When the City Looked Away

Chapter 3 - When the City Looked Away

April 7, 2051 — Day

Frost leaned back in his chair, satisfied.
“That was a good sandwich,” he said. “Special vegan really means special here.”

Blaze wiped his hands and was about to reply when something caught his eye.

A girl ran past the restaurant entrance, her face pale with fear. Two men followed close behind her, shouting.

Blaze stood up instantly. “Icy. Let’s go.”

They turned to leave—

“Sir, please pay the bill,” the waiter said nervously.

Frost groaned. “Fire, give the money.”

Blaze shook his head. “I don’t have it on me. Can you pay? I’ll return it at the base.”

Frost sighed. “Fine. How much?”

“100,000 Kaizoins.”

Frost raised an eyebrow. “That’s cheap.” He placed two Spidorions on the table.

The waiter’s eyes widened. “Sir, this is double the amount. Please take the change.”

“I don’t want it,” Frost said. “Pack two more sandwiches.”

“Yes, sir!”

They grabbed the food and ran.

The girl reached a dead end and stopped, trembling. The two men closed in, blocking her escape.

“Please,” she said, backing away. “Leave me and my parents alone.”

One man laughed. “Are you stupid, girl?”

The other stepped forward. “Money or not, you’re not walking away.”

“Stop,” Blaze said calmly.

The men turned.

“And who are you supposed to be?” one of them sneered.

Frost stepped beside Blaze, his voice cold. “Your problem.”

The men lunged.

The fight ended quickly.

When it was over, the two attackers lay unconscious on the ground.

The girl stared at them in shock, then at the two strangers. “Who… who are you?”

Frost sheathed his sword. “I’m Frost.”

Blaze nodded. “And I’m Blaze.”

She bowed slightly, still shaken.

Behind them, the city continued moving—unaware that the shadows had just been disturbed.

To be continued...

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