Chapter 30: — "K-Kouji's the New Manager at Ecliptix Corp...?"

I sat across from my father at the table, the half-eaten meal between us somehow feeling heavier than it should. Silence hung in the air like a fog, thick and uncomfortable, until dad cleared his throat and broke it.

“So… how’s school going?” he asked, eyes cautiously on me. Not just the usual passing remark, this time, he actually wanted an answer.

I swallowed hard and forced a smile. “Good. Everything’s… fine.” A lie, of course. I hadn’t focused on classes in weeks, my mind tangled with Kouji, Syntrix Umbra, and the mess he was dragging my father into.

He didn’t press, just nodded, but I could see the faint crease of worry on his forehead. Then came the next question, and my heart nearly stopped.

“And… anyone you like? Any crushes?”

I choked on my bite, coughing violently as heat rushed to my cheeks. My fork clattered on the plate. “I—I don’t—”

He smirked knowingly, that half-grin that always made me want to both groan and melt at the same time. “You don’t have to lie to me, Yuzuki.”

I waved my hands helplessly, flustered. “I’m not lying!”

The words were weak. My father chuckled softly and shook his head, as if he had known all along.

Then, suddenly, the tone shifted. He reached over and picked up his jacket. “Listen… I’m sorry for all the time I’ve ignored you. I know I wasn’t around, and… I want to try being a better father.”

My stomach skipped a beat. That simple admission, after all these years of distance, struck me harder than anything else. My chest tightened, and my throat felt full. He actually… wanted to change.

I couldn’t find words. I just sat there, staring, heart hammering, trying to wrap my head around what I’d just heard. It was beautiful, terrifying, and confusing all at once.

He glanced at me one last time before leaving, and something in that look made me freeze. Concern, sincerity, and maybe a little guilt. I wanted to speak, to tell him something, anything, but the words caught in my throat.

When the door closed behind him, I sat there in silence. My mind raced, and the unease I felt about Ecliptix Corp and my father’s safety gnawed at me. That conversation, that single, real conversation in years, had left me shaken, and more worried than ever.

I didn’t know how long I sat there, staring at the now-empty chair across from me, but eventually, the thought became unbearable. I couldn’t just sit and hope for the best.

I waited until I heard the front door click shut behind him before I moved. Tomo, our service drone, hummed softly behind me, gliding across the kitchen.

“Yuzuki,” it said, voice polite but curious, “where are you going?”

I swallowed and forced a casual tone. “Uh… out with a friend. Just for a bit.”

Tomo paused, sensors blinking, clearly unconvinced, but it didn’t press further. I let out a small sigh of relief.

Pulling my hoodie over my head, I made my way to the street. My father’s silhouette was just visible under the streetlights, walking toward the hoverbus stop. 

My heart pounded. Not just from the stealthy mission I was about to attempt, but from worry gnawing at me. I had to see him, to know he was safe.

I kept a safe distance as he climbed aboard the bus. Sliding in through a side door, I chose a seat several rows back, keeping my hood pulled low. The bus hummed to life and lifted off the ground, gliding silently over the streets. I watched him, noting the way he shifted in his seat, unaware of my presence.

The city lights blurred past the windows as my mind raced. If Kouji is involved, if Syntrix Umbra’s influence reaches here… what happens to him? To my father? I clenched my fists in my lap. My thoughts churned, spinning faster than the passing buildings.

—

When the bus finally approached the massive Ecliptix Corp. building, I froze. My father stepped off, adjusting his coat. He didn’t notice me trailing behind, a small shadow in a hoodie. I ducked behind a nearby vent access, scanning for a way inside. The vents would have to do.

Slipping into the ventilation shaft, I crawled along quietly, following the faint clatter of his footsteps below. I peeked through the holes just enough to see him disappear into the main lobby. My stomach twisted. I had no idea what I’d find in there, but I couldn’t stop myself.

My heartbeat echoed in my ears as I whispered to myself. “Just… just see where he goes… make sure he’s okay…”

I forced myself to move forward, inch by inch, my gaze glued to the scene unfolding below me.

I stayed hidden in the shadows, hugging the vent panel tight as I peeked through the small holes. My stomach was in knots, and I had to remind myself to breathe. Dad was walking ahead, clipboard in hand, nodding and talking to a few employees. He seemed… normal, almost like he belonged here. But my gut screamed that normal didn’t mean safe.

“You’re doing great, Kanzaki-san,” one of the employees said, smiling as they adjusted some equipment. Dad nodded, smiling faintly in return.

“Thanks,” he replied softly. “Keep up the good work. I know the project is difficult, but I trust you all.”

I swallowed hard, watching him. For a moment, I felt a pang of guilt. All the worry I’d carried for years, all the resentment for the distance between us… and now, seeing him here, quietly trying to do his best, I felt helpless.

Then, footsteps echoed differently, heavier, more confident. A new presence had entered the room. I squinted through the vent holes and saw a man walking toward my father. He was tall, with a composed, almost unnerving presence. He held himself like he owned the place.

“Ah, Kanzaki-san,” the man said with a polite nod. “Glad you could make it.”

Dad looked up, a polite smile on his face. “Yes, sir. I apologize for the slight delay.”

“No worries at all. Let’s take a moment to prepare before the meeting. It’ll be a good opportunity to address the team,” the man said, turning toward a group of employees who had gathered.

My heart beat faster. Who was this guy? He had a presence that made me instinctively tense.

After a few minutes of small talk, the man asking questions, Dad responding politely, employees quietly listening, the group moved to the main floor. Chairs were set in rows, facing a small stage. I crouched lower in the vent, careful not to make a sound.

The man stepped up to the podium, straightening his jacket. The employees sat quietly, murmuring low greetings to each other. My father stayed nearby, nodding to the crowd, as though he had been part of this ritual for years.

The man cleared his throat, and silence fell over the room.

“Thank you all for coming today,” he began, his voice calm but commanding. “It’s been a busy quarter, and your dedication hasn’t gone unnoticed. Each of you has contributed to our growth, and I couldn’t be more proud.”

I leaned closer, my breath catching in my throat. Something about the tone of his voice made my stomach churn. He continued, praising individual employees, acknowledging milestones, giving the speech that every corporate manager gives… and then he paused.

“For those of you who don’t know me,” he said, looking directly at the audience, “my name is Shirayama Kouji. And I'm gonna be the new manager inside of Ecliptix Corporation.”

I froze. My stomach flipped. My hands tightened on the vent. I could barely breathe.

Kouji. Kouji? My mind was screaming at me. That’s Kaito’s brother… the one behind everything.

I watched as the employees applauded politely, nodding and murmuring, completely unaware of the connection, completely unaware of the danger. My eyes darted to my father. He seemed calm, completely oblivious to the storm I had just realized was about to hit.

My brain spun. He’s the new manager? He’s controlling everything here? Dad… Dad could be dragged into this… without choice…

I stayed frozen, watching Kouji’s every movement. The way he spoke, the way he gestured to the crowd, the way he commanded respect, he was dangerous. And I had no idea how much of that danger would touch my father.

I knew then I couldn’t stay hidden much longer. The longer I waited, the more I risked seeing something I wasn’t ready for… but also, the longer I stayed, the more I could see exactly what Kouji was planning.

My chest tightened, and I realized panic had set in. I couldn’t sit still, couldn’t breathe properly. This was worse than anything I’d imagined. I had to do something… but I didn’t know what.

All I knew was that I had to get out.

I didn’t even think. I ran. Every step was pure panic. Kouji… Kaito’s brother… he’s the manager at Ecliptix Corp now. And Dad… Dad could be dragged into all of this without any choice. I had to get to Kaito. He has to do something, now!

I barreled into Kaito’s house without knocking.

Kaito, sitting on the couch in nothing but his underwear, practically jumped out of his skin.

“YUZUKI! WHAT THE FUCK?! KNOCK NEXT TIME!” he yelled, eyes wide in shock.

I didn’t care. I threw myself at him, wrapping my arms around his torso, burying my face against his chest. My sobs shook him as much as me.

“K-Kaito… Kouji… he’s the manager at Ecliptix Corp! THE FUCKING MANAGER KAITO... and Dad… he might be forced into something… something bad… I don’t know what! I just… I can’t sit there and do nothing!” I gasped between sobs.

Kaito froze, trying to process everything. His jaw tightened, eyes wide. “Woah woah woah. Wait a damn minute… Kouji? My brother… he’s the manager at Ecliptix Corp now?”

I nodded violently, my tears soaking his torso. “Yes! I saw him giving a speech to all the employees. And Dad… my dad was there! I don’t know what Kouji’s planning, but he could drag my father into Syntrix Umbra without choice! You have to do something, Kaito! Now!”

Kaito’s eyes darted around, his mind racing. “Wait… okay… hang on. He’s the manager now… so he’s basically running the place?”

“I dunno. He could be but that's besides the damn point!” I yelled, pulling back slightly so he could see my face, still red and teary. “I don’t know what he wants! I don’t know what he’s planning! But My dad… he could be forced into doing things he doesn’t want to do! You have to figure out what’s happening, Kaito! Please!”

Kaito ran a hand through his hair, exhaling sharply. “Okay… okay. Got it. First… calm down for a second. Take a breath. Tell me everything you saw.”

I stared at him, tears streaming, chest heaving, and my voice broke, but then hardened. “I ALREADY FUCKING TOLD YOU EVERYTHING, KAITO! NOW PLAN SOMETHING! FIGURE OUT WHAT TO DO RIGHT NOW! DON’T JUST STAND THERE AND ACT LIKE A MINDLESS ASSHOLE!”

Kaito froze, wide-eyed. He had never seen me like this, so desperate, so furious, so alive with pure panic and anger. “W-wait… what do you mean, plan something? You want me to—”

“YES! I WANT YOU TO FIGURE IT OUT! USE YOUR HEAD! USE YOUR GENIUS TECH AND SKILLED HEAD! MY FATHER… HE COULD BE FORCED INTO SOMETHING TERRIBLE, AND KOUJI… KOUJI’S THE MANAGER! YOU HAVE TO THINK OF SOMETHING, KAITO! NOW!” I shouted, my hands trembling as I clutched his arms, my entire body shaking with desperation.

Kaito blinked, stunned, then nodded immediately, the shock giving way to determination. “Alright… okay. I hear you. We’ll figure this out. Together. I’ll think of something.”

I exhaled shakily, gripping him a little less tightly, though my body still trembled. Relief mixed with fear, and my voice softened slightly. “Please… just… don’t let anything happen to him…”

Kaito ran a hand through his hair, exhaling sharply. “Okay… okay. Got it. First step, we figure out what my brother's plans are, then we make sure your dad is out of trouble.” He paused, meeting my desperate gaze. “You… you’re okay, right? Nothing happened to you on your way here?”

I shook my head quickly. “No! But I’m terrified! I don’t want to be alone. I can’t—” My voice softened slightly, embarrassed despite the tears. “Can… can I stay at your house tonight?”

Kaito’s eyes softened, understanding the desperation behind my words. “Yeah… of course. You can stay. You’re not going anywhere.”

Finally, I let my body relax a little. I curled up on the couch, burying my face into a pillow, trying to stop shaking. My heart was still racing, my mind spinning from panic and anger and fear.

Kaito crossed his arms, pacing slightly, still processing everything. He muttered, almost to himself, “What the fuck is actually happening...” His jaw clenched, determination flashing in his eyes. “Alright… I'll fix this. I’ll figure this crap out.”

I exhaled shakily, trying to calm down. For the first time in what felt like forever, I let myself just breathe. Kaito didn’t have all the answers yet, but knowing he was going to act… that helped.