Chapter 4: A Hidden Truth

Akira walked through the night, the cold wind whipping his face. He had left the café an hour ago, but the image of Mayu remained etched in his mind.

She knew everything before it happened.

He was used to cunning enemies and unpredictable targets. But never to a target who could literally see the future.

Pulling out his phone, he contacted his informant, Rin, a hacker capable of accessing the most protected files.

— Find me everything you can on Hoshino Mayu.

— A high school girl? Seriously, man? Rin replied with amusement.

— Just do it.

— Yeah, yeah… Give me a few minutes.

Akira put his phone away and leaned against a dark wall. A light rain began to fall.

Then his instincts sent him a signal.

Someone was watching him.

He slowly slid his hand toward his concealed knife.

— No need for that, a voice murmured behind him.

He turned around.

Mayu stood there, under a streetlight, holding an umbrella.

— Are you following me? he asked, impassive.

She shrugged.

— I saw you were coming here.

— And so?

— So I thought... I might as well wait for you.

Akira remained silent. This girl was starting to seriously annoy him.

— What game are you playing?

— Surviving.

Her tone was serious this time.

— Why would someone want to kill you?

She hesitated. Then, in a whisper:

— Because I know something I shouldn't know.

Akira fixed her with a stare.

— What?

She opened her mouth, ready to respond.

But at that moment, a whistle sliced through the air.

BANG!

Akira reacted purely by instinct, grabbing Mayu and pulling her to the ground just in time.

A bullet whizzed overhead, piercing the wall behind them.

A sniper.

Akira rolled to the side and drew his weapon.

— Stay put.

Mayu nodded, breathless.

Akira scanned the rooftops. A movement. A shadow.

The enemy was there.

And this time, he was the target.