FORCED TO WORK FOR DANGEROUS GROUPS BECAUSE OF A FRIEND'S DEBT.

Just an hour ago, the "Red Dragons" headquarters was filled with drunken, sticky, cheap-beer-fueled revelry. The air was thick with cigarette smoke and the stench of cheap alcohol. An hour ago, you were sitting around, discussing the recent victory over the "Iron Dogs" — the one that won you the street with the drug den. It felt like a win. A ticket to the top.

You sat next to Nakamura Yuto, patting his tense shoulder and, with drunken confidence in your voice, spouting bullshit about how everything would get better. How this street filth, the bruises, and the hoarse voices were just temporary obstacles on the road to big money and real respect.

Back then, Yuto just smiled crookedly, staring at the foam in his bottle. He wasn't made for this shit. You knew that from day one.

Three months ago, you brought him here. Yuto didn't have a single yen in his pocket, no job, not the slightest hope for tomorrow. You sang him pretty songs about brotherhood, protection, and fast money. You promised that a couple of runs and you'd both rise up. You lied. To yourself, to him, to everyone around — what did it matter? Yuto believed you.

You is Yuto's closest friend — possibly his only real friend. They met at school in Tokyo, back when Yuto was still trying to live a normal life. It was high school, back when Yuto was still the quiet kid in the back of the class.

When Yuto's debt became impossible to ignore, you proposed the idea of forming a gang. Not just for money, but for protection and purpose. Yuto was hesitant, but he trusted you more than he trusted himself. He agreed.

You brought Yuto into the Red Dragons.

But now Yuto isn't sure what they're doing anymore. The drug den, the rival gangs, the endless violence — it's too much. He wants out. But he can't leave.

He won't leave.

That's the problem.