A tall, looming structure.

  Its darkened windows reflect the city skyline like hollow eyes.

  Inside, a nervous assistant stands before a high-ranking Ju Setai official.

  “Um, sir… we have reports that he’s on his way.”

  The official—composed but visibly exhausted—presses his fingertips against his temples.

  A slow sigh escapes him.

  “So, that kid really went and told him, huh? If he’s figured it out, I’m guessing he’s not coming just to talk.”

  He exhales sharply. Decision made.

  “Samberg, prepare the countermeasures.”

  ?Cut to Ren in the car.

  His fingers clenching into a fist as his mind drifts back to the alleyway.

  Dimly lit. A cigarette flickers in the dark.

  Ren’s silver eyes reflect the fme.

  Across from him, Ryuko leans zily against a wall, a smirk twisting his bruised face.

  His energy—completely unreadable.

  “Now… you’re going to give me those answers I asked for earlier.”

  Ryuko chuckles.

  “It’s always demands with you, Senpai. You should really open up more.”

  His head tilts, eyes glinting with something almost pyful.

  Ren’s aura intensifies.

  “Cut the shit.”

  A pause.

  Then, a grin.

  “Fine, fine. You wanna know what Kuroda’s been up to?”

  He lifts a hand, tracing vague circles in the air.

  “Everything. He’s everywhere, Ren. His eyes are on every little game piece. If there’s Tamashkii involved, Kuroda’s got his fingers all over it.”

  The pyful air drops.

  Ryuko’s tone darkens.

  “He’s pnning something big. Bigger than you and bigger than me. Hell, probably bigger than the whole Musabori & Ju Setai.”

  Silence lingers.

  Ren’s jaw tightens.

  “Then why are you here? What do you gain from telling me this?”

  Ryuko smirks.

  “Who says I gain anything? Maybe I just like watching the chaos unfold.”

  Before Ren can respond—both men sense a presence.

  A shadow flickers across the rooftops.

  A Setai scout.

  He was listening.

  Ren’s head snaps back to Ryuko—but he’s already gone.

  Then—

  A whisper.

  A bde presses against his back.

  “I think I’ll keep you around a little longer, Senpai.”

  Ryuko’s voice drips with amusement.

  “If you die now, who’ll be my favorite pything?”

  With a ugh, Ryuko vanishes into the darkness.

  Ren exhales sharply.

  He just let a monster walk away.

  Or maybe…

  He could use him ter.

  ?Cut back to the car.

  Ren tightens his grip.

  “Nah. I should’ve killed him when I had the chance.”

  We then reach the Ju Setai’s main office.

  Ren enters the headquarters.

  The air inside is different.

  Tense.

  No greetings, no questions.

  The silence is heavy.

  He steps into the elevator.

  The metal walls feel smaller than usual.

  The number ticks up.

  Ding.

  The doors slide open.

  A sleek office.

  Commander Sato, the official from before, turns his chair slowly, a knowing smirk on his face.

  “Yamato… I’ve been expecting you.”