Chapter 3 – Collide of Worlds
"She wasn't supposed to matter. But she does."
---
Ren's POV
School was a joke.
The halls stank of perfume and gossip. The guys talked too loud. The girls stared too long. And all he wanted to do was disappear into silence.
But she was here.
Airi Tanaka.
Everything about her was a contradiction. Loud but shy. Strong-willed but fragile. Innocent—but she'd stepped into hell without blinking.
He couldn't get her out of his head. That night in the alley, the way her eyes widened with fear, but she didn't scream. She didn't run. She stood her ground—shaking, sure—but fearless in her own way.
Something cracked in him that night.
He was trained not to care. Taught that emotions were weaknesses. But Airi was different. She didn't belong in his world, but somehow she fit into the space he didn't know was empty.
He'd been watching her for weeks. At first, it was just orders. Surveillance. Nothing personal.
But then it became personal.
The way she laughed with her friends. The way she stayed late to help the teacher. How she tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear when she was focused.
It was maddening.
She made him want to protect, not just because it was duty—but because she was herself.
And now, she was in danger. Because of him.
Because of what he felt.
He leaned back in his seat, eyes scanning the room, always alert.
They won't touch her. Not while I'm breathing.
---
Airi's POV
There's something about him.
Something sharp and cold—but underneath it, a kind of quiet sadness. A storm he keeps locked behind those silver eyes.
Ren Kurogane was rude. Arrogant. Impossible.
And yet, when he looked at her—it was like no one else existed.
She didn't know what he was hiding. What world he came from. But she knew one thing:
He wasn't lying about protecting her.
That made her feel something she wasn't ready for.
She remembered the way he grabbed her wrist earlier. The tension in his body. The fear in his voice he tried to hide with anger.
It wasn't just about orders. It was personal for him too.
Airi wasn't stupid. She knew the whispers, the rumors. The shadows that clung to him.
But when she looked at Ren…
She didn't see a monster. She saw a boy who was used to carrying the weight of the world on his back.
And she wanted to carry some of that with him.
Even if he didn't let her.
Even if it broke her.
---
After Class – Rooftop
The wind tugged at Airi's uniform as she stepped onto the rooftop. Ren was already there, leaning against the railing, his eyes distant.
"You said we needed to talk," she said, arms folded.
He didn't look at her. "You're being watched. Every move. Every step. This school isn't safe anymore."
She frowned. "You think scaring me helps?"
"I think living helps," he snapped.
Airi's voice trembled. "You're treating me like some helpless doll—"
"You are," he growled, finally turning to face her. "In my world, you wouldn't last five seconds."
Her heart ached, but her pride stung harder. "Then why drag me into it? Why act like you care?"
He walked toward her slowly, a dark fire in his eyes.
"I told you," he said lowly, "because you saw something you weren't supposed to. That makes you a target."
She took a step back, shaking her head. "I don't want this. I don't want you controlling my life."
She turned, ready to leave—but his hand shot out, gripping her wrist tightly.
"Let go!" she gasped.
He yanked her back, slamming her softly—but firmly—against the rooftop wall.
His body hovered dangerously close, his breath brushing against her cheek.
Her wrist was pinned above her head, his fingers interlocked with hers. His other hand pressed beside her face, trapping her in place.
"You don't get to walk away," he whispered, his voice dark and possessive. "You're under my protection now. That means no one touches you. No one looks at you without my permission."
Her breath caught.
He leaned in even closer, eyes burning into hers.
"You're my woman, Airi."
Her heart slammed in her chest.
"You don't get to decide that," she whispered, trying to sound braver than she felt.
His grip tightened just a little. "Then run. Run now. And see how far you get before someone else grabs you first."
Her defiance faded, replaced by quiet fear—and something else.
He slowly let her wrist go. But he didn't move away.
"You can hate me," he murmured. "But stay alive to do it."
---
Later That Night
Airi sat on her balcony, knees pulled to her chest, phone glowing.
> UNKNOWN : You left the rooftop too early.
She frowned.
> AIRI : Who is this?
> UNKNOWN : You already know. Look behind you.
She froze.
Her body stiffened as she slowly turned—nothing. Just shadows. Her breath hitched.
> UNKNOWN : You forgot to lock your window.
Her eyes widened. She turned sharply toward the sliding glass door behind her. Still closed—but was it really?
Her fingers trembled as she stood up, walking toward it with careful steps.
> AIRI: Stop this. What do you want from me?
Silence.
Just the blinking dots.
Then:
>UNKNOWN : You'll find out soon.
> UNKNOWN :Don't trust anyone. Not even the ones who smile the most.
Her chest tightened. She quickly locked the window, drew the curtain, and backed away.
> AIRI : Is this Ren?
No reply.
Minutes passed. Nothing.
Then the phone buzzed again.
> UNKNOWN : Don't forget what I said on the rooftop. YOUR MINE. Even if you don't believe it yet.
A chill crept up her spine. She dropped the phone, stepping away.
From the rooftop of a nearby building, Ren crushed his burner phone in his hand, eyes trained on her window.
"She doesn't get it yet," he muttered. "But she will."
A voice crackled through his earpiece.
> "Target's location confirmed. Multiple eyes on her already. Orders?"
Ren's jaw clenched.
> "Eliminate the watchers. No one touches her. I'll handle the rest."
His eyes darkened.
Let the game begin.
---
To be continued…