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After feeling around for a bit and finding no wounds on him, Asada Shino finally let out a breath of relief.
"Thank goodness. That guy's aim was terrible—he didn't hit you."
Andrew gave a small, amused smile.
Actually, his aim had been spot on. Shinkawa Kyouji had been completely unhinged back then. If Andrew hadn't caught the bullet mid-flight with a burst of magic in his hand, Shino's delicate body would've had a hole in it right now.
Seeing her relax, he lifted a hand and gently ruffled her hair.
"Feeling better now, Shino?"
"Honestly… your legs were shaking with fear, so why on earth would you still throw yourself in front of me like that?"
The warmth of his touch seeped into her heart. Without thinking, she blurted out:
"Because I didn't want you getting hurt because of me, Tyrant. I know I'm timid and weak—just the sight of a gun sends me spiraling into that same dark panic, turning me into a useless mess who can only shiver."
She looked him straight in the eye.
"But even so, I couldn't let the person who's saved me more than once take that bullet. If there's anything I can do… it's using this weak body to shield you from it."
Her sincerity softened Andrew's gaze even more.
"You're an idiot," he said quietly. "Next time something like that happens, leave it to me. Don't ever try to act tough like that again."
Shino's small hands clutched at his chest. "I wasn't thinking that much at the time," she admitted, cheeks flushing.
She was still pressed against him, close enough to feel his heartbeat. It was shameless, maybe… but she didn't want to leave the safety of his arms.
Looking at her blushing face, Andrew felt a stir in his chest. Such a good girl—trembling with fear, yet still mustering the courage to stand between him and danger.
After a pause, he said softly, "Shino, you're a hero."
"…Huh?" The sudden shift caught her off guard.
"Why would you say that?" she asked, eyes wide and hopeful.
Andrew smiled faintly and explained with quiet seriousness:
"That bank robber years ago—he was armed with a real gun, wasn't he? I looked into the old security footage myself. That man had taken a pregnant bank employee hostage. She stumbled because she could barely move, tripping him and knocking the gun to the floor… right in front of you and your mother.
"And you, just a little girl back then, picked it up and shot him—protecting your mother, and everyone else in that bank lobby.
"Asada Shino, you saved an entire room of innocent people with your own hands. If that's not a hero, what is?"
His words felt like sunlight breaking through her long-clouded world.
For so long, everyone had only seen her as a murderer. No one cared to learn what really happened, or why she'd done it. They just slapped the label on her, used it as a weapon to attack her, to shun and isolate her. Even her own mother had looked at her with fear, barely speaking to her now—as if she didn't want a "killer" for a daughter.
No one supported her. No one believed her.
Her only "friend," Shinkawa Kyouji, had been the one who'd made her an outcast in the first place—a worthless piece of scum.
Only the man in front of her had ever stood up for her, driving away the people who bullied her, saving her again and again. And now, he was telling her she wasn't a killer at all, but a hero who'd protected countless lives.
Whether she was a hero or not didn't matter anymore.
Because right now, Shino knew one thing for certain—he was her hero.
Feeling the warmth of his hand still resting on her head, her eyes began to glisten. Years of bottled-up pain were finally being understood. The release made her heart ache and swell all at once.
Tears slid down her cheeks as she looked up at him, gripping his clothes tightly.
"Hey… Tyrant… can I borrow your arms for a while?"
In that moment, she looked like a wounded little animal—small, pitiful, and utterly endearing, her pretty face damp with tears.
Andrew couldn't possibly say no.
He smiled. "Of course you can. My arms are always open for you."
At his answer, she buried herself against his chest.
"Mm! …Uuuh… Thank you! Thank you so much!"
She cried freely, like she was emptying years of grief all at once.
Her tears soaked through his shirt, but he didn't care.
When she finally calmed down, she looked up at him with an embarrassed little smile. "Sorry, Andrew… I got your shirt all wet."
"It's fine. It's just tears—nothing dirty." He grinned. "At least it's not snot."
"Ugh! Gross! As if I'd wipe that on you!"
The mood-breaking remark made her glare up at him despite herself.
He just chuckled, brushing a hand over her hair before slowly leaning closer.
Her cheeks went crimson, heart pounding faster. She didn't even think about rejecting him—how could she, when her heart had already been his for so long?
No one stopped them.
Andrew's lips met her soft, trembling ones, tasting the sweetness that was uniquely hers.
Shino shivered at the touch, a wave of warmth and happiness blooming inside her.
...
He really kissed me.
Does that mean… he likes me too?
Her heart was racing. The girl cracked one eye open to sneak a glance at him—only to meet that warm, burning gaze head-on.
Her cheeks flushed. Without thinking, she slipped her pale arms around his neck, pulling herself closer.
Her soft, trembling body pressed against him, and Andrew didn't hesitate.
He tightened his hold, deepening the kiss.
He'd wanted her for a while now—wanted her to be his. And this was the perfect chance. Miss it, and it would be a mistake he couldn't take back.
He had already known Shinkawa Kyouji was lurking nearby. The creep had been tailing them all this time, waiting for Andrew to leave so he could corner Shino.
Which, of course, gave Andrew the perfect setup to swoop in as her savior.
And really—Asada Shino was undeniably cute.
As one of the heroines in the Sword Art Online world, her looks and figure were naturally top-tier. Sure, she didn't have the flawless beauty of Mahiru or Haruno; a life of tight finances and poor nutrition had left her just a bit underdeveloped.
But that was no problem.
With him around, she'd blossom soon enough.
…And then there was the adorable Yukinoshita second daughter. She had plenty of potential too.
Andrew realized, not without a twinge of guilt, that he was a bit of a scumbag.
Here he was, holding sweet Shino in his arms, and yet part of his mind was wandering to another girl entirely.
After a long moment, they broke apart for air.
Shino was panting softly, leaning against his chest, her eyes warm and liquid—like they could melt into his.
The sight made him grin.
His large hand rested gently on her smooth thigh as he gazed at her flushed face with unhidden heat.
"Shino," he murmured, "is this okay?"
She shut her eyes tight, clutching his neck. Her voice came out in a flustered whisper.
"Idiot… don't ask me something that embarrassing… Just… just do what you want."
Which, really, was no different from saying yes.
She wasn't thinking about saying no at all.
Andrew wasn't the kind to turn down an invitation like that.
Clothes soon ended up in a pile beside the bed.
Holding her by that slender waist, he pulled her close. She gave him everything—body and heart—without needing any more words.
Right now she moved on instinct alone, curled up against him, soaking in the safety and warmth only he could give her.
Her heart felt as sweet as honey.
He had no idea how much time had passed when they finally lay side-by-side on the bed.
Andrew had one arm around her, the corner of his mouth tilted upward.
Her cheeks still held a faint, tempting blush. She rested against his chest, her gaze filled with quiet affection.
Then, as if remembering something, she pushed herself up—
"Andrew! We forgot all about Shinkawa, that piece of trash! We can't just let him get away—he needs to pay!"
But the moment she moved, she winced and collapsed back into his arms.
Andrew chuckled helplessly and pinched her cheek. "Idiot, do you really think I'd let a snake like that slither away? He's already been taken care of—along with those three idiots who tried to mess with you before."
"Relax, Shino. They'll never bother you again."
Her eyes widened. "Wait… what do you mean? Andrew… you… you didn't—?"
Her body trembled as she imagined the answer.
He sighed. "Yeah. I killed them. Which makes me the worst kind of murderer, doesn't it? Knowing that… do you regret being with me?"
"Of course not!" She hugged his neck tighter, her words tumbling out in a rush. "I was just wondering if you covered your tracks. If the police find anything, that would be awful. Your life isn't worth wasting on scum like them!"
"And what about Shinkawa? Where did you dump him? We need to deal with him fast before he becomes a problem."
Her practical, almost fierce tone left Andrew momentarily stunned—then unexpectedly warm inside.
"Shino… are you saying you want to be my accomplice?"
"Mm-hmm. Obviously." She nuzzled against his chest like it was the most natural thing in the world. "You did it for me. Besides… I'm already yours. Even knowing you're dating Mahiru Shiina, I still couldn't resist."
He blinked. So that was it. She'd been the one to tempt him on purpose, not the other way around.
How could he possibly hate her for that?
He kissed her again before murmuring, "Idiot. How could I ever hate you? You're ridiculously cute, Shino."
"And don't worry—no one will find a single trace. If someone could catch me with nothing but a pile of ash, well… I'd almost be impressed."
As he spoke, he turned his right hand palm-up. A swirl of black flame flared to life in the air above it, filling the room with searing heat.
Shino's eyes went wide. "Whoa… What is that? Is it… some kind of superpower?"
Not a flicker of fear crossed her face. To her, he was already her man—her anchor. All she felt was awe and trust.
Which was exactly why he'd decided to show her.
Shino would definitely make the perfect partner.
As for little angel Mahiru… her time would come. When her powers awakened, he'd tell her everything too.
"..."
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