𝐐𝐔𝐄𝐄𝐍~ 𝐒𝐀𝐍𝐎 𝐌𝐀𝐍𝐉𝐈𝐑𝐎

♡Chapter-7♡

Year 2017.

The pale crescent moon hung in the night sky like a silvery claw, casting a faint glow over the city. The streets were quiet, a stark contrast to the towering buildings that lined them, their windows twinkling like scattered stars. Street food vendors stood at every corner, their sizzling grills and warm lanterns adding a touch of life to the otherwise tranquil scene.

Teenagers and adults wandered the sidewalks, their hurried steps and distracted gazes making it clear they were too absorbed in their own lives to notice much else.

I walked along the sidewalk with my hands stuffed into the pockets of my coat, the faint scent of old wood lingering in the air. As I walked, I pulled a lollipop out of my pocket, unwrapped it, and placed it in my mouth. The sweet taste did little to mask the slight tension in my chest.

I wasn't supposed to be out here. But here I was.

The buzz of my phone vibrating in my pocket snapped me out of my thoughts. I glanced at the screen, sighed, and answered it. "Hello." I said casually, taking the lollipop out.

"Where are you?". His voice was sharp, his irritation barely masked.

I rolled my eyes. "Just out for a walk."

"Y/n." He snapped, his tone dropping lower. "Where are you exactly?"

"Relax, Inui. I'm just on the streets. Nothing's going to happen."

"Are you insane? He's going to be back any moment now. If he finds out you left-"

"-then I'll handle it." I interrupted, popping the lollipop into my mouth once again, letting the sweetness calm my nerves.

"You don't get it. If he finds out, it's not just you. It's all of us. You need to come back. Now."

I glanced at my watch and frowned. He was right. It was later than I'd realized. And if he was already heading back... well, I didn't want to deal with the fallout. "Fine." I muttered. "But I don't have a ride. It'll take a while."

"What do you mean you don't have a ride?! Are you serious right now?!"

"Relax. I'll figure it out." I said, cutting the call before he could yell at me further.

I glanced around, weighing my options. A sleek motorbike parked nearby caught my eye. Its owner, a man in his twenties, stood by the convenience store, scrolling through his phone. Perfect.

I walked over, pulling up the mask that had been tucked under my collar. "Hey." I called out, my voice light and friendly.

The man looked up, startled but polite. "Uh, hi? Do you need something?"

I took a step closer, tilting my head. "Actually... yeah."

Before he could say another word, I grabbed his wrist and yanked him forward. His face flushed in confusion as he stammered, "W-What's-?"

"Sorry." I said with a small smile, before delivering a sharp jab to his jaw. He crumpled to the ground, unconscious.

I crouched down, plucking the keys from his hand. "Thanks for the ride." I murmured, sparing him one last glance before swinging onto the bike. The engine roared to life, the sound cutting through the silence of the night.

The pale crescent moon hung low in the night sky as I came to a halt in front of the towering skyscraper. Its glass panels glimmered under the faint light, standing tall above the other buildings that surrounded it. The silence of the streets was broken only by the low hum of the motorbike's engine as I dismounted and walked toward the entrance.