The clouds drifted lazily, birds flew freely — the sun shone as it should.
Cables tangled everywhere, robots replaced human workers. Meanwhile, students studied earnestly.
In a clothing store,
Krisna was sitting on a cold metal chair — waiting for the two people who colored his life.
After waiting for quite some time — Qia came running, standing while staring at him.
Krisna was a bit surprised to see her. In his mind, "Why? Her eyes are sparkling, her hands clutching her clothes… Ohh."
With a smile, Krisna said, "Wow, the pink dress is cute, Qia… it suits you," giving her a thumbs-up.
Hearing that, Qia looked down, her cheeks puffing slightly — then she ran away, leaving Krisna confused.
Qia returned, this time pulling Aiko's hand.
"Eh… w-why, Qia?" Aiko asked.
Krisna's gaze locked onto Aiko, who was wearing a white dress that matched her hair and eyebrows — her figure was so graceful, like a cloud dancing in the midday sky.
Their eyes met — Krisna's heart throbbed wildly. Strange…
His hand moved to cover the smile blooming on his face.
Aiko, upon seeing Krisna, looked away, her cheeks turning slightly red. Then she pinched Qia's cheek, "You little rascal."
Krisna froze, watching the two of them. Somehow, something empty inside him felt filled.
After Aiko and Qia changed back into their clothes, they paid at the robot cashier.
"Thank you for shopping."
"Wow, cool," Krisna muttered.
They left the clothing store intending to go home. Krisna's hands were full of shopping bags — while Qia ran around cheerfully. Krisna turned to see Aiko walking beside him with a smile.
Strangely… his heart kept pounding whenever he was near Aiko.
Krisna stopped, holding his chest. In his mind, "A-am I… having a heart attack?"
"Krisna, what's wrong?" Aiko turned to him, the wind blowing her white hair like an angel.
"N-no, it's nothing…" His voice trembled a little.
Qia walked between them — grabbing Krisna's hand and Aiko's hand. Then they walked hand-in-hand like a family...
"Aren't we like a family?" Qia said.
Krisna and Aiko blushed at her words. When their eyes met, they immediately looked away — like magnets.
Their heartbeats seemed to dance.
but before Krisna could savor that moment longer—
One week after their cheerful family-like outing,
That night,
Qia disappeared.
As if swallowed by civilization itself, the two of them — Aiko and Krisna — searched every corner of their home area.
"What do we do, Krisna! Qia is gone!" Aiko's body slowly collapsed to the floor, her heart racing.
Seeing her like that, Krisna could only try to calm her. He handed her a glass of water.
"P-please… calm down, we'll find a clue."
"How calm do you expect me to be!! Hah!?"
Aiko shouted, her hand clutching her chest — sweat covering her forehead.
Krisna didn't know what to do. Seeing Aiko fall apart shattered his thoughts — he had to find Qia immediately, but there were no clues. They circled the neighborhood countless times.
"Qi-Qia…" Tears began to fall from Aiko's eyes. "Where are you, little sis, don't leave your sister alone…" Her body felt weak, her hands wiping her tears over and over.
Ring… Ring… Ring…
Aiko's phone rang, breaking the silence. Since she couldn't stand, Krisna answered for her.
"Hello… who is this?" he asked.
"Who are you? Hand the phone to Aiko."
A girl's voice — rough, irritated.
Krisna immediately handed it to Aiko.
"H-hello, who is this?" she asked, trying to hide her sobs.
"…" No voice, until—
"K-ka-kak…" A trembling voice.
"Qia!? Where are you!?" Aiko screamed.
Qia's voice suddenly changed into someone else's.
"You want her back? Kill that man…"
Krisna, overhearing beside Aiko, stepped back — creating distance.
Meanwhile Aiko's eyes went empty. Just like when Krisna first met her — she turned slowly, her messy hair covering part of her face.
Her breathing was heavy, her body trembling—
Aiko charged forward, attacking Krisna — her strikes flying at him as he got cornered.
While blocking Aiko's punches, "P-please calm down…" Krisna was pushed back.
Aiko steadied her stance — her jab aiming straight for Krisna's head.
Quickly, Krisna grabbed her arm and slammed her to the floor.
Thud. Aiko lay there, tears falling.
"W-what am I supposed to do, Krisna?"
"I-I don't want to kill you…" His hand still holding hers tightly.
Krisna bent down, releasing her hand. "Come on, let's think this through together." He offered his hand.
Aiko reached for it, her hand trembling slightly.
"Do you know who that was earlier?" Krisna asked gently.
Aiko lowered her head.
"She's… the one who ordered me to kill you back then…"
"Wait, but you refused, right?" Krisna asked.
Aiko only nodded slowly.
Krisna held her chin. "Then why… was Qia kidnapped?"
Softly, Aiko replied, "I don't know."
Krisna brushed aside Aiko's hair, wiping her tears gently.
"Calm down… I already have a plan."
— "Get your gear, we're taking Qia back."
Hearing that, Aiko ran to her room — Krisna stood, walking toward the back of the house.
———
Plan? Do you actually have one?
———
Lis appeared beside Krisna as he walked.
Krisna ignored Lis — his pupils empty. Someone he considered family was suffering — he finally arrived.
He pulled off a tarp. Various equipment lay neatly arranged. Krisna grabbed his spear, attached his shield, wore his all-black tactical suit — the skull mask in his hand.
Once done, he returned to the living room — finding Aiko putting on her shoes.
He took a breath, offered his hand, and Aiko took it. They were ready for anything.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Guided by Aiko, they arrived at an old building.
Wires clung to the corners — the lights flickered as if they wanted to die, the surroundings dim.
Clouds gathered above them, the wind growing stronger.
They observed from afar.
"That should be… the place where I met her."
Krisna nodded. He launched the drone he built, using the camera attached underneath — scanning the area. Several doors were visible.
Before departing, he wore the nano-mask he'd found at a scrapyard.
His electric spear had been upgraded, his shield could resist more bullets — several new gadgets hidden under his suit.
Feeling ready, they circled the place — their footsteps silent.
They stopped at a door Krisna deemed safe. Krisna in front, Aiko behind.
Holding their breath,
The door slowly opened — a room with faint lighting appeared.
———
Watch out!!
———
From the shadows, gunfire erupted toward them — Krisna blocked with his shield, Aiko shot down several attackers.
The kinetic force pushed him back slightly.
While hiding, Krisna activated his smoke gas — instead of throwing it, he activated it right where they stood.
Smoke billowed around them instantly.
"W-why, Krisna?" Aiko asked.
Krisna guided her through the smoke — as if teleporting, they were suddenly beside the shooters.
Unable to dodge Aiko's rapid fire, the gunmen fell.
To be continued...