01:18 AM – The Freight Yard Outskirts
The first shot shattered the air.
The bullet struck the rusted metal near Arata's head, sending a spray of sparks across the rain-slick ground.
Yuiri stumbled backward into the shadows, hands over her ears.
Arata didn't hesitate — he grabbed her by the collar and pulled her deeper behind the concrete outcropping.
"Keep your head down," he whispered.
His eyes darted upward. The rooftop figure was adjusting his aim, the faint red glare of his scope visible even through the curtain of rain.
One shot wouldn't kill them — the second one would.
The Decision
The street ahead was a trap: too open, too many sight lines.
The only way out was up.
Arata glanced to his right. A fire escape ladder hung loose against the wall of an abandoned warehouse.
Risky — it was exactly the kind of move the sniper would expect — but standing still was worse.
He caught Yuiri's arm. "On my mark, you run with me. Don't stop. Don't look up."
Her breath was shaking. "What if—"
"There's no 'what if.' There's only run."
The Dash
He counted silently — three… two… one — and they bolted.
The sniper's second shot rang out. The bullet tore a chunk from the wall beside them, showering Yuiri's hair with powdered cement.
They didn't stop.
Arata reached the ladder first, shoving Yuiri up ahead of him. She climbed clumsily, rain making the rungs slick under her fingers.
Another shot. This one pinged off the ladder, the metal vibrating violently under their grip.
The Rooftop Fight
They reached the top. The rooftop was a maze of vents, water tanks, and crumbling ledges. The sniper was on the adjacent building, moving fast, closing the distance.
Arata shoved Yuiri behind a ventilation duct. "Stay here."
He moved low and fast, crossing the rooftop until he found what he needed — a loose pipe, heavy enough to swing with force.
The sniper was already vaulting onto their roof. Rain dripped off his black mask, his rifle slung over his shoulder as he drew a short blade.
"You're persistent," Arata called out, stalling for time.
The sniper tilted his head, as if listening to a voice only he could hear. Then he lunged.
Clash in the Rain
Steel rang against steel as Arata parried the blade with the pipe. The impact rattled his arms.
The sniper was quick — unnaturally quick — every movement precise and economical. Arata barely avoided a slash aimed at his throat, countering with a wide swing that forced the man back.
Yuiri peeked from behind the duct, terror etched on her face.
The sniper glanced her way, and in that split second, Arata struck. The pipe slammed into the side of his mask, cracking the visor.
The man staggered, then leapt backward, rolling to safety. Instead of pressing the attack, he reached into his jacket, pulling out a small metal sphere.
The Smoke
Arata's eyes widened.
"Yuiri! Down!"
The sniper tossed the sphere. It hit the ground and erupted into a dense black smoke, swallowing the rooftop.
Arata's lungs burned as the chemical mist closed around them. He grabbed Yuiri and guided her toward the far edge, counting steps by memory.
They dropped over the side onto an adjacent balcony, the impact jarring Arata's knees.
Regrouping
They stumbled through a broken door into the dark interior of the building. Dust and mildew filled the air.
Yuiri coughed violently. "What… was that?"
"Not gas. Masking smoke. He doesn't want us to see where he's going."
Arata checked the window — the rooftop was now empty.
"He's not done," Arata muttered. "He's tracking us."
Yuiri's voice was small. "Why me?"
He didn't answer, because he wasn't sure if she wanted the truth.
02:05 AM – A Breather That Isn't
They found an old stairwell and descended into what used to be a storage floor. Stacks of decayed boxes lined the walls, each marked with faded shipping labels.
They sat in the dark for a moment, catching their breath.
Arata finally broke the silence. "You handled yourself well back there."
Yuiri shook her head. "I froze. If I hadn't—"
"You moved when it mattered," he said, cutting her off. "That's the only thing that counts."
She looked at him for a long moment, then nodded. But her hands still shook.
Unwelcome Company
The quiet didn't last.
A faint metallic click echoed through the stairwell — the sound of a boot stepping on a loose bolt.
Arata raised a finger to his lips, motioning Yuiri to stay still. He drew his pistol, moving silently toward the sound.
The steps grew closer.
Then, a figure emerged from the shadows — not the sniper, but someone smaller, slimmer. A young woman in a tattered hoodie, her face hidden under a rain-streaked cap.
"You're being followed," she said without introduction.
The Stranger
Yuiri stepped forward. "Who are you?"
The girl ignored the question and looked at Arata. "If you want to live, follow me."
Arata hesitated. Every instinct told him not to trust her — but staying meant a bullet to the head.
"How do you know about us?" he asked.
She smirked faintly. "Because I've been running from the same people longer than you have."
02:18 AM – The Escape Route
The girl led them through a side door into a narrow alley lit only by the glow of a vending machine. The rain had slowed to a drizzle, but the air was thick with the city's damp, metallic smell.
They moved quickly, ducking into side streets and cutting through shuttered markets.
Yuiri whispered to Arata, "Can we trust her?"
"No," he said simply. "But we don't have another choice."
The Safehouse
Eventually, they reached an old auto garage at the edge of the district. The girl unlocked the side door and gestured for them to enter.
Inside, the place smelled of oil and dust. A single bare bulb hung from the ceiling, casting long shadows over the stacks of crates and dismantled engines.
"This isn't safe for long," she said, tossing her wet hoodie onto a chair. "But you can breathe here. For a few hours."
Arata studied her. "Name."
She met his gaze without flinching. "Kaede."
The Warning
Kaede leaned against a workbench. "You've both been marked. NOKRA doesn't waste this much effort unless you have something they want."
Yuiri frowned. "We don't—"
"Yes, you do," Kaede interrupted. "Maybe you don't know it yet, but you're carrying something valuable. And they won't stop until they get it."
Arata crossed his arms. "Then what's your angle?"
Kaede smiled faintly. "I like seeing them lose."
02:45 AM – Rest Before the Storm
For the first time in hours, they sat in relative calm. Yuiri found an old blanket and curled up in the corner, exhaustion finally dragging her eyes shut.
Arata stayed awake, watching the rain bead and roll down the dusty window.
Kaede worked quietly at the bench, cleaning a small revolver. "You're not from here," she said without looking up.
"Not anymore," Arata replied.
Kaede's eyes flicked to him. "Then you know running won't be enough."
He didn't answer. But deep down, he knew she was right.
03:12 AM – The Return of the Hunter
A sudden metallic thud on the roof snapped Arata's attention upward.
Kaede's hand went to her revolver instantly.
Arata moved to the window. Through the wet glass, he saw a shadow drop into the alley — the sniper. Mask cracked, rifle slung, blade in hand.
Kaede muttered a curse. "They found us."
Yuiri stirred awake, confusion flashing into fear.
Arata chambered a round, his voice low and calm.
"Stay behind me. This time, we finish it."
End of chapter 6