Takeru Arashi had decided.
He would keep Raiden Mei by his side, no matter what. He knew that what he was about to do was dangerous, but she was his friend, his companion in this world, and he could not abandon her.
Ever since he came into this world, memories of the future assaulted him. Not all of them were clear, but one in particular stood firm:
When Mei turned seven, she would be kidnapped.
He wasn't going to find out if those memories were true. He wasn't going to risk it. He wasn't going to risk it.
And although he didn't remember everything that happened with precision, he did know one thing for certain:
that event left a deep mark on his heart. A scar that he didn't want to be realized.
A week earlier, when the strange presences began to appear more frequently, Takeru spoke to Mei seriously:
-Someone is following us. It's been going on for a month. He doesn't seem to have good intentions.
Mei trusted him without hesitation. She told her father everything, who, with the urgency of a concerned parent, assigned two bodyguards to escort her back home.
But that action only complicated matters.
Those following them realized they had been spotted.
And they became more careful.
The day was coming to an end. The sky was tinged with soft orange hues and long shadows as Mei walked home accompanied by her companions.
Everything was too calm and quiet. That only added to the tension in the atmosphere.
The two bodyguards stood alert, their eyes wary, scanning the surroundings.
They were about to warn Mei of something when, without warning, two shadows emerged from the bushes.
One of them quickly turned the neck of a bodyguard.
The dry crack came from the collar as it was twisted.
The second didn't even have time to react before a key left him lying breathless on the ground.
Mei froze.
A third man emerged from the shadows. He walked straight toward her with a firm stride.
His gaze was cold.
Mei took a step back, paralyzed with fear.
The attacker raised his arm to restrain her.
And then it happened.
A small metal needle whistled through the air. It plunged into the kidnapper's neck with surgical precision.
The man staggered, his muscles tensed briefly... and then he fell heavily to the ground.
Mei did not understand what was happening.
The attackers turned towards the place where the needle came from, but it was too late.
One of them was intercepted by an accurate blow with the hilt of a sword.
The strong impact to the back of his head knocked him unconscious before he fell to the ground.
The last attacker drew a knife, his eyes alight with rage.
In front of him stood a figure of childish stature.
His face was covered by a black mask and he held a sword with determination.
The knife flew with a single slash.
The metal of both impacted with a clang, and the attacker's weapon was rendered useless.
Takeru wasted no time.
With a clean movement, he traced an arc with his sword, striking the kidnapper's thigh with precision.
The man let out a choked cry and fell to the ground, losing his balance.
Before he could get up, Takeru spun on his heels and delivered a direct blow to the man's jaw with the hilt.
The body of the kidnapper collapsed like a sack.
Silence.
Takeru took a deep breath as he scanned the surroundings.
All the attackers were unconscious.
Only then did he let his guard down.
Mei was still there, motionless. Her body was trembling.
Her eyes were fixed on him.
Not because of the mask... but because of the blood.
There were dark stains on the mysterious boy's clothes.
Stains that were not his.
He took a step back. Another.
He was going to turn and run.
The fear and confusion were too much.
But the masked figure took a step toward her and raised a hand, without abruptness.
-Don't go," said a warm voice. It's me... look.
Slowly, he removed his mask.
Mei opened her eyes.
Fear began to dissipate, replaced by surprise and then relief.
-Takeru... -he whispered, barely audible.
He looked at her with a mixture of compassion, tenderness and concern.
-I was worried about you," he said, his voice softer. I came looking for you... but I didn't expect this to happen.
Without another word, he hugged her.
Mei didn't move.
I just squeezed my eyes shut, letting the tears fall silently.
She rested her head on his shoulder.
The sky was already violet and the first stars twinkled timidly overhead.