Forbidden Territory of the Heart

Ren Tower was hailed as the most magnificent and arrogant building in the city. The 50-story skyscraper was designed in a minimalist modern style, its four faces clad in sapphire-blue reflective glass, creating an imposing, crystal-cube monolith standing proudly by the riverside. At night, the smart lighting system turned the building into a colossal lantern, a stark symbol of the power and wealth of the Ren clan-one of the ten largest business dynasties in the country. In the 15th-floor grand lobby, lights blazed at full capacity. The hall was splendidly and attractively decorated. Waitstaff bustled about, preparing for the Anime Cosplay Festival. No one paid attention to a newly arrived security guard, a tall figure with a cap pulled low, obscuring half his face. He entered the security control room, handed the supervising officer a pack of high-end cigarettes, and reminded him to be extra vigilant about security tonight. All the guards in the building knew that the heightened security wasn't just for the festival; it was in preparation for the young master’s “special guest.” The guest they spoke of was Eiji, the youngest son of the Yamada clan. “Mr. Kazuki has cast a wide net, a heaven-and-earth trap, to ensnare Eiji if he dares show up.” “I’m confident we’ll bag him tonight.” The new guard smirked and stepped out, after secretly plugging a device into the main security alert system. He casually took the elevator down to the basement. As the elevator doors opened, a car screeched to a halt, and its door swung open. The guard quickly stripped off his outer uniform, tossed it into a nearby trash can, and climbed into the car. “Go.” The person who had just gotten in commanded. He removed the baseball cap, revealing his entire face: icy, sharp eyes, a delicate face with a slim, finely sculpted jawline. His meticulously styled, indigo-blue hair fell slightly over his forehead. He was none other than Eiji Yamada, the notorious young mafia boss whose face few people knew. Eiji was respected in the underworld not only for his masterful disguise and transformation skills but also for his cold, ruthless brutality. He was considered the most promising heir. Yuto, slightly worried, asked, “Young Master, are you sure you don’t need my support?” Eiji smiled. “No need. I’ve already taken control of their security cameras. I’ve also pinpointed the location of the USB drive and the traitor. I will handle this myself. Besides, they seem to be eagerly anticipating my arrival.” Eiji changed into another outfit pre-prepared in the car. Yuto’s worry was justified. Everyone knew that the Ren and Yamada families had a long-standing, deep-seated feud. No one knew exactly how it started. There were many rumors: a vendetta for a father’s murder—Ryo’s father and Ren’s father were once close friends, but Ryo’s father supposedly betrayed and killed his friend, sparking the grudge. Another rumor suggested that Yamada Ryo and Ren Ito had both been in love with the same woman, and the fight for her heart caused the rift. No one could verify the gossip, and thus, through many tellings, the rumors became increasingly gruesome and sensational. All that was certain was that to this day, their bitter enmity was not a loud surface conflict but a series of fierce, underground wars: from protecting ports, nightclubs, and trading businesses to real estate. Rumors even claimed they attempted to assassinate each other. Therefore, Eiji—the youngest of the Yamada house—attending a party at Ren Tower was exceedingly risky. Yet, Eiji was determined to come here to punish the traitor of the Yamada house hiding within this building. He was an embezzling accountant who, upon discovery, fled with a list detailing millions of dollars in debt that Yamada Ryo was trying to recover from partners. If this USB drive were lost or destroyed, that colossal debt would be impossible to collect. The only one audacious enough to shelter him was none other than the Ren clan. “Traitors must be duly punished to serve as a warning.” Eiji put on a black Sapphire ring—the unmistakable symbol of the youngest son of the Yamada house. Yuto was startled: "Young Master, your safety is paramount, I..." “Wait outside,” Eiji said firmly. Eiji looked at the ring and smiled, turning the large stone face into his palm, then slipping on a pair of short white gloves. The car drove out of the basement, but it didn't go far; it circled once and returned to the main guest entrance of Ren Tower on the 1st floor. Eiji stepped out, holding the party invitation card. Instantly, all eyes at the entrance turned toward him. Eiji wore a long coat with sharp lapels, a vest, and a white waistcoat underneath, creating an image of absolute elegance. A neat white tie was adorned with a four-leaf clover pin, adding a refined touch. A crimson cloak was casually draped over his shoulders, creating a powerful focal point, perfectly contrasting with the white, and adding drama to his entrance. The indigo-blue hair framing his angular face intensified his air of mystery. For a moment, all the commotion seemed to be silenced. Then came the murmur of comments about the magnificent costume. Eiji's handsome face was partially obscured by the brim of a white top hat, further enhancing the enigma. His deep, sharp eyes, seemingly observing everything, revealed both intelligence and a hint of hidden arrogance. Eiji wore a classic monocle over his right eye, completing a scholarly, refined, yet eccentric look. He stood straight, his posture perfect, one hand holding a pristine white cane, the tip gently tapping the pavement. Perfectly handsome. Eiji walked on, deliberately ignoring the intense attention focused on him. Another luxury car pulled up. A girl in a sea-blue dress, wearing a silver mask and her hair in an updo, stepped out. It was Akiko. A young woman who had come here with her own purpose. Contrary to her self-assured, regal beauty, as the girl walked in her high heels, she stumbled, nearly falling. Eiji quickly reached out to gently support her back, catching Akiko’s arm. Otherwise, the girl would have suffered an utterly humiliating fall in front of the crowd. Akiko looked up to see a young man disguised as Kaito Kid (the mysterious phantom thief magician from Detective Conan). Akiko was genuinely stunned for a second by his extreme beauty and splendor. His face was not easily identifiable due to the costume and mask, but the gorgeous eyes and the sharp lines of his jaw left a profound impression on Akiko. Quickly, Akiko nervously avoided his gaze. "Thank you!" Akiko smiled and quickly withdrew her hand. She didn't want to get too close to anyone at this party. "Hold my hand—it's better than having others notice your trembling in those high heels. You don't seem quite used to them, do you?" Eiji smiled beneath his mask and whispered into Akiko's ear. Eiji took a deep breath; a very sweet, soothing scent of climbing roses wafted from the girl. Akiko was surprised. Indeed, she rarely wore heels like these. Akiko hesitated, then placed a hand on the arm Eiji offered. His arm was very steady and strong. “Thank you!” Akiko replied softly. “Just for a moment. Don’t try to befriend me intentionally.” Eiji smiled courteously. They merged into the stream of party guests. The party was filled with characters in costume, such as Goku with his spiked hair, Lelouch in his royal military uniform, or the Sailor Moon group. After passing the invitation check gate, Akiko released his arm and offered a polite smile: "Thank you. But I have to go meet some friends." Akiko was about to leave when the music stopped. The host of the party appeared. Glittering lights and vibrant music filled the space with the cosplay party. Amidst the colorful array of costumed figures, an elegant silhouette glided through, immediately capturing every eye. It was Kazuki, Ito's son, whose platinum-blond hair stood out like a galaxy under the ballroom lights. His hair was not just platinum but had a silvery sheen, elaborately styled yet retaining a natural softness, lightly framing his exceptionally handsome face. He was dressed as an Ice Knight, with a finely tailored costume made of luxurious fabric that hugged his tall, well-proportioned figure. A sheer silk cloak was casually draped over his shoulders, creating a sense of both mystery and arrogance. Black leather gloves enhanced his irresistible sophistication. “Is there really someone so supernaturally beautiful?” Akiko genuinely couldn't take her eyes off the party host. Eiji overheard the whisper and leaned down to Akiko, asking quietly: “Am I not more handsome than him?” Akiko started, looking back at the man in the Kaito Kid costume. Akiko looked at him but did not reply. “I’m very curious to know whose face is beneath this mask?” Akiko sensed the danger and stepped back, gripping her silver mask tightly. “Excuse me, I need to use the restroom.” Saying this, Akiko left as if running. Akiko did not want to get close to anyone here. Kazuki was intently scanning the costumed individuals, trying to spot the Yamada family's man. He would certainly come here, and so Kazuki had prepared a surprise gift for him. In truth, Kazuki had never seen the youngest Yamada son's face; everything he knew was based on rumors. He stood on the podium, delivering a brief opening speech, welcoming everyone to the festival. He cautioned that guests could enjoy themselves freely, but absolutely must not go beyond the 17th floor if they didn't want trouble. Those who intentionally sought trouble, like Akiko and Eiji, paid no mind to the warning. After Akiko left, Eiji needed only that signal. He drank a glass of wine, and, while everyone was distracted, he vanished from the party, beginning his infiltration mission. Like Eiji, Akiko did not come here to admire the beauty of Ren Tower or to socialize with other characters. She went for the super-data connected server system on the 38th floor. A little background on Akiko: 22 years old, a computer genius, a final-year university student, and a professor's assistant. Her brain could process calculations and categorize data like a hard drive, and Akiko also enjoyed playing the role of a secret vigilante. She often helped those who were cyberbullied. She crashed a website that shared secretly filmed moments of girls. And now, she needed to trace the funds of a cyber-scammer known as Demon King. He used malicious links embedded with viruses, tricking people into clicking and then stealing money from their accounts. She needed the strongest server to execute a large-scale, sophisticated attack on his account. She planned to withdraw the money from his account and return it to the more than 1,000 people whose bank accounts he had hacked. The Ren Tower server was the ideal choice. While Akiko was struggling to figure out how to access that dream server room, she read the news about the Cosplay Festival. Immediately, she sought to buy an entry ticket on the black market. That was why Akiko was here. Using the device she carried, Akiko cloned an RFID frequency key card from a security guard, then sneaked into the elevator and went straight to the System Server Room on the 38th Floor. The six-digit electronic lock with its XOR encryption layer was no match for Akiko. Immediately after connecting to the system, Akiko quickly executed her commands. Her heart pounded. The final lines of code were sent, and the callback signal was received. Akiko curved her lips into a satisfied smile.