[Scene opens in a dark, damp alleyway]

  A weak, flickering streetlight barely illuminates the narrow space between buildings. Ryuko staggers forward, breath uneven, one hand pressed against his ribs. Blood drips onto the pavement.

  But his face?

  His face isn’t one of fear. His lips curl into an excited grin, and for the briefest moment, a tinge of color rises to his cheeks.

  “Heh… That wasn’t just a Hoju…”

  His fingers twitch.

  “That was the Top Hoju.”

  He leans against the cold brick wall, but not for support. He’s repying the fight in his head, his mind still buzzing from the sheer adrenaline of it all. Then, a low chuckle escapes him.

  “They always say Musabori and Hoju are the same…”

  His eyes flicker with something close to obsession.

  “But after that fight?”

  He exhales sharply, a shiver—not of fear, but of exhiration—running down his spine.

  “I can feel it. They are truly different.”

  A slow, dragging inhale. His fingers slide across his lips, suppressing another shaky ugh.

  “And to think…”

  His voice is barely above a whisper now, more to himself than anything.

  “Moonlight and darkness.”

  He licks his lips, a wicked gleam in his eyes.

  “It’s almost romantic.”

  For a split second, he closes his eyes, savoring the thought.

  “Light and shadow… pushing, pulling… colliding in the sky.”

  Then his grin widens. He brings a hand to his mouth, muffling his ughter.

  “Mori-senpai is fun… but Ren-senpai? Ahhh, he might be something even better. Thank you, Mori-senpai, for sending me on this mission!”

  For a moment, his mind drifts—his excitement lingering on the thought of a true Hoju in action.

  Then—his expression sharpens.

  “Tch. No time for fantasies.”

  His shadow shifts unnaturally beneath him. It twists, elongating, preparing to melt into the darkness so he can make his escape—

  Then.

  A single sound cuts through the silence.

  Click.

  A lighter flickers in the darkness. A small ember ignites.

  Ryuko’s entire body freezes.

  A slow, deliberate inhale follows. Then, a voice.

  Calm. Cold. Absolute.

  “You ran pretty far, boy.”

  Ryuko snaps his head up, eyes widening.

  A pair of silver, moonlit eyes gleam from the shadows.

  The ember from the cigarette glows softly, illuminating a familiar, menacing smirk.

  Ren steps forward.