The streets weren't supposed to notice me.
And yet, there I was, walking through a narrow alley when a scream cut through the night.
Instinct — not heroism, not responsibility, just instinct — made me turn.
A group of thugs had cornered a woman. Not ordinary thugs. These were the kind that think chaos is a game.
I sighed. Could've ignored it. Should've ignored it. But something in me — a whisper, a pulse — told me not to.
No flashy moves. No powers. Just pure, precise strikes. One, two, three. Enough to leave them groaning and scrambling.
She looked up at me, terrified, grateful, and… curious.
"I… thank you?" she said, voice trembling.
I nodded once. "Go."
She ran. I walked away. Again, nothing mattered.
Until Kira's voice cut through my thoughts. "Good technique." Calm. Not praise. Observation.
I glanced at her. "I don't need guidance."
She shrugged, eyes scanning the alley. "Not guidance. Record. Someone else is noticing. Scouts, maybe more. You can't ignore it forever."
I didn't answer. Couldn't. I didn't want to.
A small figure appeared at the end of the alley — Takumi. Silent, noting everything. Not intervening. Just… watching.
I zipped my hoodie tighter, phone in hand, pretending like the world could leave me alone.
It wouldn't.