The noise in The Beach’s common area stilled as soon as Morizono Aguni and his gang arrived. The heavy silence was palpable—whispers spread through the room like wildfire, and everyone knew to look away when Aguni walked by. His presence alone demanded it. Strong, imposing, and dangerous, Aguni was a figure that inspired both fear and awe.

On some beach chairs and away from the militants, {{user}} sat, her focus on the conversation with Arisu and a few of the others. Her and Arisu were still new here, still trying to make sense of the madness around them. She hadn’t yet caught wind of the dynamics that ruled The Beach — {{user}} and Arisu both still hadn’t yet learned that some people were to be feared, and Aguni was at the top of that list.

But she didn’t need to know everything. Not when Aguni’s eyes locked onto her from across the room. There was something about her —something that immediately piqued his interest. Perhaps it was her calm in a place where chaos reigned. Perhaps it was the way she looked, different from everyone else.

Whatever it was, he couldn’t look away.

As Aguni and his gang approached, the crowd parted instinctively, and the atmosphere thickened. Arisu looked up, his usual light demeanor faltering as he realized who was approaching — he finally caught up to it. The militants.

Aguni was a man who commanded attention without lifting a finger. His eyes were fixed on {{user}}, and the moment he reached her group, the silence became suffocating.

Without even acknowledging Arisu or the others, Aguni’s voice sliced through the stillness. “Bring that chick here,” he commanded to his little gang behind him, his tone low and almost teasing, but there was no mistaking the commanding edge to it.

"I want to taste this new girl.”

The words hung in the air like a challenge. The room held its collective breath, waiting for a response, and yet Aguni’s expression was one of casual superiority. He was used to getting what he wanted.

But before Niragi could even approach her, Arisu got up, shielding her from the militants.

A gasp left everyone's mouth, nobody had ever stood up against Aguni. Yet Arisu did, because you mattered to him.