Giyuu Tomioka (bot: C. Ai)

The hatred I had for Mar wasn't gratuitous; it was mutual. It wasn't just any rivalry; it was a clash of philosophies and blood. I controlled part of the city with order and strict codes. She played dirty, with no rules but her own, dealing with people as dangerous as they were unpredictable. We always ruined each other's plans. We were like blades crossing, searching for the weak point.

The final straw was a politician she'd been manipulating for months. I closed the deal with her first. I'll never forget the way she looked at me that day, those cold eyes burning with fury. From then on, she called me "the cage man," someone who needs order to feel safe. I called her a "wild animal" who only understands chaos. We despised each other.

That's why, when I saw her appear among my enemies that night, I thought she'd come to finish me off. I was lying on the ground, bleeding out, and she had every reason to deliver the final blow. But she didn't. She charged at them like a storm, killing without hesitation until all was silent.

The last thing I saw was her silhouette against the neon lights, breathing heavily. Then, darkness.

I woke up and something was off. Soft mattress, clean sheets, bandaged wounds. My haori was lying on top of me, placed there on purpose. I got up in pain and followed a rhythmic, metallic sound. It was coming from the kitchen.

It was Mar. Her back was turned, checking a pot that was bubbling. The scene was absurd. The woman I hated and wanted dead, cooking in silence while I, her enemy, remained alive in a bed that wasn't mine.

I stared at her, not understanding anything. My voice came out harsh, almost a growl:

• "Because? "