The Blade’s Edge

The alley was narrow, the walls closing in on them as Ryohta advanced, his katana gleaming in the dim light. Aika stood in front of Yumi, her hands trembling but her resolve unshaken. She had faced Ryohta before, but this time, the stakes were higher. She had to protect Yumi.

"Yumi, run!" Aika shouted, her voice sharp with urgency.

Yumi hesitated, her eyes wide with fear. "I'm not leaving you!"

"Go!" Aika insisted, her voice breaking. "Get help!"

Yumi finally turned and ran, her footsteps echoing down the alley. Ryohta's eyes flicked to her retreating figure, but Aika stepped in front of him, blocking his path.

"You're not going anywhere," she said, her voice steady despite the fear coursing through her.

Ryohta smiled, a cold, calculating smile that sent a shiver down her spine. "You're brave, Aika. But bravery won't save you."

He lunged forward, the katana slicing through the air. Aika grabbed a nearby trash can lid, using it to deflect the blade. The impact sent a shockwave through her arms, but she held her ground.

"You don't understand, Ryohta," she said, her voice filled with anger. "This isn't love. It's obsession. And it's destroying you."

Ryohta's smile faded, replaced by a look of cold fury. "You're wrong, Aika. This is love. And I'll prove it to you."

He swung the katana again, the blade slicing through the air with deadly precision. Aika ducked, but this time, she wasn't fast enough. The blade caught her leg, slicing through her jeans and into her flesh. She cried out in pain, collapsing to the ground.

Ryohta stood over her, his eyes gleaming with triumph. "You should have given me a chance, Aika. Now, you'll watch as I take everything from you."

He turned and ran after Yumi, his footsteps echoing in the narrow alley. Aika tried to stand, but the pain in her leg was too much. She could only watch as Ryohta disappeared into the shadows, his katana gleaming in the dim light.