Kaede sat across from Renji, her slender fingers fidgeting with the edge of her red scarf. Her eyes darted around the café nervously, lingering on every face that entered. Renji had seen her confident and radiant in front of crowds, her smile lighting up rooms effortlessly. But today, she looked different—guarded, almost fragile.
"What's going on, Kaede?" he asked, leaning closer. "You said you're in trouble. What kind of trouble?"
Kaede hesitated, her gaze flickering to the door. Her voice was barely above a whisper. "I'll explain, but… not here. Too many people."
Renji frowned. "You called me out in the rain just to say we can't talk here?"
"I didn't know who else to trust," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "Renji, you're the only one who… well, you're different."
Renji felt a faint blush creeping up his neck. "Different how?"
Kaede's lips curved into a faint smile, the kind that once made his heart skip a beat. "You don't try to impress me. You're just… you."
Renji cleared his throat, trying not to look too flustered. "Yeah, well, apparently being 'just me' comes with a side of confusion. Can you at least give me a hint about what's going on?"
Before Kaede could answer, the door to the café opened with a chime, and a man stepped inside. He was tall, dressed in a sleek black coat, his sharp features framed by dark hair. His eyes scanned the room like a predator searching for prey.
Kaede stiffened, her hand instinctively reaching across the table to grab Renji's wrist.
"Don't let him see me," she whispered, her voice urgent.
Renji glanced at the man. "Who is he?"
"I'll explain later," she said, her grip tightening. "We have to leave. Now."
Renji didn't argue. He could see the fear in her eyes, and that was enough. "Follow me."
The man's gaze swept over their table, but Renji moved quickly, keeping Kaede shielded as they slipped toward the side exit. The rain greeted them again, cold and unrelenting, but Kaede didn't seem to care.
"Where are we going?" she asked as Renji led her down a narrow alley.
"Somewhere he won't find us," Renji said, his mind racing. "You can't just drop back into my life, say you're in trouble, and not expect questions, Kaede."
"I'll tell you everything," she promised. "Just… get us out of here first."
Renji glanced back, and sure enough, the man in black had followed them out into the rain. His strides were calm and deliberate, but there was no mistaking his intent.
"He's coming," Renji muttered. "Stay close."
Kaede nodded, clutching the strap of her bag.
The alley spilled out onto a quieter street, the glow of streetlights reflected in puddles. Renji spotted a small parking lot ahead and quickened his pace. They ducked behind a parked van, Kaede's breaths coming in shallow gasps.
"Renji," she whispered, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to drag you into this."
"Too late for that now," he said, peeking around the corner. The man in black was standing at the mouth of the alley, his gaze sweeping the street like a hawk.
"Who is he?" Renji asked again, his tone more forceful this time.
Kaede hesitated, then sighed. "His name is Kuroda. He works for… someone I owe. Someone dangerous."
Renji's brows furrowed. "Owe? What did you get yourself into, Kaede?"
"It's complicated," she said, avoiding his eyes. "But if Kuroda finds me, it won't end well."
Renji's jaw tightened. He didn't understand everything yet, but one thing was clear—Kaede needed him.
"All right," he said. "We need to keep moving. Let's go."
They darted across the lot, keeping to the shadows. Renji led her through a maze of backstreets, his knowledge of the city's less-traveled routes coming in handy. But Kuroda was relentless. Every time they thought they'd lost him, he reappeared, his dark silhouette cutting through the rain like a ghost.
"Does this guy have a tracking device on you or something?" Renji muttered as they slipped into an abandoned warehouse.
Kaede managed a faint laugh despite their situation. "Wouldn't put it past him."
The warehouse was dimly lit, the air thick with the smell of rust and mildew. Renji guided Kaede behind a stack of old crates, his heart pounding.
"Stay here," he said.
"What are you doing?" she whispered, grabbing his arm.
"I'm going to distract him. If he's after you, he won't care about me."
"No!" Kaede said, her voice sharp. "I won't let you—"
"Kaede," Renji interrupted, his tone firm but gentle. "I've got this. Trust me."
Her amber eyes searched his, and for a moment, she looked like she wanted to argue. But then she nodded, releasing his arm.
Renji stepped out from behind the crates, his hands in his pockets. Kuroda was already inside, his footsteps echoing through the cavernous