It was already three in the morning when Takashi entered his apartment.

  The trip to Tokyo.

  The hospital.

  Kenta’s voice.

  Sota’s message.

  Everything pressed down on him at once.

  He kicked off his shoes without looking where they landed.

  He hung his coat on the hook

  He didn’t even turn on the lights.

  He collapsed onto the sofa in the living room, still dressed.

  Since he met Sota, sleeping on the sofa like this had become normal.

  The apartment was quiet. Sota had left a long time ago.

  Takashi glanced toward the bedroom.

  If I go in there, I won’t sleep for sure.

  He closed his eyes for a moment, and it felt like everything was spinning around him.

  Sota is back in his territory,

  Takashi thought.

  He’ll know what to do if something goes wrong.

  But what if he doesn’t have time…

  and ends up just like my father?

  Takashi’s eyes snapped open. He sat up, running both hands through his hair.

  Oh my God, Takashi… get yourself together, he whispered into the darkness.

  The organization.

  Sota.

  Justice.

  One of them would have to lose.

  “Damn it…”

  His voice broke this time.

  “This is driving me insane.”

  He didn’t even remember when he fell asleep.

  He woke up still wearing yesterday’s clothes.

  7:30 a.m.

  For a moment he just lay there, staring at the ceiling.

  He put water on for coffee and went to take a quick shower.

  Usually, he was one of the first to arrive at the office.

  But today…

  To hell with it.

  I’ll drink my coffee first.

  While drinking his coffee, he checked his phone a few times, then pushed it away across the table.

  If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

  Don’t call me. Don’t look for me.

  How the hell am I supposed to know if everything is all right, Sota?

  The world was still moving like every other day.

  He noticed it as he stepped outside.

  People walking. Cars passing. Someone laughing on the corner.

  The same way it kept moving when he lost his father.

  When he lost his mother.

  Nothing stopped.

  Nothing changed.

  He entered the office and walked straight toward the Chief’s office.

  Kenta’s desk was empty.

  He had taken the day off.

  And yes… the world was still moving without him sitting behind that desk.

  Takashi clenched his jaw.

  His hands curled into fists at his sides.

  There was nowhere to put this rage.

  Nowhere to aim it.

  After explaining everything about Kawara Medical Distribution, the Chief remained silent for a long moment.

  He stood by the window, hands clasped behind his back, staring down at the street below.

  Takashi sat across from the desk, waiting.

  Every few seconds, his eyes drifted to his phone.

  “I don’t know, Takashi…” the Chief finally said, turning around slowly.

  “Kawara Medical Distribution is a well-respected institution.”

  He pulled out his chair but didn’t sit. Instead, he leaned forward, gripping the backrest tightly.

  “Are you absolutely sure about this?” he asked, studying Takashi carefully.

  “I’m sure, Chief,” Takashi replied without hesitation.

  “Do you understand the consequences if you’re wrong about this?”

  The Chief’s voice was deadly serious now.

  “This could ruin your reputation. The entire department’s reputation.”

  He turned back toward the window, his jaw tight.

  “Not to mention what it would do to my superiors.”

  “I’m a hundred percent sure the information is correct,”

  Takashi said, rising slightly from his chair before forcing himself to stay still.

  “I don’t care about my reputation. I told you before... I’m ready to lose everything.”

  His voice didn’t shake.

  “If anything goes wrong, your name and the department’s name won’t be mentioned.”

  Takashi’s eyes were firm.

  “I’ll take full responsibility.”

  “You’re just like your father.”

  The Chief stopped for a moment, studying him.

  “Ready to fight the whole world.”

  He moved and sat on the edge of his desk.

  “I told you before… everything isn’t black and white, Takashi.”

  His voice lowered.

  “For God’s sake... they donate to charities. They fund hospitals. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

  Takashi glanced at his phone again before lifting his eyes.

  “So what are you saying?” he asked quietly.

  “You won’t give me permission?”

  “I’m telling you to think carefully,” the Chief replied.

  “If you’re wrong, Takashi… this won’t end like last time.”

  “I’m not wrong.”

  Takashi stood up abruptly.

  “Sit down,” the Chief ordered sharply.

  “I’m not finished yet.”

  There was a long pause.

  “I told you… I won’t let you down.”

  Takashi slowly sat back in the chair.

  “When is Kenta coming back to work?” the Chief asked.

  "Is he still with you in this?"

  “He’s coming back tomorrow. Yes, he’s with me… why?”

  Takashi studied the Chief carefully now.

  “Listen to me very carefully, Takashi.”

  The Chief stepped closer, crossed his arms, then sat on the edge of the desk, stretching his legs out.

  “If they’re involved in this… then this is far bigger than I thought.”

  He paused.

  “Go with Kenta.”

  Another pause.

  “I can’t give you a warrant like last time. But you’ve already proven you know how to work around that.”

  His voice grew heavier.

  “If you’re right... and this is true... there will be consequences.

  And if you’re wrong… there will be consequences too.”

  He crossed one leg over the other and looked straight at Takashi.

  “You’ll be suspended either way. Because you acted on your own.”

  Silence filled the office.

  “Are you ready for that?”

  Takashi remained silent for a moment.

  How can I do this to Kenta?

  He loved his job more than anything.

  Takashi knew Kenta wouldn’t hesitate for even a second but the weight in his chest grew heavier and heavier.

  His throat felt tight.

  Breathing suddenly took effort.

  His eyes dropped to his phone.

  Sota was in danger.

  Ryo was lying in a hospital bed.

  Kenta didn’t even know what was coming

  He clenched his fists.

  No backing up.

  Sota’s words echoed in his mind.

  Takashi stood up abruptly.

  “I’m ready,” he said.

  And something inside him finally stopped hesitating.

  The Chief slowly lowered his hands and looked down, gripping the edge of the desk.

  For a moment, he didn’t say anything.

  The room felt heavier than before.

  “Then I pray you’re right,”

  the Chief exhaled.

  Takashi didn’t move.

  The Chief stepped closer, placing a hand on his shoulder.

  “You’re just like him,” he said quietly.

  “And I already buried one man who thought he could fight the whole world.”

  A pause.

  “I don’t want to bury another.”

  Silence filled the room.

  Takashi left the office, barely catching his breath.

  He stepped onto the balcony and lit a cigarette. His fingers trembled

  For the first time, he didn’t know which direction to turn.

  If Sota was in danger…

  Kenta could lose his job.

  Ryo was already in the hospital.

  And the Chief’s words wouldn’t leave him alone.

  Think straight Takashi!

  He gripped the railing and leaned forward, letting the cold air hit his face.

  Once, he had believed he had already lost everything worth holding on to.

  But now…

  Now he wasn’t so sure.

  His decisions could ruin lives.

  He wanted to shout. To break something.

  Instead, he stayed still.

  Only the vein in his neck pulsed beneath his skin.

  The vibration in his pocket startled him.

  Takashi straightened at once and pulled out the phone with shaking fingers.

  It was Sota.

  Everything here seems fine for now.

  I’ll come to see you as soon as I get back.

  Stick to the plan

  Takashi slipped the phone back into his pocket and slowly sank down until he was sitting on the cold concrete floor.

  His elbows rested on his knees as he took a long drag from his cigarette.

  “Stick to the plan,” he repeated under his breath.

  He crushed the cigarette against the concrete.

  There was no turning back anymore.