Yamada stepped out of the Ero Konbini at exactly 10:00 p.m. The neon sign buzzed behind him. Yui had given him one last quick kiss in the employee room before he left. Shiori just smiled knowingly and told him to be careful on the way home.
The black car was already waiting.
He got in. Hood up. Bag on the seat beside him.
The driver didn't ask questions.
"Home," Yamada said.
The car pulled away.
His phone vibrated.
Butler.
"Report on Hayato. Low-level dealer. Heavy debt. Known for grooming girls. Has been taking Saki to parties. Photos and messages confirm she's been pressured into things she doesn't want. She tried to leave once. He threatened her."
Yamada stared at the screen.
His thumb hovered over the reply button.
He typed slowly.
"Keep watching her tonight. If anything happens, call me immediately."
"Understood."
He put the phone down.
Leaned back.
Closed his eyes.
Saki's face from earlier flashed in his mind. The dyed hair tips. The guarded eyes. The way she said "It didn't" like she was trying to convince herself.
He remembered the old Saki. The shy girl who used to hide behind him in middle school. The one who smiled when he bought her ice cream with his first part-time paycheck.
Now she was slipping.
And Hayato was the one pulling her down.
The car climbed the hill toward the house.
Yamada opened his eyes.
The quiet laugh didn't come.
Instead, something colder settled in his chest.
'If he touches her again…'
He didn't finish the thought.
The gates opened. The car stopped in front of the house.
Yamada got out. Walked inside.
The foyer was dark except for one light in the living room.
Miyuri was already asleep upstairs.
He went straight to the kitchen. Poured a glass of water. Drank it slowly.
His phone buzzed again.
This time it was Saki.
A single message.
Sent ten minutes ago.
"I'm sorry I lied earlier. I'm scared."
Yamada stared at it.
His grip tightened on the glass.
He typed back.
"Where are you right now?"
No reply yet.
He waited.
Thirty seconds.
A minute.
Then the typing bubble appeared.
"I'm at a karaoke place with Hayato and his friends. Room 7. I want to leave but he won't let me."
Yamada's jaw clenched.
He stood up.
Grabbed his hoodie.
Walked to the front door.
The driver was still outside.
Yamada got back in the car.
"Find this karaoke place. Room 7. Fast."
The driver nodded. Started the engine.
As the car sped down the hill, Yamada looked out the window.
His reflection stared back.
Red eyes calm.
But something darker moved behind them.
He flexed his hands.
No casts anymore.
No weakness.
The car cut through the night.
Toward Saki.
Toward Hayato.
Yamada spoke quietly.
"Drive faster."
The driver pressed the accelerator.
Yamada leaned back.
A very small, very cold smile touched his lips.
This time, he didn't stop it.
Yamada sat in the back of the car. Streetlights flashed across his face.
He looked at his phone. Typed quickly.
"I need more information."
He hit send.
A few seconds passed.
Ding!
Saki replied. Just a Google Maps location. No text. No explanation.
Street 5. A karaoke place in the entertainment district. Not far.
That was all he needed.
Yamada forwarded the location to a different contact. No name. Just a number.
The reply came fast.
"You want me to find this?"
Yamada typed back without hesitation.
"Yes. Don't ask why."
He sent it.
Then he put the phone down. Looked out the window.
The car was already speeding up.
His driver didn't need instructions. He knew the tone.
Yamada leaned back against the seat. Hood up. Hands resting on his thighs.
'Saki…'
He could picture her. Sitting in some loud room. Forced smile. Trying to act normal while Hayato and his friends laughed. Pushed drinks toward her. Hands wandering.
His jaw tightened.
The car turned onto a busier street. Neon signs blurred past. Karaoke bars. Clubs. People laughing on the sidewalks like nothing was wrong.
Yamada's phone stayed quiet.
He didn't send anything else.
He didn't need to.
The person on the other end would handle the details. Find the exact building. Room 7. Security cameras. Exits. Everything.
Yamada closed his eyes for a second.
Breathed slow.
When he opened them again, the car was slowing down.
Street 5.
Bright lights. Loud music spilling onto the street. Groups of people moving between buildings.
He looked at the map pin again.
Close.
The driver pulled over.
Yamada opened the door himself.
Stepped out.
The night air smelled like cigarettes, cheap perfume, and grilled meat from a nearby stall.
He pulled his hood lower.
Started walking.
Calm steps.
But inside, something cold and sharp had settled.
He wasn't here to talk.
Not tonight.
He was here to take Saki home.
And if Hayato tried to stop him…
Yamada's hands flexed at his sides.
Then he'd deal with that too.
The karaoke building loomed ahead. Bright pink and purple signs flashing.
Room 7.
He walked toward the entrance.
No hesitation.
No smile this time.
Just quiet purpose.
The night was far from over.
Yamada walked through the entrance of the karaoke building. Loud music and muffled singing spilled out from multiple rooms. The hallway smelled like cigarette smoke and sweet cocktails.
He ignored the receptionist. Walked straight to the elevator.
Pressed the button for the 3rd floor.
The doors closed.
In the silence of the elevator, his mind drifted.
Flashback.
Yamada was no older than five or six. Small. Still soft around the edges.
He stood in the grand living room of the family estate. Crystal chandelier above. Tall windows looking out at the garden.
A woman knelt in front of him.
Long dark hair. Striking purple eyes. Elegant even in casual clothes. A blue rose accessory pinned neatly in her hair.
His mother — Akari Asou.
She looked down at him with a gentle smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.
"Tell me, son," she said softly. "What happens if someone tries to take what is yours?"
Little Yamada tilted his head. Innocent.
"Give it to them?"
His mother laughed. A light, musical sound.
Then her eyes turned cold. Sharp. Like winter steel.
"No."
She gently cupped his small face with both hands.
"You do something worse to them. Something that doesn't include murder."
She leaned closer. Voice low. Almost a whisper.
"You make them regret it. You take something from them that they can never get back. Their pride. Their peace. Their future. You make sure they understand that touching what belongs to you… was the worst mistake they will ever make."
Young Yamada stared at her. Big red eyes wide.
His mother smiled again. This time warmer. She kissed his forehead.
"Understand?"
He nodded slowly.
"Yes, Mother."
End flashback.
The elevator dinged.
Third floor.
Yamada stepped out. Hood still up. Hands in his pockets.
The hallway was lined with numbered doors. Music and laughter leaked from several of them.
Room 7.
He walked toward it. Calm steps.
But his mother's words echoed in his head.
'Something worse than murder.'
He stopped in front of the door.
From inside he could hear loud voices. Male laughter. A girl's voice — quiet. Hesitant.
Saki.
Yamada's red eyes narrowed.
He reached for the door handle.
No knocking.
No warning.
Just the quiet promise in his chest.
If Hayato had touched her…
Tonight, someone was going to learn exactly what his mother taught him all those years ago.
He turned the handle.
Yamada opened the door.
The private karaoke room was loud. Lights flashing. Empty bottles on the table. Three guys inside. One of them — tall, dyed brown hair, cocky grin — had his arm around Saki's shoulder. Hayato.
Saki sat stiffly on the couch. Skirt riding up. Makeup a little smudged. Eyes down. She looked small.
The guys stopped singing when the door opened.
Hayato looked over. "Who the fuck are you?"
Yamada stepped inside. Closed the door behind him. Calm.
"I'm here for her."
Hayato laughed. Loud. Fake.
"She's with me tonight, bro. Fuck off."
Saki's head snapped up. Eyes wide when she saw him.
"Yamada…?"
One of the other guys stood up. Bigger. Muscular.
"You deaf? Get out before we throw you out."
Yamada didn't move. He looked at Saki.
"You want to leave?"
She hesitated. Then nodded quickly. Voice small.
"…Yes."
Yamada looked back at Hayato.
"She's leaving."
Hayato's face twisted. He stood up. Pushed Saki aside roughly.
"The fuck she is. She owes me money. And she still hasn't paid what she promised tonight."
Yamada's eyes narrowed.
He stepped forward.
Hayato swung first. Wild punch.
Yamada caught his wrist. Twisted it hard. The guy screamed as his arm bent at a bad angle.
The second guy charged.
Yamada kicked him in the stomach. Same way he did back in school. The guy folded. Dropped to his knees.
The third guy froze. Backed up against the wall.
Yamada still held Hayato's wrist. Tight.
"You showed her things," he said. Voice calm. Too calm. "Drugs. Parties. Guys touching her when she didn't want it."
Hayato tried to pull away. Pain on his face.
"Let go, you crazy fuck—"
Yamada twisted harder. Something popped.
Hayato screamed.
Saki stood up. Shaking.
"Yamada… stop…"
Yamada looked at her. Eyes softer for a second.
"Go outside. Wait for me."
She hesitated. Then nodded. Grabbed her bag and slipped past him. Door closed behind her.
Yamada turned back to Hayato.
He leaned in close. Voice low.
"You touched what's mine."
Hayato's eyes widened. Fear finally hitting him.
"I-I didn't know she was—"
"You will forget her name," Yamada continued. "You will never contact her again. You will leave this city. Tonight."
He let go of the wrist. Hayato collapsed onto the couch, holding his arm.
Yamada looked at the other two guys.
"Same goes for you."
They nodded fast. Terrified.
Yamada turned to leave.
Then stopped.
He looked back at Hayato.
"If I hear you went near her again…"
He didn't finish the sentence.
Just smiled. Small. Cold.
The same smile his mother taught him.
Hayato whimpered.
Yamada walked out.
Saki was waiting in the hallway. Arms wrapped around herself. Eyes red.
He walked up to her. Gently pulled her into a hug.
She buried her face in his chest. Started crying.
"I'm sorry… I'm so sorry…"
Yamada stroked her hair.
"It's okay. You're safe now."
He held her until the shaking stopped.
Then he took her hand.
"Come on. Let's go home."
They walked out of the building together.
The black car waited outside.
Saki got in first. Yamada followed.
As the car drove away, he looked at her.
She was leaning against him. Exhausted.
He didn't say anything.
Just held her hand.
In the back of his mind, his mother's words echoed again.
'Something worse than murder.'
He looked out the window.
Hayato would disappear tonight.
Quietly.
Cleanly.
No loose ends.
Yamada closed his eyes.
For the first time tonight, a small, quiet chuckle left his lips.
Soft.
Dark.
Saki didn't hear it.
She was already half-asleep against his shoulder.
Safe.
---
The next morning came.
Saki's eyes fluttered open. She stared at the ceiling. White. High. Expensive-looking light fixture.
She blinked slowly.
"Where am I…?"
She sat up. The bed was huge. Soft sheets. The room looked way fancier than it had any right to be. Marble accents on the walls. Large windows with heavy curtains. Her school uniform was neatly folded on a chair. Someone had given her a large white t-shirt to sleep in.
She got out of bed. Bare feet touched a warm wooden floor. Confused, she tried to remember last night.
The karaoke. Hayato's grip on her arm. The loud voices. Then Yamada walking in. The screaming. The car ride. His shoulder. Everything after that was a blur.
She walked to the door. Opened it quietly.
The hallway was wide. Clean. Two more doors nearby. Everything looked expensive but calm. Not cold.
She stepped out.
A voice came from down the hall.
"Onii-chan, she's awake!"
Miyuri's voice. Bright. Energetic.
Saki froze.
Yamada appeared from another room. Still in his hoodie. Hair a little messy. He looked at her.
"Morning," he said. Voice calm. "You okay?"
Saki hugged herself. Looked around again.
"This… is your house?"
"Yeah."
She swallowed.
"I don't remember coming inside…"
"You fell asleep in the car," he said. "I carried you in. Put you in the guest room."
Saki's cheeks turned pink.
"You… carried me?"
Yamada nodded once. No big deal.
Miyuri peeked from behind him. Twin-tails bouncing. Big curious eyes.
"Hi! I'm Miyuri. Onii-chan's little sister."
Saki gave a small, awkward wave.
"Hi…"
Yamada gestured down the hall.
"Breakfast is ready. Come eat. Then we can talk."
Saki hesitated. Then nodded.
She followed them to the dining area. The table was already set. Toast. Eggs. Rice. Miso soup. Fresh juice. A maid quietly placed another plate down and left without a word.
Saki sat down. Still looking around like she couldn't believe it.
Yamada sat across from her. Miyuri next to him, already attacking her food.
Saki stared at her plate for a moment.
Then she looked up at Yamada.
"Last night… Hayato…"
"He won't bother you again," Yamada said. Simple. Calm.
Saki's hands tightened around her chopsticks.
"You did something to him?"
Yamada met her eyes.
"I handled it."
He didn't explain more.
Saki looked down. Tears suddenly welled up.
"I was so stupid… I thought I could handle it. I thought if I changed myself, I'd finally fit in…"
Yamada reached across the table. Gently placed his hand on hers.
"You don't need to change anything," he said quietly. "You're fine the way you are."
Miyuri watched them silently. For once, she didn't tease.
Saki wiped her eyes with her sleeve.
"Thank you… for coming."
Yamada gave her hand a small squeeze.
"Always."
The morning light came through the windows. Warm. Peaceful.
For the first time in weeks, Saki felt safe.
She picked up her chopsticks.
Started eating.
Slow.
But real.
The house stayed quiet around them.
A new day.
A new beginning.
Saki looked at Yamada across the table.
"Yamada-kun."
Yamada looked at her. "Yes?"
Saki looked around the dining room again. The expensive table. The food. The maid quietly pouring juice. The huge windows. The whole house.
"You're rich."
Yamada answered matter-of-factly.
"Yes."
Saki stared at him. Her chopsticks froze halfway to her mouth.
"But how…? I've been to your old apartment. Middle school… you used to count coupons just to buy snacks. Did you win something? Like the lottery?"
Yamada took a sip of his juice. Calm.
"No lottery."
He set the glass down.
"My family has always been rich. Very rich."
Saki blinked slowly. Processing.
"Then… why did you live like that? The small apartment. The part-time job. Walking everywhere. You even let me pay for ice cream sometimes…"
Yamada leaned back in his chair.
"I wanted to know what normal felt like. I asked my parents to let me live like a regular person. No special treatment. No one knowing."
He looked at her.
"I wanted real friends. Not people who only cared because of money."
Saki stayed quiet for a long moment.
She looked down at her plate.
"So… all this time… you were hiding it from me too?"
Yamada nodded.
"From everyone. Except the Tsubakihara sisters. They've known since we were kids."
Saki let out a small, bitter laugh.
"I feel stupid now. I thought we were the same. Struggling together."
"You weren't stupid," Yamada said. "I liked that life. I still do. The store. School. Walking home. Those were real."
He paused.
"I only use the money when I need to."
Saki looked up at him. Eyes a little wet again.
"Like last night?"
"Yeah. Like last night."
Miyuri watched them quietly. She poked at her rice but didn't interrupt.
Saki wiped her eyes with her sleeve.
"So… what happens now?"
Yamada met her gaze.
"You stay here for a while. Until things are safe. Until Hayato is gone for good."
Saki's voice shook a little.
"I don't want to be a burden…"
"You're not," Yamada said firmly. "You're family. You always have been."
Saki stared at him.
Then she gave a small nod.
"Okay…"
She picked up her chopsticks again. Ate slowly.
The morning light filled the dining room.
For the first time in a long while, Saki felt warm.
Safe.
And a little overwhelmed.
But mostly safe.
Yamada watched her eat. Quiet.
His mind already thinking ahead.
About school.
About the nurses.
About what came next.
But for now, he just sat there.
With Saki.
Eating breakfast.
Like old times.
Only different.
To be connected
Hope people like this Ch and Give me power stones