An engine's hum sliced through the stillness of the night. A sleek black rugged, purpose-built 4x4 low, shiny.
Inside, Shuren lounged comfortably, one arm draped over the door, her keen eyes scanning the dark alleys like a hawk on the hunt.
"Over there," she said, a sly smile creeping across her lips.
The driver, a young woman with sharp bangs and a quiet intensity in her gaze, glanced back at her through the rearview mirror. "You sure? It looks pretty messy."
"Yea, it's messy so what. Just drive."
The car purred to a halt near the alley.
They stepped out. Assad was crouched low, his body still shaking from the switch. Blood dripped from his knuckles, his breathing was ragged, but that dark, lingering smile was still plastered on his face
.
"Well, well…looks like you made it." Assad tilted his head up, meeting her gaze with an unsettling calm. Shuren's tone was playful, but her eyes were sharp as daggers.
Shuren's attention shifted past him, narrowing as she spotted the blue-haired body sprawled in the corner, unconscious and reeking. She raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms.
"…And what the hell happened here?"
The driver stepped closer, pinching her nose against the stench.
"Whatever went down, it stinks."
The car's engine hummed as it pulled out of the alley, city lights streaking across the windows like tired neon veins.
Assad leaned back in his seat, quiet, the faint smell of blood and decay still clinging to him. Lokei sat with his arms crossed, sulking, his once-clean clothes still damp and carrying that awful odor.
The driver Tasia suddenly erupted into laughter. Not a giggle or a snicker, but a full-on belly laugh that echoed in the confined space.
"BAHAHAHA! Water full of what?!" She slapped the steering wheel, tears brimming in her eyes. "That's how you got dropped?! Oh my god, I can't breathe!"
Lokei's jaw tightened as his face flushed red. "Tasia, shut the f*ck up! I said stop laughing!"
But she just couldn't help it.
Every time she tried to catch her breath, laughter bubbled up even more.
"Seriously? You're supposed to be Shuren's top guy, and you got taken down by freaking sewer water?! Nah, I'm done BAHAHA!"
In the backseat, Shuren let out a thick cloud of smoke, her face a total mystery. She flicked the ash out the window, her sharp gaze darting between the three of them.
The car fell silent for a moment except for Tasia, who was still trying to stifle her laughter.
Finally, she got herself together, wiping her eyes. She caught Lokei's reflection in the rearview mirror, a small grin still playing on her lips.
"But don't get it twisted. Even if he's a spoiled brat, Lokei's really good at what he does. The dude's no pushover. Just had the crappiest luck tonight literally."
Lokei groaned, leaning his head back against the seat, a scowl on his face. Assad just smiled faintly, his eyes following the city lights as they passed by, saying nothing.
Tasia leaned back with a playful grin. "That's what I like about him."
Those words hit Lokei like a stray bullet. His cheeks flushed instantly, and he turned his head away, arms crossed tightly.
"D-Don't say dumb stuff like that… idiot."
His sudden tsundere act drew a chuckle from Shuren, who shook her head in disbelief at the rising tension in the car.
But then Assad stiffened. He heard it. A faint, rhythmic click of heels tapping against the floor from the backseat.
Slowly, he glanced at the rearview mirror and sure enough, two figures lounged comfortably in the shadows Sévon, with his laid-back posture, and Taura, half-asleep, stretching like she'd been there the whole time.
"When did you two get in the car?"
Sévon didn't even bother to look up, just smirked lazily, "Since the beginning. You just weren't paying attention."
The casual reply makes Shuren click her tongue in annoyance. Meanwhile, Taura sits up straight, letting out a soft yawn before directing her gaze toward Assad.
Her sharp eyes fixate on his features. Leaning in with curiosity, she studies him like a rare treasure, "What's your name?"
Assad hesitates for just a moment before responding.
"Assad."
Taura hums, softly repeating his name to herself.
Her attention then drifts to his black and white hair, catching the faint light in the car. Without waiting for permission, she reaches out, running her fingers through it.
"I thought it was dyed at first… but it's natural, isn't it?"
Her fingers brush near his temple, and her curiosity intensifies when her gaze meets his eyes. Those silver irises, framed in black and white, are unlike anything she's ever encountered.
"Silver eyes with that contrast… no wonder it feels surreal."
She twirls a strand of his hair around her finger, still entranced, while Assad remains perfectly still, his expression unreadable but the tension in the air is palpable. Finally, Shuren breaks the lingering tension in the car.
"Enough with the distractions. We're running late, we should get moving."
Tasia nods in agreement, her tone carrying a hint of authority this time.
"Yeah, right. Let's go."
The car pulls away, leaving the outskirts behind and venturing deeper into the city. Assad leans against the window, taking in the changing scenery. Neon lights flicker above narrow alleys, lanterns glow softly in the twilight, and the air buzzes with chatter, aromas, and shadows.
The inner streets of Kurayamiya unfold before them vivid, mysterious, and alive.
His silver eyes widen slightly as he absorbs it all.
'Beautiful… it almost resembles a Chinatown.'
The ride gradually slows down and comes to a halt in front of a line of cars parked along a quiet street. The group steps out, their footsteps echoing against the stone tiles beneath them. In front of them, nestled between towering buildings, is a small wooden door.
It looks pretty plain at first glance nothing special except for the faint, worn lettering carved above it that reads:
"KURAYAMIYA SWEEPERS AGENCY."
Without a moment's hesitation, Shuren grabs the handle and pushes the door open, stepping inside. One by one, the others follow, with Assad trailing last, his curiosity pulling him forward as the mysterious agency unfolds before them.
Once inside, Assad is surprised by how warm the agency feels; dim lanterns flicker along the walls, and shelves are crammed with papers, ledgers, and all sorts of odd trinkets.
The sound of their footsteps echoes as they enter.
Almost immediately, the others Lokei, Tasia, Sévon, and Taura veer off down another hallway. Taura stretches and gives Assad a cheeky little salute.
"Catch you later, Assad."
She waves goodbye as she disappears with the rest, leaving Assad alone with Shuren. The two of them make their way to a small desk at the front. Behind it sits a girl lounging back in her chair, a glossy magazine casually held in her hands.
Without even looking up, she flips a page, then glances over the edge, her lips curling into a playful grin.
"Well, well, how's my baby-baby doing tonight?"
Shuren lets out a puff of smoke and dismisses her words with a flick of her wrist.
"Knock it off, Pixia."
Pixia giggles, tossing the magazine onto the desk and finally giving Assad a proper once-over. Her sharp eyes narrow in curiosity, scanning him from head to toe as if she's already trying to figure him out.
"Assad, this is Pixia. She's the one who keeps this madhouse running… in her own unique way."
Pixia leans her chin on her hands, smirking.
"Ohhh, so this is the stray cat you brought in? Adorable."
Shuren gives a slight sigh at the action that Pixia just did. "Don't get attracted to her fiendish ways."
"You're no fun baby baby."
"Can it!"
"Well whatever, anyway nice to me ya rookie it's a pleasure to meet new high talents like yourself."
She said with a slight smile on her face, her voice soothing.
"Baby baby Shuren over there told me everything about you, but it's for the best that I check for myself don't ya think."
Pixia then starts rubbing her forehead and then she taps the middle of her eyes then says, "Time to check ya potential."
This shocks Assad for a second he does not understand what she means by that potential.
'Does she think I have potential? I mean that is what she is checking right now.'
"Okay baby, hold still."
Pixia's eyes light up with golden energy and she stares deep into Assad but as she tries to look closer all she sees is static with a smile that is evil. This makes her back off and takes her out of her trance.
"What's wrong? what did you see?" Shuren asked.
"Um right, well his physical abilities are outstanding so there is no need for that development. He also has a calm mind and soul. Everything is good so far and also."
"Is that all you saw?" Shuren asked.
Pixia looks down at Assad's chest and points at something then says, "He also got some weird small hole on your chest."
Both Assad and Shuren look at the hole Assad does remember when he got stabbed at the fight with those drug dealers.
"Oh this I got stabbed here."
"That's way too small for a stab wound, there is not even a knife that small in Kurayamiya."
Pixia and Shuren close their eyes trying to think what could have been the cause for that hole but then Assad stops their thinking process when he says," But I did not say it's a stab wound from a knife."
This makes both of them widen their eyes.
"If it's not a wound from a knife then what could it be from?" Pixia asked.
"Um well it's actually from—