Chapter 3: First Meeting in the Rain

Morning arrived quietly in Kyoto.

Soft sunlight passed through the curtains of Aizawa Veterinary Clinic, lighting the small waiting area.

Inside the clinic, Haruki Aizawa stood beside a table, carefully writing notes in a medical file.

A grey cat slept peacefully in a basket nearby.

Haruki wore a clean white shirt with rolled sleeves. His hair was slightly messy from waking up early.

Across the room, Daichi Mori entered while holding two cups of coffee.

He placed one cup beside Haruki.

“You didn’t sleep much, did you?”

Haruki smiled faintly and took the coffee.

“Not really.”

Daichi leaned against the counter.

“Still thinking about last night’s mysterious patient?”

Haruki shook his head.

“I was thinking about the cat.”

Daichi stared at him for a moment.

Then sighed.

“You’re hopeless.”

Haruki chuckled softly.

The clinic felt peaceful again.

Almost like last night had never happened.

---

Across the city…

Inside a large glass building belonging to Kurogane Group.

The top floor office was silent.

Renjiro Kurogane sat behind his massive desk.

His expression remained cold as usual.

Stacks of documents surrounded him.

Across from him stood Kazuki Takeda, flipping through a tablet.

“I found information about your doctor.”

Renjiro didn’t look up immediately.

Kazuki continued.

“Haruki Aizawa. Age twenty-six.”

He swiped the screen.

“Veterinarian. Owns a small clinic with his friend Daichi Mori.”

Renjiro finally raised his eyes.

“Family?”

Kazuki read the next line.

“Younger brother. College student.”

Kazuki placed the tablet down.

“Clean background. No criminal connections.”

Renjiro leaned back slightly.

Silence filled the office.

Kazuki studied Renjiro carefully.

“You never investigate random doctors.”

Renjiro replied calmly.

“He refused my money.”

Kazuki smirked slightly.

“So you’re curious.”

Renjiro didn't deny it.

Most people saw Renjiro as an untouchable king.

But the truth was…

He rarely met people who treated him like a normal human.

Haruki hadn’t looked at him with fear.

Or greed.

That alone was… unusual.

Kazuki crossed his arms.

“Should I eliminate him?”

Renjiro’s eyes immediately turned cold.

Kazuki laughed.

“Relax. I’m joking.”

Renjiro spoke quietly.

“Leave him alone.”

Kazuki nodded.

But the small smile on his face remained.

Something interesting had started.

---

Later that evening.

Clouds slowly gathered above Kyoto.

Wind moved through the streets.

Rain began falling softly.

Haruki stepped outside his clinic with an umbrella.

The sky was grey and quiet.

Daichi stood in the doorway.

“You’re leaving already?”

Haruki nodded.

“I promised my brother dinner.”

Daichi waved lazily.

“Don’t get kidnapped.”

Haruki laughed.

“I’m a veterinarian, not a mafia target.”

He began walking down the street.

The rain slowly grew heavier.

Streetlights reflected on the wet road.

Haruki walked calmly while holding the umbrella above his head.

Then suddenly—

A loud car engine approached.

A black luxury car stopped beside the sidewalk.

Haruki instinctively stepped aside.

The car door opened.

And a tall man stepped out.

Haruki immediately recognized him.

The injured patient from last night.

Renjiro Kurogane.

He wore a perfectly fitted black suit.

Even with the bandage hidden under his shirt, his posture remained strong and elegant.

Rain fell lightly around them.

Haruki looked surprised.

“You shouldn't be walking around already,” Haruki said.

Renjiro stared at him quietly.

Up close, Haruki looked even more beautiful than he remembered.

Rain droplets landed softly on Haruki’s hair.

Renjiro spoke calmly.

“You’re the doctor.”

Haruki nodded.

“Yes.”

For a moment they simply stood in the rain.

Neither of them spoke.

Haruki finally said,

“Your wound might reopen.”

Renjiro glanced down slightly.

“It won’t.”

Haruki sighed.

“You’re a difficult patient.”

Kazuki stepped out of the driver’s seat and watched the scene silently.

His eyes moved between the two men.

Interesting.

Renjiro rarely stopped for anyone.

Renjiro looked back at Haruki.

“You refused my payment.”

Haruki replied calmly.

“I told you. I don’t help people for money.”

Renjiro asked another question.

“What do you want then?”

Haruki frowned slightly.

“That’s a strange question.”

Renjiro repeated calmly.

“What do you want?”

Haruki thought for a moment.

Then smiled gently.

“A peaceful life.”

Renjiro looked at him quietly.

Peaceful life.

Something Renjiro had never experienced.

Haruki adjusted his umbrella.

“You should still rest.”

Then he began walking again.

Rain continued falling softly.

After a few steps, Renjiro suddenly spoke.

“Haruki.”

Haruki turned back slightly.

Renjiro rarely called people by their name.

But somehow…

Haruki’s name felt natural.

Renjiro said calmly,

“You saved my life.”

Haruki shrugged slightly.

“That’s normal for doctors.”

Renjiro’s voice remained cold.

“I repay debts.”

Haruki smiled lightly.

“You already tried with money.”

Renjiro walked closer.

Rain touched his dark hair.

“Then I’ll repay it another way.”

Haruki looked confused.

“You don’t have to repay anything.”

Renjiro stared directly into his eyes.

“But I will.”

For a moment neither of them spoke.

Rain continued falling between them.

Kazuki watched quietly from the car.

His smirk slowly appeared again.

Renjiro Kurogane…

Was definitely interested.

Haruki looked at Renjiro one more time.

Then he said gently,

“Just don’t get shot again.”

He turned and walked away down the street.

Renjiro didn’t stop him.

Instead he watched silently until Haruki disappeared around the corner.

Kazuki walked closer.

“Well.”

Renjiro didn't answer.

Kazuki asked,

“So the scary mafia boss is following veterinarians now?”

Renjiro calmly returned to the car.

Kazuki opened the door.

“What’s the plan?”

Renjiro sat inside and closed his eyes briefly.

Then he said quietly,

“…Nothing.”

But in his mind…

Haruki’s calm smile remained clear.

For the first time in many years…

Renjiro felt something unfamiliar.

Interest.

Curiosity.

And something darker.

Something that slowly grew inside him.

Obsession.

Meanwhile across the city…

Haruki walked through the rain peacefully.

Completely unaware.

That the most dangerous man in Kyoto…

Had just started paying attention to him.

And once Renjiro Kurogane focused on something—

He never let it go.

---

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