𝐈𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐁𝐓𝐄𝐃

IV - life goes on

A few days had passed since you'd started working in the office. The violence that had taken place on the first day had come as a shock to you, but after that, nothing too noteworthy happened. With Yuki's help, you were able to complete all the tasks that were assigned to you and avoided incurring Ryu's wrath.

One evening, however, he said something that caught you off guard.

"You've been off school for a while now. If you want to pass your courses, you should probably start attending again soon."

"Uh... sorry?"

"Your university," he frowned. "Weren't you set to graduate this year? You may have to drop a course or two in order to accommodate your new schedule, but I can't very well have you dropping out altogether."

You were still confused. "So, you're letting me keep attending school?"

"That's what I just said."

"But... why?"

Perhaps it was better not to ask, but you couldn't help it. The night he'd taken you to be brought back here, you were convinced your old life was over. Based on how large your father's debt apparently was, you didn't think he'd allow you to retain any sort of autonomy.

"Education means a career," Ryu said. "A career means that eventually, you'll be earning more money for me. Right now, you're just working on menial tasks and freeing up some time for my other associates. You aren't actually helping put a dent in the debt at all. Or what? Were you happy to just keep on being my little servant for the rest of your life?"

"Right. I understand now." You nodded meekly, forcing a smile. "Thank you for this. School is very important to me."

Every now and then, Ryu would look at you in a sort of bewilderment. In a way that implied your behavior was absolutely baffling to him.

"You're always thanking me," he mused. "Even though I just told you that the money you'll be making will go to me."

"I know that. Still, it feels nice knowing that I'll get to see my education through till the end. My mother would have wanted that for me."

His eyes narrowed. "Is that so? Good for you, staying positive. But I wouldn't get too comfortable. You're only working in the office for now because I still haven't figured out what to do with you yet. One way or another, you will need to start bringing in some money. I'm not willing to wait another year or two to start seeing results. I need to know that you're going to pay your dues."

Ryu's earlier threat still hung heavy in the air. No matter what, you wanted to do avoid doing that at all costs. Something, anything, just not that. You weren't sure what yet, but you were going to have to find a way.

"I'll pay you back," you swallowed. "I swear that I will."

"For your sake, you'd better hope so. Head to bed now. I'll arrange for someone to drive you to campus tomorrow morning."

He left the room and slid the door shut behind him.

...

It felt strange returning back to classes after everything that had happened. You knew that you couldn't very well explain your circumstances to anyone. Ryu would be sure to punish you-most likely with death. Which is why you knew that this wasn't really an escape, but it felt nice to detach yourself from your current reality and pretend like everything was okay, at least for a little while.