Hiro Vs Aidan

The factory was silent. Hiro stood in the dim glow of the overhead lights, blood dripping from his split lip, his knuckles bruised from the fight with Danji. His breath came in sharp, measured exhales, his body aching but ready. Across from him, Aidan stared, his usual smug grin absent. For the first time, uncertainty flickered in his eyes. Hiro rolled his shoulders. "You're a dead man, Aidan." Aidan exhaled slowly, his smirk returning—forced this time. "You think just because you beat Danji, you stand a chance against me?" He chuckled, shaking his head. "I trained you, Hiro. You don't even know what I'm capable of now."

Hiro wiped the blood from his mouth with the back of his hand. "Then show me." Aidan's eyes darkened. "Gladly." Then, he lunged.Hiro barely had time to react before Aidan closed the distance, swinging a brutal right hook aimed at his ribs. Hiro twisted just in time, dodging, but Aidan anticipated it—immediately following up with a left knee to Hiro's gut. The impact was like a sledgehammer. Hiro stumbled back, coughing, but Aidan didn't let up. He was faster than Hiro remembered—more refined, more calculated. "He's been waiting for this fight."

Aidan struck again, this time aiming for Hiro's jaw. Hiro ducked under the punch, using the opening to slam his fist into Aidan's ribs. Aidan grunted but barely faltered. Instead, he grabbed Hiro's wrist mid-swing and twisted, forcing Hiro's arm behind his back. "You're not the only one who's improved," Aidan whispered into his ear. Then, he wrenched Hiro's arm harder—forcing him onto one knee. Pain exploded through Hiro's shoulder, but he gritted his teeth. "I can't lose. Not to him." Digging deep, Hiro suddenly twisted his body, breaking free from Aidan's hold. He spun, delivering a sharp elbow to Aidan's face. Aidan staggered back, clutching his nose. Blood dripped between his fingers. He lowered his hand, glaring at Hiro. "Alright," he muttered. "No more holding back." Then, Aidan pulled a knife from his belt. Hiro's breath caught. "This bastard... He was never going to fight fair."

Aidan grinned, twirling the blade between his fingers. "Did you really think I was gonna make this clean?" Without another word, he lunged, slashing at Hiro's chest. Hiro barely dodged, but the blade nicked his shirt, slicing fabric and grazing skin. He felt the warm trickle of blood down his ribs, but he didn't stop moving. Aidan struck again—fast, aggressive, precise. Hiro ducked, weaved, narrowly avoiding each strike. One mistake, one misstep, and Aidan would end this in seconds. Hiro searched for an opening. Then, Aidan overextended. Hiro reacted instantly. He grabbed Aidan's wrist mid-slash, twisting it violently. The knife clattered to the ground.

Aidan's eyes widened—

Then Hiro drove his knee into Aidan's stomach. Aidan gasped, doubling over, but Hiro wasn't done. He followed up with a crushing right hook to Aidan's jaw. Aidan stumbled back, dazed. Hiro took a breath, his vision tunneling. He was winning. Then— Pain. White-hot pain seared through Hiro's stomach. He gasped, eyes widening in shock as he looked down. Aidan smirked.

A switchblade, small and hidden, was buried deep into Hiro's abdomen. Hiro's vision blurred. His knees buckled. Aidan leaned in close, voice dripping with amusement. "Did you really think I wouldn't have a backup?" Hiro tried to breathe, but every inhale burned. His legs gave out, and he collapsed to his knees. Aidan yanked the knife free, and Hiro choked, blood dripping from his lips. Aidan sighed, wiping the blade clean on his sleeve. "I have to admit… you put up a hell of a fight." Hiro's fingers curled against the cold floor, his entire body trembling. This wasn't how it was supposed to end. Lucina. His mother. His promise. Aidan crouched in front of him, tilting his head. "You should've stayed away, Hiro. You were never built for this."

Hiro's vision flickered. Aidan stood, twirling the knife. "You know, I could just let you bleed out. But that would be too easy." He pressed the blade under Hiro's chin, lifting his face. "Maybe I should finish what I started with your dad. And then… maybe I'll pay Lucina a visit next." Rage exploded through Hiro's veins. His mind went blank. With a raw, guttural roar, Hiro yanked the knife from Aidan's grip— And drove it straight into Aidan's leg. Aidan screamed, stumbling backward as blood gushed from the wound. Hiro's vision swam, but he forced himself to stand, gripping his stomach. Aidan clutched his leg, eyes wild with disbelief. "You—!" Hiro didn't give him a chance to recover.

He lunged forward, grabbing Aidan by the collar and slamming his fist into his ribs—once, twice, three times—before sending a final punch to Aidan's temple. Aidan crashed to the floor, gasping in pain. Hiro staggered, barely able to stand. His vision blurred. Aidan groaned, trying to crawl toward a nearby gun that had been left behind. Hiro saw it. And so did Aidan.

With the last of his strength, Hiro limped toward the gun and kicked it away. Then, he turned back to Aidan. Aidan lay on his back, panting, bloodied, beaten. He looked up at Hiro with unfocused eyes, smirking weakly. "Go on then," he rasped. "Kill me." Hiro stared down at him, breathing heavily. His hands trembled. He wanted to. God, he wanted to.

Aidan had taken everything from him. His father. His peace. His future. One bullet. That's all it would take. Hiro bent down, picking up the gun. He aimed it at Aidan's head, finger hovering over the trigger. Aidan smiled. "You don't have the guts." Hiro's grip tightened. He started to pull the trigger— Then— "Hiro! Don't do it!" Hiro's breath hitched. "Lucina."

(End of Chapter 6)