Promise me Chapter 15 - LOVE is a cruel thing (Wmatsui)

Chapter 15 - LOVE is a cruel thing.

Silent was the word to describe the room. Everyone's attention was focusing to the front stage, with the spotlight shining down on a girl that is sitting on a chair that was placed at the centre of the stage. The sound of guitar strumming could be heard across the room. Melody, rhythm and beats starts to form.

I arrive in your city walking the roads you've crossed.
Thinking of how you passed the days without me.
How lonely you were.
Holding up the photograph you gave me, thinking what a familiar street.
It just that without you here.
We can't go back to the day ,when we are in love.
Will you suddenly appear at the shop on the corner of the street that we always goes?
I will bring with me, my smiles, waving and saying hello with you sitting and talking.
How I wish I could see you.
Seeing how you've changed recently.
We won't talk about the past, just want to say hello.
Say to you one phrase, just one phrase.
Long time no see.

The strumming sound of the guitar slowly fades away. Claps could be heard after the song ends.

"Thank you for listening to this song." The vocalist bows 90 degree to the audience and walks down the stage.

"Senpai! It been a while since I last heard you singing. As always, AWESOME! Ahhhh~ just like old times..." A girl with long hair that looks younger than the vocalist said.

"Ryohan, thanks. Just like old times at the States. It's good to see you again." the vocalist smiled.

"By the way, Jurina-senpai... What are you doing here at this cafe?"

"Hm? I'm waiting for a person." Jurina answered with a shrug.

"A person? Masaka, the song that you sing is about him?"

"It's not a him, it's a her."

"Eeeh~ I hope you get to meet her soon. Thanks for helping my uncle to perform." she smiled.

"Oh. This shop is open by your uncle? The chocolate here is awesome. I used to come here often." Jurina smiled.

"Yap, uncle's hot chocolate is the best!" The girl proudly say.

"Thanks to you, the performance went smoothly. Oh. Jurina-senpai I'll talk to you later, I need to help out." The girl waves her hand and walk away.

Jurina sat at a table near the window. A table that are so familiar to her, where she used to sit when she was younger with her crush. After a few seconds, the corner of the vocalist's eyes became watery

"Rena…." She whispered silently.

2 days later at New york

Rena's POV

Why are you doing this to me... Why didn't you tell me? Why are you making me falling harder for you once again... What should I do? I don't know. Should I wait for you here or fly back to Japan? Am I the person that worth your love? I did promise Churi that I will love you and not hurt you again. But can I? I'm still in doubt at it. Can I love you as much as you do? As deep as you do to me?

Maybe…. I don't know.
Questions filled my head but no matter how hard I try, no answers could be found.

I'm lying here on the bed, thinking about you. About us. I still remember the times we had fun together. How I fall for you. How I cry for you. I reach out my hand and took the phone Airin-san gave me earlier since I left my phone back in Japan, thinking that I won't be using it anyway. I reach for the phone that are located next to my bed side and makes a call.

"Hello?" A voice could be heard on the other side.

"Hello, Airin-san."

"Oh, it's Rena-sama. What can I do for you?"

"Em. Nothing actually… I just want to find someone to talk. Since you are the only person I knew that I can talk to."

"Did something happen?" He softens his voice.

"..." Did something happen…? I just want to talk, honestly... "Airin-san, can I ask you something?"

"Sure... Anything for you, Rena-san." He replied with a soft voice.

"Have you… have you ever love someone?"

"..." I just realised that I was asking such a bold question, the other side of the phone went silent for a while without replying.

"I'm s-" My voice was cut by his.

"I have." He said.

"I'm so sorry for asking such a bold question."

"It's okay. I don't mind sharing, I'm just a bit surprise that you asked." I could hear him giggles through the phone.

"I didn't know you can giggle like that. I thought you were a serious guy." I said.

"Talking to you reminds me of someone I knew. I don't know why… Maybe that's why I felt comfortable around you I guess."

"Someone, huh? Someone you love?"

"Em… You could say that I guess." I could feel the shyness in his voice.

"You mind telling me?"

He chuckled and said. "Did you just call me to tell you a bedtime story of my love life?"

"Maybe." I smiled.

"Em. Not much of a story, actually. I love her, but she hates me."

"Eh? Why? Who would reject a person like you?" I was shocked that someone actually hates him.

"Someone." He chuckled. " Let's not talk about me. I thought you have a problem..." Airin-san said as he tries to change the topic but I ignore it.

"Eh. Eh. Eh? Who?" Now I'm curious.

"Just... someone."

"..." He doesn't want to tell me. " Fine... It's okay."

"So? Do you have some problems you want to share? Love problem, I guess... Since you asked me that question."

"Is it that obvious?" Ah…. Looks like I've been caught red-handed.

"Kinda. It's about Jurina, isn't it?"

"Huh? You know Jurina? Wait, how did you know it's her?"

I could hear him chuckled again. "Ya, I know her."

"Then ho-"

"Mayu-sama and Jurina-sama always talk about you."

"Talk about me? About what?"

"Things."

"Agh. You're planning not to tell me anything, right?"

"Haha. Let's skip this one… So, what do you want to know?"

"About… love."

"Well, Rena-sama... I don't really know much about that. But I know if you love her, you should not give up on her. Throw away all your doubts and love her with all your might. That's what I know to love someone."

"What happen if they lie to you…?"

"If you guys really are true love, no matter how much you guys hurt each other. In the end, you guys will forgive each other. Because you guys love each other deeply enough to accept each other's wrong doing."

"But..."

"But?"

"I'm not sure myself. I'm not sure if I love her enough to be with her..."

"No one does. But everyone tries to be with the one they love, because of trust and believe. Trusting the one you love only loves you and believing that true love will bring you happiness."

"Really? Do I love her?"

"It's very easy to tell if you love her or not. Have you ever, for once, had forgotten about Jurina for the past few years she disappeared?"

"No."

"Why?"

"Because… she is always in my mind. I don't know why... But I do know that I miss her."

"Well, then… I think you've actually found the answer."

"..." I smiled after realizing the answer that I've been searching for was actually in front of me all this while.

"Talking to you reminds me of something I need to do before it's too late."

"Oh? And that will be...?"

"A secret." He giggles through the phone.

"Mou. Fiiineee."

"Anyway, it's getting late now, Rena-sama. I think you should head to bed right away."

"Okay. You too. Good night, Airin-san. Thank you for everything."

"You're welcome. Good night to you too, Rena-sama."

Slowly, after putting down the phone I drift off to sleep.

The next day, I woke up thinking I should really go back to Japan, because I had a dream about Jurina… Something bad is going to happen to her. I just have feeling about it.

I called Airin-san and told him that I wish to fly back to Japan. He told me the only ticket available is at night, so he booked it for me. After I hang up my phone I started to pack my stuff with my mind filled with worry of this nagging feeling at the back of my head, telling me to quickly meet Jurina before it's too late. I close my eyes and do a silent prayer... I hope it is just my imagination.

2 days before

Jurina's POV.

Agh! Why did you fly over to New York... Now I don't know what should I do. Wait for you to come back or fly over there to find you? After Mayu and Yuki told me about you yesterday, I've been worrying non-stop about you. I can't get through your phone, I have no idea how to connect to you at all.

Now I'm here at the chocolate shop, waiting for you to come home... Rena, I miss you badly. When are you going to come back? A lot of things have been on my mind lately. Ah... It's already so late. I should go back now.

"Ryohan, I should go now. It's getting late." I walk towards the counter and see her standing there counting the cash.

"Ah~ Jurina-senpai. Wait a minute, can we go home together?"

Em. That's the first time Ryohan had ever asked me to go home with her. Oh well. Why not?

"Okay. Why not?" I smile to her.

"Okay. Could you please wait a moment? I need to change." She quickly runs towards the back of the door.

After a few minutes, she came back from the room with a set of changed clothes.

"Let's go." She shouted.

Both of us walk out of the door after saying goodbye to her uncle. The journey back home was full of laughter. She is telling me how's her life and things that had been happening. Quite cute of her. Suddenly, we spotted a gang of guys standing around the street blocking the road. Ryohan quickly hides behind me, seeking protection from those gangs.

"Hey! There are some cute girls here..." One of them said.

"Wanna hang out with us?" Other one followed and said.

"Wait! Isn't that Ryohan-chan?"

It seems that they know Ryohan. Suddenly I could feel Ryohan trembling behind my back. She is afraid of them.

"Ryohan… who are they?"

"T-t-they… One of t-them is a friend of my ex-boyfriend, J-jurina-senpai."

"Is that so..."

I toughen my stance, pulling Ryohan closer to my back as I glare at the bunch of guys in front of me.

"Eh~ It is Ryohan-chan. We should help Ryu teach her some manners and never ever mess with us again."

"Hey, morons!" I said loudly with a smirk. "I think the one that should be taught some manners are you guys. Don't you know you should treat girls like us gently?"

"What?!"

"How dare that girl… Damn!"

"What the hell… who are you?!"

"Me?" I shrugs my shoulders before pointing at my chest with a thumb. "The girl about to kick your sorry ass!"

FEW HOURS LATER…

"Jurina-senpai! Hang on, Jurina-senpai!"

W-where am I…? Ryohan? Is that y-you…?

"Tell me about the girl!"

What…? What girl… why is e-everything white here?

"Matsui Jurina, stabbed with a knife after a fight on the street. She lost a lot of blood on the way here."

Huh? T-that's me… Why are they t-talking about me…

"Get her in the ER! Prepare her for transfusion!"

"Yes!"

Ugh… This is weird… why can't I move my body…I feel numb…

"Jurina-senpai! Get a hold of yourself, Jurina-senpai!

Ryohan… help me… where are they taking me, Ryohan...

"Miss, you must stay here. You can't get inside."

"But-"

"It's a hospital's protocol. I hope you understand, miss."

No… No, please don't… I can't be alone…

"Give her the sedative."

I must get up… I need to meet her… for Rena…she's waiting for me...

"Eh? Doc, the patient is trying to get up!"

"Hold her! Don't let her move!"

Stop… Don't… Don't separate me and Rena… again...

"She's losing a lot of blood! She's not gonna make it this way…"

"No, she can! Just… Hold her still!"

Please…

Beep beep.

I want to meet her…

Beep beep.

Let me meet her…

Beep beep.

Just once more…

Beep beep.

Rena...

Somewhere else…

"Hello?"

"H-hello, M-mayu-san…"

"Who is on the line?"

"It's m-me… R-ryohan."

"R-ryohan...? What's going on? Hey... Why are you crying?"

"Ju-jurina s-senpai…It's Jurina-senpai, M-mayu-san!"

"Jurina? Why? What happen to Jurina?"

"She's in the hospital!"

"W…what?!"

"I don't t-think she's gonna m-make it, Mayu-san!"

Rena-chan, it's seem that I can't keep my promise with you after all.

Beats Of Love (Prologue)

PROLOGUE

The place is full of crowds jumping and cheering, with penlights and neon boards being held out high in the air. It hasn’t even started yet, but everyone had already making noises for the concert to start. However, in a quiet dark hallway, there’s another sound being produced by a couple that is hiding from the staffs and the band members. Moans and pants can be heard along the small and lonely pathway, just behind a pillar.

“Aaaah…!”

“Hmm… you’re liking this, aren’t you?”

“S-stop it…! We’ve got t-things to do…”

“Just a few minutes... please?”

“Haaa…! Eh? But the c-concert…”

A tall girl who is pushing the smaller person on the wall is pouting as she is about to get rejected by her partner for a quickie. It’s always like this for them. One is too preoccupied with work while another is too laidback to think of any serious things… even if she is the leader of the band.

“Pleeeaaseee…? It’s for the concert...”

“Wait… what does this had to do with the concert?” the smaller girl crosses her hands over her chest with an angry face but the latter keeps on pouting, making her feeling helpless with the cute face made by the leader of the band.

“I need some energy for the opening act…”

“So…?”

“So… I need you to make me feel all energized and… jumpy, if you get what I meant.” the tall girl said as she blows some air onto the latter’s ear, making her produce a suppressed moan from the act.

“Haaa…! Ummm… W-wait…”

“I don’t have time, you know…” She bit the girl’s earlobe, kissing and nipping her way down to her collarbone. “It’s almost time to start the concert...”

“Mmmh! S-stop...Kyah!” She could feel her body becoming hot as the tall girl sucks on her neck, making a mark on her lover’s skin. She was about to proceed lower while teasing the submissive girl endlessly with her wandering fingers expertly.

“You’re really cute, you know…” She was about to tear the girl’s shirt open...

However, a familiar voice calls their name repeatedly from the end of the hallway.

“Hey, manager! Leader! Where are you guys?” The voice keeps getting closer and closer, making the couple stop their about-to-get-hot session. A groan sounded from the small girl, making the taller smirks in satisfaction.

“We’ll continue this later, darling.” She whispered while giving a pinch on her lover’s bum, making the latter shriek in a restrained voice before greeting the intruder of their session.

“We’re here!”

“Hey! What are you doing here in the dark? We’re about to start soon!” The newcomer, another tall girl with shoulder-length hair clad in a denim jacket above a white shirt with blue torn out jeans asked with a serious face.

“Ah… we were discussing about something private, right?” The manager said with a straight face, giving a quick glare at the taller one who’s making weird sounds with her mouth at the moment.

“Whatever she said~” The leader responded before walking while twirling around merrily back to the members’ waiting room. The remaining girls could only shake their heads before they follow the weird girl.

“Is everyone ready yet?”

“Yes. Well… except for someone, though.” The serious looking girl said with a scorn on her face, her eyes glaring at another pair of girls joking and playing around in the room they just got in. 

“What is she doing in here?!” 

She asked loudly while pointing at a cheery looking girl who’s currently embracing her fellow band member, a pale girl with big round pair of eyes wearing black leggings underneath a white dress with a denim jacket on the outside.

“What? Senpai gave me permission to be here…” the girl, who is actually not a member of the band, said before pulling out her tongue at the angry girl.

“Why you…” Before she could do anything, someone pulls her away from the scene.

“Calm down, will ya?” 

Another girl with short hair and black leather jacket said as she pats the latter’s back to calm her down. 

“We’ll deal with your anger management later but for now, could you please restrain yourself? We got a concert to settle tonight, buddy…”

She heaves a deep sigh, her black orbs staring at the noisy pair who’s playing fake kisses and exchanging laughter with each other. Her eyes shows sadness, sorrow and loneliness but she kept it hidden from everyone, even her most trusted friend, with her usual serious face. 

“Oy!” She shouted while pointing at the annoying girl, “I’m dealing with you later. You’re lucky I’m having a concert right now.”

Suddenly, the pale girl stood up before giving a slight bow at the fuming girl. “Ummm… I’m sorry for bringing her here.”

“Tch.” Not wanting to make her anger gets any worse, she ignores the bowing girl. She walks straight past her to the door, leaving the girl feeling guilty and slightly hurt with her stern act.

“We’re going out in 5 minutes! Get ready, guys!” The manager yelled with a clap before holding the door for the members to get out. 

All of them get ready behind the stage, each one of them is holding their respective instruments. The leader gets behind her drum set, twirling the stick with her fingers while doing some tricks. She throws a stick to the air and catch it perfectly before giving a lazy salute motion to the manager, making the latter smile with a wink. But when a staff calls her, she quickly puts her straight face back...

The tall girl clad in denim and jeans outfit wears her electric guitar before standing in front of her microphone stand, just to the left of the leader. She turns to her right and saw the pale girl having difficulties wearing her bass guitar. With a deep sigh, she steps to the girl, helping her with the bass strap that was stuck on her denim jacket.

“Here.” She carefully lifts the strap and wears it to the pale girl. 

“Thanks.” She said in a low voice with a slight blush on her face but the latter didn’t notice it with the dim surrounding of the stage. She just gives a small nod before walking back to her position to the left of the stage, not catching the disappointed face of the pale girl.

A girl with short hair wearing a leather jacket stands in the center. She tested her beloved guitar, tuning it to it’s perfection before caressing it gently with care. She mumbles by herself, as if talking to her precious guitar.

“This is it, G… Our long awaited, first concert of Beast Wings.” She said with a smile. 

“I’m glad you’re with me since I don’t have anyone to share my joy with, G.” A lone tear drops as soon as she said that. However, her eyes suddenly caught a pair of couple in the crowds kissing in a loving manner in between the opening slits of the curtain. 

“Awww… I envy them for having the love of their life by their sides.”

She was enjoying the heated moment when a shout from backstage catch her attention.

“GO BEAST WINGS!” 

“Hey! You’re here!” She points at her best friend who had just arrived to her concert. She was about to run to her to give her a hug, but her friend shakes her head no, not wanting to disturb her preparation for the concert.

“Good luck!” she said with a wave before disappearing to the backstage. She didn’t expect for her best friend to be there tonight. Now, she can actually feels the joy of sharing her wish of having a concert with someone she holds dear. With a grin, she turns around with her right hand reached out.

“Group huddle!”

“1,2… Beast Wings, let’s make ‘em fly with our beats!”

“YEAH!!!”




In the crowds…


“Stop it… we’re in a sea of people. Don’t you have any shame?” A girl pushed her lover away after he forcefully kissed her in between people. She secretly wipes her lips with the sleeve of her shirt.

“Sorry… It’s just that. I misses you…”

“Well, I miss you too… but can it wait till we got home, honey?”

“Sure. Anything you say~” The guy kiss the girl’s forehead before giving his attention to the front.

“Oh, look! They are starting!” 

The guy literally screamed as the crowds go wild with the raising of the curtains. The girl beside her could only shook her head. She didn’t even know why she’s coming to the concert tonight… She doesn’t even know about this new Beast Wings band people been talking about for the past few months. It was her boyfriend’s idea of a date…If jumping together with a swarm of people with sweats can be counted as a DATE. She suddenly felt drowsy when the loud banging of drums started playing. 

“Honey… I don’t feel good.”

“Eh? What’s wrong? Are you perhaps... pregnant?” 

The girl smacks his boyfriend hard on his head. “Gosh… you are such a joker, Chris.”

“Sorry. Was just trying to lighten you up…” He scratches his head timidly.

“Hey, I don’t think I’m feeling good. Can I leave?”

“What? But this is the first concert of Beast Wings! I’ve used up my monthly allowance for this!”

“Honey… please?”

“But…”

“It’s okay… I’ll be fine on my own.”

“Well…sure. Take care of yourself, okay? If anything happens, call me.”

The girl nods her head slowly with a smile before pushing herself through the crowds of wild and crazy people. She can’t stand the opening act which is filled with only the sounds of drums right now. 

“The door! Finally…” She lets out a relieved sigh.

However, just when she was about to reach for the door, the crowds suddenly cheered and screamed when the stage lit up with bright lights. The girl turns around to look at the stage. She thought it was the same kind of concert with those punk or rock bands that she don’t even know why people like them so much. But this time… she is actually at awe. Four girls stood on the stage, rocking the crowds with their songs. This is something new, the girl thought. Then, the girl in the center starts to sing…

She didn’t realized she had actually stayed all night to watch the concert while rocking together with the crowds…For the first time in her life, her heart had actually beats in an abnormal rhythm, together with the beats of the Beast Wings’ songs.

If Tomorrow Does Come - Chapter 1.3 - Kill or Die

Chapter 1.3 - Kill or Die

I take out my phone and check out Sato Roland’s lab location. It is not that near… But I am sure with Black’s sprinting ability; she could be there in less than a minute.
 
“Black, I know you are really fast.” I say in consideration.
 
Black nods and immediately continues, “I know I would have to wait for you at least. How about we go together? Do you want me to carry you along? Piggyback ride? Or I could princess carry you…” Black smiles playfully.
 
“Neither.” I reply coolly. What is she thinking? PRINCESS CARRY? PIGGYBACK? No way! “We will be going with my bike.”
 
Black looks at me slightly disappointed. “If I can’t carry you… At least I get to drive… right?”
 
“No.” I walk towards the door and open it. I look back and smile coolly, “You won’t be able to handle it.”
 
Black follows me out and I whistle. Black laughs at my whistling because she couldn’t hear a thing. I didn’t bother telling her I whistled at a frequency normal human couldn’t hear.
 
In a brief moment, a black bike appears. Black is shock beyond words. I smug. “This is Aries; my bike.” The engine roars, as if to respond to her introduction.
 
Black’s jaw drops. I have an impression that it dropped way down until it touches the floor. I can’t help but to laugh at her expression. Although she is noisy, she is hilariously funny at the same time.
 
“Come on up, or you will miss the chance of your lifetime to have a ride with me.” I half-smile at her as I get onto my bike.
 
“Wait… Is that thing safe?” Black eyes Aries suspiciously. “I think I am better off running.”
 
Aries roars again as if to protest.
 
Is she scared? That thought quickly form in my mind. I smile at her brightly. “Do you want to get into my way?”
 
Black quickly shakes her head. She doesn’t know me as much as I know her. She knows that fully well and knows that is best not to mess with a senior. She holds her breath and get onto the bike.
 
“Hold on tight.” Without giving her a moment to adjust herself, I speed up and drive towards Sato Roland’s lab.
 
Black grabs my waist out of a sudden which sent a shiver down my spine. 
“YOU DO NOT HOLD ME BY THE WAIST!” I shout. The sound of the engine and the wind made it hard for communication.
 
“BUT THIS IS TOO FAST FOR ME!” Black shouts back. What? WHAT IS SHE TALKING ABOUT? THIS IS TOO FAST? 

“I HAVE MOTION SICKNESS!” Oh I see… So she has motion sickness… No wonder she wants to drive.
 
I speed up even more knowing she have motion sickness. It’s fun to tease her. Her grip on my waist tightens as Aries got faster and faster. We reach around some bushes hidden in view from Sato Roland’s lab but also a place where we can spy on in less than 5 minutes. It’s 0000 sharp. Mission commenced.
 
“There are two guards up front you could easily bypass with your speed. Do not use the elevator. It is in lockdown. The moment an unauthorised person pressed the button, it will set off an alarm. Run up using the stairs to the fifth floor. There will be a huge room down the hallway. To get in, you will need a key card. To get the key card, you must steal it from the guards in the security room on the second floor.” I take out a paper and briefly draw a plan of the building as I start explaining what Black have to do in the mission. Black, still pale with the motion sickness take deep breaths while listening intensely to my plan.
 
“Avoid fighting… We do not kill innocent people. After getting the key card and entering the room on the fifth floor,” I hand her a USB flashdrive. “Use this and back up all his files. Then, you are to destroy his files by keying in a virus. Of course, you could always destroy them by force… Your choice entirely.” I give her a disc that has a skull image drawn on it. “I made this virus… So far there aren’t any antivirus systems or firewall that could stop this virus from spreading.”
 
She takes both items and stares at the disc. She laughed out loudly when she saw the skull image. 

“THIS. IS. JUST. AMAZING.” I give her a confused look. 

“This is priceless. What would be more suited to be portrayed as virus than a skull image?” She smiles brightly. “You are so cute.” She said teasingly.
 
I raise an eyebrow in question but ignore her last remark. “It is easy to understand. I think a skull image is better than to just write the word ‘viruses on the disc.” I snort with irritation. “At any rate, we are wasting time here. Get moving already.”
 
“Wait… What are you gonna do then?” Black looks at me puzzled.
 
“I get the fun job. I get to kill Sato Roland.” I smug. “Now go. After mission accomplished, you may return to report without me.”
 
“Why?” She tilts her head curiously.
 
“Because your mission is to back up and destroy the data, while mine would be to finish off Sato Roland.” I answer her coldly. “There is no need to wait for each other. That would be a waste of both of our time.”
 
Black looks at me with slight hesitation but nods.
 
“Kill or die. Let see whose luck runs out first.” I smile and ride Aries towards the building next to Sato Roland’s lab.
 
It is under construction and there are tower cranes parked there; waiting for the workers to continue their work the next day. I see the opportunity of using one of the long crane runway as a ladder to go up to the roof of Sato Roland’s lab. I ride Aries up one of the crane and leap off into the air and safely landed on the top floor of Sato Roland’s lab.
 
I look around my surroundings and find an entrance to the stairs. I use my see-through ability and see that there are two guards guarding the stairs. I guess the roof is as good as nothing if you can’t access the stairs. I open the hatchway as quietly as possible and throw both of my daggers in the neck of the two guards and kill them stealthily. I jump and land lightly onto the ground and retrieve my daggers. I run ahead knowing where Sato Roland is as if I made an appointment to meet him.
 
There are however very few guards on this floor. I feel slightly alarmed. Why isn’t anyone guarding Sato Roland? However, I will not shame myself by running away because of some small issues that might not be an issue at all.
 
When I reach Sato Roland’s door, I know that he knows that I was coming. I can see that he is sitting down on his big armchair, smiling smugly, waiting for me to enter. Why? How can he possibly know? I didn’t use any route that might be captured by the security camera. So how? It is too late to turn back now. Suddenly, I feel a hard object touching the back of my skull. Immediately, I know that it was a gun. I could easily get out of this situation but I am curious of how Sato Roland knows that I am coming.
 
I knock before entering with manners.
 
“Come in.” I could hear the laughter in his voice. He must have thought that he got me cornered by having a gun pointed at my head. It’s not good to underestimate your enemy… Let alone underestimating me.
 
I walk in quietly and try to hear the footsteps that walk in with me… Four different types of footsteps could be heard. So there are four enemies behind me. What a party this will be. I half-smile in my heart.
 
I fake a scared face to please him, all to find out how he knows that I was coming. 

“H-How did you… know?” I speak in terror. I could see that he shows confidence on his face. He thinks that he is winning. He have fall into my trap now.
 
“Simple.” He turns the monitor screen towards me. I could see Black in the program room, trying to backed up the files. THAT IDIOT. I AM SO GOING TO KILL HER. 

“Your… Friend here… You see… She wasn’t as careful as you… The moment I saw her going for the program room, I knew that someone would be coming for my head as well… I purposely clear a route for you. I lead you right here into my trap.” He smug.
 
Right… Right into your trap, my ass. Right into MY trap that is. I have decided to toy with him since he is so confident with his… trap. This is what you get when you try to toy with me.
 
Without a moment to lose, I quickly crouch and kick the guy behind me. He lost his balance and falls down. I pick up the gun and quickly disassemble it. The other guard sees this and went into shock for a second. I quickly step on the guy that fell on his chest’s pressure point and he faints.
 
Four of us eye at each other warily, waiting for someone to attack first. One of the guards couldn’t stand to wait any longer, runs toward me and tries to shoot me with his gun. Luckily for me, I am faster than a gun. The bullet went through my hair but misses Sato Roland which was behind me sitting comfortably on his armchair. Easily reading his move, I dodge left and hit him on the neck with my hand. Now facing Sato Roland, I could see that he almost wet himself since his own man almost sent a bullet flying right through his skull.
 
“What are you two doing? GET HER!” He screams out with frustration. The two saw what happened and they rush at me together at once. I read that the one on the left would be kicking me from below trying to make me jump so that the one on my right could surely land a bullet at me when I jump.
 
Knowing what my enemies would do, I take a quicker measure to seal off their movement. I use an inhuman speed dash towards the back of the man on my left and kick him. He went flying and hit the guy who is on my right. Right before they could react, I pick up the gun on the floor and aim at them. “Don’t test me. I could make this bullet fly straight through both your head at the same time.”
 
They quickly raise their hand and I tie them up. Sato Roland is now pointing a gun at me. He is shaking in fear and panic. I smile at him. “Do you really think you could hit me with that toy?” I can read that he wants to shoot me. All of a sudden, Sato Roland smiles confidently.
 
“We will see.” Instead of pulling the trigger, Sato Roland did not act according to his thinking. He suddenly presses a button on his desk. Suddenly the alarm is ringing. I dash towards him to finish him off but suddenly, something hit me. A guard rushes in because of the alarm. He must have saw his opportunity from the security footage playing on his monitor. I didn’t realise because the alarm ringing hides away the man’s running sound.
 
“Damn.” I am starting to lose my consciousness… I think I have been paralysed… Is this the end?
 
I use the last of my strength to strike the man with my dagger. He dodges away easily. I shall show no more mercy to my enemy if I ever get to live pass this day.
 
Weaken by the drug that was injected in me, I start to slide down against the wall… I could blurry notice Sato Roland is laughing hardly while pointing the gun at me. I feel so unsatisfied. How could I die like this?
 
“Good bye.” He slowly pulls the trigger. I close my eyes ready to welcome death.
 
The loud sound of the gunshot never came. I struggle to open my eyes. A blurry face starts to form in my retina. A beautiful face. So white that it looks like it is made of porcelain. It’s Black. What is she doing here? I told her she could leave after her mission is done. I don’t need her to save me.
 
“Looks like you’ve hurt my partner a little too much.” She says as she pats on my head. I struggle to keep my eyes open. Black, now facing Sato Roland; I can’t see her expression. However, seeing the faint thoughts of Sato Roland, I guess she must be making a scary face. Black with a scary face… How I wish I get to see it…
 
All of a sudden, Black disappears and reappears behind the man who shot me. What speed… She is really fast. Vaguely, I see her hugging him from the back. His eyes widen in shock. Slowly, she traced his face with her nails; long sharp nails that draws out a bloody trail along his face. He struggles to get away from her. She stretches open both of her arms and blood splash out from the man’s body. The man screams in pain and terror. The amount of blood isn’t enough to give him an adrenaline rush. She is torturing him. Faint screaming and panting could be heard even after she releases him and he slides down onto the floor. Slowly but certainly, dying.
 
As I am starting to lose consciousness… I faintly hear that Black and Sato Roland are talking about something. I try hard to keep my eyes open.
 
…
 
When I feel my consciousness returning, the first thing I notice is that I am being carried. I slowly open my eyes and I see a white face with red lines decoration in closed up. I blink and realise it is Black… And the red lines are blood of her victims. The last thing I remember before I blacked out… Is that gorgeous woman with red pattern decorated on her face, licking the blood off her nails.
 
What the- What is she? A psychopath?
 
I must have slightly move and she immediately realise I am awake. “Good morning, beautiful.” She says cheerfully.
 
I roll my eyes at her greeting and I struggle to make her drop me. I know it is still during the night time when I first opened my eyes. I roughly guess that I must have passed out for an hour or two judging from my body condition.
 
“Whoa-whoa-whoa there… Careful dear, we don’t want more injuries now, do we?” Black laughs out.
“I have already reported back to the organisation. Mission well accomplished. Do you agree?”
 
Is she mocking me? Knowing that I am a proud assassin; getting injured and nearly dying… Saying that this mission is “WELL” accomplished. IS. SHE. TRYING. TO. GET. A. PIECE. OF. ME?
 
“I would not thank you.” I say stiffly. I try to escape and now her grip on me gets tighter. “If you have avoided the security camera, he would not have known I would be there.”
 
I know that excuse is lame, unprofessional excuse with millions of loopholes. To my shock and some part of me already knew, she didn’t penalise me. Instead, she just smiles warmly and nods.
 
All of a sudden, I feel weak yet annoyed. It is as if I am played right into her hands.
 
She brings me to some grassland and lays me down. The wind blows and the scent of grass could be smell. I look up and the view was breathtaking. Millions of stars lined in the sky. For a moment, I have forgotten that I was Nezumi; the proud and arrogant assassin. I have forgotten that Black is my partner… The partner that I detest because of my own selfishness…
 
“Isn’t this place beautiful?” Black says softly. I nod as I close my eyes and blend in with the nature. “I found this place when I was doing some touring in the city.”
 
I furrow my brows. Can she not speak and enjoy the nature?  I didn’t reply. “Look! I can trace the horoscope stars.”
 
The more I silent myself, the more she speaks.
 
After a while, I got use to it. I just sit back and close my eyes. Her presence slowly becomes less annoying. Slowly, I relax myself a little more and more. Slowly… I fall asleep.
 
Hate to admit it… Despite her enthusiasm, her voice is like a lullaby. Her presence from an annoying brat changed into a soothing companion. Almost like a guardian… Accompanying the lonely me. A little like a fireplace warming up the cold air after a heavy rain.
 
For the first time since forever, I have a dreamless night.

I open my eyes, a part of me know it. Everything is too good to be true. If the accident never happen I will not encounter all this. If so, what will my life be then?