matter-of-factly, made it all feel too real.
"I want revenge," she whispered. "I want him to pay for everything."
Riku's gaze never wavered. "Revenge comes with a price, Yuki. Are you prepared to pay it?"
Yuki hesitated for a moment, but then nodded. "I have nothing left to lose."
Riku stepped closer, his voice lowering as he spoke. "There's always something left to lose."
For a moment, Yuki felt a chill run down her spine. But she had come too far to turn back now.
As the days passed and Riku set his plan into motion, Yuki found herself drawn deeper into his world. She watched as he systematically dismantled Okada's empire, exposing his dirty dealings, turning his allies against him, and ruining his reputation. Riku was methodical, calculated, and always three steps ahead.
But Yuki quickly realized that Riku didn't do this out of a sense of justice. He was a professional, and everything he did had a purpose. He never lost control, never took unnecessary risks. Even when it seemed like they were cornered, Riku always had a backup plan—a way out.
Yuki had thought that she was the one seeking revenge, but as she watched Riku work, she began to wonder if he had been planning this all along. Did Riku have a personal stake in taking down Okada? Or was she just another pawn in a much larger game?
Either way, Yuki knew one thing for sure: Riku was not a man to be underestimated.
And now, as she stood on the brink of finally getting her revenge, Yuki realized that her life had been irrevocably changed. She had crossed a line, and there was no going back.
The real question was: what price would she pay in the end?
End of Chapter 32