Warning: This chapter depicts violence. There will be blood and injuries. Proceed with caution.
Author's note: Thanks so much if you have read till this point. I appreciate the support!
The bright morning sun shone over the Kanagawa prefecture, casting long shadows across the pavement. Someone, in a dark outfit, seemingly dressed like a ninja would, was using these shadows to stay as hidden as possible.
"10:30… He should be here at any moment…" Ramorou whispered to himself as he scanned the area. Shinobino had loaned him a spare jet-black outfit and a mask to keep his identity unnoticed.
"Shinobino… Did this guy ever come to think and realise this outfit makes me look more suspicious?" He was nervous. The task that he had stepped up for was putting a daunting weight on his shoulders. He knew that all the cult members back in school relied on him today. Yamai, Sonoda, Chiarai, Shinobino, his friends…
"It's a sin to do this… But it must be this way. I hope you understand…" He whispered to no one in particular. He looked up towards the park again, and his eyes darted over to the staircase of the apartment building next to him.
It was then he spotted his target.
"Wow, this morning sure is bright…" Tadano murmured to himself as he closed the door to his house and began walking down the stairs.
"10:32… We said 11… But I guess it won't hurt to be early…"
He made his way to the park next to his house and took a seat on the swing. His heart started to flutter a little just thinking about the date ahead.
"I can't wait…" He looked across the park, at the direction his girlfriend would be coming from. A smile formed on his lips which turned to a small laugh of anticipation and excitement.
But something suddenly didn't feel right.
I feel like… someone's watching me…
Ramorou seized the opportunity. Silently, he walked over to Tadano's back, which was exposed to him.
"A slit to the throat should end him…" He had spent the night on illegal websites on the dark web finding out how to quickly deal with someone. He slowly drew a dagger from his pocket. It shone brightly from the reflection of the sun. He prepared to swing…
At that exact moment, Tadano turned around, and saw Ramorou with the dagger in his hand.
"WAH!" Immediately, he flung his right arm into Ramorou's right hand, which held the dagger, and it made him miss his swing.
"Ah, God dang it. There goes a clean job." He snarled. Worry, panic and rage were filling Ramorou's heart.
Tadano swung around to face Ramorou. Only the swing and about 5 metres of ground stood between them.
"Who are you, and what do you want with me?" Tadano raised his voice.
"I want your life." Ramorou spoke. Tadano could barely make out the words from his mask's muffling.
Let's try stalling for a little, pretend I didn't hear him…
"I'm sorry, what did you say?" Tadano slowly began backing off…
Ramorou immediately charged, dagger in hand, straight at Tadano.
Well, that didn't work
Tadano grabbed the swing and with strength, swung it straight at Ramorou, who didn't expect the sudden manoeuvre, and the swing struck him in the abdomen and sent him falling onto the sand pit beneath the swing.
I should get out of here… This guy means business with that weapon…
Tadano turned and ran. He had to get away…
A hand grabbed his shoulder, and flung him around, a dagger headed right for his neck, which missed as Tadano swiftly dodged the swing.
Another thing about Ramorou: He's extremely fast on his feet.
Tadano threw a kick at Ramorou, who barely dodged it and let go of Tadano's shoulder.
Ramorou swung again, and Tadano dodged it, again.
Swing after swing, dodge after dodge was how their fight went. Tadano could smell the blade with every swing. He had to retaliate before he got slashed.
By instinct, he grabbed Ramorou's right hand on his next swing, surprising him.
Tadano used the opportunistic moment to give Ramorou an uppercut to the jaw, and the cult member fell backwards, groaning in pain.
He backed away slowly as Ramorou slowly regained composure and started to stand.
"Give it up!" Tadano yelled. He saw Ramorou pull back his hand as the dagger left his hands.
The blade was headed right for him. He could smell the metal…
"Gah!" Tadano felt the dagger's sharp end zip right past his head. Slowly, he stood up straight once more.
Then he heard a cry of pain behind him. A cry which caused his heart to sting. No…
Slowly, he turned around, fear exponentially growing inside him every millisecond. That was when he realised what had happened.
Komi Shouko fell to the floor, dagger driven into her lower thigh. Blood seeped out like a flowing river as she panted in excruciating pain.
"Shouko!"
Immediately, Tadano dropped to his knees by her side.
"Oh no oh no oh no…" He was panicking. His girlfriend was hurt pretty badly. Tears were falling from her eyes as the pain grew to unbearable levels.
Ramorou was stunned. He had just inflicted a stab wound on Komi Shouko. Not only had he failed, but he had also made a complete mess out of it.
Tadano threw his arms around Komi. She was the only thing on his mind right now.
"It hurts a lot, doesn't it…? I'm so sorry…"
"I…It's… n-n-not… y-your… f-f-fault…" She could barely speak properly.
"I'll call an ambulance, you'll be alri-"
"H-Hito… b-b-behind you…!"
Tadano turned, but it was too late.
The jagged rock had whacked him in the side of his head full force, and he fell to the floor.
Ramorou, seeing the carnage he inflicted, decided to make a dash for it before anyone caught him. Komi saw the glint of a smile as he ran…
She turned back to her boyfriend, who was suddenly in a life-threatening state. His head was almost completely drenched in blood, and he was knocked unconscious.
"Hito…!" She tried shaking him. No response.
"N-No… p-please…!"
The pain in her leg felt like nothing to her anymore. She was looking at the mess her boyfriend was, and her heart ached a thousand times worse than the stab from the dagger.
She slowly mustered her remaining strength…
"H-help! S-someone… please…!"
Their date had ended before it even began.
