The sun was setting over the bustling city, casting a warm glow on the streets below. Ryu and Ayumi strolled along the sidewalk, chatting and laughing, looking like any other pair of teenagers enjoying a day out.
Ayumi: "You know, it's nice to take a break from all the chaos sometimes. It's like a little escape."
Ryu: "Yeah, I guess. But it's weird, right? We're just walking around like normal friends."
Ayumi: "Totally. So, I was thinking about my family. My dad, Tatsuya, he's 42 and really sick. There's nothing that can save him, which is... tough. My mom, Yuki, works at a restaurant as a chef. She makes the best ramen, you should try it sometime."
Ryu: "Sounds delicious. What about your siblings?"
Ayumi: "I have a little sister, Mio. She's 4, and she loves drawing. She always wants to play games with me. And there's my uncle, Shun. He's 30, a retired samurai assassin. He's so funny and creative, always coming up with weird jokes."
Ayumi pauses, smiling at the thought of her family. As they continue walking, their hands brush against each other, and they instinctively hold hands. Both of them start blushing, surprised by the sudden contact.
Ryu: (blushing, looking away) "Uh, that was... unexpected. Friendship hand hold, right? Let's just say that."
Ayumi: (blushing deeply) "Yeah, totally! Just friends holding hands!"
A voice interrupts them from behind.
Akira: "As friends, huh? Is that what they call it now?"
Ryu and Ayumi turn around to see a girl in baggy clothes with a mischievous smile. It's Akira, Ayumi's older sister.
Ayumi: (panicking) "Akira! It's not what you think! We're just... uh..."
Akira: "Why are you so flustered, Ayumiii~? Is he your boyfriend? He looks cute enough to be, don't you think?"
Ryu: (blushing, stammering) "N-no, it's not like that! We're just friends! Just friends!"
Ayumi: (going red) "Akira, stop it! This is embarrassing!"
Ryu: "Who is she, Ayumi? Why's she so... friendly with you?"
Ayumi: "This is my older sister, Akira. I was just about to mention her before, you know, the hand-holding thing happened..."
Akira: (smirking) "So you did hold hands! How cute! Don't worry, Ayumi, I'm not judging. You two make a sweet pair."
Ryu: (flustered) "It was an accident! Just an accident!"
Akira laughs, clearly enjoying their discomfort.
Akira: "Alright, alright. I'm just messing with you. But seriously, who are you, young man?"
Ryu: "I'm Ryu Yamamoto, and I'm 15 years old. It's nice to meet you, Akira."
Akira: (whispering in Ryu's ear) "Polite, I like that. Let's get laid sometime."
Ryu: (turning red) "W-what?!"
Akira: (laughing) "I'm kidding! You're fun to tease, Ryu."
Ayumi: (pouting) "Hey, don't leave me out! We're supposed to be hanging out together, remember?"
They all laugh and continue walking, eventually stopping at a grocery store. Akira decides to wait outside while Ryu and Ayumi go shopping.
Ayumi: "We won't be long. Just need to grab a few things."
Akira: "Take your time. I'll keep an eye on things out here."
As Ryu and Ayumi head inside, a group of gang members approaches Akira, eyeing her up and down.
Gang Member 1: "Hey there, pretty lady. What's a girl like you doing alone out here?"
Akira: "I'm waiting for my little sister. She's just inside."
Gang Member 2: "Why wait? Come hang out with us. We'll show you a good time."
Akira: "No thanks. I'm not interested."
Gang Member 3: "Don't be like that. We can take your sister too. She can join the fun."
Akira clenches her fists, anger simmering beneath her calm exterior. Before things escalate, Ryu and Ayumi exit the store, carrying bags of groceries.
Ryu: (hearing the gang members) "Fun, you say? Let me join in too."
He approaches the gang, a smile on his face, and whispers to them.
Ryu: "How about I pay you to include me in the fun? But let's go somewhere private, like that alley over there."
The gang members, thinking they've found an easy target, follow Ryu into the alley, with Ayumi and Akira trailing behind. Once out of sight, Ryu turns on them, fists flying.
Despite the odds, he fights fiercely, but without his powers, the effort takes its toll. He's panting when a gang member stabs him in the back.
Ryu: (grimacing) "You think that's fun? Don't ever disrespect women, especially these two."
He knocks out the last gang member, standing wounded but defiant.
Ryu: "Are you alright, girls?"
Ayumi: "We're fine, but you're bleeding!"
Akira: "That was pretty brave, but also really reckless."
Back at their hideout, Ayumi treats Ryu's wounds, despite his protests.
Ryu: "I can heal myself, Ayumi."
Ayumi: "No way. I'm not letting you do something stupid again."
As they talk, Akira interrupts with a playful tone.
Akira: "Stop flirting, you two. Also nice base you've got here, Ayumi. Good job."
Ryu: "We've got bigger problems. Saito's men are active during the day now. We need to prepare for what's coming, and we need more members for our crew. We're only two right now."
Akira: "Make that three. I'm joining you."
Ryu: "Alright. Let's get ready for whatever's next."
The trio stands together, united and determined to face the challenges ahead.