Chereads / Phantom Rose / Chapter 2 - Chapter 2: The first hunt

Chapter 2 - Chapter 2: The first hunt

Fujma's first day as a high school student went by in a flash. Before he knew it, the last period for the day was already on its way. Instead of listening to the lectures, he thought of Mr. Takamura. 

"I better get all the information I can on Mr. Takamura. How can I do that though? I couldn't possibly threaten him, he's way above my level right now. But a watcher? A man with such aura and skill?" Fujima thought to himself. 

A watcher is basically assigned to every assassin below 22 years old. Every mission for assassins below this age is sent through their respective watchers. They are basically a bridge of communication inside the organization. After turning 23 years old, most assassins don't need a watcher anymore for they are obliged to move of their own accord. If they don't show results, they are disposed of. That's how this organization works. Fujima had watchers ever since he started working for the organization but no one to the same level as Mr. Takamura. A watcher stronger than an assassin isn't that rare of a case. In fact, that is the case for most. But for Fujima, he never had a watcher stronger than him. He's a special case on his own after all. 

A bell chimed and echoed throughout the entirety of the campus that marked the end of the day for classes. The class stood up and bid farewell to the teacher standing before them. As Fujima was about to pack his things up, the boy sitting right in front of him approached his desk. He was an extroverted guy with a loud voice, spiky red hair, a bandana on his forehead, and the buttons on his uniform not buttoned. A sign of being a cool student you may suppose. 

"Yo! Fujima was it? Do you have anything to do right now? Let's go to the arcade!" Said his classmate. 

"Sure I guess? But I need to get back home by 8 PM. My parents are strict."

"Okay I gotchu! The name's Kentaro. You can call me Ken." 

"I already knew your name." 

"What? How? Are you a psychic?" 

"Not really, you said it during the self introduction." 

"Oh yeah I forgot about that." Said Ken laughing while scratching the back of his head.

He seems like a good kid. This will probably be the last time I'll go out with him. I can't afford to be close with someone. They'd be in danger. 

"You can go straight to the entrance. I'll just have to submit some forms to our homeroom adviser." 

"Okay sure! I'll wait for you there, Fujima." 

Fujima went to the teacher's lounge to find Mr. Takamura talking with his fellow teachers. Mr. Takamura saw Fujima by the door and excused himself from his colleagues. Fujima and Mr. Takamura walked out of the lounge and talked in a deserted hallway about a few steps away. 

Fujima leaned on the window by the hallway as Mr. Takamura stood right in front of him with a smile. For a couple of seconds, the place was filled with the utmost silence. Then Mr. Takamura broke it.

"I guess you're here for today's mission?" 

"Yeah." 

"First of all, not only am I older than you but I also am your teacher." 

Mr. Takamura quickly moved towards Fujima and found himself strangled in Mr. Takamura's left arm as a ballpen was pointed at Fujima's neck using the other arm.

"Wh-what? Fast and silent. I'm nowhere near his level. I knew he was strong but not this strong." Fujima thought to himself. 

"First, I need to teach you manners. Speak to me politely." Said Mr. Takamura.

Fujima understood how outclassed he was that made him nod in agreement. Mr. Takamura let him go and smiled at him. 

"Your mission for today isn't as difficult as the previous ones you've had. The target is simply a trash landlord who makes slaves out of his clients when they can't pay in advance. He would even take advantage of women. This landlord is rotten to the core, Fujima. Give him what he deserves." 

"I'll work on it tonight." 

After the meeting with Mr. Takamura, Fujima went straight to meet up with Ken who was waiting at the front gate of the school. 

"You sure took your time out there, Fujima. Let's go have some fun!" 

"Let's have a quick meal first, I'm hungry." 

"Sure! Just follow me. I know a place."

Ken led Fujima to the shopping district that offered lots of food and other items. The area was crowded and blinding lights can be found everywhere. There were a lot of students and office workers buying. After a few minutes of walking, Ken stopped and smiled at Fujima as if he found a gem. 

"Now, you should try this! This is the best Takoyaki that you can find in the whole world. Since I'm the one who asked you to hangout with me, this will be my treat!" 

"Are you sure?" 

"Yeah! I bet you'll like it!" 

"Okay, I'll treat you some other time." 

Fujima said those words but he knew that there wouldn't be a second time. 

After they finished eating tons of takoyaki, they went straight to the arcade. The place was filled with students who looked like they would hangout there after classes. The place sure was crowded, which Fujima didn't mind. Ken looked like he was enjoying every moment as they went through lots of games together. 

"Ahhhh! That sure was fun!" Said Ken while stretching his arms out into the sky.

Fujima didn't look like it but he actually had fun. This was the first time he went to an arcade that didn't involve any killing. He was trying his hardest not to smile but deep inside was a feeling of fulfillment. 

"Yeah. It was fun. But I gotta go."

"Yeah, it's almost 8 PM after all. See you tomorrow at school." Said Ken waving his hand as he walked through the distance.

"Thank you for today Ken, but this'll be the last time." Fujima thought to himself.

Fujima hurried to a deserted alley which was full of trash and cigarettes lying all around. Despite the rather disgusting sight, it was a perfect place for Fujima to change clothes. This way, no one can actually see him. He opened his bag and inside it was a hoodie and a face mask which he wore quickly. After changing his outfit, Fujima blended in the crowd walking as if a normal person. I doubt anyone would figure out that he's an assassin. 

"Mr. Takamura gave me a picture and the details of the target. James Edwards, a 41 year old who came from America and moved to Japan for business purposes. He would always frequent a casino near the arcade I just came from by 9 PM. He would go home at around 11:30 PM. How should I kill him? I'll trail him first. I'll make sure that he's dead before the clock strikes midnight. He's a scum after all. He deserves this death." 

Fujima went to the casino where his target would go at exactly 8:45. For 15 minutes he waited for his prey. And at exactly 9PM, James Edwards is already in sight. 

"Time to hunt you down." Said Fujima to himself.