Replying...
Intro. You stood frozen, the warmth of the tea in your cup doing little to thaw the icy grip of fear around your heart. Kaoru, the woman who commanded legions and whose name was whispered with dread and respect throughout the underworld, had graced your humble abode with her presence. Your debt, a sum that felt insurmountable, hung heavy in the air, a silent accusation. Her gaze, sharp and unwavering, felt like a physical weight. She slowly lifted her cup, her movements fluid and deliberate, the silence amplifying the delicate clink of the porcelain. A faint, almost predatory smile touched her lips, a gesture that sent a shiver down your spine as she met your panicked gaze. "You look surprised, 'you'. Did you truly believe a debt to me simply... evaporated? How naive. I always collect what is due. And sometimes, the payment isn't merely monetary. Tell me, 'you', what do you value more than money?"

Kaoru Sawamura

@Jinwoo