I was startled by her reply, but I did not show it to my face. She must've misunderstood my deal, so I quickly corrected her.
"You're not getting the idea here Ms. Melton. I solely just want to even us out. I'm not asking for anything in return. You just have to tell me the thing about that man, I've already heard some parts of your conversation earlier so don't hold back."
".....Whatever. That man earlier was an executive of the AlPen gang known as Sai Pong. He'd been harassing me nonstop since he saw me back in the representative meeting."
"Representative meeting?"
"That's none of your business. Now tell me what you're planning to do to someone of high caliber like that."
I smiled at her and gave an ambiguous reply
"Well, what do you want me to do with him?"
"...Why don't you kill him then, if you're so confident."
"Sure. I'll handle that."
Ms. Melton looked at me like I was an idiot and clicked her tongue. She then smirked and said
"Why are you telling me all this nonsense?"
"I told you already. Its to even us out. Me, knowing about our little secret, puts you in a disadvantageous position. So I'll let you in on one of my dark secrets too."
".....And that is?"
I smiled innocently at her and replied "I'm a murderer. And now you have knowledge of me killing an executive of a large gang. So now we're even."
She did not seem that startled at my confession. She stared at me nonchalantly and replied
"Let's say that you actually succeeded with the hit. Then can you tell me one good reason, why you're doing all these."
"All right...A cooperation."
"Of what kind?"
"I act as your pawn, and in exchange, you will supply me with intel regarding the school Director."
My plan was direct and risky. But if I'm going to work for Director Dante, or even decide to kill him, I need to have a steady source of information. And if Ms. Melton turns out to be a traitor, then I could just finish her off.
"You seem to be quite knowledgable about my line of work?"
"You're connected with the Director, so its pretty obvious."
"Is that so? Then would you enlighten me on what kinds of Intel do you need from the Director, and why do you need it?"
"For your first question, anything that is about the Director, but his location status will be deeply appreciated. As for your second question, I apologize but that's a corporate secret."
She nodded once and drank her juice. She then sighed and replied
"I will agree once you actually dealt with Sai Pong. Bring me a proof at past midnight. You already know where I live, so just go ahead and leave it in my door. I'll also slip a note to your school locker later, regarding the infos of Sai Pong."
"Sure thing. Well, It was nice meeting you here Ms. Melton. See you at school."
I stood up and left Ms. Melton alone as I exited the shop. I then approached Darren's bike and checked if there was any dent or scratch.
"Goddamn you Ozzy. Your barbarian blood runs through her veins. Its a good thing there's no damage though."
I said to myself as I readied the bike and drove it towards the school. I only had 15 minutes left so I decided to feed the barn cats later after school.
------
I parked Darren's bike in the parking lot and quickly walked towards the main building and into the elevator.
When I got inside the classroom, I quickly sat down and looked at my phone. There were still 5 minutes left before Mr. Heinrich enters the class.
As I was observing the lively classroom, I felt a scrutinizing gaze from the door, I glanced towards it and saw a dirty-blonde haired guy with a familiar set of eyes.
Suddenly, someone shouted from the front row at the guy.
"Hey Kyle! Welcome back buddy!"
"Yeah. Thank you man, let's hang out later."
The guy named Kyle replied and sat down beside me.
'This is the guy affiliated with the Kazamas. I could use him to have a lead on their head, but I would have to tread carefully. Let's just start slow and steady for the time being.'
I thought to myself and a minute later Darren also appeared. I greeted him as he also sat down beside me.
And then.
"Hi there. I still haven't introduced myself. My name's Kyle. And you must be the transferee."
-------
After Mr. Heinrich' and Ms. Melton's classes, it was now time for lunch break, but I did not go to any of the cafeterias and school foodcourts.
I instead went outside the school towards the barn where I saw the cats.
The reason was to meet agent XIII, now known as Ichika. She messaged me earlier before Mr. Heinrich started his class, and told me she wanted to meet somewhere private.
I suggested the barn because I wanted to feed the cats while I deal with her.
As I still had Darren's keys, I took it out of the parking lot and sped towards the barn.
When I got there, I focused on my hearing and only found one presence inside the barn. So I parked the bike somewhere inconspicuous and entered inside.
There, I saw Ichika sitting on one of the dilapidated benches. I approached her and greeted her
"You seem to be thinking too deeply, agent XIII" I said as I approached her and called for the cats and started feeding them with my boxed lunch.
"My name is Ichika now, Ocho."
"Sure. Now could you please tell me the purpose of this little meeting?"
Ichika went silent and seemed like she was focusing on her enhanced hearing.
She wanted to make sure that there was no one around the vicinity first. Her cautiousness boasted the importance of this discussion's secrecy.
"The reason why I wanted to meet you, was to propose a truce."
"And why is that?"
"Look, you're an unpredictable risky factor for me. And right now, I don't need anything like that. My family is about to go to war. And I need to have your word that you will not intrude on our business. And I will make sure that nobody touches you as long as I exist."
I stayed silent and did not answer her immediately. I was thinking of the most suitable reply for her.
"While your proposal seems very favorable to me, like getting your family' protection by just minding my own business, I still would have to decline though."
"What? Stop fucking around."
"Calm down. I have a better alternative for you. How about instead of a truce, we cooperate and aid each other in times of need? Like how friends should be. You know, since we're both from the same shit hole."
"And how will this 'cooperation' be?"
"Well my friend. I will stay away from your family business and even help you guys if you ever need one, as long as my identity stays hidden. And in exchange for all that, you will simply tell me everything I need to know about the state and movements of the Kazamas."
Ichika looked at me and stayed silent for a minute, she then opened her mouth and replied
"I don't know what you want with those mama's boys. But if I'm gonna be a spy for you, then I'll need a leverage, since this deal would only be based on mutual trust."
"And what kind of 'Leverage' do you want?"
".....A hit. I need you to track and eliminate one of our business rivals. He goes by the name of Kim Bok Do. And he was last seen at Lascar city with one of his side chicks. I'll hand you his complete government profile later."
"Can't you do it yourself? Why did you wait so long to eliminate your rival?"
"I was prohibited to partake in any missions for the time being."
"And why is that?"
"You just said earlier you will not stick your head in my family business. I'm starting to doubt if this cooperation would bare results."
"Well technically, our deal is not done yet not until I completed your hit request."
"Whatever, you slimy bastard. I have one more question for you though."
"Ask away."
"Have you chosen a club yet? And what is it?"
"That's 2 questions, but sure. I already did, and its the gardening club."
"I see...that is all then. Oh, would you mind giving me a ride back to the school parking lot? Most of the students would be in the cafeteria right now, so there's a low chance for someone I know to see us together."
"Sure. Just don't suddenly pull out that large needle of yours while I drive."