The ballroom shimmered under the glow of golden chandeliers, the air thick with the scent of expensive perfume and aged whiskey. Conversations blended into a low hum—politicians discussing backdoor deals, businessmen flexing their wealth, and socialites gossiping over champagne. It was a world built on deception, where smiles concealed knives, and power was traded like currency.
And Akihiro fit in effortlessly.
With a champagne flute in hand, he wove through the crowd with a casual grace, exchanging smirks and laughter as if he belonged. His sharp golden-brown eyes flickered with mischief as he effortlessly slipped into conversations, throwing out well-timed remarks that drew chuckles and admiration.
A middle-aged CEO clapped him on the back. "Yagami-san, your family must be proud. A young man with such charisma and presence—you remind me of myself in my youth."
Akihiro smirked. "Now that is a dangerous compliment. I might start aiming for your empire next."
The group erupted into laughter, mistaking his words for playful banter.
Meanwhile, Mai was all business.
Her deep blue dress flowed elegantly as she moved, her keen gaze scanning the room, searching for Hideo Tanaka. Somewhere among these polished elites was their target, and she couldn't afford distractions.
But distraction found her.
A group of young women stood near the refreshment table, their perfectly styled hair and designer gowns marking them as the daughters of wealth and influence. Their eyes flickered toward Mai, whispers barely concealed behind their painted lips.
"Isn't that the woman with Yagami-san?"
"Seriously? *Her?*"
"She's not even that pretty. And look at the way she walks—so stiff. Trying too hard."
Mai pretended not to hear, but the words settled under her skin like invisible wounds. She had spent years training her body to be a weapon, perfecting her skills to survive in a world of killers. But no amount of training could erase the feeling of being inadequate in a room full of women who had never fought for their place.
Just as she clenched her fists, ready to walk away, a familiar voice cut through the chatter.
"My, my, ladies," Akihiro drawled, stepping between Mai and the group, his smirk dangerously amused. "Is this how the elite entertain themselves? Gossiping like schoolgirls?"
The women flushed in embarrassment. "We were just—"
Akihiro tilted his head, gaze sharp. "Admiring my wife, I'm sure." He reached for Mai's hand, . "After all, I can't blame you for being jealous because she has such a handsome husband."
Mai's face burned. "This guys ego knows no bounds"
He grinned in the faces of the women as they lowered their face in shame, he had out them in they place. "Now, if you'll excuse us."
Before she could argue, the sound of a violin echoed through the ballroom. The Master of Ceremonies stepped onto the stage.
"Ladies and gentlemen, it is time for the first dance. As tradition dictates, every couple must take to the floor."
Mai's stomach twisted. She had trained for combat, not waltzes.
And now, she was trapped.
Akihiro grinned. "Shall we?"
But before their hands could touch—
Tokyo – The Silent Descent
Far from the glittering chandeliers of Osaka, the halls of Nakamura Medical Institute buzzed with quiet tension. The underground research facility was somewhere beneath their feet, but reaching it would require more than just stealth.
Kaede adjusted her stolen nurse's uniform, her eyes scanning for the best route forward. "We just got the card to access the underground medical facility but we need an elevator keycard. You got any bright ideas?"
Ren, still in his patient's disguise, leaned against the wall, expression unreadable. "These guys don't joke around with their precaution. A janitor. A doctor. Someone who won't be missed."
Kaede smirked. "You really know how to take the fun out of things."
Before she could continue, a group of actual nurses approached. Kaede stiffened. If they were caught here, it wouldn't just be an inconvenience—it would be a death sentence, for the nurses obviously.
The lead nurse, a stern woman in her late fifties, gave them a cursory glance. "You two—where's your station?"
Kaede thought fast. "Dr. Watanabe sent us to assist in the east wing."
The nurse's frown deepened. "Watanabe? I didn't hear about this."
Ren subtly shifted, his stance preparing for the worst.
But then—luck.
A voice called out from the end of the hall. "Nurse! We need assistance in Room 302!"
The older woman hesitated, then turned. "Go. Now."
Kaede exhaled. "That was close."
Ren was already moving. "Close for them, we weren't the ones who we're gonna die."
Ten had a really, really dark sense of humor if it can even be considered humor.
They reached the elevator hall, a sterile white corridor lined with reinforced doors. Surveillance cameras blinked in the corners. The elevators only on that floor needed key cards, it seems they led to the underground facility, but neither of them had a keycard.
Kaede muttered, "We need a new plan."
Ren's gaze flickered to the security guard station nearby. "Wait here."
Kaede raised a brow. "What are you—"
But Ren was already gone, slipping through the shadows.
Inside the station, a lone guard sat watching the monitors, however these wasn't the regular hospital it was displaying it was only displaying a single place which is what looked to be a heavily guarded door, Rene guess was that was the door that led to inside the facility. This was their chance he could kill two birds with one stone. The guards posture was relaxed, his eyes half-lidded from a long shift.
Too easy.
Ren moved in silence. One precise motion—a knife to the throat.
Blood barely had time to spill before he dragged the body into the corner, swiftly searching the pockets. Elevator keycard
Ren returned to Kaede, handing her the card. "Let's go."
They stepped into the elevator. Kaede swiped the card, and the doors slid shut.
The descent began.
As the numbers counted down, the sterile white lighting flickered.
Something felt wrong.
Kaede tapped her fingers against her thigh. "You feel that?"
Ren didn't answer. His grip on his knife tightened.
Ding.
The elevator stopped.
The doors slid open—
And standing there, waiting for them, was a man in a black coat.
Not a doctor.
Not security.
Something worse.
Kaede whispered, "Well, shit."
The man **tilted his head.** His eyes, **dark and unreadable,** flickered between them.
Then—
The lights **cut out.**
A soft click echoed in the dark.
A gun being cocked.
---
### **To Be Continued…**