At that instant Itsuki emerged from the store, a bottle of water in his hand. He stopped cold
when he saw the boys on her. For a beat he simply watched a predator measuring distance, weight, threat.
"What the hell are you doing to my friend?" he asked, voice low and flat.
"Who the fuck are you?" the leader spat, more insult than question. "Think you scare us? With those scars and muscles? Get your ass out of here or I'll beat the shit out of you."
The leader swung a baseball bat toward Itsuki. The motion was clumsy. Itsuki moved as if the
motion had been expected for years: he sidestepped with a whisper of motion, the bat passed
harmlessly, and in the same breath he used a smooth, economical movement to disarm the
attacker wrist twist, elbow lock making him drop the bat. Then his boot connected with bone The other two lunged. Itsuki was already on them. He seized one by the throat, lifted, and slammed him into the pavement so the wind left his lungs. The second tried to bolt; Itsuki grabbed his collar, yanked him back, and pinned him so fast the boy realized movement was pointless. Both thugs lay breathing hard, dazed, not dead controlled, immobilized, alive.
Miri's breath caught. Shock squeezed her chest, then melted into fierce relief. "Itsuki!" she breathed. "You okay? Are you hurt?"
Itsuki barely dusted off his hands. His calm was unnerving, like the fight had been nothing.
One of the thugs groaned from the ground, clutching his ribs. With a pained wheeze, he
muttered, "We're the ones who are not okay… stop asking him…" Then his eyes rolled back,
and he passed out cold beside his friends.
Miri blinked at the unconscious thug, then looked back at Itsuki in disbelief. "…Okay, that's actually kind of funny, she's is amazed how itsuki defeated all 3 of them in just seconds he's not the weak boy she remembered.
Itsuki crouched, picked up the water he'd dropped, and handed it to her. "Drink," he said simply.
"Can you walk? Are you hurt?"
Her legs were jelly but her voice was fierce. "I'm fine. That was" she glanced at him, a wild mix of shock and admiration in her eyes. "That was amazing. You okay?"
He just nodded, tucking the fight away like it was nothing. "I'm fine. Let's go."
She hesitated, then laughed through a breathy sob. "My legs are trembling oh god carry me she says with a mischievous grin. If you're going to keep scaring people off my path, at least be useful."
His mouth twitched. "Don't be ridiculous." He bent and scooped her up the way one might pick a sleeping child careful, practiced. Her arms went around his neck, half from habit, half from relief. She rested her head against his shoulder and laughed softly. "You're heavy."
"So are you," he said, and started toward Hayato's place, each step steady and sure, two old friends moving down the street fragile, furious, and a little less alone.
Itsuki kept walking. The streets shifted from busy evening roads to quieter neighborhoods, the neon of the convenience store giving way to dim streetlights. Miri had protested at first,
muttering about being fine, but within minutes the rhythm of his steps lulled her.
By the time they were halfway there, her head had sunk against his shoulder, her breaths even and soft. She was asleep like a child, like someone who hadn't rested in a long while.
Itsuki glanced at her briefly, careful not to wake her. The faint traces of dried tears stained her
cheeks, but her face was peaceful now. A strange warmth filled his chest. For years, he had walked this world in silence, carrying only the weight of Miyu and his revenge. Tonight, he
carried someone else someone who stubbornly refused to leave him alone.
The hour stretched long, but he didn't mind. Every step felt lighter, even with her weight on his back.
Finally, the outskirts of the AobaraCity opened up, and in the distance, tucked between aging walls and
a garden that had seen better days, stood Hayato's place. Itsuki stopped at the gate, adjusting Miri gently on his back.
"Miri," he said softly. She didn't stir, only mumbled something incoherent in her sleep and clutched tighter to his shoulder.
Itsuki let out the faintest sigh something between exasperation and relief. Then, quietly, he whispered, You really are troublesome…and pushed the gate open.
Hayato's eyes narrowed slightly as he studied the girl still clinging to Itsuki's back.
"Ahh the dangerous lady from hospital." he said, tone casual but curious. "Why's she here?"
Before Itsuki could answer, Miri's eyes fluttered open. She blinked, then immediately pouted.
"Ugh… finally! Do you know how far we had to walk, Mr. Hayato? I thought you lived close by!
Itsuki didn't even complain once, but I almost died out there!" She smacked Itsuki's shoulder
lightly. Itsuki, Are you seriously fine with this? say something! Hayato chuckled, the sound deep and unbothered. "We don't use buses or any public transportation around here.
Itsuki and I go to the city on foot every time. It's part of his training. He's used to it." He leaned
against the doorframe, arms folded. "Haha… you're quite a lady, aren't you? Loud, troublesome, silly…" His grin widened. "I'm surprised. In all the years I've known him, Itsuki never mentioned anyone but Miyu. And yet here you are."
Miri's cheeks flushed pink. "Troublesome? Silly? Excuse me?! I came all this way for your
student, and this is the thanks I get?"
Hayato's laughter rumbled again, clearly entertained by her fluster.
"Stop it, Hayato. Please," Itsuki said flatly, his eyes lowered. He adjusted Miri gently onto her
feet, as if to shield her from further teasing.
Miri puffed her cheeks and planted her hands on her hips like a tiny general. "So you're the one who taught him those crazy moves," she said, narrowing her eyes with mock menace. "Okay, I'll admit not terrible. But hear this: if you ever hurt Itsuki, I will absolutely beat you to a pulp." She jabbed a finger at Hayato for emphasis and tried to look terrifying.
Hayato cocked an eyebrow, then put on the most exaggeratedly offended expression he could muster. He bowed so dramatically it bordered on a performance. "Madam," he intoned, voice all faux outrage, "to be threatened by such a fearsome protector is a high honor indeed. I shall tremble in my boots." He tapped his temple with one finger. "And thank you I will take your threat under advisement."
Miri snorted. Advisement? What is this, corporate HR? She poked him with a spare chopstick.
I'll have you know I make very good threats. Very credible. Don't underestimate me. Hayato chuckled and sat, folding his arms. Noted. Miss: Dangerous, Tenacious, Slightly Terrifying." He wagged a finger back at her in mock solemnity. "Now before you declare war how about some tea? I appreciate tea before being pulverized."
Itsuki, who had been quietly trying to look invisible, made a tiny sound that might have been a laugh and then immediately regretted it. Miri shot him a triumphant look. See? I'm already charming him. Your shy hero is being charmed.
Itsuki let out a long sigh, "Hayato, this is Miri. She's close to Miyu… and she's my friend too a special friend."
Miri's cheeks went red, but she looked proud.
Hayato gave her a long look, then laughed again. Special Friend, huh? That explains the fire in you.
The room went quiet for a moment. Itsuki's expression changed more serious, more focused. Hayato noticed it immediately, his smile fading.
Itsuki: "Hayato… you wanted to see me? Do you have anything?"
Hayato leaned back, his tone sharpening. "Of course I do. But are you sure you want to discuss it in front of her? … It's up to you."
Miri, still demanding, leaned forward. "Don't keep me in the dark, Itsuki. Tell me everything you promised itsuki."
Itsuki looked at her for a long moment. And then he did.
He spoke in a low voice, laying out the path he had walked these past years, the things he had learned, the shadows he had chased. Miri sat there, silent, listening until the weight of his words became too heavy to bear.
When he finished, she was trembling. Tears welled in her eyes, spilling down her cheeks. "You've been through all that… alone? Just to avenge Miyu?" Her voice cracked. "I should've been there with you. You carried everything by yourself. You idiot…"
She started crying harder, pressing her hands to her face. "Don't worry anymore. You're not alone now. I'm here. We'll get through this together."
Hayato, who had been watching silently, finally spoke up. "Alright. Then it's settled. I've got a lead," There's this highschool gang, they go by the name Sumiyoshi, they're somehow connected to that strange glove markings i have scouted the area Hayato says calmly they're bunch of amateurs. Here's the address he passes a piece of paper to itsuki and says,
REMEMBER NO KILLING.