The sky was a canvas of night, its inky blackness scattered with stars that shimmered faintly, while the silver moon cast its quiet glow over the quiet streets. Aoi walked alone, hands tucked deep into her jacket pockets, the chill brushing against her bare thighs like whispers from the wind. The streets were near-empty—just a few scattered pedestrians, flickering streetlamps, and the distant hum of traffic mixed with faint voices from nearby vendors still tending their stalls.
Her thoughts drifted back to Reina's words, unshakable and echoing. A quiet scoff escaped her lips; her gaze fixed on the pavement. Damn it. Who the hell does she think she is? she thought, irritation simmering beneath her breath.
But something shifted. A ripple in the atmosphere. Up ahead, startled gasps broke the stillness. Civilians scattered like leaves in the wind, eyes wide in fear. Emerging from the shadows came a swarm—dozens, maybe more—armed with bats, iron pipes, and splintered wooden planks. Boys and girls in cheap streetwear, mismatched layers, and hoodies, homemade gang patches stitched on with pride and defiance.
Aoi had barely crossed three blocks when the weight of their stares settled on her. She slowed. Her fingers curled into fists, the cold forgotten. They weren't finished with her. And this time, they brought backup. From the crowd stepped their bruised leader, his cheek bruised but still smirking, rage boiling beneath a swollen eye. His expression twisted into something sinister as he spotted her.
"Well, well… look who it is," he sneered. Aoi stepped forward, the moon catching the edge of her face. Her bangs cast a shadow over her eyes, hiding the fire burning behind them.
"Move. You guys are in the way." She moved ahead, just a few steps, intent on passing him without a word. But before she could slip by, his hand shot out, landing on her shoulder. The touch wasn't gentle. He shoved her back, forcing her to stumble a few paces in retreat.
"Thought you were real funny back there, huh?" He sneered, glaring at her while she remained unfazed. "You really think you can humiliate us and walk away like nothing happened?"
Another thug spat on the ground. "Tch. This girl's got no fear. You don't know who you messed with, little princess."
Aoi rolled her shoulders. "Princess? That's new. Should I be flattered?"
The leader's smirk dropped. "You're gonna regret what you did."
Aoi tilted her head, eyes half-lidded with boredom. "Am I?" He clenched his fists, jaw tight with frustration—until the sound of footsteps broke the tension. A figure emerged from the crowd, her steps echoing with confidence. Clad in a sleek black jacket over a light blue undershirt, form-fitting black pants, and white sneakers, she approached with a smirk playing on her lips.
"Well, well… Don't tell me this scrawny little girl was the one who knocked your teeth in," the black-haired girl sneered, her onyx eyes sweeping over Aoi with open disdain. She sauntered to his side, resting an elbow on his shoulder while her other hand found her hip. "She looks like she'd fold in the wind."
"Tch. Just dumb luck, babe. She wasn't that tough," he muttered, flashing a smirk back at her.
Aoi gave a short, amused scoff. "Really? That's the story you're sticking with?" She stepped forward, eyes sharp. "You get your ego bruised by a 'scrawny little girl,' and instead of facing it, you cry to your girlfriend and bring backup? Doesn't sound like 'luck'—sounds like fear."
The couple's expressions twisted. The girl's amusement dropped as she strode up to Aoi, gripping her shoulder with sharp nails digging into flesh, forcing her to lock eyes.
"Listen here, you little piece of trash. Don't run your mouth about my man," she hissed, venom in her tone.
With a shove, Aoi staggered back—but her feet held firm. She steadied herself and lifted her head, her glare sharp enough to cut glass.
"Look at her now—guess the fire fizzled out," he taunted, a crooked grin stretching across his face. "What was your name again? Aoi Saku? Or was it... Aoi Sakura?" He dragged out the last syllable with exaggerated curiosity. "Hard to tell when you mumbled like that."
Laughter rippled through the gang behind him, their jeers echoing in the air. But Aoi said nothing. Her lips pressed into a thin line, her silence louder than any retort. She didn't want to confirm it. Didn't want anyone here to make the connection. This town felt like a world away from her old life—but even here, the name Sakuraba still had weight. And danger.
"Oh? Playing the silent game now?" Scarface sneered from within the crew, his bat resting lazily over his shoulder, the other hand buried in his pocket. "Doesn't look like much to me. Never even seen her before we encountered her earlier."
Then a girl's voice cut through the crowd, laced with recognition. "Wait—I know that face. That's Aoi Sakuraba."
The name dropped like a stone. A ripple of murmurs spread through the gang, confusion turning into curiosity.
"You mean... the Sakuraba Group? That Sakuraba?" another asked, disbelief creeping into their voice. All eyes turned back to Aoi.
"Now that you mention it..." a guy muttered, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.
"So she's a rich kid?" another sneered, eyes narrowing.
"Think she's better than us or something?" a girl scoffed from the crowd.
"Look at her—wandering around this dump of a town. Must've lost her mind to give up that kind of life," someone else laughed.
"She doesn't even look rich," another girl chimed in, eyeing Aoi with a curled lip. "Those clothes? Please."
"Maybe she got kicked out," someone suggested with a shrug.
"Wouldn't be surprised," the first girl said again, her grin sharpening. "They say she's cursed, after all."
"I remember reading something years back," another voice added, scrolling through her already-pulled out phone. "Wasn't there a scandal? Her stepmom posted about it online or something."
"And now she's slinking around here?" a boy murmured, shaking his head.
"Definitely got sent packing," another said. The insults and speculations flew fast, each more poisonous than the last. Aoi's head remained bowed, her bangs casting a deep shadow across her eyes. She didn't flinch. Didn't speak. But her silence wasn't weakness—it was something else entirely.
Then the female co-leader stepped forward, her smirk cruel, voice sweet with venom. "What a pitiful little mess. A mistake that should've never existed. Honestly, the world would've been better off without you."
That made Aoi finally lift her head, a quiet scoff slipping from her lips, the corner of her mouth twitching upward into a cold, dangerous smirk.
Now that's the kind of reaction I expect. People always turn their backs on me. It doesn't matter—I stopped caring a long time ago. They don't even know me… yet the lies come so easily. Let them talk. I've stopped caring. Aoi exhaled softly through her nose, a ghost of a sigh escaping her lips.
The girl in front of her clicked her tongue, arms folded as she glared. "Look, we've got no real beef with you. You're an outsider, sure—but you messed with my guy. And that payout he was expecting? It was supposed to be our night. Drinks, lights, fun. But then you came along and wrecked it."
She leaned in, her voice dropping to a hushed whisper just beside Aoi's ear, the scent of cheap perfume and spite lingering in the air. "You do know what our group's called, don't you, little girl? We're Batsuzoku, and you know what that means, don't ya?" Aoi stood motionless, her hands balled into fists at her sides, her silence deafening.
The girl chuckled coldly. "We deal with anyone who crosses us. Anyone in our way gets punished. But…" She tapped Aoi's shoulder, nails sharp, smile even sharper. "Maybe if you apologize—real sweet-like—we'll let you off the hook."
She gave Aoi's shoulder a firm pat, voice dripping with condescension. "Go on. Say it. Say you're sorry for being dumb enough to stand against us."
Aoi didn't flinch. Didn't speak. Her eyes were hidden beneath her bangs like gathering storm clouds.
"Tch. I'm losing patience," the girl muttered, irritation rising in her voice. "You messed with the wrong gang, brat. And now we're—" Her words choked mid-sentence. Aoi had moved. Quietly. Calmly. One hand lifted and gripped the girl's wrist, still resting on her shoulder, tightly. Too tight.
"Eh...?" The girl blinked in surprise as Aoi flashed a glare at her, grabbed her arm, and used her momentum to throw her over her shoulder fiercely. Her body crashed onto the pavement, knocking the wind out of her.
"Ghh—!" The air left her lungs as she doubled over, choking.
"Nozomi!" He called out as his girlfriend crashed to the ground, eyes flaring with rage. His gaze snapped to Aoi. With a furious yell, he charged at her, arm swinging back, ready to strike.
"You're gonna pay for that!"
Aoi shifted her weight, calm amidst the chaos. His punch flew past her, hitting nothing but air. In a flash, her foot slammed into his stomach, the impact brutal, sending him flying backward. Her eyes darkened, jaw clenched as everything she'd buried boiled to the surface.
This is my life… I do whatever the hell I want! You are the ones who came at me. Like I ruined their world just by existing. I'm a curse? Don't they think I already know that better than anyone? Like I haven't lived with it every damn day? His body flew through the air in slow motion, and still, Aoi stood rooted, fists tight at her sides, her expression twisted—fierce, unhinged, defiant.
This is me. This twisted, angry version of myself... this is the only thing I've got left!!
Their faces twisted with rage. "GET HER!" A guy shouted.
Aoi barely acknowledged him. She slapped his jaw with her foot, pivoted mid-air, and drilled a spinning back kick straight into another guy's jaw.
As long as I can stand on my own two feet—fight my own battles—I have every right to be who I am! So what if I'm alone?! I'm done caring what anyone thinks of me! Done with their pity, their judgment... all of it!
Then, they rushed to her all at once.
Aoi dipped low, weaving through their wild swings with precise movements. A metal pipe whooshed past her head—she grabbed the female attacker's wrist mid-swing, twisted it with a brutal snap—
Clang! The pipe hit the ground. Aoi slammed her elbow into her face, sending her sprawling.
As long as I can fight—no, as long as I can breathe, I'll keep standing! I don't need anyone's approval! I don't care if I'm alone—I refuse to be defined by anyone else's judgment! You think I need your validation?! Keep it! I'll carve my own path, even if I have to crawl through hell to do it!! You came after me—you started this! Don't act like my existence wrecked yours!! Just leave me alone!!
Another came at her with a punch—she sidestepped, caught his arm, and used his momentum to throw him over her shoulder. His body crashed into another, knocking the wind out of them.
Two girls lunged at Aoi from opposite sides—one aiming a punch, the other sweeping a kick toward her ribs. But Aoi twisted low, dodging both at once. In one fluid motion, she drove her foot into the first girl's chest and slammed her fist twice into the second's jaw, sending them both flying backward.
"You worthless bitch!" a guy roared, charging at her with a wild kick. Aoi sidestepped, barely brushing his leg, when another girl sprang up from behind him, swinging a bat. It sliced through empty air—Aoi had already flipped into a double somersault, landing hard on another thug and slamming her fist into the gut of a girl coming from behind.
She spun right, her leg whipping out in a clean arc. Her kick landed square in a girl's chest, launching her like a wrecking ball into three guys behind her.
One of the thugs backed up. "Shit, she's fast!"
Another scowled. "Tch. Quit whining! She's just one girl!"
Aoi ducked under a wide punch, grabbed the attacker's wrist mid-swing, and twisted—
SNAP!
"GAHH—!" the girl shrieked, her weapon clattering to the ground. Aoi didn't hesitate—her elbow crashed into the girl's nose, sending her sprawling.
Another thug came swinging with a steel pipe. Aoi snatched the weapon from her mid-swing, reversed it, and slammed it into her ribs—
CLANG! The girl dropped to the floor, gasping for air. Most of the gang was already down, but a few still came charging, desperation on their faces. One guy lunged with a punch—Aoi flipped forward, evading with ease. Another rushed in, but her foot snapped up in a vicious front kick, folding his stomach like paper. He doubled over, gagging. Without pause, she pivoted midair, twisting her body into a ruthless spinning back kick that collided with a girl's jaw, knocking her out cold.
Aoi swung a punch into another guy's jaw, sending him stumbling backward. Two more rushed her. She leapt over one who was trying to get up, pivoting midair before lunging straight through the charging pair. In a blink, she landed behind them—her fists slammed down like hammers, then snapped upward, smacking their faces in unison. They hit the ground hard.
Another girl came flying at her, fists swinging. She grabbed Aoi's collar—Aoi mirrored the move, and they clashed, arms locked in a brief but brutal struggle for control. With a quick shift of weight, Aoi yanked the girl closer and delivered a savage headbutt.
THWACK! The girl gasped, breath stolen by the blow, and crumpled. Three more charged—one guy and two girls. The instant his foot moved, Aoi was already inside his guard. She caught his wrist mid-swing before the blade could drop. Her other hand shot to the back of his head—
SLAM! She smashed his face into the two girls behind him. All three went flying, crashing into a storefront. From inside, onlookers screamed. The boy crashed into a basket of fruit, sending apples and oranges flying. Just as they gasped again, the two girls slammed into the glass door—
THUD! Their faces dragged down the pane, leaving smears as they collapsed like ragdolls.
Aoi let out a sharp yell as she lunged forward, both feet slamming into a guy's chest. Midair, she twisted, her body pivoting with fierce momentum as her heel crashed into another thug's side, sending him sprawling. Before a third could react, she vanished—disappearing from his line of sight only to reappear right in front of him.
CRACK! Her fist smashed into his face, the impact launching him backward like a missile. He crashed into two other guys, toppling them like bowling pins. The trio from earlier—the one with the scar and his two buddies—staggered back, their bravado dissolving into panic. Fear sparked in their eyes. They turned and bolted, vanishing down the streetway.
.........
Not far from the chaos, inside the convenience store, Reina sat casually at the counter, munching on melonpan. Kota stood by the sink, elbow-deep in dishes. The sounds outside—shouting, crashing, the unmistakable ring of fists against flesh—filtered through the walls. Both turned their heads toward the door at the same time.
"What's going on out there?" Kota asked, pausing mid-wipe, his brow furrowed in confusion.
Reina didn't answer immediately. She simply swallowed, eyes still closed, and placed her snack down with deliberate calm… then picked it up again. One hand slipping into her pocket, she stood and walked to the door. Kota followed, drying his hands with a napkin. Outside, they stopped just past the threshold. A chaotic brawl unfolded before them. A lone girl was taking on a whole group—and winning.
Kota's eyes went wide, his jaw slack. "No way…" he gasped. "That's—"
Reina stood motionless beside him, her right hand still tucked in her pocket, nibbling the last of her melonpan, completely unbothered. Her eyes locked on the girl. The three thugs who had just fled skidded to a stop, spotting Reina. Their eyes locked on the jacket she wore. Recognition hit them like a freight train.
"No freakin' way…" one of them whispered, his face going pale.
"A Nightingale!" another shouted in panic.
"It's that store owner!" Scarface growled, recognizing Kota as they broke into a sprint toward the duo.
Aoi turned at the sound of their voices, eyes widening. "No—!" she started, but they were already too close.
The scarred thug lunged first; his fist cocked back. Reina calmly sidestepped, letting his momentum drag him forward—then drove her knee into his gut.
THUMP! A sickening thud echoed through the air. The force folded him in half, his breath whooshing out in a violent gasp.
"GAHH—!" He hit the ground hard, clutching his stomach. The second thug charged without thinking. Reina slid her right hand from her pocket, her expression flat as stone. Her fist connected with his face in a clean, brutal arc.
CRACK! His nose erupted in a spray of red as he flew backward, crashing onto the pavement.
"So these were the ones who robbed you earlier," Reina muttered, her voice low and unimpressed as she looked down at the writhing duo. The last one veered toward Kota, switchblade flashing under the moonlight.
"This is your fault, old man!" he snarled. "If you'd just handed over the money, none of this would've happened!" He slashed out—but Kota met the blade with his forearm, deflecting it to the side.
The thug's eyes widened. "What—?" Before he could recover, Kota drove his knee into his ribs, lifting him off the ground, then pivoted and slammed his fist into the thug's jaw.
WHAM! The thug hit the ground with a grunt, out cold.
Aoi slammed her fist into another girl, sending her flying, but her eyes drifted, widening at the sight of Reina's movements. Smooth, precise, and merciless. "Who is that girl…?" she muttered, watching as Reina calmly took down another thug like it was nothing. Then her gaze snapped to Kota, just as he took down the last thug with a clean, practiced move.
"What the—YOU CAN FIGHT?!" Aoi shouted, her voice cracking in dramatic disbelief, eyes going wide and turning comically white.
"Yeah, I can! I mean… it's been a while since I threw a punch, but that was fun!" Kota grinned proudly, completely missing the irritated vein popping on Aoi's temple.
"So you're telling me… this whole time, you could've handled those guys from earlier without me?!" she barked, rage bubbling in her tone as she barely ducked under a bat swung at her face. She retaliated with a punch that snapped the girl's head back, sending her toppling over.
Aoi sidestepped as another boy lunged toward her, landing a swift kick to his chest that launched him away. Suddenly, a girl yanked her back by the hood, tugging with both hands.
"Tch—" Aoi slipped her arms from the sleeves, letting the hoodie fall behind her. The girl stared dumbly at the empty fabric in her grip.
"Huh—? Oof!" Aoi's fist cracked across her cheek, sending her sprawling as the hoodie dropped to the ground. Now left in just her black undershirt, sweat glistening on her skin, Aoi charged forward, eyes burning, fists flying—every movement sharper than the last.
"Tch… This is getting ridiculous," she muttered under her breath, her brows furrowed as more thugs spilled into the area. It felt like they were multiplying. A group broke off and charged toward Reina and Kota, fury in their eyes after seeing their comrades lying on the ground.
"No—" Aoi barely got the word out before a blur rushed her. A girl appeared in front of her, blade flashing.
"Eyes over here, you damn bitch!" the girl snarled, swinging her knife. Aoi swerved—barely. The blade grazed her cheek, a thin line of blood beading on her skin. The sting grounded her. Her eyes narrowed. She caught the girl's wrist mid-swing and drove her fist into her face with brutal precision. The girl dropped like a sack of bricks.
"Damn it!" Reina hissed, her fist colliding with another thug's jaw, sending him reeling. She clenched her right hand tighter, wincing as pain shot up her left side.
"Reina, are you okay?!" Kota called, ducking under a punch before slamming a thug down with a sweeping kick. He noticed the way she shifted her weight, just slightly.
"Please don't push yourself—you know your left side's still healing!" he reminded her, blocking an incoming strike and retaliating without missing a beat.
"I know!" she snapped back, leaping back from a bat-wielding attacker, the force of the dodge throwing her off-balance for a second.
Meanwhile, two boys backed away from Aoi, their faces marked with swelling and fear. One's eyes darted to the nearby store shed—and stopped. A six-year-old girl, trembling in the arms of her older sister. Both were frozen in fear. A wicked grin spread across his face.
"You'll do," he sneered. He sprinted over, yanking the little girl from her sister's arms.
"No! Kaede!!" the older sister screamed, scrambling to her feet. "Let her go!!"
"Let me go! Big sister!" the little girl cried, flailing in panic.
"Stay down!" barked the second thug, shoving the older girl to the ground as she tried to follow. She hit the dirt hard, a sharp cry leaving her lips as Kaede sobbed in her captor's grip.
"That's my little sister—please!" The older girl's desperate cries pierced through the chaos, her voice trembling with panic. The words reached Reina, Kota, and Aoi like a crack of thunder—Aoi's eyes shot wide, snapping to the scene.
"What do you think you're doing?! Let her go!" the girl pleaded again, tears streaking down her cheeks as she reached out— But her body was yanked back violently. The second thug's arms wrapped around her waist, trapping her in place. She struggled, screaming.
"Oh no!" Reina gasped, trying to push forward— But more thugs swarmed in, cutting her off.
"Damn it!" Kota growled, his expression darkening with fury.
"Hey now, over here, sweet cake!" the first thug jeered, holding Kaede in front of him like a shield, her tiny frame trembling in his arms. "You better calm down—looks like we found your weak spot!" He cackled, locking eyes with Aoi. "Bet you can't do jack now, huh? What now, tough girl?"
Aoi froze, her breath catching. Her fists clenched. The sight of Kaede crying, reaching for her sister, triggered something raw deep inside.
"Leave her alone! Let her go!!" the older sister screamed, thrashing in the thug's hold, her arm stretching toward her sister.
"Kaede!!" she cried out again, as the little girl reached back, their fingers just barely brushing— Before being yanked apart.
"Big sister!!" She cried out, their hands separating as they further drifted apart—and something inside Aoi stirred. Her eyes widened in horror as a fragment of the past crashed into her mind: a moment burned deep in memory. Her sister's hand... slipping away from hers. Not because it was pulled, but because she had pushed Aoi to safety. That final push—desperate and selfless—before their hands slowly, helplessly, drifted apart.
...
A sudden push— Aoi's breath caught in her throat. Time seemed to halt. She didn't move. She couldn't. All she felt was the weightless sensation of being pushed away— Her outstretched hand slipping further from the one who saved her.
"AOI!!" Her sister's voice—terrified, desperate—echoed in her ears.
"Big sister!! BIG SISTER!!" Aoi screamed back, her voice cracking with fear.
And then— The screech of tires. The blinding headlights. The sickening sound of metal crashing into flesh.
Then everything went black.
The memory shattered like glass.
........
Back in the present, Aoi stood frozen, staring at the two hands, once again, being torn apart.
"NO!!" The older girl's scream rang out, sharp with despair.
Aoi's fists trembled. Her jaw tightened. And in that instant, something inside her snapped. A gleam of raw fury flared in her lavender eyes. In a blur, she vanished from her spot. Before the thugs could react, Aoi was there.
CRACK! Her foot collided squarely with the face of the thug holding the child. His body flew backward, slamming into the pavement. She caught the little girl mid-fall, twisting her body in a fluid double somersault. Her feet kissed the ground, only to spring again. In a flash, she was at the second thug's side.
"Don't—touch—her!!" Her voice cut through the chaos like lightning. One brutal kick sent him reeling, crashing into the side of a dumpster.
"You cursed bastard!!" A boy roared, swinging a bat down toward Aoi.
She didn't flinch. With both girls in her arms, she leapt high and fluid, twisting midair. Her feet landed behind Kota and Reina just as Reina spun and kicked the attacker square in the chest, sending him flying.
"Kaede!" The older sister cried out, falling to her knees as Aoi gently placed the child in her arms. The two clung to each other, trembling, tears streaking down their cheeks. Reina and Kota stood still for a moment, stunned, watching the quiet storm that was Aoi walk past them.
"Can you keep them safe?" Her voice was calm, but her eyes were fire—locked on the wave of thugs rushing toward them like a flood.
"Y-Y-Yeah…" Reina muttered, still shaken by what she'd just seen. There was something different about Aoi now—something feral, focused, haunted.
Aoi took a step forward. Then another. She stopped just ahead of them, her body positioned as a barrier between the danger and everyone else.
The gang charged in. Aoi moved. Each strike was ruthless, precise. A kick to the ribs. A jab to the throat. A sweep that sent a boy crashing to the pavement. But her thoughts weren't on her fists. They were somewhere darker.
Do you see now? She mused, slamming her elbow into a girl's stomach before pivoting into a backfist that knocked another boy aside.
This is why I keep my distance.
Another attacker. Aoi ducked, then drove her knee up hard into their gut.
Because the longer I stay…
Her heart cracked just slightly.
The more things fall apart.
A fist grazed her shoulder—another thug slipped past her defenses. Reina and Kota immediately rushed to intercept, shielding the sisters. Reina grunted, pain flashing across her face as she twisted awkwardly, dodging a wild swing and retaliating with a punch of her own.
Kota stood firm beside her, deflecting blow after blow. And in front of them, Aoi stood alone, fighting like a storm, desperately trying to hold back a tide she knew too well.
"Damn it…" Kota gritted his teeth, powerless to reach Reina in time.
Aoi's eyes darted to Reina, backpedaling, her steps shaky, while the enemy girl grinned, knife gleaming in the light as she charged.
Why am I even here?
Panic buzzed in Aoi's chest, and her breath caught.
What's the point of any of this? Why did I ever stay?
And then—
CRACK!
A blur tore through the air. In the blink of an eye, a foot slammed into the knife-wielding girl's side. She was launched like a ragdoll, her body crashing through a wooden stand with a deafening crash, debris flying as a thick cloud of dust engulfed the area.
Everyone froze. Even the gang stopped mid-charge. Eyes wide. Silent.
A figure hovered midair where the dust began to settle—calm, steady, unshaken. Her combat boots landed with a low thud, her stance wide and grounded. The wind tugged at her dark navy-blue jacket, its hem dancing behind her. A black undershirt peeked beneath the open front, the distinct crest of Sayonaki High stitched proudly on her left chest, paired with dark navy-blue pants. Long brown hair fell behind her shoulders, slightly tousled, as she slowly raised her head, revealing sharp, slate-blue eyes glowing beneath the moonlight.
Aoi's breath hitched. That uniform… Her eyes trembled, recognition crashing through her like lightning. The girl turned to her; voice soft but resolute.
"Hey. Thanks for holding them off." She spoke like she'd just walked into a classroom, not a battlefield. Aoi could barely respond, frozen in disbelief. Kota stood in surprise, his eyes wide in shock.
"H-Hey, M-Misora…" Reina stammered, beads of sweat dotting her forehead.
"Rei. Na. Ho. Shi. Zu. Ki!!" Misora growled, storming toward her with a dark aura looming. Reina instinctively raised her palms in surrender, freezing in place—
WHACK!
—only for Misora's fist to land squarely on her head.
"Ow—!!" Reina yelped, clutching her skull in pain.
"That's for making everyone worry!" Misora snapped, hands planted firmly on her hips. "Do you have any idea how freaked out he was?! And on top of that, you're out here, brawling in this part of town like it's some kind of weekend hobby?! What were you thinking?! Are you trying to get killed?!" A throbbing vein pulsed on Misora's temple, her voice ringing through the street as the others looked on, half amused, half stunned.
Reina slumped her shoulders with a guilty sigh. "I know, I know… I'm sorry. But… I'm glad you showed up when you did."
Misora exhaled loudly, clearly exasperated. She pinched the bridge of her nose, muttering, "Unbelievable…" before dropping her hand and casting a relieved glance toward her friend.
"Fine… Just don't let you-know-who catch wind of this. You know how that'll end," she muttered, side-eying Reina before turning to the crowd of thugs still lingering nearby. The moment her gaze locked onto them; a wave of fear rippled through the gang. Their breath hitched. Some even staggered back instinctively.
Then— Footsteps. A low, slow rhythm echoed behind her. The thugs turned their heads and froze. Two silhouettes emerged from the shadows; each step deliberate. One had fiery crimson hair, clad in the same outfit as Reina, casually massaging her shoulder like she was prepping for a warm-up. The other girl had raven-black hair brushing just past her shoulders, her dark navy-blue jacket swaying over a crisp black mid-thigh pleated skirt, her violet eyes cold and unreadable.
"You morons…" Misora said sharply, taking a slow step forward. The thugs instinctively retreated, step for step.
She stopped. The two newcomers flanked her—one to each side—shoulders squared, silent. Her fists trembled at her sides, her bangs slipped forward, shadowing her eyes.
"Do you even realize what you were about to do?" Her voice was quiet. Controlled. But there was something dangerous underneath—something coiled and waiting.
Then it hit.
An aura of searing fury exploded around her, like a pressure wave. The ground didn't shake, but the air felt like it did.
"If even one of you lays a finger on Reina..." Misora raised her head slowly, a crooked smile tugging at her lips, though her twitching brow betrayed the fury beneath. Her voice dropped an octave, cold and venom-laced.
"You do realize what that means, right?" The thugs stiffened.
"You almost hurt the one person our top leader actually gives a damn about..." she continued, her tone darkening. "Which means..." her eyes flashed white-hot with rage, "You've officially signed up for a world of pain!" Her snarl ripped through the air like a blade, and some of the thugs visibly flinched. From her side, the crimson-haired girl let out a dry chuckle, still casually rolling her shoulder.
"Seriously, Reina... we leave you alone for two minutes, and you're already causing a scene." She cracked her neck.
"We never should've taken our eyes off her," the black-haired girl said coolly, her tone as calm as a winter breeze.
"Hey, this whole thing isn't my fault, you know," Reina grumbled with a pout, arms crossed. Beside her, Kota released a breath he hadn't realized he was holding, a relieved smile forming as the two girls took their places.
Aoi blinked in disbelief, her voice low. "Why... Why are the Nightingales here?"
Gasps rippled through the thugs. "Those uniforms…" one of the boys murmured.
"They're... Nightingales..." another whispered.
"So what?!" one of the thug girls barked. "You cowards actin' like we ain't got numbers on our side!" She charged recklessly. "Let's crush 'em!"
The rest of the crew roared and surged forward—but before the first girl's fist even neared its mark—
CRACK!
Misora didn't flinch. With an unreadable expression, she stepped forward and thrust her leg upward like lightning, her combat boot smashing into the girl's face with brutal precision. The impact sent her sprawling across the pavement, scraping across the ground as dust kicked up around her.
Silence fell. The rest of the gang froze mid-step, staring in shock as Misora calmly lowered her leg, her dark navy jacket rippling with the wind, eyes sharp and unreadable.
"Still feel like testing your odds?" she asked coolly, cracking her knuckles. "Man, can't believe it's these guys again," She spoke low, adjusting her stance as her sharp eyes finally met theirs, clear and unflinching.
"Good grief," the black-haired girl, Yura Kisaragi, said with a weary sigh, calm but unimpressed.
"Still, it wouldn't hurt that our second-in-command leader gave the order." The crimson-haired girl, Asuka Renge, tilted her head slightly, her baby-blue eyes locking onto the green-eyed girl, "Right, Reina?"
Aoi's widened eyes flicked to Reina, who dipped her head ever so slightly, a smirk tugging at her lips as her hands slid into her pockets. When she lifted her gaze again, the teasing glint was gone, replaced by steely determination.
"Five minutes! That's all you've got to wipe these punks out!" Her voice thundered. "Don't leave a single one standing. Are we clear?!!"
"Yes, ma'am!!" They responded in unison.
Misora cracked her knuckles with a sharp pop, a glint of cold confidence in her slate-blue eyes. "Five minutes? Generous."
Asuka's smirk twisted into something dangerous. "Finally. I've been itching to stretch. And I'll be done in three."
Yura reached into her jacket, slipping on her gloves. "Understood. Swift and efficient."
Misora stepped forward, her boots grinding into the gravel. "Let's teach these idiots what happens when you mess with Sayonaki." The thugs gritted their teeth in anger, charging at them.
WHOOSH!
The first attacker lunged toward Misora with a wild swing. Without hesitation, she ducked under the punch, her expression unreadable. With one fluid motion, she drove her elbow into the thug's gut, then spun behind him and delivered a brutal spinning back kick that sent him flying into two others. Another tried to grab her from behind, but Misora caught the arm mid-air and twisted it sharply, flipping the attacker onto the ground with a loud slam.
Meanwhile, Asuka let out a laugh as two thugs rushed towards her. "Finally! A little fun!"
She charged in, ducking low, her crimson ponytail trailing behind as she swept one thug off his feet, then twisted her body into a rising uppercut that cracked against the other's jaw. One tried to flank her from the left— she spun mid-air, heel outstretched, and struck his temple with a jumping roundhouse kick, sending him crashing into a metal signpost.
Across the field, Yura moved like water, calm and measured. She didn't throw fists. No—she deflected. Redirected. Controlled. A thug tried to stab her with a baton. Yura slid past it gracefully, her palms moving like silk. She struck him in the wrist with pinpoint force, disarming him, then slid in close and palm-struck his sternum, knocking the wind clean out of him.
Another rushed her. She stepped aside fluidly, her foot hooking his ankle while her palm hit his chest, flipping him backward.
Aoi stood frozen, eyes wide with disbelief as the scene before her unfolded like something out of a dream. No way… these girls… they're— her thoughts trailed off, drowned beneath the sudden roar of cheers echoing through the streets.
"You've got this, girls!"
"Yeah! Show 'em what you're made of!"
"Send those punks flying!"
The voices came from all around—storefronts, balconies, alleys—residents shouting with fists in the air. Aoi's heart pounded harder as she turned, spotting the little girl and her sister now standing, eyes lit with admiration.
"Kick their butts!!" Kaede shouted, both fists raised high beside her sister's, their smiles filled with hope and fire.
Aoi blinked in disbelief. "What… is happening right now?" she whispered under her breath, just loud enough for herself to hear. Slowly, she stepped forward, placing herself between Misora and Kota—Misora to her left, Kota to her right.
Kota glanced down at her, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "You really don't remember?" he asked gently.
"We told you before—this town was drowning in violence. Ever since the original Nightingales disbanded nineteen years ago, gangs took over everything. Streets became battlegrounds. People lived in fear."
He paused, his gaze shifting to Reina. Aoi followed it. "But that all started to change... about two and a half years ago." Kota's voice carried quiet pride now.
"Because that's when they showed up. The ones who decided that enough was enough—students from Sayonaki High. The new Nightingales. She was the spark that lit the flame of change… and with their top leader by her side, they united the boys and girls of this town—anyone willing to stand up and fight for it, gathering anyone ready to protect this town, no matter their background."
"That's the power the Nightingales hold here," Reina added, her arms crisscrossed as she continued, "Just us being around… It's enough to bring a sense of safety. A reminder that this town isn't alone. We don't fight for glory." Her voice was clear, resolute. "We fight to protect this town, the people in it, and each other."
Her words sparked something deep in Aoi, a flicker of warmth blooming in her chest as her lavender eyes shimmered with quiet pride.
........
The dust began to settle. Groans echoed from the street like a chorus of defeat. Some thugs were crawling away, others clutching their stomachs or heads, their eyes wide in disbelief.
"W-What the hell are they...?"
"Monsters… no—those are the Nightingales."
Aoi stood frozen, her breath caught in her throat. Her eyes trailed across the scene—broken crates, battered bodies, the flickering streetlamp overhead casting long shadows across the pavement. Misora calmly dusted off her jacket. Asuka twirled the now-bent pipe like a toy before tossing it aside with a shrug. Yura adjusted her collar, her expression serene, as if she'd merely gone for a stroll.
Aoi swallowed hard as a handful of onlookers and vendors spilled out from their shops, their voices rising with joy.
"Thank you so much!"
"You girls were incredible!"
She turned her gaze just in time to see the little girl and her sister darting over to Misora and the others, their faces glowing with excitement.
Reina grinned, watching the scene unfold with satisfaction. "Not that I needed backup or anything," she quipped, lacing her hands behind her head in a casual stretch.
"Yeah, no, you would," Kota deadpanned, a single brow raised as a cartoonish sweat drop practically formed on his temple. Reina laughed awkwardly, rubbing the back of her head.
"Okay, okay, fair enough… But still—I'm glad it all worked out in the end! Hey, you guys!" She beamed, breaking into a cheerful jog toward Misora and the others. Kota smiled gently and followed, exchanging friendly words with a few vendors who had come out to join the celebration. Meanwhile, Aoi lingered behind, her eyes quietly scanning the group—the laughter, the warmth, the unity. Her heart sank.
This is all because of me…
She turned, gaze drifting to where her hoodie lay crumpled on the ground. Kneeling down, she picked it up slowly and slipped it on, pulling the hood over her head like a shield. Hands tucked into her pockets; she turned and began to walk away—silent steps in the opposite direction of their joy.
From behind, Reina's voice rang out.
"Aoi!" Her tone was sharp but concerned. The name froze her mid-step. "Where're you going?"
The others turned, drawn by the sudden shift in energy. Kota's brow furrowed. Misora paused mid-scold. All eyes were on Aoi now.
She didn't turn around. "Isn't it obvious?" she muttered. "Away from here. You've got everything under control now anyway."
She took another step—but Reina wouldn't let her go that easily.
"That's not what I meant," she replied firmly.
Aoi's lips drew into a tight line. Her voice was barely above a whisper now. "I can't stay… not anymore."
Reina took a step forward, her face softening as the wind fluttered faintly between them. "Aoi…"
"Stay back! Stay away from me!" She yelled back, her eyes glaring at Reina's as she heaved heavily. Kota widened his eyes slightly in surprise at her outburst.
"Look around you!" Aoi cried out, her voice cracking as she gestured wildly. "This is what happens when I stay in one place for too long! A little girl was taken hostage—because of me! It's all my fault!" Her hands trembled at her sides. "I can't be around people… because when I am, something terrible always happens. They either die or—" She stopped. Her breath hitched. The image of her sister, conscious and unmoving in a hospital bed, flashed across her mind like a knife to the heart. Aoi bit down hard on her lip, swallowing the rising lump in her throat. "…Or they get hurt."
Her voice dropped to a whisper, barely audible. "If only I'd left sooner..." She looked up at Reina, tears brimming in her eyes, her voice rising again with bitter regret. "If I'd just left this place... none of this would've happened!"
Reina didn't flinch. Her voice remained calm. "Whether you were here or not... those guys were always going to come back. It wasn't about you. But because you were here, someone was there to hold them off until help arrived."
Aoi shook her head, her fists clenched so tight her knuckles turned white. "You don't get it." Her voice trembled. "You'll never understand what it's like... to always be alone." She saw flashes—her stepmother's cruel smirk, her stepsister's mocking words, her father's cold indifference. Years of neglect. Years of pretending it didn't hurt.
"You can't understand why I choose to stay away... why I have to. If I don't... people suffer." Her voice broke. "I... I'm a curse." Her knees buckled, and she sank to the ground, slumping forward as tears spilled freely down her cheeks. She rubbed at them furiously with her sleeve, but they kept falling—hot, bitter, and endless.
Reina's eyes softened. Quietly, she stepped forward and knelt beside her, one knee on the ground, the other foot planted firmly. She reached into her pocket and pulled out a small white handkerchief. Aoi flinched when Reina gently touched her cheek, but the pressure was light, soothing. She watched as Reina dabbed at the blood on her skin with careful hands, then peeled the backing off a small white plaster and placed it over the wound. Not a single word was spoken in that moment. But in the silence, something shifted.
"Aoi," Reina began softly, her voice no longer sharp but steady with purpose. "What I said before—about you being alone—I meant it, and I was right. But I also know you didn't choose to be that way." She paused, her gaze steady on the girl in front of her. "Anyone who's really looking can see that you didn't become like this by choice... You were pushed into it. You built walls, not because you wanted to, but because someone made you feel like you had to."
She stood up, placing her right hand on her hip as her tone grew firmer. "You say you want nothing to do with people... but I don't believe that. Not for a second. You say it's safer being alone, and maybe part of you believes that. But that's not what your heart wants. Not really."
Her eyes narrowed slightly. "You've got a strength people can rely on, Aoi. I see it—and this town? One day, they'll see it too. So instead of running from everyone... why not use that strength to protect them?"
Aoi's jaw clenched, her eyes burning. "Who are you trying to convince, huh?!" she growled, her voice raw with defiance. "I'm better off alone! I don't want anyone near me! I've been surviving just fine on my own—got it?!"
Reina didn't react right away. Instead, she closed her eyes and exhaled slowly. "I don't believe you."
Aoi's breath hitched, her eyes widening slightly. Reina opened her eyes again and continued, her voice low but unwavering: "If that were true, then why did you help Mr. Kota get his money back? Why did you throw yourself in front of a girl you didn't even know when she was held hostage? Why did you save her? Why didn't you just walk away when those thugs came back tonight? Why did you stay... and fight them off?"
Aoi remained frozen. Her mind whirled. Her heart pounded. Her mouth opened, but no words came out.
"You haven't given up on others—not really," Reina pressed gently. "You just pretend you have. Because pretending it doesn't hurt... feels easier than being let down again."
Then, without warning, Reina reached down and gently pushed the hood off Aoi's head, revealing her long, wind-tousled dark blue hair. Aoi gasped faintly as Reina slipped off the hoodie with quiet care, not as an attack, but as a symbolic gesture, peeling back the armor Aoi had wrapped herself in.
"You don't have to keep hiding," Reina whispered. "You don't have to carry everything alone anymore." Aoi stared at the ground, her fists trembling at her sides—silent, vulnerable, and on the edge of breaking.
"Stop clinging to the shadows of your past, Aoi." Reina's voice was steady but passionate. "I know your life's been nothing but storms—chaos, pain, scars that most people couldn't even begin to understand. But carrying it all on your own won't make it easier. It'll only drown you."
She took a step closer, her eyes burning with quiet conviction. "Whatever pain brought you here... it doesn't change this: you're in this town now. You're one of us, whether you like it or not. And Sayonaki High? It wasn't built just for strength—it was built for people like us. People who fight through the darkness. That's why The Nightingales exist." Aoi's breath caught. Her heart raced at the name.
"You think pushing everyone away makes you strong. But all it's doing is cutting you off from the one thing that could actually save you—connection. You act like you're fine… but you're bleeding inside your own strength." Then, without hesitation, Reina reached out and grabbed Aoi's right palm, tugging her upward. Their eyes locked—storm against storm.
"But if you take a stand and fight with us..." she said, her voice low but full of hope, "you won't have to carry that weight alone anymore."
Aoi stared at her, stunned into silence. Reina let go of her hand, reaching for her cropped jacket and sliding it off her shoulders. She held it out toward Aoi with a firm, open hand.
"We don't need perfection. We don't need heroes. We just need you to stop running and stand with us. This isn't just a jacket, Aoi." Reina said softly, gently draping it over her shoulders. "It's a symbol... of trust. Of belonging. I'm offering it not just for me, but for this town, for Sayonaki High, for everyone who's still fighting to stay standing."
She stepped back, eyes steady, voice full of conviction. "Join us, Aoi. Be part of something more. Be a Nightingale." Her tone softened; her smile gentle but resolute. "Let us stand with you... and quiet the storm that's been raging inside you. Let's start new beginnings—together."
Aoi's body trembled. Her lips parted, but no words came out. She gripped the fabric of the jacket, her fingers curling tightly into the warmth Reina had given her. Her arms crossed over her chest instinctively, holding onto it—onto something that felt too foreign yet too familiar. Eyes lowered, she turned away, taking a few slow steps into the night. Her breath hitched.
"Aoi!" Reina called after her, a mix of worry and hope laced in her voice. But before she could take a step, Misora gently placed a hand on her shoulder, holding her back.
"You idiot," Aoi whispered, stopping in her tracks, her bangs slipping forward as a dark shadow covered her eyes. "You think I don't know that?"
"Huh…?" Reina blinked, visibly thrown by Aoi's words. "You think I haven't wrestled with that same thought, every single day… every single second?"
Kota's gaze softened, the tension in his expression melting into quiet concern.
Aoi took a breath, her voice low but unwavering. "I told myself over and over that I didn't need anyone… That cutting ties would protect me. That I was better off alone."
The wind stirred around them, brushing gently through her hair as the street fell into a hush.
"But deep down… I was just hoping." Her voice trembled slightly. "Hoping that someday… someone would look past the whispers, past the rumors—and see me. Not some curse. Not some burden. Just… me." There was silence for a beat.
"Aoi…" Kota breathed, barely above a whisper.
"Watching you all today… it stirred something in me. No, it's not just today. Every time I've seen you patrolling the streets, standing up for people, making this town feel safe…" She paused, voice cracking slightly, "I tried to ignore it. Pretend it didn't matter to me. Earlier, I said the Nightingales were nothing but a joke… but the truth is, I never meant a word of it."
She turned to face them fully, her eyes glossy with tears, cheeks flushed with emotion. "Deep down, I've always thought you guys were cool. I've always thought you guys were awesome. I always knew you were perfect and someone like me wouldn't fit in!" Her words caused Reina's eyes to widen slightly.
"I've also felt... that people like you wouldn't need someone like me in Sayonaki! That's why I never bothered! But since you're insisting," Eyes narrowing with purpose, Aoi gripped the jacket in her right hand and suddenly dashed forward, the sound of her footsteps like thunder on the pavement.
Before anyone could react, she launched herself into the air—her body twisting mid-flight as her leg snapped out in a powerful roundhouse kick, slamming clean into the side of the Batsuzoku leader's head. He stumbled back, disoriented.
She landed lightly, pivoted on her heel, and with a fierce spin, drove a kick into the gut of his girlfriend, the impact lifting the girl off her feet and sending her crashing backwards with a sharp cry. The two tumbled to the ground in a heap—the leader sprawled on top of his partner, groaning in pain and completely caught off guard.
Aoi rose fully, jacket now tossed over her shoulder, her stance solid and commanding. Her gaze swept across Reina and the others, locking eyes with them as she declared:
"There's no way I'm refusing that offer!"
Everyone stood frozen, eyes wide with disbelief, shocked and speechless as the girl they thought had walked away just moments ago had returned like a storm, saving them once again without hesitation. Turning back to the fallen duo, she started, "Don't touch them." She growled. "If it's a storm you want…" She slowly raised her head, eyes burning, "…then I'll give you one." The two fainted, falling into unconsciousness as she closed her eyes.
She stood quietly, staring at the jacket draped over her arms. Then, with a small breath, Here, she slid her left hand into the sleeve, do I really have the chance... to become someone? Her voice echoed silently in her mind. Do I have the chance... she eased her right hand into the other sleeve, pulling the jacket fully over her shoulders, her movements slow but deliberate. ...to be something more than what I used to be? Her right arm hovered in the air for a second longer before dropping to her side. The wind caught the hem of her jacket, causing it to flutter dramatically behind her—a quiet moment of transformation under the moonlit sky. Reina's eyes widened, then softened with pride, a gentle smile curling at the corners of her lips. Aoi turned her head slightly, gaze firm and forward-facing as she looked toward the small crowd ahead—her expression now calm, resolute.
Her eyes locked with Reina's, who gave a soft exhale, then nodded with quiet affirmation, along with Kota doing the same.
A fierce teenager, branded a curse, shunned by the world—fighting to rise above pain and rejection. Through every trial, she discovered her strength, defied her fate, and refused to let the storm consume her. This is the tale of how she found her voice, her will, and her purpose.
This is… Blue Storm!