Chapter 7: Shadows in the city

Mikuya’s heart had turned cold, her once bright eyes now veiled by the weight of her grief. The faces of her friends, the voices calling her name, had all faded into the background. There was only the mission, the revenge, and the undeniable truth that everything she had once cared about was now lost in the chaos of her own making.

As Mikuya walked through the dimly lit streets of the city, her steps were heavy, but her resolve was unshakable. Her mind was locked in a never-ending loop of thoughts: Had they found her? Were they still looking for her? The questions gnawed at her, but she did not stop. She couldn’t stop. The agency was still hunting her, and with every passing moment, the distance between her and the people who cared about her grew larger.

Nene, Hana, Yuka, and Emiko—she had left them behind. Not because she didn’t care, but because she cared too much. If they stayed close to her, they would be dragged into the dark world she had unwittingly stepped into. A world of violence, betrayal, and lies. She would rather suffer alone than risk their safety.

But deep down, a part of her still longed to see them.

A part of her still hoped that, against all odds, they hadn’t given up on her.

The city was alive with movement. Neon lights reflected off rain-slicked streets, the smell of street food and car exhaust mixing in the air. Laughter, shouting, the distant sound of a subway rumbling beneath their feet—it all blended together into a familiar hum.

But for Nene, Hana, Emiko, and Yuka, the city felt empty.

Because she wasn’t here.

Mikuya had disappeared the day Saito died. And they had been searching for her ever since.

“She’s here,” Nene insisted, scanning the crowded streets. “I know she is.”

Hana sighed. “We’ve checked every place we can think of. If she was here, wouldn’t she have—”

“She doesn’t want to be found,” Emiko muttered, crossing her arms. “She’s different now.”

“She’s still Mikuya,” Nene snapped.

Yuka hesitated. “What if… she’s not?”

A silence fell over them.

None of them wanted to admit it, but the Mikuya they knew—the one who used to laugh with them, who stayed up late telling stories, who fought for what was right—might have been gone.

Forever.

Hana rubbed her arms. “Let’s just keep moving.”

They continued walking. The deeper they went, the quieter the city became.

The streets weren’t safe anymore.

Soldiers patrolled the city, their cold gazes scanning every corner. They walked in formation, rifles strapped to their backs, their boots striking the pavement in unison.

People lowered their heads as they passed.

No one dared to speak too loudly. No one dared to resist.

The agency had turned the city into a prison.

A woman was shoved against a wall for walking too fast.

A man was beaten for questioning a soldier’s orders.

Children clung to their parents, eyes wide with fear.

And no one could do anything about it.

Hana clenched her fists. “This is disgusting.”

“They’re not even trying to hide it anymore,” Emiko muttered.

Nene swallowed hard. “Let’s get out of here.”

But it was too late.

Hana felt it first.

The chill running down her spine.

The feeling of being watched.

She turned—

And saw them.

The soldiers.

They weren’t just patrolling.

They were following them.

Before she could shout a warning, one of the men lunged.

Nene barely dodged. Another grabbed Yuka, shoving her to the ground. Hana tried to fight back, but the soldier was stronger.

Emiko threw a punch, hitting one in the jaw, but more were coming. They were surrounded.

A soldier slammed Nene against a wall, pinning her there. “Thought you could walk freely?” he sneered.

Hana gritted her teeth. “Let us go.”

The man laughed. “You’re under the agency’s watch now. And guess what? There’s no one coming to save you.”

Then—

A flash of silver.

A strangled cry.

And suddenly—

The soldiers were falling.

One by one.

Mikuya moved like a ghost, her katana slicing through the air with deadly precision. Blood splattered across the pavement, her blade gleaming under the city lights.

The men hesitated.

They knew who she was.

Mikuya stared them down, her expression unreadable. Cold.

The last soldier standing stumbled back. “F-Fall back!”

Too late.

Mikuya struck, her blade slashing across his chest. He crumpled to the ground.

Silence.

The girls were frozen, their breath shallow.

Mikuya turned to them.

For the first time, they saw her.

She was different.

Her face was unreadable. Her eyes—once filled with warmth—were empty.

Nene took a shaky step forward. “Mikuya…”

Mikuya didn’t respond.

She just turned.

And disappeared into the night.

No words. No explanations.

Just silence.

And the lingering scent of blood.

The silence stretched on.

Emiko exhaled sharply. "That was her."

Hana rubbed her arms, her fingers trembling. "She didn’t even say anything…"

"She saved us," Yuka whispered. "But it felt like she was… gone."

Nene clenched her fists. "She’s not gone."

Hana sighed. "Nene—"

"No." Nene’s voice was firm. "I don’t care how much she’s changed. She’s still Mikuya. And if she didn’t want to see us, she wouldn’t have come."

Emiko hesitated. "She came because we were in danger."

"Exactly," Nene said. "Which means she still cares."

Yuka swallowed. "Then why didn’t she—"

"Because she thinks she can’t come back," Nene interrupted. "She thinks she’s too far gone. But she’s wrong."

Hana glanced at the bloodstained ground. "Are you sure?"

Nene looked down, her expression unreadable.

Then she straightened.

"Yes."

Emiko smirked, shaking her head. "You’re crazy, Nene."

"Maybe."

Yuka looked at her friends, then back at the alley where Mikuya had disappeared.

"Then… we keep searching?"

Nene nodded. "We keep searching."

Hana sighed, a small smile forming on her lips. "Alright. Let’s find her."

They turned and walked into the night, their hearts heavier than before—

But their resolve stronger than ever.

_ _ _