It was a quiet evening at the caf�. Mia moved gracefully between the tables, wiping down counters and making sure the last few customers had what they needed. The day's rush had finally slowed down, and the night air began to settle in through the caf�'s open windows. She could already feel the relief of closing time approaching - just a few more minutes, and she could finally relax.

Her movements were practiced, every gesture automatic as she completed the final tasks. The rhythmic hum of the espresso machine in the background created a calming atmosphere. She was wiping down a table near the window when the bell above the door jingled, signaling the arrival of a customer. Without looking up, Mia gave her usual greeting.

"Welcome to the caf�! I'll be right with you in just a moment," she said with a polite smile, still focused on the task at hand.

But then, the air shifted. The calm atmosphere that had surrounded her moments before suddenly felt heavy - like something was wrong. Mia froze. The hairs on the back of her neck stood up as she finally glanced toward the door.

A chill crawled up her spine.

A man - no, a monster - stood in the doorway, his glowing eyes fixed on her. His form was monstrous, shifting between human and something else entirely, his features distorted and unnaturally contorted. His long, clawed hands reached for her, and his sharp teeth bared in a twisted grin.

Mia's heart pounded in her chest as the world around her seemed to blur into a haze of panic. She didn't know what to do - was this some kind of nightmare? Was she dreaming?

Before she could even think, the door slammed open, and a figure stepped in, a dark silhouette framed by the fading light of the day.

Komiko.

He moved with the grace of someone who had been through countless battles. His eyes - those dark, unreadable eyes - locked onto the monster in an instant. Without hesitation, he stepped forward, his body radiating a sense of power, as if every move he made was carefully calculated.

Mia's breath caught in her throat.

Her heart faltered. She had seen Komiko in passing, of course - he came into the caf� often, always with that air of cool detachment that made him stand out. But seeing him now, so close, so... alive with intensity, made something in her shift. Her body responded instinctively, heat pooling in her chest, making it difficult to focus.

Komiko wasn't like any other man she'd met. He wasn't just tall and handsome - he had a raw energy, something magnetic that seemed to pull everyone's attention. But it wasn't just that. No, there was something in the way he moved now, his steps confident and precise, that made Mia's pulse race.

The monster lunged at her with a guttural snarl, but Komiko was faster. With a swift motion, he grabbed the creature's arm, twisting it violently before delivering a punch that sent the monster crashing into the wall. The sound of impact echoed through the caf�, making Mia jump. She barely registered the force with which Komiko had struck the monster - it was so effortless, like he was showing off just for her.

She was rooted to the spot, unable to tear her gaze away from him.

"Impressive, huh?" Komiko's voice was smooth, the hint of a teasing smile tugging at his lips as he turned to face her.

Mia blinked, still trying to process the surreal situation. "You? you just - "

"Fought a monster?" he finished for her with a grin that was equal parts charming and mischievous. "Yeah, it's kind of my thing."

Mia blinked again, still in shock. "My? my caf�?"

Komiko chuckled, clearly amused by her reaction. "Don't worry, I've got it covered. You should probably sit down. You look like you might pass out."

Mia's legs almost gave way beneath her, but she managed to stay standing. Her heart was still racing, but it wasn't just from the fight. There was something else - something electric in the air between her and Komiko, something that made her want to stay in his presence, to feel his gaze on her just a moment longer. She couldn't quite place it, but she was drawn to him.

"Are you always this dramatic when you save people?" she finally asked, trying to regain some composure.

Komiko leaned against the counter, eyes narrowing in that way that always made her stomach flutter. "Drama is kind of my middle name," he replied with a wink.

Mia could feel the heat rising in her cheeks as she struggled to form a coherent thought. She was still in disbelief over what had just happened, yet Komiko's casual confidence was making everything feel strangely... normal. Like monsters attacking caf�s were just a typical Tuesday for him.

"Is that all you've got?" Komiko asked the monster, his tone mocking as he stepped forward and kicked the creature, sending it sprawling across the floor. He'd dispatched it with ease, but his attention never left Mia, his smirk never fading.

Mia's head was spinning. She had so many questions - who was Komiko really? How did he know how to fight like that? And, more importantly, why was he still standing there, looking at her like... like he wanted something more?

"Komiko..." she began, but she wasn't sure how to finish her sentence. She wasn't even sure what she wanted to ask.

He stepped closer, his body radiating warmth as he invaded her personal space, sending a shockwave through her chest. "You're welcome, by the way," he said softly, his voice low, almost intimate. "I couldn't let anything happen to you."

The words, simple as they were, sent a thrill through her. She opened her mouth to respond, but the words caught in her throat. Something was stirring between them - something that she couldn't explain.

Komiko's eyes flickered with something unreadable as he took another step toward her, closing the distance between them until they were inches apart. Mia's breath caught, her heart hammering in her chest.

"I need to do something," Komiko murmured, his voice low and dangerous. "Something that will protect you... always."

Before Mia could react, he cupped her face in his hands, his touch surprisingly tender, and without warning, he pressed his lips to hers. The kiss was electric, powerful in a way she had never experienced before. It wasn't just a kiss - it was a connection, a linking of souls that left her breathless. Her hands instinctively reached for him, her fingers threading through his hair as the world around them melted away.

When they finally pulled apart, Mia's mind was a haze of emotions - desire, confusion, and something much deeper that she couldn't quite name. Komiko's eyes searched hers, intense and unwavering.

"Now you're linked to me," he said, his voice low, almost a whisper. "Whenever danger comes, I'll be there."

Mia's lips parted, but no words came out. All she could feel was the pulse of his touch, the lingering heat of the kiss that seemed to burn through her entire body.