Rei’s Promise

Chapter 5

– The First Snare

That morning seemed ordinary. Hana busied herself with breakfast—messy scrambled eggs, slightly burnt toast. She pouted at the results, then laughed softly to herself.

“Rei-san will still eat it, even if it’s burnt,” she murmured, arranging the plates.

But before she could call Rei, a loud knock rattled the apartment door. It wasn’t a normal knock—it was a pounding. Hana frowned.

“Rei-san?” she called, but there was no answer from his room.

Suddenly, the door burst open. Two men in black stormed inside.

“The target is here!”

Hana stumbled back, the plate shattering on the floor. Her body froze, heart pounding wildly.

But in a flash, Rei emerged from the bedroom. His expression was cold, his eyes sharp. In an instant, he leapt in front of Hana, blocking the first attack with his bare hands.

The apartment erupted into chaos. Chairs toppled, the table overturned. Rei moved like a shadow, breaking one assailant’s wrist, kicking him hard into the wall.

“Rei-san!” Hana cried as the second man lunged toward her.

Rei spun, slamming the attacker to the floor and locking his throat until he went limp. It all happened within seconds.

Hana collapsed in tears, her knees weak. Rei rushed to her, pulling her into his arms.

“I told you… they would come for you,” his voice low, filled with restrained fury.

Hana looked up through tears, her fear mixing with relief. “I don’t care… as long as you’re here, I feel safe.”

Rei fell silent. He cupped her face, his fingers brushing away her tears. For a moment, the world seemed to pause.

They were almost too close. Hana’s breath trembled, her cheeks flushed. Rei leaned slightly, as if to speak words he had never dared say. But before they could, the distant wail of police sirens shattered the moment.

Rei pulled back, whispering, “We have to leave. They won’t stop until you’re gone from me.”

Hana gripped his hand tightly. “Then don’t let go of me.”

And Rei knew he never would.

– On the Run

The sky was gray as Rei looked out the apartment window. The sirens had faded, but he knew it was only false calm. After the morning’s attack, this apartment was no longer safe.

Hana sat on the sofa wrapped in a blanket, her face pale but her eyes steady on Rei.

“Rei-san… you can’t keep fighting them alone. What if—”

“No,” Rei cut her off, his voice cold. “As long as you’re here, they’ll keep coming.”

Hana bit her lip, then stood and took his hand. “Then we’ll leave together.”

Rei turned, surprised. “Hana…”

“I won’t be a burden. I’ll go with you, no matter what.”

For a moment, silence reigned, broken only by the ticking clock. Finally, Rei exhaled heavily. He knew Hana was no longer someone who would simply hide away.

“Fine,” he said at last. “We leave tonight.”

---

Night fell. Rei packed the essentials: passports, cash, small weapons. Hana clumsily stuffed instant meals into a bag.

“We really look like we’re running away from home,” she muttered awkwardly.

Rei glanced at her, lips curving slightly. “That’s exactly what we’re doing.”

Hana froze, stunned at the rare smile on his face. Quickly, she looked away, her cheeks burning.

---

Hours later, they slipped into the dark streets, leaving the apartment behind. Rei walked slightly ahead, body tense, every sound sharpening his instincts.

Hana reached out, tugging the hem of his jacket.

“Don’t walk too far, Rei-san. I’m afraid I’ll lose you.”

Rei stopped briefly, then allowed her to walk beside him. For the first time in a long while, he didn’t feel entirely alone.

But peace never lasted. From afar, headlights of an unmarked car flared toward them. Rei instantly pulled Hana into a narrow alley, eyes narrowing.

“They’ve already found us.”

Hana’s grip on his hand tightened. And though her heart raced, she knew—so long as she was with Rei, she was ready to face anything.

– Chase Through the City Night

The unmarked car sped forward, headlights glaring at Rei and Hana.

“Run!” Rei shouted, pulling Hana as they darted through the narrow alley. Her breath came in ragged gasps, but her grip on him never faltered.

Tires screeched. Voices rang out. “Don’t let them escape!”

The damp, trash-strewn alleys became their battleground. Rei kicked open an iron door, dragging Hana through the back of a closed night market. The smell of dried fish and dust filled the air.

Gunfire cracked. Bullets ricocheted off concrete. Hana screamed softly as Rei shielded her, pressing her to the ground.

“You okay?” he whispered.

Hana nodded quickly, her face pale.

Rei moved again, toppling trash bins to slow their pursuers. One man tripped, buying them a brief chance.

But at the next corner, another car blocked their path. Rei cursed under his breath. “They’re surrounding us.”

He pulled a folding knife from his pocket, glancing at Hana. “Stay behind me. Whatever happens, don’t let go.”

Though trembling, Hana’s grip tightened. “I won’t.”

The fight erupted. Two armed men lunged, but Rei moved swiftly—one fell to a brutal kick, the other disarmed and slammed into the wall.

Hana’s heart raced as she watched, fear mixing with awe. To her, Rei was like a living shield.

The blocking car revved again. Rei grabbed Hana, pulling her over a fence onto the rooftops. She nearly slipped, but he caught her waist, holding her close. “I won’t let you fall.”

After a harrowing chase, they slipped into a dark alley behind an old warehouse. The enemy cars roared past, missing them.

Hana trembled, breathless. Rei touched her face gently with his wounded hand. “I’m sorry… for dragging you into this hell.”

Tears welled in Hana’s eyes. “If this is hell… I’ll endure it, as long as I’m with you.”

Rei froze. Her words struck deeper than any bullet. He pulled her tightly into his arms, holding her as if afraid to lose her in the next second.

Outside, the sound of engines faded. For that night, they were safe. But both of them knew… this was only the beginning.