Hayato let out a quiet sigh, watching the senior's retreating figure fade down the winding, low-lit corridor.
I really don't get it, Hayato thought, crossing his arms and leaning back against the cool wooden pillar. Why has the Family Head been hiding himself away from the world for all these years? What is he so afraid of?
"Hayato."
A soft, weathered voice called out from behind him. Hayato straightened up instantly, turning to see an elderly woman walking gracefully down the hall. Her silk robes rustled softly against the polished floorboards.
The Family Head's wife, Hayato recognized immediately, lowering his posture out of respect.
"Yes, Madam? How can I be of assistance?" Hayato asked, shifting smoothly into his polite demeanor.
"Did something happen?" she asked gently, her eyes scanning the empty corridor. "I saw you speaking with the senior just a moment ago before he left. He seemed shaken."
"Ah, well... it looks like the Family Head's temper hasn't improved today," Hayato said, offering a casual, self-deprecating smile. "As for the other one, he has a tough job. He's always the one getting yelled at behind those blankets."
The elderly woman offered a melancholic nod. She walked past him, her eyes fixed on the courtyard. "Follow me, Hayato."
"Right behind you," he replied, quickening his pace to keep step with her.
As they walked through the massive, ancient estate, the sliding paper screens opened up to reveal a pristine, frozen river winding through the snow-covered mountain landscape. The sight was breathtaking.
Man, that's a beauty, Hayato thought, a brief wave of genuine appreciation washing over him. I really do love nature.
The woman's voice abruptly pulled him back to reality. "You know... the Family Head was never like this. He wasn't always a ghost in a dark room."
"Well, to be fair, Madam, I wouldn't know," Hayato replied carelessly. "I don't even know what the hell he looks like."
The woman stopped dead in her tracks, turning to face him with a sharp look.
Realizing his tongue had slipped, Hayato raised his hands defensively, offering a hurried, apologetic bow. "Ah! My bad, my bad. Poor choice of words, Madam. Forgive the disrespect."
A faint, sad smile broke across her face. "Do not worry about it."
Whew. Smooth save. Totally nailed it, Hayato congratulated himself internally.
The woman stepped closer, unexpectedly reaching up to place a warm, gentle hand against his cheek. Hayato stiffened, his eyes widening in pure surprise.
"The Family Head... he used to be just like you, Hayato," she murmured softly, her eyes reflecting a lifetime of grief. "Carefree, bright, and kind."
Carefree? The old monster behind the curtains? Hayato's mind raced. What the hell happened to him that made him isolate himself like a prisoner?
"Madam..." Hayato began, his voice dropping its usual playful edge. "If I may ask... what changed him?"
The woman lowered her hand from his cheek, placing it firmly on his shoulder. "I am sorry, child. I cannot tell you the whole truth." Her fingers suddenly tightened around his shoulder blade with an unnatural, bone-crushing strength. Her knuckles turned white, her face darkening. "But you should know this much... Hideki Yamamoto betrayed us. He broke him and this family."
"Uh... M-Madam," Hayato winced, his eyes watering slightly as the sheer physical pressure radiated through his cloth. "Ouch... my shoulder is kind of screaming right now."
Realizing her own strength, the woman instantly let go, pulling her hand back and turning away. "Do not let anyone know what I have just told you."
"Understood, Boss. Uh, I mean, Woman Boss? Wait, what's the feminine version of the word Boss?" Hayato muttered, scratching his head as he looked up.
The courtyard was completely empty. She had already vanished into the corridors.
Hayato stood alone in the freezing mountain air, blinking blankly. "Damn. I was talking to myself again."
Meanwhile, across the ocean in Ottawa, the thick blindfolds were suddenly ripped away from Rider and Himari's faces.
"Welcome to the Loop's Third Branch," Chairman Mike announced, a proud, sweeping gesture accompanying his voice.
As their eyes adjusted to the harsh, fluorescent lighting, Rider's eyes widened in genuine horror. Himari's breath hitched, a wave of profound disgust tightening her throat.
They weren't in a standard corporate building. But something worse.
"Why so serious?" Mike laughed, completely unfazed by their expressions. He stepped forward, flashing a wide, chaotic smile as he heavily patted Rider's broad shoulder. "Oh, my bad, my bad. I should clarify—this is our illegal business."
Himari forced her expression back into a cold, professional mask, her voice cutting through the ambient noise of the facility. "What exactly is our role here?"
Rider gave a firm nod, tearing his eyes away from the floor below to look at Mike. "What's our objective?"
"You two are elite assets," Mike grinned, his eyes flashing with a dangerous excitement. "You're here for security."
"What type of security?" Himari pressed, her kunoichi instincts telling her a storm was coming.
Mike's grin widened into something truly menacing. "You'll find out soon enough."