Chapter 5: The Palace Invitation

The rain in Kyoto did not stop that night.

Water fell steadily from the dark sky, washing the quiet streets and reflecting the soft yellow glow of the street lamps.

Inside Aizawa Veterinary Clinic, the atmosphere was unusually quiet.

Haruki Aizawa stood near the sink, washing his hands slowly. Water ran over his fingers, but his mind was clearly somewhere else.

Images kept replaying in his mind.

The gun.

The sound of gunshots.

The bodies falling onto the wet street.

And the calm expression of Renjiro Kurogane.

Haruki closed his eyes briefly.

He had treated injured animals for years. Sometimes even injured people. But witnessing someone killed right in front of him…

That was different.

Across the room, Daichi Mori watched him carefully.

Daichi leaned against the counter with crossed arms.

“You’ve been washing your hands for five minutes.”

Haruki blinked and turned off the water.

“…Sorry.”

Daichi walked closer.

“You look pale.”

Haruki dried his hands slowly.

“I’m fine.”

Daichi stared at him for a moment before speaking again.

“Something happened today, didn’t it?”

Haruki hesitated.

Then he sighed quietly.

“Yes.”

He explained everything.

The men approaching him.

Renjiro appearing.

And the gunshots.

Daichi’s expression slowly turned serious.

“That man… killed them in front of you?”

Haruki nodded.

“Yes.”

Daichi ran a hand through his hair.

“Great.”

Haruki looked confused.

“What do you mean?”

Daichi replied bluntly.

“You’re involved with dangerous people now.”

Haruki frowned.

“I’m not involved with anyone.”

Daichi shook his head.

“That man clearly thinks you are.”

Haruki didn’t answer.

Because deep inside…

He knew Daichi might be right.

---

Far away from the small clinic…

Deep in the mountains outside Kyoto stood Kurogane Palace.

A massive estate surrounded by tall iron gates and armed guards.

Luxury cars slowly passed through the gates and parked inside the enormous courtyard.

Inside the palace dining hall, warm golden lights illuminated a long wooden table.

Several people were already seated.

At the head of the table sat Akihiro Kurogane, Renjiro’s older brother.

Akihiro looked very similar to Renjiro.

Tall.

Cold.

Elegant.

But his expression was slightly softer.

Beside him sat his husband, Sora.

Sora looked gentle and warm, completely different from the dangerous aura of the Kurogane brothers.

Sora placed a bowl of spicy soup on the table.

“Dinner is ready.”

Across from them sat Riku Kurogane, who was scrolling through his phone.

Riku looked bored.

“Where’s Renjiro?”

As if answering the question—

The large dining room doors opened.

Renjiro Kurogane entered.

He walked calmly toward the table and sat down.

Akihiro looked at him briefly.

“You’re late.”

Renjiro replied simply.

“Work.”

Sora smiled gently.

“You should eat while the food is warm.”

Renjiro glanced at the dishes on the table.

Most of them were spicy.

He frowned slightly.

“I told you I don’t like spicy food.”

Sora laughed softly.

“Everyone else does.”

Riku smirked.

“You're the only weird one.”

Renjiro ignored them and started eating quietly.

For a few minutes the family ate in silence.

Then Kazuki entered the dining room and sat beside Riku.

Kazuki looked relaxed as usual.

“Evening.”

Akihiro looked at him.

“You look entertained.”

Kazuki smiled slightly.

“I heard something interesting today.”

Riku looked curious.

“What?”

Kazuki leaned back in his chair.

“Renjiro killed three Shindo men over a veterinarian.”

The table went silent.

Riku slowly turned toward Renjiro.

“A veterinarian?”

Akihiro raised an eyebrow.

Renjiro continued eating calmly.

Sora looked confused.

“You mean… an animal doctor?”

Kazuki nodded.

“Yes.”

Riku laughed.

“Renjiro protecting a doctor? That’s new.”

Akihiro studied his brother carefully.

“You never interfere in small conflicts.”

Renjiro finally spoke.

“They touched someone under my protection.”

Sora asked gently,

“Who?”

Renjiro answered simply.

“Haruki Aizawa.”

Kazuki smirked.

“The doctor who saved his life.”

Riku leaned forward with interest.

“Oh, this is getting interesting.”

Akihiro rested his chin on his hand.

“You trust him?”

Renjiro shook his head.

“No.”

“Then why protect him?”

Renjiro’s answer was calm.

“I owe him.”

Kazuki chuckled quietly.

“You’ve never been good at paying debts.”

Akihiro looked thoughtful.

“Bring him here.”

Renjiro looked up slightly.

“Why.”

Akihiro replied calmly.

“If someone is important enough for you to start killing over…”

He paused.

“…then I want to meet him.”

Sora smiled warmly.

“Yes. Bring him for dinner.”

Riku grinned.

“I want to see the brave doctor who refused Renjiro’s money.”

Renjiro didn’t respond immediately.

But after a moment he said simply,

“I’ll invite him.”

Kazuki muttered quietly,

“You mean force him.”

---

The next evening.

Rain returned again.

Haruki closed the clinic door after finishing work.

Daichi was still inside cleaning medical tools.

“You’re going home?” Daichi asked.

Haruki nodded.

“Yes.”

Just as Haruki stepped onto the street—

A familiar black luxury car slowly stopped in front of him.

Haruki immediately recognized it.

The window rolled down.

Inside sat Renjiro Kurogane.

Haruki sighed softly.

“You again.”

Renjiro opened the car door.

“Get in.”

Haruki blinked.

“What?”

Renjiro repeated calmly.

“Get in.”

Haruki shook his head.

“No.”

Renjiro’s expression didn’t change.

“It wasn’t a request.”

Haruki crossed his arms.

“I’m not going anywhere with you.”

Renjiro stepped out of the car.

Rain fell around them again.

He walked closer until he stood directly in front of Haruki.

“You're in danger.”

Haruki replied immediately.

“That’s because of you.”

Renjiro didn’t deny it.

“Yes.”

Haruki looked surprised by the honest answer.

Renjiro continued calmly.

“My enemies may target you again.”

Haruki sighed.

“So what do you want me to do?”

Renjiro answered simply.

“Come to the palace.”

Haruki stared at him.

“Your… palace?”

Renjiro nodded.

“It’s safer.”

Haruki shook his head.

“No.”

Renjiro looked at him quietly.

“Why.”

Haruki answered firmly.

“I don’t trust mafia bosses.”

Kazuki, who was sitting in the driver seat, laughed.

“Fair answer.”

Renjiro ignored him.

He stepped slightly closer to Haruki.

“I owe you my life.”

Haruki replied calmly.

“You already paid that debt with those three men.”

Renjiro’s eyes darkened slightly.

“That wasn’t the payment.”

Haruki frowned.

“Then what is?”

Renjiro spoke quietly.

“Protecting you.”

Haruki hesitated.

For the first time…

Renjiro’s voice sounded almost serious.

Not threatening.

Just determined.

Rain continued falling between them.

Finally Haruki sighed.

“…Just dinner?”

Renjiro nodded.

“Yes.”

Haruki thought for a moment.

Then he said reluctantly,

“Fine.”

Kazuki smirked inside the car.

“This is going to be fun.”

Renjiro opened the car door for Haruki.

Haruki hesitated briefly before entering.

As the car drove away from the city toward the mountains…

Haruki looked out the window.

He had no idea where he was going.

But one thing was certain.

Tonight…

He would step into the most dangerous place in Kyoto.

Kurogane Palace.

And inside that palace…

A mafia family was already waiting to meet him.

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