A bit later, I decide to head back to CiRCLE like I had said the day before, and this time with an actual résumé.

Mizuki decided to stay at Kamiyama with her friends, hence why she isn't with me, but she wished me luck nevertheless, and that's all I need.

"Hm? Oh, you are back!"

"Yep, and here's the résumé."

"Gosh, that's amazing that you did it so soon, this will help you a lot in general, you see!"

"Yeah, I know that."

Marina snickers before she takes the paper to the back, and she is back a few minutes later.

"Well, it's official, you now have your job! Hope you still don't mind being taken in ASAP!"

"Awesome..!"

I felt overjoyed to finally get a part time job, even if I could've worked elsewhere that didn't require me to do a résumé in one night...

"So when can you start?"

"Literally right now actually, I am that desperate to begin working."

"I like that! Well, cleaning will be needed, so you think you can do that?"

"Absolutely." I reply to Marina as she shows me to the cleaning closet, I pick out the things I will be needing, and I begin cleaning the floors in the two lounges, and also in the practice studios.

I basically go on with this for a few hours, until it begins getting late. But that's when I hear someone enter the studio.

"I am so late with doing this, I shouldn't have studied for so long back at school..!" The one entering says as they go up to the reception desk.

I turn to them, and it turns out to be a dark haired girl with twintails, quite petite and very cute at that. The uniform has me surprised though, as that appears to be Tsukinomori, a very high class all-girls school that is a bit further away from here.

Quite surprising that someone from that sort of school would be here, but if she is in a band, who am I to say anything against it?

I soon speak up, seeing as Marina is currently in the back and doing some cleaning herself.

"I can take care of the business you have here." I tell her as she turns to me, a bit surprised someone else was there.

"Oh, my bad..! I didn't notice you, I am not used to there being a new face around here..." She tells me before she seems to be looking with more curiousity at me. "Wait a minute, I haven't seen you around here before in general. And you look foreign, so I guess you have moved here recently?"

"Yep, that's right. I got a job here today, so I will be here for the rest of my time in highschool most likely."

"I see, well it was understaffed here for a bit, so it's really good you accepted this job." She tells me as she gives me a smile. "Ah, maybe I should introduce myself, seeing as we will be acquaintances due to you working here now!"

"My name is Tsukushi Futaba! I am part of the band called Morfonica as the drummer and its leader as well!"

"Ah, so you are part of a band, hence why you being here. Oh yeah, which grade are you in?"

"Oh, I'm a first year!"

"And so you must've recently formed that band, yes?"

"Yep, it was close to when we began our semester that we formed it. Or rather, Mashiro wanted to form it."

"Mashiro?"

"She's the vocalist of the band, and close friend to us all. A bit shy of her, but I think she will get out of her shell more as time goes on!"

"I see... Okay, but what were you doing here again?"

"Oh yeah, I was going to see what available booking times there are, and we became curious about the plans for a new live here."

"I... think Marina mentioned that to me? Not sure, but I can check." I tell Tsukushi as I go behind the desk and look through the papers we have.

"Man, it's a mess here! Magazines, papers about all things and why the heck is there an unopened tissue box here?!"

"Perhaps if anyone of you get a runny nose, you have that?"

"Perhaps so, fits me because how often I can get a runny nose."

"Oh, do you take nostril spray? That usually helps."

"I forget about that at times, but thanks for the reminder, Tsukushi."

I put away the tissue box, and bring out the papers for her to sign on.

"I wish CiRCLE had an actual website so we could book online, but I guess some places keeps it in-person."

"No, I get you. It's weird that it's like this, but what can you do." I tell her before I start thinking. "Though perhaps I can do something..."

"Wait, you actually would do a website for CiRCLE?"

"Yeah, why not? Worth a try, seeing as it's apparently geting a sister location soon enough."

"Oh, I heard about it, but I don't think it's until next year or something."

"Well, better late than never with a website then." I tell Tsukushi as she nods.

"Well, anyway, thank you for your time... Huh, wait, I don't even know your name!"

"Oh yeah, it's Stephan Karlsson, I should've told you earlier, my bad."

"It's fine, at least I know your name now and you know mine!"

Tsukushi then waves her farewell to me and walks out of CiRCLE while I am left standing behind the desk.

"Well, back to cleaning it is then."

After another hour, I get to head home for today, or well, the home I have so far in my small apartment with absolutely no furniture whatsoever. But my mattress works just as fine anyway.

Though it is incredibly boring to not really be able to play any games currently...

"Eh, I will just hold out for now, maybe I could try reading a book."

Though the next day...

"Stephan, you look very tired, what happened?"

"A lot happened yesterday, Rui... But at least I got a part time job and meet another cute girl soon after..."

"Heh, and here I thought the way you looked at Mizuki the other day meant that she was the cutest you've ever seen~"

"I-It's not like that, at all..!"

"I'm kidding don't worry~!"

The school day soon goes on as normal and I soon head to Mizuki's classroom before I end for the day.

"Hey Mizuki, want to hang out?"

"Hm? Ooh, hi Stephan!" She replies as she gets up and walks up to me.

"It would be nice, but I am going to be with my friends today, sorry..!"

"No need, I get you, I was just asking in general before I headed to my part time job."

"Ooh yeah, you got to work at CiRCLE right?"

"Indeed, so at least I get some money for the coming month."

We soon partways and I head to CiRCLE and after checking in at work, it's the usual tasks, plus with Marina today teaching me a bit how to adjust the instruments and other equipment.

But soon I am the one ending up by the reception, but there usually aren't too many people coming by here, so I see no problem in standing here.

The bell rings, and someone enters, or rather five people. One of them is Tsukushi, so it must be her band.

But among the five of them... I barely have any words about her, but... As soon as I look at the blonde girl, I feel my body become like spaghetti.

It's just such a weird feeling in general, as I can't keep my eyes off her...

She's actually the most beautiful girl I have ever seen in my whole life, I am so speechless..!

"Hello again, Stephan! Now it's me and the rest of Morfonica here! I hope the studio is all ready to have a practice session in it."

"Oh yes, it is by all means..." I reply to Tsukushi as I have to avert my eyes from the blonde gyaru, just to not make it seem weird of me to stare...

"This the new guy you spoke about, Fusuke?" The blonde gyaru asks Tsukushi. And oh my god, that's the most angelic voice I have ever heard..!

"Yep, that's him!"

"Well then! Sup new guy, hope you have a good time here so far~! I figure you already know Fusuke, but my name is Touko Kirigaya and I'm the guitarist of Morfonica!"

Somehow, I didn't expect someone like her to be named Touko, yet... That's probably the most beautiful name she could be having.

...Wait, am I this attracted to someone at first sight?!

"That's beautiful name..."

...WAIT, WHAT THE FUCK, STEPHAN?! DON'T SAY IT LIKE THAT!

"W-Whoa, I have heard that people find my name cool, but beautiful? Thanks, hehe~!"

Even her giggling is beautiful. Oh, Touko...

But soon enough, the three other members introduces themselves as well, I give the keys to Tsukushi and the day soon goes on.

Though before Morfonica leaves, Touko stays behind for a bit.

"Hey, I just realized you didn't really introduce yourself. Fusuke told us about you, but never mentioned your name!"

"Oh, well, my name is Stephan Karlsson. And before you ask, yes, I am a foreigner-"

"Of course I can see you are a foreigner, silly~. But you seem to be from Sweden, that sounds like a very Swedish name."

"Yep, that's correct."

"That's so cool! Not often I meet people from Europe, either off- or online!"

Touko soon sits on the reception desk, and while she shouldn't, she looks very attractive sitting at the top of the counter, so whatever.

"Oh yeah, by the way, I am also the costume designer for Morfonica, so any outfits my bandmates has, it's made by me~!"

"Costume designer, huh..."

That made me remember the assassination stuff somehow, and then an idea pops up. But before I ask it...

"Oh yeah, Touko, maybe a dumb question, but would you do anything to get your hands on a great amount of money?"

"Mmm, that's definitely a bit of a strange question. Depends on the context!"

I didn't know what to say next though, I cannot say that the context would be that you need to kill others, and I can't either joke about it being a dirty way of getting money, Touko does not deserve to have such jokes made about her...

"Uhm..." I begin, before coming up with something at last. "Think as if you had to clean an entire mall for like a year, every day, all alone, but you get money that would secure your future and pension."

"...Oookayyy? Well, I think it would be worth it in the end, wouldn't ya think so~?"

I sigh a bit, beating myself mentally over asking a question that fucking stupid. God I could've come up with something better..!

"Yeah, yeah, maybe it would be." I reply to her, before I just feel awkward. Yeah, great first impression my dumbass is giving for someone as beautiful as Touko, I suck at being any sort of flirty..!

"Sooo, about you calling my name beautiful~?"

"Again, I am sorry about that, Kirigaya-"

"Nah, calling me by name is good for me! Why so formal all out of sudden~?"

"That... kinda just slipped out, sorry."

Holy shit, I suck talking currently, what the hell..!

Touko soon turns around and jumps down behind the counter, next to me, before leaning over the desk.

"I honestly feel like there is more ya want to say. Well, I think you shouldn't feel troubled about saying what's on your mind~!"

"I mean, maybe easy for you to say..."

"And I am sure easy for you too, Fusuke describes you as someone who gladly talks a lot, yet when I am talking with you right now... You seem nervous."

"...I don't know, Touko, and I am sorry-"

"No saying sorry~" She tells me as she winks at me, and I am definitely blushing now..!

"Okay, I-I won't."

"Anyhow, I need to go now-"

"Touko, can I commission you an outfit?" I finally say, figuring I should try to see if I can get something for my apparently new assassin life.

"Sure! I have to ask my parents first how much material I can use, then I can send ya a message! Can I get your number?"

"...Oh yeah, sure, of course." I reply as I nervously take out my phone. Touko's number, means she will always be with me in some way or another...

After she leaves, I facepalm, really hard, because the hell was that??

"Come on now, Stephan, you can converse no problem with girls otherwise, why is Touko the one making me feel different..!"

But as Touko is lingering in my mind, Tsukushi and Mizuki pops up in my mind as well.

"H-Huh, why are..?"

At this point, I am a flustered and blushing mess, not knowing what to do next.

Breathing in and out, I soon calm down before my phone gets a notification, so naturally I pick it up from my pocket and look at what I got.

"Hello, dearest Stephan, we hope this message finds you well.

We have had a bit of a delay sending out messages regarding your recent entry into the rankings of the UAA, however, at this moment of time, your rank should now be secured.

Your rank is #100, the very most bottom rank, which provides you no additional perks. Work your way up and you will have access to more services and perks.

Good luck, from the United Assassin Association."

I look at the message before just shaking my head and ignoring it, it's probably just an extension of the joke on that USB.

But before I could begin moving even an inch, my phone begins ringing, and it's the same damn number.

"Hell is it?! Why are you guys thinking I will be in on a joke?!"

"Joke? Oh no, all of what you have seen on that USB and read on the message provided to you are real."

"Well, if you can fucking prove it in some way, I will believe you!"

"As you wish."

The person on the other side hangs up, and I figure I am safe, but yet, something feels off...

As if I knew, I looked down at my chest and there I see the mark of a laser sight, before it moves up to my forehead...

"O-Oh fuck..."

I jump from my phone suddenly ringing again, and with a shaky hand, I bring it up and listen to what they have to say.

"Good proof for you, you brat?"

"Y-Yeah, alright, sure, blow out the skull on a high schooler if he doesn't comply, real fucking fancy-"

"Silence. You really are the very bottom, in all sort of ways."

"O-Of course I am, I am just a regular guy that bought that beam katana to display it!"

"Yet it can be used as a murder weapon, truly a pathetic reason for getting a weapon."

I soon go silent, because I have no idea what to reply anymore, because now I have to fear that I might get shoot in the skull, just because I don't take this bullshit seriously.

"Anyway, let's put this aside and have you instead actually go along with what we say. You are now a member of the UAA, no matter if you like it or not."

"Fuck you..."

They soon hang up and the laser sight disappears, so I finally breath out before immediately packing up my stuff to head home.

"What the hell, how can a purchase make me end up in a situation like this?!"

With fast steps, I almost began running home, getting paranoid if there are others around that are spying on me like the voice in the phone did.

"Stephan, you are in a great hurry, what's up?" A familiar voice asks me, and as I stop, I see that it is in fact Tsukushi.

"Oh, hey again, Tsukushi. I was just... heading home in a hurry to do my homework and such."

"Aah, that's very studious of you, school, part time job and then studies at home!"

"Y-Yeah..."

Damn, for being so fucking cute, Tsukushi sure has a rather dependable, almost mature, nature to her.

"I am heading home myself, so why not walk together?"

"Sure, sure." I just reply as Tsukushi adjusts her school bag before walking up next to me, joining up with me for now.

"My mom is home early today, so I don't need to hasten too much, meaning I can join you all the way to your apartment!"

"Ah thanks, but you don't need to-"

"Mmm, no, see this as me thanking you for helping me book the studio so we could practice today."

"Alright then..."

"You seem bothered about something, is something the matter-"

"No, Tsukushi, nothing's wrong, I am just tired. I am sorry for worrying you."

"Oh, I see..." She replies, looking a bit sad she can't have a proper conversation with me.

Well, some other day, I am sure.

As we continue walking, Tsukushi looks to her right and soon back to me.

"Look over there, that's Arisugawa Academy!"

"Oh, I think I read about this as well before coming here. It's a rather rich catholic school, right?"

"Yep, and it has more branches as well, but the high school part of it is the biggest and also holds the cathedral."

"Zamn..."

"Zamn?"

"Oh, oops, something I tend to use instead of 'damn', heh..."

"Oooh, I see!" Tsukushi replies before she let's out a smaller giggle.

"Oh yeah, there is actually a popular DJ group that are enrolled here, they are called Lyrical Lily."

"That's cool yet surprising, but I guess it works out well enough, I won't question it."

"Heh, better not to sometimes."

We soon arrive at my apartment and say our goodbyes to each other.

...Man, Tsukushi is really cute...

I head inside and inside my dark apartment, not doing much else other than heading to sleep at once, I have to charge my phone at school anyway.

But thoughts about the UAA shit comes back into mind, because if they are ready to shoot me with a sniper, what in the world can they do more..?

Well, I guess I somewhat was ready for this anyway, considering I asked Touko for an outfit commission.

...No use overthinking it, I will just see what other info I get over time regarding this assassin bullcrap...

The UAA is real?!

And that only means the true hardships begins now, but also the relationships, now forming small bonds even with Touko Kirigaya and Tsukushi Futaba.

Though another, very mischievous, person will soon come into the young man's life as well...

To Be Continued.