Aiko stood frozen, the weight of Kaito's jacket heavy on her shoulders. The warmth was the only thing that felt real. Her mind was white noise. Shadow monster. Yakuza. Dog with glowing eyes. Kaito's words echoed in her ears: Now, you are my problem.
Kaito didn't wait for a reply. With a swift movement, he gently took her by the elbow. His touch was firm, leaving no room for argument.
"We can't stay here," he said, his voice low and calm. He began to guide her down the street, away from the alley and her route home.
Aiko let him lead, her legs moving on their own. "Wh-where are we going?"
"Somewhere safe," was all he answered.
They rounded a corner to a sleek, black sedan that looked out of place on the normal street. The car was so clean and silent it seemed like a panther waiting to pounce. Kaito opened the passenger door for her. For a second, Aiko hesitated. Getting into that car felt like a point of no return.
Kaito's eyes met hers. There was no threat in them, just absolute certainty. "Get in, Tanaka-san."
Aiko got in.
The car's interior smelled like leather and something clean, like the air after a storm. Kaito slid into the driver's seat and the engine came to life with a nearly silent hum. They pulled away quietly. Tokyo's buildings blurred past the window like ghosts.
After several minutes, Aiko found her voice. It was shaky, but it was there.
"That... that shadow..." she began. "What was it?"
Kaito kept his eyes on the road. "A warning."
"And those men? And the dog?" she pressed.
He sighed, a barely audible sound. "There are families in this city, Tanaka-san. Clans. We control this territory. The Kageyama want to take it. The Inugami you fed was one of their spies. By feeding it, you created a bond. They marked you as theirs."
The word "Inugami" sounded strange, like something from a fairytale. But the fear she felt was very real. "So, yokai... they're real?"
"Some myths have a basis in truth," Kaito said. "And now, the truth has found you. Because of that, things are going to have to change for you."
The car pulled into the underground garage of a tall, modern apartment building in an expensive part of the city. Kaito led her to an elevator that rose silently to one of the highest floors. He unlocked a door and motioned for her to enter.
The apartment was stunning and empty. It had massive floor-to-ceiling windows with a view of the entire city, minimalist furniture, and not a single photo or personal touch. It was like a luxury hotel room no one had ever lived in.
"You'll stay here," Kaito said, closing the door behind them. The click of the lock echoed in the silence.
Aiko turned, his jacket still draped over her. "Stay here? I can't. I have my apartment, I have... I have to go to work tonight."
Kaito looked at her, his expression hard. "You won't be going to work. I made a call. You're on indefinite sick leave. As for your apartment, I'll have someone collect your essential belongings."
Panic began to bubble in Aiko's chest, replacing the shock. "You can't decide that. You can't just... kidnap me."
"I'm not kidnapping you, Tanaka-san. I'm protecting you," he replied, his voice as cold as ice. "The Kageyama now know your face, your job, your home. If you go back there, they will kill you. Or worse. So these are the new rules. One: you stay in this apartment. Two: you do not go outside for any reason. Three: you do not contact your friends or family. They can't protect you. You would only put them in danger."
He stepped closer, stopping just a foot away from her. He was so tall she had to tilt her head back to look at him.
"I understand this is... difficult," he said, and for the first time, his voice held a hint of something other than authority. "But do you understand that your life is in danger?"
Aiko nodded, feeling small and overwhelmed. Her entire world had been reduced to the four walls of this luxury apartment. Her job, her routine, her freedom... all gone. And then, a sudden, practical thought hit her with the force of a punch.
She looked up at Kaito, her eyes filled with a new, urgent alarm.
"My cat," she said. "I have a cat in my apartment. His name is Mochi."