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The person standing in front of Asada Shino was none other than that conniving little snake who'd exposed her childhood secret on the school network—the fact that she had once shot and killed a bank robber.
Shinkawa Kyouji.
The moment she saw him—saw that smile—her stomach churned.
Disgust. So sharp it made her tremble.
Kyouji, however, kept his warm, friendly expression as he said,"Shino, I'm so relieved to see you're okay.
"You haven't answered my calls or replied to any of my messages these past few days. I thought something might've happened to you."
His words were all concern on the surface, but Shino's face only grew darker.
If she hadn't learned the truth from Muku, she might've believed him. That this man—speaking so gently—wasn't the very reason she'd been ostracized by everyone at school.
She drew in a deep breath, trying to calm herself.She wasn't going to expose him here.
Partly because she was… well, a little too timid to risk provoking him into doing something rash.
And partly because Kyouji knew her weakness—her irrational, paralyzing reaction to seeing the gun she'd used to kill the robber: the way her strength left her, her vision dimmed, and her body refused to move.
Thinking of that, Shino quietly dialed Andrew's number behind her back, holding her phone there while forcing a strained smile."I'm fine. Sorry for making you worry.
"But… if there's nothing else, I should head home. I'm tired from work."
Kyouji stared at her polite, fake smile, and his heart felt like it was shattering.
From the very first moment he'd seen her, he'd thought she was amazing—cool, even.When he found out she'd killed a grown man, a bank robber no less, as a child, his admiration had exploded into obsession.
That kind of decisive, merciless action… that was the kind of person he approved of.
So he'd leaked her story to the entire school, thinking everyone should know about her "heroic deed."
But instead of being celebrated, she'd been feared and cut off.
At first, he'd felt a twinge of guilt. But then he realized—this was his chance to get close to her.
He played the part of the caring "nice guy," always checking in on the girl everyone else avoided. Sometimes he'd even get extorted alongside her by Endō's gang—something he himself had set up, just so they could share "experiences" and build trust.
But lately… Endō and his crew had vanished.Shino had stopped contacting him. Calls went unanswered. Messages ignored.
Even when he saw her in school, she'd keep her head down and pass without a word.
Then he checked the surveillance camera outside her place—and saw a pair of men's shoes.
That was the last straw.
In his mind, Shino was his. No other man had the right to touch her.
So today, he'd made sure to confront her face-to-face.
Still wearing his gentle smile, Kyouji said, "Shino, I've got something important to tell you. Mind if I come over to your place?"
Shino's grip on the phone behind her back tightened instinctively."Sorry, Kyouji, it's not a good time."
Kyouji lowered his head, his face darkening. Then he looked up again, his eyes burning."Shino… no—Shino. Why are you shutting me out? Is it because you've already got another man?"
"It's not like that!" The moment he said it, Andrew's face popped unbidden into her mind. Her cheeks flushed red, and she quickly shook her head.
She and Andrew weren't in that kind of relationship.And she still had to think about Mahiru Shiina's feelings.
But to Kyouji, her flustered, blushing denial was like gasoline on a fire.
"Liar!I saw a man's shoes outside your door! And you still deny it?
"Oh, I get it now. It's because I've been too lenient with you, isn't it? That's why you think you can get away with being with another man? Well, I won't allow it!"
His twisted expression and furious tone made Shino instinctively take a step back."Kyouji, what are you even—"
"Shino, you're mine! Only I can touch you!Don't tell me that man hasn't already put his hands on you—"
Kyouji reached behind him and pulled out a model gun."Look, Shino. Your favorite thing. The treasure you once used to take a life!"
"No… no!" Shino's eyes went wide as she stumbled back and collapsed to the ground.
He'd actually brought a perfect replica of that gun—just to threaten her.
Her whole body trembled as she curled in on herself, muttering "no" over and over.
She'd tried to get past it, but the moment she saw that gun, the bloody memory of killing the robber came rushing back. Her hands and feet turned ice-cold, all strength draining from her body.
Kyouji's mouth curled in triumph."Ha! I knew it. You do love me. I'm the only one who knows this weakness of yours. And now, Shino, I won't hold back.
"I'll show you how much I care for you. I'll prove I'm the only man for you!"
He rubbed his hands together and stepped toward her.
But before he could touch her, a fist suddenly filled his vision.
Wham!
Andrew appeared out of nowhere, and with a single punch, dropped Kyouji flat.
"Aaagh! That hurts! Who the hell are you?! Don't touch her! Shino is mine!"
Kyouji clutched his face and scrambled back to his feet, glaring murderously at Andrew—especially when he saw him scoop Shino into his arms.
Andrew gave a cold smile."I'm Asada's man. Those shoes at her door? They're mine.
"She belongs to me. And you think you're worthy to touch her?"
"It's you!"
"So it was you all along! Damn you! Damn you! Damn you!"
"I'll kill you! I'm going to kill you!"
Kyouji Shinkawa roared like a madman, waving his pistol and aiming it straight at Andrew.
Asada Shino froze for a heartbeat, then lunged forward, tackling Andrew to the ground and shielding him with her own body.
Bang!
The gun went off—Kyouji's pistol was the real deal.
But the bullet never hit Shino.
Instead, Lin Yuan casually caught it between two fingers, stopping it cold in midair.
With a flick of his wrist, the bullet shot back. Kyouji's scream was almost inhuman as it found a… rather unfortunate target.
The agony had him writhing on the floor like a wounded beast before his eyes rolled back, foam spilling from his mouth, and he passed out cold.
But Andrew had no intention of letting him off that easily.
A jet of pitch-black flame burst from his hand, falling over Kyouji's body. Before he could wake to scream again, the flame—judgment for his sins—consumed him entirely, leaving nothing but dust.
If you don't pull weeds up by the roots, they'll grow back with the spring breeze.
And Andrew had no interest in letting someone like that live. Kyouji's "red name" was proof enough of the crimes he'd committed. From the look in his eyes, he wasn't sane—more like some deranged cultist.
As Kyouji's ashes scattered, Andrew gently covered Shino's eyes, leaning close to her ear and speaking softly:
"Don't look. Leave it all to me. It's over now… Shino."
"Mm… mmh—! Are you… are you hurt? Did you get shot?"
When Kyouji pulled the trigger, memories had flashed through Shino's mind. She'd realized instantly the gun was real.
Panic left her no time to think—she'd just thrown herself in front of Andrew determined to take the shot for him.
That kind of resolve… was rare.
Still keeping her eyes covered, Andrew murmured, "I'm fine. I didn't get hit."
"And I've already taken care of him. But Shino—don't open your eyes, okay? It would really trouble me if you did."
"B-but…"
"No buts. Be good, okay?"
"…I understand. I won't open them."
Her heart still thudded wildly, but she obeyed.
Inside, she felt like crying.
He'd saved her again.
And he'd done it with such gentleness, even shielding her from seeing something so horrifying.
In that moment… Asada Shino's heart was gone.
Andrew carried her up the stairs, step by step, until they reached her bedroom door.
"Shino, where's your key?"
"In my left pocket."
He fished it out, unlocked the door, and stepped into her small room, settling onto the bed with her still in his arms.
The girl leaned against him nervously. After a moment's hesitation, she spoke up:
"Andrew… can I open my eyes now?"
It slipped out naturally—no more "Andrew," just "Andrew," softer, closer.
"You can. It's all over now," he said.
Her eyes flew open, and she immediately reached for him, her hands running over his body in a rush.
"You're sure you're not hurt? Let me check! That was a gun—a real bullet! Don't try to act tough.
"..."
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