November 7th. An ordinary Sunday.
The weather was excellent today, bright sunshine and a crisp autumn breeze. After a day off yesterday, Kenji had to report for duty at the Metropolitan Police Department today. Unhurried, he shaved the stubble on his chin clean, then ran a hand over it, smiling in satisfaction at the smoothness.
Out of habit, he pulled out his phone to check his daily fortune, only to see the result.
Great Misfortune.
"Hm? Looks like I'll have work today."
As usual, he arrived at the police department right on time. Holding his phone, he tapped the LINE app icon and logged in, immediately jumping into the group chat to tease a certain curly-haired habitual latecomer.
[Kenji: Looks like someone's late again today, got your excuse ready?]
[Jinpei: Kenji, you're seriously annoying!]
[Wataru: I'm jealous… I've barely slept these past two days. Stakeouts are exhausting.]
[Hiro: Hang in there, Cap. Jinpei, you should probably stop looking at your phone (▽)~~]
Reading the chat, Kenji smiled and walked inside. Just as he was about to head toward the elevator, a detective finishing his shift called out to him.
"Hagiwara-san, you've got a letter."
"A letter? For me?"
Kenji looked puzzled. Who still sent letters these days? Didn't everyone just use their phones? How old-fashioned.
But the moment he saw the handwriting on the envelope, he quickly tore it open.
It was Ritsu's handwriting.
[No matter what happens, do not take off your protective suit.]
'Why would he suddenly send something like this?'
Kenji scratched his cheek, confused. Not thinking too much of it, he stuffed the letter into his pocket and stepped into the elevator, pressing the floor button.
----
At the same time, Ritsu sat in the passenger seat, taking small sips of an iced canned coffee.
After returning to the institute last night, he had lain in bed the entire night without falling asleep. His mind had been filled with the scenes from his dream, leaving him in poor condition, his eyes bloodshot.
Chianti, who was driving, glanced at Macallan, already on his second can of coffee, and said with concern, "Macallan, do you want to report to Gin and take the day off? I can handle the mission myself."
He did want to rest but hearing the second half of her sentence, Ritsu silently thought. 'I don't trust that.'
The last mission they worked together was still burned into his memory.
"No need. I'm just a bit tired."
"Then want to take a nap in the car? We've still got a ways to go."
Ever since she had screwed him over last time, Chianti had been unusually well-behaved around Macallan, something that even Gin found surprising. After all, she was like an untamed wild horse, difficult to rein in even for him.
Another major reason her opinion of Macallan had improved so much was that, after the mission, he hadn't blamed her and had even spoken well of her in front of Gin.
Otherwise, she would've likely been grounded for at least half a year, which meant no income and no way to maintain her beloved car.
If Ritsu knew what she was thinking, he'd probably scoff. 'So getting punished by Gin isn't the real issue, the problem is not having money for your car? Is everyone in the organization a car fanatic?'
"No need. After two cans of coffee, I won't be able to sleep anyway."
"Want some rock and roll, then?"
"…I think I'd prefer something quieter. Thanks for the offer, Chianti."
About two hours later, Chianti parked the car in a lot in Komai, Komae City, Block 3. Both of them put on black caps to conceal their appearances.
Today's mission wasn't sniping.
It was assassination.
The task was simple: eliminate a newlywed couple who had betrayed the organization. Sometimes Ritsu found it strange, most of the operations team's missions involved either hunting down undercover agents or killing traitors.
"Macallan, do we go in directly?"
"There are no surveillance cameras here. We'll climb over the wall. Put on your shoe covers."
"OK."
The two easily scaled the wall, landing silently.
This time, Chianti didn't rush to claim the kill. Patiently, she lowered her voice and asked, "Through the back door?"
Ritsu didn't answer. Instead, he pointed upward, indicating they would enter through a second-floor window.
With a light jump, he landed on the outdoor air conditioning unit, then reached up and grabbed the balcony edge, pulling himself smoothly onto the second floor. The entire motion was fluid and effortless, leaving Chianti staring in admiration.
She could do it too but not nearly as easily or quickly.
Ritsu reached down and pulled Chianti up. Then, he slid open the balcony door—it wasn't even locked. Clearly, the newlyweds hadn't been very cautious.
They entered the second floor without difficulty. From the living room downstairs came voices but it wasn't the couple talking. It was the midday news playing on the television.
"…Residents from 1st to 3rd Street in Kamitani Town have all been evacuated…"
"…Traffic has been restricted within a one-kilometer radius of the primary site…"
On the sofa, a young man in a brown turtleneck sweater held a freshly brewed cup of coffee, frowning as he watched the broadcast. He called out to his wife, who was peeling an apple in the kitchen.
"Yuko, forget that, come look! Something's happened where we used to live."
Wiping her hands on her pink apron, the chestnut-haired young woman asked, "What happened?"
"Seems like a bomb. Tokyo's really been unstable lately."
"You're worried about that, aren't you? But we've been safe for so long, we'll be fine."
Hearing their conversation, Chianti covered her mouth to suppress her laughter. Ritsu, however, remained expressionless. It wasn't their conversation that caught his attention.
It was the news.
'Kamitani Town… a bomb… Could it be a coincidence?'
"…The explosives at the primary site have been handled…"
"…Captain Matsuda is currently being escorted to the second site…"
Matsuda.
At the mention of that name, Ritsu's expression faltered. His thumb instinctively tried to twist the ring on his finger, only to realize he was wearing black leather gloves, making it impossible.
A hand tapped his shoulder. He turned to see Chianti signaling that it was time to act.
Ritsu raised his silenced pistol, aiming at the man's forehead. Once he confirmed a clean, fatal shot, he lifted his right hand and began counting down.
Three… two… one…
Just like the countdown of a bomb.
The moment his fist clenched, signaling zero, two bullets were fired simultaneously. At less than ten meters, they pierced straight through their targets' foreheads.
The couple, who had been leaning against each other, lost all signs of life within seconds.
Chianti went downstairs to confirm the bodies. After checking, she said, "Macallan, time to go."
But Ritsu remained frozen, his gaze fixed on the television still broadcasting the news.
Not moving.
As if he hadn't even heard her.
----
I update 5 chaps per day on p2reon and currently has 4 translation you can read. @Siamus404. The first 50 chapters will be free. Consider giving your support.
Bonus chapter @100 PS