The silent border district.
A half-broken factory gate creaked in the wind. Inside, darkness spread, faint lights flickering over stacked crates.
Two figures stepped in quietly—Souta Minami and Masaki Fujimiya, both dressed in tactical suits.
Their steps were light. Their eyes, sharp. The air, heavy with danger.
Souta's low voice cut the silence.
"No guards outside… feels too quiet."
Masaki smirked faintly.
"Maybe the intel's wrong. Or maybe… someone's waiting."
From the shadows, six armed men stepped forward.
Among them stood a nervous dealer. Behind him walked a man in a red jacket, sharp eyes gleaming, long hair tied back.
Masaki's grin widened.
"…Jin."
Souta raised an eyebrow.
"You know him?"
Masaki's gaze turned cold, almost amused.
"Yeah. My old rival. Guess he protects dealers now."
Jin's eyes locked with Masaki's. A wicked laugh escaped him.
"Well, well. Masaki Fujimiya. Didn't expect you here."
Masaki stepped forward casually.
"Doing my job. What's your excuse,jin?"
Souta gave a half-smile.
"He's not wrong."
Jin shrugged, mocking.
"Look who's talking. The straight-laced hero himself."
Souta's hand slid toward his weapon, but Masaki held him back with a glance.
Then, eyes locked on Jin, Masaki said flatly:
"Hand over the dealer. I don't care about the rest."
Jin's laugh echoed.
"What, you think it's that easy? Contract's mine. The deal gets done."
Masaki tightened his collar, rolling his neck.
"…Then let's fight."
Jin raised his hand.
"Alright, boys. Send them to the hospital."
Four men rushed forward.
Souta readied his stance—only for Masaki to lift a hand.
"Relax."
"…Huh?" Souta frowned.
Masaki's eyes narrowed, a wild grin cutting across his face.
"Just enjoy the show."
---
Fight – Masaki's Precision
In a blur, Masaki disappeared from Souta's side.
Mid-air, he grabbed one thug by the collar—flipped, and hurled him into another.
The second man staggered back. Before he could react, Masaki twisted his wrist, snatching the knife from his grip.
A third attacker raised a gun. Masaki's boot slammed the barrel aside—his knee crashed into the man's chest. He dropped like a rag doll.
From the side, Souta watched, eyes narrowing.
In a single moment… Masaki had already dominated the battlefield.
No wasted movement. Every strike clean, efficient, lethal.
Souta let out a quiet breath.
Defeating him in a Rank Zero match… might just be impossible.
---
Masaki vs Jin
Jin stepped forward, grin sharp.
"Still the same, huh? Brings back old times."
Masaki cracked his knuckles.
"Hn."
Jin launched a flying kick—Masaki caught it with one hand. His grip slammed Jin's body down into the concrete.
"Ha! You haven't lost your speed!" Jin as he rose.
Masaki's smirk deepened.
"And you haven't changed at all."
He pinned Jin down, fists raining brutal punches. Each impact echoed through the warehouse, until finally—Jin collapsed, unconscious.
---
Aftermath
Masaki stood calmly, dusting off his jacket. He pressed his comm button.
"Warehouse secure. Dealer captured. Rival down. Souta didn't even get to drink his coffee."
Souta deadpanned.
"Next time, at least let me stretch."
Masaki chuckled.
"Fine. I'll leave a whole gang for you next time."
And that time Eighth Station – Evening
Cold wind brushed against their faces.
Below them stretched a sea of clouds.
Kasumi sank onto a bench, breathing heavily.
"Uff… Shion, I don't think I can walk anymore."
Shion stopped beside her.
"This is the eighth station. We'll stay here for the night."
Kasumi drew a deep breath, gazing at the sky.
"This mount fuji view… it's unreal. Like something from a Ghibli movie."
Shion sat quietly near the bench.
Kasumi reached out, gently holding his hand. She pushed his sleeve up, her eyes serious.
"Look, Shion… our skin's similar. Both pale."
He gave the faintest smile.
Kasumi pressed a soft kiss on his hand. The instant she realized, her face turned red.
"S-Sorry, Shion…"
Shion's voice was quiet, almost soft.
"…I didn't mind."
His gaze drifted down toward the clouds.
"It's like a reminder… that you're alone. That when you were screaming, no one listened."
Kasumi's chest tightened.
"Shion…"
He spoke softly, as if recalling a distant memory.
"Once… I locked myself in the bathroom. Sat there for four hours in silence. Just because… if I made a sound, I'd get my hand burned."
She held his hand in both of hers.
"You've carried this all alone for so many years…"
Shion's eyes stayed on the clouds below.
"I never really knew… if I was alive, or already burned out inside."
Kasumi tightened her grip.
"I'm here. And I won't run away."
Shion turned to her. No surprise in his face—just a strange calm. For the first time, someone had heard his silence.
---Chapter 15 end---