---
"My name? I don't really know… I never had a real family name."
The girl's voice trembled as she began, her eyes staring off into the dark, empty street.
"I grew up in an orphanage. But… I was never sad. To me, that place was enough. It was home. The other kids, the nuns — they were my family."
She paused, her fingers twisting around the edge of the blanket wrapped tightly around her shoulders.
"July… she was my best friend. My little sister, even if we weren't related by blood. We played together every day, helped take care of the younger children, did chores… she used to call me 'Mom' sometimes, jokingly. We thought we'd always be together."
Her voice cracked, her eyes shining with a painful, distant warmth.
"But one day… a rich couple came to adopt. They wanted a beautiful, smart daughter… and they chose me. July had always dreamed of being adopted, of having a family. But they didn't choose her… they chose me."
She squeezed the blanket tighter.
"I didn't want to leave her behind. I thought… if I stayed, we could always be together. So I refused. But… that was the worst choice I ever made."
Tears began to fall down her cheeks, her shoulders trembling.
"After that… July never spoke to me again. Everyone looked at me like I was selfish. Even the caretakers… they were disappointed. That couple would have supported the whole orphanage, but I ruined it."
Her lips quivered.
"One year later, during punishment, July finally yelled at me. She said she never liked me… that she was always jealous… because everyone loved me more. I… I cried all night. I realized I had lost the only person I truly loved."
She took a shaky breath.
"That same night, I ran away. I called the couple and asked if they would still take me. They came immediately. Everyone cheered me on… except July. She stayed in her room and never said goodbye."
---
After escaping the warehouse, Riyan led her to a safer, empty sidewalk near the main street.
"Call the police," he urged gently.
She shook her head weakly. "I… I don't have a phone."
Riyan scanned the street and spotted an old man closing his shop. He rushed over and borrowed the man's phone, explaining the situation in quick, breathless words.
The police arrived quickly, surrounding the warehouse. When they saw the four unconscious thugs inside, they gaped at Riyan in shock.
"You… took all of them down by yourself? Are you a registered Nova?" one officer demanded, disbelief clear in his voice.
Before Riyan could answer, the girl stepped forward shakily.
"He's not a Nova," she said firmly, her eyes locked on the officers. "I have a power… I used it to help. He just gave me a chance to act."
They scanned her ID and checked her profile.
"Mira… Ability: Particle Acceleration," the officer read aloud, nodding slowly.
Another officer tilted his head skeptically. "Then… why were you tied up? Why didn't you fight back earlier?"
Mira hesitated, biting her lip.
"I… I froze. I couldn't move. He… distracted them and gave me a chance to use my power when they let their guard down."
Riyan nodded quickly, stepping in.
"And I… I know some martial arts from before. I just did what I could."
The officers exchanged doubtful glances but finally relented.
"Alright. Thank you both for your cooperation. You can go now. We'll handle the rest."
---
As they walked away from the scene, Riyan's thoughts twisted and turned.
> "Particle Acceleration… she could have easily escaped or fought back alone. Why didn't she? Was she really that scared? Or… is there more to her power than she let on?"
He glanced at her — Mira — who was limping slightly beside him, her expression unreadable.
> "She's hiding something… but maybe it's not my place to ask. I should respect her choice."
---
Just as he was about to turn and leave, he heard rapid footsteps behind him.
"Wait!"
He turned around, surprised. Mira stood there, hugging the blanket so tightly it nearly slipped off her shoulders. Her bare legs trembled in the cold night air.
She stepped forward, her blue eyes locked onto his.
"At least… let me thank you properly," she said, her voice softer than before. "And… tell me your name."
Riyan blinked, startled.
"Uh… I'm Riyan. Riyan Solas. Just… a construction worker."
Mira scowled slightly, puffing out her cheeks in an almost childlike frustration.
"Don't just say 'just' like that! You saved me… You're not 'just' anything!"
She stepped even closer, her cheeks flushed. As she bowed deeply in gratitude, the blanket slipped down slightly, revealing the top of her black bra and the pale skin of her chest.
Riyan's face turned beet red. He jerked his head away instantly.
"I-It's okay! You can stand up now!" he stammered, flailing slightly with his hands.
Mira quickly pulled the blanket back up, giggling shyly.
"Sorry… You're cute when you panic," she teased lightly.
Then, with surprising boldness, she tiptoed forward, her face close to his ear. She had to rise on her toes since she was much shorter than him.
"And… about your power… don't worry. I won't tell anyone," she whispered, her breath tickling his skin.
Riyan froze.
She pulled back, her eyes sparkling mischievously.
"Can I… have your number?" she asked aloud, her voice softening. "I want to thank you properly one day… and… maybe see you again."
Riyan hesitated, but then nodded, handing her his phone. After they exchanged numbers, she held the device close to her heart, smiling faintly.
---
Suddenly, an older woman's voice pierced the quiet.
"Mira! Where did you go?!"
Mira turned sharply, her eyes softening.
"Grandma!" she called out, running toward the frail figure down the street. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she threw herself into the woman's arms.
Riyan watched them for a moment, a bittersweet warmth blooming in his chest.
> "Grandpa… did I do the right thing? Are you watching over me?"
He turned away, shoving his hands in his pockets, and started walking home without looking back.
---
Back at his tiny apartment, Riyan tossed off his blood-stained shirt and sat heavily on the edge of his bed. He examined the now-healed stab wound, his fingers brushing over the dark purple bruise.
> "It still hurts… Maybe my regeneration accelerates when I'm in danger. The blood stopped instantly, even though it was a deep wound. Was it instinct? Or is my body evolving again?"
He sighed, cracking open a cold beer and taking a long drink.
> "And… her power… Particle Acceleration. Why didn't she use it immediately? Did she panic? Or… did she think she'd be saved? I don't understand her yet."
He closed his eyes, leaning back against the wall.
> "She's strong… but she doesn't realize it. Just like me once. I hope she finds her strength."
Despite everything, a small, tired smile crept across his lips.
> "A boy who couldn't die, huh…?"
---
Back on the street, as Mira hugged her grandmother tightly, the old woman l
ooked curiously after Riyan.
"Who was that boy?" she asked gently.
Mira's eyes sparkled, and she watched his figure disappear into the night.
> "A boy… who couldn't die."