Chapter 4 – Mine. Only Mine.
REN'S POV
She doesn't know how deep this goes. Not yet.
Airi Tanaka walked into hell, clueless, delicate—and dazzling. She wasn't supposed to mean anything. But now she meant everything. And that terrified him more than he'd ever admit.
He sat in the back row, pretending to read, but every part of his being was focused on her. Her soft laugh, the way her fingers tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, how her eyes always darted around like she was expecting something to go wrong.
She had no idea how close danger really was.
> "The girl's being followed again. Orders?" Kaito's voice crackled through the earpiece hidden under his hoodie.
Ren didn't shift. Didn't react. But his voice came cold and sharp:
> "Cut off the tail. Make them bleed. Leave the card."
He lifted his eyes. Just in time to catch her looking at him. A second. A heartbeat. She looked away too fast. Like she was guilty. Or scared.
Good. Let her be scared. Let her stay away.
But the fire in his chest? That said otherwise.
He couldn't stop. Wouldn't. No matter what.
---
AIRI'S POV
Ren had stopped texting. Now he just appeared. Always around. Too close.
It made her heart race—and she hated that part of her liked it. That part was dangerous. Weak.
Even her best friend, Mei, noticed the shift.
"Girl, that Kurogane guy gives major villain vibes," Mei whispered, leaning closer at lunch. "Hot villain, but still."
Airi rolled her eyes. "He's just... intense."
"You say that like it's a bad thing," Mei teased. "But your face is screaming otherwise."
"I don't even know him," Airi insisted.
"But he knows you," Mei said, voice dropping. "He watches you like you're a ticking bomb. Or treasure."
Airi went silent. Because she felt it too.
Even during class, she could feel his presence like a shadow. A constant storm brewing behind her, watching, waiting.
---
AFTER SCHOOL – Behind the School Building
That afternoon, she found something in her locker. A single black card. A rose emblem pressed in the center. Nothing else.
Chills ran down her spine.
She looked up. Ren was leaning casually against the end of the hallway, arms crossed. Waiting. Watching.
She stormed toward him. "What the hell is this?" she hissed, showing him the card.
He took one look and his entire demeanor changed. Serious. Cold. Dangerous.
"Where did you get that?"
"In my locker. Do you know what it means?"
He didn't answer. Instead, he took her wrist, tighter than usual, and dragged her through the hallway.
"Ren! Let me go!" she struggled.
"Shut up. You don't get to argue right now," he snapped, never looking back.
He didn't let go until they were outside, behind the school. A place no one would overhear.
"You think this is a game?" he growled. "That card means someone marked you. You're being watched."
Airi's eyes widened. "Watched by who?"
"My enemies," he said, stepping forward. "People who would slit your throat just to get to me."
"You dragged me here to tell me I'm in danger?"
"No. I dragged you here because you don't seem to understand," he said, voice low and sharp. "You belong to me now. And no one touches what's mine."
Airi stepped back, defiant. "You don't own me."
"I do now," he said coldly. "And that's not a negotiation."
He moved suddenly—grabbing her waist, pulling her against him. Her breath hitched, caught between surprise and something warmer. His grip was tight, possessive.
"You don't get to run from me, Airi," he whispered near her ear. "You're under my protection. That means no one touches you. No one even looks at you without my permission. And if they do... I break them."
Airi's heart pounded. He was too close. Too real.
He leaned in, nose brushing her cheek.
"Do you think you're still in control here?" he murmured.
"I don't need your protection," she said, but it came out weaker than she intended.
He pulled back just enough to look into her eyes. "Yes. You do."
A sudden click echoed from the rooftop door.
They both turned. The door was ajar. No one there.
But taped to it was another card.
BLOOD-RED this time.
One word: "CHOOSE."
Their eyes locked.
And the game truly began.
---
UNKNOWN POV
Far from the school, behind a camera lens, someone watched.
> Snap. Snap.
Photos. Audio. Silence.
A smile curled on the observer's lips.
> "Kurogane's losing control. Let's push him further."
The signal was sent.
Another black card.
---
LATER THAT EVENING – Airi's Bedroom
That night, Airi sat at the edge of her bed, card still in her hand. Mei walked in with snacks and plopped beside her.
"Still thinking about your mafia boyfriend?"
"He's not my boyfriend," Airi mumbled.
"But he's hot and crazy about you. That's something."
Airi showed her the card. "This was in my locker."
Mei stared. "Okay. Creepy points: ten out of ten."
"I asked Ren. He freaked out. Said someone marked me."
Mei's face turned serious. "Airi… I think you're involved in something bigger than you realize."
"I didn't ask to be involved."
"But you are."
Airi looked down. "And I don't think I want out."
Mei tilted her head. "You really like him, don't you?"
Airi didn't answer.
She didn't have to.
Later that night, while brushing her hair, Airi caught sight of something else in her backpack. Another card. But this one was white.
Just two words on it: "Run. Soon."
Her heart stopped.
She grabbed her phone. Mei was already calling.
"Did you get another one too?" Mei whispered. "Mine was in my mailbox."
Now both of them were marked.
---
To Be Continued...