A Mirror, A Promise, and a Dangerous Smile

Chapter 1: Best Friends Since Childhood

Aira and Hikari had been best friends for a very long time.

They met in elementary school, on their first day of class. Since then, they stayed together through every year. They studied together, laughed together, and sometimes cried together.

Everyone at school knew them as a pair.

When one was quiet, the other spoke.

When one was scared, the other stood strong.

Today was different.

Today, Hikari was going to meet a boy.

Chapter 2: The After-School Plan

After classes ended, the school halls filled with noise.

Students talked loudly and rushed outside. Aira and Hikari walked side by side, just like always.

But Aira could feel it.

Hikari was nervous.

“You okay?” Aira asked.

Hikari smiled.

“Yeah. Just… a little excited.”

The boy Hikari was meeting was someone she met online. They talked for weeks. He seemed kind, funny, and confident.

They planned to meet in the shopping district, near a busy arcade.

Aira decided to come with her.

“Just to check,” Aira said.

“From far away.”

Hikari laughed.

“You’re like my bodyguard.”

Chapter 3: Eyes That Followed Them

The shopping district was crowded.

Bright signs. Loud voices. Music from shops.

As Aira and Hikari walked, people turned their heads.

Some men looked once.

Then looked again.

Some whispered to friends.

A few secretly took photos with their phones.

Aira noticed everything.

She walked closer to Hikari.

“Stay near me,” she said quietly.

Hikari nodded.

They reached the meeting place.

Outside an arcade stall, a boy was already waiting.

Chapter 4: The Boy Named Einosuke

The boy standing there looked confident.

He was tall, wearing a school uniform from another school. His posture was relaxed, and his smile was playful.

When he saw Hikari, his eyes lit up.

“You must be Hikari,” he said.

Hikari smiled.

“And you’re Einosuke.”

Aira sat on a nearby bench.

Far enough to look like Hikari was alone.

Close enough to protect her.

Einosuke talked easily. He joked. He laughed. He was a little flashy, a little bold - but not rude.

Aira watched carefully.

He seems okay, she thought.

For now.

Chapter 5: Into the Arcade

The three of them walked toward the arcade.

Lights flashed.

Game sounds filled the air.

Students from different schools crowded the place.

Aira (from a distance) followed them quietly.

That’s when she noticed it.

A group of boys standing near the game machines.

Their eyes were fixed on Hikari.

Their faces showed jealousy.

One of them whispered something.

Then they walked closer.

Chapter 6: Disrespect

“Hey,” one of the boys said.

“What’s your name?”

Hikari stepped back.

Before she could answer -

Einosuke stepped forward.

“That’s rude,” he said calmly.

“She’s with me.”

The boys laughed.

One of them smirked.

“And who are you?”

Einosuke’s smile disappeared.

“This is your last warning,” he said.

The air felt heavy.

Then -

One boy grabbed Hikari’s hand.

Chapter 7: The First Punch

Everything happened fast.

Einosuke’s fist flew.

It hit the boy’s face hard.

The boy fell to the floor instantly.

The arcade exploded with noise.

“Whoa!”

“No way!”

“Did you see that?!”

The other three boys attacked Einosuke.

Aira moved immediately.

She grabbed Hikari’s hand.

“Run,” she said.

They tried to leave.

But -

The boy who fell earlier suddenly grabbed Hikari’s arm.

Aira turned.

Her eyes were sharp.

Chapter 8: Aira Strikes Back

Aira didn’t hesitate.

She punched.

Then kicked.

Clean. Strong. Fast.

The boy collapsed.

Sleeping on the floor.

Hikari gasped.

“Aira -!”

Einosuke was on the ground now, fighting three boys alone.

Covering his face.

Still punching back.

Students shouted.

Some laughed.

Some cheered.

Then -

One of the attackers saw Aira.

He rushed toward her.

Chapter 9: A Sudden Shield

The punch never reached her.

A hand blocked it.

A familiar voice said:

“Don’t touch her.”

Aira looked up.

It was Haruto.

Behind him -

Yoshi.

Fuyutake.

They had seen the fight.

They didn’t expect to see Aira and Hikari.

But they moved instantly.

Haruto punched the attacker.

The boy fell backward.

The other two turned -

But Yoshi and Fuyutake were ready.

They fought together.

One by one -

The attackers fell.

Chapter 10: Sirens and Truth

A loud whistle cut the noise.

Police.

People ran outside.

The arcade owner shouted.

“She’s telling the truth!”

“They started it!”

The police took the four boys away.

Hikari helped Einosuke stand.

“Thank you,” she said softly.

Einosuke smiled, tired but proud.

Aira looked at him.

She was impressed.

She also looked at Haruto and his friends.

Her heart beat faster.

Chapter 11: Laughter After Fear

They sat at a food stall.

Everyone talked at once.

“Did you see that kick?”

“He flew!”

“I thought my arm was gone!”

They laughed.

They copied the fight with funny moves.

Time passed quickly.

Einosuke bowed.

“Thank you,” he said.

“You’re all amazing.”

They became friends.

Then they said goodbye.

Chapter 12: A Strange Sight

Aira, Hikari, and Yoshi walked home together.

Haruto and Fuyutake walked behind them for safety.

Later, Haruto and Fuyutake turned back toward the shopping area.

That’s when they saw him.

Einosuke.

Standing in a park.

Around him -

Almost thirty men.

They bowed.

Haruto froze.

“What…?” Fuyutake whispered.

They followed quietly.

An empty house.

They peeked through the window.

Inside -

The four boys from earlier.

Tied upside down.

Einosuke shouted:

“How dare you disrespect me and my girl!”

Haruto’s breath stopped.

Suddenly -

A voice behind them said:

“What the hell are you doing here?”

END OF PART 1

What will happen next?

Who is Einosuke really?

Did Aira and Hikari get involved in something dangerous?

Will Haruto and Fuyutake escape… or be caught?

Find out in Part 2.