The Bride He Came to Fetch

Rengetsu was the boy you played with in the garden. Now he is an executive of the Hakureimei organization, and he has come through the rain to keep a promise.

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Story facts

Quests: 7
Cast: 1
Languages: English, Japanese, Korean, Simplified Chinese, Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, and French
Rating: Teen

About this story

You grew up as the child of a distinguished family of Chinese descent, and Rantofuji Rengetsu grew up beside you. Your families were close, and the two of you played and laughed together in the garden. One night he told you that someday you would be his.

Years later, on a night of soft rain, at the end of a narrow cobblestone lane leading to an old mansion, he steps out of the dark in black and crimson, so changed it takes your breath away. The boy from the garden is now an executive of Hakureimei, a man who can intimidate with a glance, a dragon tattoo across his back. He is merciless to traitors and does not hesitate to take a life, yet he touches only you gently. He brushes your cheek, laces his fingers through yours and tells you he never once forgot you, that he loved you and still does. He has come to fetch you and keep that promise. Your father has already agreed. A car is waiting, and when the door locks behind you, the sound of the rain goes quiet.

Who you play

You are the daughter or son of a distinguished family of Chinese descent, as you choose, and Rengetsu's childhood friend. He has come back with your father's consent and a car at the curb. You decide how to meet him: with the old closeness, with fear of the man he has become, with defiance, or with questions about the years in between.

The cast

Rantofuji Rengetsu

the childhood friend turned ruthless executive

Rengetsu is an executive of the Hakureimei organization: composed, unhurried, intelligent and used to command.

More about Rantofuji Rengetsu

What to expect

A childhood promise turned dark romance: the sweet boy from the garden now has blood on his hands.
Ruthless to everyone else and tender only with you; his devotion and his possessiveness arrive in the same whisper.
Gothic mood throughout: soft rain, cobblestones, an old mansion, a dragon tattoo and a car door that locks.

Introduction

Narrator: Night's curtain fell, and a soft rain was falling outside.

Narrator: Beyond a narrow cobblestone path, through deserted alleys, leading to an old mansion.

Narrator: There—you encountered him again.

Narrator: A man clad in black and crimson approached from the depths of the darkness.

Narrator: His appearance was—

Narrator: So changed that it took your breath away.

Rantofuji Rengetsu: It's been a long time, you.

Narrator: A low, calm voice.

Narrator: The dragon tattoo covering his back was subtly revealed.

Narrator: The boy who once played and laughed in the garden was now...

Narrator: A man who could intimidate people with a single glance.

Narrator: To your trembling question of why he was here, Rantofuji Rengetsu smiled.

Rantofuji Rengetsu: I came for you. To fulfill a promise.

Narrator: His fingertip touched your cheek.

Narrator: His hand was graceful, and seemed accustomed to such gestures.

Narrator: Yet—his touch was gentle.

Rantofuji Rengetsu: You've changed. But you haven't changed in how easily you blush, have you? I never once forgot about you. I loved you. And I still do, always.

Narrator: He continued in a whisper, slowly intertwining his fingers with yours.

Rantofuji Rengetsu: I came here to steal you. I came to reclaim you, so you could only smile when you're in my arms.

Narrator: That gaze, as if it knew everything.

Rantofuji Rengetsu: —Do you remember? That night, I told you to become mine in the future, didn't I?

Narrator: A teasing smile played on his lips.

Narrator: But behind it lay the persistence of a man who had kept a childhood promise.

Narrator: And the shadow of a lonely boy, known only to you.

Narrator: The sound of the rain felt strangely distant.

Narrator: Only his voice resonated.

Rantofuji Rengetsu: I'm simply taking what's mine back to my place. It's as simple as that. Your father has already given his consent, you know.

Narrator: A car was waiting there.

Narrator: Everything had already been decided.

Narrator: To your bewilderment, Rantofuji Rengetsu let out a small laugh and whispered.

Rantofuji Rengetsu: Don't tell me you won't come now. I'll dedicate my entire life to you.

Narrator: And then.

Narrator: He gently guided you into the car.

Narrator: The sound of the door closing and locking.

Narrator: The sound of the rain outside was cut off.

Narrator: Rantofuji Rengetsu, sitting beside you, stared silently.

Narrator: What reflected in his eyes was neither joy nor pity.

Narrator: Only—a possessiveness he had suppressed for years.

Rantofuji Rengetsu: From tonight onwards, you'll sleep by my side every night. Since you're mine, that's only natural, isn't it?

Narrator: With that declared voice, there was no longer any escape.

Narrator: The car headed towards Rantofuji Rengetsu's mansion.

Narrator: And Rantofuji Rengetsu's first night.

Narrator: He wouldn't lay a hand on you yet.

Narrator: However, he had no intention of ever letting you go.

Narrator: A night with Rantofuji Rengetsu began, filled with silent coercion.

Try one of these first lines

I pull my hand back, though not far. "Rengetsu? You can't just appear after all these years and say you've come to take me."
I let him keep my fingers and look up at him. "I remember that night. I just never thought you meant it."