Haruto and Rin stepped into the dimly lit room. The space was nearly empty—just a single table, two chairs, and a lone lamp casting a weak glow overhead. It felt more like an interrogation room than a negotiation spot.

The entire building was stripped bare, per their agreement. No reinforcements, no hidden men—only two representatives from the Murder of Crows and Red Fang were allowed entry.

Rin let out an exaggerated sigh, standing by the wall with her arms crossed. She had refused the chair Haruto offered, eyeing him with clear disapproval.

"You," she muttered. "Why the hell would you come to a place like this alone?"

"They could be lying. They could have their whole damn gang waiting outside," she added, narrowing her eyes.

Haruto remained silent for a moment before finally answering, "Doesn't matter. As long as Daiki dies, nothing else does."

"Hah! So what, you planning to throw your life away? What about your baby? Your women?" Rin squinted at him from inside the gorilla costume, her judgment clear.

"What's the point of having a father or a lover like me? Someone who can't protect them?" Haruto's voice was flat, his gaze locked onto the door, unreadable.

"They're better off without me."

"You bastard," Rin scoffed. "You think if you die, everything just magically ends?"

She pushed off the wall, taking a step toward him. "Let me spoil it for you—it won't. It'll haunt them for the rest of their lives."

"You have years ahead of you, Haruto. You're healthy, you can still grab hold of whatever future you want," she said, her voice steady but firm.

"You could just walk away. Forget this mess and live."

Haruto exhaled sharply. "I can't. I've already sunk too deep into this."

His voice was resolute. "I have to end what I started."

Rin sighed again, shaking her head. "That's dumb as hell. But I like your guts." A smirk tugged at her lips.

"I won't let you die, though. That's my job. I'm the one getting the epic death scene, and you're not stealing it from me."

Haruto sighed, rubbing his temple. "You say that like we're going to die here. You do realize we won't, right?"

"Maybe." Rin shrugged. "Maybe not. You never know."

Before Haruto could respond, the door creaked open.

Two figures stepped inside.

Daiki. And Azuma.

"Huh, I expected the redhead or someone else, but a gorilla? Interesting choice of a partner," Daiki mused as he took a seat, casually crossing his legs.

His expression was as relaxed as ever, while Azuma remained standing at his side, his gaze sharp and observant.

Haruto didn't bother with pleasantries. "Let's get to the point. I want Ren."

Without hesitation, he pulled a document from his bag and tossed it onto the table in front of Daiki.

Daiki spun the document lazily with his finger, but his eyes never left Rin. "Why rush? Why not talk about something more... engaging?"

His gaze traveled up and down, his head tilting slightly. "I feel like I've seen you somewhere before."

Haruto's muscles tensed.

If Daiki recognized Rin, he would realize Haruto was the one who infiltrated the Love Kingdom.

'Then again, I brought him the Ito Crown Syndicate document… He should already know by now.'

"Anyway," Daiki suddenly shifted the conversation, his voice smooth. "How's your sister doing, Haruto?"

Haruto's jaw clenched, and his fists tightened on instinct. Rage bubbled beneath the surface, but he forced himself to breathe.

'No. Stay calm. This negotiation needs to work.'

He exhaled through his nose and smiled. "She's doing great. And I'll make sure you never see her again."

Daiki smirked. "Is that a threat?" He chuckled, leaning back.

"I don't get why you hate me so much, Haruto. We could have been good friends, you know?"

Haruto's fingers twitched. 'This fucking bastard.'

Before he could snap, Rin—her voice purposefully hoarse—cut in. "Shut up, sissy. Read the damn document and let's get this stupid negotiation over with."

The room fell into a tense silence.

Haruto couldn't hold back a chuckle, but Daiki simply stared at Rin, unblinking. Though his face remained unreadable, there was a flicker of rage in his eyes.

Still, he forced a smile, even as the air grew thick with tension.

Finally, he picked up the document and flipped through it swiftly before setting it back down.

"Do you think this is enough?" Daiki asked, his voice now ice-cold.

"Are you not worried?" Haruto leaned forward slightly, his smirk growing.

"If I release that information, your clients will come knocking. Politicians, high-ranking officials, all demanding answers."

"They would definitely tried to kill you."

Daiki's eyes widened for a brief moment before he burst into laughter.

"Haruto, you still don't get it." He leaned in, his grin razor-sharp.

"They might want to kill me, sure. But before they touch me, they'll be at your door first."

Haruto's smirk faded slightly.

"They'll spin the story, buy the media, twist the truth until you're the villain." Daiki's voice was almost playful, but his words dripped with malice.

"They'll send people to your loved ones. Or did you learn nothing from Ren's last warning?"

Haruto's fingers twitched, emotions swirling beneath his calm facade.

But he had expected this.

"Then what happens if your brother finds out?" Haruto countered, tilting his head.

"That important operation he's so proud of—ruined by his own little brother."

For the first time, Daiki hesitated. His smirk faltered, just slightly.

Still, he shook his head. "And how does that help you? If Shohei finds out, he'll put you in the ground before he comes for me."

Haruto leaned in, his voice dropping, his eyes gleaming. "Kikuchi likes me. He'll protect me."

"And with the new drug he's developing nearing success, don't you think Shohei will side with Kikuchi over you?" Haruto smirked.

Daiki and Azuma went quiet, their expressions dark as they processed his words.

'Come on… let this work.'

Haruto knew it was a bluff. Kikuchi didn't want their collaboration to be known. But this bet hinged on one thing—whether Shohei and Daiki's relationship wasn't as close as it seemed.

After a long silence, Haruto delivered the final push.

"You hate Ren, don't you?" He let the question hang in the air before smirking.

"Then give him to me."