It had been few days since the incident at the foundation, and as Yuuki stood in his assigned room inside Ryu's mansion, a suffocating sense of isolation wrapped around him. The confines of the room felt both lavish and stifling, adorned with decor that spoke of opulence yet offered no comfort. He was grateful to be free of chains, yet the heavy presence of a guard stationed outside his door served as a constant reminder of his captivity.

The events of those harrowing days replayed in Yuuki's mind like an unwanted film reel, the flashes of fear and confusion mingling with his current state. He was now able to walk freely within the room, but the slight trauma from the previous days lingered, casting a shadow over his thoughts.

As he sat on the edge of his bed, staring at the walls that felt like they were closing in on him. The lavish decor, meant to evoke comfort and luxury, only deepened his sense of confinement. Days blended into each other without a hint of excitement, and the monotony of his situation left him feeling restless and bored.

His thoughts drifted to his father, the man who had always urged him to be cautious, reminding him to never trust anyone too easily. What was he doing now? Did his father know where he was? A ripple of concern sliced through Yuuki’s heart. He imagined his father pacing around expansive halls of their home, worry etched across his stoic features, his instincts unraveling as he sought answers. The appointed boundaries of his world were not as solid as Yuuki had always believed; they felt fragile now, straining under the pressure of uncertainty.

The lessons his father had instilled in him echoed in Yuuki’s mind. He remembered the countless hours spent training in martial arts, each lesson a testament to his father’s desire to prepare him for the world’s dangers. “You must always stand up for yourself, Yuuki,” his father had said repeatedly, a mantra laced with protective wisdom. But now, faced with the chilling reality of his situation, those lessons felt both empowering and limiting.

Today was supposed to be special. He had planned to go out on a date with his girlfriend, Mai. The thought sent a wave of sadness crashing over him. With her vibrant pink hair and infectious laughter, Mai had captured his heart over six months of shared moments, yet doubts crept in at the edges of his mind. Was he even ready for this relationship? Yuuki felt a sense of longing as memories of Mai fluttered through his thoughts—her smile lighting up the room, the way she always seemed to know how to cheer him up. What would she think if she knew? Would she be worried, trying to piece together what had happened? He could almost picture her in class, glancing around for him, concern etched across her features.

He missed Yuuto, his best friend, more than he had anticipated. Yuuto had always been a steadfast presence in his life, encouraging him to take risks, especially with his feelings for Mai. Yuuki couldn’t help but think that Yuuto must know something was wrong—perhaps he had already divined that Yuuki was missing through his father. What was he doing now? Yuuki couldn't shake the feeling that Yuuto had been skipping classes, lost in worry for his friend.

Those shared moments on the basketball with Yuuto in court felt like a distant dream. The thrill of the game, the pounding of their sneakers on the wood floors, and their laughter echoing during practice… Those memories brought a bittersweet ache to his heart. Although Yuuki struggled to keep up with his academic work, basketball had always been his sanctuary. The rush of the game provided an escape, a fleeting freedom that seemed impossibly distant now. He could see them both vividly, running plays, exchanging high-fives after a successful shot, each moment infused with joy and camaraderie.

The more he thought about it, the more he felt the weight of anxiety settle over him. Yuuki hadn’t seen Ryu in few days, the silence amplifying his unease as he pondered what Ryu’s next plan could be. The unknown loomed like a dark cloud over him, heavy and unyielding.

Yuuki glanced down at his injured leg, which was slowly healing but still reminded him of the struggle he had endured during the escape. If not for his leg, he would have fought back against the men who had taken him so forcibly. He remembered how Nakajima had intervened, stopping the escalating situation and perhaps saving him from further harm. There was gratitude mixed with confusion—why had Nakajima chosen to help him?

The silence of the room felt suffocating. With no entertainment, no distractions, and the weight of uncertainty pressing down on him, he knew he had to find some way to alleviate the claustrophobia settling in. After what felt like an eternity, he finally gathered the courage to act.

He approached the heavy door and knocked softly, hoping to get the guard’s attention. “Excuse me,” he called out, tension threading through his voice. “Can I wander around a bit? Or at least get some fresh air outside? It’s really suffocating in here.”

There was a momentary silence before he heard the faint sound of footsteps approaching. The door opened slightly, revealing the guard’s imposing figure, arms crossed and expression unreadable.

“Your orders are to stay put,” the guard replied, his tone flat and unyielding. “Ryu doesn’t want you outside right now.”

Yuuki felt frustration creeping in at the guard’s dismissive nature. “I understand that, but I’m feeling trapped. It’s been days since—”

“Not my problem,” the guard interrupted tersely, cutting him off. “You’re safer here, and that’s all that matters.”

Yuuki thought "the hell he would be safe here!" The door began to close, but Yuuki quickly pressed his hand against it, desperation fueling his words. “Please! I just need to breathe some fresh air. I promise I won’t try to escape.”

After the brief encounter with the guard, Yuuki felt a surge of determination wash over him. The feeling of being trapped in his room was unbearable, and he knew he had to find a way to assert himself. Steeling his resolve, he returned to the door and knocked again, this time with renewed purpose.

The guard opened the door, his expression a mix of annoyance and curiosity. “What now?” he asked, his tone edged with impatience.

“Can I speak to Ryu?” he asked, trying to maintain a calm demeanor despite the anxiety churning within him. “I need to talk to him about this situation.”

The guard looked down at Yuuki, his expression neutral but slightly dismissive. “Ryu’s not at home at the moment,” he replied, shrugging as if it were a simple fact. “But I can let him know you want to speak with him once he returns.”

Yuuki's stomach sank at the news. He had hoped that Ryu would be accessible, that perhaps he could negotiate some semblance of freedom. “How long will he be gone?” he pressed, frustration creeping into his voice.

“Can’t say,” the guard replied, stepping back slightly to create distance. “You’ll have to wait. I suggest you be patient. There’s no use getting worked up over it.”

A wave of helplessness washed over Yuuki, and he felt the anger simmering beneath the surface. “But I can’t just sit here waiting!” he exclaimed, his voice rising involuntarily. “I need to understand what’s happening to me!”

The guard's eyes narrowed slightly at Yuuki's outburst. “Look, kid, I get it. You’re in a tough spot, but you’re fine here. Just take a breather, okay? I’ll let Ryu know when he gets back.”

He is becoming increasingly irritated by it. “You said that I would be fine. What the hell did you mean by that? Don’t you fucking realize the my situation?!”

With that, the guard turned on his heel, leaving Yuuki alone in the silence of the room. The weight of his words hung in the air, amplifying Yuuki’s sense of confinement. He paced the room, his thoughts racing as he contemplated his next move.

He couldn't shake the feeling of being trapped. There had to be more to Ryu's intentions than mere captivity, but until he could speak to Ryu, he felt powerless to change his situation.