When the sun rose I thought, ' things are still the same.'
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On this particular morning, the sun curled it's long fingers through the gap in Eiji's curtains. They stroked his cheeks softly, and caused his eyes to flutter gently open. The tears from last night had dried. Eiji was vaguely aware that the sun had risen, his mind was still in another place.

In that place there was man. His hair wasn't brushed, his clothes were thrown on lazily, and his eyes were narrowed sharp like daggers. In his hand, he held a gun- a pistol to be more precise. It's barrel reflected the sunlight. Eiji scoffed and rolled over, he was was still tired.

With a sudden and rather violent force, Eiji was flipped off his bed. He had been kicked. "What!?" Eiji cradled his head in his arms which he had smacked against his nightstand on the way down. He scrambled back into his feet, the gravity of the situation began to sink in when he realised the intruder- of whom he recognised, still had a gun levelled with his head.

"I don't miss," the familiar man spoke, "Ever."

By now, the panic was setting in, "W-what do you want? Money? My phone? Just take whatever you want." Eiji had never taken the man he had admired from afar to be a petty thief.

The man placed one foot on Eiji's bed and leaned forward, his frown suddenly became a smirk. The gun now kissed Eiji's forehead, "You must be new to this whole thing, this is the part where you confess and beg for your life."

"What? D-don't be ridiculous..." Eiji was shaking now, he had no idea what was going on.

"So you won't?" The stranger asked, "Too bad."

"Wait!" Eiji panicked, "I'll do what you want, just please tell me why you're doing this."

Eiji had a sinking feeling that his rude awakening had something to do with last night's phone call. The intruder frowned, "...What gang are you with?"

"Gang..? You think I'm-"

The intruder grew impatient, "Then who hired you!?" He snapped. "You've been following me for weeks now. Did the old man put you up to this?"

"Oh." Eiji felt himself blush out of embarrassment and shame, "I..."

"Are you a stalker?"

"No!"

Eiji felt his frustration build within himself. He didn't know what to say. If he made the wrong move, he was sure he'd be shot on the spot. He racked his brain for the right thing to say. He settled on telling the truth.

"I honestly just wanted to say hello."

"You're kidding me right? That's the best you could come up with?"

"No. I'm serious. I see I made a dire mistake in trying to befriend you though.. Ash." Eiji held his gaze firm. His back still ached.

Ash's eyes widened and he pressed the gun firmer against Eiji's forehead, "Where'd you learn that name?" He growled.

" I just assumed, someone gave me a threat and mentioned the name."

Ash sighed, muttering something under his breath. He removed the gun from Eiji's forehead, leaving a circular mark behind. "I had a feeling you were too stupid to actually be hired to tail me." Eiji wasn't sure whether to be relived or offended, or both.

For a little while, awkward silence filled the room. "Don't follow me again," Ash spoke more softly this time, "If you see me, turn the other way. Trust me when I say you'll regret it if you don't."

Eiji sighed, "...Okay."

Ash's smirk found its way back to his lips, "Good." He gave his hostage a friendly slap on the back. Eiji flinched.

Ash then spun around to leave the room, stopping at the doorway. His grin grew wicked as he turned slowly. The gun pointed to Eiji's heart like a magnet, "Sorry," Ash spoke sweetly, "Better safe than sorry."

The bolt of gunfire exploded in Eiji's ears.

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