The Streets of Marsnia

The streets of Marsnia weren't dead, but they might as well have been. The glow of neon signs flickered against crumbling buildings, casting fractured light onto the dirty roads below. People moved through the streets like ghosts, their faces gaunt with exhaustion, their eyes hollow from fear and hunger. The air was thick with tension, the kind that clung to your skin and refused to let go.

Kai walked beside Rose, his hands shoved in his pockets, his weapon strapped securely at his side. He felt the weight of the city pressing down on him. The quiet wasn't peaceful—it was suffocating.

"This place looks worse every day," Rose muttered, scanning the ruined buildings and makeshift shelters stacked against alley walls. Families huddled together under flickering streetlamps, trying to find whatever warmth they could in the cold night air.

Kai exhaled sharply. "Yeah… We were supposed to be protecting them."

Rose flicked her tail in irritation. "Not much of a life to protect."

As they passed a small ration station, a commotion caught her attention.

A man in a tattered jacket reached out toward a guard distributing food. "Please, my kids haven't eaten in two days—"

The guard scowled, shoving him back. "Get in line like everyone else."

"I was in line! You cut off distribution early—"

SLAP.

The crack of the strike echoed through the street, cutting through the murmurs of the hungry crowd. The man stumbled back, clutching his face, but didn't retaliate. He simply lowered his head, swallowing the humiliation as he turned to walk away.

Rose's grip on her Yari tightened. Her golden eyes flashed with anger as she stepped forward, but Kai grabbed her wrist.

"Rose."

She turned to him, rage boiling beneath the surface. "Are we just supposed to let that happen?"

Kai's expression was unreadable. "We can't fix everything."

She yanked her arm free, glaring at him. "That's a coward's answer."

Kai sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "It's reality."

Rose's tail flicked sharply, her patience snapping like a brittle twig. She turned on her heel and strode toward the guard, her Yari already shifting in her grip.

Kai groaned. "Oh, come on…"

The guard barely had time to react before the tip of Rose's spear was hovering just inches from his throat. His breath hitched, eyes wide with sudden fear.

"Try hitting someone who can fight back," Rose said, her voice as sharp as the blade pointed at him.

The crowd went silent.

The guard's hand twitched toward his weapon, but Rose tilted her head, her smirk laced with something almost playful. "Go ahead. Give me an excuse."

A bead of sweat rolled down his temple.

Kai stepped forward, lowering his voice. "Rose."

She didn't move.

The guard swallowed hard. "I was just following orders…"

"Terrible excuse." Rose pressed the blade slightly closer, watching as he flinched. "These people have lost everything, and you're making it worse."

Kai pinched the bridge of his nose. "Okay, that's enough."

Rose held the guard's gaze a moment longer before pulling back, spinning her Yari before resting it against her shoulder.

Kai exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck as they walked away from the stunned crowd. "I bet he was following orders," he muttered.

Rose shot him a look. "Oh, so that makes it okay?"

Kai shook his head. "No. But think about it—the rich are hoarding most of the food for themselves. They're afraid that if they give too much away, there won't be enough left for them when things get worse."

Rose scoffed, her tail flicking in irritation. "That's horrible."

Kai sighed. "Yeah… but that's how people are. The ones in power always make sure they stay fed first. Everyone else is just an afterthought."

Rose gripped her Yari tighter, her golden eyes dark with frustration. "That's why I hate people like them."

Kai smirked slightly, but there was no humor in it. "And yet, you're fighting to protect them."

Rose clicked her tongue. "Don't remind me."

They continued walking through the broken streets, the weight of reality pressing down on them like an inescapable force.

Rose's stomach growled loudly, breaking the tense silence.

Kai glanced at her, an amused smirk forming on his lips. "Well, well… Looks like someone's hungry."

Rose shot him a glare, her ears twitching in annoyance. "Shut up."

Kai shrugged, stretching his arms behind his head. "Okay, I guess we don't need lunch then."

Without hesitation, Rose started punching his arm.

"Wow—ow—quit it!" Kai flinched, trying to shield himself.

"Take it back!" Rose huffed.

"Fine, fine!" Kai groaned, adjusting his glasses. "What do you want to eat?"

Rose pointed across the street.

Kai followed her gaze—straight to a rundown bar.

He blinked. "A bar?!"

"Yes!" Rose grinned. "They always have the best food."

Her eyes gleamed as she spun excitedly in place. "Come on, let's go!" she cheered, grabbing his wrist and dragging him along.

"Ahhh—stop pulling me!"

The bar had a rugged but welcoming atmosphere, filled with off-duty soldiers and workers taking a rare break from the grim reality outside. The scent of grilled meat and spiced drinks filled the air, making Rose's tail flick with anticipation.

A burly bartender grinned as they stepped inside. "Now, what would you two soldiers like? Everything's half off for you!"

Rose's ears perked up. "Oh, that's what I love to hear!"

Kai crossed his arms. "Don't abuse that."

"I… would never." She flashed a mischievous smile.

She leaned on the counter, her tail swishing happily. "I want tons of chicken and fish!"

Kai sighed, watching her excitement. Guess demi-cats really do have the same cravings as regular cats…

"I'm not hungry, so I'll just pay," Kai added.

Rose pumped her fist. "Yes! And lots of beer!"

Kai snapped his head toward her. "Rose, you're nineteen!"

She scoffed. "Almost twenty!"

"That doesn't—"

"Besides," she smirked, sticking her tongue out, "the legal age on Mars is lower."

Kai groaned, rubbing his temples. "Seriously…"

Her food arrived shortly after, and she wasted no time digging in, devouring it like a wild animal. The bartender chuckled at the sight while Kai simply stared, adjusting his glasses. "Have some dignity, will you?"

Rose waved him off, too busy eating.

Then the beers came.

One. Then another. And another.

After a while, her ears and tail drooped slightly, and a goofy, drunken grin spread across her face.

Kai sighed. "Rose… You're drunk."

"Hic—no, I'm not…" she slurred. "Y-you're a liar…"

Kai sighed, tossing some credits on the counter and standing up. "Come on, we're done here."

Rose tried to stand, only to immediately fall back into her seat.

Kai facepalmed. "Seriously?"

He crouched down and hoisted her onto his back, grabbing her Yari for her as well. "Gosh, you're heavy."

"You better not be calling me fat!" she mumbled against his shoulder.

Kai chuckled. "I'm not."

As he carried her across the city, her arms lazily draped around his shoulders, she whispered into his ear.

"Wanna kiss me?"

Kai stiffened, his entire face going red. "HELL NO."

"Awww, why not?" she pouted. "I'll even put my tongue in it."

Kai nearly tripped. "I am NOT taking advantage of a drunk!" he snapped, pushing up his glasses.

She leaned closer again, her breath warm against his ear. "Maybe when I'm sober then…"

Kai groaned. "Rose, don't tease people like that! Some guys would actually take you up on that."

She giggled. "You're fun to tease."

Kai muttered under his breath, carrying her the rest of the way back to the base

The moment Kai stepped into Rose's room, he gently set her down on her bed, sighing as he adjusted the weight of her Yari on his shoulder.

"Well, get some sleep. You're gonna have a hangover… so I'm just gonna say 'I told you so' now."

He turned to leave—only to feel a tug on his sleeve.

Kai froze. "Um… Rose?" He glanced back at her. "What is it now?"

Rose, still half-drunk, her voice softer than usual, murmured, "Can you stay a bit…? Just until I fall asleep…?"

Kai opened his mouth, about to give an automatic 'no.' But the way she clung to his sleeve, the way she looked—her usual fiery energy dimmed—he sighed in defeat.

"Sure…" He pulled up a chair beside her bed, adjusting his glasses. "Just until you fall asleep."

Rose let out a satisfied hum, shifting slightly. Then—her hand gripped his.

Kai stiffened.

"You could let go, you know," he muttered.

"I don't wanna."

"…Fine."

Minutes passed. Then more. Her breathing slowed, her grip loosening slightly. Kai, exhausted from the long day, leaned back in his chair.

Then, somewhere between the weight of her hand and the quiet of the room—he dozed off.

Soon Morning Came.

"AAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!"

Kai jolted awake as something hit him square in the face—a pillow.

"You PERVERT!" Rose's scream rang through the room.

Kai sat up in a panic. "WHAT?!"

Rose pointed at him accusingly. "You SLEPT in my room!"

Kai rubbed his forehead, still half-asleep. "You literally asked me to stay!"

"LIAR!"

Before he could argue, Rose's expression twisted. She clutched her stomach, her face going pale.

Kai blinked. "Oh no."

Rose turned.

Then—

She bolted for the bathroom.

The sound of violent retching filled the room.

Kai sighed, shaking his head. "Yep. Called it."

Another round of retching.

Kai smirked slightly. "So… still think that beer was a great idea?"

A muffled growl came from the bathroom. "Shut… up…"

Kai chuckled, standing up. "Alright, I'll go get you some water."

Rose groaned. "And a bucket…"

Kai stretched, cracking his neck as he headed for the door. "On it."

As he stepped out, he muttered to himself, "She's never gonna live this down."