Chapter 9:
"You're late."
Shutting the door quietly behind him, the violet-haired Trickster bowed to his waiting mistress, an unspoken apology hovering in the air, before he joined his wife at the side.
Flicking her burning cigarette to the ground, Zellas Metallium stepped upon it, extinguishing the tiny waft of smoke rising from it. Pacing across the room, she picked up a file from her cluttered desk and flung it to her son, who caught it easily. Xelloss glanced up, a question written plainly on his face.
"I want you to read the latest report, son."
Without further ado, he flipped it open and scanned through the report.
Mission #214
Performed on: 10th May, 2001
Agent Shuu
Mission successful.
Checked lawyer's case outline and defence strategies.
Sakai's freedom guaranteed.
Trouble: almost discovered.
Hid under desk while target sat down and searched file; left.
Nearly caught a second time.
Escaped through window.
Raising an eyebrow, the Trickster blinked at his mother who had lit a new cigarette. "It's a perfectly sound report, mother."
Zellas chuckled, "Think about it, son. Which infamous criminal lawyer has Sakai Ryuunosuke as her client?"
Realisation struck the ex-mazoku, before a cheshire grin grew upon his mischievous face. "I'll be back in while, mother." Clasping the file to his chest, he nodded to his mistress and sprinted out of the room. Luna repressed a smile.
* * *
Blowing his bangs off his raven-black eyes, Shuu idly picked up a battered file on his desk. As dangerous as his job was supposed to be, he certainly had a lot of leisure time to feel bored. Perhaps he should pay a little visit to Mizuno…
A loud knock upon his door derailed his train of thought. Sitting up straight, the dark-haired man gave a call. "Come in!"
"A very good morning to you, Shuu san!" the Trickster chirped as he entered the room. Shuu wrinkled his nose in contempt, before snapping, "What do you want?"
With a wide grin, Xelloss placed the file onto the spy agent's desk and gestured towards it. "I've read your report. I must say, Shuu san, you are a very courageous man. Clever too."
His face burning, Shuu opened his mouth to refute the statement, before having second thoughts and closing it again. The violet-haired Trickster snickered, wagging a finger at his senior. "Naughty, naughty, Shuu san!"
With a snarl, the agile spy launched himself at Xelloss.
"I'll give you naughty!"
* * *
Humming a soft tune, Mizuno strolled down the corridor, a tender smile on her radiant face. She was free tonight…and that meant more time with Rairyuu…no, Shuu. Covering her mouth, the girl giggled. It would take quite some time for her to get used to her fiancé's new name. Rai-chan, Shuu-chan…both sounded extremely cute, which was good, for she just loved annoying her practical fiancé with those little nicknames.
Pausing before Shuu's door, she picked up the argument from within.
"Temper, temper, Shuu san…whoops!"
" When I get my hands on you…"
"So tell me, was the view exceptionally good?"
"Well…yeah…I mean…Xelloss!"
"Nearly got me there, Shuu san! Just a few inches more!"
"You twisted…"
"Do you suppose Mizuno san would be interested in this little development?"
"You breathe a single word of this to her and-Xelloss! Get back here!"
The door slammed open to reveal a laughing Trickster, who, at the sight of a wide-eyed Mizuno, pushed the incriminating file in front of the latter's face.
Shuu sprinted after after the violet-haired man, only to screech to a halt and begin backing away slowly. The steam arising from his fiancée's head was definitely not a good sign.
"Rairyuu…" Flames burst in the background, shadowing the midnight-haired girl's face, giving her a rather ominous look. With a mock bow, Xelloss cheerfully took his leave, with the sounds of the poor Shuu being severely punished by the enraged Mizuno behind him.
Meeting Luna at the door of his mother's office, he reflected the smirk the former had on her face and flashed a thumbs-up sign. His violet-haired wife rolled her eyes to heaven in an exaggerated manner.