Inside the Mansion – Midnight
The air inside the grand room was quiet, save for the soft hum of an old ceiling fan turning above.
Renji Hayato sat comfortably on a velvet chair, his eyes watching the flickering fire in the hearth. Nearby, his daughter, Elena Hayato, lay asleep on the couch, her breathing slow and steady. The pale light from the fire cast a warm glow on her face—eighteen years old, fragile, with a beauty that seemed untouched by the dark dealings of her father.
Just then, the large wooden door creaked open.
Manager Taro, a stern man in his early fifties with silver streaks in his slicked-back hair, entered the room. His black suit was immaculate, his expression blank as ever.
"Sir," he said with a slight bow, "All the girls were taken there."
Renji didn't turn. He simply nodded. "Good job, Taro."
Taro stepped forward. "Sir, did the heroes come here?"
"They did." Renji's voice was calm, almost amused. "They walked in, looked around, and left. As expected."
"They didn't suspect a thing?" Taro asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Not yet," Renji replied, finally shifting his eyes to look at the older man. "But it's only a matter of time."
Taro glanced briefly at Elena. "And the young lady is doing well?"
Renji's eyes softened as he looked at his sleeping daughter. "Yes. Don't worry. She's all that matters."
Taro gave a nod of respect. "Understood."
Taro stood silently for a moment, watching the flickering flames reflect in Renji's cold eyes.
"They'll never find the place," the manager said with certainty. "I made sure of it."
Renji leaned back in his chair, his fingers tapping slowly on the armrest. "Good. But that's not the real problem."
Taro tilted his head. "Then what is?"
Renji's eyes narrowed, his voice dropping. "The real problem… is the heroes."
There was a brief pause.
Taro stepped forward. "Sir, if I may—can I tell them the truth? About what's really going on?"
Renji stood up slowly, his presence filling the room like a dark shadow. His voice was sharp and final.
"No."
Taro froze.
"It's not time," Renji said, his gaze unwavering. "If they find out now, they'll interfere. And if they interfere…" He paused, voice colder than before. "We'll all been killed."
Silence hung heavy in the room.
Taro gave a quiet bow. "Understood. I'll take my leave."
Renji turned away, staring out the tall window into the night beyond. "Everything is still under control. For now."
As Taro exited the room, the door closing behind him with a soft thud, Elena stirred faintly in her sleep. Renji walked over and gently adjusted the blanket on her.
"No one will take you from me," he whispered. "Not even them."
Outside, the wind howled gently against the windows. But within the mansion walls, secrets continued to fester, cloaked in firelight and silence.
Outside Saori's Home – Night
The moonlight cast a pale glow over the quiet road as Ryker stood outside, the wind brushing against his hair. His eyes were sharp, his face filled with a rare seriousness.
He turned toward the distant silhouette of the mansion.
"That mansion… there was something off about it," Ryker muttered to himself, his tone heavy with suspicion.
He clenched his fists.
Without another word, he began walking—no, striding—with purpose down the dimly lit path. Each step echoed the weight of responsibility pressing on him.
"I failed once. I won't again."
As the mansion grew closer in view, Ryker's eyes narrowed. The towering structure stood still under the starry sky, but to him… it felt alive. Watching. Hiding something.
He stopped at the gate, looking up at the ominous building.
"This time, I'm not leaving without answers."
He took a deep breath, then entered.
Underground Room
The coldness of the underground seeped through the stone floor. A faint flicker of a single light illuminated the damp room, casting long shadows against the walls.
Aisa's eyes fluttered open.
Her head throbbed. Her vision blurred.
She tried to move, but felt the cold bite of metal on her wrists.
Chains.
She gasped and looked around.
There were girls. Dozens of them. All bound by chains. Some unconscious, some trembling silently in the corners.
Her eyes widened as she recognized familiar faces.
"Yu… Yumi…" Aisa whispered hoarsely, tugging the chain. "Wake up…"
Yumi stirred slowly, her hair clinging to her face from sweat. "Aisa…?"
"Wake them up," Aisa urged, louder now. "Celica! Akira!"
She rattled her chain, using her voice to reach them all.
Celica groaned and blinked awake. "Wh…where are we?" She looked around, panic rising in her chest. "Aisa, Yumi, Akira… What is this place?!"
"I don't know," Aisa said, keeping calm despite the storm rising inside her.
One by one, the girls around them awoke—murmuring, groaning, some weeping. Confusion turned to anger.
A voice broke the stillness.
"You heroes said you'd protect us…"
A girl stood, her wrists chained like the rest. Her eyes burned with betrayal.
"…And because of you, we're here!" she cried.
Voices followed—more angry, more accusing.
"You promised safety!"
"You lied to us!"
"Because of you, we're captured!"
Yumi's breath caught in her throat. "What… what the hell going on?"
"Where is Ryker?" Celica said, her voice sharp, her hands shaking. "We collapsed outside… and then… we were here."
Silence followed her words, heavy and fearful.
Aisa lowered her head, thinking. "This… this was a trap. From the beginning."
She looked up, her voice now steady. "But we will get out of here. I swear it."
Mansion
The air around the mansion felt colder than usual. The wind howled gently, like a warning.
Ryker kicked open the doors to the mansion, storming in with a fury that shook the air. His eyes burned—not with rage, but with cold, sharp intensity.
Renji, seated calmly on the sofa, looked up. "You came back again," he said with a smirk. "Just now, those two heroes left from here."
Ryker didn't respond.
Without a word, he began tearing the place apart—throwing shelves, flipping carpets, cracking walls.
Then—a sound. A hollow echo.
He knelt, touching the floor.
A trapdoor?
He tried to open it—but it was sealed tight, nothing obvious to break it.
He turned sharply and grabbed Renji by the collar, lifting him off the ground. His voice low, dangerous.
"Where are the girls?"
Renji's smirk faded just slightly. "I don't know. Isn't this your doing, Hero?"
Ryker's grip tightened. "Tell me now. Or I swear, I'll kill your daughter right in front of you."
Suddenly—
"Try it."
A hand clamped down on Ryker's wrist.
Manager Taro—the old man, but strong—his eyes full of unshaken steel. "You think you're the only one who's serious, boy?"
The room filled with tension.
Renji's eyes narrowed. "One wrong step, and you'll regret being born a Tensai."
Ryker pulled back slowly, his mind racing.
He had found something. Not the truth—but a scent. A hidden door. A locked place. A secret too deep.
"I'll be back," Ryker said coldly, walking out.
And next time, I won't ask.