Krisna was sitting in Aiko's living room, while Aiko and Qia were completely absorbed in interrogating the girls in black suits.
His vision kept swaying wildly, sweat soaking through his clothes. Krisna's outfit was coated with dried mud.
Tak, tak.
Footsteps approached him—steps that eased his heart.
Krisna tried to turn his head, only for a chunk of cuteness to fall onto his face.
Plak
"Q-Qia thought… Onii-chan was already dead~"
Glue might as well have been poured over Qia; she clung to Krisna's face without letting go.
Krisna held his breath. With all his strength, he pried Qia off. He felt something warm trickling down his forehead.
Pluck
As soon as Krisna removed Qia, her snot, stuck to his hair, stretched along with her.
"Qia, you're naughty… I only fainted for a moment," Krisna said gently.
Qia's hand reached for his head to hug him again.
With tears and snot flowing, she sniffled, "Ju-just now… Onii-chan's pulse disa-disappeared."
Krisna's eyes twitched at her words. He froze.
D-Did I actually die just now?
He wondered silently.
…
A cold, sticky sensation touched Krisna's foot, snapping him out of his thoughts.
When he looked at Qia's face—her snot had trailed all the way down to his feet.
"Qia, wipe your nose…" He glanced around while still holding her.
With a rag in hand, he said, "Point your nose here."
As if she possessed future sight, Qia kept dodging the incoming rag that aimed for her nose.
A bit of irritation flickered in Krisna's chest. He squeezed Qia's soft cheeks, "Got you…"
"M-mercy…"
Slow footsteps echoed from behind Krisna.
A hand reached to tap his shoulder.
His body moved on its own, as if he had awakened some new instinct.
He turned to look at the person behind him.
Their faces were close—so close they could feel each other's breaths brushing their skin.
Time seemed to slow down. Their gazes refused to part.
"What are you two doing?" Qia asked.
Aiko and Krisna jerked their faces away at the same time, a soft blush blooming on both their cheeks.
Their bodies moved in sync; their hearts pounded harder in unison.
Qia tilted her head, eyes narrowing. "Are… nii-chan and nee-chan in lo—"
Duar!
An explosion boomed outside, snapping all three of them to attention.
A strong gust blasted into Aiko's house, shaking the furniture.
Krisna shielded Qia with his body, while Aiko clung to Krisna's back as he braced against the wind.
"What now…?" Aiko muttered.
As the wind subsided, she shouted, "Stay here!" Then she sprinted toward the front.
Krisna quickly checked if Qia was hurt. When his eyes caught Aiko's back as she ran, something warm bloomed in his chest again.
As soon as Aiko disappeared beyond the door, he ran while carrying Qia toward the kitchen, then turned into his room.
Klack
As the door opened, two drones—one small, one medium—were lined up on the floor. Beside them lay his upgraded black shield.
His spear leaned against the wall, as if waiting for him.
Swiftly, Krisna grabbed everything and strapped on the shield.
"Qia, get me some smoke grenades."
"O-okay!"
After he finished securing the straps, he felt something off—Qia hadn't returned.
Sensing danger, Krisna stepped out of the room.
Only to find Qia being held at gunpoint by a helmeted girl with a square-shaped blue halo.
"Qia!"
Krisna hurled his spear instantly. Fwush.
Krtak
It struck the helmet dead-on, cracking the visor.
The girl released Qia, shards of her visor cutting into her own eyes.
Not giving her a chance to recover, Krisna lunged, grabbed her by the neck, and slammed her onto the floor.
Brak!
Both bodies hit the cold floor, leaving the girl limp and stunned.
Krisna retrieved his spear, walked to Qia, and offered his hand.
"Are you okay?" he asked.
With a relieved smile breaking her tense expression, Qia took his hand.
Krisna brought her into Aiko's room, knowing it was the safest place.
"Stay here for now, Qia," he said softly, letting go of her tiny hand.
Though hesitant, Qia stepped inside.
She looked back at him. "Be careful…"
He smiled warmly. "I will."
Krisna closed the door, then darted off, intending to regroup with Aiko and Alisa.
But once he reached the entrance—
A sight that crushed his soul greeted him.
The alley wall was shattered. Bodies of the suited girls lay scattered across the ground.
A girl with a green plastic face-cover stood in the middle of the alley.
Her chest rose and fell, gripping her rifle tightly. Her halo flickered… then went out completely.
Gedebug
She collapsed.
Krisna's pupils dilated and constricted in shock.
"Krisna!"
A voice he had carved deep in his heart.
He turned—Aiko was running toward him, her long white hair fluttering behind her.
"Why are you here!? Where's Qia!? They're targeting Qia!!" Aiko screamed.
Krisna's chest tightened like it was struck by metal.
"W-what? Targeting? Qia…?"
His eyes followed Aiko as she ran to the girl with the green mask, lifted her, and carried her inside the house.
Leaving Krisna frozen in place…
Why are they after Qia? Is it because of me…? His mind spiraled.
He was so deep in thought he didn't notice Aiko standing right in front of him.
Plak
A stinging pain bloomed on his cheek, snapping him back.
"Why are you spacing out!? We need to run!" Aiko shouted.
Krisna blinked rapidly.
"Run? What actually happened while I fainted for a bit?" he asked quickly.
"A bit? You were unconscious for five days… we thought you were dead!" Aiko yelled, hitting his chest lightly. "Idiot…" she sobbed into his embrace.
"I-I'm sorry…" Krisna whispered. "S-sorry…"
…
When their hug loosened, their eyes met.
Krisna's hand was still on Aiko's waist.
"Sorry… now it's my turn, Aiko,"
he said, voice full of gentle resolve.
Krisna let go and turned toward the alley.
The ground trembled. Dust rose from the alley entrance.
"Aiko… take Alisa and Qia and run. I'll hold off this metal heap," Krisna said calmly.
Aiko shook her head.
"W-what about you, Krisna!?" she yelled.
"Go to the junkyard. You remember, right?" he said, brushing her hair.
"O-okay…" Aiko ran inside, lifted Alisa, opened the back door, and escaped with the two girls.
Fsh, fsh
A volley of missiles shot toward them.
From a robot—large enough to fill the alley.
It rolled forward slowly, lacking elbow joints, arms stiff.
A five-chamber missile launcher protruded from its chest.
Krisna turned to the incoming missiles.
He snapped his left hand outward—
a burst of energy shields flared along the edges of his shield.
BOOM!!
Smoke engulfed Aiko's porch. Dust exploded upward. The ground trembled.
From within the thick smoke, two red lights glared back at the robot.
Lightning crackled viciously along Krisna's spear, ready to strike anyone who dared approach.
———
To be continued.
———