068

Ring ring—

The shrill cry of your flip phone cut through the thick quiet of the alleyway, the echo bouncing off the damp walls.

You blinked, your eyes still following Chuuya’s receding silhouette as he stalked away ahead of you.

You tilted your head slightly, your lips curling faintly in amusement at the abrupt intrusion.

You flipped open the phone lazily, like a cat stretching after a nap.

The glow of the tiny screen illuminated your face, casting ghostly shapes across your sharp features. Ren’s name flickered at the top.

Ah. Ren.

Your closest subordinate. Loyal, eager, if a bit too earnest sometimes. But you found his determination charming, in its own fragile way.

You pressed the phone to your ear, voice as calm and soft as a lullaby. "Yes, Ren?"

You heard frantic breathing on the other end first, as though Ren had sprinted across half the headquarters before dialing. But he managed to force his tone steady after that first shaky inhale, trying to reassemble his composure like a shattered vase.

"L-L/N-san!" he stammered, then cleared his throat so hard you imagined it might bruise.

"Apologies for calling so suddenly… but Kyusaku— Kyusaku has escaped from their cell. I— I don’t know how. They were there just moments ago, and then—"

A small, delighted sound escaped your lips. Almost a giggle, but softer, like the purr of a content cat. You could almost hear Ren freeze at the sound.

"Ah… I see," you cooed, tapping your free fingers lightly against your cheek. "Kyusaku, hmm… it has been quite some time since we last played together. How exciting."

You felt Chuuya’s gaze on you before you even looked up. He had stopped walking, turned slightly, his brows drawn tight with a concern that tasted almost sweet on your tongue.

"Kyusaku?" he asked sharply, his voice low but edged with that unmistakable steel. "That kid from the rumors — the one who nearly tore apart half the mafia once? The one who's locked up right now?"

Your eyes flickered to him, a glint of curiosity dancing behind the curtain of darkness. "Oh? So you've heard of them, Chuuya? How diligent."

He scowled, taking a sharp step toward you. "Don’t screw with me. They escaped, right? Should I—"

You cut him off with a serene wave of your hand. "Don’t worry yourself, Chuuya. Everything is perfectly under control. You don’t need to dirty those lovely hands of yours."

His mouth opened, ready to snap back, but before he could utter another protest, you pressed your thumb lightly against the phone’s mic. Your head tilted slightly, your eyes sliding half closed in a lazy smile.

"Ren," you crooned into the receiver, "stay put. I’ll retrieve Kyusaku myself. Make sure no one else interferes, yes?"

There was a tense pause before Ren’s voice returned, now a notch calmer, the edges of his panic smoothed down like a blade honed against whetstone. "Understood. I’ll secure the perimeter and keep the guards from causing more chaos. Please… be careful, L/N-san."

A small, amused hum slipped past your lips. "Ha… careful? You’re adorable, Ren. I’ll see you soon."

With that, you snapped the phone shut in a decisive click and slipped it back into your pocket.

You glanced at Chuuya again, his fists clenched at his sides, the vein at his temple pulsing as though it might burst.

"I’ll handle this," you said simply, your voice as gentle as a bedtime story. "Do stay here, Chuuya. Or go enjoy a glass of wine. Tonight is far too lovely for worry."

Before he could spit out another retort, you vanished — your figure dissolving into the cool night air, as though you had never been there at all.

The world snapped into blurred shapes and streaks of light as you flitted from one corner of headquarters to the next.

Hallways, rooftops, darkened stairwells — each place an echo of the last, the faint scent of gunpowder and old books lingering in your nose.

You slowed only when you felt it — a ripple of presence like a tiny heartbeat echoing in a cavern.

You reappeared silently at the entrance to Kyusaku’s cell block.

The door to their cell stood ajar, shadows curling around it like fingers clutching a secret.

You padded forward, your steps noiseless, the air trembling softly at your wake.

Then you saw them.

Kyusaku sat crouched in the corner, hugging their knees to their chest.

Their messy hair spilled over their face like a curtain, but when they sensed you, their head snapped up.

Their eyes shone — wide and bright, like a child seeing fireworks for the first time.

"L/N-san!" they chirped, their voice high and ringing with delight.

They practically bounced up, arms reaching slightly before they thought better of it.

Your lips curved in a soft, almost motherly smile. "Ah… caught you," you purred, stepping closer until your shadow stretched long across the cell floor.

Kyusaku’s grin widened even further, the innocence in it clashing violently with the rumors that clung to them like a second skin.

"It’s been so long! You didn’t visit after you came back. Did you forget about me?" they asked, rocking on their heels as though trying to contain a bubbling excitement.

"Forget?" You let out a quiet laugh, leaning forward slightly. "Impossible. How could I ever forget my precious Kyusaku?"

Their eyes sparkled, their small fingers twisting at the hem of their sleeve. "Really? Then… you’ll stay with me today? You’ll play with me? Like before?"

You hummed, tapping your chin thoughtfully. "Perhaps for a little while. But you must return to your cell after. We wouldn’t want my subordinates to call me incompetent, would we?"

They giggled, a sound so light and genuine that it could almost be mistaken for any ordinary child.

You sat down on the cold floor across from them, crossing your legs and resting your chin in one palm.

"Tell me… did you have fun on your little adventure?" you asked, eyes glittering with amused curiosity.

Kyusaku tilted their head, their smile softening into something more thoughtful. "I didn’t go far… it was scary outside. Too many people running around. I waited here ‘cause… I thought maybe you’d come. And you did!"

Your expression softened, though the darkness in your eyes remained deep and endless. "You’re such a good child," you praised softly, reaching out to gently ruffle their hair. "So obedient..."

They leaned into your touch, eyes fluttering shut in bliss. It was a fragile scene — one that might have looked sweet to an outsider. But under the surface, something electric and perilous crackled in the silence.

After a moment, you withdrew your hand and pulled a small wrapped candy from your pocket, holding it out like a peace offering.

Kyusaku’s eyes widened as they accepted it with reverence, unwrapping it clumsily and popping it into their mouth.

Their entire body seemed to light up, a small squeak of joy escaping their lips.

"Thank you, L/N-san!" they mumbled around the candy, their cheeks puffed adorably.

"Mm… you’re welcome," you murmured, leaning back slightly as you watched them savor the treat.

Your gaze was gentle, but your mind ticked away in the background, calculating, observing.

“Did anyone hurt you?” you asked, voice low and almost tender.

They shook their head vigorously. “No one even saw me! I was so quiet, like you taught me!”

“Good child.” You patted their head as if you're petting a cat. Their fingers curled in the front of your coat, trembling with delight.

“Can we play more next time?” they asked, wide eyes gleaming.

You chuckled, the sound echoing through the corridor like a lover’s sigh. “Of course. But for now… it’s bedtime.”

They pouted, but didn’t resist when you shifted your hand and pressed lightly against their neck.

Their body slumped forward as consciousness fled, their head falling against your chest.

You cradled them carefully, your other hand reaching for your phone and dialed.

Ren picked up almost immediately. "L/N-san! Is everything—"

"All is well," you interrupted smoothly, your voice calm and melodic. "Kyusaku has been retrieved and sedated. Resume normal security measures."

A relieved sigh rattled through the line, and you imagined Ren slumping against a wall somewhere, hand pressed to his forehead.

"Understood… thank you. I’ll make sure to reinforce the guards and double check the locks," Ren replied, his voice steadier now, though you could still hear the tension coiling beneath.

"Good," you cooed before hanging up without waiting for a response.

You slid the phone back into your pocket and turned to leave.

You laid Kyusaku down on the futon with a care that might have looked almost parental to an ignorant bystander.

Their small fingers twitched even as they slept, mouth slightly open, a sticky sweet breath of candy scent ghosting across your face.

You adjusted their hair gently, pressing your palm briefly against their forehead.

You weren’t sure if you were measuring for fever, or simply indulging in the intimacy of touch.

A final pat, and you straightened up, your back curving like a languid cat’s stretch.

Just as you turned to leave, a cold, pale hand shot out from the darkness and latched onto your wrist.

You blinked, head tilting, lips parting in a slow, soundless "ah" of realization.

Before you could even fully register the shape of that silhouette, you were yanked — with unexpected force — into a side corridor.