Silence.
........
Then—darkness.
.......
Endless, suffocating, unyielding.
....
It was all that existed. In the middle of that void stood a small girl, no older than ten, her figure illuminated by an unseen, cold light.
Then they appeared.
One by one, they emerged from the shadows—men, women, children, some her age, others older. They surrounded her like ghosts, eyes sharp with judgment, their expressions twisted with scorn and rejection.
All of them stared directly at her. Like she didn't belong. Like she was the mistake.
"Look, it's that girl."
"It's her again."
"The cursed freak."
"I heard that her mother died two years ago because of her. And now her older sister is in the hospital."
"Must be really tough to be her."
"Shh! She's looking this way."
"Why're you staring at us?"
"Go away, freak!"
"Why are you even alive?" The voices echoed—men, women, classmates, teachers, strangers. All blurred faces, but all familiar.
"It's your fault your mother died. It's your fault she's dead." The voices echo, faceless and cold. A woman's sneer cuts through the fog.
"Because of you, your sister's in that hospital. You bring misfortune wherever you go."
"She's cursed. I heard her own stepmother said so." Their words crashed over her like waves, suffocating.
"She should've never been born." Her stepmother's voice, sharp and venomous, rang in her ears.
"Everything you touch falls apart." Her stepsister's mocking laughter boomed with spite. "You're cursed, Aoi. A black mark on our perfect family."
Aoi stood alone in the void, fists clenched, her breath heavy. She wanted to scream. To fight back.
A fractured image of her thirteen-year-old self, emerged from the shadows—bruised, bloodied, and barely holding herself together. Her torn school uniform hung limply on her frame, dust and dried blood staining the fabric. With her head bowed in silent shame, she stood before the imposing figure of her father, the weight of his judgment pressing down on her like a storm she couldn't outrun. The moment the words reached his ears—that she had gotten into a fight at school—his expression hardened. He didn't ask why. He didn't care to understand.
"How long will you keep dragging this family's name through the mud?!!" He only shouted, as if her actions had confirmed everything he already believed about her, his face carved in stone, his voice colder than the winter wind.
"You disgraced this family, fighting like a thug. What kind of daughter are you? You're no daughter of mine." His voice, the one that once held warmth, now sharp like glass.
"I tell you, she's even crazier than she looks." Her stepsister sneered as Aoi's hands trembled, her heart pounding with guilt. She hears a girl's laughter turn into cries. Her older sister cries as she sat on a hospital bed, her back facing Aoi.
"It's all your fault. Look what you've done. Look at the situation you've put me through. It's all your fault." She taunted with tears rolling down her cheeks, her hands covered in blood as she stared at her sister.
Aoi screamed, but no sound came out. The shadows pressed in. Her chest tightened. She screamed again, but her voice was gone, lost somewhere in the years of silence, of bruises hidden beneath sleeves and heartbreak buried deep. Darkness enveloped her as she tumbled back, dragged under by a cold, unseen current—lost to the world without a trace.
Maybe… they're right. Perhaps I am the storm they all fear, she mused as she sank further, her eyes slowly closing. It's so cold… it hurts… it hurts…
.......
In a cramped apartment on the edge of town, the sharp bark of a dog echoed through the fading evening light. Shadows danced along the walls as Aoi lay still on her futon, the amber hues of dusk filtering through the curtains. Her subtle lavender eyes fluttered open, unfocused at first. A quiet hum escaped her lips as she slowly sat up, her gaze locked on the floor.
Another dream, she thought, brushing a hand through her bangs as the strands of dark blue hair slipped over her eyes. A dry scoff followed. Minutes later, cool water cascaded over her skin, trailing down as she stood silently beneath the shower head. Eyes closed; the lingering fragments of her dream tugged at her mind.
Whatever. She shut the water off and stepped out, steam swirling around her. She was dressed in a black undershirt layered beneath a white hoodie with lavender accents—two sleek lavender stripes lining the sleeves and hem—and paired it with short black shorts, thigh-high socks, and black sneakers trimmed with violet. Pulling the hood over her head, she slipped her hands into her pockets. It was time for a walk.
..........
Sokyoshi wasn't much—just a worn-down town crumbling under the weight of crime and silence. A place people forgot, or chose to ignore. Aoi walked along the cracked pavement, her hands buried in her hoodie pockets, shoulders hunched against the chill. A perfect fit for someone like me, she thought, eyes scanning the dimly lit streets. A cursed existence. Something that shouldn't even be here. She exhaled, watching her breath disappear into the evening air. I've been alone for so long… and maybe that's for the best.Better to walk alone than drag someone else into the dark with me.
The neon lights of a small convenience store buzzed faintly as she walked past the shop, oblivious of the theft going on in there. A group of four young men dressed in cheap tracksuits in the shop, their presence thick with arrogance. One had a scar running down his cheek, another kept tossing a switchblade between his fingers. The leader, a tall, lanky guy with a cocky grin, leaned against the counter and slammed down a baseball bat.
"Yo, old man," he sneered. "How about a donation?" The store owner, a young middle-aged man with tousled brown hair, cast them a disinterested glance, his cold blue eyes gleaming with indifference.
"Seriously. You boys again, huh? Don't you have anything better to do?" He countered.
"Enough with the theatrics, old man. Just give us the money." The one with the scar ordered.
"How many times do I have to tell you? I don't have extra money to give." He sneered, his eyebrows furrowing.
The leader clicked his tongue. "Tsk. That's not what I wanna hear." He grabbed the cash register, trying to pry it open as he took out large bundles of money, shoving them into his sack.
"Hey! What do you think you're doing?!" The man shouted, hands curling into fists—only to be restrained by two of the robbers, each locking down an arm as the third brought a gleaming switchblade to his neck.
"Stand still, grandpa, or else I'll slit your throat." The guy threatened with a low chuckle, the other two mirroring it.
"What'd you say?! Let go of me, dammit!" Once the leader was done, he tied the mouth of the sack with a rope.
"Come on!" He shouted the command before dashing out of the store, the others releasing the man and scrambling after him. The group burst through the door and bolted down the street, the store owner hot on their heels until he came to a stop just beyond his shop.
"Stop! Thieves!" His voice rang out in desperation, trying to alert those nearby. Gasps filled the air as few onlookers watched the four men dash away. Aoi turned, her gaze locking on the approaching figures—and behind them was the store owner, in a plain T-shirt, comfortable trousers underneath a warm ochre coloured apron, running hard to keep up.
"Those are the allowances I kept for my daughters! Give them back!" He said, his face etched with worry. Aoi sighed; she wasn't a hero. She already had enough problems of her own. But there was something about what the man said that shook her, how he clutched his fists like it was his last line of defense. And just when I was trying to stay out of trouble, a quiet breath escaped her as she ran a hand through her fringe, stepping directly into the path of the charging men. Her hood dipped low, hiding the glint in her eyes beneath its shadow.
"Hey! Get out of the way!!" The leader barked out, but Aoi merely opened her eyes, her gaze still veiled in shadow. As he closed in, she raised her leg in one swift motion, slamming her foot into his face. He spun midair, the stolen bag flying loose as his body hit the ground with a heavy thud, face-first. Without sparing him a glance, Aoi caught the bag midair with ease.
"Boss!" The other three called, running over to help him sit up. With blood smeared on his nose, he glared at her.
"Who the hell are you?!" He snarled, the other three scowling at her.
"Hah? What's this, a little high school girl trying to be tough?" The one with scar mocked.
Aoi stared at them, unimpressed. "If you're gonna rob a place, at least be quick about it. You're embarrassing yourselves."
The leader's face twisted. "The hell did you just say?"
Aoi tilted her head, tossing the bag a few steps behind her. "Did I stutter?" He stood up, charging at her, his arm reeling backward.
"Nobody gets to talk to us like that! You're just a little girl, you freak! Hand over the bag and stay out of our way!" He roared, throwing a wild punch toward her face. But Aoi moved like water, sidestepping with ease. Her hood slipped back, revealing a cascade of dark blue hair flowing with the motion. She clenched her right fist and drove it straight into his face, the impact echoing like a crack of thunder.
"Ghh—!" The air left his lungs as he doubled over, choking with a slide backwards. The others froze, their eyes and mouths wide open in shock.
Aoi adjusted her hoodie sleeve, her eyes cold as she looked at them. "Leave. Or I break something."
"Who the hell do you think you are?!!" Scarface lunged at her, swinging his baseball bat. Aoi twisted sideways, grabbed his wrist, and snapped his balance, sending him crashing into the ground. The third guy swung a punch—she caught it midair and drove her knee into his gut. The last man hesitated, but he charged in anyway. He threw a punch, but she slipped past it with ease—her knee shooting up and connecting hard with his chin. As he reeled back, she spun midair, delivering a flying kick to the back of his head. He soared forward, crashing into his unconscious crew like a wrecking ball. Gasps filled the street as the store owner and onlookers stared, jaws slack, while Aoi stepped toward the heap of bodies, hands confidently resting on her hips.
"That should shut you up," she muttered, crouching down and grabbing the man by his collar, anger simmering in her grip. "You must be out of your mind thinking you could get away with stealing something important. Spoiler alert—you can't. You better never try to steal ever again, you morons." Her tone was cold, edged with venom.
She let go of him, letting his head hit the pavement with a dull thud, then stood tall. Blood trickled from the noses of the unconscious thieves, but she didn't flinch. Slipping her hands back into her hoodie pockets, Aoi walked over to the fallen bag, picked it up, and made her way to the store owner, whose eyes followed her with stunned curiosity. He gasped softly as she stopped in front of him and held the bag out.
"Here. This is yours," she said flatly. As he reached out and took it, she turned slightly, her profile cast in the dim light, eyes closed, one hand already back in her pocket.
"Thank you… Thank you so much! You don't know how much this means to me! I really appreciate the save." He appreciated with grateful eyes, his smile huge with warmth. Aoi offered a subtle nod before pulling the hood over her head.
"Later." She said, turning to walk away with her hands in her pockets.
The man blinked. "W-Wait!" With a hand outstretched, he fell into step behind her, matching her pace as she walked on. "Won't you need a repayment?" He asked, strolling behind her.
"Don't need it. I just offered to help, that's all. Can't stay around people for long." She answered, her voice soft but firm.
"But, can I at least know your name?" She halted mid-step at his question, turning just enough to look back, her expression unreadable save for the flicker of doubt in her sidelong glance.
"It's… Aoi Saku—" Her voice faltered when a loud growl escaped her stomach, and heat rushed to her cheeks in embarrassment. The man let out a quiet chuckle, his eyes crinkling with amusement, before he opened them again, his smile gentle, only making her blush deepen.
"Why don't you come to my restaurant and let's get you sorted out, yeah?" He offered, earning a skeptical look from Aoi.
....
Perched on a barstool by the counter, Aoi's gaze drifted across the space as the man behind it worked on a meal. The place had a split identity—half diner, half convenience store, sharing the same roof. To the left, the diner buzzed faintly with the aroma of grilled food and fresh coffee, while to the right, shelves of snacks, bottled drinks, and everyday essentials lined the walls. A door between the two sections made it easy for customers to wander from one to the other. Near the back, a lone customer browsed the drink aisle in silence. Above the counter, a wall clock ticked steadily—7:15 p.m.
"Hot curry rice, fresh off the stove. Dig in." The man set the plate down in front of her, steam curling upward in delicate wisps. The aroma of fried spices clung to the air, teasing her senses and making her stomach stir with anticipation. Reaching into her pocket, she pulled out a few bills, but as she moved to place them on the counter, the man lifted a hand, gently stopping her.
"No charge. It's on the house," the man said with a small grin tugging at his lips.
"Huh? Why?" she asked, brows furrowing in confusion.
"You're serious? You helped me get my money back. Feels like the least I can do." He turned to the sink, casually rinsing some utensils as if it were nothing.
Aoi blinked, caught off guard by the gesture. Her eyes lingered on his back. "…Thanks," she murmured, gaze dropping to the food in front of her.
"Name's Kota Shirakawa, by the way," he added, glancing at her with a friendly smile. "So, what did you say your name was again?"
She hesitated a moment before replying, eyes shaded beneath the hood. "Aoi… Aoi Sakuraba."
"Sakuraba? That last name does ring a bell". He mused aloud, eyes shut and fingers tapping his chin in thought. Her gaze narrowed as he suddenly formed an 'o' with his mouth, snapping his fingers as the memory returned.
"Oh, now I remember." His eyes lifted slightly as the pieces fell into place. "Sakuraba—yeah, the luxury fashion and real estate empire in Urban Tokyo. Owned by Haruto Sakuraba, right? The CEO of the Sakuraba Group?" His gaze snapped back to her, recognition flashing in his wide eyes. "You're his daughter."
"Maybe, maybe not." She shrugged, glancing back at the food. I mean, other people are bearing Sakuraba, she mused, her lips pursed.
"Are you being sarcastic?" Kota asked, his hands on his hips.
"What can I say? There are other families with the last name Sakuraba." She replied softly, then took a spoonful of the curry and brought it to her lips. The moment it touched her tongue, her eyes widened just a bit. The rich, savory flavors spread across her palate, warm and comforting. A faint glow touched her cheeks as her eyes shimmered with quiet surprise.
But there aren't other families with that last name, he mused, a bead of sweat draping down his temple as he stared at her expression. "Huh? What's wrong?" he asked as she regained her composure, shaking her head.
"Nothing. I'm just surprised that a grown man like you can cook food this good."
Was that a compliment or… he mused with his arms crisscrossed, his right eyebrow arched with a bead of sweat draping from his temple.
"It wasn't a compliment." She interjected while chewing, earning a sweat drop from him. "But really, it's delicious," she added, earning a surprised look from him. A warm smile crept up to his face as he watched her eat, the memory of a woman, a friend he once knew, overshadowing Aoi's form dimly.
"So, what's up?" Her question snapped him back to reality as he blinked. "Huh?"'
"You're staring at me," She mumbled through a mouthful of food, and his jaw practically dropped in disbelief.
"You can tell without looking?"
"I've got a high sense. So tell me, why were you staring? I know I look oddly familiar, but you don't have to make it weird." She murmured before slipping a spoonful into her mouth, her lashes fluttering shut as she quietly relished the flavor.
"What? No, it's nothing like that. It's just... I've never seen you around before. What're you doing in a town like this anyway? It's not every day people get to move here, considering how backdrop it is," he answered truthfully.
"I've been in this town longer than you think." She purposely deflected his question, lifting another spoonful to her lips instead. As she chewed, her gaze stayed fixed on the plate, deliberately avoiding his eyes.
"Really? How long?" He leaned in, intrigued, as she looked up at him, her lavender eyes soft but unreadable.
"Would you like to know?" she retorted.
"Huh? Of course I do." He replied, his hands on his hips again. "Come on, for how long, Aoi?" How her name slipped from his lips caused Aoi to widen her eyes slightly. No one's called my name like that for a long time. It sounds... weird, she mused, shifting her eyes sideways.
"Well, for about—" The door's bell chimed loudly as it swung open, cutting her words short. Both of them turned to see a girl standing in the doorway, her long, waist-length deep brown hair cascading down her back. Her emerald green eyes swept across the room before settling on them. She was dressed in a dark navy-blue cropped jacket over a white, sleeveless undershirt, black pants that hugged her frame, and sturdy black boots. Leaning against the door, her chest rose and fell with each breath, as though she had just run for her life.
"Oh man! That was close!" She let out a breath, brushing the back of her left hand across her forehead, her eyes closed in a relaxed smile. Aoi raised an eyebrow, watching her, while Kota's eyes widened in surprise.
"Reina?! What're you doing here? You know you're not supposed to be out this time of night. Ryo and Misora would be worried sick looking for you." He muttered, his voice laced with disapproval, as she moved toward the counter and sat down next to Aoi.
That uniform... she mused, her gaze lingered on the girl's jacket, eyes drawn to the crest on the left side of her chest.
"Ah, don't worry. They won't find me here. This store's the last place anyone would want to look for me," The girl, Reina, replied, her eyes remaining closed as she spoke, a faint smirk tugging at her lips. Kota blinked once, then exhaled softly and folded his arms in thought.
"W-Well, I guess that's true." He replied, a flicker of realization lifting his brow.
"And besides," she said as his eyes met hers, "I wanted to get out and see what's happening around town. I'm not a kid anymore. You can't really blame me for being a little curious."
"But still, you shouldn't ghost the others like that," he responded, his voice soft but firm.
"Yeah, I know," she sighed in defeat and looked to him with a smile. "Fine, I'll head back... after I get something to eat."
Kota chuckled. "The usual, I take it?"
"That's right. With extra vegetables, please," she smiled.
"Coming right up." He answered without turning around, busy preparing her order. Their conversation continued as if Aoi didn't exist, a feeling she had long grown used to. After all, it had been that way for the past five years.
"Hey," a voice said, and Aoi looked at the girl, her green eyes shining with a warm smile.
"Hey," Aoi responded, her eyebrow arched.
"Are you new to this town? It's not like I've ever seen you around here before."
"Uh..." Aoi started before Kota interrupted.
"Not really," he replied, catching their attention as they turned toward him. His back remained to the counter, but he offered a small sidelong glance while continuing his task. "She's been around a while, though I'm not sure how long exactly… Still, I'm glad she is. If it weren't for her, I'd probably have been robbed tonight."
"Robbed? What do you mean?" Reina asked, her expression clouded with worry and seriousness.
"Those guys showed up again," he explained, his voice steady but laced with frustration. "They demanded money. I told them I didn't have any, but they still forced me to hand over the little allowance I'd been saving."
Reina let out a quiet scoff at the mention, her fingers brushing past her bangs, already knowing exactly who he meant.
"So, the Shikkari Batsuzoku group was at it again. A small-time gang known for petty theft, corner-store heists, and low-level intimidation. They think they're tough, but most real gangs don't take them seriously. They like to take from society and punish anyone who disobeys them. Both male and female, they desire to have what they want. To them, punishment is their motto, which they think sounds cool, but most people see them as a bunch of reckless wannabes trying to act like big-time criminals," she quipped, her eyes closed with disinterest.
"That's right. But this time, they came in a group of four to rob me," he said, his tone calm but firm. "Then they ran off—only to get stopped and beaten to a pulp by this girl right here." His words made Reina turn to Aoi, a flicker of surprise flashing in her eyes.
Batsuzoku. So that's the name of their gang, not a familiar one. Maybe it's because they're one of the new gangs that just came up, Aoi mused silently, only to jolt when Reina suddenly grabbed her shoulders, snapping her out of her thoughts.
"What?! Seriously?! That's awesome! You can fight? That's amazing!" Reina beamed, her eyes sparkling with admiration.
"Uh, yeah… thanks," Aoi mumbled, a bead of sweat trickling down her temple.
"If it weren't for Aoi, I would've lost the money," Kota chimed in, placing a steaming bowl of ramen on the counter in front of Reina. Her gaze instantly shifted to it, and she let go of Aoi.
"I see. Well, time to eat! Thanks for the meal!" she said cheerfully, clasping her hands together before breaking her chopsticks and digging in without hesitation.
Aoi watched her slurp the noodles with closed eyes and a hum of satisfaction. The blue-haired girl turned back to her own food, just as Reina spoke again mid-bite.
"Nothing tastes better than your ramen after the day's work, Mr. Shirakawa. It's top-notch!" She grinned, earning a warm smile from Kota as he wiped his hands with a napkin.
"Glad you're enjoying it," he said, turning to face the two girls as they ate. A comfortable silence settled for a moment until Reina spoke up.
"Your name's Aoi, right?" she asked, still chewing her food as her gaze shifted toward the blue-haired girl.
"Hm." Aoi nodded, shoving a bit as she chewed.
"I'm Reina Hoshizuki, a third-year student of Sayonaki High," she introduced, her lips laced with a grin.
"That explains the uniform," Aoi answered while chewing, her eyes never leaving her food.
"Huh?" Reina slurped her noodles, glancing at Aoi, who lifted her gaze and looked at her.
"I've seen the uniform countless times here in the city. It isn't exactly a new thing for me."
"Come to think of it, Mr. Kota here mentioned you've lived in this town for a while now. Why don't you tell us?"
"She was about to when you bolted in." Kota sighed as Reina looked at him.
"Is that so? Guess I'm really lucky. So, how long then?" she chuckled as they both looked to her in expectation, a small sigh escaping Aoi's lips as she spoke.
"I'm sorry but... I have to leave now." She said, attempting to stand when Reina placed a hand on her left arm.
"Hey now, wait a second! Don't leave. We'd like to know. Come on, please?"
"It's alright, Aoi. You can stay a little longer." Kota added, his eyes warm as Aoi let out a small sigh.
....
"WHAT?! You've been living here in Sokyoshi for over a year now?!" Reina let out a shriek, her eyes and mouth wide with shock. Kota, meanwhile, stood frozen—his eyes widened in silent disbelief.
"Yup," Aoi answered, her eyes on her food as she shoved another bite into her mouth.
"That's pretty long. And how come we've never seen you before?" Kota asked, his expression unwavering.
"I don't stay out much," Aoi replied with a shrug.
"Still, we should have at least seen you walk by. Is it because you're always wearing a hoodie?"
"Like I said, I don't stay out for too long. Once I get what I need, I leave." Aoi answered, her voice firm and cautious.
"Really? Well, that sounds rough. But with us, we stay out long to make sure things stay in place here in Sokyoshi. One of my many quirks is to do that." Reina let out a quiet sigh before slurping her noodles, chewing with casual ease. Aoi's gaze drifted to her uniform, eyes narrowing slightly at the crest stitched on the chest—a bird in mid-flight, its wings outstretched, a delicate flower clutched in its beak.
Sayonaki High. A school unlike any other—where boys and girls train, fight, and rise. In a town plagued by gang warfare, the institution stands as a beacon of resistance. Its students don't just study; they battle to defend Sokyoshi from the chaos that threatens to consume it. With her eyes shut in thought, a pulse of irritation flicked across Aoi's temple, lips tightening as the voice continued, cutting into her reflection like a blade.
The school is governed by its elite: the fiercest fighters, bound not by titles, but by purpose. Their mission? To crush the gangs that defy peace. To become the storm that purges the streets. To protect Sokyoshi. They are known by a name whispered in fear by the lawless… The Nightingales.Day or night, they rise. Those who sow fear, who bring harm, who thrive in darkness—will face their song of justice.
Opening her eyes with a sharp exhale, Aoi shot a glare at the brown-haired girl beside her, that irritated tick still pulsing at her temple. "Seriously? Are you reading my internal monologue out loud now? What is this, a live commentary? And more importantly—how the hell are you even doing that?"
"Just a lucky guess. Nailed it, didn't I?" she teased with a smirk, drawing a quiet growl from Aoi. Kota glanced at the two, awkwardly chuckling with his eyes closed and his hands propped on his hips.
"I'm guessing that's one of your many quirks, isn't it?" Aoi asked, her eyebrow raised.
"Maybe," Reina gave a casual shrug, twirling some noodles around her chopsticks. "Although I'm not sure you've got a quirk like that." She joked, causing Aoi to glare at her, her side profile meeting Aoi's lavender orbs.
"Huh? You got something you—" She paused mid-sentence as Reina leaned close to her, her gaze fixed on her.
"Your eyes... they remind me of the blue storm rose. It's so beautiful," he said, making Aoi flinch and step back. Her hood slipped off in the process, her hair falling into view as Reina and Kota looked on in confusion.
"What's up with you?! Why were you staring so much?!" she asked, her eyes wide in surprise as Reina let out a small laugh.
"Sorry, sorry. I was just observing, that's all. Your eyes got my curiosity piqued."
"Why're you so interested in my eyes anyway?" Aoi asked as she took her seat, this time, with caution.
"Like I said, they remind me of the blue storm rose— an artificially grown flower with beautiful, subtle lavender petals. Your eyes have their distinct colour, the perfect shade too." Pausing slightly, she continued, "Also, it reminds me of her."
"Her?" Aoi asked, her eyebrow raised.
"Yeah, the first leader and founder of Sayonaki. She was caring and beautiful. Her voice was so soft and beautiful when she sang—like a Nightingale. She created the school and gave it the name Sayonaki High, serving along with her group as the guardians of the neighborhood. But she left two years later, with the others disbanded, but she kept fighting on. She was the best."
"Was?" Aoi asked, hearing the word repeatedly.
"Yeah, she's gone now. No one knows where, though. But I'll always remember her."
"Hm, sounds pretty shady that she left what she started," Aoi said. The older girl gave her a small, knowing smile, then turned her attention back to her food.
"Still, I can't believe you've been living in this town for a year now," Reina added, slurping her noodles.
"Yeah. Sokyoshi's a dangerous and living entity; it still is. It was controlled by multiple rival gangs, each with different motivations and tactics. Some are pure criminals, while others operate in moral gray areas. Back then, the fighting was so bad that this place hardly felt like a town. Nineteen years ago, that's why Sayonaki High's founder stepped in—she built the school's reputation to fix it," Kota said, crossing his arms as Aoi listened quietly. "They kept things in check for a long time… but eventually, they disbanded."
"But to be frank," Reina said, taking a final sip of her ramen broth with a satisfied sigh as she set the bowl down, "Sayonaki High's actually a great place to start out. Sure, it feels a little rough around the edges at first—but that's just how we roll." Her expression brightened as she turned to Aoi, a grin spreading across her face. "Hey, you should join us."
"Not interested," Aoi stated blankly, sipping her glass of water.
"Huh?! Why not? No gang can outrun our justice. We're the town's protectors—we stand for what's right. You'd fit right in." Her voice was steady, filled with purpose. Aoi said nothing, her gaze fixed on the counter. A dark shadow veiled her eyes, unreadable. The silence between them stretched thick, weighted.
"Heroes of the town? Sense of justice?" she chuckled dryly. "Spare me the hero act," she scoffed, her voice laced with venom, leaving both Kota and Reina stunned. Her eyes narrowed on Reina; gaze sharp as glass.
"You know, I always wondered what I'd say if I ever ran into one of you self-proclaimed saviors." She leaned forward; her tone razor-thin.
"'Heroes,' huh? Couldn't even stop a basic store robbery. Day or night—where were you when he needed help? If I hadn't been nearby, this place would've been wiped clean." A dry laugh escaped her lips. "And The Nightingales?" She tilted her head mockingly. "Please. Try The Frightingales."
"Hey now—" Kota started, but was stopped by Reina, who raised a hand, a dark shadow covering her eyes as Aoi continued.
"You call yourselves protectors? All I see are glorified brawlers making things worse for the people you're supposed to protect." Aoi's voice was cold, her words laced with contempt.
"There's nothing noble about picking fights in the name of justice. And this school you worship?" She scoffed. "The one who started it all ditched it when things got hard. Pathetic. Even her own so-called allies scattered. Some leader she was—what a joke." She leaned back, her tone dripping with mockery, unaware of Reina's clenched fist trembling on the counter. But just as quickly, Reina's grip loosened… and a faint smirk tugged at her lips.
"Well, I could say the same about you. Don't you think, Aoi Sakuraba?" Reina's words sliced through the air, prompting a sharp inhale from Aoi. Her eyes widened. How does she know my name...?
"What are you talking about? How do you—"
"Know your last name?" Reina tilted her head slightly, a knowing glint in her eye. "I've seen you once before. Years ago, actually. Aoi Sakuraba. That name... It's not one people forget easily. Especially not with the kind of rumors that follow it." She paused, her gaze narrowing as it locked onto Aoi.
"But just because life was cruel to you doesn't give you the right to spit on those trying to do good. You don't get to badmouth the first leader of Sayonaki High. She stood with this town. She built something real—with people, not in spite of them. She wasn't like you... hiding from the world, acting like you're the only one who's suffered."
"Reina..." Kota's voice cut through gently, a warning.
Aoi's hands curled into fists, trembling. "You don't know a damn thing about me," she muttered, eyes burning into Reina's. "And you don't need to... 'cause you never could. You're living in a dream—one where people are kind, where they stick around. But wake up." Her voice deepened with emotion. "The second misfortune hits, they turn their backs. All of them. Doesn't matter who you are or what you've been through. To them... you're already broken."
"From the way you talk..." Reina muttered, casting Aoi a sidelong glance, her voice laced with cold disdain. "It's clear you've been through hell. That's tragic..." She paused, her eyes narrowing. "...but still, utterly pathetic."
Aoi's expression shifted in an instant. Her eyes flared with fury as she drew her fist back.
"SHUT UP!!" She lunged, swinging a sharp punch toward Reina's face. A loud crack echoed through the diner as dust stirred around them—Kota's breath caught in his throat.
But—
Aoi froze. Her fist hadn't landed. It was caught— Held firmly in Reina's left palm. Eyes wide, Aoi stared at her. No way… She caught it? Reina's gaze didn't waver. Her expression was calm. Collected. Unshaken. She's not even phased… Who is this girl?
With a furrowed brow, Aoi yanked her fist free. Kota leaned over the counter; eyes full of alarm.
"Reina?! Are you okay?!" Reina flexed her fingers, brushing off the impact like it was nothing.
"Whew… That was one hell of a swing." She gave a small grin. "Haven't felt that kind of heat in a long time. It's almost nostalgic."
Aoi turned her face away, arms crossed, her eyes shadowed. "Tch. What's your deal?" Her voice was low, but sharp. "You don't know me. You don't get to judge me. I don't need people, and I'm better off on my own."
"But you can't carry everything on your own forever," Reina said calmly, her tone firm yet gentle. "You need people, Aoi. Whether you like it or not, you need to let someone in. Just hear me out—join Sayonaki High."
A tick mark pulsed on Aoi's temple. "Like hell I would!" she snapped. "I already told you—I'm not interested. I don't need anyone. I've made it this far on my own, and that's all I need."
Reina gave a small, knowing smile. "I'm not saying you can't survive on your own. Clearly, you can." Her expression shifted, eyes softening with quiet understanding. "But surviving isn't the same as living. You've buried yourself so deep in isolation, you've forgotten what it feels like to be seen... to be understood. And that loneliness?" She paused. "That's what's eating at you. Not weakness. Not failure. Just pain."
Aoi's breath hitched. Her eyes widened, trembling ever so slightly as Reina's words sank in. Echoes of bitter memories flickered through her mind—cruel voices, slamming doors, her sister's broken body, her father's last glare. No. Not here. Not now. She clenched her fists. With a loud slam, her right fist struck the counter.
"I'm not some damsel in distress who needs saving." She glared at Reina, the fire in her eyes burning bright. "I don't need anyone. My goal is all I have—and that's to stay away from people. Especially people like you." With that, she turned and stormed toward the door, leaving only her footsteps behind.
"Aoi, wait—!" Kota called after her. But the bell above the door jingled, and she was gone.
Kota sighed, placing both hands on his hips as he looked back at Reina. "You didn't have to go that far… Don't you think you were being a little harsh?"
Reina didn't answer right away. She closed her eyes, raising her glass slowly to her lips. Her voice was quiet, thoughtful— "Sometimes… truth only stings when it's already been buried too deep." Kota exhaled, releasing his hands from his hips.
"She needed that," she added softly, setting her glass down with a quiet clink. "Whatever she's been through… It's twisted her into someone she's not. That kind of pain? It isolates you. Makes you forget how to trust. Someone had to take the first step." She exhaled slowly; her voice tinged with resolve.
"Maybe I was a little rough… but it had to be done. After all..." She opened her eyes, meeting Kota's gaze with quiet intensity. "...she is her daughter."
Kota's eyes widened just slightly, his expression softening the moment he realized who Reina meant. His gaze shifted toward the door, the weight of understanding settling in his chest.
"I just hope she'll be okay," he murmured.
Reina lifted her glass once more, offering a small, warm smile. "She will be." A pause. "She's Aoi. And she's stronger than she knows."