Seven Days Without You

Shiori heard Raizen's voice echoing softly from within the room. Standing outside his window, she froze.

(Wh-What? Did he too—?) Her eyes widened, locked onto Raizen’s reflection in disbelief.

Inside, Raizen stood before a mirror, his expression sincere. “I promise I'll protect you with my life. Please, listen to me one time… I'll keep you happy.”

Shiori stumbled backward, lowering herself beneath the window. She covered her mouth with a trembling hand, cheeks burning crimson.

Suddenly, Raizen’s voice sharpened. “Stay as you are. Don’t move.”

Shiori froze like a statue.

“I want to say something. Come inside.”

With shaking hands and flushed cheeks, Shiori entered the house.

“D-Did you call me?” she asked, voice wavering. “Wh-What’s up?”

Raizen let out a deep sigh and smiled gently. “You heard it, didn’t you?”

“N-No… what do you mean?” Her voice faltered. (I want to say yes so badly… I want to be with him… but my throat won’t let me. I’m too nervous.)

Raizen inhaled deeply. (Should I reconsider? My heart's never beat this fast… No! She’s the only one who fills the void of my loneliness.)

“Shiori, uh… something’s been going on in my mind for quite a while.”

“W-W-What? I-Is it important?”

Raizen hesitated. “Uh, it’s not important.”

“Then…?”

(I messed up!) he cried inwardly. (I’m pathetic. Okay, try again—) “It’s not important… but it’s VERY important. I can’t express it in words but…”

In an instant, he used Thunderstep and appeared beside her. Shoulder to shoulder, he leaned near her ear.

“I love you, Shiori-chan. Will you accept me?”

Her eyes widened. Her hands trembled.

“W-What?”

“I said I love you, Shiori-chan.”

“Ye-Ye-Yes!!” Her voice broke as tears welled up in her eyes. “I love you too!”

They turned to face each other, gently holding one another’s cheeks. Their lips met in a quiet, tender kiss.

As they separated, Shiori giggled.

“So now…”

Raizen crossed his arms, grinning. “So this feeling is called love? Wow… I don’t know anything about love.”

“I was too shy to tell you,” she replied sweetly.

“I was too focused on training. I remember my brother once told me… love and training are different. Training is more important because it protects the people we love.”

“Those are wise words,” she agreed. “Anyway, wouldn’t you train today?”

“I’ve already mastered my ultimate attack. Starting tomorrow, I’ll work on speed.”

As they walked through the forest, Raizen asked, “By the way, do your parents know about me?”

“No… I might be in a relationship with you, but they’re very strict. Overcaring even.”

“Is that something to worry about?”

“My mother never lets me out without reason. My dad worries constantly that I’ll fall into the wrong relationship.”

“I see…”

“If they find out I’m with you—someone seen as a bad omen—they’ll kick me out… and you’ll suffer too.”

“Then why let me live here at all?”

“It was the Shogun’s order.”

“Oh? That guy? Is he a good person?”

“Indeed. He’s the strongest swordsman alive.”

Raizen’s eyes widened. “The strongest?!”

“He has a partner, Kenji. People say only he can rival him in swordsmanship.”

“The outer world sounds so cool…”

Shiori lowered her head. “Raizen… I can’t live here with you. Let’s move to Kuroshima Central.”

Raizen nodded. “My brother probably lives nearby. I don’t mind.”

They reached an abandoned house.

“I can’t let people see us together,” she murmured.

“Who cares,” Raizen shrugged. “Let’s leave Sahara now.”

Kuroshin panted, his crimson pupils glowing in the dark. “He’s the second one to defeat me…”

“We must kill him. If I can’t win with power, then use his family. Ryujin! Find information about his relatives. He’s five-star now, but raise it to seven.”

“My lord…”

“Do it—or your sister dies.”

“…Okay, my lord. Just don’t hurt her. He has a brother in a small village called Sahara.”

From afar, Kenzo listened through a small hole in the wall.

“Hiroshi… his brother is in danger. I need to contact Kenji.”

In the abandoned house, Raizen looked serious.

“We’ll leave this village in four days.”

Shiori hesitated. “What will you do there? We’ll have to live without nature, work to survive. What job will you get?”

Raizen grinned like an idiot. “Electrical work, of course.”

“Oh~ right. I forgot,” she laughed.

“It’s late. Let’s make a plan.”

As they did, something rustled outside.

“Static Shield!” Raizen raised a glowing electric barrier around them.

A massive slash cut the house in two. Walls crumbled as a tall man with a scar on his forehead stepped forward, sword in hand.

Raizen braced himself. “Explain yourself!”

“Relax,” the man said. “I’m not here to fight. I came to warn you.”

Shiori bowed. “The Shadow Shogun of Destruction… Kenji-sama!”

Raizen blinked. “Why do big names keep visiting me?”

“You need to leave. Now.”

“Why? What happened?”

“Your brother defeated Kuroshin. Now Kuroshin sent Ryujin to eliminate you.”

Shiori stepped forward. “Then I’ll protect Raizen, even if I have to be a shield.”

“Kuroshin lost. But he’s using you to hurt your brother. You must escape.”

Raizen clenched his fists. “I’ll never harm my brother. Even if they torture me to death!”

Kenji’s voice dropped. “That’s not the problem. Reach Kuroshima by tomorrow. Final order.” He began sinking into the ground.

“Wait, I want to fight you.”

“Not now. Next time.”

Raizen attacked with Thunderstep and Raijin Strike, but Kenji absorbed it into the earth.

“You’re strong,” Kenji said. “But you need more speed. I’ll train you myself.”

And he vanished.

Raizen stood stunned. “Speed… yeah, I need more of that.”

Shiori glanced toward the distance. “My parents are back. I need to go.”

Raizen nodded. “Meet me here in seven days. Prove to them you have no connection with me. Forget me… for now.”

Shiori’s voice trembled. “We just started dating… and now we’re separating already?”

“If this is your idea of love, I want no part of it,” Raizen said. “True love lies in the heart—not daily meetings.”

She nodded, leaned forward, and pressed a soft kiss on his cheek.

Raizen began training harder than ever. Rain poured as he mastered precision, speed, and focus—under Kenji’s supervision.

Meanwhile, Shiori stared at the sky, counting every day.

Seven days later.

As Shiori checked the time at their meeting spot, Raizen approached, waving with a grin and a backpack.

“Hey! Shiori! Long time no see!”

“Raizen! How are you?”

“Stronger than ever!”

From afar, Kenji watched with a smile. (Raizen… you’ve become so much stronger.)

Raizen turned. “Kenji told me this is the shortest route. Should take two days.”

Suddenly, Kenji clashed swords with an invisible opponent. A moment later, Ryujin became visible—his scythe draining Kenji’s aura.

“Tch! That annoying ability…”

“Kenji?! Why are you interfering?” Ryujin demanded. “This is a top-secret mission. Hand over Raizen—now!”

Kenji’s blade clashed again. “I refuse.” He turned to look at the couple. “Raizen… and you. Run as far and fast as you can. I’ll hold him off.”

—To be continued