Chapter 9 : Shadows of loyalty

The conference room was dimly lit, the only source of illumination being a long, rectangular table bathed in the glow of a single overhead lamp. The air was thick with tension as the agency’s division leaders gathered, their faces unreadable. Renzo sat at the head of the table, fingers interlocked, his piercing eyes studying each of them carefully. To his right was Takahiro, arms crossed, his massive frame making the chair seem almost fragile beneath him. Across from him sat Hiroki, silent as ever, his fingers drumming against the table in a slow, rhythmic pattern. And next to him was Sora, his sharp gaze flickering toward the door every few seconds.

Kaito was late.

Renzo exhaled slowly, his patience wearing thin. "Where is Kaito?" he asked, his voice as smooth as silk yet carrying the weight of authority.

"He was last seen in the eastern district," Hiroki murmured, barely loud enough to be heard. "With her."

At the mention of her, the room grew colder.

Takahiro scoffed, shaking his head. "So, he’s still entertaining that little runaway?" His voice was laced with disdain. "I knew Kaito had a soft spot, but this is ridiculous. We should have eliminated her the moment she defected."

Sora, who had been silent until now, finally spoke. His voice was calm, yet there was a sharpness to it. "She’s not just some runaway." He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. "Mikuya is dangerous."

Renzo’s lips curled into a faint smile. "Dangerous, you say?" His tone carried a hint of amusement. "She’s a child playing a game she doesn’t understand."

"You underestimate her," Sora replied firmly. "She’s not just another fighter. She’s..." He hesitated, recalling his brief encounters with her. "...different."

Renzo’s eyes darkened, but before he could respond, the door swung open, and Kaito strode in. He didn’t look flustered, nor did he apologize for his lateness. He simply took his seat and met Renzo’s gaze without hesitation.

"Sorry to keep you waiting," Kaito said smoothly.

Renzo studied him for a long moment before speaking. "You were with her, weren’t you?"

Kaito smirked slightly. "I gather intelligence wherever I can."

Takahiro growled. "Enough of this! We need to act! That girl has been running free for too long."

Renzo lifted a hand, silencing him. His eyes gleamed as he turned to Sora. "You admire her strength, don’t you?"

Sora frowned but said nothing.

"Then you will be the one to kill her," Renzo declared, his voice absolute. "You are the only one I trust to do it right."

Sora’s fingers twitched slightly, but he nodded without hesitation. "Consider it done."

Renzo smirked. "Good. Take a unit with you. She’ll put up a fight, but in the end..." He leaned back, exuding complete confidence. "...she’s just another rogue dog that needs to be put down."

---

The Assault Begins

Night had fallen by the time Mikuya heard the first explosion. The ground trembled beneath her feet, and she immediately reached for her katana. She had expected retaliation, but not so soon.

"They didn’t waste any time," she muttered.

The door to her hideout burst open as a wave of soldiers stormed in, their weapons drawn.

"Target spotted. Take her down!" one of them barked.

Mikuya moved like a shadow, cutting through the first attacker before he could react. The room filled with the clash of steel and the sharp cries of pain as she danced through them, her blade carving a path of destruction.

Within minutes, the soldiers lay defeated, their bodies motionless. Mikuya barely had time to catch her breath before she sensed another presence.

A slow clap echoed through the air.

She turned sharply.

Sora stood at the entrance, his expression unreadable.

"You dealt with them faster than I expected," he admitted.

Mikuya wiped a drop of blood from her cheek. "You should have brought stronger soldiers."

Sora smirked. "They were just a warm-up."

And then he moved.

Faster than she had anticipated.

Their blades met in a blur of motion, sparks flying as they clashed. Sora was relentless, his strikes precise and ruthless. Mikuya parried, countered, and dodged, but he was pushing her back.

For the first time in a long time, she felt pressure.

Then, in a flash, his blade found an opening.

Blood splattered against the cold floor as pain erupted through Mikuya’s side. She stumbled, her vision blurring.

Sora exhaled, standing over her. "It’s over."

Mikuya coughed, her hand clutching her wound. Then, slowly… she smiled.

"Playtime’s over," she whispered.

Sora’s eyes widened. She was holding back?

Before he could react, Mikuya surged forward. The fight reignited with an intensity that made Sora’s breath hitch.

She wasn’t just fighting back—she was overwhelming him.

With every strike, Sora found himself questioning everything. Just how strong is she?

---

Sora’s Past

Their blades locked, and in that moment, Sora spoke.

"Do you know why I fight for Renzo?"

Mikuya didn’t answer, but she listened.

"When I was a child, I was nothing," Sora murmured. "Weak. Starving. Forgotten." His grip tightened on his sword. "Renzo found me. He gave me food, shelter… a purpose. He saved my life."

He pushed forward, his voice rising. "I owe him everything! That’s why I fight for him!"

Mikuya’s gaze softened for the briefest moment.

But that moment passed.

With a final strike, she disarmed him, sending his blade skidding across the floor. Sora fell to his knees, panting heavily.

Mikuya stood over him, her own wounds severe but her stance unwavering.

"You lost," she said quietly.

Sora trembled, his fists clenching. "Then finish it. Kill me."

Mikuya narrowed her eyes.

"If I go back after losing to a kid, I’ll be nothing but a disgrace," Sora hissed. "Renzo won’t forgive me. I’d rather die."

Mikuya studied him for a long moment before lowering her blade.

"You’re not worth killing."

Sora’s eyes widened.

She turned away, blood dripping from her wounds. "If you ever come after me again," she said over her shoulder, "make sure you’re ready. Come as a warrior, not as a lost child."

Sora’s breath hitched. He had never felt this kind of humiliation before.

Mikuya didn’t look back.

---

Aftermath

Mikuya stumbled into her hideout, her body screaming in pain. She collapsed onto the floor, gasping.

She reached for the medical kit with shaking hands, biting down as she began treating her wounds. The pain was excruciating, but she endured.

She had won.

But she wasn’t sure if it felt like a victory.

Her body ached, her mind was clouded with exhaustion, and deep down, she knew…

This wasn’t over.

Not yet.