Underground, Tokyo – Midnight
Beneath the polished streets of Tokyo, far from the city's noise and light, a single bulb flickered in a dim basement. Blood dripped from the face of a man slumped in a chair—his name, Cortez. Bruised, broken, barely conscious.
Across from him stood Lorenzo, casually sipping from a juice box. He exhaled with a sigh of annoyance, like a tired office worker reviewing the same report for the fifth time.
"Ahhh... how many times are we gonna do this, Cortez? You know the boss doesn't play games with rats." He leaned in, voice almost sympathetic. "I'm here to help you. Really. Just give me a name. That's it."
With a gloved hand, Lorenzo gently patted Cortez's cheek—more mockery than kindness. The sound of heels echoed down the hallway like the ticking of a countdown.
Cortez twitched. He knew what that sound meant.
She appeared moments later. A woman in a tailored black business suit, heels sharp as her presence. Long black hair fell down her back like a dark river, and behind her shades, her green eyes narrowed with purpose.
She snapped her fingers. Without hesitation, Lorenzo offered her a cigar.
"Here you go, Miss Ceasar," he said with a grin. "Our friend here still won't talk."
Miss Ceasar lit the cigar and took a slow drag, exhaling a stream of smoke like a dragon with a law degree. Her voice was smooth, laced with a soft Russian accent that made even threats sound elegant.
"Tsk, tsk, Cortez. All of your factions now kneel to me," she said, walking closer. "This is your last chance to cooperate. After this…"
She nodded once. Lorenzo returned with a cold, metallic glove. Heavy. Unforgiving.
Miss Ceasar smiled cruelly. "...we'll crack something of similar value. Right?"
Her gaze dropped lower. Cortez whimpered.
---
Meanwhile – Tokyo Mall, Afternoon
The air-conditioned buzz of the mall was a far cry from the basement gloom. Austin, dressed in casual streetwear, admired his reflection in a changing room mirror.
"Finally. Found the right size," he muttered, satisfied. "This day's going unusually well. Which means... something's sus."
His paranoia wasn't baseless. After everything he'd been through, he'd learned one thing: good days usually came with a price tag.
He paid for his clothes and made his way to the food court. A cold Fanta and a donut later, he found a seat and took a sip.
"Mmm… Fanta's sweeter than I rememb—"
Darkness.
---
Unknown Location – Hours Later
Austin stirred. His head pounded. A cloth bag covered his face, and he was tied to a chair.
"Hngh… what the hell happened? Who the hell drugged me?" he groaned. "Knew it. Too good to be true…"
Before he could continue complaining, the familiar sound of heels echoed across concrete.
The bag was pulled off. His eyes adjusted to the dim light just in time to see her—Miss Ceasar, the cigar-smoking storm in heels.
She was flanked by two unfamiliar men. Moments later, Lorenzo entered and froze at the sight.
"Uh... Boss?" Lorenzo blinked. "Why is my brother tied up? And why the hell is he here?"
Miss Ceasar's eyes widened behind her shades. Slowly, she turned to the two men standing near Austin.
"You brought the wrong person... again!?"
Austin, despite being tied up in an unknown location, surrounded by criminals, wasn't afraid. Or angry. Or even confused.
No, only one thought lingered in his mind.
"Again?"
The two henchmen exchanged panicked glances.
Too late.
Miss Ceasar drew her pistol, swift and ruthless. Two shots, clean and cold.
Their bodies dropped. Austin barely blinked.
He turned his head toward his brother.
"So this is what you do in your spare time, huh?" he said dryly. "Dumb as hell... but damn, I gotta respect the mafia woman aesthetic. Pretty hot for a teenage disaster like me."
He looked directly at the fourth wall.
Yes, you. The reader.
He sighed.
Lorenzo, to his credit, just laughed at the chaos. Miss Ceasar, less amused, narrowed her eyes at Austin.
"What kind of kid watches two men get gunned down and doesn't even flinch?" she asked. "Are you insane?"
Austin shrugged, still tied up.
"Lady, after the life I've had? Nothing fazes me. So, untie me sometime soon? I got homework... and I kinda need to breathe."