The darkness of night began to envelop the city of Tokyo; a party was about to be held soon, exactly at eight o'clock in the evening.
Bella was busy cooking some snacks to just stave off her hunger. The aroma of the food, so inviting and delicious, began to disturb Brian, who was fast asleep.
He did not know how long his eyes had been closed. The effect of the drink he consumed made him forget the time to wake up.
The delicious aroma of the food tempted him, causing him to wake up. His head hurt a little this time.
Even though he had been sleeping soundly for hours. Brian sat up, leaning against his bed, slightly clutching the side of his aching head. Brian remembered something: Bella had pushed him, making him fall and pass out.
"That annoying, temperamental girl!" Brian muttered.
The sound of footsteps approached, and a shadow figure began to appear from the doorway. It was Bella, who came carrying a tray of food. Her other hand held a glass of warm milk.
"You're awake?" Bella asked. Bella sat on the edge of the bed.
Brian, who was leaning against his bed, watched the girl who was now sitting in front of him. Carefully, Bella placed the tray of food on the bed.
"I just made some onigiri. Are you hungry?" Bella asked him gently, but Brian gave her an intimidating look. When Bella tried to feed him the onigiri, Brian grabbed her wrist tightly.
"Why did you push me, huh?" Surprised by this, Bella withdrew her hand.
"You should be thanking me! You were drunk earlier, and you were even acting strange towards me! It's not my fault if I wanted to protect myself from your bizarre behavior!" Bella articulated her defense.
Brian's grip on her hand loosened slightly upon hearing that. A flush of red spread across his face.
He was a little embarrassed by what Bella had said to him. How foolish he was to do something so shameful to Bella. Brian turned his face away.
"Fine," Brian said.
"That's all? No apology from you?" Bella asked him.
"You wish?" Brian asked.
"You're annoying; you were wrong! You should apologize to me!" Bella said, exasperated.
"I wasn't conscious when I did it; it was all because of the drink!" Brian defended himself.
Brian got up from his bed and headed to the bathroom. Just a few steps in, Bella spoke again.
"Keep your promise! Go to the dance party with me tonight, exactly at eight o'clock!" Bella told him. Without turning back to look at Bella, Brian just cleared his throat in response.
The cool shower water refreshed his body. He had only been home for a day, but Bella was ordering him around again.
Again, not a single word could refuse her; it was as if he no longer held any power. His hand clenched tightly; something was wrong with his heart. Eddie's words suddenly came to mind, making his principles waver even more.
'If you love her, express it. If you hate her, just leave her! If you're so annoyed with her, why don't you just kill her? Remember this well: when a glimmer of light appears in your dark life, chase it! Don't let her go! Don't let the darkness further confine you! Try to escape the gloom and the storm that resides in your heart! Following you is not my path; some of the path you choose is right, but not entirely! You need a gentle, wise figure to guide you to the right path, a figure like a mother.'
Brian opened his closed eyes, and shortly after, he smiled faintly. His younger brother was truly different from him. He was grateful that his brother was completely uninterested in following his footsteps.
Eddie's judgment of him was enough to convince him that Eddie had absolutely no desire to be in the wicked organization he belonged to.
"Forgive me for bringing you into this falsehood. I never listened to you all this time, Ed! But this time, I will try to listen to what you truly want," Brian whispered.
0
Exactly at eight o'clock, the dance party was held at Detective Takamura's residence. Brian walked side by side with Bella.
He really kept his promise. This was a masquerade ball, where all the invited guests attended the event wearing masks.
The atmosphere inside was festive; happy cheers and laughter beautifully resonated. A heartwarming rhythm of music was played quite loudly.
"What is your purpose in coming here with me?" Brian asked. Hearing that, Bella glanced briefly at the young man beside her.
"To have fun. I'm going to introduce you to Inspector Han and Detective Takamura," Bella invited him.
"I'm not interested in that," Brian replied lazily. Bella pulled Brian's arm when her eyes found the two people they were talking about.
Han and Detective Takamura were currently enjoying watching several young couples happily dancing.
"Han, Detective Takamura!" Bella greeted. Both Han and Detective Takamura turned their attention to Bella.
"Bella, you look so beautiful today!" Han praised.
"Thank you, Han!" Bella replied.
"Miss Bella, how are you? My goodness, I almost forgot about you because it's been too long since we last met! Welcome, Miss!" Detective Takamura greeted.
"Thank you for the welcome!" Bella said.
Bella, engrossed in conversation, paid no attention. Something was wrong with this dance party. All this time, Brian, who was beside her, had not taken his eyes off every corner of the building.
Several men in black suits were passing by—five people. Brian ascertained that there were five people in this building with bad intentions.
His concentration stopped when Han extended his hand, asking Bella to dance.
His heart felt like it was pierced by a thousand knives; he could not accept another young man touching Bella. Quickly, Brian pulled Bella's wrist, leading her to the center of the floor where several people were dancing.
"Dance with me!" Brian said. Bella was surprised to hear that, but she accepted the small offer.
Bella began to enjoy the music while dancing with Brian. Without giving up, Brian watched the movements of the young man in the black suit there.
"Why did you suddenly ask me to dance?" Bella asked. There was no answer at all from Brian. Bella was really annoyed by that.
Especially since Brian was not looking at her at all right now; his gaze was directed elsewhere.
Until he saw a small remote control in the hand of one of the young men in the black suits, Brian was absolutely sure there was something dangerous in this building, as well as a wicked conspiracy.
"We have to go now!!!" Brian told Bella.
"Why?" Bella asked him.
"Don't waste any more time, Bella!" Brian ordered, raising his voice slightly.
"You're acting so weird; what's wrong?" Bella asked him again.
"Hurry up! I don't want a refusal from you! I just want you to be safe!" Brian explained. Bella furrowed her brow, trying to understand.
Brian was out of ideas now. He grabbed Bella's wrist, forcing her to leave, but suddenly, a strong hand pushed him away from Bella, which surprised Brian. Han pushed Brian away from Bella.
"What are you doing to a girl, huh?" Han said. Brian truly had no choice now.
Bang
One punch sent Han stumbling. He really did not have much time right now. Bella was shocked to see Brian's treatment of Han. She felt like scolding him, but for some reason, she could not?
"If you want to live, get out of here, you foolish young man!" Brian commanded. Without a word, Brian carried the stunned Bella out of the large building. Brian ran quickly out of the building.
"What is wrong with you?" Bella, who was now in Brian's arms, asked. No answer came out for Bella's question.
"I don't want you to get hurt! I don't want you to leave, you troublesome girl!?" Brian said. Bella was surprised to hear that. What feeling was this that she was experiencing right now? Her heart was so happy to hear that small, rough but sweet expression from him.
"Still time!!!" Brian said. The exit door of the building was right in front of them. Brian opened the door quickly.
Boom
A massive explosion accompanied his steps out of the building, a strong explosion that made Brian fall, pinning Bella beneath him.
The loud explosion left Bella in shock and fear. The sight of the burning building in front of her reminded her of the incident that befell her family.
Brian moved away from Bella, sitting up and looking at the ruined building. Bella sat motionless, still fixated on the destroyed building.
Her hands trembled with fear! It was the same feeling she experienced when she saw the Tokyo police station where her family died. Brian's attention shifted to the girl beside him, who was in shock and fear.
"Are you okay?" Brian asked, patting Bella's shoulder.
"Bella, are you okay? Are you hurt? Where does it hurt?" This was the first time Brian had been so concerned about Bella. His strong hands cupped Bella's beautiful face.
Her gaze was vacant; not a single word was uttered. Brian understood this time—this girl was in shock.
Slowly, his hands guided Bella's gaze towards him, looking at him. Just as their eyes met, tears streamed down Bella's eyes. She clutched Brian's arm tightly, sobbing.
"Please take me away!! Please!" Bella pleaded hoarsely, crying.
Brian gave her a small hug, the girl who was so terrified.
"I hate these people! Why are they so cruel? Tell me! What did these people do wrong?!" Bella cried out, rambling sadly in Brian's embrace, her hands tightly gripping the suit jacket Brian was wearing.
"Please!!! Take me away from here!" Bella pleaded. Brian moved his body away from Bella. Brian took off his mask and threw it away.
"Take off your mask; do you want to walk around wearing that?" Brian said. Hearing that, Bella took off the mask she was wearing. Brian stood up, offering his hand to Bella, helping her to stand.