Nakamura District – Ejami's Room
🕰️ 9:47 PM – Present Day
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> Ejami sits alone at her desk, swirling a half-empty glass of brandy.
Outside, Kyoto's lights flicker quietly, unaware of the war building behind a silent woman's stare.
> The folder Tanaki left remains unopened.
The cigarette in her ashtray is burning slowly.
But the memory in her mind burns faster.
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🔁 FULL FLASHBACK: "The Day They Took Everything"
Nakamura Estate Garden – One Year Ago, 2:04 PM
> Ejami pours Vincent Cassano a cup of tea.
His suit is black. Shoes polished.
Smile polite — and deadly.
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Vincent (gentle, but firm):
> "A beautiful garden. Shame if it were watered in blood."
Ejami (measured):
> "Is that a compliment or a warning?"
Vincent (chuckles softly):
> "Both.
You see… rumors tie your clan to my father's death."
> He sips tea. Sets it down without breaking eye contact.
Vincent:
> "Rumors, of course.
But rumors have weight.
And when that weight crushes someone... it's always sudden."
Ejami (tense):
> "If you want proof, bring facts.
Not parables."
Vincent (cold):
> "I brought mercy."
> He stands slowly. Straightens his cuffs.
Vincent (final tone):
> "Tell your brother Riku…
to stay home tonight."
> He turns and walks away, his voice trailing off:
Vincent (soft):
> "Because some shadows… bite."
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Later that night – 8:15 PM
Yurashi Market – Nakamura District
> Riku Nakamura exits a ramen shop, laughing with two friends.
He doesn't see the man in the alley — a Cassano enforcer.
> One silenced shot.
Straight to the chest.
> Riku drops to the ground. Blood spreads over the stone.
His eyes wide. Breathing shallow.
> The enforcer steps over his body. Kneels.
> He places something in Riku's coat pocket — a crumpled note.
One word, written in red ink:
> The man walks away.
No one else sees him.
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🔁 BACK TO PRESENT
Ejami's Room – 9:53 PM
> Ejami opens Tanaki's folder.
> Photo: grainy, timestamped.
Cassano enforcer. Same alley. Same night.
Riku's body in frame.
> Underneath: a log from Sebastian troops confirming the cover-up.
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Ejami (quietly):
> "They warned me."
Ejami (angrier):
> "Then they killed him."
> She stands. Walks to her katana. Draws it an inch — enough for the steel to sing.
Ejami (cold, with clarity):
> "You took my brother…
…and made me hate the wrong enemy."
Takani Compound – Main Gate
🕰️ 11:17 PM
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> Rain trickles down the stone walls of the Takani estate.
Two guards stand silently by the gate, eyes sharp under the dim torchlight.
> A black-clad rider from the Nakamura clan dismounts, holding a small, silk-wrapped bundle.
> He walks calmly to the gate and bows once.
Nakamura Courier (stoic):
> "Deliver this to your boss.
He'll understand."
> He leaves without another word.
—
Takani Inner Chamber – Minutes Later
> Tanaki sits alone at a low table, sipping from a ceramic cup.
The room is dim, only candlelight flickers.
> A servant kneels and places the bundle before him, then withdraws silently.
> Tanaki unwraps it.
Inside: the closed folder he once gave Ejami...
and resting atop it — the twin Nakamura daggers, forming an X.
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> He stares at the blades.
The candlelight reflects off the engraved kanji:
> He exhales slowly.
Then looks up — his eyes sharper than ever.
Tanaki (quiet, in Japanese):
> "Hmmm...
Yoku yatta, Ejami...
Saa… hajimeyou."
(Well done, Ejami… Now… let's begin.)
> He stands.
The room darkens behind him as the camera locks on his expression —
Calm. Focused.
Like a blade before it strikes.
—-