Chap1.1 Come in

That unknown presence sounded reassuring, making the shaken girl feel a tiny bit less scared. Just the simple fact that she wasn't alone anymore brought her some comfort. As she took a final deep breath to compose herself, a delicate hand with long fingers adorned with rings appeared before her eyes. She took it, using it as support for her weak legs. 

"Thank you," she said, gripping the hand that had saved her. 

Standing up, she was surprised to find her legs no longer trembling. She breathed deeply again to steady her heart and prepared to leave that awful place behind. 

"Let's go," her savior said in an urgent tone. 

Determined to appear strong, the girl took the first step. But as soon as her foot touched the ground, it felt like the floor was an illusion, and she stumbled as if falling into a hole. Beside her, the woman who had saved her acted quickly, grabbing her firmly to prevent her from collapsing. 

"I'm sorry! My legs..." 

"There's nothing to apologize for." 

Looking up at the owner of those firm words, the shaken girl felt a wave of relief that her savior wasn't a man. There was a strange warmth in the woman's presence, a quiet strength that seemed to steady her legs again. It was all thanks to those small, dark eyes that comforted her without saying a word. 

"Are you ready to move?" 

The woman with the steel bar spoke with urgency, her only concern being that the two men she had struck down might wake up while they were still in the alley. Though she was eager to leave immediately, she understood what the girl had just endured. 

"Yes, thank you." 

Neither of them let go of the other's hand. 

The one with the steel bar began moving at a quick pace, holding firmly onto the girl she had saved to ensure she didn't fall behind. She knew running would be difficult for the girl, but speed was necessary at that moment. 

Feeling the cold wind burn her skin, the savior thought about where to go. The image of the two assholes lying on the ground lingered in her mind. Being charged was out of the question—that would be strike three. No one had seen her, not even them. It was too dark, and they hadn't been paying attention to their surroundings. They probably hadn't even realized what hit them... No, they weren't dead. No matter how bad the sound had been, there was a chance they were still alive. Cavemen were known for their hard bones, after all. 

"Where do you live?" the leader asked. 

"Just... on the next corner... to the left," the girl answered between heavy breaths. They weren't running, but their long, quick strides were too much for her traumatized lungs. As they reached the corner, they stopped. The girl was so exhausted that she appreciated the break, taking her time to catch her breath. Only a minute later did she realize she probably needed to give more directions. 

Standing straight, she noticed that the person who had saved her was taller than she was. 

"It's at the end of the street." 

Even after receiving the information, the woman's dark eyes didn't move. They remained focused on her, radiating solidarity. Both girls stood still at the windy corner until the college student nodded, ready to move again. 

The night was bitterly cold, and every part of their bodies felt frozen. Only their hands were warm, as if their hearts were sending all their blood to their fingertips—at least, that's what the girl being led to her apartment thought. 

Lost in her thoughts, she didn't even notice they were almost at the end of the block until her savior stopped and stared at her. 

"Oh! Okay. It's right..." She held the syllable and walked without letting go of the woman's hand. This time, she was the one doing the dragging. "Here!" 

In front of a small building, she stopped and looked back at the stranger who had saved her from an even greater tragedy. Her heart was racing, but she couldn't pinpoint the reason. 

"Um..." she mumbled, searching with one hand in her purse for the keys. "What can I call you?" 

There was a light post right in front of the door. The orange glow allowed them to finally see each other's faces clearly. 

It took a moment for the tall girl to answer. 

"Tsuki." 

With the door open, the girl squeezed her hand in gratitude. "Come in, Tsuki."