Kapitel 9: Chapter 9: Manipulation in Motion
Shinya's POV
The cold air bit at Shinya's face as he stepped out of Reiji's apartment, pulling his coat tighter against the wind. The conversation with Reiji had been brief, and though Shinya didn't particularly care about the source of the money Reiji had used to sell that jewel, the situation lingered in his mind. Something about it didn't sit right.
Reiji wasn't a criminal; that much Shinya could tell. But there was something off about how quickly the boy's life had turned around—from losing his home to suddenly being able to afford a new apartment. The jewel could have been a lucky find, or perhaps something more sinister. Shinya wasn't about to chase down financial leads just because the kid had stumbled onto a bit of money.
But even though he wasn't directly concerned with Reiji's newfound wealth, the situation nagged at him. People didn't just find jewels like that, especially not after being caught in the middle of a crossfire that destroyed their home. The details, while small, were unsettling, and Shinya's gut told him there was more to the story. Whether it was a coincidence or something larger remained to be seen.
Shinya sighed as he continued down the street. Why am I still thinking about this? He had more pressing issues to deal with, but Reiji's situation gnawed at the back of his mind, refusing to let go. Something was off.
Shogo Makishima's POV
From his vantage point atop a nearby building, Shogo Makishima watched Shinya leave Reiji's apartment, a slight smile playing at the corners of his lips. The cold wind brushed through his silver hair as he observed the detective below, his mind already turning with possibilities.
He hadn't expected to cross paths with Shinya Kogami again, not in this part of Nishi-Tokyo. Shogo had been moving through the city for his own reasons, creating the kind of subtle disruptions he loved—tiny cracks in the system that could ripple into chaos. But seeing Shinya had changed things. His old adversary was as sharp and relentless as ever, and Shogo couldn't resist the opportunity to poke at him a little.
Shogo's gaze shifted briefly to the apartment below. Reiji Hayato. The boy was of no particular importance—just another casualty of the city's endless conflicts. His house had been destroyed, his family lost, and now he was floundering in a world he didn't understand. But that was what made him interesting.
Reiji wasn't some powerful figure or part of a larger conspiracy. He was just... there. And that was precisely why Shogo saw potential in him—not because of any hidden abilities, but because of the subtle annoyance he could cause. Reiji wasn't a player in Shogo's usual games, but using him to needle Shinya, to push his old adversary just a little further into frustration? That was something Shogo could appreciate.
He didn't need Reiji to be anything special. He didn't care about the boy's background or the mysterious source of the jewel and money. What mattered was the effect—how Shinya reacted to the small disturbances in his life. Shogo lived for those moments, the quiet unraveling of control that came from something as simple as throwing a wrench into the works.
From the shadows, Shogo smiled. Shinya Kogami, ever the idealist, would undoubtedly try to help Reiji. It was in his nature to get involved, to care more than he should. And that was exactly why Shogo was interested. It wasn't about the jewel or the money—it was about Shinya's reaction, about pushing him toward the edge, one small step at a time.
Shogo didn't need to confront Reiji directly. That would ruin the fun. Instead, he'd use his usual methods—planting a seed here, whispering in the right ears there, and watching as the ripples spread. Reiji didn't need to know who was behind the scenes; he just needed to be nudged in the right direction. And Shinya, ever the dutiful detective, would follow.
Shogo glanced down at the busy streets of Nishi-Tokyo, his smile widening as he imagined the possibilities. Reiji wasn't important in the grand scheme of things, but he could still serve a purpose. And that was enough.
Reiji's POV
Reiji paced his apartment, unease gnawing at him. His encounter with Shinya had left him on edge, and the weight of everything—the destruction of his home, the power he barely understood, the strange legacy of the Vongola—was starting to feel overwhelming.
He glanced at the ring on his finger, its dull metal glinting in the dim light. The Dying Will Flame. He had used it once, in the heat of battle, but it hadn't returned since. Every time he tried to summon it, there was nothing. Just a flicker of frustration and emptiness.
What was he supposed to do with all of this? What did it mean?
A sudden knock on the door pulled him out of his thoughts. He hesitated, his hand hovering near the handle. It wasn't Shinya—he was sure of that. When he opened the door, a man he didn't recognize stood on the other side, dressed in a sleek suit, his expression unreadable.
"Mr. Hayato?" the man asked, his voice smooth. "I believe you may need assistance."
Reiji frowned, stepping back instinctively. "Who are you?"
The man smiled politely, though it didn't reach his eyes. "That's not important. Let's just say I work for someone who's taken an interest in your situation. A mutual... acquaintance."
Reiji's unease deepened. "What are you talking about?"
The man's smile widened, but there was something unsettling about it. "There are people in this city who see potential in those who have suffered. You've lost something, haven't you? A home, a family. My employer believes that people like you often rise from the ashes stronger than before. He's offering you a chance."
Reiji didn't like where this was going. "Why would I trust someone I've never met? What's the catch?"
The man chuckled softly, reaching into his coat to pull out a small card. "There's always a price, Mr. Hayato. But that's for you to decide. My employer merely offers... opportunities."
Reiji took the card hesitantly, his eyes scanning the embossed text. No names, just a number and a strange symbol. It felt heavy in his hand, as if the simple piece of paper carried a weight far beyond what he could understand.
"I don't know what you want," Reiji said, his voice firm. "But I'm not interested in being someone's pawn."
The man's smile didn't falter. "Oh, Mr. Hayato. We all play a part in the larger game. Whether you realize it or not, the choice is already in motion."
Before Reiji could respond, the man turned and disappeared into the hallway, leaving him standing in the doorway, the card still clenched in his hand.
Shogo Makishima's POV
From his hidden vantage point, Shogo watched with quiet satisfaction as his messenger left Reiji's apartment. The boy had taken the bait, just as expected. Of course, Reiji wouldn't realize it yet. The fun was in watching it all unfold slowly.
This wasn't about controlling Reiji, nor was it about any grand plot. It was a game. A simple, quiet way to irritate Shinya Kogami, to push him into action and see how far he would go to protect someone who didn't matter in the grand scheme of things. And as Shinya's frustration grew, so too would Shogo's amusement.
Shogo chuckled softly to himself. "Let's see how far you can go, Reiji Hayato. And let's see how long Shinya can keep up."
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein