A/N: What was that? It's been over a month since I last updated? Pshh, I don't know what you're talking about. (sorry)

Enjoy~!

Day first published: 3/15/20

Warning: Death, murder, homicide, whatever you want to call it. If you don't like people being shot in the head, please leave. (Though I question why you even watch a show with Assassin in it's title, but whatever)

Chapter 6

I beat both of their asses in the third trimester's finals.

Boo-yah.

First in everything. Take that, ya bitches.

Ahem.

So. The third trimester had come to a close, and during the finals I scored highest in everything except Math, which was claimed by Asano and Karma, who tied. I have to admit, that felt good. Really good.

Second year had begun, and we were halfway through the second trimester when Irina dropped the big news.

"Put this on, brat. You're coming with me." She threw a tight-fitted dress onto the coffee table and a makeup bag.

I blinked at the items and turned to her, confused, "Um… why?"

"I already told you. You're coming with me. On a job." My heart stopped at that moment, and reality came crashing down. I was training to be an assassin, of course they would bring me on a job at some point. That just… hadn't sunk in yet.

"R-right." I picked up the dress and bag with shaking fingers and trudged into the room in the back. Slipping off the black outfit, I slid into the dress, the material flush against my skin. After spending almost two years in this world, my body had matured some, and I could pass for somebody a few years older with just a little work.

I leaned forward into the mirror, carefully applying the makeup in the bag. Irina had taught me everything about disguise, so this was simple to me. Soon enough, I was slipping on the two-inch heels and walking out of the room, glammed up.

Irina turned to me and inspected my handiwork, looking closely to make sure I could pass. She nodded after a moment. "It'll do. Come on, we need to hurry. There's a limo waiting a little ways away."

I followed after her, walking smoothly in the heels. Learning to deal with the hellish contraptions had been… well, hellish, but I managed.

After a few minutes of walking, we came across a sleek black car. The doorman opened it with a bow, and the two of us entered. I swallowed once I was in the back, trying not to fidget.

"Our target is a man by the name of Akira Takahashi. He owns one of the biggest black market trading organizations in the country. Pretty minor worldwide, but still a big thing. I'm Ichika Yua, a representative from a company that deals in black market gun dealership. You're my niece, Sakura Yua. This is a friendly get together, no real business takes place other than random updates on how other black market dealings are going. Act sweet; you don't understand what's happening or that this is truly illegal. Your character is naive, and everybody wants to keep it that way because you're so loveable, even to such lowly characters. Understood?"

I nodded shakily, trying to still my trembling palms. It was obvious that I failed, though, because her expression softened ever so slightly, "Look, kid. It's okay to be nervous. You're on a murder mission; nobody expects you to have perfect composure. Lovro-sensei seems to think you have potential, and frankly, I agree. Just keep your cool and stay in character. If, when it's time for you to take the shot, you can't do it, I'll be there to do it for you. Okay?"

I was quiet for a moment, looking down at my open palms, before looking up at her, determination etched into my face. "Okay!"

Her lips curled into a smile, "Good. Now, here's the plan."

It was simple, really. Little room for error, and not that big of a role on my part. Other than pulling the trigger, of course. The client wanted both Akira Takahashi and his son, Akio, dead, but Tanaka was the priority. If everything went according to plan, Irina would seduce Tanaka and I would pull in Akio. Both of us would lead them upstairs, though on my part, I'd make him think he was doing the leading, and we'd do it there. Simple. Clean. Effective. There was backup in case something went wrong, and Irina would get Akio if I clammed up and couldn't pull the trigger.

My main goal was also to make sure nobody saw my face. It was a masquerade, which was convenient, but I also had heavy makeup on underneath to make sure nobody would recognize me if I was seen on the streets. That would screw my life over for sure.

Finally, we made it to the building where the party was being held, and after making sure my mask was on tight, we entered the building.

Looking around at all the masked people, I swallowed and trudged forward through the mess of people, staying close to Irina. Slowly I calmed down, and mingled alongside her. But after about fifteen minutes of idle chatter with random people, I spotted Aiko and Akira lingering at the side, champagne glasses in hand. I tugged on her sleeve, making myself seem bashful, and pointed at the boy. I leaned in to whisper no-so-quietly in her ear.

"Oba-san, look at that boy! Can we go talk to him, pretty please?" My eyes sparkled, and I made my eyes beg. She turned to look at him, a smirk pulling at her lips.

"Alright, darling. We can go talk to them. Sorry, boys, but my niece has someone in her sights. Let's go, darling." I bowed and apologized before running after her, a fake grin on my face.

We stopped in front of the two, and I forced my cheeks to go red as Irina introduced herself. "You're Takahashi-sama, right? Oh, I've heard so much about your business! I love it, what you do is just amazing! Can you tell me more?" And off she went.

I turned to Aiko, my cheeks turning redder, "H-hello, Takahashi-sama - I-I mean, Takahashi-san! I-I didn't mean to - um…" I turned my head away, well aware of the smirk on his lips from my "slip up."

"Aiko's fine, you're a pretty lady, I don't mind. So what's your name?" Irina was leading Tanaka away towards the champagne to get some more for the both of them.

"M-my name is Sakura Yua, Aiko-sama. I-It's a pleasure to meet you!" We spent the next 30 minutes or so with idle chatter, me pretending to be infatuated and him thoroughly enjoying the attention.

After a half hour had passed, we both noticed Irina leading Akira away, a flirtatious grin set in her face. I noticed Aiko frowning and turned to him, "What's wrong, Aiko-sama?"

"Your Oba-san. She's so… fake."

My lips twitched. An opening. If I play this right, I'll have him hooked. "She always does that with men she likes. Then they go upstairs and do something. She's never told me what. Oba-san says that she needs to keep me innocent, but I don't like not knowing." I looked down with a tiny frown, acting disappointed.

Meanwhile, he was almost grinning, "So, you really want to find out what they do up there?" His voice made my skin crawl, and I fought the urge to cringe.

"Yeah, but Oba-san won't tell me, so…"

He took my chin and forced my face up, leaning in to talk in my ear, "How about I show you?" I had to shake away the urge to shiver and pull away from him. So creepy!

"Really? You know?"

His smile was predatorial now, "Yeah. Come upstairs with me, let's have some fun."

I let him lead me to the staircase and up the steps, following him through the large building. After walking for a few minutes, I noticed we were around the spot where I was supposed to meet Irina and stopped him.

"Aiko-sama, where are we going? I don't get it, what's this supposed to be?" He stopped and turned to me, eyes filled with lust.

"You wanted to know what they did, right? Well," he slammed me against the wall, grinning down at me, "I can show you."

I pursed my lips, trying to think of what to do. I was just going to wait for Irina to find us, but now…

His head lowered to my neck and I made my decision immediately, "Alright, buster, that's it. You're done." I kicked him and spun him around, knocking his head against the wall. Just as I did that, Irina came up the hallway.

"There you are, I've been looking all over. Here," she threw me the handgun, "You remember what to do, right?"

I swallowed, nodded, and walked backwards just slightly. I aimed the barrel right towards his forehead, but froze. He wasn't unconscious, and his eyes were staring right into mine. My heart pounded in my ears and I rested my finger on the trigger. My hands were steady, but I just couldn't pull the trigger.

"Hey, kid, if you don't think you can do it, that's fine," I heard Irina say, but no. I couldn't just let her do that. I needed to progress. I wouldn't be dead weight.

Squeezing my eyes shut, I brought my finger against the trigger and heard the bang. Opening my eyes, I saw his eyes, still open. Staring. Dead.

I shook. I just killed someone. Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god. For a moment, I just stood there, staring, but Irina pulled me out of it.

"C'mon, kid. We've gotta go. I can have the guys clean up the bodies, we need to get you home." Her voice was soft, understanding. I stood there for a moment, unmoving, before finally lowering the gun and walking towards her, silent.


We got back to the base in about ten minutes, and I changed in five. Soon, I was ready to go home. Perfectly ready, except…

I just couldn't. I couldn't face my family after what I'd just done. I'd just killed someone. Their blood was on my hands. There was no coming back from that. I was a murderer.

I stood at the bathroom door, not saying anything, not doing anything. After a moment, Irina came up to me and led me to the couch, rubbing my shoulder in a surprisingly motherly gesture. "I know, kid, but you gotta go home. You've got a life, don't just throw that away."

I looked at the clock on the wall. 2:30 AM. I couldn't exactly go home at this hour. "C-could I maybe… stay here tonight?"

She nodded with a sigh. "Are you going to sleep here? Or do some training?"

After a moment of thinking, I got up and grabbed a rifle, aiming for the target and shooting.

Again.

Again.

Again.

Reload.

Shoot.

Again.

Again.

Again.

Irina gave me some pointers, while I stayed quiet, silently correcting my form and aim again and again. Finally, after hours of just shooting, the trapdoor opened.

"You're still here, child? I would have thought you'd have gone home by now." I stayed quiet, popping open the gun and reloading it before shooting again.

"She hasn't spoken in hours. She's just shooting," Irina said, getting up from her place on the couch to speak with Lovro quietly.

After a moment or hearing nothing but whispers, Lovro spoke up. "You're going on another one next week. Get yourself together before then. I know it's hard, but you're going to need to pick yourself up from this soon." I nodded mutely, putting down the rifle and grabbing my bag. Without saying anything, I opened the trapdoor and trudged up the stairs, making my way home in the morning light.

When I got there, I snuck in through the window as usual and barely had enough time to change before I passed out on my bed.

Nightmares haunted me. Aiko's eyes, wide and terrified with a gun in his face, before they went out. Over and over again, I saw him die. When I finally woke up, I felt as if I had never rested to begin with.

"Are you alright, Akari, dear?" Tanaka asked worriedly, searching my tired face to try and figure out what was wrong.

I was quiet for a moment before I looked up and gave a big (fake) grin, "Just fine, oma." I just didn't sleep very well.

And life went on.