Raito walked into the secluded alleyway, his steps smooth and unhurried. The street behind him bustled with activity yet the narrow passage between buildings exuded a quiet atmosphere which he found preferable for this situation.
He pressed his back to the cold brick wall while he checked his watch.
Kurai was right. They saw me, so they'll come.
Sure enough, hurried footsteps echoed from behind. The individuals who stole the car which had hit him earlier approached him with caution. The first man had a lean physique with a jagged scar across his jaw while the second man was stocky and kept his eyes moving restlessly as if expecting an ambush.
Raito turned slightly, putting on a confused expression as they stopped a few feet away. His expression was carefully composed.
"Do I know you guys or are you two here for a smoke like me?" he asked, his tone casual.
Another lie since he didn't smoke
The scarred man narrowed his eyes. "Cut the act. We saw you talking to the cops."
"Did you?" Raito's brows furrowed slightly, as if deep in thought. "Oh… that. Some officer pulled me aside, asking if I was hurt. I told her I was fine."
The stocky man stepped forward, voice edged with suspicion. "And what else did you tell her huh buddy?"
Raito sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Look, I don't know what you're worried about, but I'm not involved in whatever you two are doing. I just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time."
The scarred man's eyes flickered with uncertainty. He exchanged a glance with his partner.
Kurai's voice purred in his mind. They don't trust you. You should've broken one of their noses already.
Raito ignored her, keeping his expression neutral. "If this is about the car, I didn't see anything. I was too busy being hit by it." He gestured vaguely at his suit. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I'd rather not waste more time on this."
He made a move to leave, but the scarred man took a step closer, his fingers twitching near his waist.
A weapon.
Raito remained still, his gaze steady. "Is this how you treat a bystander?"
The stocky man hesitated, but the scarred one was already reaching for his blade.
Raito sighed. So much for playing dumb.
In a blink, he moved.
A sharp sidestep. A firm grip on the man's wrist. A twist which was quick and precise.
CRACK.
A strangled yell came from the man's throat as his wrist bent unnaturally, the knife slipping from his grasp.
Raito attacked the stocky man before he could even react. A quick kick to his knee caused him to fall and he was able seize the man's collar and pushed him into the brick wall before the man could regain his balance again.
The scarred man cradled his broken wrist, his face twisted in agony. "Who… the hell are you?"
Raito adjusted his grip, his expression eerily calm. "I told you. I'm no one important."
The man trembled under his hold. "W-We get it, man. Just—just let us go, alright?"
Raito's eyes darkened. "No."
Both men stiffened.
"You turn yourselves in quietly," he ordered, his voice dangerously low. "I don't want to deal with any more questions from the cops. If you make me clean up your mess, I won't be so forgiving next time."
The thieves exchanged a terrified glance.
"You... you can't be serious about this?" the stocky man whimpered.
Raito tightened his grip slightly before releasing him. "Do I look like the type of guy who would be joking around with you two?"
The scarred man gritted his teeth, still holding his broken wrist. "You're crazy…"
"Then test me," Raito challenged, his gaze unwavering.
Silence stretched between them before the stocky man nodded quickly. "Fine. Fine! We'll do it."
Raito stepped back, watching them carefully. "One more thing."
The men froze.
"You never mention me. Not to the cops, not to your friends, not to anyone." His voice was dangerously even. "I was never here. You understand?"
The scarred man swallowed hard, nodding quickly. "Yeah. We get it."
Raito's gaze lingered on them for a moment before he let out a sigh and turned and walked away, with his hands in his pockets.
As he exited the alley, Kurai let out an amused hum.
That was fun. But I wonder… you moved pretty fast back there, didn't you?
He had noticed it too. His reflexes and strength were all sharper than before.
"It was a minor difference that's all"
Kurai chuckled. Yeah yeah but it looks like my presence is rubbing off on you, Raito.
Raito exhaled, stepping back onto the main street as he looked at the sunset while covering his eyes.
He wasn't sure if that was a good thing.