The human-cat stood there, baffled, for a few seconds at Nozomi's presentation and pose before tilting its head to the side with a confused expression. After a few blinks, it shrugged indifferently. "You know what? Whatever. I am just gonna have fun with you instead."

Nozomi tried to assume a fighter's stance she remembered from a video game. Unfortunately, it was plain to see how amateurish she looked. Okay, this shouldn't be too hard, and even if it is, it's just a dream. I'll wake up in bed just fine. Hopefully, without being late for school again...

The air around Nozomi thickened with a palpable tension as the human-cat hybrid lowered itself into a stance that eerily resembled a runner's crouch. Still, this was no ordinary runner; the creature's feline grace and predatory intent were unmistakable. Their slitted yellow eyes locked onto Nozomi's, piercing through to her very soul. A primal fear gripped her, making her almost recoil from the sheer intensity of that gaze.

Underneath the eerie silence, the creature's left claw scraped against the rough concrete, a slow, deliberate motion that sent shivers down Nozomi's spine. Each drag of the claw left a thin trail of scratches as if marking its territory, while droplets of crimson blood fell from their right claw, splashing rhythmically onto the ground like a grim metronome. For a few agonizing seconds, the creature held this menacing pose, its form coiled and ready to strike, before it vanished from her sight in the blink of an eye.

Panic surged as Nozomi desperately scanned her surroundings, heart pounding in her chest. Suddenly, she almost jumped out of her skin—it was now right beside her, standing eerily still as if it had always been there. Processing the sheer impossibility of its movement, her eyes widened at the sight of the creature's inhuman, monstrous smile.

A bead of sweat trickled down her face, betraying her escalating fear. Nozomi's gaze dropped involuntarily, and there, dripping with fresh blood, were both of the creature's claws. "W-what...?" she stammered, her voice barely more than a whisper.

The creature's sadistic grin widened even further. A sharp, searing pain shot through Nozomi's left shoulder, making her instinctively glance down. She hoped—prayed—that the agony and the bloodied claws were not connected. But as her eyes confirmed the horrifying truth, dread turned her blood to ice.

Nozomi stared in disbelief, her mouth hanging open. Three deep claw marks had ripped through her clothes and flesh, blood streaming from her shoulder to her fingertips, collecting in a small, darkening pool on the ground.

The full realization of her injury hit her at once, and with it came the unbearable pain.

"AAARGHHH!!!" Nozomi's scream echoed through the night, raw and filled with agony. She clutched her mangled shoulder, her eyes clenched shut as though to ward off the searing pain. Her heartbeat thundered in her ears, each frantic pulse amplifying her distress. Her legs buckled beneath her, sending her crashing to her knees.

It hurts! Why does it hurt so much?! Isn't this supposed to be a nightmare?! Why does it feel so real?! Her mind raced, trying to escape the relentless torment that wracked her body.

"Well, well, well, where's all that bravado you had a minute ago?" The creature's voice slithered through her pain, a cruel reminder of her tormentor's presence. Nozomi forced her eyes open, only to see the human-cat licking her blood off its left claw with a grotesque relish. "I'll give you some credit; you're tougher than you look. That attack should have ripped your arm clean off, I suppose we can have fun a little longer." The creature's sadistic excitement made Nozomi involuntarily flinch, taking a step back in instinctive retreat.

Nozomi's eyes filled with tears, her vision blurring from the overwhelming pain and fear. She tried to muster a response, but her voice betrayed her, caught in the constricting grip of her terror.

The creature noticed her tears and sneered. "Wait, you're crying? Are you serious?! One hit and you're already like this?!" It rolled its eyes. "And to think I complimented you..."

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The creature sighed in disappointment and looked down. But then, an idea sparked. Its inhuman smile returned. "You know..." It trailed off, checking to see if Nozomi was listening.

"I only have business with the girl behind you." It raised an arm, shooing her away. "If you just leave us alone, I won't pursue you, and we can go our separate ways. How about it?"

Nozomi glanced back at Yoshino, seeing Seiza treating her friend with deep concentration. She remembered a moment from their childhood when Yoshino had protected her. Whether it was due to blood loss or a hallucination, it didn't matter. She had her answer.

Nozomi faced the human-cat. "So let me get this straight... if I get out of the way, you'll let me live, correct?"

The creature's smile widened as it nodded. "Yes, just get out of my way, and you can live! Simple as that."

"I see..." Nozomi took a deep breath. With great effort, she pushed herself to her feet, gritting her teeth against the pain. She glared at the creature with pure determination, her eyes glowing faintly with white light. There has to be something... Anything I can use.

After a few moments, her eyes settled on a trash can lid nearby. I could use that to push them back... but they're so fast. One more hit and it's over. But it's worth the risk to save Yoshino! She closed her fist, steeling her resolve.

"So... have you decided yet? I don't have all night," the creature asked impatiently.

"Yes..." Filled with the resolve to protect her friend, Nozomi's finger began to glow with a bright white light.

"You might as well drop dead if you think I'm gonna let a piece of shit like you harm her!" she shouted, glaring defiantly.

The human-cat was momentarily stunned by her sudden bravery, but its face soon twisted in anger. "Very well, have it your way and perish!"

It readied itself for another attack, more relaxed this time. As it was about to strike, it was distracted by a metallic clang.

It was all Nozomi needed. She grabbed the trash can lid and charged. If she wasn't so focused, she would have noticed her surprising speed. The creature barely turned back before she bashed it square in the face, disrupting its balance. Now!

With a surge of adrenaline, Nozomi pushed the lid with all her might, sending both her and the creature crashing to the ground. The impact was chaotic, and the creature's claws thrashed wildly, each swipe more erratic and desperate than the last. I can do this, I…

But as if sensing her resolve, one of the creature's frenetic scratches landed a brutal strike on her left eye. Searing pain exploded across her vision, and blood quickly clouded half her sight. An instinctual scream tried to escape her lips, but she choked it back, forcing herself to press the lid down with all her remaining strength. NO! I won't let you hurt Yoshino or anyone else! she resolved, teeth gritted in a mix of agony and iron will.

Suddenly, the bright light enveloping her finger caught her attention. Moving on instinct, Nozomi released her grip on the lid just enough to point her glowing finger at the creature. The moment of vulnerability did not last long; before the creature could exploit the weakened hold, a brilliant beam of light shot from her finger, hitting the monster squarely on the forehead with a sound akin to a gunshot.

Huh? What did I just…? She blinked in disbelief, her mind struggling to process what she had done. Her vision cleared just enough to reveal a small, bullet-like hole in the creature's head, from which black, viscous liquid began to ooze, the grotesque sight made even more horrific as the liquid squirted onto Nozomi's face.

The creature's eyes widened in shock as the realization of its demise dawned upon it. "W-what? How… did this… happen—" it stammered, its eyes rolling back as its form began to dissipate. Before Nozomi's astonished gaze, it evaporated into wisps of black smoke, the remnants of its presence dissolving into nothingness.

As the creature vanished, Nozomi felt the oppressive push below her body disappear, and she collapsed, the exhaustion and pain overpowering her. Her breath came in ragged gasps, and she lay on the ground, her body shaking from the adrenaline and the toll of the battle.

Basking in newfound relief, she cried and breathed heavily, a weak smile forming on her face. She lay on her back, staring at the lamp post above. Raising her hands, she felt like she'd crossed a finish line. I... I did it! I protected Yoshino...

"Ow!" she cried as the pain reminded her of her injured shoulder and eye.

It hurts... but Yoshino is safe. That's what matters...

Lowering her arms, she noticed her missing index finger. W-where's my finger?! Panic gripped her until she saw the stump glowing. As the lamp post's light dimmed, her finger began to regrow, the light forming bone and flesh anew. When it was restored, the light vanished.

Awestruck and lightheaded from blood loss, Nozomi was startled by an unfamiliar voice. "Hmm, a little rough around the edges, but not bad."

She tilted her head toward the voice, seeing a figure on a nearby rooftop. It was too dark to distinguish features, but the silhouette was clearly human. Reflexively, she shouted, "Wait!"

The figure stopped abruptly. Nozomi couldn't move, but she needed answers. "E-excuse me, but... who are you?!"