At the precinct, Detective Shaw leaned back in his chair. The weight of the conversation with Kento lingered in his mind. He sighed in exasperation, pinching the bridge of his nose as he recalled the frustrating back-and-forth. The hardhead had a knack for evading straightforward answers. Especially when they made Shaw's job harder. The case was complicated enough, starting with the missing cop from being sent in before Rei Faun. He had no information on the missing cop; most of his information was vague, and he gave half-hearted reassurances.
When he was about to dive back into the case files, his partner, Yayoi Date, strolled in with her usual spark. She noticed his weary demeanor and couldn't resist the opportunity to tease him. "Rough call with Kento?" Yayoi asked, a smirk dancing on her lips. Her eyes sparkled with mischief as she leaned against the doorframe with arms crossed.
Shaw raised a brow at her, "You'd think he'd learned how to communicate better by now, considering he's a friend of your brother." He shot her a playful glare, but the corners of his mouth betrayed him. They hinted at a smile as he rolled his eyes. "I'd admit it. Talking with him is like trying to pull teeth sometimes."
Yayoi chuckled, clearly enjoying her partner's discomfort. "You know, if he wasn't such a pain, we might actually solve this case a bit faster. It was your idea to involve him, remember," she quipped, her laughter echoing through the otherwise quiet precinct.
Shaw shook his head, unable to suppress a grin. With his partner's lighthearted banter easing his frustration, he felt ready to tackle the case ahead. Especially since it meant dealing with Kento's mysterious ways a little longer. Secretly, he hoped he didn't choose the wrong person for the job. But then again, it might be possible the hardhead would surprise him.
She studied her partner a bit while making her way to her seat. "I'm guessing you kept trying to push the idea of involving the others in the case, and Kento kept on telling you no. How close am I?"
Shaw leaned across his desk. "You already know the answer to your own question. He's still entirely against the idea. Kento doesn't want the others to be burdened by what's going on with this case. He believes he can do this on his own so the others will be protected." He frowned a bit, leaning back into his seat. "You know I'm not a fan of having someone going in alone on a case. He needs backup, whether he admits it or not." Frowning deeply, "We still have no idea what happened to the other one who went in undercover before Rei Faun, and he was a cop. The hard head has no cop experience."
Yayoi raised a brow at him, "Then why did you induct Kento into this investigation when you had reservations about it in the first place?"
"Because I knew he could handle himself, and he's one of the toughest fighters I've ever seen."
"There you go, you just convinced yourself of the reason why. All you had to do was to get yourself to say it out loud." Yayoi quipped, "Now then, let's get back to work."
Shaw and Yayoi sat directly across from one another; the tension in the air definitely was noticeable as they pored over the evidence laid out in front of them. Their desks were cluttered with all sorts of things, from files and photographs to coffee-stained notepads. It was a chaotic reflection of the extremely complex case they were trying to crack. Despite their shared goal, there was a sense of playful antagonism toward one another. Each one trying to outsmart the other while at the same time poking fun at their quirks and methods.
Shaw shot a knowing glance at Yayoi. A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. "You do realize the theory you're telling me is about as solid as a house of cards, right?" he quipped, as he enjoyed the banter a little more than the challenge.
Yayoi rolled her eyes as she made no attempt at all to hide her smile. "And yet, here we are, with your half-baked ideas still stuck in the mud. It might be possible if you focused less on your enormous ego and more on the evidence; we'd actually get somewhere." Their rivalry was most definitely a dance. Each time they took a step forward, it was usually followed with a playful jab. But deep down, they respected one another's tenacity and intellect. During their dissection of timelines and alibis, their laughter punctuated the seriousness of the task at hand. While reminding them that even in the heat of investigation, a little light-heartedness could go a long way. With every sarcastic remark, they built a partnership that made the long hours a lot more bearable. It drove them closer to solving the puzzle that lay ahead.
Shaw looked at his watch and glanced around; he noticed the overnight shift was starting to clock in for their shift. "Hey, time for us to call it a day. You know how much the chief is a stickler for paying overtime."
Yayoi stretched. "Yeah, I know. Besides, my eyes are starting to feel weird after staring at the evidence we have so far." She stood from her desk and waited for him.
Shaw raised a brow when he noticed she was still standing, waiting for him. "Yes?"
"Are you coming, or not? I don't have all night."
Shaw chuckled as he rose from his desk, "Well, since you asked so nicely, how can I refuse?" The two of them continued their potshots at one another as they clocked out and left for the night.
Back at the manor, Kento sat alone in his dimly lit room. The sting from the pain emitted from his wound was a constant reminder of the brutal fight he endured with Oni at the club. He meticulously dressed each cut and bruise; sharp and vivid memories of their clash flooded his mind. He recalled the raw power and brute force of the blows he received, the weight of Oni's fists, and the determination that fueled his own strikes in retaliation. He could still feel the impact of Oni's blows reverberating through his body, each punch a reminder of the ferocity of their encounter. Yet, it was not just the physical pain that gnawed at him; it was the lingering echo of Oni's taunt directed at Kaye. The exact moment when the street fighter's words became sharper than any blade. They ignited a fury within him that overshadowed the mere clash of fists. The street fighter did the most dangerous dare in provoking him, drawing his attention to Kaye in a way that felt extremely personal and unsettling.
Downstairs, concern was thick within the atmosphere. Kaye paced with anxiety, glancing at the staircase that led to Kento's room. She was torn between her concern for him and the others insisting he will be fine and just needs some time and space. She was feeling the weight of the situation pressing down on her. Every second that passed felt like an eternity as she imagined the pain he possibly was enduring alone.
The guys were trying to reassure her, insisting Kento needed time to gather himself after the fight.
Kaye knew they were right, but it didn't help the way she felt at the moment.
Kento opened his door, and the floor creaked when he stepped out of his room. The soft sound echoed in the quiet manor as it broke the stillness of the moment. He walked carefully to the top of the stairs. He saw Kaye and the others gathered in the living room. Their faces mixed with concern and relief.
As soon as Kaye saw Kento start coming down the stairs, a sense of relief washed over her. It felt like the tension that gripped her heart during the fight between Kento and Oni at the club started to melt away at the sight of him.
The guys made room for Kento as he finally stepped onto the main floor. Their expressions changed from worry to reassurance. Every one of them experienced the intensity of the recent fight, each one bearing their own scars, both visible and invisible.
As Kento came closer, he felt their eyes on him, a mix of questions and support swirling in the air.
One by one they started to question him, their voices overlapping in a chorus of concern.
"Are you holding up ok, Kento?" Ryo asked, furrowing his brow.
Kento took a deep breath, "I'm... managing," he replied as his words tumbled out more truthfully than he expected. "I need all of you to promise me something. After what you saw tonight, the way Oni is, please stay away from him. He's extremely dangerous and highly unstable, as all of you saw tonight. Actually, it might be better if none of you came by the club any more. From here on out it won't be safe for any of you to be there. Oni hangs out at the club more than I care for, but there's nothing I can do about it. So, please give me your word. When things are settled, I'll explain everything."
The guys and Kaye glanced around at one another, and then back towards Kento. His plea to have them stay away from the one who he just fought earlier tonight, they could tell their friend was serious and sincere about this. But also to stay away from the club? There was something else way more sinister going on than what he was telling them. So then why was he keeping it a secret?
Kento stood in front of his friends. His heart raced as he tried to make them understand the severity of his request. He saw the uncertainty and confusion reflected in their eyes as he felt a pang of frustration. It was infuriating they didn't understand how dire the situation had become. Mostly because he hasn't told them the real reason for him being there. It was too soon yet to tell any of them anything. He didn't have near enough evidence to shut down the underground fight club. "Look, I wouldn't be asking you this if it wasn't absolutely necessary," he repeated, his voice steady and a bit sharper than he intended, especially dealing with the turmoil within.
Kaye stepped forward; her brow furrowed with concern. "If it's so dangerous, why don't you just stop working there?" She asked, genuine confusion lacing her tone.
Kento felt a mix of emotions surging within him at her question; it was a blend of anger and helplessness. He clenched his fists tightly at his sides as he fought against the tide of frustration threatening to spill over. "I have my reason," he replied, his voice barely above a whisper as he turned his back to her. The weight of his decision pressed down on him, and he wished he could share everything behind his choices, but some burdens were too heavy to share, and some secrets were too dark to reveal.
Kaye felt her tears starting to form as her heart ached, a heavy weight pressing down on her chest. For a month, Kento has been distant, his laughter replaced by silence and his warmth by an unyielding chill. Each passing day felt like an eternity, filled with unsaid words and unresolved feelings echoing between them like a huge chasm. They once shared a bond that felt unbreakable. yet, now it seemed to unravel with every fleeting moment. Tonight was no different. This was the last straw. What was to be a simple conversation turned into a painful reminder of their growing divide. Every word felt like a dagger twisting deeper into her heart.
Kaye's frustration has hit its highest point, and in a moment of heated impulse, she let him know just how deeply his indifference affected her. "If you weren't already injured, I would have punched you," she shot back, her voice trembling with anger and hurt. Her words hung in the air, an unintentional revelation of turmoil swirling within her. It was as if she finally let out the truth she kept inside for so long. But rather than feeling vindicated, a deeper sorrow developed inside as she turned away. Her heart pounding in her chest. She raced up to her room and slammed the door behind her, sealing herself away from everything and everyone, especially the man who meant everything to her.
As she curled up into a ball on her bed, tears streamed down her face. Kaye couldn't help but replay the moments leading them here. She remembered the laughter they shared, the whispered dreams and promises that now felt so distant. It was cruel irony that the one person she longed to reach out to had become the source of her pain. The silence in her room was deafening, amplifying her heartbreak as she grappled with the realization that sometimes love wasn't enough to bridge the gaps created by distance. Hugging herself into a tighter ball, she wished for a way to turn back time, to erase the hurt, and to bring back the connection they used to have. But she knew better that healing would take more than just words; both of them would need to confront the growing rift before they were both entirely consumed by it.
The guys stood in a tense line behind Kento, each of their expressions a mix of confusion and simmering anger. The atmosphere was thick with none of them taking the chance to speak just yet as they turned their gazes towards him, the source of their frustration.
Cye's voice was the first to cut through the silence; it was mixed with disbelief and urgency. "What the bloody hell is wrong with you!?" His outburst echoed the concerns of the others. It was a collection of emotions that were brewing beneath the surface.
Rowen instinctively placed a hand on Cye's arm, holding him back as he assessed the situation. True enough, he remembered him getting this angry; he was on the receiving end of his punch, but this time he wasn't the target. The blue-haired archer shook his head at him as he noticed immediately the tension radiating from their friend's body; he was coiled like a spring, more than ready to snap.
Kento stood there with his back still to them. He felt the weight of their scrutiny. He didn't blame Kaye for her outburst; he knew she was merely voicing the hurt she was holding inside during this whole time. As the reality of the situation sank in, his heart twisted painfully in his chest, every single beat a reminder of the turmoil he caused. He felt like he was being pulled apart, the guilt clawing at him with each breath. He understood their anger and confusion, but yet he was trapped within his own emotions, unable to find the right words to bridge the chasm that opened between them.
The air in the room crackled with extreme tension, each one acutely aware of the underlying currents swirling around them.
Rowen stood firm, his body language strong as he kept Cye at bay, unwilling to let emotions boil over into chaos. They had already seen much of that earlier tonight; there was no need for anymore.
Sage, sensing the mounting anxiety, scanned them, his heart heavy with the weight of the moment. Closing his eyes for a brief second, drawing a deep breath, and then opening his eyes again, a calm resolve settled within him. "We need to try to calm down," he suggested gently, his voice steady and reassuring, hoping to diffuse the charged atmosphere.
Ryo continued to observe everyone, shot a knowing glance at Sage, and nodded in agreement. He understood all too well that the answers would stay hidden as long as tempers kept flaring and voices were being raised. In this extreme moment, they all knew communication was the key, but first the tension had to be dealt with before anything else could be resolved.
Kento was fidgeting nervously and began to sense the start of the oppressive weight of the room lift. Though he still sensed a major amount of anger and frustration lingered under the surface, he felt some flicker of hope as he made a conscious decision to follow Sage's lead and focus on calming. Even though he did start to calm some with the breathing, it didn't mean he was going to lower his guard and be open with them, at least not yet. His thoughts stayed locked, hesitant on explaining himself. "Guys, look, gomen. But I'm not close to being ready to explain everything, but I will, I promise. You all know me. I have my reasons." He replied as he walked to the counter and took his jacket and keys to his motorcycle. Stopping and then glancing back at them, "Look, I know I messed up big time. I'll make it up to all of you and Kaye too when the time comes. But the best I can do at the moment is apologize and leave for now."
Ryo looked at him in concern, "Kento, wait, where are you going?"
"Sorry, but if I stick around, there'll be another verbal throwdown, and I'd rather not have a second round, especially after the thrashing at the club earlier tonight. Being away from here is the best thing for everyone." Kento replied as he waved and then walked out the door. Slipping on his jacket and helmet, he mounted his bike and took off towards the city.
Kento rode up to the Jade Dragon's parking lot; the roar of his motorcycle faded as he pulled in and parked closer to the building. He dismounted with a practiced ease, shoving his keys into his pocket while his eyes narrowed at the establishment that felt more like a prison than a sanctuary. Under any other possibilities, if he didn't know this place was associated with an underground fight club, he would be actually enjoying himself. But this wasn't the case. To the other people in the city who didn't know about the club's secret, it had a reputation for having wild nights and crazy crowds, but tonight for him, it was more like the bane of his existence.
Kento entered through the back entrance and walked up to the bouncer station to see if the owner was still here. He was informed Lou Yan was in his office. "Thanks," he replied and walked on by. On his way, he saw Wan and Shen taking inventory and having other crews cleaning the club. Part of him felt guilty for the destruction, but then again the other part of him not so much, especially when he knows what happens behind closed doors. Kento climbed up to the top floor and knocked on Lou Yan's door.
"Enter," came Lou Yan's voice, tinged with curiosity.
Kento pushed the door open and stepped inside, finding the owner at his desk with a look of mild surprise at his bouncer being there at this time of night.
"So, what brings you to my office so late, especially after your fight with Oni? I thought you'd be back with your friends resting." Lou Yan stated as he studied him.
Kento took a breath and then started to explain, "See, I need a place to stay for tonight, or a few more. Things are a bit tense back home, and I need time to myself." He felt himself squirm a bit from the steely gaze he was getting from his boss. The stare made him feel unnerved, like he was the type of person you didn't want to cross.
Lou Yan reached down and pulled open a drawer. He reached in and threw Kento a set of keys. "Here, they belong to a place around the corner. It's the only one on the main floor. Don't go any higher than that. There are other businesses on the other two floors."
Kento caught the keys with ease and bowed to him in gratitude, "Thank you, sir. I appreciate it."
"Oh, and Rei Faun, one more thing. There is a condition to letting you stay there."
"What condition?" Kento asked as he felt a few goosebumps starting to feel his stomach churn a bit.
Lou Yan smirked at him as his eyes gleamed, "You are to be one of my fighters from here on out. Not just a bouncer. Do you understand me?"
Kento swallowed hard when he heard him say these words, but he nodded in understanding. "Yes... Yes, sir."
"Good, now get out of here. I have work to do."
Kento pocketed the keys to the building around the corner from where he was staying. He then made his way to the door. As he reached for the knob, he stopped and glanced behind him. "Um, sir, about this weekend, if you need me to work, I can."
Lou Yan raised a brow towards him and shook his head, "No, take it off. You'll need the time to recover. Come back Monday night like I told you before. Now get out of here before I change my mind."
Kento nodded and quickly went out the door; he went down the stairs and out the back. Taking out the keys to the building, he found it with ease; it was directly around the corner. He went into the building and straight to the door, unlocking it and going inside the apartment. Flipping on the lights, he locked the door behind him. Walking through the apartment, he made note of things mentally. This was it; he was in officially, not just a bouncer, but an underground street fighter under Lou Yan, none the less. He was excited about his mission being met, but yet dreading it because he knew he had to keep lying to his friends and Kaye longer.