Chapter 6
Saturday had finally arrived.
Akira stood in front of his mirror for what felt like the hundredth time.
"…What am I supposed to wear?"
Behind him, Renji lay across the bed like he owned the place.
"You seriously need help," Renji said, laughing. "Move. Let the expert handle this."
Akira frowned. "Since when are you an expert?"
"I have experience."
"With rejection, maybe."
"Ouch. Anyway—wear black. Most girls like bright colors, but Yuki's different. Black suits you."
Akira looked down at the outfit in his hands.
"…Fine. I trust you."
Then he muttered under his breath—
"This is my first date… I can barely talk to her normally."
Renji smirked. "Relax. Just don't act weird."
Ding Dong.
The doorbell rang.
Akira froze.
"She's here."
Renji grinned. "Go. And don't embarrass yourself."
---
Akira opened the door.
Yuki stood there in casual clothes, smiling softly.
For a moment—
Akira forgot how to breathe.
"…Yuki?"
She blinked. "Oh? You look surprised."
"…No. You just look… good."
A faint blush crossed her cheeks.
"Thank you."
Then she tilted her head.
"Ready?"
Akira nodded quickly. "Yeah. Let's go."
---
The Library
They walked side by side down the street.
Yuki smiled. "So… library first?"
Akira stopped.
"…Library?"
She blinked. "Yes? That was the plan."
Akira's eyes widened.
Oh no… I forgot we were actually going to study.
"Akira?" Yuki waved a hand in front of him. "You okay?"
"…Yeah. Let's go."
---
They sat across from each other at a quiet table.
Yuki focused on her book.
Akira focused on her.
Completely.
Unapologetically.
After several minutes, Yuki slowly looked up.
"…Why are you staring at me?"
Akira answered without hesitation.
"Because you're pretty."
Yuki froze.
Then immediately blushed.
"W-Why are you saying things like that?! We're just friends!"
Akira looked away slightly.
"…Sorry."
Her heart raced.
She couldn't focus after that.
---
The Park
After nearly an hour—
Akira closed his book.
"Take a break?"
Yuki nodded.
"Okay… but this still isn't a date."
Akira gave a faint smile.
"Yeah. Sure."
---
They spent hours together.
Walking.
Talking.
Laughing.
For the first time in years—
Akira forgot about revenge.
Forgot about lies.
Forgot about darkness.
He only saw her.
---
By evening, the sky had turned deep orange.
Yuki checked her phone.
"…There's a problem."
Akira looked at her.
"What happened?"
"My house is under construction. The workers said I can't stay there for three days…"
She hesitated.
"…Hotels nearby are full."
Akira thought for a moment.
Then calmly said—
"You can stay at my house."
Yuki blinked.
"…Really?"
He nodded.
"…I trust you."
Her cheeks turned pink.
"…Okay."
---
Night — On the Way Home
"Hey, Yuki," Akira said, glancing around. "I need to use the restroom. Wait here for me?"
"Yeah, of course," she replied.
Akira headed toward a nearby public restroom, leaving Yuki alone beneath the streetlights.
Moments later—
Three strangers approached.
One stepped in front of her.
"Hey, pretty girl. Got a boyfriend?"
Yuki stepped back nervously.
"…No."
The man grinned.
"Then be mine."
He grabbed her wrist.
Yuki flinched.
---
Akira Snaps
Silence.
Then—
Akira moved.
CRACK.
His fist smashed into the man's jaw so hard the man flew backward onto the pavement.
The others froze.
Akira's expression had changed.
Gone was the shy boy from the library.
Gone was the awkward teenager.
Only something cold remained.
"Touch her again…"
His voice was quiet.
Deadly.
"…and I'll destroy you."
The men rushed him.
It wasn't a fight.
It was slaughter.
Punches.
Bones cracking.
Blood splattering across the street.
Screams in the dark.
Yuki stood frozen—
Watching Akira beat them with terrifying brutality.
One man tried crawling away.
Akira grabbed him.
Then—
He laughed.
A chilling, broken laugh.
Like he was enjoying it.
And slammed the man's face into the pavement.
Again.
Again.
Again.
"AKIRA STOP!"
Yuki's scream cut through the night.
Akira froze.
Breathing heavily.
Blood on his hands.
His eyes slowly turned toward her—
And widened.
He stepped back.
Realizing what she had seen.
---
At Akira's House
Silence filled the room.
Yuki sat trembling slightly on the couch.
Akira stood near the window, blood still staining his sleeves.
"…You're scared of me now."
It wasn't a question.
Yuki stayed quiet.
Then—
"…A little."
Akira closed his eyes.
"…Fair."
Silence.
Then he spoke again—
"…But when I saw him touch you…"
His voice lowered.
"…I lost control."
Yuki looked up.
Akira turned toward her.
His expression was raw.
Open.
More vulnerable than she had ever seen.
"…Because I love you."
Her breath caught.
Akira stepped closer.
"I tried to ignore it."
Another step.
"I tried to deny it."
Another.
"But I can't anymore."
He stopped in front of her.
"…I love you, Yuki."
Tears formed in her eyes.
"…Akira…"
She stood—
Then wrapped her arms around him.
"…I love you too."
Akira's eyes widened.
Then softened.
Slowly—
He lifted her chin.
And kissed her.
Softly.
Tenderly.
But with all the emotion he had buried for years.
And in that moment—
The darkness inside him grew quiet.
Just for a little while.
---
Later that night—
As Yuki slept peacefully in the next room—
Akira stood alone by the window.
Moonlight covered the city in silver.
He stared into the distance.
Then whispered—
"…Maybe I should stop."
His hand tightened into a fist.
"Maybe finding my father's killers isn't worth it anymore…"
He closed his eyes.
"…Because now…"
A small pause.
"…I have something worth protecting."
But deep inside—
Akira knew.
The darkness of his past would never let him go so easily.