Y/n's POV
After spending an hour talking history with Miku, I finally parted ways and started walking home. The evening air was cool, carrying the faint scent of street food from a nearby stall. The streets were quiet, with only the soft hum of streetlights illuminating the path.
I adjusted my bag on my shoulder, sighing. Man… who knew Miku could talk about history for that long? Still… she's not bad company.
Just as I turned the corner near a convenience store, a sharp noise broke the stillness—raised voices echoing from a nearby alley.
"…Don't come near me, creep!" a girl's voice rang out. Strong, but trembling underneath.
I froze.
A bad feeling twisted in my gut. Without a second thought, I followed the sound and peered into the alley.
Two men loomed over a girl, their shadows stretching against the wall. One had his arm braced beside her head, while the other blocked her way out. Her body was tense, shoulders pressed against the cold bricks, clearly trying to look strong despite the fear in her eyes.
One of the thugs chuckled darkly. "C'mon, don't be so mean. We just wanna have a little fun."
"Yeah," the other sneered, licking his lips, "we'll let you go… after we're done playing."
My blood boiled instantly. My hands clenched into fists before my mind could even process. My body moved on its own.
I stepped out from the shadows, my voice calm but cutting. "Hey, you two. Didn't your parents ever teach you that harassing a girl is wrong?" I tilted my head slightly, eyes narrowing. "Why don't you leave her alone… before you regret it?"
Both men jerked toward me. The one closest scowled, clearly annoyed.
"Who the hell are you, kid? This ain't your business. Scram while you still can."
His buddy, though, glanced nervously between me and the girl. He lowered his voice. "Hey… he saw us. If we let him go, he might call the cops."
The first man clicked his tongue. "Tch. So what do we do?"
The second grinned wickedly. "Isn't it obvious? We kill him."
He pulled out a knife, the blade catching the glow of the streetlight.
The girl gasped softly.
I sighed, rolling my shoulders. "It's dangerous to play with knives, old man."
The thug growled and lunged at me, the knife flashing toward my stomach. But at the last second, I twisted to the side, catching his wrist and shoving it upward. Before he could recover, my knee slammed into his gut, and as he doubled over, I delivered a swift kick that sent him crashing to the ground. He groaned once before going limp.
"Pathetic," I muttered.
The second thug's eyes widened. For a second, he seemed frozen in shock—then, without a word, he bolted down the alley, footsteps echoing as he vanished into the night.
I exhaled slowly, unclenching my fists. "Good thing I practiced karate as a kid…"
Turning back, I noticed the girl had fallen to the ground during the scuffle. Her shopping bags were scattered, the contents spilling slightly across the dirty pavement.
She was staring at me, her chest rising and falling quickly, eyes still wide from the encounter.
I extended my hand toward her. My voice softened. "Are you okay?"
There was a pause. Then, hesitantly, she reached out and took my hand. Her skin felt cold against mine, but her grip was firm. I pulled her up gently.
"…Yeah," she muttered, brushing at her clothes. Though her words were calm, I caught the faintest relief in her eyes. "Thanks… for saving me."
"You're welcome, miss."
She crossed her arms, still avoiding my gaze for a moment, before letting out a small huff. "…It's Nino."
"Huh?"
"My name," she clarified, finally meeting my eyes. "It's Nino Nakano."
My eyes widened slightly. Nakano? Wait—that's…
I gave a small, polite smile. "Nice to meet you, Nakano-san. I'm Y/n L/n. But you can just call me Y/n."
"…Then you can just call me Nino," she said quickly, crossing her arms tighter. A faint blush dusted her cheeks, though she looked away to hide it.
My thoughts raced. Nino Nakano… didn't Itsuki mention one of her sisters was named Nino? Same hair color, same eyes… even their faces are similar. The only difference is that butterfly hair accessory.
I nodded lightly. "Alright, Nino. Nice to meet you."
I glanced at my phone. The time made me wince. "Well, I should probably head home. My mom won't let me hear the end of it if I'm late."
I turned to leave, but—
"Wait, Y/n!"
Her voice made me pause. I looked back. "…Yeah?"
She hesitated, fidgeting with the strap of her bag before speaking. "…Can you walk me home?"
I raised an eyebrow. "Why?"
She motioned toward the unconscious thug still sprawled on the ground. "…Because it's dark. And I don't wanna run into another creep like that."
Then she huffed, lifting her shopping bags with a pout. "Besides… I bought a lot today, and my arms are killing me. I need someone to help carry these."
A laugh escaped me. "So am I your bodyguard or your shopping assistant?"
Her lips curved into a smirk. "…Both."
I shook my head but bent down to pick up her bags anyway. "Alright, fine. Let's go."
She blinked at me, surprised I agreed so easily, before quickly turning away so I wouldn't see the small smile tugging at her lips.
And so, side by side, we walked into the night, leaving behind the alley and its shadows.
For the first time since the encounter, Nino's shoulders relaxed, her steps just a little lighter.
And for some reason… the night felt less lonely than before.
Nino POV
I was on my way home after finishing some shopping, humming softly to myself, the weight of the bags tugging slightly at my arms. The streets were quieter than usual, the faint glow of the streetlights casting long shadows across the pavement. I didn't think much of it—until suddenly, two random men stepped in front of me, blocking my path.
Their expressions were the kind that sent a shiver down my spine—smirks twisted into something predatory, eyes that made my skin crawl.
"Don't come near me, creep!" I snapped instinctively, taking a step back while scanning the area for an escape route. My heart was already racing. But before I could make a break for it, one of them shot his hand forward and grabbed my wrist tightly. His grip was rough and cold, making me wince.
"Oh, come on, why are you being so mean? We just wanna have some fun," he sneered, leaning closer.
"Yeah, we'll leave you alone... after we're done playing," the other added with a chuckle, licking his lips.
Disgust churned in my stomach. I tried pulling away, but no matter how much I struggled, he was stronger. Panic clawed at my chest, my thoughts racing. What should I do? Should I scream? Would anyone even hear me?
And then—
"Hey."
A calm, firm voice cut through the tension, halting the two men in their tracks.
My eyes darted toward the entrance of the alley, and there he was. A young man, tall and composed, standing in the dim light as if he had walked straight out of a story. His expression wasn't angry, but sharp—controlled. Serious. For reasons I couldn't explain, the moment I laid eyes on him, relief washed over me like a tide.
"It's not good to harass a girl, you know," he said, stepping forward slowly. His tone was steady, but his presence carried weight. "So why don't you two leave her alone before things get ugly?"
The thug holding me scowled, squeezing my wrist tighter until it hurt.
"Who the hell are you, kid? This ain't your business, so get lost."
His friend shifted uneasily, glancing between me and the stranger. "Wait... he saw us. If we let him go, he might run to the police."
The thug with the grip on me clicked his tongue. "Tch. Then what do we do?"
"Isn't it obvious? We get rid of him."
Before I could even process the words, a blade glinted under the weak streetlight. The second man had pulled out a knife, its sharp edge gleaming dangerously. My stomach dropped, fear tightening my chest.
But the young man… he didn't flinch. Not even for a second. Instead, he let out a soft sigh, like a teacher disappointed with a stubborn child.
"Didn't your mom ever tell you it's dangerous to play with knives?"
The thug lunged.
I gasped, expecting blood—but in a blink, the stranger sidestepped and drove a sharp kick straight into the man's stomach. The force of it echoed in the narrow alley. The thug's eyes bulged, and he crumpled to the ground, unconscious in an instant.
The other thug froze, his knife hand trembling. For a split second, his gaze darted between his fallen partner and the calm young man standing unfazed. His face twisted into fear, and then—he bolted down the alley without a second thought, disappearing into the night.
The silence that followed was deafening.
I blinked, realizing I had fallen backward onto the ground during the struggle. My shopping bags were scattered beside me, and my knees stung from the scrape against the rough pavement.
The stranger exhaled slowly, rolling his shoulder as if loosening a knot. "Good thing I practiced karate as a kid," he muttered, almost to himself.
Then his gaze softened. He crouched slightly and extended his hand toward me. "Are you okay?"
His voice wasn't stern anymore—it carried warmth, gentle concern.
For a moment, I hesitated. My pride told me not to look weak. But… my heart was still pounding from the fear, and something about his sincerity broke down that wall. Slowly, I placed my hand in his.
He pulled me up effortlessly, steadying me before letting go.
"Yeah, I'm okay," I said, brushing off the dust from my skirt. My tone came out firmer than I intended, but deep down, gratitude welled up inside me. I avoided his eyes for a second before quietly adding, "And… thanks for saving me."
A small, genuine smile tugged at his lips. "You're welcome, miss."
I frowned lightly. "It's Nino."
He blinked, confused. "Huh?"
"My name," I clarified with a huff. "It's Nino Nakano."
"Oh, nice to meet you, Nakano-san. I'm Y/n L/n," he replied politely. Then he tilted his head with a small grin. "You can just call me Y/n."
My lips curved despite myself. "Then you can just call me Nino."
"Alright, Nino." He glanced at the faint glow of his phone screen before slipping it back into his pocket. "I should probably head home now. Otherwise, my mom's gonna kill me."
He turned to leave.
Something inside me twisted. Before I could even think about it, the words burst from my lips.
"Wait!"
He paused mid-step, looking back with a questioning brow. "Yeah?"
I bit my lip. My pride wanted me to stay quiet, but another part of me—the one still shaken, the one that didn't want to walk the rest of the way alone—won over.
"Can you… walk me home?" I asked. My voice came out softer than usual, almost uncertain.
His brows furrowed slightly. "Why?"
I quickly pointed toward the unconscious thug sprawled on the ground. "Because it's dark, and I don't want to run into more guys like him." Then, crossing my arms to mask my nervousness, I added, "Also, I bought way too much stuff, and my arms are killing me. I need someone to carry these bags for me."
A short laugh escaped him, shaking his head. "So am I your bodyguard or your shopping assistant?"
"Both," I shot back, narrowing my eyes but unable to hide the faint smile forming on my lips.
With an amused sigh, he leaned down, picking up my bags as if they weighed nothing. "Alright then, let's go."
As we began walking side by side under the streetlights, I sneaked a glance at him. His profile was calm, his steps steady. For the first time that night, the unease in my chest began to fade.
Maybe… just maybe… fate wasn't as cruel as I thought.
Author POV
Nino and Y/n walked in silence for nearly thirty minutes. The city air grew cooler as the sun began its descent, casting an orange tint across the towering buildings. Finally, they stopped in front of an enormous structure—a luxurious hotel that looked like it belonged in a travel magazine.
Y/n craned his neck back, his eyes widening as he took in the sleek glass walls reflecting the sunset. The entrance was lined with a red carpet, bellhops moving briskly to help guests with their luggage.
"So… you live here?" Y/n asked, his tone a mixture of disbelief and curiosity.
Nino folded her arms, her expression smug. "Yep. Thirtieth floor."
A low whistle escaped Y/n's lips. "Not bad. Guess this explains all the shopping bags."
She smirked, flipping her hair back. "Exactly. Perks of being me."
Y/n adjusted the bags in his hands, his fingers already numb from carrying them for so long. "Alright, let's get you to your place so I can head home before my back gives out."
"Fine, fine. Stop whining," Nino teased, though her lips curved into the faintest smile.
They stepped into the lavish hotel lobby. The floor gleamed, marble tiles polished so perfectly they almost reflected their faces. A chandelier glittered above, casting golden light across the room. Guests bustled around, some heading to the reception, others dragging suitcases to the elevators.
As they approached the elevator, Y/n muttered, "I feel out of place here."
Nino glanced at him out of the corner of her eye, smirking again. "That's because you are."
Y/n groaned but didn't argue, and soon they reached the 30th floor. The hallway was long and pristine, lined with elegant doors, each with golden numbers. They finally stopped at one near the end.
The moment they reached the doorstep, Y/n sighed, dropping his shoulders. "So… should I drop these bags here, or do I have to carry them inside too?"
"Carry them inside," Nino replied flatly, knocking on the door without a second thought.
"Figures…" Y/n muttered under his breath. His arms trembled as he tightened his grip on the bags.
After a moment, the door clicked open, revealing a girl with fiery red hair that cascaded down her shoulders. She had the same face and eyes as Nino, though her expression carried more warmth—it was none other than Itsuki.
"Why'd it take you so lo—" Itsuki started but froze mid-sentence when her gaze landed on Y/n, standing awkwardly behind Nino, his arms filled with shopping bags like a pack mule. Her eyes widened in surprise. "Y/n? What are you doing here?"
"Long story," Y/n said, shifting uncomfortably under her stare. His voice was shaky as he tried not to drop the bags. "But can I enter first? My hands are killing me right now."
"O-oh, right! Come in, come in," Itsuki stammered quickly, stepping aside to give them room.
Y/n staggered inside, practically dragging the bags across the polished wooden floor, while Nino walked in casually as if she hadn't just used him as free labor. The faint scent of lavender filled the spacious apartment, the living room furnished with sleek couches and large windows overlooking the cityscape.
Y/n dropped the bags onto the nearest couch with a heavy thud, exhaling deeply as he flexed his sore fingers.
"Finally," he muttered, collapsing into the armchair beside the couch.
Itsuki blinked, still a bit surprised by his presence. "You really carried all of those? Nino, why didn't you call me to help instead?"
Nino crossed her arms and huffed, a proud tilt in her chin. "Because I didn't need your help. He offered."
"Offered?" Itsuki repeated slowly, her brows furrowing. Her gaze flickered toward Y/n, who was rolling his shoulders and stretching his sore arms. "That doesn't sound like him....."
Y/n shot her a deadpan look. "You make me sound like some kind of heartless jerk. I was just being nice, okay?"
Internally, he groaned.
'And what does she mean by I offered? She practically shoved the bags at me and I just agreed because of how kind I am… not because I enjoy lugging around a mountain of clothes and accessories.'
Before Itsuki could reply, the sound of light footsteps echoed from deeper inside the spacious suite. The air shifted slightly—like the atmosphere tensed up with curiosity.
Another figure emerged from the hallway, identical in face and features to Nino and Itsuki. Her fiery red hair shimmered under the warm hotel lights, falling neatly over her shoulders. Sapphire blue eyes blinked curiously, but unlike the others, this girl had a pair of sleek headphones resting comfortably around her neck. It was Miku.
Miku froze the moment her gaze landed on Y/n, her lips parting slightly.
"Y/n?" she said softly, as though she wasn't sure if her eyes were playing tricks on her.
Her voice carried a mix of surprise and quiet disbelief, yet underneath it was a strange softness that made Y/n feel oddly self-conscious.
He blinked back at her, scratching the back of his neck awkwardly. "Uh… hey. Long time no see…?"
Nino sighed, clicking her tongue. "Honestly, why is everyone reacting like he's some kind of ghost showing up at our doorstep? He's just helping me carry bags. That's it."
Itsuki, however, kept her arms folded, eyes narrowing slightly. "Still, it's unusual. Y/n doesn't seems like a person who would normally go out of his way for people…"
"Hey!" Y/n shot back, offended. "You're all making me sound like some selfish shut-in!"