Throughout the ride, my gaze was fixed on the train floor. Jia sat across the aisle, the distance between us growing naturally after our heated argument earlier.
She had said she didn't hate me, yet hadn't admitted she liked having me around. That ambiguous statement left me confused, unsure of how to act.
Finally, I mustered the courage to look at her from afar. A gloomy expression clouded her face, mostly due to my actions. Guilt pierced my heart, I regretted that our first journey together had turned into a nightmare, especially since Jia had been so cheerful when we first met.
Lost in thought, I suddenly saw Jia stand and move to another section. At first, I didn't suspect anything—until the man sitting beside her rose as well, positioning himself right behind her. A bad feeling crawled up my spine.
My fears were confirmed. The man brazenly tried to touch Jia. A disgusting scumbag! Harassing a woman in the middle of a crowded train. Yet part of me hesitated, Jia was the same person who had upset me earlier. Should I intervene?
I leapt up and pulled her into my arms. She stiffened, surprised, while I kept a neutral expression.
"You should have run to me when he tried to touch you."
The man behind Jia scowled, but with so many eyes watching, he reluctantly stepped back.
Jia slowly moved away from my embrace, and I realized my hand was still wrapped around her waist, a clear opportunistic move in the heat of the moment.
"T-thank you," she murmured hesitantly.
I nodded. "I mean no other intent, but we'd better stay close until the train stops. Who knows if he'll try again?"
"All right," she said softly.
A sudden silence fell between us. From my spot beside her, I stole a glance. Her expression was softening, while my mind still churned over our argument. Strangely, amidst my anxiety, Jia seemed calm.
"You said you don't hate me… does that mean you like me?"
Jia turned quickly, her cheeks slowly flushing. "W-what?"
"So, you really hate me, right?" I teased.
"I never said that!" she shot back.
"Then… what?" I pressed, forcing an answer.
"I just said I don't hate you. Can we stop this topic?" she said, lowering her gaze. Her blush deepened.
I grabbed her hand, and she glared at me. Instead of anger, her awkward expression made her look sweet and endearing.
"Don't misunderstand," I said, half-joking. "This is just to convince that guy we're really a couple, so he won't come near you again."
Suddenly, a woman's scream shattered our focus. I turned to see the man who had harassed Jia brandishing a knife at the passengers.
"Everyone, get down and put your hands up!" he barked menacingly.
Most passengers froze in terror. One man slowly pulled out his phone, perhaps to call for help.
"Get down or I'll kill her!" The thug pressed a knife to a young woman, holding her hostage.
The rest quickly obeyed, lying flat with hands raised. Only Jia and I remained standing, the center of his attention.
"Do you want to die?!" he shouted.
Jia clutched my hand, trembling. "I-Ian, we have to duck," she whispered, voice shaking.
I had no choice but to kneel for her safety. Before we fully crouched, the thug grinned slyly.
"Only you duck," he sneered, glaring at me. "The woman behind you comes with me."
I stared him down. "If you want to kill someone on this train, kill me."
The thug smirked mockingly. "Sure. I'll kill you, but I'll give you a moment to feel fear before death comes."
I knew I had to buy time. Someone had tried to call earlier, so all I could do was distract him until help arrived.
"P-please, Honey... help! There's... a criminal on the train!" the man who tried to call shouted, voice trembling.
The thug quickly ran, snatched the phone, smashed it on the floor, and stomped it, also kicking the man a few times as punishment for his stupidity.
Seizing the chance, I pulled Jia away, moving her to a safe corner out of his view.
When the thug finished punishing the previous passenger, he seemed confused. Perhaps he realized Jia was no longer in her original spot. With fewer passengers around, he'd soon notice we were escaping to another carriage.
"Don't try to run!" he shouted, chasing us.
As he tried to enter our escape carriage, I grabbed his shoulder and slammed him against the wall. The knife dropped to the floor.
"You shouldn't turn your back on your enemy," I said coldly.
He rose quickly, attempting a punch, but I dodged. The whoosh of his fist made me realize how dangerous his strikes could be if they connected.
Confidence surged slightly. I remembered my brief training with Mina, who always emphasized observing an enemy's movements. Since then, I'd been doing just that.
This thug was clearly untrained. His two-handed grip on the knife revealed his fear. His hands trembled slightly, and I noticed him reposition several times, seeking a more comfortable hold.
He attacked again, but I managed to evade. Luck wasn't always on my side, though. I stumbled accidentally, and he seized the opportunity to strike me. I tried to fight back, but his attack was too strong.