He tried to ignore it — until two young women approached him from the side.

"Hi there," one of them said with a smile. "Aren't you one of my classmates?"

Raito blinked, confused.

"Uh… no. I'm just here because my sister dragged me along — Aiko."

The girls looked at each other in surprise.

"Wait… Aiko's brother?" one of them said.

"No way! You're her brother?"

"Yeah," Raito said with a small nod.

The first girl giggled, tilting her head.

"Wow, you've changed so much. You look… different. More mature."

She leaned a bit closer, smiling playfully.

"How about you grab a glass of wine with us? My treat."

Raito forced a polite smile and shook his head.

"No, thanks. I'm fine with coffee. Please excuse me."

He stood up, taking his cup, and moved toward a quiet corner by the café wall.

Leaning his back against it, he let out another sigh.

"What's going on with everyone?" he murmured. These girls barely ever talked to me before… so why now?

He glanced around. The warm chatter, the clinking of glasses, the soft jazz music — everything felt normal. But for some reason, the attention he was getting made his skin crawl slightly.

Two men approached him. One had short black hair and sharp eyes — Yuji. The other, a taller guy with a confident grin — Sakura.

"Hey," Yuji said, raising a hand. "How are you doing?"

Raito looked up, calm but cautious.

"I'm good," he replied simply.

"You're not going to dance or something? Why stand in the corner all alone?" Yuji asked.

"Nothing," Raito said, eyes narrowing slightly.

Sakura suddenly slammed his palm against the wall beside Raito's head — BAM! — the sound echoing over the chatter in the café.

"You seem to be getting all the attention from the ladies tonight," Sakura said, his smirk fading into a frown.

Raito crossed his arms.

"For some reason, everyone keeps staring at me. Is something on my face or what?"

Yuji chuckled darkly.

"You dare to ask us that?" He leaned closer. "Let me tell you something. I'm a professional hunter. Rank B."

Raito nodded casually.

"Wow. Congratulations."

Why are these two freaks even talking to me? Raito thought, expression unreadable.

Sakura smirked.

"I'm Rank B too. So maybe watch how you talk to us."

Raito raised a brow.

"Oh, congratulations again. And sorry if I sounded rude."

Yuji's smile vanished.

"Then I'll just ask you one thing — leave. I'm sure you were never in our class."

"You're right," Raito said. "But sorry… I can't do that."

Yuji's fist clenched. He took a step forward, ready to strike — but Sakura caught his arm mid-air.

"Not here," Sakura muttered. "Let's take it outside."

Yuji relaxed, then looked at Raito.

"Come on. We just want to talk."

Sakura gave a small nod.

"Let's go."

Raito slipped one hand into his pocket and followed silently. As he passed through the crowd, he could feel dozens of eyes on him.

"Wow, who's that guy? He's tall…"

"He's so handsome—my type!"

"I can't believe Aiko's brother looks like that!"

Their voices trailed behind him, but Raito didn't react. He only thought, What is this? They can't all be talking about me… maybe those two guys.

The café door closed behind him with a quiet click. The noise and warmth of the room vanished instantly. Cold air brushed across his face.

Yuji and Sakura led the way toward the alley behind the café — dark, empty, lit only by a flickering lamp.

Raito stopped a few meters away, his shadow stretching across the cracked pavement.

"Alright," he said, voice steady. "We're outside. What now?"

The sun was still rising, its light spilling softly across the quiet street behind the café. Steam drifted from the vents, and the faint sound of chatter came from inside.

Yuji cracked his neck, stepping closer with a smirk.

"So now… you understand what's about to happen to you," he said. "Physical Enhancement!"

Golden energy flared around his body, his muscles bulging with power.

Sakura grinned beside him.

"Physical Enhancement!"

His aura burst to life too, glowing the same burning yellow. Both of them stood there, radiating pressure.

Raito didn't flinch. His hands stayed in his pockets, his eyes calm.

Yuji lunged, his fist slicing through the air—whoosh!

CLACK!

Raito caught it effortlessly.

Yuji froze, his eyes wide.

What…? That punch should've sent him flying!

Raito tilted his head slightly, voice cold.

"If I were you," he said, lowering Yuji's arm, "I wouldn't do that."

He turned, ready to walk away—

—but Sakura's shout cut through the air.

"Don't ignore us!"

He leapt, kicking Raito in the side of the head. The impact echoed through the alley, but Raito didn't even stagger. His neck bent slightly, then straightened.

"So now…" Raito said quietly, his tone dropping. "You've thrown the first punch."

"It's my turn."

Yuji roared and rushed forward again. Sakura followed, both of them striking from different sides.

Raito moved.

In a single motion, his arms flashed out—CRACK! He caught both of their wrists and twisted.

They fell to the ground, shouting in pain.

Raito stepped in calmly and drove his boot into Yuji's face.

THUD! Blood splattered as Yuji hit the ground unconscious.

Sakura, still dazed, forced himself up and charged again—

—but Raito was already gone from sight.

A tap landed on Sakura's shoulder.

He turned—just in time to see Raito's fist.

BOOM!

The punch sent him flying, crashing into a stack of empty crates.

Raito exhaled, sliding his hands back into his pockets.

"I didn't want to do this," he murmured. "But they made me."

He looked toward the café entrance.

"I should probably go before Aiko starts looking for me."

Then he turned and walked away, calm and silent, leaving both hunters unconscious behind him.

Raito turned back toward the café, brushing off the dust from his jacket as he stepped inside. He wanted to meet that co-worker again, maybe grab something to drink before the morning rush settled.

But then—

A deep, echoing hum filled the air. The ground speakers hidden across the district crackled to life, and a sharp, commanding voice thundered through the city.

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