Chapter 21 — Chess or Checkers

◽At Yong’s apartment◽



The apartment smelled faintly of stale smoke and instant noodles. When Mei opened the door, her breath hitched at the sight of two familiar faces.



「H—hey, Wei. Lei…」
Lei’s eyes flicked to the bruises on her arms, then he forced his expression into something like calm. 「Hey, big sister. Can we come in?」
「Y—yeah… you can.」 Mei stepped aside and let them in, her hands trembling just enough to betray her attempt to be composed.



◽In the living room◽



The room was a mess—papers, empty bottles, and a piano bench overturned. Lei’s gaze swept the chaos, and his voice tightened.



「So… what have you been up to lately?」
Mei tried to force a small laugh. 「Oh, you know. Practicing the piano and studying.」
Lei’s eyes didn’t soften. 「And the mess?」
She gave a nervous chuckle. 「You know me—I've always been a clutz.」
Wei’s jaw hardened. 「You don’t have to lie for that bastard, you know that right, big sister?」
Mei flinched, fear flickering across her face. 「Y—you don’t know anything about Yong, so please, Wei—don’t talk about him like that.」
Wei spat the words out cold. 「Tsk. I’ll talk about him however I want. Just because he’s from the Liu family doesn’t mean he can do whatever he wants to you.」
Mei opened her mouth, trying to explain. 「Wei, you just misunderstand him—」
Lei cut in, voice breaking with anger. 「MISUNDERSTAND? ARE YOU SE—」 He froze when he saw how frightened Mei looked. Immediately his tone shifted, apologetic and rough. 「Err… I’m sorry for shouting. It’s just—he’s hurting you, and there’s nothing we can do because we’re orphans.」
The words hung between them like a weight. Mei’s hands found her sleeves and twisted them. 「It’s best if the two of you leave for now and clear your heads before you come here again.」
Lei started to protest—「But bi—」—
「Please, Lei.」 Mei’s voice was small but steady.
He sighed and dropped his shoulders. 「Oh. Okay, big sister.」 They put down the bags they’d brought—tokens of comfort—and Wei slipped something into one of them, fingers furtive.
「Th—thank you.」 Mei’s voice cracked as she forced a grateful smile. They turned to go and left the apartment, footsteps fading down the hall.



A moment later Yong emerged from the bedroom, wiping his hands as if he’d done nothing wrong. He grinned when he saw Mei alone.



「Who knew the famous Zhang twins cared so much for their big sister? Makes the torment I put you through feel worth it.」 His laughter was soft and cruel.



Mei froze, breath short, eyes wide with panic. She didn’t move.



Yong’s tone softened in mock concern. 「Woah, woah, Mei. Breathe in, out—slowly. We can’t have you hyperventilate.」



Obediently, because survival had taught her to obey, she breathed shallowly in and out.



Yong leaned close, words hissed near her ear. 「Just remember—if they ever disrespect me again, I’ll have my grandfather, General Liu Xiao Tian, kill your little, idiotic brothers. Am I understood?」



Mei nodded minutely, tears brimming but held back.



Yong laughed and then shoved her to the floor without hesitation. 「Now—clean this mess before I get back.」 He left as abruptly as he had come.



Mei curled into herself on the cold floor and began to cry—tears that contained shame, fear, and a loneliness that had nowhere to go.



◽At the police station◽



The precinct smelled of burnt coffee and printer ink. Jerry slammed a hand on the desk, disbelief making his voice sharp.



「What? For real?」
Detective Itadori’s face was grim. 「Yes. They took him.」
Jerry’s fists tightened. 「When did this happen?」
「Around midnight. They were probably already in European airspace when the call came in.」
Jerry paced once, then stopped. 「Why go so far? Why kidnap Fujiwara for ransom? It’s not like a cop from one city would fetch a huge price.」



Itadori sighed. 「Maybe they’re from the black market. You said it yourself—anything goes there. They could’ve done it to draw you in.」
Jerry’s eyes burned. 「So what do the pricks upstairs say?」
Itadori scoffed, mimicking the commissioner’s voice. 「‘Oh sorry, we can’t go— it’s an international incident now. Let NWO handle it.’” He spat the words. 「That’s a load of bullshit.」
Jerry’s jaw clenched as Commissioner Ito and Ryota approached, faces smug. 「I hate the fact you think you’re an recurring villain, Ito.」
Ryota’s look was all disdain. 「So what of it? I heard about Detective Fujiwara. Must be hard for his family.」
【So that’s their game.】 Jerry’s mind worked three steps ahead. He turned to Itadori. 「Let’s go. I know a guy who can get us the info we need.」
Before they could move, Commissioner Ito’s laugh stopped them cold. 「I’m afraid that can’t happen.」
Jerry’s eyebrow rose. 「Why not?」
Ito’s smile was thin. 「Anyone who helps you will never work as a police officer in Japan again.」



The room went numb. Itadori’s face went white. 「You can’t do that. It's abuse of power!」
Ito shrugged, mockingly. 「As commissioner, I can do whatever I want, Detective.」
Itadori’s expression set—this was a man who’d been pushed too far. He glanced at Jerry. 【Two can play this game.】「Jerry— that offer for Militia is it still available?」
Jerry’s reply was cool as ice. 「The one from Nexus Construction? Yeah. For you, it’s always available.」 Ryota and Ito laughed like predators sensing opportunity.
Ryota sneered. 「Wait— you'll really stoop that low?」



Itadori’s voice went businesslike. 「One Militia Rand (1MR) is ¥2,500… So I’ll be a millionaire in Japan by next year.」
Jerry smirked. 「My family just got Natal and the Free State back from those colonizers. The projects Detective Itadori will oversee as project manager will be worth billions—Militian rands that is. To correct you, Detective—you’ll be a trillionaire in Japan in three to five years.」
Ito and Ryota stared, stunned. Jerry kept his calm. 「Why do you think Militians don’t travel with a lot of cash? We know the power of our currency.」
Ryota’s face tightened with rage and humiliation.【So when that whore said she’d never respect me like she does him—】His fists clenched.
Jerry turned back. 「Come on, Detective. Let’s go.」
Itadori nodded. 「Sure.」
Jerry addressed the officers in the room with a rare softness. 「If you help find Fujiwara, I promise on my grandmother’s name the Samuels family will see to you and your families. If you want to work somewhere other than the police, we’ll make that happen.」
Itadori let out a low chuckle. 「Promises in his grandmother’s name are not made lightly.」
Jerry met Ryota’s gaze. 「Tell Mio that the father of her gifted daughter will see her in a couple of days.」



With that, Jerry and Itadori left the precinct—and the other officers followed, shadows of loyalty in their wake.



Ryota watched them go, fury and miscalculation warring inside. 【Shit. This wasn’t supposed to happen. I’ll have to meet with that guy again.】



◽One hour later — a bar in west Kaigan Toshi◽



The bar was dim, neon bleeding into the smoke. Yong’s smirk widened when Ryota slid into the booth.



「You finally here, pretty boy.」 Yong purred.
Ryota scowled. 「Shut it.」
A man known only as Akuma—shadowy, composed—leaned forward. 「So? Did Jerry take the bait?」
Ryota snapped, annoyed. 「Yes. He left—and with him the entire police station. Damn it! Why would they leave with that monkey?」



Yong chuckled like a hyena. 「Doesn’t matter. We can do whatever we want now. That bastard left some nice things behind.」
Akuma’s face was flat. 「Don’t think with your dick. Jerry likely left security measures.」
Ryota scoffed. 「No way. He wouldn’t.」
Akuma’s eyes went cold. 「If his daughter is still in the city, attacking his house would be stupid. Those cars you saw at the racetrack—were they on the streets?」
Ryota nodded. Akuma’s mouth twisted. 「Tsk. That’s his game. The police were replaced by his own private force. He must’ve figured out why the detective was taken. You two keep doing what you do—but know this: if you fail, it won’t be the police that deals with you.」 He gestured for them to leave. They did.
Nearby, Red Asura and Blue Asura approached Akuma. 「This is the perfect time to strike. Why delay?」 Red Ashura demanded.
Akuma’s answer was measured. 「We can’t. We need to grow stronger. I’ve been watching Jerry’s dogs—they’re more dangerous when he’s not around. Those two are a distraction. Once the pawns move, we can make our true objective.」 His voice carried a promise of returning humiliation a hundredfold.
Red Asura’s jaw clenched.



◽Later that night◽



Jiyeon leaned against the counter, concern written across her face. 「Where’s JJ?」
Hana’s answer was quiet and heavy. 「He went to Italy to save the missing detective.」
Miyeon’s reaction was a gasp. 「One of JJ’s friends went missing?」
Hana nodded. 「Detective Fujiwara. Ms. Haruka told me just now.」



Shizuko’s small face crumpled, lips trembling. Hana gathered her into her lap, rocking her gently.



「What’s wrong, Shizuko?」 Hana asked softly.
Shizuko buried her face into Hana’s chest. 「Muffled voice: What if Papa doesn’t come back?」
Hana’s arms tightened around the girl. 「Oh— that’s what’s worrying you. Don’t worry, Shizu. Papa will come back. We just have to believe in him, okay?」
Shizuko sniffed and nodded, wiping her cheeks. 「Okay. Sorry for acting spoiled.」
Hana smiled, relieved. 「It’s fine. Honestly, if you weren’t sad, I’d be more worried.」
Shizuko’s eyes shone with pride. 「Did Papa save you too?」
Hana’s face softened into a memory. 「Yeah. Back in high school. But he was so busy as ‘The Hunter’—he probably doesn’t remember.」
Shizuko puffed up a little in pride. 「Yes, he was.」
Hana chuckled, brushing a strand of hair from the girl’s forehead. 「Always remember—your Papa’s the coolest person on the planet, alright?」
「Yeah. You’re right.」 Shizuko’s small voice was steady now, conviction replacing fear.