Held Instead of feared

Aika Ryūsei is six years old, dragon-hybrid, and very good at surviving.

After her pro-hero parents die in the line of duty, the foster system teaches her one thing: being different is dangerous. By the time she runs away, she knows how to hide her scales, swallow her fire, and keep moving.

She doesn't expect kindness when hunger drives her to steal a wallet from a stranger. She definitely doesn't expect that stranger to be Hizashi Yamada.

Sometimes saving someone doesn't look like a battlefield.
Sometimes it looks like lunch.