CHAP 67 - 70

Chap 67 : Field trip

The hum of the bus engine blended with the excited chatter of students. The air buzzed with energy—today was the big field trip.

Amidst the noise, Kyoya flipped open the screen of his professional camera and hit record.

Misaki, sitting beside him, tilted her head in curiosity. “You brought a professional video camera?”

Kyoya grinned. “Of course. This is for memories.”

Misaki raised an eyebrow. “You sure you’re not secretly a stalker?”

Kyoya gasped dramatically. “How dare you? I am but a humble documenter of history!”

Misaki chuckled. “Suuure. And let me guess, all the footage is of me?”

Kyoya smirked but said nothing. Instead, he turned the camera toward her and zoomed in way too close.

“Look at this rare, grumpy creature in her natural habitat,” he narrated like a wildlife documentary.

“Kyoya—!”

Misaki tried to swat the camera away, but he dodged, laughing. The rest of the bus ride was filled with her blushing, Kyoya teasing her, and stolen glances.

Meanwhile, in the row behind them, Hiro was suffering.

Yuna had snuggled up to him, resting her head on his shoulder. For most people, this was heaven. But for Hiro?

He was too nervous to move.

What do I do?! Do I breathe? Do I NOT breathe?! What if she notices my heartbeat is too fast?!

His panic only increased when Yuna yawned and wrapped her arms around his waist.

Hiro short-circuited.

Kyoya, noticing his distress, casually leaned over and whispered, “If you keep holding your breath like that, you will die.”

Hiro almost choked on air.

Yuna blinked up at him. “You okay?”

“Y-Yep! Totally fine! Nothing’s wrong at all! Haha!”

Kyoya and Misaki exchanged amused glances.

This trip was going to be fun.


---

First Stop: Nara – Deer Park

The moment they entered the park, Hiro and Kyoya made a terrible mistake.

They bought deer crackers.

A lot of deer crackers.

“Look, the deers are so cute!” Yuna said, holding her phone up for pictures.

Misaki nodded. “Yeah, they look so peaceful.”

Meanwhile, Hiro and Kyoya were being chased.

The moment they took out the crackers, an army of deer surrounded them.

“HELP!” Hiro yelped, sprinting across the park.

Kyoya wasn’t faring any better. “I DIDN’T SIGN UP FOR THIS!”

“STOP RUNNING!” Misaki yelled, trying to hold in her laughter. “THEY THINK YOU’RE PLAYING TAG!”

Yuna, recording everything on her phone, grinned. “This is gold.”

After several near-death experiences, the group finally managed to get their cute antlers and take photos.

Hiro was still traumatized. “I’m never trusting a deer again.”

Kyoya, exhausted, wiped his forehead. “At least they didn’t steal my camera.”

Yuna smirked. “But they did steal your dignity.”

Kyoya sighed. “Fair.”


---

Next Stop: Kyoto – Shrine Visits & Photos

Walking through Kyoto felt like stepping back in time.

The couples took tons of pictures—shrine selfies, couple poses, and even some goofy ones where Kyoya photobombed Hiro and Yuna.

At one point, Hiro tried to be romantic.

“Let’s take a cute couple photo,” he said, confidently pulling Yuna close.

The moment he did—his foot slipped on a rock.

“WAH—”

He faceplanted.

Kyoya collapsed laughing.

Even Yuna had to stifle a giggle before helping Hiro up. “Smooth.”

Hiro, covered in dirt, muttered, “I meant to do that.”

Misaki sighed, “This is why we can’t take you anywhere.”


---

Third Stop: Osaka – Food Heaven

Kyoya shined in Osaka.

At every food stall, he skillfully won rock-paper-scissors battles with vendors to get extra servings for free.

“HOW?!” Hiro shouted after watching Kyoya win again.

Kyoya smirked. “Skill.”

Meanwhile, Yuna was force-feeding Hiro takoyaki.

“Yuna—! I can’t eat anymore!”

“Shh. Just one more.”

“You said that five bites ago!”

Misaki watched them and whispered to Kyoya, “They’re like a mom and her toddler.”

Kyoya nodded. “It’s beautiful.”

Hiro, struggling to chew, glared at them.


---

Final Stop: Amusement Park

At the park entrance, the couples split up.

Kyoya & Misaki’s Date

Since Misaki couldn’t go on the extreme rides, Kyoya made it his mission to win her prizes.

At the shooting game booth, he sniped every single target.

“Boom. Headshot.”

Misaki, holding the huge teddy bear he won, raised an eyebrow. “Do you live in arcades?”

Kyoya smirked. “You could say I have experience.”

They continued winning games—bracelets, necklaces, and more plushies.

Misaki giggled. “You do realize I can’t carry all this, right?”

Kyoya casually handed her the biggest teddy bear. “Then I guess you’ll have to let me carry you home instead.”

Misaki turned red.

Kyoya just grinned.

Meanwhile… Hiro & Yuna’s Wild Ride

Yuna was thriving on the extreme rides.

Hiro?

Not so much.

Every time the ride flipped, Hiro’s soul left his body.

By the time they got to the Ferris Wheel, he was pale.

“Hiro, are you okay?” Yuna asked, amused.

“I-I’m fine,” Hiro said, gripping the seat. “Totally fine.”

As the Ferris wheel reached the top, Yuna suddenly whispered, “Thank you.”

Hiro blinked. “For what?”

“For trying. Even though you were terrified.”

Hiro swallowed. Her smile was too dazzling.

So, for the first time—

He kissed her.

Yuna’s eyes widened. But before she could react, Hiro pulled back, smirking.

“Your lips are really sweet.”

Then he kissed her again.

By the time the ride ended, they were so lost in their own world that they forgot to leave.

The Ferris wheel staff had to clear their throat loudly.

Both of them turned bright red before rushing out.


---

The End of the Trip

At the bus, Hiro and Yuna hugged, savoring the moment.

Meanwhile, Kyoya pinched Misaki’s cheeks playfully.

“Ow! What was that for?!” she pouted.

Kyoya chuckled. “Because you’re cute.”

Misaki huffed. “Idiot.”

And just like that, the field trip ended.


---

Late That Night…

Kyoya sat alone in his room.

He opened a small wooden box and placed a USB drive inside.

On the lid, written in careful letters—

“Misaki.”

His fingers hovered over the box for a moment before he closed it.

His smile was soft. But his eyes weren’t.


---

End of Chapter.



Chapter 68: Shadows Behind Smiles


---

A dimly lit room. A single phone rang.

The man on the other end answered with a sharp tone. “It’s time.”

Two men—thugs dressed in dark clothes—stood outside a small apartment. One of them adjusted his gloves. The other rolled his shoulders.

They knocked.

The door creaked open, revealing Yuna’s father. His face paled the moment he saw them.

“Uh… can I help you?” he asked, his voice strained with forced politeness.

One of the thugs smirked. “Yeah. We’re looking for you.”

His heart slammed against his ribs. “W-what do you mean?”

Before he could react, one of the men shoved him inside. The other clamped a rough hand over his mouth, muffling his panicked cries.

The door slammed shut.

A fist connected with his gut. The air was ripped from his lungs.

Another blow—his cheek burned, and the metallic taste of blood filled his mouth.

“Ugh—! Stop—!”

A punch to the ribs. His body hit the floor. His breaths came out in ragged gasps.

One thug pulled out a phone, dialing a number. The screen lit up—video call.

When Yuna’s father saw who was on the other end, his blood boiled.

Yuna’s stepfather.

That smug, arrogant face.

“You… coward,” Yuna’s father spat, wiping blood from his lips.

The man on the phone chuckled. “Coward? No, no. I’m just ensuring you understand your place.”

“You think you can scare me?” He tried to get up, but a heavy boot slammed onto his back, pinning him down.

Yuna’s stepfather’s voice remained calm. “I don’t think, I know.”

He flicked his fingers, signaling the thugs.

More brutal punches. A kick to the ribs. A knee to the chest.

Yuna’s father coughed violently.

“Enough.”

The beating stopped.

“I trust we have an understanding now?” the stepfather said.

Yuna’s father’s vision blurred. His entire body ached.

“I’ll do what I want,” he growled.

A sigh from the phone. “Wrong answer.”

Another blow sent him crashing against the floor.

Minutes passed before his stepfather spoke again. “Let me be clear. You stay away from Yuna. From my family. Or next time… it won’t just be a warning.”

Yuna’s father, trembling in pain, stayed silent.

For the first time… he knew.

The man who replaced him was far more dangerous than he ever imagined.


---

The city was lively that day.

Kyoya stretched his arms. “Ah, what a great day to spend time with my favorite people.”

Misaki glanced at him. “I thought your favorite people were the arcade machines.”

Kyoya gasped. “Misaki, please. Those machines never laugh at my jokes. Unlike you.”

She rolled her eyes. “I don’t laugh. I just pity you.”

Yuna giggled. “You two fight like an old married couple.”

Hiro, walking beside her, tripped over nothing.

“WAH—!”

Kyoya casually grabbed the back of his shirt before he hit the pavement. “Easy there, champ.”

Hiro, red-faced, mumbled, “I meant to do that.”

The mall buzzed with activity.

Kyoya and Hiro went ahead while Misaki and Yuna walked behind them.

Yuna leaned in, whispering, “Hiro’s cute when he’s flustered.”

Misaki smirked. “You should see him in class when you’re not around. He stares at your seat like a lost puppy.”

Yuna’s cheeks turned slightly pink.

Meanwhile, Kyoya dragged Hiro into a clothing store.

“You need a new look, my guy,” Kyoya declared.

Hiro groaned. “Do I have to?”

“Yes. Now put this on.” Kyoya shoved a bright pink hoodie into Hiro’s hands.

Hiro stared at it. “Why does this say ‘Cutie Pie Supreme’?”

Kyoya grinned. “Because it matches your vibe.”

Yuna and Misaki watched as Hiro suffered.

After shopping, they headed to the cinema.

Kyoya bought popcorn—the largest size.

Halfway through the movie, Hiro reached for some—

Only for Kyoya to slap his hand away.

“Dude!” Hiro whispered.

Kyoya took another dramatic bite. “Get your own, peasant.”

Hiro grumbled before Yuna hand-fed him some of hers.

His face turned scarlet.

Misaki nudged Kyoya. “Jealous?”

Kyoya smirked. “Nah. If I wanted to be fed, I’d just fake choking and let you save me.”

Misaki stared at him. “I’d let you die.”

Kyoya gasped. “You wound me.”

Dinner was just as eventful.

Hiro accidentally knocked over a glass.

Yuna caught it just in time. “Hiro. Baby. Focus.”

“I’m trying,” Hiro groaned, covering his face.

Kyoya, meanwhile, had a different problem.

“Misaki,” he whispered, leaning close.

She sighed. “What now?”

“I made a huge mistake.”

“…What?”

Kyoya pointed at the menu.

“I ordered something spicy.”

Misaki blinked. “And?”

“I’m dying.”

Misaki, completely unimpressed, handed him water. “You idiot.”

“Hold my hand,” Kyoya pouted. “I’m fading away.”

Misaki rolled her eyes. But she did hold his hand—for exactly two seconds before pulling away.

Kyoya grinned like an idiot.


---

The night ended with Kyoya walking Misaki home.

“Today was fun,” she admitted.

Kyoya smirked. “Of course. I was there.”

Misaki scoffed. “You’re impossible.”

As she turned to go inside, Kyoya suddenly called out.

“Hey, Misaki.”

She glanced back. “What?”

Kyoya looked at her for a moment—his usual playful smirk replaced by something softer.

“…Nothing. Goodnight.”

She hesitated before nodding. “Goodnight, Kyoya.”

She disappeared inside.

Kyoya exhaled and started walking.

The streets were quiet. A soft breeze rustled through the trees.

And then—

A shadow moved.

Kyoya stopped.

His sharp eyes locked onto a figure standing just ahead, face obscured by the darkness.

He narrowed his eyes.

“…Who are you?”

The figure didn’t answer.

Kyoya clenched his jaw. His heart pounded—not with fear, but with instinct.

Something wasn’t right.

The air felt heavy.

The figure took a step forward.

Kyoya’s fists tightened.

Then—

The streetlight flickered.

And the figure vanished.

Kyoya stood there, breathless.

His fingers curled around the camera strap on his shoulder.

Something told him…

This was just the beginning.


---

End of Chapter.

Chapter 69: The Prince’s Limited Time


---

The dim alleyway was eerily quiet, save for the distant hum of streetlights. Kyoya barely had time to react before two sets of hands grabbed him from behind, locking his arms in place.

A figure stepped forward, grinning like a villain in a low-budget movie. He cracked his knuckles, his stance full of arrogance.

"Well, well, well," he drawled. "Looks like the little hero got caught."

Kyoya blinked. "…Okay, and you are?"

The man’s grin faltered. His eye twitched.

"I'm Ryobi," he said, annoyed. "Ring any bells?"

Kyoya gasped dramatically. "Oh my god… you're Batman?"

The two thugs holding him barely managed to suppress their laughter.

Ryobi’s face turned red. "NO, YOU IDIOT!" He threw a punch straight into Kyoya’s stomach, making him double over.

"You ruined my life!" Ryobi snarled.

Kyoya wheezed. "Bro, I just met you. Are you sure you're not confusing me with your dad?"

One of the thugs lost it and let out a loud snort.

Ryobi gritted his teeth, then took a deep breath. "Alright, since your tiny brain doesn’t remember, let me educate you. It all started because of your brother and you."


---

Flashback: Ryobi’s Worst Night

The bar was alive with music, people dancing under dim neon lights. Ryobi leaned back on a couch, an arm around his girlfriend, exuding peak arrogance.

"You know," he said, swirling his drink, "I don’t get why Waku and his brother act scared of that guy Renji."

His girlfriend smirked. "Yeah, I only like strong guys anyway."

Ryobi puffed out his chest. "Exactly! What’s the big deal? That guy’s old news. Watch, babe—I’ll prove it."

At that moment, the doors to the bar swung open.

A tall figure stepped in.

The air shifted. The music still played, but the people near the entrance went quiet.

Renji Sakuragi had arrived.

He didn’t speak. He didn’t look around. He walked straight toward one person.

Ryobi.

Ryobi smirked. "Well, well, well. If it isn’t grandpa. You come here to drink some warm milk before bedtime?"

Renji’s expression didn’t change. "Get up."

Ryobi scoffed. "Oh, so we’re skipping the introductions? Fine, fine. I’ll make this quick."

He cracked his knuckles and stepped forward. The people nearby moved back.

With a confident grin, Ryobi threw his hardest punch—straight into Renji’s torso.

There was a loud thud.

Nothing happened.

Renji didn’t flinch. Didn’t even blink.

Ryobi frowned. He followed up with a flurry of punches. Left, right, uppercut, body shot.

Renji just stood there.

His face was unreadable. His eyes… they were cold.

Ryobi’s confidence began to waver.

It felt like he was punching a brick wall.

He glanced at his girlfriend—she was watching.

Shit. He had to do something.

He grabbed a bottle from the bar counter and hurled it.

It shattered against Renji’s head, blood trickling down his temple.

Renji. Didn’t. React.

Ryobi’s heart dropped. His instincts screamed at him to run.

He took a step back. Then another. His legs shook.

Renji took one step forward.

"Get away from me!" Ryobi yelped, his voice cracking.

Renji stepped forward again.

Ryobi tripped. His girlfriend made a face—a mix of disgust and secondhand embarrassment.

She turned and left.

Ryobi felt his world crumble. "B-Babe, wait—"

Renji loomed over him. "Get up."

"N-No, please—"

"Get. Up."

Ryobi, on the verge of tears, scrambled to his feet.

Renji raised his fist. Ryobi saw it in slow motion.

The fist was massive. It was like staring down an incoming train.

"Wait—"

BAM.

Darkness.


---

When he woke up, he was in a hospital bed.

His entire jaw ached. He lifted a shaking hand to his mouth—his front teeth were gone.

His phone buzzed.

Girlfriend: We’re done. Don’t contact me.

Ryobi stared at the message.

Then he screamed.


---

Back to the Present

Kyoya blinked after hearing the story.

"So… let me get this straight," he said, still held by the two thugs. "You willingly fought a guy built like a final boss, got your ass beat so hard you needed dental work, and somehow… that’s my fault?"

Ryobi twitched. "YES! If you and your brother didn’t exist, none of that would have happened!"

Kyoya deadpanned. "Bro, that’s like losing at Mario Kart and blaming the controller."

The thug on the left snorted.

Ryobi lost it. "SHUT UP! SHUT UP! SHUT UP!!!" He stomped the ground like an angry toddler.

Then, he smirked again. "But you know what? I’ve done my homework, Kyoya. I know your little secret."

Kyoya’s blood ran cold.

Ryobi leaned in and whispered something.

Kyoya’s face froze.

The two thugs holding him stiffened. The one on the right muttered, "Ryobi… maybe this ain’t right, man."

Ryobi scoffed. "I already paid you. If you don’t like it, walk."

Kyoya’s breathing became uneven. How did Ryobi know?

Ryobi pulled out his phone and pressed a button. "Is the job done?"

A voice responded, "Yes, boss."

Somewhere else, Renji’s bakery was in ruins—shattered glass, broken furniture, stolen goods.

Kyoya’s eyes widened in horror.

Ryobi grinned. "This is just the beginning, prince. Your time is ticking!"

With one last smirk, he punched Kyoya in the face.

Everything faded to black.


---

End of Chapter

Chapter 70: Blood and Ashes


---

The house was quiet except for the ticking of the clock. The hands moved steadily, indifferent to the world’s chaos.

He sat by the window, watching the night swallow the streets in darkness. The lights from passing cars flickered against the walls, but none of them stopped outside.

Still no sign of him.

He exhaled sharply, fingers tapping against his arm. How many times had he told the brat to come home early? Yet, as usual, he was late. Kyoya always had a way of ignoring warnings, but this—this was different. Something didn’t sit right.

A sound broke through his thoughts.

A soft groan.

He turned, eyes narrowing as he saw the figure on the couch shifting, her face scrunching up in discomfort.

"You okay?"

She didn’t answer immediately. Then—her hand moved to her stomach.

"I feel dizzy," she muttered. "And I was throwing up earlier."

The worry that had been gnawing at his chest twisted into something new. He moved quickly, kneeling beside her. She was pale. Too pale.

"We’re going to the hospital," he said, already scooping her up in his arms before she could protest.

"Renji—"

"No arguments," he snapped, carrying her to the car.

She didn’t resist.


---

The sterile scent of the hospital clung to the air. The room was quiet except for the steady beeping of machines and the occasional murmurs of passing nurses.

The doctor stood in front of them, clipboard in hand, eyes flicking between the two. And then—

"Congratulations," the doctor said with a small smile. "She’s one month pregnant."

Time seemed to stop.

His mind emptied. The world stilled.

And then, just like that, it slammed back into motion. His hands trembled as he stared at her.

She looked up at him, her eyes wide with something between shock and joy. Slowly, a smile spread across her face.

"We’re having a baby," she whispered.

It wasn’t just the words that hit him—it was the weight behind them. The sheer, undeniable reality of it.

A child. Their child.

He exhaled, shaking his head in disbelief before pulling her into his arms. His grip was tight, desperate, as if he was afraid she would vanish.

She laughed softly against his shoulder, wrapping her arms around him in return.

"I guess we need to start making plans," she murmured.

He swallowed, nodding. "Yeah. We do."

A room. A name.

If it were a boy… If it were a girl…

A future.

For the first time in a long time, hope felt tangible.

And then—

His phone buzzed.

He pulled away, frowning as he took it out of his pocket.

A call.

He stepped outside, letting her rest, and answered.

Static crackled on the other end. And then—

"How are you, my friend?"

A voice. Familiar. Mocking.

His grip on the phone tightened.

"Who are you?" he asked coldly.

Laughter. Low, amused.

"I've sent you a present on your SNS. Open it."

The call ended.

His chest tightened with a feeling he couldn't place. Quickly, he pulled up his social media. A new message. A photo.

His blood turned to ice.

A picture of his bakery.

Or rather—what was left of it.

Glass shattered. Tables overturned. Bread and pastries crushed into the floor like dirt. His livelihood—his dream—destroyed.

But that wasn’t the worst part.

The next photo—

Kyoya.

Gagged. Bound. A knife pressed against his cheek.

A thin line of blood ran down his skin.

Something inside him snapped.

His fingers clenched the phone so tightly his knuckles went white.

Another message appeared. A location.

His body moved before his mind could catch up.

The drive felt like a blur, his mind a hurricane of fury and dread.

When he arrived, the building was old, abandoned, the kind of place that reeked of blood and secrets.

The moment he stepped inside—

They swarmed him.

Five. Ten. Fifteen. More.

Figures lunged at him from the shadows, fists flying, weapons gleaming.

His instincts took over.

He dodged, weaving between them like a ghost. A punch to the ribs—he barely felt it. A knife slashed toward him—he caught the attacker’s wrist, twisted—snap. A scream.

Another came at him with a bat. He ducked, driving his fist into the man’s stomach, sending him crumpling to the floor.

They kept coming. And he kept breaking them.

One by one.

Until the floor was littered with bodies, groaning, twitching, unable to rise.

His breath was heavy, shoulders heaving. But he didn’t stop.

He moved forward.

Through the doorway.

And there—

Kyoya.

Tied to a chair, struggling, eyes wide with something between fear and frustration.

And standing beside him—

The bastard himself.

The man grinned.

"I'm Ryobi. Do you remember me?"

He took a step forward.

"Get your hands off my brother."

Ryobi smirked, pressing the knife against Kyoya’s face, dragging it slowly. A thin wound formed, blood beading against his skin.

Kyoya flinched, his breath coming in harsh, muffled bursts.

Ryobi smirked. "Sit. Or else." The knife pressed deeper.

He sat.

Kyoya’s muffled voice rang in his head. No. Don’t do it.

"Good boy," Ryobi sneered. He gestured to his men. "Bring them in."

More figures entered. A dozen. Two dozen. Smirking. Leering.

Ryobi grinned wider. "Bark."

Silence.

The air was suffocating.

And then—

"Come on. Bark, Renji. Or do I need to carve something into your little brother first?"

He glared.

The room was dead quiet.

Then—

A single bark.

Ryobi laughed. The others followed. It echoed through the room, bouncing off the walls, sinking into his skin.

His vision blurred with rage.

Ryobi sighed, wiping a fake tear from his eye. "Man, that was so satisfying. But I don’t like that look on your face, old man. It’s pissing me off." He nodded at his men. "Fix it."

The first punch struck his ribs. He didn’t flinch.

The next one hit his face. Then another to his stomach. His lip split. Blood dripped onto the floor. His body ached. His knees wobbled.

But he refused to fall.

"No, don’t do it, brother… please, someone help us!"

Kyoya thrashed, his muffled cries barely audible.

Another punch. Then a kick. He hit the ground.

Through blurry vision, he saw Ryobi laughing.

And then, in a voice filled with venom, Ryobi snarled, "I don’t like that glare. Finish him."

The knives came out.

Renji didn’t move.

A sharp sting. Blood dripped down his face. A small wound. Nothing fatal.

Ryobi grinned, spinning the knife between his fingers.

"Let’s see how long you last, tough guy."

The cold metal of the knife gleamed under the dim lights. A sickening grin stretched across Ryobi’s face as he waved his hand.

"Bring out your toothpicks."

The goons surrounding them grinned, pulling out their knives, each blade catching the faint glow of the room. Renji, still seated, his body stiff from pain, clenched his fists as he heard the distinct sound of metal scraping against leather.

"Now," Ryobi's voice was laced with amusement. "One by one. Let's see how much you can take before you finally break."

The first knife plunged into Renji’s back. A sharp pain shot through his body, but he clenched his teeth, refusing to give Ryobi the reaction he wanted. Another followed. Then another. Each stab burned, his skin tearing, his shirt soaking with blood.

Kyoya thrashed against his restraints, his muffled screams lost behind the gag. His heart pounded erratically against his chest as he watched, horror seeping into his bones.

"No! Stop! Please! Don’t hurt my brother!"

He bit down on the gag hard, shaking his head, struggling, desperate to move, desperate to do anything. His eyes blurred with tears.

"What did he do to deserve this?! Someone, please—please help us!"

Another knife sank into Renji’s flesh. His body jerked, yet he did not make a sound. Kyoya gasped, his breathing uneven, his heart aching with an unbearable pain. It felt as though something inside him was tearing apart. He wanted to clutch his chest, to make it stop, but his hands were tied. His fingers twitched, curling into a fist as his vision darkened.

"Please… stop…"

His body slumped. His breathing slowed. His world faded to black.

Renji’s head snapped up at the sight of Kyoya going limp, a jolt of panic coursing through him. Kyoya…?

Ryobi crouched in front of him, tilting his head, chuckling. "You still holding out? Thought you were tougher than this, but look at you now. Not so almighty anymore, huh?"

Renji panted heavily, his back burning, blood dripping from his wounds. "Ah… it hurts… My back... but… Kyoya…"

Ryobi’s amusement only grew as he glanced over at Kyoya. "Oh? Your little brother’s all quiet now. Maybe he finally broke."

Something snapped inside Renji.

Ryobi’s hand had barely lifted when a fist collided with his face, the force so brutal that the sickening crack of breaking bones echoed through the room. His body flew back, slamming against the concrete wall before crumpling onto the floor, groaning in agony.

The room fell silent.

The goons froze, staring wide-eyed. The man they had been stabbing moments ago—the one they thought was on the verge of collapse—now stood before them like a demon bathed in blood.

Renji’s breath was ragged, his vision blurry, but his eyes burned with an untamed fury. His muscles ached, his body screamed for rest, but he took a step forward. Then another. The goons flinched.

One of them rushed at him, knife raised.

Big mistake.

With one swift move, Renji caught his wrist and snapped it back. A scream filled the room before being cut short by a brutal kick to the stomach. Another charged—Renji grabbed him by the collar, slamming his head into the floor. More followed, but they were nothing more than obstacles in his path. He tore through them with raw, unrelenting force, his knuckles bloodied, his body battered, but he did not stop.

"Kyoya."

He staggered toward his unconscious brother, lifting him onto his back, his vision spinning.

"No… don’t die. Please… don’t die."

His voice trembled. His words were slurred. His body was numb. But he moved.

The goons did not stop him. They didn’t dare. They had seen something inhuman that night.

Renji stumbled through the streets, blood dripping with every step. The hospital’s bright lights burned his eyes, his legs barely holding him up. The moment he saw the doctors rushing toward him, he forced himself to speak.

"Help… my brother..."

Then, darkness took him.

And everything faded to black.

Chapter end