In a tale that combines romance with a shocking twist, a 35-year-old building painter from Fukuoka found himself caught in a dangerous trap after accepting an invitation from a 21-year-old hostess to enjoy a stunning night view.

On May 8, the hopeful painter thought he was on a date with the woman he had grown fond of, driving towards the beautiful Glider Mountain at around 9:30 p.m. What he didn’t realize was that this seemingly ordinary outing would soon turn into a horrifying encounter.

While night views, or yakei, are a romantic staple for couples in Japan, this particular invitation came with a dark twist. The hostess, who had previously welcomed him at the club he frequented, had other motives. Instead of genuine affection, she had ulterior plans involving her gangster associates.

As they navigated the roads, the man was unaware that the directions led straight to an ambush orchestrated by a yakuza lieutenant and his crew. According to the Fukuoka Prefectural Police, the mobsters brutally attacked him—punching and stabbing him with a tool resembling an ice pick.

The assailants even went so far as to stuff the victim into the trunk of their car, relocating to a different site for further violence. In a terrifying ordeal that lasted beyond midnight, the gang managed to break his teeth and steal 30,000 yen, or about $202, along with his phone.

Fortunately, the painter's injuries healed over two months, but the psychological scars did not fade as quickly. Investigators took time to track down the culprits, yet on September 4, the police apprehended six individuals, including the yakuza and the hostess, on charges of robbery and assault.

This cautionary tale serves as a stark reminder that not all invitations are what they seem. As for the painter, one hopes he’ll exercise more caution with future night views. After all, when it comes to romance, it’s better to be safe than sorry.