(promo fanfic) MHA: My Harem army

"Checkmate," a grim whisper cut through the stillness, a voice like death itself. Beads of sweat trickled down the man's temple as Mirai poised for the strike just behind him.

The masked man twisted quickly, shifting his weight and narrowly dodging Mirai's blade. In retaliation, he swung his own katana, the two of them freezing in their strike poses, neither daring to move, lest they expose a wound inflicted.

They held still, heads low, blades raised to the endless sky as the soft chirping of crickets returned, slowly filling the air once more.

A distant door creaked open, interrupting the charged silence. The masked man's gaze shot to the sound, seizing the opportunity to flee.

"H-Hey! Don't run—" Mirai protested, his voice ragged as his legs buckled, sending him to his knees.

"Bastard!" he choked, his words thick with unshed blood. "You'll die—you hear me? You'll die by my hands!"

His hair cascaded down his back as the tie he wore snapped in his exertion.

"Are you alright? What are you doing out so late?" Shou's mother rushed to his side, her eyes widening as she noticed his torn clothes but found no wounds beneath.

"I… I'm fine," Mirai winced, the phantom pain still lingering in his side as he rose once more. "Some guy has been watching your house for who knows how long."

Mirai's words sent a chill through her. She pressed a hand to her lips, then lowered it, her face settling into one of resolve.

"Mirai, you aren't planning to fight these bandits, are you?" She hesitated, concern filling her voice.

"Is there a problem with that?" Mirai's tone held a note of irritation.

"But… you're just a child."

"Child or not, I made a promise." Mirai sheathed his blade, glancing away as he spoke, his voice laced with both shame and resolve.

"Don't get me wrong—I'm not doing this out of the kindness of my heart." He lifted his gaze, determination and bloodlust flaring as he stared in the direction the masked man had fled. "This is personal, and I won't tolerate anyone getting in my way."

"Thank you for the hospitality. I do appreciate it," he said, giving her a faint smile as the grass stirred around them.

"Tell Shou I'm sorry for leaving so suddenly. He knows where to find me."

Off in the distance, the masked man leaned against a tree, clutching the wound in his abdomen. His breaths slowed as he tried to stifle the bleeding, blood slipping through his fingers and onto the earth below.

"So… that's his reason," he muttered, his voice weakening as he closed his eyes. "Maybe I'll… rest here for a while."