Bits of Love, Lines of Code
Chapter 97 - 92: “The First Spark”

Chapter 97: Chapter 92: “The First Spark”

The sun was gentle that morning, casting a golden hue over the countryside home. Birds chirped softly beyond the newly secured perimeter fencing, and inside the house, Aoi stood by the large window in the kitchen, sipping freshly brewed ginger tea as she felt the baby gently flutter inside her.

She smiled, one hand protectively over her belly."Do you feel that, little one? Papa’s going to build you a safe world."

Ren was in the lower basement-lab, working quietly.

He wasn’t building anymore—he was refining.

Lucia’s soft tone echoed from the screen, "Sir, three anomalous drone signals detected within a 6-kilometer radius. Signature similar to older Naruse prototypes."

Ren’s fingers froze on the keyboard."Stealth class?"

"Yes. Low-altitude skimmers. Possibly reconnaissance. Shall I initiate field interference?"

He stood up sharply, grabbing his AI-enhanced gloves and activating a local cloaking pulse."No. Let them come closer. I want to know who’s watching."

—

Tokyo – Midday

Aoi had insisted on spending a few hours at the interior design center for their nursery planning. She wanted the best, and her joy was genuine—but in the background, a carefully placed observer had entered the facility unnoticed.

A woman in a light beige coat and a wide hat, face covered with a mask.

Saki.

She watched Aoi from a distance, noting every step she took, every moment she touched her growing belly, every laugh she shared with the kind woman helping her choose crib colors.

So ordinary, Saki thought.So disgustingly perfect.

She pulled out her phone and sent a message:

"Target isolated. Proceed in 15."

—

Back at the Lab

Ren reviewed the intercepted data.

Three drones. All broadcasting to a central node located somewhere between Tokyo’s commercial district and the old Minato ward.

"Lucia. Deploy Wraith counter-agents. Locate the relay point and jam all outgoing feeds. Let’s flush them out."

Lucia’s tone shifted. "Ren—sir, Aoi’s signal has gone silent."

His blood went cold.

"What?"

"Her smart ring is still active, but mobile data has stopped transmitting. GPS interference detected."

He didn’t wait.

The Iron Frame suit’s core whirred to life.

Lucia’s voice sharpened:"Emergency Deployment Authorization: Confirmed. Initiating fusion engine startup."

The core reactor clicked into place on Ren’s chest. His breath was steady, eyes focused.

"I’m coming for you, Aoi."

—

Meanwhile – Aoi

She had just exited the design center and waved goodbye when it happened.

A black delivery van pulled up fast—too fast. Two men stepped out, casually but quickly. One called her name politely. The other moved behind her. A hand reached for her arm.

She flinched—but she wasn’t helpless.

Just as the first man grabbed her wrist, her necklace sparked.

A faint electric shimmer pulsed through her body—and the attacker’s glove short-circuited.

"Agh!"

Aoi broke free and turned, backing up.

But then—

Smoke. Loud popping sounds.

From the far end of the block, a crowd screamed as something exploded near a parked vehicle. Chaos.

She coughed, shielding her belly.

Saki stood just beyond the haze, smiling beneath her mask.

"Just a little chaos. That’s all it takes."