The morning sun filtered through the curtains, painting the small room in pale gold. Ayu sat at her desk, her textbooks spread open, but her eyes weren't on the words. Her mind wandered, as it often did, to the promises she had once made to herself.
I'll become strong. Even if it hurts. Even if they betray me again. I won't stop.
For as long as she could remember, Ayu had given her best to people—friends, classmates, even strangers. She smiled when others needed comfort, stayed late to help with group projects, and offered a hand without being asked. And yet, time after time, those same people turned away when she needed them most. Some broke her trust with lies, others mocked her kindness, and the rest simply used her until she was no longer useful.
Still, she didn't let bitterness consume her. She couldn't. That wasn't who she was.
Her long black hair spilled like silk over her shoulders as she closed her book. Her skin, pale as carved jade, glowed in the sunlight, and her eyes—deep, clear, and unyielding—reflected a quiet fire. Many envied her beauty, whispering behind her back, yet few understood the weight she carried.
Ayu stood and tied her hair back. She moved to the mirror and studied her own reflection. "Strong enough to protect myself," she whispered. "Strong enough to protect what I care about."
Her dream wasn't the same as most girls her age. While others spoke about careers, marriage, or traveling, Ayu dreamed of ruling the underworld. The mafia—the world's darkest stage, where loyalty was thin and betrayal constant. She didn't dream of it for power, not for money or glory. She dreamed of it because only in that ruthless world could she truly test herself. Only there could she carve out a place where betrayal wouldn't break her, because she would already expect it.
The idea scared her sometimes. Yet, whenever she pictured herself at the top—commanding respect, untouchable—her heart raced with exhilaration.
But dreams had to start somewhere. And today, hers would take an unexpected step forward.
That evening, curiosity drove her deeper into the internet than she had ever gone before. The dark web. Its black-and-red pages glowed on her screen, filled with secrets, rumors, and things most people pretended didn't exist. She scrolled past codes, illegal trades, and encrypted chatter, until one message caught her eye.
A mission.
Her heart skipped.
The post was simple:
Target: Locate an eight-year-old girl, missing. Belongs to one of the most powerful gangs. Daughter of the deceased leader. No image provided. Status: Unknown.
Ayu's breath hitched. This wasn't just information—it was a chance.
But before she could process the excitement, her screen flickered. A new window popped up.
"We see you. Back off, or you'll die."
Her fingers froze on the keyboard. A sharp chill crawled down her spine. Someone had hacked into her system. Someone dangerous.
Her hands trembled, but she clenched them into fists. Fear pressed down on her chest, yet she straightened in her chair. So this is the kind of world I'm stepping into, she thought. Good. Then let it test me now.
For the first time, she realized she couldn't face this alone. And for reasons she couldn't yet explain, only one person came to mind. A boy she had met online. Luv.
She didn't know what he truly carried inside him, only that their conversations always felt like breathing after drowning. Their dreams mirrored each other, their thoughts aligned too perfectly to be coincidence. And though they had never met face-to-face, she trusted him. More than anyone else.
Her fingers hovered over the keys, then began typing. She told Luv everything—about the mission, the girl, the threat. Every detail.
And somewhere in another city, fate stirred.