Kristelle's Point of View (Present Day)
As I was lounging outside, I felt a finger poke me in the shoulder from behind. My heartbeat instantly quicken. Is it Ryuuji? Smiling softly to myself for a brief second, I turned around only to see him. I tried to keep up my cool composure as I bore my eyes into his.
"What is it?" I said, speaking civilly. He smiled at me and rested his right palm into his nape.
"Join us inside. You haven't eaten yet, right?" He asked. Ryuuji is the most caring person I possibly know. Ever since I've known him, he's always been like this. Asking me if I need anything, putting me first before himself. Maybe that's the reason why the whole Ragnarok thinks we're together.
Though I don't really know what to call us. All I know is that we're good friends. Friends do these kinds of things, ...right?
I nodded at him and stood up, quietly walking beside him. I didn't say another word as we head inside. I don't know why but it always makes me feel nervous whenever I'm all alone with him. I must be malfunctioning or something.
They were laughing when we got inside the back door. The two weirdos who shared the same brain cell were telling a story while the rest, except Isabel, cracked up. I smiled as I shook my head. Don't ever change, you two.
Ryuuji and I went into our separate ways. I went into the kitchen to help Freya, Isabel's code name that I use more than her real name, while he went over to the guys who's still playfully hanging out on the living room.
Freya and I decided on ordering light food for lunch. To be honest, Isabel is better at these kinds of things, I meant home economics. I suck at it, for some reason. I'm not very wife material either, because of it. All the things I know only involve combat and tactical skills. They say a woman won't be able to survive on their own if she doesn't know how to take care of the house. I don't want to be a woman then. What is it with women's standards that all should be great at home economics?
We ordered a Japanese Cheesecake from a place outside the campus and paired it with iced brewed green tea. The waiting time will be just for a few minutes and the tea is already prepared and so the two of us went back with the others.
I sat on my original seat and their laughter died down. Ryuuji wasn't talking, as usual, just playing with his phone while the bunch zipped their mouths shut. What is up with them today?
"What's so funny? Am I not allowed to join the conversation?" I asked. Kiefer looked away anxiously while the duo gave me their usual playful smirks.
"No, of course not! We just don't know if you would like the noise." Jun said. "Yeah! Why would we exclude you, our beautiful, charming, and most of all, smart, leader?" Joshua said, standing up from his seat and went across the table to sit at my armrest and cling into me like a koala.
I gave him a steely glare and ignored him completely as he continued on snuggling his cheek on the top of my head. I looked over at the other side, where Jun is having a conversation with Kiefer, while Liam's just playing with his phone as well. I glanced over at Ryuuji and at the same time, he looked up from his screen to look at my face.
His face changed into confusion, his eyebrows furrowed as he looked over to what's happening.
"Cut it out, Joshua. You're such a creep." He said and continued to send daggers at him.
Instantly, Joshua stopped what he's doing and stood up, resting his hands on his waist and mimicked Ryuuji's expression. He gave out a warm chuckle and spoke out.
"What? Jealous?" All of them sitting on the couch stopped what they're doing and looked over at the little show Zhou and Ryuuji has been putting.
"Of you? Why would I be?" Ryuuji responded with a cool face like he can't believe that Joshua's comparing the both of them because they're not on the same level. There's never been bad blood between our members just playful fights like these so I'm not too worried.
I cleared my throat and spoke out. "Kiefer, have you thought about my offer?"
He shifted his glance into mine and looked up, thinking.
"Can you give me more details into it? I want to know everything before I give my answer."
"Of course. I'll tell you everything you need to know. But," I looked at him intently, giving him an icy look. "If you ever tell anyone about what you know... I'll beat you up with my own hands."
"O-Of course! Why would I do that?-" I cut him off in an instant. "AND, I'm being serious. Mark my words." I saw him visibly gulp and he intertwined his hands together and shifted his sitting position into a more formal one. "U-Understood, ma'am."
I gave him a smile and replied. "Where should I even start?"
"Hmm... The higher-ups give us a folder every start of the month, filled with names and information. We take a pick, and start working." I said, looking very bored as I rest my chin on my hand.
"That's it?" He asked, surprised. Is this guy very dense? I'm trying to answer him without any sarcasm and snide remarks as much as possible but he's making everything all too difficult. Does he really think my job is that easy?
"Of course not. We make a plan for every possible outcome. After the job and the suspect has been apprehended, we get the 'salary' from the suspect's bank account." And gave out a smirk, feeling very proud of myself.
"Isn't that illegal?"
"No. The authorities take over the bank account and give us a cut. No one's going to use them anyway. Think of them as... compensation." I replied and looked at him intently.
"Compensation for what?" I gave out a sigh and continued on.
"Taking our time. Time is precious. That's the first thing you need to learn on this job."
"How much money are we talking about here?" Ah. The most important question of all.
"A minimum of one million pesos per member. The more the mission's dangerous and harder to execute, the higher the pay. Usually, we go higher than the minimum."
The latest mission that I completed was a Mindanao job. I flew over to the South and apprehended The Silencer. He's a guy of not too many words, targeting whistleblowers for a living. He's known for his 'mark', cutting his target's vocal cords so they won't be able to literally talk. That ought to scar them for life and prevent them from talking.
He wasn't a tough opponent, as to why I didn't need the Ragnarok's help. He usually attacks when the person's already paralyzed. He flew from here in the capital, to the south island of the country and decided to settle there for a few months, that turned into three days after I put him behind bars.
"What's your usual pay then?" So persistent. I feel like wanting to go ahead and pay the Silencer to silence this bitch.
"5 million. Does that answer your question?" I answered with an eye roll.
"Oi Kiefer! Stop asking repetitive questions. You're lucky the devil hasn't brought hell on earth yet." The nuisance from behind me said in a panicking but joking voice. A vein popped out on my forehead and I looked up at his face.
"I'm just joking! You know how much I adore you.~" He sang.
"Choose your words carefully, Zhou. Or next time you won't be able to talk."