Chereads / Zenin Days / Chapter 44 - Trouble

Chapter 44 - Trouble

[Author Note]

Disc: HrPrTeam

The timeline for Sakamoto Days is weird.

Sakamoto's daughter at the beginning of the series was 6, so Sakamoto was 19-21 when he met Aoi. It is unknown when he stopped being an assassin since it hasn't come out yet.

Once again, I can't tell the future.

__________

Toji P.O.V.

Trouble follows me everywhere I go.

It turns out that when you kill a ton of people for a profession, you'll have some people looking for revenge.

I figured this out long ago, but it doesn't stop it from being annoying.

Now, the woman wants me to help the kid learn how to fight. People might want to come after me or the woman, so the kid's in danger.

After getting her to see 'the lines,' I've been the kid's designated trainer.

I would've told the woman to piss off, but she's giving me a cut of her hit jobs as long as I help train her and teach the kid.

I've gotta 'expand my horizons' or some shit.

At least it gives me something to think about and do. While I'm at it, I can train in the gym so I don't lose my edge again.

I'm not planning on getting my side blasted off again.

That hurt.

Then again, I doubt the people here can shoot off purple energy balls like some jujutsu sorcerers.

I've been lazy enough as is since I woke up.

However, I still haven't figured out how to do my new job.

The way the woman explained her ability made it easy for me to get it to trigger for the kid, but what is the next step?

Kid doesn't have a heavenly restriction or an inventory curse like I do.

I would know exactly what to do if we were back in the Zenin clan.

...

Throw her into the curse punishment pit.

...

It worked for me.

Although I should probably not voice it out if I want to keep my job, I just got 'fired' from my last one, and the woman is highly protective of the kid.

She nearly cut off the head of some random in a noodle shop.

We were having lunch.

It makes some sense, given that she showed bloodlust, but it was too weak for me to bother with.

Wait a second...

Haven't I seen that lady in the shop before?

What was her name again?

Meh, she probably wasn't that important.

Now that I think about it, I wonder what Hollow Eyes #2 is up to.

Meanwhile: Tenkyu P.O.V.

I'll kill him. I'll kill him. I'll kill him. I'll kill him. I'll kill him. I'll kill him. I'll kill him.

Back to Toji

Probably plotting revenge like many others.

Anywho, back to thinking about a training plan that won't get the kid killed.

She's ten, so I can't beat her up like I do against the teenage assassins.

Before I could decide, a voice spoke behind me. "Hey Toji, what's up, man?"

He tried to 'suddenly' appear behind me, but I caught on.

I had a small smile. "That wasn't half bad. You've gotten better at hiding your presence."

He's a lot better than he was in the department store.

Black hair shook his head and sighed. "One of these days, I'll sneak up on you."

This isn't the first time he's tried to pull this off. It also serves as training for him since his whole schtick is disguise and infiltration.

I smirked. "The day that happens is the day you will get a knife through your trachea."

Good luck sneaking me.

He shrugged and returned a smirk. "I guess I'll have to get good enough for that not to happen. Anyways, what have you been up to? Rion has been dragging you around everywhere."

I roll my eyes. "She's always in my face. It's impossible to ignore her."

If I gamble, she shows up.

If I go to lunch, she shows up.

If I lay down, she shows up.

If I want to sleep in my own room, she AND her niece show up.

He raised an eyebrow. "So you take her out to lunch?"

I scoffed. "More like invited herself."

His smile slowly widened. "But you still went to the noodle place, right? You could've easily avoided her, and yet you didn't."

*sigh*

This is getting annoying.

He continued. "Not only that, but you then train her niece for her. How nice of you."

My eyes narrow as I turn to him. "She's paying me. How the hell do you know all of this in the first place?"

He said nothing as a knowing smile appeared on his face.

I rubbed my forehead. "That woman...Do you guys ever keep things to yourselves?"

He tilted his head to the side, keeping his smile. "Who said Rion was the one who told me?"

...

Damn kid.

Sakamoto P.O.V.

*GLURK*

After tugging on the string for a few seconds longer, the man went limp.

This job needs to be quiet so I resorted to other methods.

I'm not just good with guns.

Regardless on how I kill, that makes him the fourth target of today.

After finishing up for the night, I look down at my coat.

I spoke out loud. "Ugh, I got blood on my coat. It'll be hard to get out."

While this job didn't require bullets, the few priors were a simple bullet to the head, making it quicker to fire and move on to the next job.

It looks like I was too focused on getting to my target.

We ran out of cleaning supplies at the apartment with us being assassins and all.

Getting blood on you was normal, although it wouldn't always be your own blood.

I guess I'll pick up some supplies on the way home.

...

It was late so the only place open was a small convenience store.

*ding*

I went through the doors and looked around the store.

Hmm, I haven't eaten anything today. I'll grab something while I'm here.

It didn't take me long to find some cleaning supplies and a microwave meal.

Even with all my jobs, it's like I'm still living as a JCC student.

Everything was normal until I made my way to the counter.

*thunk*

I dropped my basket at the front.

...

The cashier spoke. "Welcome!~"

...

*crack*

My glasses cracked as a word couldn't leave my mouth.

I-I-I'm in love!

Two words escaped my mouth. "T-Taro Sakamoto."

The woman spoke. "Huh? Are you alright sir?"

My head rapidly shook up and down. "Yep, all good here! Can I please have your name?"

Damnit, interact like a normal human Taro, this is your future wife you're talking to!

She tilted her head to the side. "It's Aoi. Can I help you with anything?"

My heart raced as she said her name, Aoi. Everything about her is perfect!

I cleared my throat and pushed the basket toward her. "Uh, no. Just, uh, these please."

Aoi raised an eyebrow, trying to suppress a laugh as she started to scan my items. "You're...interesting."

Interesting? Is that good or bad? It could mean anything!

I take a deep breath and speak again. "So, uh, do you-"

She interrupted me, smiling patiently. "Your total is 5,460 yen."

Right, pay now, flirt later.

I fumbled with my wallet as I tried to not make this any worse than it already was.

As I finished paying, I grabbed my items, put the basket away, and walked out of the store.

This wasn't over.

I'll be back Aoi!

...

I tried to calm myself down but it was nearly impossible.

What the hell just happened to me? I've never freaked out that much in my life.

Just get home, you can think about Aoi after you get settled back in the apartment.

I started walking back.

*ring*

*ring*

My earpiece went off.

The JAA is calling members of the Order at this time?

Pushing it, I answered the call.

I spoke, announcing that I was listening. "Sakamoto."

What could they possibly want from us now?

A sentence made me freeze in place.

I knew it would be an important message, but I didn't think it would be this bad.

...

...

...

"Kindaka and Satoru Yotsumura are to be executed on sight due to an attempted assassination on the chairman."