Kousuke Sawaki is the younger brother of Asagi Igawa's fiancé, Kyousuke Sawaki. He currently lives with Asagi due to a tragic event involving his brother—murdered by a group of evil individuals targeting Asagi. Kyousuke's home was raided, and his entire family was killed except for Kousuke. Out of remorse, Asagi took Kousuke in when he was just ten years old.
Now, eight years have passed since Asagi began caring for Kousuke, along with Asuka Koukawa, until Asuka decided to walk her own path. Kousuke was well taken care of by Asagi because he bears a striking resemblance to her deceased fiancé. This kindness fostered a growing love between them. Kousuke desires Asagi not just as a guardian but as a woman he wishes to have by his side. However, the harsh realities of their age difference, Asagi's dangerous work, and the ever-present shadow of Kyousuke loom over him.
Kousuke sighed heavily, frustration and determination mixing within him. "If I can become a Taimanin like him... If I can become strong, maybe I can stand by her side—not as the child she cared for, but as a man who can protect her."
This resolve drives Kousuke to study the training book each night. His first love, Asuka, has long become a bitter memory. Though he once hoped to be with her, that feeling ended unrequited. It left a wound in his heart but also solidified his determination never to fail in love again—especially in the love he feels for Asagi.
Kousuke stood, steadied his breath, and began practicing some techniques he had just read. His movements were still stiff, but there was improvement from previous days. Each punch and kick sliced through the night air, as if he were battling the shadows of his own doubts and weaknesses.
In the midst of his training, Asagi's image filled his mind. "Asagi... I won't continue to be a burden. I will become a man you can rely on." He clenched his fists, resolute.
The sound of light footsteps behind him made Kousuke halt.
"Fufufu~ So this is the kid you've been talking about, Ingrid?" A voice rang out, teasingly.
"Tch, stop with that tone, or I'll slit your throat," replied another voice firmly.
Kousuke turned quickly, his eyes widening. Before him stood two women radiating danger. The first, dark-skinned with long pink hair, wore a black outfit that revealed her midriff, accompanied by a red cloak. She exuded a strict, disciplined aura, clearly not one to be trifled with. The second, with short pink-purple hair, wore a cynical smile. Her eyes sparkled as if relishing the situation.
"W-Who are you!?" Kousuke exclaimed, anxiety creeping in. His hands trembled, but he fought to maintain his composure.
"Calm down, kid," said the short-haired woman, her eyes narrowing in mockery. "We're just here to take someone very important to us. You should know we don't care about you... but if you resist, we won't hesitate to dispose of you here."
"Don't make this harder than it needs to be, Kousuke," added the dark-skinned woman, her voice stern and merciless. "You're just a useless lump of meat."
Hearing Asagi's name sent blood boiling through Kousuke. They were here for Asagi? The one who had cared for him, the one he had loved since childhood? There was no way he would allow that to happen.
"I won't let you get near Asagi!" he shouted, attempting to display courage despite his pounding heart. 'I may not be as strong as they are, but I won't back down!' he thought.
Ingrid regarded Kousuke with a vacant stare, as if uninterested.
"Tch, this is boring," she said coldly.
In an instant, her figure vanished from Kousuke's sight. His reflexes couldn't keep up with Ingrid's incredible speed. Before he could react, Ingrid had appeared right in front of him.
-BUGH!
A hard punch landed on Kousuke's stomach, striking him with overwhelming force. Air rushed from his lungs, causing him to stagger back in agony.
Kousuke fell, clutching his burning abdomen. Tears brimmed in his eyes as his vision began to blur. His body felt heavy, his breath ragged, and his entire nervous system felt paralyzed by the brutal blow.
"Heh, so weak," Ingrid remarked, a smirk creeping onto her lips as she saw the lack of resistance. "You're not worth making me serious."
Kousuke bit his lower lip, desperately trying to stifle the pain radiating from his stomach. The feeling of failure crept into his mind, Asagi's face flooding his thoughts.
"Asagi... I must not fail... I have to protect her," Kousuke thought desperately, his eyes fighting to remain open despite his trembling body. However, when he looked up, he no longer saw Ingrid but the shorter woman, her sadistic grin plastered on her face.
"Hey, kid," she said in a sweet yet toxic voice. "Just be quiet and follow us. If not, I'll turn you into a living chunk of meat... and show that new form of yours right in front of Asagi. Understand?"
Those words made Kousuke's blood run cold. Fear crawled through his entire body, but along with it, a surge of anger and frustration began to ignite within him. That feeling, so powerful, awakened an energy within him like never before.
"AAAAAAAH!" he screamed, the sound more a mix of fear and the last remnants of courage. In an instant, metal scraps from the park began to float, as if drawn by an invisible force.
"Oh? Metal art: Magnet, huh?" Ingrid said with a flat tone, though slightly surprised by his sudden power.
The metal pieces swirled wildly, spinning in the air and darting toward Ingrid and her partner at high speed. Kousuke hoped, even just a little, that he could injure them or at least slow them down.
But with one swift motion, Ingrid drew her sword, and in an instant, all the metal pieces were sliced into tiny fragments, falling powerless to the ground.
"Such a pity," she said calmly, "you met us at the moment of your awakening."
Fear grew within Kousuke's heart. His breaths came in gasps, and his body felt increasingly weak. "Don't... don't come any closer!" he shouted, though his voice sounded desperate.
But before he could do anything, the short-haired woman stood before him. With one quick motion, she kicked Kousuke's temple with tremendous force, plunging his vision into darkness.
"Ugh!" Kousuke fell, unconscious in an instant, his body slumped against the ground.
"So, what shall we do with this kid?" the short-haired woman asked, her voice dripping with satisfaction.
Ingrid merely smiled faintly, looking at the helpless Kousuke. "Take him. Asagi will soon know what happened... and this is just the beginning."