C9 Dragon’s Wrath

The Black Dragon’s office sat high above the city, walls lined with dark wood and glass that reflected the neon skyline. The air smelled faintly of smoke and expensive whisky, but tonight it carried something sharper—Riku’s rage.

Keiji stood silently near the door, shoulders tense, watching his boss pace like a caged predator. Riku’s usually controlled presence was fraying, his fists clenching and unclenching as though ready to tear someone apart.

“He went to him,” Riku muttered, voice low but seething. “That snake had the audacity to step into my territory, to whisper into his ear as if Arun could ever belong to anyone else.”

Keiji didn’t respond. He knew better. But he couldn’t help the flicker of memory—Daisuke’s mocking voice outside the bar, too close, too dangerous. The words he had spoken then echoed now, worming their way deeper.

Riku slammed a hand against the desk, the sound cracking like thunder. “He thinks he can poison Arun against me. That I’ll sit back and watch.” His eyes lifted, burning with a fire that chilled even Keiji. “I won’t. Arun is mine.”

The words were more than a claim—they were a vow.

Keiji cleared his throat carefully. “If I may, boss… Arun is proud. The more you push, the harder he’ll resist. Daisuke knows that. He’ll play it to his advantage.”

Riku’s head snapped toward him, gaze sharp. For a moment, Keiji thought he had gone too far. But then Riku’s expression softened just slightly, though the steel never left his eyes.

“He hates me. Calls me disgusting. Straight as a blade and proud of it. But hatred ties him to me tighter than love ever could.”

Riku reached for his glass, downing the whisky in one smooth motion before setting it down with deliberate finality.

“Daisuke thinks he’s clever, dangling false freedom in front of Arun. But I’ll show him. The serpent may whisper…” Riku’s lips curved into a cold smile. “…but the dragon always burns.”

Keiji bowed his head, hiding the flicker of unease in his chest. Because while Riku’s wrath was terrifying, it wasn’t Daisuke he feared in this moment.

It was the way Arun’s name made the dragon’s chains rattle louder than ever.