As they walked toward the bar counter, a familiar figure awaited them. A man sat casually, a glass of amber liquid in one hand and a cigarette dangling from the other. It was Nakajima, Ryu's old acquaintance—his friend and business partner. The familiarity in Nakajima's posture exuded confidence, a relaxed demeanor. The rich aroma of aged whiskey mixed with the faint scent of smoke created a stark atmosphere of indulgence that felt out of place in Yuuki's current state.

“Nakajima,” Ryu greeted, extending a hand, their handshake firm and familiar. There was an unspoken understanding between them, a camaraderie forged over years of shared ventures and mutual goals.

As Yuuki followed behind, Nakajima’s gaze shifted, honing in on the young boy who had become central to Ryu’s obsession. Without missing a beat, Nakajima recognized him immediately—a key player in the unfolding strategy. “So, this is him,” Nakajima remarked smoothly, his voice tinged with curiosity as he evaluated Yuuki with astute eyes.

Ryu nodded, a silent affirmation of Nakajima’s observation. Turning to the guards who flanked him, Ryu issued a clear directive. “Take Yuuki to his room,” he instructed, the words laden with authority. Yuuki’s room within the foundation was ready—a place that would offer necessary supervision.

As the guards reached for Yuuki’s arm to lead him away, Yuuki instinctively resisted, pulling back with determination. “I can walk by myself,” he asserted, his voice steady despite the tension. He refused to be manhandled, to be dragged along like a helpless pawn.

Nakajima chuckled, clearly amused by Yuuki’s show of defiance. “Quite a resistance, huh?” he commented to Ryu, a hint of respect evident in his tone for the young man’s spirit, even in the face of captivity.

Ryu cast a glance at Yuuki, noting the flash of defiance in his eyes. “Let him walk,” Ryu relented, acknowledging Yuuki’s desire for autonomy with a curt nod to the guards.

The guards stepped back slightly, allowing Yuuki to lead the way, though their presence remained a constant reminder of his lack of freedom. As Yuuki began to walk, one of the guards leaned in slightly, issuing a quiet warning. “Don’t try anything funny,” he said, his tone low yet serious.

Yuuki held his head high, his resolve undiminished even amidst the veiled threats and watchful eyes. Deep inside, adrenaline mingled with fear, but he focused on maintaining his composure. There had to be a way through this, and Yuuki was determined to find it.

As Yuuki headed toward the room, Nakajima turned his attention back to Ryu. “Interesting choice and he’s got fire” he mused, subtly acknowledging the challenge and unpredictability Yuuki brought into their midst.

As Yuuki disappeared, Ryu and Nakajima exchanged a knowing look, aware that the path ahead was fraught with obstacles. 

As Ryu settled into the seat beside Nakajima, With a casual tone “Long wait, huh?” he said, breaking the silence.

Nakajima shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly, a gesture that conveyed his indifference. “Never mind,” he replied, his tone suggesting he was used to such delays in their line of work. He offered Ryu a cigarette, the sleek pack glimmering under the dim lights of the lounge. Ryu hesitated for a moment, then shook his head. “No thanks, I’m good,” he said, dismissing the offer.

Not long after, a familiar figure entered the room—Reina, her presence as striking as ever. The red dress she wore hugged her curves, accentuating her confidence as she sauntered over. “Anything I miss?” she asked, her voice playful, dancing with an underlying curiosity.

“No, we just started,” Nakajima replied, glancing at Ryu for confirmation. The atmosphere remained thick with anticipation, each of them aware that significant decisions lay ahead.

“The camera crew is ready,” Nakajima continued, shifting the subject back to business. “Are you sure you want to do this?” His question hung in the air, heavy with concern.

Ryu sat there in silence for a moment, grappling with the tension that had emerged since Yuuki had come into the picture. A sudden thought struck him, one he had been trying to push aside. “Is there any other way to do this? A method that doesn’t involve hurting the boy?”

The room went quiet, Reina’s playful demeanor dimming slightly. She tilted her head, studying him. “Well, it’s your plan,” she said, a hint of intrigue returning to her voice. “We’ll just have it your way.”

Then, with a teasing flourish, she leaned, her expression flirtatious. “What happened? Did you suddenly change your plan? Has the boy’s charm already taken effect on you?” The playful challenge in her voice ignited a flicker of annoyance in Ryu. Ryu clenched his jaw, feeling an internal conflict rise within him. The smirk that had been on his face moments before faltered as he considered Reina’s words. It was true; Yuuki had affected him in ways he hadn’t anticipated, awakening emotions he thought he had buried deep beneath layers of vengeance.

Reina leaned closer, her tone playful yet probing. “If it were me, I would have devoured him by now while laughing. Damn, he’s drop-dead gorgeous.”

Despite the levity in her tone, Ryu felt a pang of irritation. Reina’s flippancy seemed inappropriate given the gravity of the situation. He turned his gaze away, staring into the distance as he attempted to reconcile the whirlwind of his feelings.

“Reina,” he said, his voice firm but tempered with an underlying note of frustration. “This isn’t a game.”

“Of course, it’s not,” she replied, her tone now serious. “But you have to admit—he’s captivating. There’s a reason you’ve brought him here, and I doubt it’s just for revenge.”

Ryu remained silent, his thoughts racing as the tension in the room thickened again. He was standing at a crossroads where personal emotions clashed with dark intentions. To act on those urges would lead him further down a path he feared he could not return from.

As the seconds ticked by, Ryu felt the weight of his choices pressing down on him. The decision to pursue revenge had been clear-cut, but now that the reality of Yuuki’s innocence had seeped in, the lines had blurred.

“Let’s just see how this unfolds,” he finally said, his tone a mix of resignation and determination.

Reina’s expression softened, recognizing the gravity of Ryu’s internal struggle. “Alright, then,” she said softly, shifting her stance. “Just remember that navigating this will take more than just brute strength, Ryu. It’ll require finesse—and you might find that you’re more drawn to him than you expected.”

--

As they stood in the opulent lounge, the weight of Nakajima’s words settled heavily in the air. “Ryu, you need to know that Hayama is starting to look for his son,” Nakajima stated, his tone grave. “I've seen his men out there searching, asking questions about the missing boy.”

Ryu raised an eyebrow but didn't show any outward sign of surprise. Of course, Hayama would be frantic with worry, he thought, a dark acknowledgment stirring deep inside him. He understood the urgency that dictated the need to keep Yuuki hidden, at least until he was ready to confront Hayama. “I can’t let him find Yuuki,” Ryu said, his voice steady. “As long as he’s under my roof, he is fine.” He pictured Hayama’s ruthless determination flooding the streets, tracing lines that could lead straight to Yuuki.

“There’s no telling how far Hayama will go to find him,”

Ryu nodded, feeling the gravity of those words, now immensely aware of the delicate balance they needed to maintain. The boy had no choice in this matter, caught between a legacy of violence and the murky waters of retribution that Ryu had so intricately woven.

As he met Nakajima's gaze, Ryu could feel the breadth of their shared history weighing upon him. They had navigated dangerous waters in the past, but this was different. There was more at stake than mere business revenge—this was a life. And Yuuki represented not just a thorn in Hayama's side but also a spark of something Ryu had long believed to be extinguished: innocence.

“Let’s get the arrangements in place,” Ryu commanded, his voice firm as clarity surged within him.

As the conversation hung in the air, Ryu could feel the spiral of emotions turning as he braced himself for whatever awaited him. He had set this plan in motion, but in doing so, he was about to confront not just the boy’s fate but his own convoluted path toward redemption. Little did he know, the events of the day would challenge everything he believed about revenge and the possibility of healing.