The city streets were cloaked in darkness, the faint hum of distant traffic the only sound breaking the silence. Kikidori walked with purpose, his black hair blending into the shadows, his crimson eyes scanning the area for his next target. The knife in his pocket felt heavy, a constant reminder of his dual life.
It didn't take long for him to find someone—a man loitering alone by the corner of a dimly lit street, his phone lighting up his face. Kikidori kept his distance, observing, waiting. The man's movements were careless, his focus entirely on the screen in his hand. Perfect.
Kikidori stepped closer, silent as a predator. The man turned down a narrow alley, and Kikidori followed, his gloved hand reaching into his pocket for the knife. He quickened his pace, the man now completely isolated from the world.
But just as Kikidori was about to grab the man, a familiar voice shattered the tense silence.
"Kikidori?"
His entire body froze. The voice was soft yet distinct, the one voice that could pierce through his calculated exterior. Slowly, he turned his head, his crimson eyes locking onto the source.
Ere'ana stood a few feet away, her blonde hair glowing faintly under the streetlights. She wore a puzzled expression, her emerald eyes wide as she took a step closer.
"What are you doing out here?" she asked, tilting her head.
Kikidori quickly slipped the knife back into his pocket, his movements smooth and practiced. "Nothing," he said, his voice calm but firm.
Ere'ana frowned slightly, her gaze flickering to the man who had just walked further down the alley. "Were you following that guy?"
"No," Kikidori replied sharply. He stepped toward her, his expression blank but his mind racing. "You shouldn't be here. Go home."
Ere'ana crossed her arms, a hint of defiance in her stance. "Why? It's late, but I'm fine."
Kikidori's voice dropped, his tone more insistent. "Go home, Ere'ana. I'll meet you later."
She hesitated, her eyes searching his face. For a moment, she looked as if she wanted to argue, but something in his gaze made her stop. She sighed, rolling her eyes. "Fine. But you better show up," she said, turning on her heel and walking away.
Kikidori waited until she was out of sight before turning his attention back to the man. The anger bubbling under his skin now had a new outlet. He slipped his knife from his pocket, its blade gleaming under the faint light.
The man didn't see it coming.
Kikidori moved with precision, grabbing the man from behind and clamping a gloved hand over his mouth. The man struggled, his muffled cries echoing briefly before Kikidori drove the blade into his side. The knife tore through flesh and muscle, again and again, each strike more forceful than the last.
The man's body went limp, collapsing to the ground in a growing pool of blood. Kikidori stood over him, his breaths even, his crimson eyes cold and detached. He wiped the blade clean on the man's jacket before slipping it back into his pocket.
With the deed done, Kikidori walked away, his expression unreadable. He made his way to a nearby abandoned building where he always washed his gloves. The water in the sink turned red as he scrubbed the fabric, his movements methodical. When the gloves were clean, he wrung them out and placed them in a drawer he kept hidden in the building.
Satisfied, Kikidori left, his thoughts already shifting to Ere'ana.
---
Ere'ana's house was quiet when he arrived. She opened the door almost immediately, her emerald eyes lighting up when she saw him.
"Took you long enough," she teased, stepping aside to let him in.
"Got held up," Kikidori said simply, his voice devoid of any hint of the carnage he had just caused.
Ere'ana led him to the living room, plopping down on the couch with a wide grin. "Guess what? Tomorrow's the big day. We're getting our dorms!"
Kikidori sat down beside her, his expression as calm as ever. "Dorms?"
"Yeah," she said excitedly. "The whole class is getting assigned to dorms for the school year. We'll get to live on campus. Isn't that cool?"
Kikidori gave a noncommittal shrug. "I guess."
Ere'ana nudged him playfully. "Come on, it'll be fun. We'll be closer to each other, and you won't have to walk me home every night."
Kikidori glanced at her, his crimson eyes softening slightly. "I don't mind walking you home."
Ere'ana smiled, leaning against his shoulder. "You're such a weirdo, Kiki. But I like that about you."
As she chatted excitedly about the dorms and all the things she wanted to do, Kikidori listened quietly, his mind a strange mix of calm and chaos.
For now, he was with her. And for now, that was enough.