Takeru Arashi had made up his mind.He would keep Raiden Mei by his side, no matter what was coming. He knew that what he was about to do was dangerous, but she was his friend, his companion in this world, and he could not abandon her.

  Ever since he came into this world, memories of the future assailed him. Not all of them were clear, but one in particur held firm:When Mei turned seven, she would be kidnapped.

  He wasn't about to find out if those memories were true. He wasn't going to risk it. He wasn't going to risk it.

  And although he did not remember precisely everything that happened, he did know one thing for certain:That event left a deep mark on his heart. A scar he didn't want to see come true.

  A week earlier, when the strange presences began to haunt more frequently, Takeru spoke to Mei seriously:

  -There's someone following us. For a month now. He doesn't seem to have good intentions.

  Mei trusted him without hesitation. She told everything to her father, who, with the urgency of a concerned parent, assigned two bodyguards to escort her back home.

  But that action only complicated matters.Those following them realized they had been discovered.And they became more careful.

  The day was coming to an end. The sky was tinged with soft oranges and long shadows as Mei walked home accompanied by her escorts.Everything was too calm and quiet. That only added to the tension in the air.The two bodyguards stood alert, their eyes sweeping the surroundings with suspicion.

  They were about to warn Mei of something when, without warning, two shadows emerged from the bushes.

  One of them swiftly turned the neck of a bodyguard.The dry cracking sound came from the colr as it was twisted.The second one did not even have time to react before a stranglehold left him lying breathless on the ground.

  Mei froze.A third man appeared out of the shadows. He walked straight toward her with a firm step.His eyes were cold.Mei took a step back, her body paralyzed with fear.The attacker raised his arm to grab her.

  And then it happened.A small metal needle whistled through the air. It plunged into the kidnapper's neck with surgical precision.The man staggered, his muscles tensed briefly... and then he fell heavily to the ground.

  Mei didn't understand what was happening.The attackers turned to where the needle came from, but it was too te.

  One of them was intercepted by a precise blow with the hilt of a sword.The sharp impact to the back of his head knocked him unconscious before he hit the ground.

  The st attacker drew a knife, his eyes bzing with rage.In front of him, a figure of child-like stature stood tall.His face was covered with a bck mask and he held a sword with determination.

  The knife flew with a single ssh.The metal of both met with a dry cng, and the attacker's weapon was disarmed.Takeru wasted no time.

  With a clean motion, he drew an arc with the sword, striking the kidnapper's thigh with precision.The man let out a choked cry and fell, off bance.Before he could get up, Takeru spun on his heels and delivered a direct blow to the man's jaw with the hilt.The body of the kidnapper colpsed like a sack.

  Silence.

  Takeru took a deep breath as his eyes scanned the surroundings.All the attackers were unconscious.Only then did he let his guard down.

  Mei was still there, motionless. Her body was trembling.Her eyes were fixed on him.Not because of the mask... but because of the blood.There were dark stains on the mysterious boy's clothes.Stains that were not his.

  He took a step back. Another one.He was going to turn around and run away.The fear and confusion were too much.

  But the masked figure took a step toward her and raised a hand, without abruptness.

  -Don't go,” said a warm voice. It's me... look.

  Slowly, he removed his mask.Mei's eyes opened.Fear began to dissipate, repced by surprise, then relief.

  -Takeru...” she whispered, barely audible.

  He looked at her with a mixture of compassion, tenderness and concern.

  -I was worried about you,” he said, his voice softer now. I came looking for you... but I didn't expect this to happen.

  Without another word, he hugged her.Mei didn't move.I just pressed my eyes shut, allowing the tears to fall soundlessly.She rested her head on his shoulder.

  The sky was already violet, and the first stars twinkled timidly overhead.