A week had passed since the incident at the foundation, and the opulent confines of Yuuki's assigned room within Ryu's house had begun to feel suffocating. The lavish decor, intended to exude comfort and luxury, now seemed to mock him, its extravagance a harsh reminder of his captivity. Though he was no longer shackled, the constant presence of a guard stationed outside his door served as a grim reminder that his freedom was still a distant dream.

 As his mind wandered, the memories of those harrowing days replayed like a haunting melody, the fear and confusion of his past mingling with the monotony of his present. He could walk freely within the room, but the events of the previous days continued to cast a long shadow over his thoughts, refusing to be silenced. The shadows on the walls seemed to grow longer, as if they too were trying to escape the confinement that had become his life.

Sitting on the edge of his bed, Yuuki stared blankly at the walls, feeling the weight of his isolation bearing down on him. The days blended in an endless blur, devoid of excitement or purpose, leaving him restless and bored. His thoughts drifted to his father, the man who had always cautioned him to be wary of others, to never trust too easily. What was he doing now? A pang of concern pierced Yuuki's heart as he imagined his father pacing the house, worry etched on his face, driven by a desperate need to find answers.

The lessons his father had instilled in him echoed in his mind, a bittersweet reminder of the countless hours spent training, each session a testament to his father's desire to prepare him for the uncertain world. "You must always stand up for yourself, Yuuki," his father had repeated, a mantra infused with protective wisdom. But now, faced with the harsh reality of his situation, those lessons seemed limited, inadequate in the face of his solitude. The words that had once filled him with confidence and determination now felt hollow, a distant memory that offered little comfort in his current state of captivity. As the silence closed in around him, Yuuki couldn't help but wonder if he would ever find the strength to stand up for himself again.

Today was supposed to be a day filled with promise and joy, a day he had been looking forward. He had planned to take his girlfriend, Mai, out on a date, and the thought of it now filled him with a deep sense of longing and sadness. Mai, with her vibrant pink hair and infectious laughter, had captured his heart over the past six months, and he couldn't help but wonder what could have been. As he thought about her, doubts began to creep in, whispering in his ear that he might not be ready for a relationship, that he might feel unsure about his own feeling for her.

But it wasn't just Mai who occupied his thoughts; he also missed his best friend, Yuuto, more than he had anticipated. Yuuto had always been a constant presence in his life, encouraging him to take risks and pursue his feelings for Mai. Yuuki couldn't shake the feeling that Yuuto must know something was wrong, that he had already sensed that something was amiss through his father. He imagined Yuuto skipping classes, lost in worry for his friend, and the thought filled him with a pang of guilt and concern.

As he sat in his room, memories of his time with Yuuto on the basketball court flooded his mind. The thrill of the game, the sound of their sneakers pounding on the wood floors, and their laughter echoing during practice all seemed like a distant dream now. Basketball had always been his sanctuary, a place where he could escape the pressures of everyday life and find a sense of freedom. He could see himself and Yuuto running plays, exchanging high-fives after a successful shot, each moment infused with joy and camaraderie.

But as the memories faded, the weight of his anxiety settled over him like a shroud. He hadn't seen Ryu in a while, and the silence was starting to unnerve him. He couldn't help but wonder what Ryu's next plan could be, what lay in store for him. The unknown loomed like a dark cloud, heavy and unyielding, casting a shadow over his every thought. Yuuki's mind was a jumble of emotions, a mix of sadness, longing, and fear, as he struggled to come to terms with his situation and the uncertainty that lay ahead.

Yuuki's gaze drifted down to his injured leg, a reminder of his failed attempt to escape. The sprained ankle had been a painful souvenir of that desperate bid for freedom. However, time had been kind, and the wound was now slowly healing. The initial agony had given way to a dull ache, and he was finally able to walk on his own, albeit with caution. Every step still required careful consideration, as if his body was warning him not to push his luck. The memory of the incident lingered, a stark reminder of the consequences of his actions, and Yuuki couldn't help but feel a twinge of frustration at his own vulnerability. As he tentatively put weight on his leg, he was aware of the fragility of his newfound mobility, and the need to balance his desire for independence with the necessity of allowing his body to fully recover.

The silence in the room was seriously starting to get to him. No TV, no phone, no nothing just four walls filled with furniture and a whole lot of uncertainty. It was like being trapped in some kind of crazy making machine. He needed to get out, or at least get some fresh air, before he lost his mind. So, after what felt like an eternity, he finally worked up the courage to make his move.

He walked over to the heavy door and knocked softly, hoping to catch the guard's attention. "Hey, excuse me," he called out, trying to sound casual despite the tension creeping into his voice. "Can I get out of here for a bit? Maybe take a walk or something? It's really suffocating in here." He added, "I'm starting to feel like I'm going stir-crazy or something."

There was a pause, and then he heard the sound of footsteps approaching. The door creaked open, and the guard's imposing figure filled the frame. His arms were crossed, and his expression was totally unreadable like a brick wall with a bad attitude.

The guard's response was immediate, but not exactly what Yuuki was hoping for. "You think you're on vacation or something?" the guard sneered, his voice dripping with mockery. "Ryu doesn't want you outside right now, so you're just going to have to deal with it." He didn't even bother to look at Yuuki, just kept staring straight ahead like he was looking right through him. His arms were crossed, and his expression was a perfect mask of indifference, making it clear that he wasn't interested in hearing Yuuki's complaints.

Yuuki felt his frustration start to simmer. "I get that, but I'm seriously feeling trapped here. It's been days since... well, since anything, really." He trailed off, hoping the guard would take pity on him.

But the guard just cut him off, his voice as terse as a slap in the face. "Not my problem," he said. He started to close the door, but Yuuki quickly stuck his hand out to stop him.

"Wait, please!" he said, desperation creeping into his voice. "I just need to get out of here for a bit. I promise I won't try to escape or anything. I just need some fresh air, you know?" He looked up at the guard, hoping to see some glimmer of sympathy, but the guy's expression didn't change. He just kept staring at Yuuki, his face a mask of indifference.

After that super fun encounter with the guard, Yuuki felt a surge of determination wash over him. Being cooped up in his room was literally unbearable, and he knew he had to find a way to take control of the situation. So, he steeled himself and headed back to the door, knocking again with a newfound sense of purpose.

The guard opened the door, looking like he'd rather be anywhere else. "What now?" he asked, his tone dripping with impatience. Like, he was clearly annoyed that Yuuki was still bothering him.

"Can I talk to Ryu?" Yuuki asked, trying to keep his cool despite the anxiety churning in his stomach. "I need to discuss this whole situation with him. It's getting pretty ridiculous." He tried to sound casual, like he was just asking to borrow a book or something, but inside he was freaking out.

The guard looked down at Yuuki, his expression neutral but with a hint of dismissiveness. "Ryu's not around right now," he said, shrugging like it was no big deal. "But I can let him know you want to chat when he gets back." He didn't even bother to ask what Yuuki wanted to talk to Ryu about, just assumed it was no biggie, and that Ryu would deal with it later. Yuuki felt frustration, but he tried to keep his cool, hoping that eventually someone would listen to him.

Yuuki's stomach sank at the news. He had hoped that Ryu would be accessible, that perhaps he could negotiate some semblance of freedom. “How long will he be gone?” he pressed, frustration creeping into his voice.

“Can’t say,” the guard replied, stepping back slightly to create distance. “You’ll have to wait. I suggest you be patient. There’s no use getting worked up over it.”

A wave of helplessness washed over Yuuki, and he felt the anger simmering beneath the surface. “But I can’t just sit here waiting!” he exclaimed, his voice rising involuntarily. “I need to understand what’s happening to me!”

The guard's eyes narrowed slightly at Yuuki's outburst. “Look, kid, I get it. You’re in a tough spot, but you’re fine here. Just take a breather, okay? I’ll let Ryu know when he gets back.”

With that, the guard turned on his heel, leaving Yuuki alone in the silence of the room. The weight of his words hung in the air, amplifying Yuuki’s sense of confinement. He paced the room, his thoughts racing as he contemplated his next move. The hell I would be fine in here!

He couldn't shake the feeling of being trapped. There had to be more to Ryu's intentions than mere captivity, but until he could speak to Ryu, he felt powerless to change his  situation.

                                                                       ***

Mrs. Jane's words hung in the air, her enthusiasm was palpable. "I'm excited to explore potential partnership opportunities between our companies," she said, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. "As you're well aware, the construction business is highly competitive, and I firmly believe that by collaborating, we can bolster our market presence and undertake more ambitious projects that span across both our countries." Ryu's gaze met hers, a hint of a smile playing on his lips as he nodded in agreement.

"I'd like that," he said, his voice low and smooth. "Shall we schedule a follow-up meeting to finalize the terms of our partnership and discuss the finer details?" The suggestion was met with a warm smile from Mrs. Jane, who rose from her seat with a sense of purpose. "Sounds good to me," she said, extending her hand to Ryu. "I'll instruct my team to draft a comprehensive proposal, and we can review it together as soon as it's ready." As their hands clasped, a sense of solidarity formed between them. "I'm pleased to announce that Tanaka Corp and Greenbuild are now officially collaborating," she declared, her voice filled with conviction. "Let's work together to create something remarkable."

The partnership between their companies had the potential to be a game-changer, and Ryu was eager to see the impact it would have on the construction industry. With the closure agreement signed, the two companies were now poised to take on new challenges and explore new opportunities, both domestically and internationally. As he stepped into his CEO room, the soft hum of the air conditioning and the faint scent of leather enveloped him, a welcome respite from the chaos of the day's meetings.

However, despite the thrill of the impending collaboration, Ryu's mind began to wander to a different concern to the boy he had caught. In the past few days, he had been engulfed in a whirlwind of meetings, his schedule packed with clients clamoring for his attention. Each interaction was filled with the weight of expectations, as he navigated the intricate dance of power, persuasion, and profitability. The demands of his business had left him little time to breathe, let alone reflect on his personal life. But the boy's face sometimes haunted his thoughts during those chaotic hours spent in boardrooms.

Between the demands of his business, Ryu had missed the chance to check on Yuuki, and the memory of their encounter still lingered. He recalled the intoxicating cocktail of adrenaline and fear in the room, emotions swirling so intensely when Yuuki had been at the mercy of his men. It had spiraled out of control, resulting in something he never intended, the very clarity of purpose he'd once possessed had blurred with the unexpected chaos of his attraction to the boy. The incident had left him with a jumble of mixed feelings contrast to the confidence he projected in his professional life.

Ryu's thoughts were interrupted by the memory of Nakajima, who had stepped in at a crucial moment, averting what could have been a catastrophe - an incident that would have left both physical and emotional scars on the boy.