Beneath the Ashes

Chapter 3

Aika's eyes widened in shock as the armed men stormed into the shop, shattering the fragile peace around us. Panic flashed in her eyes briefly, but it was quickly replaced by something fiercer—a blade-sharp determination. Her hand shot out, gripping my arm tightly, pulling me closer, her voice low but steady, even as danger loomed feet away.

"Quickly, Sharva. Get under the counter and stay hidden. Leave some cash in your wallet, but hide the rest behind the chopstick tube," she commanded, her voice full of authority. "I'll handle this."

Even before her words had fully registered, Aika was already moving, her body positioning itself between me and the danger like an instinctual force of nature. Her every movement was deliberate, calculated, as if every fiber of her being was trained for moments like these. Though her heart must have been pounding like mine, her exterior betrayed none of it. I saw only cold focus in her eyes, her hands steady as she pushed me beneath the counter.

"Don't worry," she murmured, her gaze softening only slightly when it landed on me. "I won't let them hurt you."

Her words felt like a promise, one that echoed inside me, stirring something unnameable. With one last glance, she guided me deeper into the shadows, her hand warm against my skin. "Stay quiet. Do what they say, and we'll be fine."

Fear flickered in her eyes, but not for herself. It was for me, for the others cowering in fear around us. She was determined to shield us all, to stand between the chaos and the people she cared about.

I slipped beneath the counter, obeying her words, but inside, something primal roared to life. My heart pounded, the rush of fire rising swiftly, uncontrollably, through my veins. I clenched my fists tight beneath the wood, trying to contain the fury that surged inside me. The sight of the customers trembling in fear, the way the robbers wielded their power, ignited something dark within me.

My peaceful dinner had been shattered by their arrogance. I had only just met Aika—this woman who moved with such purpose and courage, who was now asking me to hide like some defenseless mortal. I gritted my teeth, forcing my body to stay still, but inside, the beast was stirring. My mind whirled with possibilities. I could end this in seconds—snuff out their lives with a thought, leave them broken on the floor without mercy.

But I couldn't. I had sworn not to kill. Not again. I had left that life behind, buried it beneath years of solitude and self-imposed exile. I had come to Earth for peace, for simplicity. Ramen and work. That was all I had wanted.

And yet here I was, crouched under a counter, hiding from men who didn't deserve the life they threatened to take.

I breathed deeply, forcing the flames inside me to quell, even as the temptation to act pulled at the edges of my restraint. Aika had no idea who I was. She saw me as just another person needing protection, unaware I could tear these men apart in seconds. Unaware of the darkness I fought to keep buried. I could hear the robbers shouting orders, their voices laced with threat. One wrong move from them, and I wouldn't be able to hold myself back.

Aika moved with precision, scanning the room, her mind clearly working to find a solution. I saw the determination in her stance, the tension in her muscles as she prepared for whatever might come next. I reached out, gripping her wrist gently, my voice a whisper filled with concern.

"Don't be reckless," I whispered, hoping to ground her before she did something rash.

She didn't even have a chance to respond before the robbers fired a warning shot into the ceiling. The sharp crack of the gun echoed through the room, sending a ripple of fear through the shop. The intruders barked orders at the terrified customers, demanding that everyone kneel. My heart clenched as I saw Aika hesitate, her breath catching at the sound of the shot, but she remained steady, defiant. She refused to show fear, her body tense but unyielding.

Slowly, deliberately, she began to lower herself to the floor, every movement controlled, graceful even in the face of danger. She knelt beside me, her shoulder brushing mine, then leaned in, her breath warm against my ear.

"I won't let them win. Trust me."

Her words were soft, but they carried a weight that calmed me, even as the fire inside me continued to rage. I looked at her, truly seeing her for the first time—the way she placed herself between me and danger without hesitation, the way she refused to yield to the fear that gripped the room. I was in awe of her courage, but at the same time, I could feel the anger inside me burning hotter. I clenched my fists tighter, every fiber of my being screaming to act.

If they hurt her, I wouldn't forgive them.

My muscles coiled tight, ready to spring, ready to end this the moment they made a mistake. I was so close to breaking, barely holding myself together. I would stay quiet, pretend to be weak, just like she asked. But I was watching, waiting. And if they crossed the line, their blood would stain the floor in an instant.

Aika had no idea that I could kill ten men in seconds. She had no idea that the promise I made to never kill again was slipping away, like sand through my fingers.

Suddenly, one of the robbers stepped forward, his voice sharp. "Do you know Tsukishiro Himemori?! Bring her out!"

I saw it—just for a second—the flicker of recognition in Aika's eyes. She knew that name. But then her face hardened, her expression returning to that of cold neutrality when said she didn't know.

The man barked again, louder this time. "Who's the owner of this restaurant?!"

My body went cold with fury. They were after her. That name—Tsukishiro Himemori—maybe was tied to Aika. The realisation hit me like ice, but I fought to stay still, to hold back the fury that was now barely contained. I could end this. I could stop them all in an instant, but I couldn't. Not here. Not with so many witnesses.

Aika rose slowly, her movements deliberate. "I am the owner," she said, her voice steady despite the turmoil I knew was brewing inside her. "I don't know anyone named Tsukishiro Himemori. Take the money, and go. There's no need for violence."

The robbers murmured to each other, eyeing her suspiciously, but they seemed to accept her words for now. They turned their attention back to the customers, moving through the shop, collecting cash and valuables from anyone they deemed rich enough. All the while, Aika remained still, her gaze never wavering from them, her body tense with the need to protect.

But I could see the worry in her eyes. She glanced back at me once, her expression calm, but I could sense her fear, her heart racing as she tried to keep everyone safe. She had no idea that the anger inside me was building, the fire threatening to consume me. I was on the verge of losing control.

Then, one of the robbers caught her glance toward me. He started walking toward Aika, his eyes narrowing, suspicion creeping into his movements. He was approaching too close, his presence looming.

Aika's muscles tensed, but she didn't flinch.

"What do you want?" she asked, her voice still strong. "I've given you everything. Just leave."

The man's smirk twisted into something more sinister. "Oh, we're just getting started," he sneered, stepping closer, his gaze raking over her. He was too close now, invading her space.

My hands clenched into fists, the heat rising within me. If he touched her—

The control I had mastered for so long was slipping away.

24Oct24