Chapter 10: Ultimate Ability: Breaking Free

Haru sprinted through the streets, his mind racing as fast as his legs. The image of the broken flower vase replayed in his head, clearer with every step.

The flower shop. The cruel owner. He must be the one behind this. The vase was no coincidence.

The very same man Haru had rescued her from that night, drunk and furious at the sight of her abuse.

Haru was the fastest man running on the mazes of streets, the panic and resolve giving him directions.

His breaths came in ragged gasps as he reached the flower shop, its peeling sign glowing faintly under the streetlights. The sight of it made his stomach churn.

There were bystanders.

But their stout bodies and knowing glances said otherwise.

One stood up, and charged towards Haru.

Haru ducked beneath his thick arms, and threw an elbow to the attacker's back, when the stout man turned, he was met by a hook, and he was out.

The other two men also rose up but this time, they stood next to the flower shop's entrance defensively.

“Ayase!” Haru screamed out, earning him a crowd of alarmed onlookers. He spat the same name, once, twice, he lost count—and each one was louder and longer than the previous.

A few moments passed and the glass panes finally jingled, the faint scent of flowers did nothing to mask the suffocating tension in the air.

There they were. Her former owner—a big, greasy bald man with a permanent scowl etched on his face. Arms crossed and an air of smugness surrounding him. Ayase stood behind him near the counter, her head lowered.

“Ishida-san...” Ayase’s voice trembled as she looked up, but she didn’t move.

The owner’s gaze met Haru’s, and a sneer spread across his face. “Well, well. Look who it is. Come to take her back, have you? Too bad. She’s where she belongs.”

Haru’s fists clenched. “Let her go.”

The owner laughed, a harsh grating sound in the alley.

“Let her go? She’s in my debt. You think you can just waltz in here and take her away? She owes me everything.”

Haru ignored him, his eyes focused on Ayase.

“Ayase, come with me. You don’t have to stay here.”

“I gave her life!” the man interjected, pointing at Ayase accusingly. “Without giving her a new purpose, then this scrap of meat will be out there hunted by the traffickers!”

Haru’s jaws tightened, thinking over the man’s words.

"You talk too heroic despite being one yourself. You put too much weight on her back and treat her like nothing more than an animal. What does your 'giving her life' even mean?"

Ayase's reaction to Haru showing kindness showed it all. It was as if she never had that before.

And his heart churned at the thought.

Ayase finally spoke, shaking her head.

“He’s right, Ishida-san, I owe him so much.”

“Haven’t you realized it already? You're being manipulated by this bastard.”

“I…I need to stay. After everything you’ve done for me, it’s only fair that I work hard to repay my debts not just for you but him.”

The guilt and obligation in her voice were painfully familiar. She wasn’t staying by choice—she was trapped, just as she had been before.

“You don’t owe him anything, Ayase,” Haru said firmly. “He’s lying to you, and trying to use you. You don’t need to stay here and suffer because of him.”

“Oh, please.” The owner scoffed. “You don’t know anything about her. She’s just a broken little thing, good for nothing unless someone keeps her in line. You think you’re some kind of salvation? You’re just making her life harder.”

Memories of Haru’s selfishness and contempt came in like sledgehammers. All of this time, she treated her as a stranger and a threat just because he feared that her kindness would soften him up and steer him away from his true motives.

But not anymore.

“Shut up!” Haru snapped, his voice echoing through the shop.

A smile forms on the owner’s lips, staring at Haru’s trembling fists. “Hit a nail?” he mocks.

Haru switched glances to Ayase, his tone softening. “I’m bad at conversations, but goddamn it! You don’t always need to run yourself to the ground to help people. It’s not always about them, there are times that you have to think about yourself too. Ayase, you have a choice.”

Ayase’s eyes widened, a flicker of doubt breaking through her façade.

“I have met the same people as him,” Haru continued. “Making you think you’re worthless, that you can’t survive without them. But that’s not true. You’re strong, Ayase. You’re worth so much more than this.”

“H-how…” Ayase asked, eyes searching for an answer.

“You saved me.” Haru answered, voice sturdy. “I was chained to the belief that kindness from others would soften me up and steer me away from my own goals, but you gave me something, a lesson—that there’s something more to live in this life than revenge.”

The air in the flower shop was thick with tension. Ayase’s rigid posture softened ever so slightly as Haru’s words reached her. The flicker of doubt in her eyes grew, her gaze wavering between him and her former owner.

“Now, is the story time over? Get off my shop before I call my men and use force.”

The man’s face twisted with anger, but Haru didn’t care. His focus was on Ayase, on breaking the chains that held her.

“This isn't about you anymore, geezer. Ayase must know that she has the power to change her direction.”

“Stop filling her head with nonsense. She knows where she belongs, and it’s not with some kid playing savior.”

Off guard, Haru was tackled by the gangster he knocked out earlier, tripping him. His thick arms pinned his face against the cold concrete.

“Ishida-san!” Ayase shrieked, her eyes wide with panic.

“There!” the owner exclaims, laying his palms forward as if presenting a gift. “Is this bravery the best you can offer? You’ll die trying! Tools like her can’t make their own choices! They are created to serve and endure the best fit!”

Tool. The word echoed like ripples in still water. But at this point, Haru’s survival instincts swooped in. He didn’t care anymore.

With air getting choked out of Haru, he needed to do something to free himself. He cannot use force, as his limbs are already pinned by arms as heavy as boulders. At this point he knew he was already losing his consciousness, but all he wanted was another shot of rescuing Ayase.

His eyes blurred, but Ayase...he needed to hang on.

“How…” he trailed off, voice weak and fading. “...how much is your price…?”

Haru started clawing the ground leaving traces of red. He’s trying to use it as leverage to get up.

The owner blinked, caught off guard. “What?”

“Y-you heard me. W-what do I have to give you to let her go?”

“Oh, so now you’re talking sense.” He looked Haru down, a predatory grin spreading across his face. “She’s worth more than you can afford, boy. But...since I’m feeling generous, I’ll make you a deal.”

“J-just…fucking put it on the table…I’m dying here…”

With his interest finally piqued, he motioned his gangsters to break off Haru. As air finally returned to him, Haru threw a coughing fit.

The owner gestured lazily toward Ayase, who stood frozen, her hands trembling. “Three hundred thousand yen. Cash.”

Haru just blinked. No hesitation. He immediately tossed a thick stack of bills that landed on the owner's position.

The owner laughed, shaking his head. “That’s not even close, kid. I said a hundred thousand, not pocket change.”

Haru clicked his tongue, mind racing through options. There was only one thing he had that could meet the man’s outrageous demand.

This time, he hesitated. He reached to his back pocket and pulled out a small, black card. It was old and slightly worn, but the weight of its significance bore down on him like a ton of bricks.

The card contained the inheritance his parents had left him. It was meant to secure his future, a lifeline for the years ahead.

“...Don't haunt me for this, mom, dad.”

He finally tossed it, face down.

Maybe he realized that what he's going to gain back is more than significant.

But could he live with himself if he didn’t do this?

Haru already knew it. He needed Ayase.

“3 million yen,” Haru said, his voice unwavering. “Sack it. This is worth more than anything she owes you. Take it, and let her go.”

The man’s eyes widened in surprise, then narrowed with greed as he snatched up the card. He inspected it closely, running his thumb over the embossed name.

“Are you serious?” he asked, his tone almost disbelieving.

“Take it. And never come near her again.”

The man smirked, pocketing the card with a satisfied grunt. “You richass. Deal.”

He tugged Ayase's apron and pulled her out of the shop.

“She’s all yours. This is more than enough for a business expansion. Thank you, spoiled brat.”

Ayase’s eyes filled with disbelief as she stared at Haru. “Ishida-san...you didn’t have to—”

She halted after Haru took her wrist and dragged her forward.

“Let’s go.”

The man chuckled behind them, his voice dripping with mockery. “Good luck with your little girlfriend, kid. You’ll regret it sooner or later.”

Haru ignored him, leading Ayase out of the shop and into the cool evening air.

They didn't speak. They just kept walking.

He knew that they finally achieved their fragile independence, and that’s what matters right now.

And that's the only precious thing they could possibly keep beyond money—because this little thing called freedom is priceless.