Chapter Text
That evening, the sky was starting to turn orange, and the shadows of the buildings stretched out along the back alleys of the small town. As usual, Kotoha ran to the grocery store just after school ended and before her evening shift at the Pethos cafe began. A small bag containing a list of cooking supplies was clutched tightly in her hand.
The hallway was usually quiet, but that day her steps felt heavier — as if there were eyes watching.
She didn’t have time to turn around when three boys in messy school uniforms approached her from behind. Their expressions weren’t just mischievous — they clearly malicious.
“Hey, girl,” one of them said. “Come with us for a moment. Our boss wants to see you.”
Kotoha's heart was beating fast. She tried to remain calm and took a step back.
"I'm sorry… I can't," she said, while trying to get past them.
However, her hand was suddenly pulled roughly. She was shocked. She tried to free herself but the grip was too strong to let go.
“Let her go.”
The voice wasn't loud, but it was sharp enough to make everyone stop for a moment.
A student stood at the end of the alley. His uniform was neat, black-and-white hair catching the fading light, and eyes that looked sharp yet calm. He didn’t look the slightest bit intimidated.
“And who the hell are you?” one of the boys barked.
“Trying to play hero?”
The man didn't answer. He just walked slowly towards them, his hands still in his pockets. His steps were full of confidence.
Before anyone could move, he had already thrown a punch right into the cheek of one of the teenagers. Another tried to fight back, but his move was easily avoided. And the third one, he ran off, terrified.
Kotoha stood frozen, her breath still unstable.
"Are you okay?" the man asked, his voice low and cold, but not rude.
She could only nod. "T-thank you..."
"Want me to accompany you to the shop?" he asked again.
Kotoha was silent for a moment, then nodded slowly. "If it's not too much trouble..."
They walked side by side, not saying much. The alley returned to its usual silence, but in Kotoha’s heart, she knew this wasn’t just a simple encounter.
The walk was quiet — not a single word was exchanged.
Kotoha walked ahead, while the student from earlier followed behind in silence.
After a few minutes of walking, they arrived at the Pethos Cafe. The sound of the Pethos Cafe doorbell greeted them.
The place was small but warm — decorated with hanging plants and plastic flowers, the air filled with the aroma of freshly cooked food.
Behind the counter, a staff member greeted Kotoha cheerfully and gave a small nod toward the student who stood stiffly at the entrance, like a schoolkid who had walked into the wrong place.
Kotoha immediately spoke to the staff about the items she bought, before turning back to the boy.
“Do you want to sit for a bit? I want to treat you to something,” she said with a small smile.
The boy cleared his throat. "No need… I'm o—"
"My omurice is the best," Kotoha cut in quickly.
The boy was silent. His eyebrows rose slightly.
"I'm not really hungry," he said again, but he still followed Kotoha to the small table by the window.
He sat down slowly, hands on the table, eyes looking out — but clearly uncomfortable. Kotoha went to the kitchen, and soon returned with a steaming plate of omurice.
"Well. Omurice special. With… drawings," Kotoha said with a smile, pointing to a small inscription painted with sauce: “Thank You Hero :)”
The boy looked at the massage.
“Oi. What is this… Don’t go writing weird stuff.”
Kotoha chuckled. "Why? Don't you like it?"
The boy wanted to answer, but he saw Kotoha's soft, sincere smile, and for some reason... it punched something in his chest.
And for some reason he didn't understand, his face suddenly felt hot. He immediately turned his face to the side.
"N-no… it's not that I don't like it. It's just— there's no need to call me a hero."
Kotoha smiled again. But this time, she didn’t answer. She just sat across from them and began eating quietly.
meanwhile, The boy stared down at the omurice again.
“Thank You, Hero.”
For some reason, that sentence made him smile a little... but he quickly bowed before Kotoha noticed his cheeks starting to turn red.