Manami and Yukiko left the motel early in the morning, sticking to the shadows as they moved, trying to lay low.

"Where are we going?..." -Yukiko asks

"Shut up... im thinking about it okay?" -Manami snapped, irritation lacing her words.

'Ah fuck we arent safe anywhere. But i guess leaving the city first would be the best.' -she thought, frustration bubbling up.

They continued walking, slipping into an alley when they spotted a girl approaching from the other end. Her head was down, hands shoved into her pockets, her expression completely blank.

Manami and Yukiko moved to the right side, but the girl shifted to the same side.

'Huh?'

As they go to the other side, the girl mirrored their movement.

All three of them stop.

Manami raises her eyebrow.

"Hey you, have you got some kind of problem with us?" -she asked, tilting her head with suspicion

Without warning, the girl lunged at them, her right hand revealing a black, metallic gauntlet.

Before they could react, Yukiko was struck with a fierce punch from the girls left fist, sending her crashing to the ground, groaning in pain.

Manamis eyes widened in shock before anger surged through her veins.

"YUKIKO!" -she says, gritting her teeth, she locked her eyes on the girl, who was already swinging her gauntlet at Manamis stomach.

She dashes backward just in time to avoid the blow. The girl stumbled slightly from the missed punch, giving Manami the chance she needed. She grabbed the girls arm, stepping to her side, delivering a powerful punch to the girls face with her left hand, making her stagger back.

"HOW DARE YOU?!" -Manami shouted, fury in her voice, but the girl remained eerily expressionless. She raised her fists again, unfazed, ready to continue the fight.

The girl lunged once more, throwing a punch at Manamis face. Manami ducked and countered with an uppercut to the girls jaw. The girl barely flinched, grabbing Manamis wrist with her left hand and swinging her gauntlet into Manamis ribs.

Manami stumbles back but stays on her feet, coughing and trying to catch her breath, her gaze never leaving the girl.

'What the hell is that gauntlet on her hand? That punch was really something.' -she thinks

Straightening up, she glared at her opponent.

"I guess you are the same as me, right?"

But the girl doesnt answer.

Meanwhile, Yukiko clutched her stomach, wincing from the pain, she looked at the fight as it unfolded before her.

After a brief moment, her eyes widened as she looked around.

She felt the wind against her skin, it was real. It felt like... waking up.

"Well fuck you then." -Manami reaches for the gun in her pocket.

Only to realize it wasnt there. Panic flashed across her face as she glanced down, searching for it.

Before she could react, the girl was suddenly right in front of her, swinging the gauntlet toward her face. Manami barely managed to catch the girls arm, but didnt see the left hook coming until it connected with her stomach, knocking the air out of her. Grunting, she shoved the girl away.

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.

"You..." -Rage boiled within her, her vision narrowing as she teetered on the edge of losing control, ready to unleash everything she had.

She tries to take the first step but... somethings holding her back.

Suddenly, she wasnt in the alley anymore. She was standing in the middle of... nothingness. And something—no, someone—was pulling her back. She turned her head, her breath catching in her throat.

It was her younger self, a small version of Manami, clutching her desperately, tears streaming down her face.

“D-dont go...” -the little girl sobbed.

Manamis eyes widen in fear and she whipped back around, just in time to see the girls punch coming. She ducked, but the girl followed with a kick that sent Manami stumbling into the wall.

The girl swung her gauntlet again, suddenly steam comming out from it. Manami jerked her head to the side, narrowly avoiding it, the punch cracking the wall.

'What the?!' -she thinks as her eyes widen

Then Manami tries to kick the girl.

But the girl raised her leg, blocking the attack with the bottom of her shoe and pushing Manamis leg back.

Suddenly, a gunshot echoed through the alley. The girl collapsed to the ground, groaning in pain, blood seeping from the wound.

Manamis eyes widened in disbelief as she slowly turned her head toward Yukiko.

Yukiko stood there, staring at her own hands, the gun lying on the ground in front of her. Slowly, she raised her eyes to meet Manamis gaze.

Manami shook her head, snapping out of her daze. Without a word, she rushed to Yukikos side, grabbing her by the arm and scooping up the gun.

"We are leaving. Now!"

Together, they ran, leaving the bleeding girl behind.

On the other side of the broken wall, Yukiko looked around, as she took in the sight before her.

"So... this... this was on the other side."

___

They ran and stumbled into a half-finished construction site.

Yukiko collapsed against a crumbling concrete wall, clutching her head. Eyes wide with fear, disbelief written all over her face.

Manamis hands are on her hips as she looks around, thinking for a brief moment. Then shaking her head.

"What the hell were you thinking? You cant just start shooting around, idiot." -she snapped, her voice laced with anger.

But Yukiko didnt respond. She just kept her hands pressed to her head, her breath shaky.

"Talk to me!" -her patience frayed as she stepped closer, her tone sharper.

"Shut up! Just shut up! I shot someone, Manami! Do you get it? I shot someone!" -Yukikos voice broke, trembling but filled with fury.

Manamis eyes widened, her arms crossing over her chest as she stared down at her.

"Oh, the princess is finally back to the real world?"

Before she could blink, Yukiko sprang up and slapped her across the face.

"You fucking..." -she hissed, grabbing Yukiko by the shoulders, slamming her back against the wall

"How dare you slap me?!" -her grip tightened, fingers digging into Yukikos skin.

"Beacuse im so full of you! I was just trying to help... okay? I was just trying...to..." -Yukikos voice cracked, tears spilling as she trembled

"Well i didnt asked for it."-Manami says

As shes still looking at Yukiko as shes crying. Slowly, she released her and stepped back, her expression unreadable. She turned away, walking to the other side of the room, where she sank down. Frustration boiling over.

'Fucking idiot...' -she closed her eyes for a second, inhaling deeply, trying to think.

'Hm... so what the hell was that gauntlet... It boosted her punches. She even cracked the wall with a single hit.' -as she ruffles her own hair

'Well i guess one thing is for sure, the Family has to be behind it. Beacuse that girl has to be one of the familys puppet.'

A memory flashed through her mind.

/Manami struck a man, sending him crashing to the floor. She stared at him, her fists clenched at her sides. Sukeshis voice rang out behind her, sharp and biting.

"Why did you stop Manami? The fight isnt over yet you idiot."

Manamis eyes didnt leave the man on the ground. Her fists tightened, nails digging into her palms.

"Yes... father."

She stepped forward, her fists raining down on the mans face, teeth scattering across the floor, blood flowing freely from his nose. The man begged for her to stop, but she didnt.

Sukeshi just kept watching while he was grinning./

Manami clenched her jaw, pushing the memory away. She looked up, catching Yukikos gaze from across the room. Yukiko wiped at her tear-streaked face, her expression torn between anger and despair.

___

Its dark.

Suddenly, a womans voice echoes in the darkness.

"My, my, Akemi... what a failure you are."