"Before we conclude this meeting, let me add one word of caution…"
The grave tone of my voice cut through their moment. Takade and Goldilocks turned serious, their playful energy vanishing.
Success.
"Akira, as Takade should know, is the daughter of a very strong man in the underworld. And she's also the granddaughter of an even stronger man."
"Yeah, but—"
"Let me finish," I cut off Goldilocks before she could dismiss my warning. "I'm not supposed to tell you this. If you reject the mission because of it, I could lose my life. But I'll say it anyway."
Takade offered me a small smile, a silent show of appreciation, and placed a firm hand on Goldilocks' shoulder, as if steadying her.
I continued. "When I say the Nakamuras are 'strong men,' don't mistake it for just physical strength. Or political. Or economic. It's all of these—and more. 'Strong' in this context isn't just a word. It's a state of existence. An embodiment."
Goldilocks and Takade knew little about the Real World. Not the criminal underworld they operated in, but the true world, the one where actual monsters lurked. Not knowing made them vulnerable.
I shifted my weight slightly and asked, "Goldilocks, do you believe in ghosts?"
She arched a brow. "Was that what we were talking about? You sure change gears fast."
No, fool, we were still on the same topic.
I'd like to tell her, but it might lead to energy-usurping argument.
"Just answer." I firmly stated.
She scratched the back of her neck. "Well, some of my seniors and people I respect believe in that kind of stuff. But I've never seen anything myself. So, until I do, I'm not a believer." She turned to Takade. "What about you, Sweetie?"
Takade exhaled, his shoulders relaxing. "I haven't seen anything supernatural either, but I won't rule out the possibility that they exist."
A level-headed response, as expected. Unlike Goldilocks, who just said whatever came to mind.
I looked at them both. "If you want to tango with the Nakamuras, you'd better start believing."
Goldilocks mocked. "What, are they going to send a ghost after me?" She laughed, but I caught the faintest trace of unease beneath her mockery.
I slid my hands into my pockets. "You wish. If it were just a ghost, it'd be better."
That got her attention.
"The Nakamuras, like all business giants, have made enemies. Many of our clients see them as a problem. We've sent assassins after Mr. Nakamura before. Many times."
Goldilocks and Takade listened, unreadable.
"But those assassins either disappear… or they turn up floating in a river."
I let the words sink in before finishing, "…In some other country."
For the first time, Goldilocks' eyes twitched.
"W-Well," she started, a sliver of hesitation slipping through her usual bravado, "I have a lot of connections in the underworld. How else would I successfully retire without spite from the higher-ups?"
I exhaled sharply. "Look. You, me, and everyone else? We don't know the true depth of that family. You could end up running for the rest of your lives. And that's if you're lucky."
Goldilocks remained silent.
I didn't stop. "Imagine, you finally start that peaceful life with Takade. Maybe even have a family. And then—"
Goldilocks' face darkened. A quiet, simmering fury.
"Don… are you trying to scare me out of this job?" she asked, voice barely above a whisper.
I glanced at her with one eye, then continued. "However, Akira—your target—is currently alone with just her maid. Her father and grandfather are overseas for now."
Takade's eyes lit up. "What? Then let's strike while the iron's hot!"
"Wait a minute," I urged. "Yes, Mr. Nakamura is out of town, but Akira isn't completely exposed."
Goldilocks narrowed her eyes. "What do you mean? Her bodyguards won't be a problem for us, you know."
I clicked my tongue in irritation. "Bodyguards? You think Mr. Nakamura would leave his only daughter in the hands of mere bodyguards?"
Their expressions shifted.
"Assassinating Akira should be easy—will be easy—if Kowai Gojo, the Death Maid, isn't around."
Takade paled. "K-Kowai Gojo? You mean the Kowai Gojo from four years ago?!"
Goldilocks exhaled, making a wry smile. "Now you're mentioning a worthy challenge. That little maid is diabolical. A legit psychopath." She chuckled dryly. "I didn't know she'd be involved. This mission just went up a few difficulty levels."
So they remember her.
Good. That saves me the energy of explaining too much.
Four years ago, as Takade mentioned, Kowai wasn't just involved in a massacre—she was the massacre. A twelve-year-old girl who single-handedly painted the underworld in terror, drowning an entire faction in blood overnight. Mass murder, indeed.
And supposedly, there are more like her; Saints, they're called.
I don't know much about her, but the few details I have always describe her as a killer who thrives on the sensation of tearing flesh and shattering bones. A psychotic contrast to the emotionless mask she wears daily.
With Kowai Gojo around, their mission is as good as failed.
But…
"So what if we wait? Even a second of distraction," Goldilocks suggested, eyes gleaming. "A moment where Kowai is absent."
Bingo.
"That," I nodded, "is your true target and goal. Because every other thing—including your retirement plans and your life—will fall apart if you fail."
I glanced at my wristwatch. Almost midnight.
One last warning. "Be careful out there. Even our global-level agency still stands at the mercy of people like Kowai Gojo." My eyes flicked between them. "And I beg you, don't even think about engaging her. She's a dreadful monster who plays with her food."
"We're not suicidal idiots." Takade exhaled, collecting himself. "Apart from the Death Maid, are there any other threats we should be aware of?"
Cautious as always.
Honestly, nothing else should pose a threat to these two—they're that good.
But… let's terrify them a little. Just for fun.
I smirked. "Well… The entire Gojo clan works for the Nakamuras. They have for hundreds of years. All of them are anomalies. My advice?"
I let my gaze sharpen as I leaned slightly forward.
"Stay away from everyone with the name Gojo."
Then, after a pause, I added, "Actually…"
I opened my eyes fully, fixing Takade with a glare. He gulped.
Comical. I was getting to him.
"…Akira herself might be the worst part of this mission. One can't tell. For Mr. Nakamura to leave her alone like this, so exposed… Don't you think she holds secrets in that small, slender form? Of course, it's just speculation."
Takade took my words seriously—too seriously.
Cold sweat rolled down his face, his expression tightening with doubt.
"Hey, Takade, he's exaggerating! Calm down!"
Tsk. She saw through my trick.
Goldilocks sighed, then frowned. "There's no way Akira can be a threat. And even if she was…" She grabbed Takade's face, pulling him close, their lips were almost touching.
A thousand curses on these two. I'm not a statue, I'm a bachelor.
"Kowai aside, even if Akira were trained, do you think she could compete with our lifelong experience?" Goldilocks asked, her confidence unwavering.
Takade gazed at her, then exhaled, finally calming down.
Just like that, my plan to plant doubt in his mind was over.
"You're right, Goldie." He sighed. "…But if you think this mission has too much at stake, we could wait for another one! Just one year, right? That's all we need to wait after rejecting an assignment?"
That's exactly what I wanted. I wanted them to abandon this mission. Too much uncertainty.
The agency had been too cautious with this job. But who knew? We could already be dancing in the palm of the Nakamuras and Gojos. If that were the case, these two were walking straight into their own graves.
But Goldilocks had other plans. Stupid girl.
"NO!" she shrieked, shattering the alley's silence and grating on my nerves. "I can't wait another year! This is it—our last mission! After this, we retire, we say goodbye to everything else. I know… I know karma will probably come for us. For me. But I'm ready to put myself out there for you, Takade! Just support me on this one too."
Takade furrowed his brows, looking down for a moment before turning his gaze to me.
I immediately looked away.
Too awkward. I don't do awkward.
"Haaah… okay, okay. I'm with you. Let's do this." He gave in. "But promise me—we won't be reckless."
Goldilocks' face lit up like a child's. "Yes, yes! Takade, I love you!!"
I sighed in irritation as they started kissing again—like wild animals.
Goldilocks turned to me, sticking out her tongue. "Blegh! I knew you were trying to discourage us, but our love won in the end, loser!!"
God, she's annoying.
But then, her expression softened. A warm smile.
"Nonetheless …" she whispered, "thank you, really. You've helped us so many times, and here you are again… Thank you, Kuro—"
"Don't call me that." My voice was flat. "And I'm not as good as you think."
She chuckled. "I know. None of us are."
She turned her back to me. "If there's nothing else, we're leaving."
I sighed, watching their retreating figures.
These two were heading into war. A war with the Nakamuras and the Gojos. A terrible struggle.
I hope they survive.
I might get dragged in again. Probably wouldn't make it out if I did. But even so…
I liked these two assassins. Despite everything.
"Goldilocks!" I called just before they disappeared into the night.
They paused.
"…Eliminate Akira Nakamura. Your deadline is three days before another assassin is assigned. Good luck."
They only smiled before vanishing from sight.
I exhaled.
…Now, let's hope the agency actually lets them retire after this twelfth assignment.
Sorry, Akira Ojou-chan. But for one to rise, another has to fall.
For one to find happiness, someone else has to suffer.
Unfortunate that you were chosen for the ill-fated end.
Don't hold it against Takade and Goldilocks.
I turned and left the alley.
I wanted to go home to my cat.
Hopefully, she wouldn't realize I'd been cheating on her in a dark alley.