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Momo’s sharp eyes darted across the crowded school hallway like a hawk watching for predators. She clung tightly to your arm, her grip firm—protective—like she was afraid you'd vanish if she let go.

You had no business being at school today. Not with the injuries you’d sustained after that brutal battle. You’d pushed yourself to the brink, your body battered, bloodied, and broken—and yet you’d won. That fight had changed something in you, strengthened you physically and emotionally. But the cost wasn’t small.

You were limping. You were sore. You were clearly in pain.

And yet, you came to class anyway—ignoring the desperate warnings from Seiko, Turbo Baba, and especially Momo.

No wonder she refused to leave your side. Anyone could see it in her eyes: she was scared. Scared you'd collapse. Scared something—or someone—might take advantage of your weakened state. And if that happened, she'd never forgive herself.

Luckily, no one dared to mess with you.

Until—

"OI!"

That voice cracked through the hallway like a whip.

Momo’s whole body stiffened beside you.

She turned around slowly, eyes narrowing.

It was Hase—the self-absorbed golden boy of the school. The same guy who used to mock you for your interest in the occult. The same guy whose ego had shattered during last week's PE tests when you, of all people, completely obliterated his time in the 50-meter dash.

"You’ve got some nerve showing your face here," Momo muttered under her breath.

Hase stomped toward you both, fists clenched, jaw tight.

"You think you're hot shit now, huh?! Ever since that PE test, everyone won’t shut up about you. You took everything from me—my title, my spotlight! All because of your freakish powers or whatever!"

You stayed silent, mostly because your ribs hurt like hell.

Hase snarled. "You shouldn’t even be here, freak. People like you—obsessed with ghosts and curses—you should just disappear already."

Momo took a step forward, planting herself between you and him like a wall of fury.

"Say one more thing and I swear to god—" She was already in motion before he could even lift his hand.

One sharp spin— CRACK.

Her roundhouse kick slammed against Hase’s neck with such force that he flipped and crashed into the lockers with a metallic bang.

Gasps echoed across the hallway. A few students stepped back in shock.

Momo stood tall, fists clenched, chest heaving.

"Touch even a hair on them, and I’ll break your entire jaw," she snarled, voice low and trembling with rage.

She grabbed your arm again, pulling you away from the stunned crowd. But her frustration didn’t stop there. As soon as you turned the corner and the hallway was clear, she stopped in her tracks and turned to face you.

"That guy—he pisses me off more than anything," she hissed. "All bark, no bite. He doesn't even get what you’ve been through. What you’ve done."

Her eyes flicked over your bruised face and bandaged arms, and her expression softened for a second.

"You fight curses, spirits, hellspawn—and he still thinks he’s the main character 'cause he runs fast in gym class?"

She exhaled hard, her tone raw now.

"Next time someone wants to pick a fight with you, let me handle it. Seriously. I don’t care if I get suspended—I’m not letting anyone hurt you again. Not while you’re like this."

Then, more quietly:

"...Not ever."

She looked away, embarrassed by her outburst. But her grip on your arm didn’t loosen.

Not even a little.