The car ride was suffocating.

Shin had fallen asleep almost immediately, his small head resting against your arm, unaware of how much his life was changing in this very moment.

His peaceful breathing was the only sound in the luxury vehicle, aside from the steady hum of the engine.

Across from you, Manjiro sat in silence, his gaze never straying far from you and Shin.

Even now, in the dim interior, you could feel the weight of his presence, a silent force pressing against you, reminding you that this, this new reality, was inevitable.

You had tried to fight it.

But in the end, you were still here.

The Bonten mansion was unlike anything you had ever seen.

The moment the car pulled through the massive gates, you realized there was no turning back.

The estate was sprawling, bathed in soft golden lights, with sleek modern architecture and towering glass windows that reflected the city skyline.

It was the kind of place that reeked of power, wealth, and something far more dangerous lurking beneath the surface.

Manjiro carried Shin effortlessly as he led you inside, his steps steady, unbothered, as if this had been the plan all along.

As if you had always been meant to be here.

The grand entrance was eerily quiet, but you knew better.

Bonten was never truly silent.

A familiar voice broke the tense atmosphere.

"Well, well. So this is the infamous mother of Mikey's kid."

You turned toward the voice, instantly met with a sharp gaze, eyes filled with curiosity and something bordering amusement.

Sanzu Haruchiyo.

His pink hair was neatly styled for once, but that scarred grin of his was still ever-present. He leaned lazily against the staircase railing, his gaze flickering between you and Shin before settling on Manjiro.

"You sure know how to surprise us, boss," Sanzu mused. "Didn't think we'd ever get a Mrs. Sano situation."

Your breath caught in your throat.

Manjiro ignored him, shifting Shin in his arms before speaking. "Where's Kokonoi?"

"Handling some business," Sanzu replied with a shrug. "But he'll be back soon. The others are around, though."

As if on cue, two more figures stepped into the dimly lit hall.

Takeomi and Ran Haitani.

Takeomi gave you a long, assessing look before exhaling heavily. "Didn't think I'd see the day."

Ran, on the other hand, smirked, tilting his head slightly as he examined you. "Gotta admit, Mikey, I was starting to think you made the kid up. But she's real. And very pretty."

Your stomach twisted uncomfortably.

Manjiro's expression remained blank, but his grip on Shin tightened just slightly.

"Watch yourself," was all he said.

Ran chuckled, holding his hands up in mock surrender. "Relax, boss. Just making an observation."

Sanzu stepped closer, hands in his pockets. "So? What's the deal? She staying here for good?"

You tensed, waiting for Manjiro's response.

"Yes."

One word.

Final. Unshakable.

Takeomi sighed, rubbing his temple. "You sure about this, Mikey?"

Manjiro's gaze darkened. "You questioning me?"

A slow shake of the head. "No. Just making sure you know what you're doing."

"I do."

And that was the end of the discussion.

You felt trapped. The reality of the situation was sinking in faster than you could process it.

You weren't just here.

You belonged to this world now.

And so did Shin.

Ran gave you a sideways glance, as if reading your thoughts. "Guess that means you'll have to get used to us."

Sanzu grinned, eyes sharp. "Welcome to Bonten, sweetheart."

The words sent a chill down your spine.

Manjiro remained silent beside you, but you could feel his presence, unwavering and absolute.

"Come on, I'll show you to your rooms." Ran casually said, but the glint in his violet eyes held amusement, as if he found the entire situation entertaining.

You hesitated, glancing at Manjiro. He hadn't let go of Shin yet, and for a moment, you wondered if he even planned to. But after a brief pause, he nodded at Ran, a silent order for him to take you.

Ran tilted his head toward the grand staircase. "This way, sweetheart."

You bit back a sigh and followed him, your steps slow, uncertain.

The hallway was eerily quiet, save for the faint echo of your footsteps against the polished floors. The walls were lined with expensive art, dark-toned décor that exuded power and control. This was no ordinary home.

This was Bonten's mansion.

And now, it was where you and Shin would live.

Ran led you down a long corridor, stopping in front of a pair of double doors. He pushed one open, revealing a spacious bedroom. The color scheme was neutral—
, grays, creams, and hints of gold, but the sheer size of it left you speechless.

A large bed sat against the far wall, its silk sheets looking untouched, expensive. A balcony overlooked the city skyline, and there was even a small seating area by the windows.

"Boss wanted the best room for you," Ran mused, stepping inside. "Only the best for his little family, right?"

You ignored the implication behind his words, walking further into the room. It was nothing like your small apartment. It felt... distant. Foreign.

Unfamiliar.

But what caught your attention the most was the door on the other side of the room.

Ran noticed where your gaze had landed and smirked. "That's Shin's room. Connected to yours."

Your heart clenched at the thought.

Manjiro had planned all of this.

There had never been a choice.

You walked over to the second door, pushing it open. The room was just as luxurious, but instead of cold, neutral tones, it had a warmth to it. A soft bed, plush carpets, and even a few scattered toys, things that Shin had never owned before.

How long had Manjiro been preparing for this?

"You should get some rest," Ran's voice cut through your thoughts. "Boss will probably want to talk to you in the morning."

You turned to face him, arms crossed. "And if I don't want to stay?"

Ran chuckled, leaning against the doorframe. "Sweetheart, you're already here. That's all that matters to him." His expression turned slightly more serious. "Mikey doesn't let go of what's his."

Your stomach twisted at his words.

You already knew that.

And that was what scared you the most.

Ran pushed off the doorframe, flashing you an easy smirk. "Sleep well, sweetheart. You're gonna need it."

With that, he turned and left, leaving you standing in the middle of the room, your new room, completely and utterly trapped.

-

The weight of exhaustion settled over you like a thick fog, but sleep refused to come.

You lay in the massive bed, staring at the ceiling, your thoughts tangled in an endless loop of doubt and unease. The sheets were too soft, the silence too heavy, the air too unfamiliar.

This place, this mansion, was a far cry from the tiny apartment where you had spent the past five years raising Shin.

There, the walls had been thin, the nights filled with the distant sounds of life beyond your window. Here, the silence was absolute.

It made your skin crawl.

You turned your head slightly, your gaze drifting toward the second door in the room, the one leading to Shin's new bedroom.

The thought of him sleeping alone in an unfamiliar place sent a wave of unease through you.

With a quiet sigh, you pushed back the covers and slipped out of bed, your bare feet meeting the cold floor as you moved toward the door.

The room was dimly lit by a small nightlight in the corner, casting soft shadows along the walls. Shin was curled up beneath the blankets, his small body rising and falling with each steady breath.

Your chest ached at the sight.

He had no idea how much had changed.

No idea that the life you had built for him, the life you had fought so hard to protect, was gone.

You crouched beside his bed, brushing your fingers gently through his hair. His face was relaxed, peaceful in a way that made your heart clench.

This wasn't fair to him.

None of this was fair.

A soft knock at the door jolted you from your thoughts.

You froze, heart stuttering in your chest.

For a brief moment, you considered ignoring it.

But then—

"It's me."

Manjiro.

His voice was quiet, but there was no mistaking it.

You hesitated before slowly rising to your feet, stepping toward the door and cracking it open just enough to see him standing in the dim hallway.

He wasn't dressed in the crisp suits you had seen earlier. Instead, he wore a simple black t-shirt and sweatpants, his hair slightly disheveled, as if he had run his fingers through it one too many times.

Even in the soft glow of the hallway light, his eyes were unreadable.

"You're awake," he observed.

You said nothing.

His gaze flickered past you, toward the small figure curled up in bed.

"Is he okay?"

Your fingers tightened around the door. "He's fine."

Manjiro nodded, his expression unreadable. "Good."

A heavy silence stretched between you.

You should have closed the door. Should have turned away.

But you didn't.

Instead, you found yourself studying him, searching for something, anything, that might explain why he was really here.

And then, before you could stop yourself—

"Why are you doing this?"

His gaze snapped back to yours, something flickering behind his dark eyes.

You swallowed hard. "You say it's for him, but we both know that's not the only reason."

Manjiro didn't answer right away.

Instead, he tilted his head slightly, watching you in that quiet, calculating way that had always made your stomach twist.

"You think I don't care about him?" he asked, his voice softer now, almost dangerous in its quiet intensity.

"That's not what I said."

"But it's what you meant."

You exhaled sharply, forcing yourself to meet his gaze head-on. "I think you're used to getting what you want."

His lips twitched, not quite a smirk, not quite a frown. "And what do you think I want?"

You hesitated, pulse hammering against your ribs.

And then, before you could stop yourself—

"Us."

The word hung in the air between you, heavy with meaning.

Manjiro said nothing.

But he didn't deny it.

Your chest tightened.

"You don't get to decide that for me," you whispered.

His gaze darkened.

"I already have."

The finality in his voice sent a shiver down your spine.

For a long moment, neither of you spoke.

Then—

"You should get some sleep."

The shift in his tone was subtle, but you caught it, the quiet command, the unspoken warning that this conversation was over.

Your fingers curled into fists at your sides, frustration and exhaustion warring within you.

But you didn't argue.

Not tonight.

Instead, you stepped back, gripping the edge of the door.

Manjiro watched you for a moment longer before turning, his movements slow, deliberate.

And as you closed the door, your heart thundering in your chest, you realized something with bone-deep certainty.

You were in his world now.

And there was no escaping it.

ideas for the next chapter?