THE HEROINE’S SHADOW

Ash barely made it past the academy gates before his knees threatened to give out. His ribs burned with every breath. The bruises from P.E. class throbbed under his uniform, a dull ache spreading through his limbs.

He clenched his fists, forcing himself to keep moving.

Weak.

The word echoed in his mind, louder than the jeers that had followed him off the training grounds.

Around him, students walked in small groups, some still talking about the match, others laughing, going about their lives as if he didn't exist.

But some noticed.

And some were waiting.

Ash turned the corner, stepping into the quieter streets beyond the academy grounds, only to feel his stomach sink.

Takeshi and his gang.

Five of them, leaning against the alley wall like they owned the street. Their smirks were already in place.

Ash exhaled slowly. He should've expected this.

"You didn't bow after losing," Takeshi said, pushing off the wall, stepping toward him. "That's disrespectful."

Ash didn't answer. He simply tried to walk past.

A hand caught his shoulder.

Fast. Too fast.

Ash barely registered the motion before a force like a steel clamp locked onto him. The grip wasn't just strong—it was precisely applied, fingers pressing into pressure points just enough to trigger pain without causing damage.

AI-calculated force.

"Oi."

The next moment, he was shoved backward.

It wasn't a normal shove. The motion was subtly calculated, his body weight used against him, ensuring he staggered just enough to feel powerless—but not enough to let him fall and escape further humiliation.

Ash's back hit the wall.

Takeshi's smirk widened, his eyes flickering with the faint glow of a combat interface running behind them. His AI enhancements weren't obvious, not at first glance. But Ash had seen them in action.

Takeshi wasn't just stronger.

He was optimized.

Micro-adjustments to balance. Predictive movement analytics. Augmented muscular response speed—faster than thought, faster than Ash could even react.

"You really don't belong here, Shirogiri," Takeshi murmured, tilting his head, letting the neural interface subtly tweak his vocal pitch for just the right level of condescension. A predator playing with its prey.

The others laughed. "He's got no enhancements, no clan name, and no future."

Ash breathed in. Then out. Don't react. Don't give them the satisfaction.

Another step.

Another shove.

This time, Takeshi's augmented grip twisted his uniform just slightly, ensuring Ash's momentum sent him back harder. Ash gritted his teeth.

Takeshi leaned in. "Come on, say something. You think you're better than us just because you memorized a few fancy techniques? You think that makes you a warrior?"

Ash's fingers curled into a fist.

But before he could speak—

She appeared.

A presence like a drawn sword.

The group froze as the sound of light footsteps approached.

Ash looked up just in time to see her.

Tsukihime Rei.

The name alone carried weight.

Her silver hair, tied neatly behind her, gleamed under the fading sun. Her uniform—immaculate. Her gaze—like sharpened steel.

And she was furious.

"Enough."

One word.

Cold. Sharp. Absolute.

Takeshi stiffened.

The others shifted uncomfortably.

Because she wasn't just any student.

She was one of the strongest in the academy.

And worse for them—she had witnesses.

A small crowd had gathered at the street's edge, drawn by the tension. Rei's fans.

A whisper spread through them. She's defending him? Again?

Ash could already feel their stares—not of admiration, but disgust.

Why him?

Rei stepped between Ash and Takeshi, her stance relaxed, but her presence filled the space like a storm about to break.

Her golden eyes locked onto Takeshi's. "You've proven your strength already. Why continue?"

Takeshi hesitated.

For a moment.

Then he scoffed, masking his unease with bravado. "He needs to know his place."

Rei's expression didn't change.

"Is your ego so fragile that you need to break someone weaker than you to feel superior?"

The crowd murmured.

Takeshi's smirk faltered.

Rei's voice softened—but it carried more weight than a shout.

"If you want a real challenge, fight me."

Silence.

Ash felt the shift immediately. Takeshi had no chance.

And he knew it.

He clenched his jaw. For a split second, Ash saw it.

Not anger. Jealousy.

Not toward Rei. Toward him.

Because she had intervened.

Because she had chosen to protect him.

And the more she did, the more they would hate him.

Takeshi's fists tightened—then slowly unclenched.

He turned away.

"Tch."

"Let's go."

The others hesitated but followed.

And just like that, the moment passed.

Ash exhaled, his body tense.

Rei turned to him, expression unreadable. She reached out a hand.

A familiar gesture.

A familiar silence.

Ash looked at her hand.

Then, just as before—he ignored it.

He stepped past her.

Without a word.

The crowd watched, eyes narrowing.

The more she defended him, the more they resented him.

Because to them—he wasn't worth it.

And maybe, they were right.