Morning.
The sun had barely risen, casting a soft gold across the quiet backstreets of the city.
The man walked with a bounce in his step.
He wore a cap low over his face, hands in his pockets.
Satisfied.
His debt?
Cleared.
His wife and daughter?
Safe. Secure.
He had done the job. Quick. Clean.
And now he could finally breathe.
As he made his way toward a local shop to grab breakfast, his steps slowed as he passed by an alleyway.
A gentle breeze swept past.
Screech.
A black van pulled up beside him. Smooth. Silent.
The sliding door swung open without warning.
WHAM.
A fist struck him hard across the face before he could even scream.
Another man grabbed him by the collar and yanked him inside.
The van door slammed shut.
In seconds, the alleyway was empty again.
The van disappeared into the early morning streets.
And silence returned.
Inside the Takahashi estate.
The study was dim, morning light filtered through heavy curtains.
