ENGLISH VERSION - Second Star to the Right (Mikey Bonten x OC)

Chapter 10: The cage

POV AYANA

I follow Kakucho through the dark hallways of the Bonten headquarters. My thoughts are spinning over recent events, but I force myself to focus on just one thing: getting out of here. Every corner, every slightly open door, every window, I memorize it all, creating a mental map. I need a plan. An escape route.

"How do you know Mikey?" Kakucho suddenly asks, breaking the silence in a calm voice.

He seems like he's just trying to make conversation, but I stare at him for a moment, wary.

"And you, how do you know him?" I shoot back, trying to keep control of the conversation.

He shrugs, his scar twisting in the dim light, telling stories I don't dare imagine.

"We fought when we were younger. I was part of a rival gang to Toman. Tenjiku."

"Like the club?" I ask, surprised.

He gives a cryptic smile, something mysterious flickering in his gaze.

"Yeah, you could say it's a kind of tribute."

"Bonten owns Tenjiku?" I press, trying to untangle the invisible threads connecting everything here.

"Like most of the clubs in the area," he replies with a detached air, like it's the most normal thing in the world.

I frown, trying to understand.

"If you were in a rival gang, how did you end up here, under Mikey's orders?"

The idea that he could switch sides baffles me. From my experience, these stories never end well.

A dark shadow crosses his face, and his smile fades.

"Death brought us closer..." He pauses, his voice growing deeper, almost solemn. "When you spread enough violence, you end up filling graveyards..."

His words resonate within me. A painful truth. My heart tightens as I think of my brother.

We finally reach a door, which Kakucho opens to reveal a luxurious room. The walls are adorned with elegant tapestries, the bed looks cozy with its silk sheets, and there's a large window offering a beautiful view of the city.

A cage. A gilded cage, sure, but a cage nonetheless, and a reminder of the freedom I've just been robbed of.

"Here's your room," he announces, gesturing me inside.

"Thanks," I murmur, stepping into the space.

"Try to get some rest, Ayana," he says softly before turning away. "You're gonna need it."

I stop him with a motion, blocking the door with my foot. I want to keep him here, buy myself some time.

"Wait... you can't just lock me in here. People will worry. They'll eventually come looking for me."

His gaze hardens. With ease, he nudges my foot back inside.

"Who? You're alone here."

"No, I have friends."

"One friend, maybe. And we made sure to send her a message so she thinks you're out relaxing in the countryside."

I stare at him, stunned. They've thought of everything.

"Don't make the mistake of underestimating us, Ayana. Trust me, you'd be the first to regret it."

He slams the door and locks it from the outside.

I lie down on the bed, the silk sheets slipping under my fingers, but they bring me no comfort. I'm paying the price now for straying too far from everyone.