Chifuyu Matsuno.

The first division vice-captain of the delinquent group Tokyo Manji Gang. Their members defeated the ninth leader of Black Dragon. Black Dragon was crushed but was revived under the leadership of Taiju Shiba, my Boss. 

Matsuno woke up late on weekends.

Maybe.

He was still sleeping though it was already eleven in the morning. Close to noon. I sat on a thick branch of a tree near his apartment. Its dense leaves were enough to hide me from anyone's sight. Being a professional assassin, I was an expert in spying on people. I just didn't imagine I would be using my skills for this.

I watched as the gentle rays of the sun touched Matsuno's blond-dyed hair. He looked so peaceful and innocent, like an angel. I was not someone who noticed someone's looks, never labeling them as either beautiful or unattractive. But this boy... he actually seemed charming. 

Suddenly, Matsuno stirred and he woke up. I hid better behind the tree trunk as I saw him sit up on his bed. Shit. He closed the blinds of his window. Should I risk going inside in a disguise?

Why the hell was I even doing this? I was being stupid. Since hanging around with Matsuno and his friends yesterday and after him gifting me the tabby cat keychain, I felt compelled to know him better. It wasn't "like", just curiosity. I wanted to know more about him and since talking wasn't my strongest suit, I decided to do what I was most good at--spying. If I knew what made him tick, then I would know how to act in front of him. I remembered when the important people of Black Dragon became happy after I impaled their Judas. Would Matsuno also want me to do something like that? Who did I need to hurt for him? Wait, what the heck was I thinking? I was just curious about him, period.

I waited at the tree for hours and when the sun was almost about to set, Matsuno left the building with Baji. They talked a bit and parted ways, Baji going East on his bike while Matsuno headed to the West. Carefully, I hopped from one branch to another, jumping to the next tree. And then I descended as Matsuno rounded a corner. I hid behind a wall and watched him stop. His body was still and he appeared calm. What was happening?

"What are you doing?" Matsuno's voice was grave.

Was he talking to me? Did he found out that I was tailing him? Or was there someone else?

I peeked at who he was talking to and saw a group of Black Dragon members! Tsk. Bad timing. If they found me, I did not know what to say to Taiju.

Matsuno stepped closer to the other boys. It appeared that they were in the middle of beating up another member. "He's bleeding too much already. He'd die."

"Huh!" exclaimed one of the Black Dragon members. "This pig is a traitor, leaking our secrets to the police. What a trash! And trash ain't meant to live!" He punched the Judas straight to the face, but it didn't land. "What the--" Matsuno gripped the other boy's arm and then he punched him in the gut. The Black Dragon member grunted in pain. Seething with anger now projected to Matsuno, the guys left the traitor and faced Matsuno instead.

The blonde grinned and put his fists in front of him, ready to fight. "Nice, I've been itching for a nice brawl."

What the fuck was he doing? Butting into someone else's fight and acting like a freaking superhero.

It was five versus one. I didn't know about Matsuno's skills but the current Black Dragon members were good fighters. 

The throwing of kicks and punches started. It was not a fair fight so Matsuno struggled. He got hit in the face, chin, arms, back, and legs. I sucked in a breath and a feeling I haven't felt for years engulfed me--fear. I feared for Matsuno.

He might die!

I knew so well how fragile the human life was. It could burn bright now and then be extinguished the next day, next hour, or next second. I panicked and was about to reveal myself when I realized I underestimated Matsuno's strength. He kicked one boy standing and punched the face of the other. In minutes, the five Black Dragon members were lying on the concrete floor. To the traitor, he said, "Go now before I beat you up, too." And then he left them.

He proceeded on his way to Musashi shrine where the other Toman members were. I hid on top of another tree and strained to listen to their conversation. I couldn't hear them but I could read the blonde's lips saying "beat" "Judas" and the others calling him a "fool". 

The Toman members were all in their uniform and their meeting was about a fight with another delinquent group wanting to take hold of their turf. I didn't care about that and just watched Matsuno in the shadows.

***

After less than an hour, the Toman members rode their bikes and went somewhere I didn't know. Since I couldn't follow Matsuno when he was on a bike, I decided to wait for the Toman members in the shrine after they left. But hours passed and no soul came back. When it was one in the morning, I went home.

My cellphone vibrated.

Fuck.

I left it on the table in the kitchen. I forgot to bring it with me earlier. Opening it, I read Taiju's messages. I had a new assignment this night and I wasn't able to do it. My phone vibrated again and I answered Taiju's call. "Taiju."

"Where the fuck have you been?" his voice thundered.

"Sorry. I... I did something. It doesn't matter, I'll finish the job tonight. The sun's still down." 

"No. Best to be sure of our timing. I messaged you all the details. Kill anyone inside the room and make it look like a robbery." Like how my parents' life ended. There was a ping inside my chest but I pushed it aside as I listened to Taiju's order. "Anyone, are we clear on that? The person in the room is the target."

"Okay," I replied.

"Call only after you finish your job."

"Yes."

The line went dead.

The next night, I got ready for my mission. Doned in my ninja attire, I crossed rooftops and dark, empty streets to reach the mansion on top of a hill. The structure was grand and I knew my target was someone wealthy and maybe even famous. Rain fell like needles outside and I was glad it got rid of my footprints. These rich people were good at hiring someone keen for investigation. I busted through the door the servants entered and soon found myself in the maze of rooms and stairs of the mansion's interior which was all Victorian style, old and regal. Even their phones were antiques. 

My target was inside the first room at the left of the staircase, on the second floor. I glanced around me and saw someone climb the stairs.

A possible witness.

With quiet steps, I quickly approached the old man. He must be the family's butler, judging from his clothes. As I snuck behind him, I put my hands around his head and twisted it as hard as I could, breaking his bones and killing him instantly.

I continued my trek toward my target. There was some sort of music playing inside the kill room. Something I heard before but already forgotten. Very slowly, I opened the door and looked inside. There were no beds inside the room, only a crib with a sleeping infant.