The morning after their return, Ehito and Lia were walking together toward school. The warm sun hung low in the sky, casting a golden glow over the quiet streets. Despite the exhaustion from the tournament and the journey back, there was a sense of calm about them as they made their way to school.
Lia glanced at Ehito. "I'm still kind of tired from the tournament… but I think I'm ready to get back to normal life."
Ehito didn't respond immediately, his focus instead on the surroundings. His sharp eyes seemed to be analyzing every detail—whether it was the people walking on the sidewalks or the faint rustle of trees in the wind, nothing escaped his notice.
"Do you think something's off today?" Lia asked, noticing his silence.
Ehito's gaze shifted slightly, just enough to catch the subtle movement of two figures approaching them from the side, walking in their direction. A man and a woman—both dressed in dark clothes, their faces hidden by the shadows of their hoods.
Ehito's sharp instincts immediately told him something was wrong. They were moving too deliberately, too purposefully toward them. His hand subtly moved to his side, where he kept a few tools for emergencies.
The woman spoke first, her voice low and threatening. "Well, well, what do we have here? Two little students, walking alone."
Lia instinctively took a step back, but Ehito stayed calm, not showing any sign of fear. He turned toward the two figures, his eyes narrowing slightly as he scanned their movements.
"You should turn back," Ehito said coolly, his voice measured, "Before this gets out of hand."
The man grinned. "What's the matter, kid? Scared?" His voice had a mocking edge to it.
Lia could feel the tension rising, but she trusted Ehito. She knew he wouldn't let anything happen to them. Still, she couldn't help but feel a sense of dread settling in her stomach.
"You really should listen to him," Lia said quietly, her voice laced with unease. "We don't want trouble."
The woman stepped forward, her posture aggressive. "You don't have a choice," she spat, "We're here for a reason."
Suddenly, the man lunged forward, aiming to grab Lia, but Ehito was faster. In one swift motion, he stepped in front of her and blocked the man's attack. His hand shot out, gripping the man's wrist with a vice-like grip, and with a twist, he sent the attacker crashing to the ground.
Lia gasped, but there was no time to process what happened. The woman advanced, her expression fierce, as she threw a punch toward Ehito. He sidestepped effortlessly, his body moving like a fluid stream, and the punch missed by a mere inch.
Ehito's movements were a blur. In an instant, he grabbed the woman's arm, twisted it behind her back, and shoved her into the ground. He was precise, efficient, and unyielding. His training, his experience, all of it came to the forefront in that single moment.
The man, having recovered from his fall, tried to strike again, but Ehito anticipated it. With a single, quick motion, he blocked the punch and retaliated with a sharp blow to the man's stomach, knocking the air out of him. The man staggered back, barely able to stand.
"Is this really what you wanted?" Ehito asked, his voice cold, almost detached. His eyes were like ice, studying the two would-be attackers with a calmness that seemed to make the air around them freeze.
The woman, struggling to get back up, shot him a furious glare. "You'll regret this…"
Before she could finish her threat, a familiar voice interrupted.
"Enough," Tilan said, walking calmly toward them. His voice carried an undeniable authority, and the sheer presence of his calm demeanor immediately made the situation feel less dangerous. "You two should leave. Now."
Tilan wasn't armed, but there was something about the way he carried himself that made the attackers hesitate. He wasn't like Ehito—he didn't exude the same cold aura, but there was a force to him, a confidence that made him a formidable opponent even without physical combat.
The woman and man exchanged wary glances, but neither made a move toward the pair again. They stood still for a moment, before the woman muttered something under her breath and yanked the man away.
"We're not done," the woman hissed, glaring at Ehito. "This isn't over."
"Then make sure you don't get in our way again," Tilan replied, his tone carrying no room for argument.
The two attackers turned and retreated, disappearing down an alleyway before vanishing from sight.
Lia let out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. She turned to Ehito, her voice trembling slightly. "Are you alright?"
Ehito nodded, brushing off the tension like it was nothing more than an inconvenience. "I'm fine," he said simply.
But Lia noticed the tightness in his jaw, the way his fists were clenched for a fraction longer than necessary. "Are you sure? They weren't just random strangers, were they?"
Ehito didn't answer immediately, instead glancing over at Tilan, who was still standing nearby. "They were hired. I can feel it."
Tilan's gaze was unwavering, his expression serious. "I'll keep an eye on them. They won't bother you again."
Lia looked at both of them. She felt safer with them around, but something in her gut told her that this encounter was just the beginning of something far more complicated.
Tilan turned to her with a reassuring smile. "Don't worry. They won't make it past me."
Ehito gave a single nod of acknowledgment before he turned back toward the school. "Let's go. We're already late."
The three of them continued their walk to school, the normalcy of the day settling back into place, but for Lia and Ehito, the unease lingered. They knew this wasn't the end of whatever game was being played. And whatever it was, they would face it together.
But as they walked through the gates of the school, neither of them could shake the feeling that their lives were about to get a whole lot more complicated.