The night after the attack, Lira couldn't sleep. The image of Kai fighting those men burned in her mind—how sharp his movements were, how his eyes turned cold, almost unrecognizable.
When morning came, she found him already at his desk, his injured arm hidden beneath his jacket. He didn't look up when she approached.
Lira: "You should've gone to the hospital."
Kai: (quietly) "Hospitals ask questions. I don't have answers I can give."
Lira: (frustrated) "Then what are you? Who are you, Kai?"
For a moment, his eyes flickered with something—pain, maybe regret. He stood and walked past her, but she grabbed his sleeve.
Lira: "Stop running from me."
Kai: (softly, almost a whisper) "If I stop… you'll regret it."
---
Rooftop Secrets
Later that day, she found him again on the rooftop, staring at the horizon. The sky was clearer now, golden light spilling across the city.
Lira: "Tell me about them—the men in black."
Kai: (after a long pause) "They're from an organization. People I left behind."
Lira: "Left behind? You mean… you were one of them?"
Kai: (nods slightly) "I was trained. Used. A weapon in their hands. I escaped, but they don't forgive betrayal."
The truth hit her like a wave. Suddenly, everything made sense—the way he fought, his cold eyes, his silence. But what struck her most was the loneliness in his voice.
Lira: "Then let me stay. You don't have to carry it alone."
Kai: (shaking his head) "You think it's that simple? The closer you get, the more danger you're in."
Lira: "Then I'll learn how to fight. I'll face it with you."
Her voice trembled, but her eyes held steady. For the first time, Kai turned fully to her, studying her face as if searching for weakness. Instead, he found resolve.
---
An Unexpected Attack
That evening, as Lira walked home, she noticed someone following her again. But before she could panic, Kai appeared from the shadows, pulling her into a side street.
Lira: "You… you were following me?"
Kai: (serious) "I had to make sure. They'll try again."
Before she could reply, a knife flew past them, embedding itself in the wall. Figures emerged from the alley—three men, each more menacing than the last.
Man in Black: "Orders are simple, Kai. Come with us, or she bleeds."
Lira's heart pounded as one of them grabbed her by the wrist. She struggled, but his grip was iron.
Kai: (voice icy) "Let. Her. Go."
The fight that followed was swift and brutal. Kai disarmed one attacker, twisting his knife away, and used it against another. Lira screamed as sparks flew when blades clashed.
But in the chaos, the leader pressed his blade against her neck.
Leader: "One more step, and she dies."
Kai froze, his chest heaving, blood dripping from a cut on his cheek. For the first time, Lira saw real fear in his eyes—not for himself, but for her.
---
The Promise
Kai slowly lowered his weapon, hands trembling.
Kai: "Take me. Just don't touch her."
Lira: "No! Don't—Kai, don't give up because of me!"
Her voice cracked, tears welling in her eyes. At that instant, she stomped on the leader's foot and shoved him back, giving Kai the opening he needed. With a burst of speed, Kai disarmed him and pinned him to the ground. The others fled, dragging their wounded comrade away.
Breathless, Kai turned to her, his hands gripping her shoulders.
Kai: "Why would you do that? You could've been killed!"
Lira: (crying but smiling faintly) "Because I'd rather die fighting beside you… than live pretending I don't care."
Kai froze, stunned by her words. His grip loosened, his expression breaking. For the first time, he whispered her name—gently, almost reverently.
Kai: "Lira…"
---
Quiet After the Storm
They sat together in silence under the dim streetlight, her head resting on his shoulder, his arm still trembling around her. The danger wasn't over, but in that fragile moment, something unspoken grew between them.
For Kai, it was fear of losing her.
For Lira, it was the certainty of her choice.
Neither said it aloud, but both felt it—the shadow of the past had only just begun to haunt them.
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