Chapter 46: Breaking The Cycle
A heavy silence settled between them.
Mayu could feel her own heart pounding against her chest, strong and erratic.
Her trembling fist hung in the air…
But she did not attack.
Mayu Zero did not look away.
She waited.
Not out of fear.
Nor calculation.
But because she knew.
She knew that Mayu would not strike.
— You just made a choice, she murmured.
Mayu stepped back slightly, gritting her teeth.
No.
She couldn't leave things this way.
She had to stop her.
But then…
Why did she feel like this fight was meaningless?
Why…
Why did she feel like she was fighting against herself?
— If you think this changes anything, you're mistaken, she growled.
Mayu Zero shrugged slightly.
— It changes everything.
Her gaze…
Her gaze no longer resembled that of a machine.
— You are an anomaly.
Mayu wanted to believe it.
She wanted to convince herself that her opponent was a danger.
A mistake to erase.
But then…
Why the weight on her chest?
Why this suffocating sensation, as if she had just lost something essential?
Mayu Zero offered a light smile.
Then, slowly…
She extended her hand.
— We don't have to be enemies.
Mayu stood frozen.
Her body wanted to move.
Her instincts screamed to refuse.
But deep within her…
Something prevented her from attacking.
She felt her breath shorten.
Then…
She looked up.
And made her choice.