One Week Later
Kaien's life had changed.
After realizing he was being marked, something inside him closed off. Throughout that week, he kept going to the spy agency wearing the same bloodstained clothes. He never took them off. He didn't want to look weak. Those clothes were a warning to himself and to anyone watching.
10:36
Kaien enters an empty gym. The metallic sounds echo through the space. He grabs a pair of gloves, puts them on, and positions himself in front of the punching bag.
The first punch is strong.
The second, even stronger.
Each blow carries memories: the gunshots, the beatings, the floor breaking apart, blood in his mouth.
The bag swings violently with every impact.
Kaien growls low, his body tense, breathing heavy. The anger pulses but it does not control him.
After a few minutes, he stops.
Takes a deep breath.
He lifts his face… and smiles. A beautiful, calm, almost gentle smile — a complete contrast to his clenched fists.
— I'm fine…
After that, Kaien returns home.
As he steps inside, his phone vibrates.
A message from Yuki.
> Kaien… why haven't you taken off those bloody clothes?
Kaien tenses for a second. His blue eyes narrow. He replies:
> Nothing. Superstition.
The response comes quickly.
> Superstition?! You idiot!
You were covered in blood, Kaien! You idiot… but now—
Before the message finishes, a sharp sound of forced entry echoes through the house.
Kaien's eyes widen slightly.
He hangs up the phone.
Draws his weapon.
Five armed henchmen storm inside.
Kaien hides behind a wall and fires without hesitation.
One of them drops dead to the floor.
The others return fire.
A bullet hits the exact same spot as the wound that was still healing.
Kaien grunts in pain, his body nearly giving out.
— Shit… that one hurt…
The henchmen notice.
They stop shooting.
Silence hangs heavy for a second… then they flee, knowing they wouldn't win.
Kaien spits blood.
The effort from the gym, the entire week, and now this… it all takes its toll.
He sits down on the couch, breathing with difficulty.
Looks at the body lying on the living room floor.
Silence.
With effort, he picks up his phone and calls Yuki.
— Yuki…
— What is it, Kaien?!
His voice comes out weak, heavy.
— I think… I'm being marked—
The phone slips from his hand.
His vision spins.
Kaien collapses unconscious.
…
— Kaien? Can you hear me?!
The call drops.
A chill runs through Yuki's body.
She rushes to the agency.
— Hack into Kaien's house cameras. Now!
The footage appears.
The henchmen breaking in.
Kaien firing back.
A man dead on the floor.
Kaien collapsing while still on the call.
Yuki covers her mouth, terrified.
— Send medics there immediately!
The entire agency springs into action.
…
Kaien is taken to the same hospital as a week before.
Yuki enters the room, closes the door, and slams her hand against the wall, furious and desperate.
— Damn it… Kaien… why…
She remembers the confident smile.
The way he scratched the back of his neck.
The calm in his blue eyes, even after everything.
Yuki approaches the bed.
Gently touches Kaien's face.
— You idiot… now everyone's going to focus on you…
…
News among the mafias.
— Sir… boss… we failed—
An old, imposing man slaps the henchman violently across the face.
— Shut up! You were supposed to kill Kaien!
That man… he's far too good. We cannot hesitate.
The henchmen retreat, trembling with fear, and flee.
The man clenches his fist.
— Kaien… Kaien…
I will kill you. No matter how.