---
Akira stood over the lifeless body of the girl. Her eyes stared blankly at the stars—silent, still, and defeated. Her blood had pooled beneath her, painting the road in a quiet crimson.
"You were weak… pathetic," he murmured coldly. "And you thought you could kill me?"
Crouching, he searched her coat and found what he expected—a pistol and silencer. He clicked them together with a soft metallic snap, testing the weight of the weapon in his hand. Then, without emotion, he began walking toward the parked SUV.
---
Inside the SUV, a large man reclined comfortably. A half-eaten burger lay on the seat beside him. Loud music thumped through the car's speakers. He wore a cheap gold chain, sunglasses despite the night, and a smug grin as he tapped his fingers on the steering wheel.
He checked his watch and groaned.
"Damn, she's taking too long," he muttered. He shut off the music.
Suddenly, he felt something.
A presence.
He turned—and froze.
Akira sat in the passenger seat, gun aimed steadily at his face.
The man's smile dropped. "What the hell—?!"
His voice cracked, but he quickly tried to recover. "What did you do to Lisa?"
Akira's expression didn't change. His voice was sharp and cold. "Who the hell do you think you are to speak without permission?"
The man scoffed, trying to mask his nerves. "I ain't scared. You're just a kid. Bet you've never even fired that thing."
Thwip.
A suppressed bullet ripped through his left knee.
He screamed in agony, clutching his leg.
"Still think I'm a kid?" Akira asked calmly.
"You psycho!" the man hissed. "I'll die before I tell you who sent us!"
Akira tilted his head. "Then don't tell me that. Just tell me… how does this car work?"
The man blinked, confused. "Huh?"
Akira raised an eyebrow. "The car. Explain it. Now."
The man grimaced, caught off guard by the odd request. "Why? Will you let me go?"
"Of course," Akira replied smoothly.
The man hesitated, then slowly began, "This is the steering wheel… gas pedal's on the right… brake in the middle… gear lever here…"
Akira nodded along, absorbing every detail.
---
Scene Shift: Kento
Kento sat in a quiet barbershop. The buzzing of clippers filled the air.
"Just a light trim," he said, watching his reflection.
But in his mind, unease brewed.
Why haven't I heard anything yet? Something's off.
---
Scene Shift: SUV
"…and that's all," the man finished, sweating and pale.
Akira nodded. "Good."
Then paused.
"Do you have any questions for me?"
The man stared at him, baffled. "What… kind of criminal are you?"
"Curious one," Akira replied with a faint smile.
"…Fine. How did you know we were hitmen?"
Akira pointed at the nearby streetlamp. Just beneath it, a small camera blinked red.
"It records both video and sound," he said.
The man's mouth twitched. "I lost… to a kid… because of a damn street camera?"
Akira's eyes darkened. "You..."
"What now?" the man muttered.
Thwip.
The bullet entered his chest. He gasped, clutching at the wound.
"Why… you shoot?"
"You called me a kid," Akira said simply. "Unforgivable."
"Just for that .You... psycho…"
"You should thank me," Akira said. "That was the easiest death I've ever given."
The man wheezed, barely alive.
Thwip. Thwip. Thwip.
Three more bullets to the head ended the conversation.
Akira stood, brushing blood from his sleeve. He stared at the gun for a second.
"I'm taking this weapon, okay?"
He looked at the corpse and gave a nod.
"You didn't object. So... thanks."
He walked calmly back toward the convenience store. No dramatics, no shadows. Just quiet footsteps and cold resolve.
He stepped inside.
Glass crackled under his shoes.
Behind the counter, he saw the young man who had taken his shift.
Throat slit.
Eyes wide open.
Blood soaked the uniform shirt.
Akira stared at the body.
"I'm sorry," he whispered.
---
Scene Shift: Kento Arrives
A few minutes later, Kento stepped out of his cab and scanned the area.
Two bodies. One outside the SUV. One inside.
"Even you lost…" he muttered. "But that doesn't mean I will."
He walked calmly into the convenience store.
The place was a mess—shelves overturned, glass broken.
But his eyes went straight to the counter.
The cameras—all of them—were smashed.
Behind the counter, he found the body of the clerk who had replaced Akira. His neck was cut wide open.
Kento looked at him for a moment… then walked over to the fridge, pulled out a drink, and opened it.
He took a long sip.
Then… he placed a few coins on the counter.
"Still gotta pay," he muttered.
He pulled out his phone and dialed a number.
No contact name.
Just a long pause as the line rang…
…and rang…
…and rang.
---