It's about 7:00 pm now and the cafe still seems super busy. Costumers are coming and going almost every minute.

Everyone insists that they don't need help. I'm bored and want to do something.

I get up and start to walk out the door.

"I'm going out for a bit!" I yell. "I won't be gone for that long!"

I exit the cafe and I immediately sense something...off.

What is that? No...who is that? I feel like I recognize their smell. Or at least one of them. It seems like multiple people. Despite that, I can still point out that one scent. It's almost as if it stands out the most. But for some reason I can't put that smell with a person. How irritating...

I head forward anyway and I eventually see an opening between two buildings. Just before I pass it, I see three guys exit from the opening. I see that one has short dark blue hair and eyes.

"Hey!" I put my hand on the guy's shoulder. He stops and turns to look at me.

"What do you want?"

Despite his current expression looking somewhat similar to a scowl, I can still put a name to his face and it automatically reminds me of how we first met.

"What are you doing here?" He said. "Hey Touka, you know her?"

"Yeah, she's a friend."

"...Then she can stay."

"...Ayato?"

"Tch... Let go." He angrily moves his shoulder, forcing me to let go. He begins to walk off.

What's wrong with you?

"Ayato!"

He stops again.

"What do you want, Ryumi?"

"I wanna know why you aren't with Touka. Did you get separated or something?"

"Don't ever mention her name in front of me again."

"She's your sister, Ayato! Touka doesn't even know if you're alive!"

"Well, maybe it would be better that way.

"What are you, stupid?! Ugh, why did you have to get this way?!"

"What way, Ryumi?"

"...Didn't you promise to protect Touka? I had heard you when you were talking to your dad. You said that you'd protect Touka... And she said that she'd protect you!"

"Things are different now!" He yells.

How could things be different? What happened between you two?

"Don't you get it? I've changed for the better! I know what this world runs on now. It's what helped me survive for so long."

"And what is that, Ayato? Huh?! What could've possibly helped you survive for so long?"

"Power, Ryumi. The weak die and the strong live. That's how it is and that's how it'll always be. It's best that you this learn now...or you'll perish along with the other weaklings. Don't let me be the one to show you that. Because if I am...then I won't go easy on you. I'll even engrave it on you if I have to."

Ayato walks away without saying another word and doesn't bother to look back.

How dare you even think of doing such a thing? You're lucky that I'm not beating you to a pulp right now...