The alley was silent, the only sound the faint hum of the city in the distance. Aika stood in front of Yumi, her leg bleeding but her grip on the metal pipe steady. Ryohta faced them, his katana gleaming in the dim light. The tension was palpable, the air thick with the weight of what was about to happen.
"You're out of options, Aika," Ryohta said, his voice cold and menacing. "You can't win this."
Aika's eyes narrowed, her jaw clenched with determination. "I don't have to win. I just have to stop you."
Ryohta laughed, a hollow, chilling sound. "You think you can stop me? You're barely standing."
He lunged forward, the katana slicing through the air. Aika swung the metal pipe, deflecting the blade with a loud clang. The impact sent a shockwave through her arms, but she held her ground. Behind her, Yumi crouched low, her eyes darting around for anything she could use as a weapon.
"Yumi, stay back!" Aika shouted, her voice sharp with urgency.
But Yumi wasn't listening. She grabbed a loose brick from the ground and hurled it at Ryohta. It struck him on the shoulder, causing him to stagger back. His eyes flashed with anger as he turned to Yumi.
"You'll regret that," he snarled.
Before Aika could react, Ryohta lunged at Yumi, his katana flashing in the dim light. Yumi tried to dodge, but she wasn't fast enough. The blade pierced her side, and she cried out in pain, collapsing to the ground.
"Yumi!" Aika screamed, her voice filled with anguish.
Ryohta turned to Aika, his eyes gleaming with triumph. "Now it's just you and me."
Aika's heart raced as she stepped forward, her hands trembling but her resolve unshaken. She had to protect Yumi, had to stop Ryohta. But before she could strike, the sound of sirens filled the air.
The police had arrived.
Ryohta's eyes darted to the entrance of the alley, and for a moment, he hesitated. But then he smiled, a cold, calculating smile.
"You think you've won?" he said, his voice low and menacing. "This isn't over."
With a swift motion, he grabbed Aika, pulling her close and pressing the katana to her throat. "If I can't have you, no one can."