ENGLISH VERSION - Second Star to the Right (Mikey Bonten)

Chapter 4: Atsuhi

POV AYANA

Blood trickles slowly down Atsushi's face, his features contorted in pain. The man has him by the collar, his feet no longer touching the ground. My heart is pounding, but I don't hesitate. I rush towards them, pushing aside any instinct for self-preservation.

"Let him go!" My voice cuts through the narrow alleyway.

The man turns his head towards me. His fist, still hanging in the air, is ready to strike again. His cold eyes lock onto mine, assessing my presence.

"Ayana, get out of here," Atsushi croaks, interrupted by a cough that spits blood.

I don't listen. I step between them, ignoring the frantic beating of my heart and the terror threatening to paralyze me. The man in front of me is super tall, his shadow almost swallowing me whole. His long black coat billows slightly in the night breeze. His jet-black hair frames a face marked by a scar running from the top of his head, across his forehead, and down past his left eye, which is a pale blue, almost white.

He stares at me in silence for a moment before slowly letting Atsushi go.

"You should be glad it's me handling this, Atsushi. Usually, it's Sanzu who takes care of these things. And trust me, you don't want that."

In a protective instinct, Atsushi quickly wraps his arm around my waist, pushing me behind him.

"Got it. I just need a little..."

"No. You've got three days. Not a second more."

"But that's imposs—"

"Three. Days. We don't give second chances."

The back door of the Tenjiku suddenly swings open, revealing the pink-haired man I served earlier. He strides towards us, a wicked grin on his face.

"Speak of the devil... Sanzu," the black-haired man sighs as he sees him approach.

"'The devil'—what a lovely nickname to describe me," Sanzu retorts. "So, Atsushi, did you forget who you're dealing with?"

Atsushi, usually so fearless, is trembling slightly. The tension in the air is thick, almost suffocating. I've never seen him like this—terrified.

I step forward, summoning all the courage I can muster.

"Leave him alone, or I'm calling the cops."

Sanzu's laugh echoes through the alley, cold and cruel, sending a chill down my spine.

"Shit, your girl's got more balls than you."

He moves towards me, but Atsushi still stands between us. Sanzu barely acknowledges him, his eyes piercing through me, every fiber of my being feeling the weight of his gaze.

"Let me tell you something, girl. Around here, in this city, in this country, hell, in this world, I make the laws, I judge, and I execute. But go ahead, call the cops. I'd love to see you try."

I don't back down. If he wants to act all philosophical, I'll play along.

"Everyone answers for their actions someday. It's called karma."

He seems amused by my response.

"That's what weaklings tell themselves to sleep better at night."

"And that's what the arrogant say to justify their bullshit," I shoot back.

I can sense a sadistic smile behind his black mask. The black-haired man places a hand on Sanzu's shoulder, urging him to step back.

"Let's go, Sanzu."

Sanzu frowns, clearly annoyed to be stopped here. But before leaving, he turns back to Atsushi, malice gleaming in his eyes.

"Three days, Atsushi."

Without another word, the two men disappear into the night, their figures blending into the darkness. The weight of their threat lingers as Atsushi collapses, exhausted and bleeding.

I crouch beside him, my body still shaking from the adrenaline.

"You okay?" My voice betrays my concern. "Who were those guys?"

"Nobody." He grimaces, probably from the pain. "It's none of your business. You never should've gotten involved in this, dammit."

"Are you serious right now? You were getting your ass kicked, and you wanted me to just stand there? Who are those guys? What do they want from you? And don't you dare lie to me!"

"Calm down... I just owe them some money, that's all."

"How much?"

"Not a big deal..."

"I said how much?!" I demand, my voice tight.

He looks away. "Eight million yen..."

I nearly choke. "That's not a small amount... Damn it, Atsushi, you promised me all that crap was behind you. How can you still be mixed up in this after everything that happened?"

"I'll figure it out, okay? It's my problem."

I'm about to respond, but he cuts me off.

"No, please, listen to me. These guys are dangerous. They're not like the ones you knew back in Toman days. You don't even know what these people are capable of." He looks at me, dead serious.

"Who are they?"

He hesitates for a moment but then shakes his head. "The less you know, the better off you'll be. Trust me."

"Are they really that bad?"

His silence says more than any words could. My heart tightens at the thought, but I nod. "Okay, I'll be careful."

He exhales, visibly relieved, and tries to stand, swaying slightly. I put his arm around my shoulders to help him.

"You want me to take you to the hospital?"

"No, don't bother... I've had worse. Let's go to my place. You can patch me up, just like when we were kids."

"As if I missed doing that," I mutter bitterly, as painful memories resurface—memories I wish had stayed buried.