"Tch, what the hell is that noise?"

The bald thug cursed impatiently, sitting on the sofa as his sharp gaze swept across the people in the living room. Suddenly, his instincts kicked in.

Something was wrong.

The sound wasn't right.

Something had gone terribly wrong.

Years of experience on the streets made him instantly alert. Gripping his gun tightly, he sprang to his feet just in time to see a violet-haired figure step into the hallway.

Megumi Katou, who had been racking her brain for a way out, also noticed the unfamiliar girl at that exact moment.

She froze.

Bathed in sunlight pouring through the stairwell window, the girl's flawless face seemed to glow, her violet hair cascading like silk. Even Megumi found herself momentarily breathless.

When did she get here?

Questions flooded Megumi's mind, but she had no time to dwell on them. Her expression changed drastically when she realized the bald thug had already raised his gun and aimed at the mysterious girl.

"Watch out!" Megumi instinctively shouted.

The violet-haired girl, calm and composed, flashed a hint of curiosity in her eyes. For a moment, Megumi thought she even saw her smile faintly.

What is she smiling at?

Doesn't she realize how dangerous this is?

That man is aiming a gun at her!

"Who are you?"

The bald thug's instincts screamed at him this girl was dangerous.

Her stance, the way she gripped her sword… it reminded him of their gang's former leader. Decades ago, their boss had built the gang from nothing through deadly swordsmanship, expanding it one brutal duel at a time.

The bald thug never cared for swords. He had long admitted that even an old man like the former boss could defeat him with a wooden sword.

But so what?

Didn't the old man still die to his bullet?

In this age, only fools would carry swords when guns existed.

"I asked you a question. Where's my brother?"

Even so, the bald thug remained cautious.

"He was alive just now. As for now..."

The violet-haired girl narrowed her eyes slightly, her right hand slowly gripping the sword's hilt. An overwhelming pressure radiated from her, chilling him to the bone as if a beast were standing before him, ready to pounce.

"Stop putting on a show!"

The bald thug snarled, his gaze fixed on her, brimming with killing intent.

Fine! Keep acting tough!

Let's see if you can still act when you're riddled with bullets!

Without warning, he squeezed the trigger.

Click. Click.

But no gunshots rang out only the sharp hiss of a blade slicing through leather.

The bald thug's pupils shrank.

Where... where did she go?!

A gust of wind brushed past his ear, carrying a sweet fragrance.

She was gone.

What... what the hell?!

His mind reeled.

A person can't just vanish into thin air!

Then, out of the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of violet hair drifting through the air.

When?!

His heart dropped. He tried to turn, to lift his arms.

But… his hands wouldn't move.

His vision dropped to his wrists two faint red lines had appeared, blood slowly seeping out.

He stared, horrified.

They weren't just lines. They were clean, precise cuts, made by an impossibly sharp blade.

His hands suddenly fell from his arms.

Splat.

Two severed hands hit the floor and bounced twice before lying still.

Everyone in the room was frozen in shock, unable to process what had just happened.

Megumi, especially, was completely stunned.

In her eyes, the violet-haired girl had remained perfectly calm, stepping forward as if she were taking a casual stroll.

The next time she blinked, the girl was somehow behind the thug, slowly sheathing her sword.

Then those severed hands fell.

Was it her?

Megumi's gaze dropped to the katana in the girl's left hand. There was no other explanation.

But this… this was…

Megumi's jaw hung open in shock. She didn't know how to describe what she had just witnessed. It felt like reading a typical school romance novel, only for aliens to suddenly invade halfway through.

And if the girl had drawn her blade… why hadn't anyone heard it?

It was as if she had crossed time and space with that single stroke. Megumi never even saw the moment the sword was drawn.

It was as if time itself had stopped.

After sheathing her blade, the violet-haired girl spun and slammed the scabbard against the thug's neck. Searing pain shot through his arms, and before he could even scream, the impact knocked him unconscious.

"Done."

The violet-haired girl smiled softly, her gentle voice somehow still carrying an untouchable distance. "The rest is up to you. Do whatever you like. I won't interfere."

Without another glance, she turned and walked away, her katana in hand, her movements as free and graceful as a wandering swordswoman from an old tale.

It wasn't until she opened the door and left that Megumi finally snapped out of her trance.

She glanced at her fellow survivors, all wearing the same expression of disbelief.

Gritting her teeth, Megumi chased after the girl.

...

The violet-haired girl hadn't gone far. Megumi caught up to her near a corner of the building.

Panting lightly, Megumi gathered her courage and called out, "Excuse me, please wait! I'm Megumi Katou, first-year student from Toyosaki Academy."

The violet-haired girl slowly turned her head, her long hair flowing with the motion, her deep, calm eyes locking onto Megumi without a word.

Feeling awkward, Megumi touched her own face. "Uh, did I say something wrong?"

The girl finally offered a faint smile and gently shook her head. "Is there something you need, Katou-san?"

"Can I… can I come with you?"

Megumi bit her lip. "I wanted to leave on my own, but I just can't find the courage. Being alone… it's too lonely. I'm not afraid of dying, but I don't want to die in some forgotten corner where no one even knows I existed."

The violet-haired girl listened quietly, her clear eyes studying Megumi carefully. Then, she made a small hand gesture.

A distant glimmer of light flickered, and Megumi instinctively shielded her eyes it felt like something dangerous had just been withdrawn from her forehead.

She didn't understand what had just happened, but the girl still hadn't spoken.

Gathering her resolve, Megumi added, "I just want to travel with you, to have someone to talk to along the way. I won't distract you. Whatever happens in the future, I'll accept it."

The violet-haired girl blinked, momentarily caught off guard. Then a subtle smile curled at her lips.

"Come with me."

"Yes!"

Megumi nodded eagerly, a bright smile lighting up her face.

As she caught up, she asked, "Senpai, may I know your name?"

"Busujima… Busujima Saeko."

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