Slamming his hands on the table with a panicked expression, Shizu wakes up. His breathing is heavy, panic overtakes him for a moment — he starts to lose control, his wide eyes searching for something even he doesn't understand. Sweat drips from his forehead, and his hands tremble. But little by little, he comes back to himself. Leaning on his hands over the table, he whispers in a trembling voice:
— There's an impostor among us...
Everyone in the room exchanges confused glances. The silence is heavy, suffocating, filled with tension. Until Shizu suddenly yells, his voice full of anguish:
— THERE'S AN IMPOSTOR HERE!!
The scream echoes throughout the place, reverberating off the concrete walls and into the hearts of everyone present. Suddenly, Shizu spots a small figure in the distance, darting through the alleys.
— THEY'RE RUNNING! DON'T LET THEM GET AWAY!
Without thinking, everyone sprints after the figure Shizu pointed to. They race through narrow alleyways, leaping over objects and knocking over cans, the sound of boots pounding the ground echoing off the walls. The air is thick with the smell of rust and trash, but no one stops. The chase is frantic, full of shouts and hurried footsteps. Until the figure ends up trapped in a dead-end alley — graffiti-covered walls, piles of garbage, and an oppressive sense of finality.
— End of the line! — shouts one of the gang members triumphantly.
He kicks the figure down, eliciting a small cry of pain. As they approach, they see it's a little girl, with short purple hair, her face dirty, and her eyes wide with fear. One of the men stares at her in surprise.
— Wait... I remember you! You're that brat the boss brought in as a commander!
— Seriously?
Everyone is stunned, mouths agape, the threatening mood now replaced by confusion. At that moment, Shizu arrives at the alley, walking with heavy steps, his face filled with both anger and sorrow. Upon seeing the girl, he takes a deep breath and speaks firmly:
— Leave. I need to talk to her alone.
— But boss, she's a traitor!
— Yeah! She could ruin our whole plan!
Shizu turns around, rage written all over his face, his gaze sharp as blades.
— I SAID ENOUGH! Leave us alone.
The group flinches, then backs off reluctantly. Some murmur among themselves, but no one dares to disobey. Shizu sits on a sealed trash can, not looking at her. His voice is firm, but full of sadness and disappointment.
— Why?... Why did you betray us?
The girl stays silent, curled up, eyes fixed on the dirty ground. Her breathing is shaky, and she tries to hold back tears. Shizu repeats:
— Why are you on her side?... Why betray us like this?
Silence. Shizu breathes in deeply, trying to hold in the pain.
— Why help someone who hurts you so much?
Tears begin to fall in the silence. Her voice comes out almost as a whisper, choked:
— I... I just...
Shizu slowly turns to face her, his gaze softening.
— She has something that belongs to you, doesn't she?
The little girl lifts her head, tears streaming down her cheeks, eyes wide with surprise.
— How do you know?
Shizu stands and walks over to her. He kneels down, placing his hand gently on her head, as if afraid she might break.
— Because I've helped people who didn't deserve it too... I thought it was the only way. Tell me... What's wrong? Let me help you.
She starts crying harder now, sobbing, but manages to speak between her tears:
— My mom... She took my mom. Said if I don't do what she wants... she'll hurt her. I don't want that...
Shizu keeps his hand on her head, gently comforting her.
— It's going to be okay. I promise. No one's going to hurt your mom.
After a while, once the girl is calmer, Shizu speaks again, voice gentle:
— So... Ever since I met you, I never asked: what's your name?
She looks up at him, eyes still watery, but a little calmer.
— My name is Mihia Teresa.
Shizu smiles slightly, trying to ease the tension.
— Teresa, huh? That's a beautiful name. Can you tell me a bit about yourself? I know it's hard, but I need to understand at least a little...
She lowers her eyes, hesitating for a few seconds, fists clenched. Then she begins to speak, voice low:
— Two years ago, I awakened a unique ability. A kind of super hearing... I could hear everything from miles away. It was like my mind was connected to the sounds of the world. I used to play with my friends, telling them what I heard beyond the walls. Sounds of peace... animals... it felt like a forest. It was beautiful. I felt special, free.
She pauses, wipes her eyes, then continues:
— But when the Empress found out, she forced me to work for her. Said a power like mine shouldn't be wasted. When I refused... she kidnapped my mom. And I had no choice...
Shizu listens carefully, every word sinking deep into his heart.
— And what exactly do you do for her?
— I collect information across the city... about the group she calls the CSS. She's been hunting them for a long time. With my help, she's found them a few times... but this time I couldn't. And she said if I don't give her a new location by the end of tonight... she'll kill my mom.
Shizu closes his eyes for a moment, thinking. An internal battle rages in his mind. Then, firmly, he says:
— What if I promise I'll save you and your mom? Would you help me?
Mihia slowly lifts her head, uncertain, eyes locked on his.
— Save... me and my mom?
— Yes. But for that, I'll need you to do something for me. Something simple, but important.
She stares at him, surprised by his trust.
— Even after I betrayed you... you still want to help?
— Yes. Because I don't see a traitor in front of me. I see someone scared, trying to protect someone they love. That's not betrayal.
Without hesitation, she asks:
— What do I need to do?... I'll do anything.
Shizu gives a slight smile, but his eyes remain serious and intense.
— Nothing much. I just need you to pass along a tiny bit of information... to this Babadar woman.
Mihia looks at him, surprised and intrigued. And for the first time since she fell in that alley, a spark of hope lights up in her eyes.