It started with a car.
Not a blacked-out limo, not a flashy sports car. Just a plain, boring silver sedan, waiting outside the school gate like a confused dad at pickup time.
But Fuyu knew better.
The man holding the door open wore a crisp black suit and sunglasses. He bowed slightly. "Mr. Fuyu. The boss would like to speak with you."
Fuyu glanced at Keon, who was pale.
"Don't go," Keon said under his breath. "You don't have to."
Fuyu tilted his head. "He invited me, didn't he?"
"…Yeah. That's the problem."
The car ride was quiet. The city blurred by in shades of gray and neon. Fuyu didn't ask questions. The man didn't offer answers.
They stopped in front of a gaudy building with flashing lights and a sign that said: "Lucky Neko Cat Lounge — Purrrfect Place for Business and Pleasure!"
Fuyu blinked. "What the hell."
The man only said, "Inside."
The lounge was surreal.
Low lighting. Velvet cushions. Jazz music playing softly in the background. And cats. Dozens of them — lounging, stretching, purring like they owned the place.
In the center of it all sat Mai.
Bright orange Hawaiian shirt. Sunglasses indoors. Holding a teacup with a cat paw print on it.
"Fuyu!" he beamed. "Keon's rebellious little friend. Come, sit. Try the matcha. It's divine."
Fuyu stood still. "Why am I here?"
Mai waved at the seat across from him. "To talk. To understand. To see if you're a friend… or a future problem."
"…So this is a threat?"
Mai chuckled. "Oh no. If it were a threat, you'd be in a freezer truck by now."
One of the cats jumped into Fuyu's lap. He didn't move.
"Relax," Mai said. "This is just… tea and clarity."
They sat for ten minutes.
Mai talked about Keon. Stories from childhood. First scraped knee. First school fight. First time he accidentally ordered a crate of stolen jewelry on the dark web.
All told with a smile, like it was a sitcom.
Fuyu didn't laugh.
Finally, Mai leaned forward.
"You followed my nephew into something very old. And very dangerous."
"I didn't mean to," Fuyu replied.
"I know. But now you're in the picture. So I have to ask…" Mai's voice dropped, losing its sweetness. "Are you going to stay in the frame?"
Fuyu met his gaze. "If I walk away, do your people erase me?"
Mai grinned. "Only if you talk."
"I won't."
"That's not the point. The point is… if you stay, you're no longer just a kid at school. You're a name in our system. You'll be watched. Protected. Or removed. Depending on how useful—or dangerous—you become."
The room went cold, despite the warmth of the teacup in Fuyu's hands.
Mai sat back, sipping his drink. "So, Fuyu. Are you going to be a problem?"
Fuyu didn't blink. "Depends. Are you going to hurt Keon?"
Mai paused.
Then laughed.
"A good answer."
When Fuyu returned to the dorms, Keon was pacing outside his room.
"You're okay."
"Barely," Fuyu said, brushing cat fur off his jacket. "Your uncle's insane."
"I know."
"He's also smart. Dangerous. And weirdly good at tea."
Keon sighed. "I'm sorry."
Fuyu shrugged. "You should be."
"…So?"
Fuyu met his eyes. "I'm not going anywhere. But you owe me. Big time."
Keon nodded.
He didn't say thank you.
But he didn't have to.