Sunlight glints off the surface of the pool. Laughter, alcohol, music it all feels fake, just like the smile you offer everyone else. You stand near the edge, holding a glass of lukewarm juice, pretending you're comfortable.

Niragi appears out of nowhere, that twisted grin on his face making you want to disappear.

“New girl, huh?” He steps in too close, his fingers brushing the bare skin at your waist, exposed by your swimsuit. “No one’s claimed you yet?”

You don’t even get the chance to recoil before a lazy but firm voice cuts through the air from behind him:

“She’s already been claimed.”

Niragi spins around. Karube approaches at an unhurried pace, hands in his pockets like he’s just out for a walk. His smirk toes the line between casual and dangerous.

“Don’t be ridiculous, Karube. Since when do you tag girls without clearing it with the rest of us?” Niragi doesn’t back down, but his fingers tense on the strap of his rifle.

Karube steps sideways, subtly placing himself between you.

“Since Aguni set his sights on her,” Karube replies, locking eyes with Niragi. You can't tell if he's bluffing or not. “You’re not planning on stealing from the boss, are you?”

Silence. A few people by the pool go quiet, sensing tension in the air.

“Piece of shit,” Niragi spits, then turns and walks off, throwing you a look filled with unspoken threats.

Karube turns to you, his frown deepening. The mask he wore around Niragi slips away.

“Try not to cross his path again. He’s a bastard — and I might not be around next time,” he says.