The conference barely ended when the reactions were swift.
Media and networks
On TV sets, some conservative commentators denounced an orchestrated "media spectacle." Editorials claimed that NOX was nothing more than an empty shell, a communication tool for two alphas in search of buzz. 24-hour news channels replayed the most controversial excerpts on repeat, while social media exploded with shares and comments.
Yet, amidst the storm, unexpected voices of support emerged. Unexpected influencers: a sociology professor from a major university, a respected cultural journalist, and several anonymous alphas recounted their experiences, breaking the silence.
On Twitter, the hashtag #NoFearAlpha gained traction, accompanied by moving testimonies: "I am alpha, and I fear my own rank. Thank you, NOX, for giving me a voice." »"I lived in the shadow of my family, destroying relationships so as not to appear weak. Those days are over."
Political Reactions
In parliament, a bill aimed at strengthening the confidentiality of personal data was introduced, indirectly citing recent events.
Some more progressive parliamentarians welcomed the initiative as a step towards protecting privacy and combating online harassment.
Support within society
On the streets of Tokyo, graffiti appeared on walls: "#WeAreAlphas," "FreeAlpha." Small groups of alphas, previously invisible, began to hold clandestine meetings.
NOX became a keyword, a symbol of hope.
At Renka Industries
The board of directors, shaken by the media impact, held a special session. Executives took the floor to propose new product lines aimed at diversity and inclusion.
Part of the board supported Kio, arguing that the company needed to modernize. The day was a shock. A battle won on some fronts, lost on others, but above all the awakening of a movement greater than themselves.
Aru and Kio, exhausted but galvanized, understood that their fight had only just begun.
The following weeks were marked by severe isolation. Once-familiar faces turned away, calls went unanswered. Even some NOX members, overwhelmed by the pressure, disappeared without explanation.
Aru, Alone Facing the Echo
Every morning, Aru expected a message from an old friend, a reassuring colleague. But nothing. Instead, heavy silences and polite refusals:
"I prefer to keep my distance."
He worked late in the loft, surrounded by screens displaying NOX traffic graphs, hacker reports, and messages of support from complete strangers. Anxiety mounted, a dull pressure that crushed his heart. One night, he came across an anonymous message:
"I reported a friend for what he did. I couldn't bear the thought of his betrayal of his family any longer. Don't be like me. Join us... or you'll fall alone."
Aru understood that he no longer had a place in the world he knew.
Kio, under the domestic gaze
For Kio, isolation took another form. Every morning, his father called him, demanding that he publicly break up with Aru. His mother, in a letter leaked to the media, spoke of a family shame.
The rare meetings at Renka Industries headquarters were icy. Some executives avoided him, others glared at him. A space filled with fake smiles and silent criticism.
In his office, Kio still kept an empty chair opposite him, Aru's. He sometimes sat there, as if to remind himself that he was not alone.
The only light
Their only comfort remained their stolen moments, late at night, when the world was asleep. They shared their fears, their doubts, but also their dreams.
One evening, Aru entered the loft, his face marked with fatigue. Kio was waiting for him in the darkness.
"I am alone," Aru said
his voice breaking. Kio approached, placed his hand against his chest.
" Me too. And I promise you that you and I will never be alone. "
They kissed in the darkness, their bodies finding each other like two lost souls. In this intimacy, they found the strength to continue, despite the gradual isolation that threatened to crush them.
Their world was shrinking, but their love was growing.
The first night of respite was sweet. The tension that had been building up for weeks seemed to vanish when Aru and Kio found themselves alone, without a call, without a message, without an outside gaze to judge them.
They embraced for a long time on the king-size bed, their naked bodies adjusting to each other with almost religious care. The outside world no longer existed: only their breathing, their heartbeats, and the murmur of their words created a suspended universe.
Aru slowly stroked Kio's back, tracing imaginary circles, while Kio whispered promises in his ear. Then, in a silent choreography, their bodies joined. It was not a simple carnal embrace, but a fusion: two alphas seeking to give each other strength, comfort, and trust.
Each kiss was an anchor in the moment, each caress a silent declaration. They explored each other's skin with tender slowness, savoring every shiver. Ecstasy rose like a gentle wave, carrying with it fatigue and fear.
When they fell asleep, exhausted but at peace, it was the first time in a long time that they hadn't felt the world oppressing them.
On the second day, they allowed themselves to prolong the pleasure. They made love at dawn, while the first rays of light still caressed the night. Then, lying face to face, they shared their childhood dreams: memories of a summer morning, a clumsy first kiss, secret hopes.
Time stretched. An entire afternoon was lost in their hands: Aru traced lines of light on Kio's skin, who laughed softly, her fingers slid into Aru's hair. They discovered unexpected zones of pleasure, learning to read each other.
When evening came, under a starry sky—on the loft terrace, protected by blankets—they made love again, more passionately. The night echoed with their sighs and laughter. Each time, the fear of tomorrow crumbled a little more, swept away by the certainty of their bond.
When the third day dawned, Aru and Kio felt both strangers to the world and deeply rooted in each other. They celebrated this rebirth of body and mind with a different moment of intimacy: a warm bath, where their skins slid against each other, and their confidences grew deeper.
In the scented water, their hands mingled, their gazes anchored. They spoke of their repressed fears, their vulnerability, and the strength they now found together. Each word was a pact, each smile a victory.
Later, on the bed, they made love one last time, not in hurried desire, but in calm harmony. Their bodies embraced each other's, renewing their silent promise: whatever happens, they will continue to love, protect, and support each other.
When they fell asleep, entwined, a new feeling enveloped them: that of having emerged, together, stronger, ready to face the next storm.