Burly groaned as he pushed himself up, one hand clutching his chest where Dante's punch had landed moments ago. His breath came out rough, the metallic taste of blood lingering on his tongue.
"I'm… not Domiré," he said through clenched teeth, straightening his back. "Name's Burly. The main guard of Domiré Vellacroix."
Dante narrowed his eyes, his voice low and sharp. "The main guard, huh…"
He turned his head slightly toward Yamato, who stood still beside Anita on the rooftop. "So that means he's connected to that scum?"
Yamato's expression didn't change. "Yeah. Without a doubt."
Dante's lips curved into a thin, dangerous smile. "Alright."
In the next instant, he disappeared.
Boom—!
The rooftop tiles cracked as Dante kicked off, blurring through the air. Burly's instincts flared — he raised his metal baton just in time.
CLANG!
The impact sent a shockwave down the street, scattering dust and debris. Sparks flew where fist met metal, and Burly's boots scraped against the cobblestone as he braced himself.
"Tch… you're fast," Burly muttered.
Dante didn't respond — he was already moving again. The two clashed fiercely, blows echoing through the narrow street below. Dante's attacks were explosive and precise, each movement filled with raw, unrestrained intent. Burly countered with brute strength and solid defense, his baton whistling through the air with each swing.
From above, Yamato watched silently, his eyes sharp and calculating as the fight unfolded beneath him.
Anita stood beside him, frozen. Her hands trembled slightly as she stared down at the battle. "W-Who… who are you people?" she asked, voice barely above a whisper.
Yamato's gaze didn't leave the fight. "Shut up."
She flinched. "What…?"
"I don't care about your questions," he said flatly. "Dante's the one who does."
Dante, hearing that even mid-fight, smirked faintly as he ducked under a heavy swing and countered with an uppercut that made Burly stumble back.
"We're helping your father," he called out over his shoulder, voice steady even as his fists flew.
Anita blinked. "My… father?"
For a moment, the world seemed to slow around her. The only sound she could hear was her heartbeat — and the relentless rhythm of fists striking metal. Her gaze followed Dante's movements, his white hair flashing through the dust, his eyes burning with unyielding determination.
No one had ever stood between her and danger before — except her father. And yet, here was this boy… fighting without hesitation for someone he barely knew.
Her chest tightened unexpectedly. Is this what they call… love at first sight?
She turned to Yamato again, her voice trembling but sincere. "A-Aren't you going to help him? That man… Burly… he's really strong!"
Yamato finally looked at her, his red eyes calm and unreadable. "Don't underestimate my brother."
Anita fell silent. Something in his tone — the quiet certainty — made her heart skip again.
Down below, the clash continued. Dante and Burly circled each other, both breathing hard, but neither showing any sign of backing down. The cobblestones beneath them were cracked and scorched from the sheer force of their blows.
Then Dante spoke, his tone quieter now, but his eyes unwavering. "You know… I don't feel any malice from you."
Burly frowned. "What?"
"I can tell when someone fights me," Dante said, fists tightening. "I can feel what's in their heart. And yours… isn't evil." His expression hardened. "So why are you working for someone as vile as Domiré?"
Burly's jaw clenched. "You're just a kid," he said, voice low. "There are things you'll never understand."
Dante's brow furrowed. The calm in his face faded, replaced by irritation.
"A kid, huh?"
He stepped forward, eyes flaring with energy. "Guess this kid's about to make you eat those words!"
Burly raised his baton, but Dante was already there.
BAM!
Their blows collided again, the sound echoing through the alley like thunder. Burly managed to block, but the sheer force drove him back several steps, his boots dragging across the stone.
Then —
"Dante!" Yamato's voice cut through the night. "Backup's coming — soldiers from the mansion!"
Dante glanced up briefly. "Tch… figures."
He turned back to Burly, still breathing hard but smiling. "Looks like we'll have to finish this later."
Burly straightened his posture, baton still raised. "You think I'll let you run—"
But before he could finish, Dante sprang back with explosive speed, landing gracefully on a rooftop ledge. He looked up toward Yamato and Anita.
"Time to go!"
Without hesitation, he leapt up, landing beside them. Anita barely had time to react before Dante scooped her up into his arms, lifting her into a princess carry.
"Wha—!?" Her face turned red instantly. "W-What are you doing!?"
"Getting you out of here," Dante said simply, flashing his usual confident grin. "Hold on."
Yamato nodded once, already scanning the rooftops ahead. "Move. Reinforcements are closing in fast."
Dante didn't need to be told twice. With a powerful kick, he leapt across the next rooftop, carrying Anita effortlessly as the wind rushed around them.
Burly stood below, watching them go — chest heaving, baton still clenched in his hand. The echo of Dante's words lingered in his mind.
No malice, huh…?
He looked up at the rooftops, where the three figures disappeared
---
The rooftops blurred beneath them as Dante leapt from one to the next, his white hair whipping behind him in the cold night air. Anita clung to his chest, still dazed by everything that had happened. Her heartbeat was louder than the wind.
"Oi," Dante said suddenly, glancing down at her. "You know any shortcut to your father's place?"
Before Anita could answer, Yamato's voice came from behind, sharp and steady. "We can't go there right now."
Dante looked back. "Huh? Why not?"
"That'll be the first place Domiré's guards check," Yamato replied, his tone leaving no room for argument. "They'll expect her to run home."
Dante frowned but said nothing.
Yamato then turned his gaze to Anita. "You know anywhere we can lay low for a bit?"
Anita hesitated for a moment, thinking. Then she nodded. "There's… a forest up top. Near the cliffs. I go there when I want to be alone."
"A forest?" Yamato asked.
"It's big," Anita explained quickly. "And there's a spot I made myself — hidden, quiet, not easy to find."
Yamato gave a short nod. "Good. Give us directions."
Anita pointed ahead, and they moved. The rooftops ended soon after, and the trio slipped into the upper hillside paths, shadows merging with the night. The trees thickened as they went — tall oaks, twisting roots, and scattered moonlight filtering through the branches.
They followed a narrow dirt trail until they reached a slope covered in vines. Behind it, Anita pushed aside some bushes, revealing a small hollow — a natural cave, barely large enough for three people. Inside, there was a soft patch of moss, a few wooden boxes, and an old blanket folded neatly in one corner.
"This is it," Anita said softly. "No one ever comes here. The chances of being found are almost zero."
Dante stepped in and looked around. "Woah. Cozy."
Yamato remained silent, arms crossed, eyes scanning the surroundings one last time. Then he exhaled lightly and sat down against the cave wall.
The three of them settled in. For a moment, there was only the sound of the forest — insects humming, leaves rustling in the wind.
Then Yamato broke the silence. "I'll go back and tell that old man what's happened. If I don't, he'll just keep worrying and crying like a baby."
Anita's eyes widened. "Don't talk about my father like that!"
Yamato glanced at her, unfazed. "Why not? I'm just saying the truth."
Her voice rose. "He's my father! Show some respect!"
Yamato didn't flinch. "Respect for what? He let his daughter get taken and didn't even fight back. Weak men crying on the floor won't change anything."
Anita clenched her fists, trembling. "He's not as strong as you two! No one on this island is! You think everyone can just walk up to the Vellacroix family and 'whip their ass' like you can?"
Dante, who'd been lying down near the cave entrance, suddenly sat up. "Okay, okay! Let's calm down!"
He waved his hands with his usual clueless grin. "We're all tired, right? No need to yell. Yelling makes my head hurt."
Yamato stared at him, unamused. "You really are hopeless."
Dante just laughed.
Yamato stood up, brushing off his coat. "Anyway, I'm leaving."
Without another word, Yamato disappeared — his figure vanishing soundlessly into the trees.
Anita watched him go, still fuming. "Unbelievable…" she muttered, folding her arms.
Then the silence returned. She turned her head slightly — and realized how close she was to Dante. The cave was small, and he was sitting right beside her, leaning back casually with that same carefree smile.
Her heart jumped in her chest.
Now that it was just the two of them, the air felt heavier — warmer. She could hear her own pulse in her ears.
Why… does it feel like this?
She glanced at him, trying to compose herself. But Dante just smiled back at her, clueless as ever.
"Don't worry," he said softly. "Your old man's gonna be fine. Yamato might act cold, but he's not the type to lie."
Anita looked away, her cheeks flushing slightly. "You're really… something else."
"Huh? What'd I do?"
"Nothing," she said quickly, hugging her knees to hide her face.