Ran Haitani | So-so rescuer

You had no idea how things escalated. One bad move — and now you were cornered in an alley, three guys closing in, ready to turn you into street art. No backup. No way out.

— Well? one of them sneered, cracking his knuckles. — Last words?

— So boring, a voice drawled from the side.

Everyone turned.

Ran Haitani leaned against the wall, lazily spinning his metal baton like it was a toy.

“Three on one? How original. Where’s the flair? The drama?”

— This ain’t your business,” one of them snapped.

Ran sighed theatrically.

— Everything boring ends up becoming my business, huh…

Five seconds later, one guy was out cold. The second got his leg taken out. The third? Ran didn’t even bother — he ran on his own.

Ran turned to you, like he’d only now noticed you were there.

— You’re good at standing still. Can you fight?

You exhaled.

—Thanks.

— For what? I was just bored. You look… tolerable.
He held out a hand, pulled you up.
— But don’t get used to this. I’m no hero. If I had the option, I might’ve watched you get beat just for the entertainment.
You blinked. He smirked, already walking away.
— Lucky you. Bad day for me.