The first thing Ren did after confirming Emi's safety was to give Riku Hoshino an unannounced visit at his base, and he did not come alone. He arrived with his men and brought along the three hooligans who had kidnapped Emi and Sora, dragging them forward like offerings of punishment yet to be served.
The moment Ren laid eyes on Riku, he did not speak or hesitate. He crossed the room in a blur and threw the first punch into Riku's jaw, then another, and another, landing blow after blow until Riku was stumbling back, clutching his face with blood seeping from his lip.
"I told you," Ren growled, seething with rage as he grabbed Riku by the collar, "I told you to keep your hands away from her."
Riku laughed, blood coating his teeth as he spoke, mocking even in pain. "Yeah, I did. That's why I asked them to do it. Delegation, right?"
Ren turned sharply, his eyes burning as they landed on the three men who had dared to lay a hand on Emi. He shouted, his voice echoing with fury, "Which one of you touched my woman?"
The three men stood frozen, their heads bowed, and their silence told him everything he needed to know.
"Put their hands on the table," Ren said coldly.
His men didn't question him. They forced each man's hand flat against the wooden surface. Ren took a knife from one of his guards, looked each of them in the eye, and without hesitation, drove the blade through the first hand, then the second, and finally the third. Screams filled the room as the blood spilled over the surface, but Ren did not flinch, did not blink, did not even breathe faster.
He turned back to Riku and pulled out his gun, stepping closer until the muzzle was aimed right between Riku's eyes.
"I already warned you," he said, his voice dangerously calm. "I told you what would happen if you touched her. The last time, I gave you a light warning, something small just to make a point. But I see now that you took it as a joke. So this time, I'm not going to be gentle."
Riku tried to stay composed, but there was a flicker of fear in his eyes.
Ren looked at Daiki and said sharply, "Make the calls. Shut down every business he owns. Every shop. Every warehouse. Everything that carries his name."
"You can't do that," Riku shouted, trying to rise to his feet. "You have no right!"
Ren didn't move the gun. "I have the power. That gives me all the right I need. You've clearly forgotten what Kazama is capable of. So let me remind you."
And with that, Ren pulled the trigger, firing a shot half an inch away from Riku's head. The bullet embedded itself into the wall behind him, and Riku flinched, staggering back in shock, his breathing shallow and rapid.
Ren lowered the gun but didn't look back. He gave no more warnings. He simply walked out.
After leaving Hoshino's place, Ren headed to the nearest pub without saying a word to anyone. He sat at the bar and began drinking, ignoring Daiki's concerned expression as the glasses piled up in front of him. Daiki tried to talk to him, to ask him what had happened between him and Emi, but Ren didn't say much. He only mumbled one thing under his breath, barely audible over the noise.
"She left."
That was all he said.
Daiki's heart sank as he realized Ren was spiraling. He watched helplessly as the hostesses, sensing Ren's vulnerability, surrounded him with fake smiles, laughing and pouring him drink after drink. They leaned in close, trying to touch him and get his attention, but Ren barely reacted. He just kept drinking in silent like nothing around him mattered.
Daiki clenched his fists. He knew this night wouldn't end well. Ren was shutting everyone out, and his heart had clearly just been broken. No matter what Daiki said, he knew he couldn't stop Ren now. Ren had already made up his mind to drown his pain in silence and alcohol.
By the time Daiki managed to get Ren out of the pub and into the car, he was completely drunk. He slumped in the seat, muttering things Daiki couldn't understand, his eyes dull and unfocused.
When they arrived at the Kazama residence, Daiki helped Ren out of the car and practically carried him into the house, guiding him through the halls with effort and patience, all while Ren leaned heavily against his shoulder.
Not long after they entered, Granny Chiyo appeared from around the corner, her expression shifting the moment she saw Ren's condition. Her eyes narrowed with concern, and she approached quickly, her voice firm but soft.
"What happened?" she asked, watching as Daiki brought Ren into his room and laid him down gently on the bed. "What did he go through this time?"
Daiki took a deep breath, running a hand down his face before he looked at her. "It's not just about him. It's Emi."
Granny Chiyo's face changed instantly, her concern deepening. "Emi? What about her?"
Daiki hesitated for a second, knowing the words he was about to say would hit her hard. "She and her friend Sora were kidnapped last night."
Granny Chiyo's eyes widened, her hands curling tightly in front of her chest. "What… what do you mean kidnapped?"
"Riku Hoshino's men took them. They dragged the girls into a van and brought them to a warehouse. From what Sora told us… they were going to—" he stopped, his jaw tightening, "—they were going to violate them."
A breath caught in Granny Chiyo's throat, and she covered her mouth with one trembling hand. "No… those filthy animals…"
"Emi managed to convince them to let Sora go. She stayed behind, hoping to protect her. When we arrived, one of the men was already on top of her," Daiki said, his voice hoarse. "If Ren had been even one minute later…"
Granny Chiyo shut her eyes tightly, tears threatening to fall, but she composed herself quickly. "That poor girl…"
Daiki nodded slowly, then added in a lower voice, "Ren didn't take it well. He went straight to Riku's place today, took the three bastards with him. Gave them what they deserved. Shut down Riku's businesses too."
Granny Chiyo exhaled shakily. "He should. And what about Emi? Where is she now?"
Daiki hesitated again, then said, "She left."
"She what?" Granny Chiyo asked, her voice trembling.
"She left him this morning," Daiki said, his voice softer now. "Told him she couldn't bear to be in this world, that she didn't want to put herself in danger again. But I think… I think she was lying. She did it for him."
Granny Chiyo turned to the door of Ren's room, her gaze heavy with sorrow. "And Ren… he didn't stop her?"
Daiki looked down. "He let her go. Didn't say a word."
There was silence for a moment, thick and hard to breathe through. Then Granny Chiyo whispered, "He must be shattered."
Daiki didn't respond, because they both knew it was true. The strongest man in the Kazama family had finally found someone who made him feel human again, someone who saw him not as a name or a title but as a man, and now she was gone. The price of that kind of love was always steep in their world.
"I'll check on him later," Granny Chiyo finally said. "But for now, let him rest. He'll need to feel the ache before he finds the strength to stand again."
Daiki gave her a respectful nod, and without saying another word, he quietly closed the door to Ren's room behind him. Inside, Ren remained motionless on the bed, barely conscious, his hand gripping the edge of the blanket as if trying to hold on to something already slipping away. Even in his drunken haze, her name was still on his lips, a whisper no one could hear but him.