The class forgot Irina's birthday that took place four days ago. Everyone pitched in and gave a bit of what little money they had to get a gift.

The Birthday Present Squad: Kanzaki, Karma, Kayano, Nagisa, Okuda, Sugino and I, were looking for a gift for her. 

Everyone else split into two groups to distract Irina and Karasuma, and keep them separate.

It wasn't hard to keep Karasuma still he's way too focused on work related matters in the faculty room.

While the Birthday Present Squad were discussing amongst each other on the street, the florist got our attention.

"Hey, over here!" he exclaimed. "Everything end up okay with that man? You know, the old timer on the bicycle," he asked.

"You're the guy who called the ambulance," I recognized.

The florist gave a small nod.

"The old man is doing fine, he eventually forgave us in two weeks time."

"I'm glad it wasn't as bad as it looked," he relieved. "Big pardon, I couldn't help but overhear you're in the market for a grown up gift."

"Yes, yes we are," Kanzaki answered softly, yet energetically.

"Well, what about something like this?" The florist held up a single rose and gave it to Kanzaki. "In this day and age we can have whatever we want, but flowers are still the go to gift of choice. Why do you suppose that is?"

That question left the group pondering.

"It's not just about romance," the florist prepared a bouquet of roses. "Their colour, their shape, and scent. The fact that they don't last. Flowers are the ideal metaphor for the human condition."

"That's very convincing," I said. "Though the calculator kind of ruins it..."

'Well, it is a business," he said politely. "It's flowery fate! I'll cut you a deal."

There's something off about him I don't like...

Regardless, we got the bouquet and went back to school. The Birthday Present Squad went to give the bouquet of flowers to Karasuma, so he could give it to Irina.

They're really trying to get them together, hm...

It's not gonna work unless he does it out of his own free will...

While everyone, including Koro-sensei, were outside the building, hiding under the window to the faculty room.

I waited inside the classroom until Irina went into the faculty room, then went out and leaned against the wall next to the room.

Karasuma gave the flowers to Irina. After he was finished talking, Irina slammed the window open and caught the students and Koro-sensei red-handed.

There was no way Karasuma would've thought of getting flowers, let alone anything for her birthday anyways. The delivery of his message was what really gave it away.

She returned the bouquet to Karasuma and stormed out, thanking them for opening her eyes and was reminded that this was only a business relationship.

"The old you's back, huh?" I questioned.

"Whatever." Irina muttered and continued to walk out the building.

Some students blamed Karasuma for what happened.

"You kids don't really believe that I'm that oblivious do you?" he questioned.

"I'm a heartless bastard for good reason. Emotions can't be allowed to get in the way of what needs to be done. We're professionals. If her feelings for me can dull her blade, she's not qualified to be an assassin. That's all there is to it."

Truth hurts... But once feelings get in the way, then it's all over. Your days as an assassin are over...

I looked at my arm and traced over my scars with my thumb.

Irina hasn't been at school for three days now, we were getting worried. Koro-sensei left class to go to a soccer game in brazil.

Yada tried to call her cell, but it didn't go through. Ritsu couldn't even determine her location either. Not even I could.

"Seriously, you don't think she would leave over something like this," Chiba added.

"I'm sure that can't be the case," someone started.

Who said that? That voice doesn't belong to one of us, surely...

I scanned the room for the person. Once I caught sight of the florist, who was really out of place in the room, I put my guard up immediately.

Dammit why didn't I feel his presence... Could he be?... How did he even know where to find us...

"Who are you and why are you here," I demanded, aiming my hybrid gun at him.

Everyone turned their attention to her. They were confused for a second until they realized the florist was there and they didn't even realize it.

Karasuma probably left already if he was able to get in so easily...

"Hello, I'm the assassin commonly known as, "The Reaper"," The Reaper introduced himself. "And today boys and girls, class is going to be fun. A flower tends to throw people off guard, there's hardly a soul alive immune to their charm."

As pretty as flowers are...

Ritsu displayed a photo of Irina held captive and tied up.

Their only purpose is to draw insects...

"It's simple, if you want her to live, show up when and where I tell you to. And yes I mean the entire class. That includes you too, Fallen Light." he said with a closed eye smile.

"Tch."

The class was confused at what he just called her, but they kept their attention to The Reaper.

This might be the only way to bring her back, alive...

"Not a word of this to your teachers. Course I can understand if you're uncomfortable with those terms. If you'd rather not come, there's always the option of sending her to you in small individually wrapped pieces. If that's the preference, fine. Though one of you will most likely be my next flower." The Reaper finished explaining.

That's sick...

Terasaka's group walked up to the front.

"First off, we got no obligation to save that pushy bitch, so thanks for playing, but no dice. Second, what's stoppin' us from beating the piss outta you right here and now, you kidnapping bastard." he stated.

"Terasaka, you asshat." I retorted. "We have to save the bitch, it's not an option. Second, no human being can take down The Reaper."

"That's correct, not even you," The Reaper whispered the last part loud enough for me to hear. He threw some flower petals into the air and vanished. "And my next flower will likely be one of you."

Thanks a lot, now everyone knows, you bastard...

Isogai walked up to the front of the class, a piece of paper with the location was on it. They had to be there at six pm sharp.

"We usin' these?" Terasaka asked, holding up the new gear.

"Unless you wanna die, then no." I answered and took a look at the paper too.

"And we're doing this to protect someone, so yes." Nakamura added.

"I don't care if he's the greatest assassin who's ever lived, we're not about to let that guy's plan go off without a hitch," Terasaka stated.

I left the class and went into the faculty room. I needed to check if my suspicions were correct.

Thank god, it's still here...

The bouquet of flowers from yesterday remained untouched in the same spot.

I took it apart and inspected everything; the card, the wrapping, the roses.

I knew it!

I found a GPS chip under one of the leaves.

This is how he found us... As for how he knows who we are, that's a different story...

I crushed the chip to pieces. It would serve no use to find the location of the place he was tracking us from. It was most likely the place we're headed to tonight.

I went home and started preparing for tonight's showdown.

Later that evening, the class met up in the bushes near the entrance of The Reaper's location. If they didn't make it out until midnight Ritsu would notify Koro-sensei.

The class entered silently.

"Is that all of you? Good. Watch the doors," The Reaper warned using a speaker. The doors automatically shut.

"You like to keep an eye on us huh, kinda kinky. Reaper peeper, alright sure, why not?" Karma commented.

"Don't play around in a serious situation like this," I warned, lightly smacking the back of his head. I was on high alert.

If anything happens, there's no doubt they'll find out. It's not like they aren't suspicious of me already...

"We kept our end of the deal. Just give back Professor Bitch and it'll be all over!" Kataoka exclaimed.

The room started to go down like an elevator, that took everyone off guard.

As if it were gonna be that easy.

We were face to face with The Reaper.

"Trap is complete," The Reaper happily said. "Ensnaring you as a group is the best way. Saves me a lot of time."

Behind him was Professor Bitch.

Everyone started pounding on the walls to find a hollow section.

"No worries, if he comes quietly no one gets killed," The Reaper mentioned.

"What if we resist or something?" Okajima asked. "Would you be angry enough to kill us then?"

"Okajima, it's pitiful how scared you are," I said.

Anyone would be in this situation...

"Ah, sorry, I can't really do much about it," he apologized for no reason.

So if he really doesn't come, we die...

They found a hollow sounding section in the wall. Takebayashi stuck a bomb on the wall, Okuda and I threw down some smoke screen capsules to block his view.

When the bomb blew up, we escaped.

The reaper was still able to talk to us using the speaker system in the place as we were walking down the tunnel.

"Can you hear me, E Class?" he asked. "The truth is, I'm very pleased you escaped. It'll be a good warm up before I head into uncharted territory. I expect great things from you."

"Let's intercept him here. No matter which direction he comes from," Isogai strategized. "We'll have the upper hand if we outnumber him."

"So what if we outnumber him?" I questioned. "We don't have nearly as much experience as he does.He'd wipe the floor with us."

They asked Ritsu for backup, but The Reaper got to her first and she got hacked.

Note to self: update all of Ritsu's software.

Footsteps echoed ahead of them.

It was The Reaper.

Just what is he?...

I couldn't make out the body of the assassin at all. He was a cloudy, black figure with no solid lines.

Yoshida and Muramatsu charged straight at him.

"Wait! Don't!" I yelled.

When they threw their punch at him, their fists went right through him, like a ghost.

The Reaper took them out with a single blow.

"The first skill I honed upon becoming an assassin was head-on combat," he walked forward and knocked out Kimura. "It's 99% unnecessary in this trade, but without it, the remaining 1% of targets would get away."

"If you're looking to be the world's best assassin..." We were starting to see the shape of his eyes and mouth. "It's indispensable."

Then, he blasted to the back of the group and kneed Kayano between the stomach and chest. Her gear made a bunch of crunching noises.

"Females are so fragile," he commented. "Can't be treating the rest of my hostages so carelessly."

"Everyone, stay back. Leave this guy to me," Nagisa walked in front of the group.

"Are you outta your mind? He's on a completely different level from us," I reminded. I could feel his bloodlust, it's no match against The Reaper.

Nagisa was so focused on performing the clap stunner that The Reaper beat him to it and immobilized him.

That was more powerful than the one Nagisa could perform...

The assassin took his sweet time knocking everyone out.

"The Clap Stunner." he recognized the strategy. "For you and Lovro, it's a simple misdirection. But there's a whole other level to that skill."

There's more to it!?...

"Human consciousness has a wavelength: the higher the peaks, the more sensitive one is to stimulation," he explained. "So, when your foe's consciousness is at its most sensitive, you strike with your most powerful soundwave. That impact won't just momentarily startle your opponent. It'll paralyze their nerves, immobilizing them for a while."

Nagisa's legs gave out and so did he.

"Are you gonna take me out like you did with them, Reaper?" I asked bitterly.

"Oh, why of course not. You're a special one, instead we're going to have a little chat," The Reaper answered. "We also seem to be short some people. Mind telling me where they are?"

"Like hell I would!"

The Reaper took me to the cell where he was going to keep the students in, and secured an explosive collar around my neck.

"Just stay put until I get everyone here," he instructed. "If you're not here when I come back, I will pick my next flower." he threatened.

"Also, if you play along with Irina, I'll consider letting everyone free." he compromised.

"And if I don't?" I asked.

It's a small chance, but anything to make sure they'll be safe...

"If you refuse, I'll tell them who you are. Who you really are. Then, I'll make your head pop like a balloon." he threatened.

"Fine, I'll do it," I agreed without hesitation. He left to gather the others.

They can't know now... afterall, I just found out how amazing it is to have actual friends...

Great, just another one of his pons, huh? Why am I not surprised...

Eventually, everyone was brought into the cell. Some were shocked to see I was the only one on the other side, standing next to The Reaper and Irina no less.

The Reaper went on his phone and showed it to Irina.

"Huh? Karasuma," she said. All the students lit up with relief and hope.