Track 6

Thanks for coming to get me, Sojun! Big bro was impossible to contact with his flight being delayed and all.

No problem. The boss instructed me to handle it myself right before he boarded the plane.

Wait, what!? What does he think you are!? You've got every right to be angry at him.

Please get in. The rain looks like it will get worse, so I’ll take you home quickly.

……!

Sojun? You okay? Why did you turn so suddenly? Did you spot somebody?

It was nothing…

(I felt someone’s gaze on me… Was it just my imagination?)

…Haha, you’ve got quite the perceptive pawn, don’t you?

……～♪

It’s getting late. The rain looks like it’s stopped though.

Can you belieeeve the flight from Izumo got delayed? I'm so wiped out~!

Should we grab dinner before heading home since it’s gotten so late?

If you don't mind waiting until we get back to the dorm, I can make something.

I’m fine either way.

Hey, hand over the spray bottle we got for Linxing and Xingbing. I’ll give it to them at home.

Y-Yeah, sure…

Hey, make sure you tell 'em it's from me too, got it!? Otherwise I'd be breaking my promise!

I got it, so hurry up and—

……

...What's wrong?

(So many missed calls from Linxing and Xingbing… I didn’t notice because my phone was on airplane mode…!)

……….

(He looks like he's seen a ghost. What's going on?)

(Hurry, hurry and pick up. Pick up please…)

……

«Big bro... help me... please...»

Linxing! Where are you!

«This is bad, Sojun, he...!»

…Take deep breaths. Calm down. It’s okay. Where’s your sister? Is she nearby?

«Yes, yes, okay so...»

…I see, yes, got it. You did well.

(...? Did something happen to Linxing?)

Something urgent has come up.

Hey, Liguang…

Liguang-san rushed off in a hurry. Did you hear anything, Renga-kun?

...No clue. But something serious definitely happened.

(......)

Linxing, Xingbing!

Big bro...! I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, I'm sorry...!

Calm down, Linxing. It’s not your fault.

She was holding herself together the whole time until you got back. Cut her some slack.

Sister… You seem unharmed. Linxing, were you injured anywhere?

I just got some scratches... but Sojun shielded me and he...

……

(He’s badly injured…)

He's sleeping now, but his life isn't in danger. I got the situation from Sojun himself. Though it seems he's missing some memories from hitting his head.

…What happened?

This was just a few hours ago. The rain was brutal, so Sojun went to pick up Linxing. You knew that much, right?

Yeah.

They got into a traffic accident. It would’ve been fatal, but Sojun's quick thinking kept them both alive.

……

I-It should've been me. I would've died if Sojun hadn't protected me...

Linxing, calm down. Can you tell me what happened at the time of the accident?

We were just driving normally! Sojun was at the wheel, and I was in the passenger seat.

Sojun always said the passenger seat was dangerous, but I-I was being selfish... I kept insisting I wanted to sit there...

…And then?

Looking back... something was off about Sojun. He seemed really cautious...

...According to Sojun, a car started tailing them suspiciously once they left Chinatown. He tried speeding up to lose them, but...

That car sped up and pulled up right beside us. I'm pretty sure they were taunting us. Sojun stayed calm though, said he'd call for backup, but...

……

Right then, the vehicle disappeared. That's when a truck slammed in from oncoming traffic.

……!

It was coming right at me... but Sojun yanked the wheel and used his side as a shield…

He threw his arms around me and shielded me...! But then he ended up taking the hit instead...!

And then, I-I just...

Linxing, that’s enough. I fully understand the situation.

*sniff*... *sniff* Big bro, I'm sorry...!

No, you did well.

...The truck driver claimed he fell asleep at the wheel. He got arrested on the spot. But he could've been paid off for all we know.

……

(Calm down, I haven’t lost anything yet.)

Has the dash camera been checked? It should have recorded the car that was tailgating you.

...Someone pulled the memory card.

……!

I had our people look into it. Late last night, some new young driver was in the parking garage. Security footage caught him too.

His face wasn't visible, but the footage shows him extracting the card.

And the driver?

He's been off the grid since this morning.

……

…….

(At present, there’s no reason for a conflict to start with the other families. And if the target was Linxing…then the culprit is Kiba.)

I can't think of anyone or any organization with a motive. But... judging by your face, it looks like you already have a suspect in mind, Liguang.

…If this information were to be widely leaked to rival organizations now, they may see it as the Lurong family being weakened and try to start something.

We will have a small, elite guard for the executives. Family members will be sent abroad, accompanied by only our longest-serving members.

I agree. Linxing, your boyfriend's off-limits for now.

*sniffle*... I'll get to come home again, right?

Obviously. Don't worry about a thing. Your big sister and brother will handle everything, so you just take a nice trip overseas.

…I’ll go get some drinks. Sister, please look after Linxing for a while.

Alright. I'll pass the word on to our subordinates. Go rest a bit.

……

«Yes, yes. Everyone’s worried, y’know~.»

Clear the area.

«I figured you’d be calling soon, so I already did.»

Find Kiba. I’ll pay whatever you want.

«Wow. That’s a big ask. The guy you’re talking about is better at hiding than us pros, y’know? And the place we found before where he contacted Renga-san isn’t being used anymore either.»

Dig up every person, place, connected to Kiba. You should be able to find him with your abilities.

«...Whatever I want is a promise, 'kay?»

……

Would've been fatal, but―

«Big bro... help me... please...»

(Sojun was lucky to get away with only injuries. But had the situation been different, he could have died.)

…Kiba, I swear I'll kill you.