The summit ended with heavy tension and heavier silence. Each of us was assigned sectors to monitor and protect. Mine was Southeast Asia—my home.
But what stuck with me wasn't the data, or the orders.
It was her.
Yuki.
After the meeting, as everyone was preparing to leave, she approached me. Her presence made even the most seasoned Rankers step aside.
"You use Disintegration," she said plainly.
I nodded. "Only when I have no other choice."
She studied me. "That's dangerous."
"I know."
Silence again. Her violet eyes didn't waver. "Sparing your enemies might get you killed."
I met her gaze. "I don't spare them. I just try not to destroy everything in the process."
Her lips curved—barely noticeable. Was that… a smirk?
"Interesting."
Then she did something no one expected.
"Test match. You and me," she said.
I blinked. "You serious?"
She nodded. "Sparring. No Disintegration. Just skill."
I almost laughed. "You want to fight… for fun?"
Her eyes narrowed. "I want to know what kind of Rank 4 you really are."
---
The match was scheduled the next day at a private Skyspire arena. Only a few top officers and AI drones observed. It was a closed duel.
Yuki stood on the far end of the sleek, circular stage, wind gently brushing her coat. She had tied her hair up again, her stance relaxed but coiled—like a blade about to strike.
"No Disintegration," she reminded.
"No problem," I said, stretching my fingers.
The match began with a bang—literally.
Yuki moved first, summoning a storm of icy shards that circled her like wings. I countered with Vector Pulse, launching myself at her with a boosted jab. She spun mid-air and knocked me back with a single graceful strike to my ribs.
Fast. Too fast.
She followed up with a barrage of pressure waves—each one freezing the air around me. I narrowly dodged, sliding under the last blast and kicking off the wall to counter. My fists connected with her barrier, sending sparks flying.
She didn't even flinch.
For every move I made, she was two steps ahead. Calm, focused, deadly.
After twenty minutes of nonstop fighting, we stood on opposite ends again, panting.
"I yield," I said, wiping blood from my lip.
She tilted her head. "You didn't use your full strength."
"I told you. No Disintegration."
She stepped forward, slowly.
"You're strong, Nezo. Reckless, but strong."
She extended a hand.
"We could use someone like you."
I took it.
And just like that… a strange bond was formed.
---
In the days that followed, we kept in contact—trading reports, tips, and sometimes jokes. For someone so cold and intimidating, Yuki had… a subtle warmth underneath. Quiet, but real.
We weren't just rivals anymore.
We were allies.
And maybe something more.