When Daiki finally lowered his guard, thinking there was no danger left, he was struck by a terrible truth.

A gunshot split the air ــ then another, echoing through the alley behind the restaurant.

His face changed in instant. The shots came from where Ayane and Mrs. Cho had gone.

No ... please... no! 

He turned and sprinted down the hall, panic tightening his throat.

Halfway there, he stumbled upon a man's body sprawled on the ground. Blood pooled beneath him, a dark reminder that this wasn't over yet.

Daiki's heart hammered. He forced himself to look away and kept moving, fighting down every worse-case scenario screaming in his head.

Then, another gunshot rang out ــ louder, closer. This time not just one. A burst.

Daiki pressed himself behind the half open back door, peering out before he charged in blind. He heard Mrs. Cho's voice, sharp and commanding ـــ rare for someone usually so calm.

"Move!" she barked. 

Through the faint glow of streetlights, Daiki caught fragments ـــ a car screeching away, tires shrieking against the asphalt.

Voices followed, rough and angry. A group of men shouted at each other, furious that their chance had slipped through their fingers.

Daiki's chest loosened just slightly. They're alive. Mrs. Cho had gotten Ayane out ــ but it didn't mean they were safe yet.

He yanked out his phone, dialing Mrs. Cho's number with trembling hands.

After a few tense rings, a voice cracked through ـــ Ayane's.

Relief slammed into him like a wave. He nearly sank to his knees.

Daiki cut in, voice low so the thugs wouldn't hear him through the door. "Good. Listen ـــ tell your mom to head straight for the mansion. Got it?"

He didn't wait for an answer. He hung up. There was no time for talk.

Now it was his turn ـــ alone, surrounded by enemies who didn't yet know he was still inside.

He took a breath, forcing his mind into focus.

How do i get out without tipping them off? The question burned through his head as steadied his breath. He flexed his hands, ready to move.

The hunt wasn't over yet.