Saturday morning rolled in slow and lazy, but Kazunai was already up, dressed in a black and white leatherman jacket, hair (somewhat) tamed, and nerves bouncing in his chest like a kicked can.
He was meeting Amy's parents today.
The walk to her house felt long and exhausting. The whole way there, Kaz kept replaying Seamus's words in his head. Control. Timing. Focus. None of which he had when it came to situations like this.
Amy opened the door with a bright grin. "You look nervous."
"I look like a criminal trying not to look like a criminal," Kaz muttered.
Amy chuckled. "Relax. My parents are weird, but they're not going to bite."
She paused.
"Well, my dad might."
Inside the house smelled like cinnamon and something baking. The living room was warm, cozy, filled with pictures, plants, and a family vibe that was the exact opposite of Kaz's stone-walled mansion.
Amy's mom walked in, wiping flour off her hands, and froze.
Her eyes locked on Kaz with wide recognition. "Wait a second… you're Kazunai, aren't you?"
Kaz blinked. "Uh. Yeah?"
"I knew it!" she gasped, smiling. "You're Sonohara's son—your mother and I worked together at the research facility back before the Break! I saw you once when you were a toddler. You had the chubbiest cheeks."
Kaz flushed. "That's… not how I wanted to be remembered."
Amy grinned. "Too late."
Just then, thunder rumbled down the hallway. Amy's dad emerged—broad-shouldered, stern-faced, arms crossed like a fortress in human form.
"So you're the boy."
Kaz straightened. "Yes, sir."
"I know who your father is," he said flatly.
Amy sighed. "Dad, don't start."
"I'm not starting. I'm stating. The son of Seamus Yazumèi shows up at my door, wanting to date my daughter. You can't blame me for being cautious."
"I get it," Kaz said, voice even. "But I'm not him. I didn't choose the name—I'm just trying to live with it."
Amy's dad stared at him a beat longer than necessary. Then nodded. "We'll see."
Before the tension could get any worse, a blur of energy burst from the hallway. Amy's little brother, Theo, skidded into the room.
"Whoa! Are you Kazunai?!"
Kaz blinked. "Uh… yeah?"
Theo beamed. "You're so cool! Is it true you threw a table at school?!"
Kaz scratched the back of his neck. "Depends on who's asking."
Amy facepalmed. "Don't encourage him."
But Kaz knelt and held out a fist. Theo bumped it like it was a sacred ritual.
"You've got the coolest flames ever," he said in awe. "Mine just spark."
"Keep at it," Kaz said, smiling. "You'll get there."
Later that evening, Amy and Kaz snuck out for a walk through the quiet streets near her neighborhood. The sky was a soft purple, stars just starting to peek out.
"I think you did okay," Amy said. "Mom loves you. Theo wants to be you. And my dad didn't throw you out."
"Yeah," Kaz muttered. "Only emotionally."
Amy laughed and leaned on his arm. "You're good with kids."
"Never said I wasn't," he replied. "I just don't usually get to… be normal."
Their steps slowed near a small park. Then, out of the shadows, came the sound of whistling.
Three guys stepped into their path—greasy, cocky, clearly looking for trouble.
"Well, well, what do we have here?" the tallest one sneered. "Hot little couple out for a date?"
"Not your business," Kaz said sharply, already tensing.
The second thug cracked his knuckles. "You look familiar, punk. Aren't you that freak with the black fire?"
Amy stepped in front of Kaz before he could react.
"Back off," she said.
The leader laughed. "Or what? You gonna throw some glitter at us, princess?"
Amy's expression didn't change. "Something like that."
In one smooth motion, she raised her hand. A burst of pink flames erupted in her palm—burning hot, elegant, and lethal. Kaz's jaw dropped.
The thugs froze.
"I warned you," she said.
The flames danced up her arm as she twirled into a forward rush, slamming a wave of fire into the ground that blasted all three off their feet. The second guy scrambled up—only to be met with a heel to the chest and a burst of heat that sent him crashing into a bench.
The last tried to run, but Amy pointed, and a ribbon of flame curled from her hand, lashing around his ankle and yanking him down like a whip.
Within seconds, the fight was over.
The thugs fled, bruised and screaming.
Amy turned around, brushing her hands together, flames vanishing like steam.
Kaz just stood there, blinking.
"…What?" she asked.
"You never told me you could do that!"
Amy smirked. "You didn't ask."
Kaz just stared, lips parted. "Pink flames?"
"Yup. Elegant and deadly. Like me."
He laughed—half stunned, half impressed. "And here I thought I was the dangerous one."
"You still are," she said, slipping her hand into his. "But I'm not the damsel in distress, Kaz."
"No," he said quietly. "You're not."
They walked on, her fingers warm in his, the scent of smoke lingering in the night air. And for once, Kazunai didn't feel like a mobster's son, or a walking weapon, or some fire-cursed outcast.
He just felt lucky.
"You… You really didn't mention you were that strong," he muttered.
Amy smirked as she dusted soot from her hoodie. "And You never asked."
Kaz shook his head, still trying to process. "I thought I was gonna have to fight those guys. Guess I was wrong."
"You're always fighting something," she said softly, walking ahead as the streetlights painted her in a soft orange glow. "Tonight, let me protect you for once." Kaz caught up and walked beside her in silence. For once, the city didn't feel so heavy on his shoulders. Not with her beside him. Not with someone who could keep up.
"You really gonna stick around?" he asked suddenly.
Amy stopped, turning toward him. "Even after tonight?"
"No," Kaz said, his voice lower, almostvulnerable. "Even after everything that's coming."
She met his eyes—black fire glinting faintly within them—and smiled. "You're worth the fight."
Kaz's hand instinctively slipped into hers and for a brief, quiet moment in a world built on chaos and shadows, he felt like he might just believe her.