We didn't stop running.
Not even for a second.
My hand was still holding hers.
Tight.
The city blurred around us.
Lights.
Voices.
People.
None of it mattered.
"…He's still behind us."
She said between breaths.
I knew.
I could feel it.
That pressure.
Like something was chasing us—
Not fast.
Not rushed.
But certain.
"…He's playing with us."
I said.
"…Yeah."
We turned into a narrow street.
Empty.
Dark.
"…This way."
She pulled slightly.
I followed.
We ran deeper.
Further from the crowd.
"…We need to hide."
"No."
I said.
She looked at me.
"…What?"
"He'll find us."
Silence.
"…Then what do we do?"
I didn't answer immediately.
Because I didn't know.
We couldn't fight him.
We couldn't outrun him forever.
So what was left?
"…We buy time."
"…How?"
I stopped.
Pulled her with me.
"…You run."
Her eyes widened.
"…What?"
"I'll hold him."
"No."
"It's the only way."
"I said no."
Her voice was sharper this time.
Stronger.
"I'm not leaving you."
"You have to."
"No."
Silence.
Heavy.
"…Listen."
I said.
"If we both stay…"
"…We both die."
Her hand tightened around mine.
"…Then we fight together."
"…We already tried that."
A pause.
"…And we survived."
"…Barely."
Silence.
Her eyes didn't leave mine.
"…I'm not running."
My chest tightened.
"…You're being stubborn."
"…And you're trying to act like you don't care."
That hit.
"…I do care."
"Then stop trying to leave me behind."
Silence.
I didn't know what to say.
Because she was right.
I wasn't doing this because I didn't care.
I was doing it because I did.
"…If something happens to you…"
I said quietly.
She stepped closer.
"…Then stay alive."
"…It's not that simple."
"…Then make it simple."
Her voice softened.
"…Stay."
My grip on her hand tightened.
For a moment—
Everything slowed again.
Not because of the system.
But because of us.
"…You're really not going to run."
"…No."
A small pause.
"…What about you?"
I looked at her.
Then down at our hands.
Still holding each other.
Tight.
"…Guess I don't have a choice."
She smiled.
Just a little.
"…Good."
That moment—
Felt too normal.
Too calm.
In the middle of everything.
Then—
The air shifted.
Cold.
Heavy.
"…Found you."
We both froze.
Slowly—
We turned.
He was there.
Standing at the entrance of the street.
Calm.
Like always.
"…You run well."
He said.
"…But not far enough."
My body tensed.
"…Stay behind me."
"No."
"…Aya—"
"I said no."
She stepped beside me.
Not behind.
Next to me.
Silence.
"…Fine."
If we were going to fight—
We fight together.
He walked closer.
Step by step.
"…You've improved."
His eyes moved between us.
"…Both of you."
A pause.
"…But it won't matter."
"…We'll see."
I said.
He smiled slightly.
"…You still don't understand."
The air grew heavier.
"…The difference between us…"
His mark lit up.
Bright.
"…Is experience."
He moved.
Fast.
Faster than before.
But this time—
We were ready.
I moved left—
She moved right—
We split his focus.
He attacked me—
I dodged—
Barely—
She came in—
Hit him—
Clean.
He stepped back.
"…Good."
No surprise this time.
Just interest.
"…Very good."
He rushed again.
Faster.
Stronger.
But now—
We were moving together.
Not separately.
Connected.
"…Right!"
She shouted—
I moved—
Dodged—
Countered—
He blocked—
But she followed—
Hit again—
We pushed him back.
Just a little.
But still—
It worked.
"…You're adapting."
He wiped blood again.
"…But not fast enough."
His mark flared.
Stronger than ever.
The pressure dropped instantly.
Heavy.
Crushing.
"…Stay close!"
I said.
She moved beside me instantly.
Our shoulders almost touching.
His presence—
Right in front of us.
"…This ends now."
My heart pounded.
Fast.
Loud.
But my hand—
Still holding hers.
Warm.
Real.
"…Don't let go."
She whispered.
"…I won't."
And for the first time—
I meant it.
No matter what happened next—
I wouldn't let go.
In a game where trust means risk…
They chose to fight together.
But will that choice save them… or destroy them? 👀💔