Onzi.

He followed Ayana quietly through the streets until she reached the corner near Saigoichi’s house.

“Hey you,” he said coldly. “Are you the one who attacked those Austinites members?”

Ayana stopped walking. “Who’s asking? Are you their leader or something?”

“Nope. I’m just the guy who’s going to teach you a lesson for messing with us.”

“Teach me a lesson? I’d like to see you try.”

Before she could summon her Arsil, Onzi dashed forward and drop-kicked her. She blocked it, but the force sent her flying across the street.

He walked toward her slowly.

“This is the great female who laid waste to those henchmen?” he scoffed. “Tch… such weaklings.”

This guy is way different from the others, Ayana thought. His power is beyond anything I’ve imagined… But I cannot lose here.

He grabbed her by the hair and slapped her across the face.

“Where’s the rest of the crew?” he demanded.

Ayana spat in his face. “I don’t have to tell you anything. And besides—you’re ugly and smell like desperation.”

Onzi chuckled. “You’re not worth killing. The boss only told me to teach you a lesson, not to kill you.”

Ayana kicked him in the face and regained her stance.

“In that case, I’m not gonna hold back any longer.”

She rushed forward, striking in hand-to-hand combat. But Onzi blocked every blow with ease.

“Is that the best you can do? Don’t make me laugh!” he yelled. “I’ve had better hand-to-hand than this!”

Frustrated, Ayana leapt back and summoned her Arsil. The green neon chakram blade lit up the night.

“Let’s see if you back up that tough guy act now,” she growled. “Once my blade strikes you, you’ll be sorry.”

“Are you attacking me or just yapping all night?”

Ayana vanished. Onzi’s eyes darted left, right, up, down, searching for her.

She appeared mid-air, blade ready to strike. He dodged.

Again and again, she attacked. Again and again, he dodged.

I'm getting tired of this, Onzi thought. Let me end it.

He vanished, reappeared, and unleashed a five-hit finishing blow that slammed Ayana to the ground.

Her Arsil reverted to its bracelet form. She passed out.

Before she blacked out, she caught a glimpse of his face.

Then he vanished into the night.

Meanwhile, Saigoichi and Najime walked into the unfinished building.

“Hey, little man, you there?” Saigoichi called.

The boy stepped out from the shadows.

“Oh,” Najime blinked. “I wasn’t expecting him to show up.”

“What’s your name?” Saigoichi asked. “And how old are you?”

“My name’s Matsuo. I’m 16. I’ve got two sisters and a pet cat…”

Najime interrupted. “So, Matsuo, why’d you get kicked out?”

“It happened on my birthday. That’s when we all found out I had an Arsil. And…”

“Say less,” Najime said. “I understand completely.”

“You mentioned something about the Government?” Saigoichi asked.

“They made a statement saying any household harboring Arsil users would lose everything—even their house and jobs. We had a nice blue and white home my parents were proud of.”

“Oh… I see.”

“So… are you guys in a gang?” Matsuo asked hesitantly.

“No,” Saigoichi said. “But he has an Arsil and I don’t. I was an orphan, so I know how it feels. Well, not quite—but you have a choice. Stay and work with us and train with Najime… or go and join a gang.”

Matsuo thought deeply and concluded.

“…I think I want to stay with you guys. You did help me.”

Saigoichi smiled. “Alright then. I’ve got a spot by me where you can stay.”

The three boys then walked out of the unfinished house.

The sun had long dipped below the skyline of Dozor, casting long shadows between the concrete alleys and cracked rooftops.

The sounds of rushed footsteps echoed through the street.

Thud, thud, thud.

Saigoichi, Najime, and Matsuo rounded the final corner near Saigoichi’s house. Matsuo suddenly slowed, eyes narrowing at something in the distance.

“Hey,” Matsuo tapped Saigoichi, “look.”

Saigoichi turned mid-conversation, and his heart froze.

A figure was lying motionless at the doorstep of his house.

Without a word, Saigoichi and Najime burst into a sprint, wind slapping against their faces. Four steps away, they stopped.

Their eyes widened. Their breath caught.

“Ayana...”