Kaye walked a few steps behind her friends, the crisp autumn air doing little to dispel the gloom that had settled over her. The lively chatter of the group, filled with laughter, menu discussions, and plans for the afternoon, seemed distant and muffled, failing to penetrate the fog of her thoughts. Recent events weighed heavily on her, making her feel withdrawn and disconnected. Instead of appreciating the vibrant fall colors or the lively street, her mind was trapped in a loop of worry.

Ryo, however, noticed her retreat. His eyes frequently glanced back, a silent question in their depths, as if checking on her both physically and emotionally. His quiet concern was a faint comfort, a reminder that she wasn't entirely alone in her distress.

Reaching the restaurant, Kaye paused, a look of surprise crossing her face as she read a text message.

Ryo, instantly aware of her hesitation, approached. "Kaye, what is it?" he asked gently.

Kaye showed him the message, "It's Kento. He wants to meet at the waterfall in the park." A wave of guilt washed over her as she considered abandoning her friends. "Ryo," she bit her lip, "I feel bad bailing on you all, but... this is important."

Ryo nodded with understanding. "It's alright, Kaye. Go ahead. I'll explain to the others; they'll understand."

Offering a small, grateful smile, Kaye quickly turned and hurried towards the park. She arrived at the waterfall, but Kento wasn't there. 'He must be coming soon,' she told herself, resting her hands on the protective railing as she gazed at the cascading water.

Instead of the man she loved, it was Oni who appeared, his dark presence that clashed sharply with the serene setting. He was clearly enjoying her discomfort, taunted her, his voice laced with a mocking familiarity. "It's good to see you again," he purred.

Her surprise quickly turning to alertness, Kaye narrowed her eyes. "I was supposed to be meeting Kento here." Shifting into a defensive stance, ready to either fight or flee. "I must have read his text wrong, so I need to get back to my friends," she stated sharply.

Oni blocked her path, mirroring her every move. He reached out and ran his fingers along her cheek, making Kaye recoil, and then he grabbed her bicep with an iron grip. "Stay, I insist."

Fear welled up inside, but she hid it, her eyes hardening.

"I can see why the two of you like it here," Oni commented, clearly enjoying her unease, "no one around to see or hear you."

The next moment, Kaye yelped in surprise as she found herself dangling over the edge of the waterfall, scrambling desperately for a way to get back onto solid ground.

Oni yanked her back, his fingers grazing her cheek again. "Need to be more careful," he chided. "You were lucky I was here. Who knows how Rei Faun would react if something really bad happened to you? He chuckled before releasing her with a mocking, "What, no thank you for saving your life?"

Finally free, Kaye took a few steps back from him and then wasted no time fleeing back to the restaurant.

Oni watched her go, a satisfied smirk playing on his lips, knowing he had achieved his goal for now.

The vibrant energy of the restaurant swirled around them as Rowen, Cye, Sage, and Ryo settled at their table. The air, thick with the tantalizing scents of various cuisines, seemed momentarily muted by Sage's question, "Where did Kaye go?"

Ryo, with a practiced flick of his wrist, unfolded his napkin and answered, "She finally got a text from Kento. They're meeting at the waterfall in the park."

Cye's immediate concern was evident, a slight furrow appearing on his brow as he asked, "Do you think it was a good idea for her to go alone?"

Ryo assured his concern, "Kaye can take care of herself. Besides, those two need some time alone to talk anyway."

Despite Ryo's calm demeanor, Cye remained unsure, his protectiveness for Kaye surfacing.

Sensing his hesitation, Sage offered a comforting reminder, "Alright, if anything, Kaye has her phone, and she can let us know if she needs us or not."

Rowen, already immersed in the menu, added his reassurance, "And if she takes too long, just to ease your mind, we can call her too."

The collective reassurance finally seemed to ease the tension, allowing Cye to relax his shoulders slightly.

Kaye's breath hitched as she slowed to a walk, the restaurant just a block away. A quick, nervous glance over her shoulder confirmed Oni wasn't in pursuit. Relief washed over her as she sank onto a nearby bench, but it was short-lived.

Reaching for her phone, she reread Kento's text, a knot tightening in her stomach. The message felt wrong, a subtle discord that pricked at her intuition. Why would Oni be the one to show up if Kento sent the text? Her eyes widened as the realization slammed into her—it wasn't Kento. Oni had sent it. But how? Kento wouldn't just hand his phone over.

A surge of anger coursed through her, quickly overtaken by a sharp throb in her arm. The pain jolted her back to reality. She pocketed the phone, a grimace forming as she scanned her surroundings, spotting a small shop across the street. She headed inside, a quick wave to the attendant her only acknowledgment.

In the privacy of the changing room, she peeled off her jacket and sweater, revealing a rapidly darkening bruise blooming on her arm—a reminder of Oni's vice-like grip. She recalled the chilling strength of his hold, like iron clamping down on her. After putting her clothes back on, she left the shop, torn. Should she meet the guys or head home to safety? She knew her absence would worry them. Deciding on the safer option, she sent a quick message, explaining she was heading home. A taxi pulled up, and she slid inside, the familiar cityscape blurring outside the window as the car carried her further away.

The clatter of cutlery and murmured conversation at the restaurant abruptly ceased when Cye's phone buzzed. A quick glance at the screen brought a sigh of relief.
Rowen nudged him playfully as he glanced at Cye's phone. "See, you worried about nothing. Kaye's fine; she's going home."

Cye shrugged, a mixture of relief and lingering unease on his face. "Alright. Except her message says nothing about Kento." He checked his phone again to make sure he read it right. This omission caused a ripple of concern to spread across the table.

Ryo leaned back, a frown creasing his brow. "You think Kaye would at least mention him," he muttered.

Sage, having finished his meal, glanced around at his friends. "We can ask her what happened after we get back home," he offered, his tone practical.

The others agreed, realizing Sage had a point. They were all nearly finished eating anyway, and soon enough, they could see for themselves.

True to the message, a taxi pulled up to the house shortly after. Kaye, a little stiff as she moved, paid the driver and went inside. After dropping her jacket, she headed for the kitchen, grabbing a quick bite and something to drink. Settling at the table, her mind drifted back to the chaotic scene at the falls. She winced, touching her slightly sore arm, a wave of apprehension washing over her as she wondered how to explain everything to the guys.

Meanwhile...

In a different part of town, Kento walked alongside Wan and Shen; an uneasy environment settled around him. He noticed people actively avoiding their gaze, quickly retreating into their homes and businesses as the trio passed. A frown creased Kento's brow, the blatant fear perplexing him.

Shen, noticing his reaction, inquired, "Anything wrong?"

Kento hesitated, realizing the source of the unease, and shook his head, feigning ignorance. "No, everything is fine."

Wan, stopping before a door, impatiently beckoned them, "You coming? We don't have all day."

Kento hurried through, entering a dojo where students were diligently training. He looked between Wan and Shen, a question forming in his mind, "Is this why you had me come? To train?"

Wan dismissed the notion with a shake of his head, "No, we want you to see who is good enough for an upcoming street fight."

Kento was taken aback. "You want me to recruit?"

Shen, watching the training students, countered, "Do you have a problem with that?"

Kento, though internally conflicted, shook his head. "Not a problem," he replied, his gaze sweeping across the dojo, assessing the skill level of the students. He could see potential but also glaring deficiencies. He wondered if this was how they chose their fighters—hopping from dojo to dojo. He couldn't help but wonder if he could bring people into illegal activities; it went against his moral code of justice.

Wan was growing impatient. "Well?"

Kento redirected his attention to Wan, "If you want me to choose, then I can't be rushed. Especially if you want me to make a good choice."

Shen waved the warning off. "It's no big deal if you don't see someone here; we have a few more to visit anyway."

Kento observed closely. Most of the students were far too young to be involved in such a dangerous scheme. "I don't see anyone worth the time."

Wan and Shen exchanged a look and nodded. "Then we'll go to the next one," Wan announced.

Over the next few locations, the potential recruits were older and more experienced. Ultimately, Kento gave them a list of choices.

Wan nodded, "We'll let Lou Yan know, and he'll send the invitations." He glanced at his phone. "I got a message from Oni; he completed his job. So it's time for us to go."
Kento followed them out, realizing this was the reason behind the urgency.

"After we join up with Oni, you can have the rest of the day off, and we'll see you tomorrow."

Kento nodded, the gears in his mind already turning. Shaw and Yayoi had to get this information as soon as possible.

Oni was a poster boy in casual menace, leaning against the rough bark of the tree as if it were the most comfortable throne in the world. A subtle smirk played on his lips as he replayed his earlier encounter in his mind, a silent amusement that would send a shiver down Kento's spine.

Wan and Shen stood a few feet away, their gazes sharp and assessing as they took him in. "Job done?" Wan asked, his tone matter of fact.

Oni's nod was almost unnoticeable, yet it seemed to confirm unspoken agreements.

Kento frowned, the cryptic exchange grating on him.

Oni's gaze flicked towards them, a glint of something sharp in his eyes. "How did my new minor do on his first job?"

The possessive 'my' sent a fresh wave of discomfort through Kento, and he clenched his fists, trying to tamp down the rising tide of didn't like the way Oni spoke about him, like he was some kind of possession.

Shen raised a questioning eyebrow, a mixture of curiosity and veiled judgment in his gaze. "He did as well as expected," he replied, his tone as neutral as ever.

Oni's nod seemed to indicate satisfaction. He then reached out, almost casually, and plucked Kento's phone from his pocket before tossing it back to him.

Kento caught it, the plastic smooth against his palm, still unsure why Oni had taken it in the first place.

Oni pushed himself off the tree trunk, a smug grin plastered across his face. He'd successfully gotten under Kento's skin, a small victory that fueled his ego. Walking beside Kento, he stopped and chuckled, a low, throaty sound that seemed to hold a secret meaning. His eyes, dark and sharp, gleamed with amusement as he nodded to the other two men before finally turning and departing.

Kento watched his retreating back, a knot of unease tightening in his stomach. There was something about that glint in Oni's eyes that sent a shiver down his spine.

Wan, noticing Kento's disquiet, nudged him gently. "Come on," he said, a comforting hand on Kento's arm, "we'll take you back to the apartment."

Shen was already waiting at the car, his fingers flying across the screen of his phone, a text message in progress.

Kento, following Wan to the vehicle, couldn't help but wonder who Shen was communicating with. He had his suspicions.

Meanwhile...

Back at the manor, Kaye had finished her meal and efficiently cleaned up, returning to her seat just as the guys entered. Her mind was still a whirlwind of thoughts, replaying the unsettling encounter with Oni. The memory of his unnerving gaze and the sheer malice in his words lingered.

Ryo, noticing her quiet demeanor, walked over and gently placed a hand on her shoulder. "Hey..." he began, but her subtle flinch at his touch caused him to pull back, a flicker of confusion crossing his features as he glanced at the others.

Cye, concerned by the shift in energy, pulled a chair next to hers, his brow furrowed. "Kaye? What happened? Where's Kento?"

Kaye's eyes softened, a mixture of worry and frustration clouding their depths. She proceeded to explain the meeting was a trap, carefully laying out the details of how Oni had ambushed her. Her voice, though calm, carried a trace of anger as she relayed her suspicions about the text, convincing the others that Oni was the one who had sent it, masquerading as Kento.

Sage's mind had been circling back to the subtle tremor he'd witnessed in Kaye earlier. The way her body had recoiled when Ryo had innocently placed his hand on her shoulder had struck him as odd, and now, the question hung heavy in the air. He turned his gaze towards her, his brow furrowing slightly. "Kaye?" he asked gently, his voice laced with concern, "why did you flinch a little while ago?"

Kaye's shoulders tightened almost imperceptibly, a silent acknowledgment of the inevitable. Taking a deep breath, she deliberately removed her sweater and laid it on the table. Then, with a slow, deliberate motion, she rolled up her sleeve, revealing the damning evidence beneath. A large, angry bruise was blooming on her bicep, the distinct shape of a handprint clear against her pale skin.

A mixture of concern and anger washed over the faces of the four men, their expressions mirroring the turmoil brewing inside them. Rowen, his voice firm yet gentle, urged her onward, "Go on, Kaye. Tell us what happened."

Kaye, her gaze fixed on the table, took a moment before recounting the chilling truth. Her words were measured, each syllable carrying the weight of her experience, as she explained, "Oni...he held me over the falls by my arm, and then he yanked me back."

Cye's jaw tightened, the muscles in his face bunching as he glared at Ryo. A familiar, simmering anger began to bubble within him, fueled by the desperate situation they now found themselves in. "When you told us about Kaye receiving a text from Kento," he started, his voice low and dangerous, "I told you she shouldn't have gone alone. I specifically said it."

The words hung in the air, heavy with unspoken accusations and a palpable sense of frustration. It was a blame game, he knew, but he couldn't help the surge of resentment that clawed at him.

Rowen stepped forward slightly, his hands raised. "Cye, calm down," he urged, his voice a soothing balm against the harshness of Cye's tone. "No one could have known this was going to happen. It's not Ryo's fault, and getting angry isn't going to help."

Cye's shoulders slumped as he released a long breath, his eyelids heavy with the weight of his earlier outburst. Rowen's words had been a necessary prod, and the realization of his misdirected anger settled in like a cold stone. "I'm sorry, Ryo," he mumbled, the apology sincere, "I didn't mean to take my frustration out on you."

Ryo simply waved it off, a forgiving smile softening his features. "Don't worry about it. The important thing is Kaye is safe."

But the relief was short-lived. Kaye's voice, laced with a hint of guilt, interjected into the quiet moment. "I feel part of this is my fault," she confessed, her gaze shifting nervously around the room. "I left a voice mail on Kento's phone last night. I'm guessing Oni heard it when he had Kento's phone and set it up."

A collective silence fell, broken only by Sage. "Right now, figuring out blame is not important," he stated firmly, shaking his head. "What is important is that we figure out our next step."

Rowen nodded, the gears of his mind already turning, his eyes alight with a newfound determination. "I agree, and I think the plan of Kaye and me going to see my friends in town tomorrow is the best thing to do right now. We need to get on the offensive."

Ryo glanced around. "I agree; we'll go with Rowen's plan. While the two of you are doing that, the rest of us will start searching for Kento." He started to say, and then saw Kaye was about to speak, "Don't worry, we'll let you know if we see him." He saw her look of relief.

Lou Yan, having completed his rounds checking on his two businesses situated on the second floor, made his way down to Kento's apartment on the main floor. A sudden impulse seized him, and he decided to take advantage of Kento's absence to conduct a quick search. With his key, he unlocked the door and stepped inside, shutting it firmly behind him.

His eyes scanned the space, taking in the signs of Kento's settling in. Clothes were neatly stowed away in the bedroom, and the bathroom and kitchen were stocked, though the kitchen seemed only partially furnished with the basics, suggesting Kento had a healthy appetite when he saw a lot of empty cartons in the trash already. His attention was then drawn to the heavily used punching bag hanging in the corner, marked with dried blood that painted a grim picture of its brutal usage. It was clear Kento had been using the punching bag a lot.

Lou Yan mused over the fight Kento and Oni were in. They were savage to one another, each one taking on an extreme amount of punishment from one another. But it didn't matter to him, though; he could always find more fighters.

Before leaving, he spotted Kento's main phone lying on a side table. An odd sight, considering most people wouldn't leave such a vital device behind. He picked it up, a smirk tugging at his lips as he listened to the voicemail from Kaye, his eyes gleaming with a cunning interest. As he explored the phone's contents, nothing seemed amiss until he stumbled upon a name—Shaw. The name triggered a memory; he had encountered it before; it was linked to the undercover cop who had tried to infiltrate his organization before he brought in the bouncer. A frown creased his face. Was Kento another cop in disguise? He put down the phone and left the apartment quickly. He locked the door behind him. He confirmed his suspicions himself; it was time to keep a closer watch on his new fighter.