Even a few days after the Christmas celebration, that celebratory feeling doesn't fade away. The snow never wanes for a single bit as to blankets the lovely city in this late evening time. The usual heavenly white sleeping on the streets and paths are colored in with vigorous orange light, similar to lights on waves. Unlike waves, however, the snow shows glitter to all who continue to pass them.

While most only give it a glance, Sakurako Oomuro was more entranced with it to remove her boredom while she was on her way to Shiba's headquarters. Her parachute jacket still helps combat the weather and she receives extra warmth on her back by carrying a backpack. If she were, to be frank, she has nothing to do in the evening, and she doesn't feel like playing with Himawari or anyone else. So it might be best to take a visit to Shiba's place for a bit of gun practice.

However, there was another reason for her visit.

Reaching the place, she knocks on the door as usual and a henchman opens the door for her. The man greets her happily before he leads her toward Shiba's office. Along the way, other guards who are resting or walking down the halls exchange greetings with the blonde, to which she returns the gestures. They soon reach the office, and as the door guard is about to knock, they both hear a conversation from within. Sakurako comes closer to listen. Although their words were faint, she managed to make out some words from within. She recognizes one as Maru and the other being Shiba herself.

"…can't we just clap his ass?"

"Do you even know who that man was? If I had known who he was, I would-"

"I don't give a damn who he is! He just went in all and mighty and snooping our affairs!"

"Do you even think what will happen if we try that straight out? How this idea would affect Sakurako-"

"So you're telling me you want to keep this away from her? You think that's a good idea?"

"Why do you think he was here for?! Did you forget?"

Sakurako narrows her eyes, looking at the doorman who expressed the same thing. The doorman then went ahead to knock on the door with a couple of bangs.

"One moment," there was a faint shuffling sound before Shiba announced. "Come in."

Sakurako then enters while the doorman returns to guard his post. Shiba is still at her desk as usual with a teacup by her side, whereas Maru stands on Shiba's right side with his arms crossed. In her presence, Shiba shows a smile. However, Sakurako had winced her eyes at the smile she gave out.

"Sakurako, glad that you arrived," Shiba responded. "How was your day?"

"It was good. I got nothing to do this evening," Sakurako replied. "So I came here."

"I see. How's your family, by the way?" Shiba asked as she sipped her tea. "You celebrated Christmas together?"

"They're doing fine, and yes, we did celebrate it. After I celebrate with my friends, that is," Sakurako replied. "Did you celebrate Christmas, though?"

"No, unfortunately, but I told my men to have a day off that day," Shiba responded with a sigh.

Sakurako turns at the leather-jacketed punk. "How about you, Maru-san?"

"Well, you know me," Maru answered, pointing to himself with an open palm. "I spent my entire day in a nightclub to play with some chicks."

"Huh, with chicks?" Sakurako confusedly uttered. "I didn't know there's a club with chickens in it."

Maru looks away with a bright smile on his face, while Shiba immediately covers her face with a stifling chuckle.

"Goddamn, kid. You gonna make us laugh to death," Maru commented. "I was talking about girls."

"Oh, I misunderstood then."

"That's alright, kid."

"Yes," Shiba took a deep sigh and reformed her smile. "So, you're here for a little training."

"Yes, but…," Sakurako took a moment to examine her face. "Did something happen? I heard you were talking about something concerning, but I can't determine what it was."

"Oh, It's nothing, Sakurako," the woman shook her head. "There's another competitor making threats on our doorsteps. I can really deal with it."

"Boss," Maru began. "I woulda suggest-"

"Not now, Maru," Shiba raised a hand. "She doesn't have to get involved with this. Not for now."

"…. Whatever you say, boss."

The blonde tilts her head at the woman's new behavior. She has seen her concern, but this kind of apprehension was uncharacteristic. Sakurako made no remark about it.

"Shiba-sensei, may I ask?" Sakurako paused, staring indifferently into her blue eyes.

"What is it?"

"Have… have you found the others?"

"Oh…," Shiba cast her gaze down. "Nothing concrete, I'm afraid. I'm still looking into it."

"I see…," Sakurako bowed her head, subconsciously making a fist.

Shiba frowns at her. "I am sorry to disappoint you, Sakurako. But-"

"It is fine," Sakurako finally lifted her head. "I can wait."

"Good. I appreciate your patience," Shiba formed a small smile. "Now-"

There was a knock on the door and Shiba ordered him to enter. It was the same doorman that escorted the blonde. From his face, Sakurako could tell there was something of urgent need.

"Boss, I think you should come."

Shiba lets out a weary sigh. "What is it now?"

"It's that company client you contacted this morning," the doorman responded. "He's here to demand a full explanation about that botched delivery."

"I didn't expect that," Shiba widened her eyes. "Guess that note wasn't satisfactory enough for them."

"Wanna talk them out?" Maru asked.

"Yes, the sooner, the better," Shiba stood up. "Okay, Sakurako. This might take a while for both of us to talk about things with our clients. You can go ahead and train on your own or wait for me here in the office."

"Okay, Shiba-sensei."

"I'll be back soon."

Shiba and Maru then leave the office, closing the door on their way out. Here she is, slumping in her seat for God knows how long. At first, she wanted to go ahead to the weapons range, but something told her to stay. What kind of force that convinces her to stay in this office, she doesn't know. Thinking that it would be best to wait for Shiba, she puts down her grey backpack on the other chair lest her shoulders would start to sore from the weight.

She takes a deep sigh. "I wonder what that delivery was about, and…."

Sakurako begins to wonder what she had heard before. What were Shiba and Maru talking about that warranted alarming anxiety? Moreover, Shiba mentioning whatever problem they had could affect Sakurako, either for her well-being or understanding, she doesn't know. Even if she wanted to find out, she didn't know where to start. From what she sees, asking Shiba straight about it would only result in receiving a denied answer. She continues to wonder as her head turns at the drawers behind the desk.

When she realizes one of those drawers wasn't shut properly.

She raises an eyebrow and walks over to it. There were many documents within, presumably logs of shipments and perhaps the information of persons of interest. However, one document stands out from the rest, for it seems this document was put in hastily upon her arrival. She shouldn't be snooping around, but something about this document was intriguing. She grabs the document and lays it out on the desk. She just noticed this one doesn't have a label like the other documents. Thinking it was nothing of importance, she mindlessly opened the document and read its content.

How great her wish was to forget what she was thinking.

This file is too intriguing than she had hoped for. Far too blasphemous than she had hoped for.

Shiba lied. She can't believe it. But that doesn't matter to her.

A single gaze of its content was enough to send her into a mindless, uncontainable rage, and she knew what to do next.


30 minutes later.

Shiba sighs as she walks down the hall with Maru by her side. Despite having less to do physical activity, she was understandably tired from all the explaining she had to do. Maru merely shakes his head, more annoyed than tired.

"That one's finally over," Shiba commented. "My throat's drying up."

"Ya' want me to get a bottle of water?" Maru offered.

"No, thanks," Shiba shook her head. "The tea is enough for me."

"Okay, boss," Maru responded.

As they walked, they met one of their henchmen, and Shiba greeted him. "Good day."

"Oh, hello, boss," the henchman greeted. "Something you need?"

"Did you see Sakurako outside the office?" she asked.

"Yes, met her about half an hour ago in the halls," the henchman replied. "Said she's heading for the range. I haven't checked up on her, though."

"Very well, be on your way then."

"Got it, boss."

The henchman leaves. Maru turns to the woman. "To the range?"

"To the range."

They both immediately make their down to the range and look around. To their surprise, Sakurako wasn't present, save for a man taking care of the place.

Shiba walks up to him. "I thought Sakurako would be here."

"Huh?" the man looked back with confusion. "She wasn't here."

"But I was told she was already here half an hour ago."

"Half an hour ago? No, no one's been here, boss."

"That's odd. Okay, let me know if she comes down."

"Got it, boss."

Shiba walks over to Maru, who replies. "Huh, she must be pulling a prank on us."

"No, she's not that kind of person," Shiba shook her head. "Let's check the office."

They both headed towards their next destination, though their haste was quite evident. Shiba feels something off, but what? They both reach the office and quickly enter. Much to their surprise, Sakurako isn't present, alongside her backpack as well. Of course, that's not just all of it.

A document is sprawled on the table. When they got close enough, they were in for a shock.

"No, oh no," she muttered under her breath. "This is not good."

"Shit," Maru swore. "I told you you should've told her!"

"You don't have to tell me about that!" Shiba scoffed with a bowed head. "Dammit."

"Does that thing say where she should go?"

"Yes, and most of all, I know the place," Shiba responded. "Go get our driver and call George. We need to set out, quick!"

"I'm on it!" Maru immediately dashed out of the office.

Shiba rubs roughly on her violet hair before resting her palms on the table. "Sakurako, you gullible idiot."


As the evening sun begins to set on the horizon, snow begins to fall as well at a slow rate—breezy winds bringing the cold fog wherever they go. So as was the condition deep within the city. Sakurako watches on from the sidewalk towards a building complex before her. Wooden and concrete offices clasp together, flanked by two unknown building complexes on all sides except the road. A row of small fences surrounds the building and the parking lots are between them; two entrances are visible, one in the middle of the fence in front of the building, the other on the left side of the building. Behind the building is the personal warehouse.

So that's the Yakuza office. The exterior might be incredible, but this building contains those who bring misfortune to those who are hard workers and innocents. Sakurako continues to scan for an entry. After looking for a different perspective, she found a spot next to the warehouse where the second entrance is. Looks like an alley not far from the entrance. She consults the map she has on her phone and finds it a viable entry option.

She finds another alley at the building next to the yakuza office and follows the map. No people are visible in that alley. After a zig-zag, she reaches an intersection, and she has to look on both ways of the path. Determined the alley is empty, she moves to the left and approaches the end of the alley. Peeking out from behind the dumpster, she spots moving back and forth, particularly around the warehouse.

She quickly retracts herself when a couple of guards in formal grey appear at that exit. At this point, she quietly unloads her bag, occasionally looking behind her, as she carefully peeks at the guards. Sakurako listened to their joke about today's elderly being out of touch before one of them departed out of her sight. A moment after that man departed, the current guard then turned around toward the warehouse.

Unfortunately, he caught a glimpse of her hiding and halted his turn.

"Hey, who's there?!"

Sakurako hides herself, but she knows it's no use. She could hear him approaching. 'twas an excellent reason to hold onto her suppressed AK. She then peeks out again only to see the guard already brandishing his handgun. She notices the distinct dragon tattoo below his wrist.

"Whoever you are, show yourself," the guard yelled. "You ain't doing yourself a favor by hiding like a rat."

Sakurako takes a deep breath and holds.

"I won't hesitate to off you, y'know?" the guard responded. "You shouldn't trespass here. Show yourself and maybe Sungeo-sama will show you some mercy."

Her pupils immediately shrink. Just like what that document had told her. She's on the right trail, after all. Of course, one more thing, just to make sure.

"Is he here?" Sakurako voiced out a fake male monotone voice.

"Of course, he's here!" the guard answered with annoyance. "Now you show yourself, brat, Or I'll drag you out myself!"

As he wishes. Sakurako immediately lies sideways out of cover and fires two rounds, one to his chest and one to his head.

*DUG*

He immediately falls to the ground, and his gun, thankfully, didn't cause a misfire. Ensuring the area is still clear, she hastily wears on her plate carrier, gloves, and gas mask. She didn't bring a helmet, but would that matter? After ensuring the pouches are in place, including holstering her unsuppressed pistol by her waist, she wears on her empty bag and immediately runs out the alley, soon dashing to the right closer to the warehouse. Hiding alongside the fence, soon by the entrance, she looks out again to see that the back of the office complex was guarded well, while the warehouse is still busy with people transporting things out, one of which was alcohol, she assumed.

She can guess that getting through the office complex would be a complete suicide, knowing there will be more than a dozen of them. She then glances toward the warehouse; the car doors remain open as the employees and guards haul goods into the truck.

From that observation, she might have an idea to make a ruckus.


While he runs over through the number of papers to account for all the finance and goods coming to his doorstep, he leans his back against his personal armchair. With a grin, he straightens his precious thin mustache like a hunting trophy. This paper he currently works on is regarding the matter of land-lease/land ownership. After a few seconds of writing that up, he puts those papers aside and smokes his expensive cigar. Giving a devious smile to himself, he looks up to the ceiling to admonish his own fancy room.

"Time to wait for my plans to come to fruition."

Just as he was about to inhale his cigar for the third time, a knock was heard from the door.

"Come in."

A man enters. The man is one of his bodyguards.

"Ani-sama," the bodyguard greeted. "I have news."

"Well, well. Good news, I presumed?" the superior asked, gradually letting out a mouthful of fog.

"Yes, the Tamagachi Family has finally relented on our agreement regarding the land takeover near the river."

"What did I tell you, man? My plan worked."

"Yes, I've already seen how chaotic they were after those sabotages," the bodyguard responded. "No one suspected a thing, and they even depended on us."

"Is there anything else?" the man asked, rubbing over his mustache.

"In regards to storing narcotics, we have found another store that is willing to lend their storage for us to use. It took some convincing, but we managed it."

"He must be a loud mouth."

"He is. At least he knows how to keep his mouth shut."

"Great! That nonsense at Bakimura Store was a disaster. Let's make sure that doesn't happen-"

"Sir!"

A henchman quickly runs into the room with such haste.

"Didn't I tell you to keep watch on the warehouse?" the superior asked with annoyance.

"We got fire in the warehouse!"

That announcement got him off the chair and he immediately looked through the window behind him. Many of his men were seen running into the warehouse, some with water to take out the fire. Smoke was clearly coming out from the warehouse, but not enough to warrant a call for the firefighters. He turns at his henchmen.

"What was burned?" he quickly asked.

"Some of the narcotics."

"Then get down there and put it out!" he immediately yelled, to which the henchman immediately left the office. "How the hell that got burned?"

"We should've prioritized adding fire prevention in the warehouse," the bodyguard stated.

"Well, we have enough finance for that now," the superior replied, disappointment in his tone. "You go call that engineer from-"

*PSHHT*

Their heads quickly turn towards the window and look out towards the faint swizzling sound. And lo, there's a dead guard just before the open door of the warehouse. They were surprised at first, but his other men soon began to fall with holes in their bodies. Whatever employees that were there immediately ran off for safety. Some of the guards, including those inside the warehouse, reacted to the threat, but some fell and few were able to return fire.

"What the- What the hell's going on!?" his bodyguard asked. "That idiotic Yoreiko Family must be at it!"

"No," the superior responded. "That family is really straightforward and narrow-headed about their operations, but I don't think they would cause a stir like this."

In the middle of the sounds of gunfire, the bodyguard asks. "Then who is it?"

"It's the vigilante."

The bodyguard stares at him. "You mean…."

'Yes," the man twirled the tip of his mustache. "I'm going to enjoy this."


*PSHHT-PSHHT-PSHHT *

Ducking back into her cover, she reloads her AK as she peeks for the hostiles. A lot of uniformed guards are onto her with handguns blazing and worrying about cops would be the least of their worries. With how loud the gunfire as it is now, it's a bit surprising how the police haven't responded quickly to this incident. Well, she got something else to worry about than that.

Sakurako pats her gas mask before firing out at the enemies behind the cars, before displacing toward the open warehouse and does the same to the guards flanking inside there. Those poor bastards didn't have time to find cover and got mowed down in the open. One of them managed to hide behind a flimsy wooden crate, yet Sakurako shot it, and the guard fell out of cover with a bullet hole on his back.

*THWANG*

She ducks as a bullet ricochet off the garage door's frame. Immediately, she turns to her left flank, at which she gets shot in the chest and forced her to step away from the opening. She gasps painfully and, with her willpower, dares to shoot out again. About ten guards are converging on her in a quarter of an arc. She focuses on firing on her very left, where her side is most vulnerable. She sprays five rounds at first and then shoots accurate fires at a parked car through its right side. As she predicted, she immediately felt three heartbeats and saw one fall dead.

About three-plus guards show up from the office through the backdoor and reinforce the arc-formation; a couple of those enter the warehouse. Under sustained heavy fire, she runs deeper into the warehouse and spots the two new guards flanking there. She covers behind a steel pillar as handgun rounds, presumably 9mm, hit the sides and center of her cover. Had this pillar wasn't thick, she's toast. She shoots out at one behind a forklift, a headshot, before switching to left-handed firing to shoot the other at the next pillar across. After a suppression, she had to reload her AK but spotted one about to sneak up behind her. She immediately pulls out her sidearm with one hand and puts four rounds at him, to which he falls but is incapacitated with agonized moans.

In paranoia, she peeks out to her right on the pillar collar, just in time to shoot that bastard with the same handgun. After holstering her sidearm, she quickly reloads her AK before running to the other end of the warehouse with her rifle forward. Upon reaching the other open garage door, she quickly shoots the extra two guards that were about to come from the office before looking to her left. The arc-formation guards are still unaware she's behind them and she takes this chance to throw a flashbang at them.

*BANG*

The blinding light and deafening sound had the guards screeched in pain and had their motor functions confused. Most who are unfortunate to stand still were immediately shot by the blonde's famed Kalashnikov. The last three guards she couldn't get, she had to move toward the parking lot and find them herself. Two of them were found sitting against the cars, holding into their ears, and were shot dead. The last one was about to stand up in the middle of the open, gets shot in the back thrice and dies on the spot.

She hastily looks around her for hostiles, patting her chest to ensure that the bullet didn't get through her armor. Her chest was still feeling a bit pained, but nothing that she couldn't handle. Taking a deep, loud sigh through her gas mask, she immediately moves toward the office with her rifle raised.

*DOR-DOR*

She ducked her head and immediately saw the shooter on the second floor, presumably in the office. She sprays five rounds at the room, doesn't get him, but enough to force him to flee.

"Damn it."

Sakurako immediately runs into the complex through the back door and finds herself in a hallway. At a three-way intersection, she continues forward, occasionally watching her back. She then finds herself traversing through an empty kitchen before entering an ornate enclosed room, a guest room, she assumed. She heard about Yakuza and their wealth but never thought they would be this rich to have such beauty within their facilities. She reached what appears to be a spacious reception room through a couple of empty rooms. There was a column on each corner and a desk across the door on her right.

"This must be the front side."

She still finds it odd that there's no one around, not even a sliver of a sound. Hearing her own haggard breath within her mask, she carefully steps out from the doorway and checks her left corner before peering at the entirety of the room.

Out of the corner of an eye, she spots someone.

And instinctively jumps toward the closest column next to her.

*TWHANG-THUNG-TWHANG*

Almost let her guard down.

She crawls with her back against the column and stands up. With rasping breaths, she immediately aims at the guard on the left corner of the second floor-

*DRRT-TWA-TWI-THWANG*

She's forced to take cover from presumably SMG suppression just right across her. She changes to the right side and blindly fires her AK toward that direction. She had heard a thud, but a tug of a heartbeat already told her. Then she changes the side of the column, crouches, and accurately fires out at the enemy in the second-floor left corner. At first, the corner column covered him, but a stray of her bullet lodged into his leg, enough to make him react to the pain before she took another shot again to his head.

Confident the area is clear, she quickly makes her way toward the hallway across, half-remembered that she should check her-

*DAR-DAR*

Two rounds struck her back, eventually putting her back on the ground. Another guard suddenly pops up behind her and she impulsively shoots until she runs out of ammo. Damningly, she missed him, but most importantly, her backside was in more pain than her chest. Could've sworn she felt a dent there.

"Crap… agh."

She doesn't want to wait around as she hasn't found her main target. As she reloads, she makes a mental note to find the stairs to the second floor while being aware of a hit-and-run. It didn't take her long to find the stairs and jogs up. After a moment, she finally barges into an office and realizes this is the exact office facing toward the warehouse. And the broken window says it all. Judging from the wealth of the room, this must be her target's office.

So where's the bastard?

She snorts angrily and turns toward the door. When she touches the doorknob, she hears him.

"Looking for me, Sentinel?"

She halts. She knows that voice. It's him.

"Come out now. Don't be shy."

She let go of the doorknob.

"What's the matter? Are you scared? I thought the city's most infamous vigilante wasn't afraid against anything. Now you scared facing off against the Yakuza, huh?"

That's enough. The masked blonde immediately sprays her rifle through the door before barging out of the office. No one is in front of her, yet it doesn't surprise her as well. She quickly looked around the spacious room; there were no solid walls, just ornate Japanese fences acting as walls alongside paper walls.

"You missed! Did you really think you're a fortune teller?"

The bastard taunts, but Sakurako doesn't give him the satisfaction of hearing her outburst. She sticks to the fences on her left, wary of the front and right doorway. Then she sees an after-image from the right doorway. She fires in that direction and chases him down. She didn't find him. It only led her into another spacious room with four different paths. Front, left, right, behind. She had turned around many times at each doorway. She knows she's stuck in the open, but which path would she take?

"Come find me~. Where am I hiding?"

Sakurako winces her eyes at his playful taunt, knowing nothing about where it came from. Then caught a glimpse on her left peripheral vision of her gas mask. She immediately fires off in that direction and sees a man drop dead to the ground.

*DAR-DAR*

She yelps and shifts in pain as a round hits her right side, thankfully protected by the plate. She aims at the front doorway and sprays again.

*DOR-DOR-DOR*

A bullet lodged into her thigh, another scratched her right wrist, and the last missed her. She instinctively fires to her right.

*DAR-DAR*

Another couple of shots hit her back, enough to tell her she needs to leave. After firing at the left doorway, she makes her way through the doorway behind her. Her mobility is heavily impaired with the bullet in her leg.

"Where are you going, little rabbit?"

They're messing with her. Like how they enjoy watching an agonized rat subjected to a twisted experiment. She turns around and fires blindly behind her, then to the doorway to the left, where she spots someone about to peek out. She then drags herself to her right, at which she suppresses fire on her front before finally running out of ammo. She curses under her breath and grabs her sidearm. Before she could pull it out, she was shot in the back again. This time, one of the bullets managed to cut her right forearm. Despite the sickening pain, she managed to shoot back, albeit inaccurate.

*BAK*

She soon received a kick from her left shoulder, sending her away about one and a half meters backward. She loses her grip on her sidearm. As for her rifle, while she was stunned, one of them stomped her left arm. With a scream, she lets go of her rifle.

This is it, then. She can fight back no longer.

The man with the thin mustache and pixie-cut hair stands before her, flanked by his two personal bodyguards, wearing a grin she wished only ever existed in horror movies. With rasping breaths, she crawled back from him. Her target steps forward and immediately kicks her face, tearing the gas mask off her face. Under dizziness, she was able to face back at him with an agonized face; anger masked within.

"So a girl like yourself managed to take on a lot of my guards, impressive," he stated. "But now, I'm feeling disappointed that you are so easy for me to deal with."

She eyes up at her AK. It was beyond the reach of her hand.

"To think a brat like you is a Sentinel," the man chuckled. "I could have another use for you in my business with that pretty face of yours. But you killed many of my potential partners and my own men. I can't let you roam around taking out our businesses. Such a waste. But it's business, after all."

Sakurako shuts her mouth tight. She's only wasting her breath to spite this bastard.

"No last words? Huh, you just make things easier for me."

The thin-mustache man pulls his pistol and checks his current magazine. Her eyes are staring daggers intensely at him until she looks up at the barrel of his pistol.

"Sayonara, you little bra-"

*DOR*

In an instant, there was a hole on Sungeo's forehead, and he fell forward. His guards were startled, and Sakurako would be lying if she didn't. The guards immediately turn around and see a well-dressed violet-haired woman in the middle of the doorway with a smoking gun barrel. Sakurako widens her eyes at her appearance.

When the guards were about to shoot her, almost immediately, the bodyguard on Sakurako's right was shot by the punk in the right doorway. As the last one aims at the pistol-slinging punk, a bulky hand tugs his neck and slams him onto the ground. The muscled and formal black ranger pounds his face hard six times before running over to her. The caved-in bodyguard soon got finished off by the delinquent's pistol.

The woman in the red dress quickly comes over to the downed blonde. "Sakurako! Are you alright?"

"Shiba-sensei…. What are you doing here…? Ngh," the blonde asked.

"We're here for you, idiot!" Shiba retorted. "Do you even realize what you were doing?"

"To kill him," Sakurako grunted, looking over to the dead man, his brown now smeared with his own blood. "…I guess I don't have to worry about that. Grrh."

"Easy, Ms. Oomuro, lie down a bit," George quickly scanned over the entirety of her body. "Got a hole on her right thigh, and her right arm's been scratched. Looks like she got shot a lot just from looking at her armor."

Maru quickly looks over her shot-up plate carrier, even carefully lifting her to look at her back. "I don't know how the hell you made it this far while getting shot up like that. This gonna leave a lot of bruise on you."

"Dammit, Sakurako," Shiba winced her eyes. "What were you thinking by assaulting a Yakuza office on your own?!"

Sakurako grunts over the aching pain throughout her body, but she doesn't reply and instead looks away from her.

"Hey, we'll talk later!" Maru hastily replied. "We need to get the hell out of dodge. Like right now!"

"Alright, Maru, grab her weapons. Don't forget her mask," George quickly wrapped a bandage he brought on her wounds. Also added a pad to shut the wound on her thigh.

He then pulls out what seems to be a small injection. "This should ease the pain, Sakurako."

"Where'd you get that?" Maru asked, picking up the torn gas mask.

"I bought it for him," Shiba replied. "Guess I'm glad I did before this happened."

She quietly yelped as the needle struck her skin. After a moment of its administration, she can feel the pain begin to wither just a bit.

"Can you walk?" the former ranger asked.

"…Y-yeah, I think I can."

"Alright, come on."

George and Shiba carefully help her back to her feet. They all soon make their way downstairs and soon through the back door, where a white van is parked carelessly next to the truck. Sakurako could tell from looking at Maru's face alone that he was more than astonished at how many people she killed. No civilians in sight surrounding the office, no witnesses to worry about. Soon, they jump in the van and their driver, Riko, immediately drives them out of the area. Halfway towards their getaway, sounds of sirens begin to approach, and soon police cars absent-mindedly rush past them.

Their van reaches a red light at an intersection. From that point, the snow has noticeably begun to fall rapidly. Hearing the snow whistling outside was thankfully enough to calm whatever tension stuck within the blonde. Though the silent atmosphere hasn't been helpful, it seems George paid no mind to it as he strips her of her armor.

"Sakurako," Shiba began, who's sitting next to her. "Do you realize what you've done?"

Sakurako merely glances to her side. "It's because he's a Yakuza…. He has connections?"

Shiba stiffly nods. "I fear what you've done today would bring unwanted attention from other crime organizations, probably even the Yakuzas."

"He had to be brought to justice," Sakurako replied. "One way or another."

"This isn't just about dispensing justice," Shiba firmly spoke. "This is about your own safety as well."

"I don't care about my safety."

"Then what about the safety of your family?"

"My family?" Sakurako asked, raising her eyebrows slightly. "What my family has got to do with this?"

"Sakurako, I understand that you want him dead, even though I'm the one who killed him," Shiba took a deep breath. "Sungeo…. He's one of the most influential people that everyone unheard of, save for those in the underground and the police. If they eventually find out that he's dead, the police looking for you would be the least you worry about."

Sakurako haggardly breaths out through her nose. "There are others…? Like him…?"

"Worse than him," Shiba replied. "The kind that can put your family and close friends in danger."

"How can those kinds of people put my family and friends in danger?"

"Have you ever watched those spy movies they put on TV? Including James Bond ones, where the villain somehow knows what the good guys would eventually do to stop them?"

"Oh… yes."

"Those people are the kind who can find even the most personal information on almost every kind of people. They simply do it discreetly, most of the time."

"Even if they don't know where to start looking?"

"Yes," Shiba made a fist. "Unfortunately for us, you recklessly went ahead and killed him; well, I killed him. The fact that the Sentinels, us, able to take on a Yakuza organization, would surely give his criminal partners a head start to find out who we actually are."

"That means… you're also in danger, Shiba-san."

"I'm fine with being in the crosshairs. It's you who I'm worried about."

"Is that why you had a fight with Maru about Sungeo behind closed doors?"

"So you did hear that," Shiba puffed out, revealing a fog resulting from the cold winter. "I do not wish for you to get involved in killing him prior to this."

Sakurako glares with such intensity that it overpowers her pain. "He's one of those bastards that created bloodshed in that store… and you want me to not know about this?!"

"We were still planning on how to take him out discreetly without dragging our vigilante reputation in!" Shiba retorted. "Had you not gone ahead to fulfill your stupid revenge, we might have come up with a plan and you don't end up wounded like this!"

"I wouldn't go ahead to do that if you had told me what makes you so worried about him!"

"And you think I should tell you!? This wasn't like dealing with Jin and you must be a goddamn idiot if you would regard him the same! I'll be adding fuel to the fire, knowing your selfish thirst for blood!"

"Whose fault is it that no one tells me about him?!"

"Well, whose fault is it that you got yourself wounded by taking him alone?!"

"Shiba-san, you damn-!"

"ENOUGH!"

Hearing George yell was enough for the two to be taken aback. Maru and Riko even seem startled by his sudden outburst.

George composes himself. "What's done is done, so there's no point in arguing that now. We just need to face what will come up next."

George then looks up at the blonde. "Sakurako, the truth is…."


Yesterday

Shiba and George were in the office, as usual, currently debating solutions for a security detail for a foreign escort VIP job, when Maru stepped into the office.

"Hey, boss."

"Maru," Shiba greeted back. "What's up?"

"There's this guy looking for you."

"Is he a client? The one from the Albedo Organization?"

"No, boss. This guy's not even a client. He asked for an 'audience,' as he said."

"Huh, an odd choice of word. Who is this person anyway?"

"This guy… Sungeo, I think his name was. Claims he's from the mafia."

Shiba stares at him. "The Yakuza? What for?"

"He said that you might know a friend of his."

Shiba stares at George, who only gives a shrug.

"Very well," Shiba nodded upwards. "Let him in."

Maru looks out of the doorway and nods toward the office, gesturing for the guest to enter. Shiba immediately widened her eyes upon the guest's entry, though she showed no facial movements. She scans over his appearance. His white uniform business was nothing of note for her. However, his thin mustache and the brown color of his hair stood out about him.

"Ah, you must be Matsubara-sama," the guest greeted.

"And to whom do I owe the pleasure?" Shiba asked.

"Sungeo Matsuzaki. My pleasure to meet you."

"Very well. What brings you to this establishment?"

"I'm only here regarding a friend of mine. Perhaps you know Jin Mikey?"

Shiba merely raises an eyebrow, and George simply turns his torso halfway.

"What of him?" Shiba asked indifferently.

"I got a tip that you made a deal with him in regards to buying weaponry."

"We did," Shiba admitted. "During that day, we were supposed to meet at the dock during that evening. However, we had complications with our packages and we had to take about half an hour to repair them. During that half an hour, I got information that there's an unknown party, the Sentinels, as it turns out, acting as us and pretending to do weapons transactions. After that, I heard the police showed up to bust the transaction, which was enough reason for me to disband the transaction."

"Is that so?" he asked. "How do you know there's an unknown party in that transaction?"

"I already sent someone way before the transaction happened. He was on top of a crane before that exchange."

"I see. And where's this man of yours?"

"He's currently out, I'm afraid."

"I see. What were… these complications?"

"We had discovered damages in our weapons, including some of the uncommon weapons. On top of that, we had a flat tire and a police officer staking out our establishment."

"I see. It seems that the famed Matsubara still has issues within her priorities."

"Hey!" Maru retorted. "What was that you said?!"

"Maru, not now," Shiba ordered him. "Now, is there anything else you need to know?"

"You know?" he placed an inquisitive hand underneath his chin. "I noticed that you have a white van in your warehouse, and according to what I hear, there was a white van during that exchange with Jin."

"I heard about that as well from my man," Shiba added in. "For your information, our white van was still here while that transaction happened. A flat tire, as I said."

"Is that so?" Sungeo attentively stared at her.

Shiba leans against her chair and crosses her arms. "You don't believe me?"

"I never said that," Sungeo replied with a smirk. "But I feel there's something more than you're letting on."

"Do I need to reiterate?" Shiba said. "That's all I know on that day."

"Are you sure now?" Sungeo now leaned onto her table. "Say, aren't you curious about what happened to that small truck over the highway just east of the town?"

His question made Shiba to sit straight, whereas her men stared daggers at him. "What about it?"

"You're not that interested? A shame," Sungeo then faced his back at her. "I wonder how that lone truck got derailed through that fence. In fact, the police don't even know that ever happened."

"What makes you think intimidating me would do you any good? What goal are you trying to achieve here?"

"As it happens, I also came here so I can take a good look at my next… competitor. It would be so bad if something… were to happen to this not-so-delicate operation."

"Watch your mouth, wise-ass!"

"Maru, enough!" Shiba ordered. "The hell do you want?"

"The hell do I want? I reiterate, there's something than you're letting on, Shibitch. Alongside that, I like a piece of your business. Of course, you wouldn't give me that. Well, if you're not willing to talk about it, then I'll try to achieve what I want my own way. Unless you like to change your mind."

He then walks toward the door. "Until then, ciao, Matsubara."

He then leaves the room, leaving everyone within the office with such contempt for his intrusion.


"That's what really happened?"

"Yes, Sakurako…."

"And bein' honest with ya', we never told anyone where we operate, except our clients," Maru added. "Him appearing on our doorstep was already a red flag for us."

"He was a threat to all of us, so we had to formulate a plan to take him out," Shiba responded. "But then, you went all out against him and his men."

Shiba then stares her down into her eyes. "You almost got yourself killed. You know that?"

Sakurako stares emptily into hers, then bows. "I know…."

The green light is on, and Riko continues the van onward. She takes a deep sigh and slumps herself against the van's walls. George keeps the pressure on the wound on her thigh while Maru boringly stares at whatever is in front of him. Aside from the van's engine sounds, the silence was palpable.

"Sakurako," Shiba began. "I'm sorry for yelling at you… and for not telling you about him."

"No…. You were right," Sakurako whispered wearily. "I was selfish like you said. When I saw his face again, I couldn't wait any longer. I wanted him dead for what he did to those people. And I…."

Sakurako stays silent. There was a solemn look on her face, though could not tell if she's numb to the pain. She then turns her head slightly at Shiba.

"Shiba-sensei. Do you think I'm… I'm addicted to killing people?"

Shiba leans her head back and widens her eyes. George visibly shifts his head, but the blonde could tell he is glancing at the woman. Maru's eyes are seen in the rear-view mirror.

Shiba takes a deep breath. "Do you enjoy killing people?"

"….. No…. But…," the blonde gazed at her own hand. "It feels like… just… I already killed a lot… and yet, whenever I'm angry… I would…. I wanted…."

"I understand," Shiba nodded. "It felt to you that's the only solution to almost everything."

"Yes…," Sakurako then looked forward into empty space rather than George. "I think I'm turning into one of those cold-blooded murderers."

"You're not one of them, I assure you," Shiba responded. "You only did what you feel is necessary. Just think it that way. That will help."

"I hope so," Sakurako sighed. "So… only one more left."

"I hate seeing you like this, kid," Maru added. "Isn't it about time we give her a break, boss?"

"Yes…," Shiba then frowned. "But your wounds…."

"I'll think of something," Sakurako leaned against the chair as she sat on the floor. "George."

"Yes, ma'am."

With winced eyes, she throws her head forward. "Can you get this bullet out of my leg?"

"Are you sure?"

"It's the second time, George. I will be fine."


18:30 PM

Nadeshiko is sitting with her mother and little sister in the living room, watching whatever show is on TV. Nadeshiko was fiddling with her phone, chatting with her sweetheart before closing her phone. Looking up at the clock on the wall, she sighs and shakes her head.

"I wonder what took her so long," Nadeshiko commented.

"Well, she usually comes around at this hour, doesn't she?" her mother asked.

"She does," Nadeshiko replied. "But don't you think she's been to Shiba's place too often?"

"Huh, I guess that's true," the mother nodded. "I wonder what makes Sakurako visit that woman more than she visits Himawari."

"But Shiba-sama is Sakurako's adult friend," Hanako added. "Isn't that a good thing?"

"Right, and there's George," her mother nodded. "Still, Himawari's getting kind of lonely there."

"Well, Sakurako already made a promise to play together tomorrow," Nadeshiko added. "So she won't be complaining anytime soon."

"Hmm," Hanako crossed her arms and leaned against the sofa. "I hope she doesn't forget about her homework."

Nadeshiko chuckles. "That's what you're worried about?"

"Well, can't be too careful about it, can we?"

*TING-TONG*

They all turn in the direction of the doorway.

"Huh, that must be Sakurako," the mother said.

"I'll get the door," Nadeshiko stood up and went to the front door.

She then opens the door. "Welcome back, Sa-"

What stood before her was the black American with sunglasses on. "What the- George?"

"Ms. Nadeshiko Oomuro," he greeted. "Sorry to disturb you this late in the evening."

"That's fine, but what are you doing here?" Nadeshiko asked. "You could've given us a call."

"Onee-chan."

"Oh, Sakurako. You were with…." Nadeshiko immediately trailed off.

The eldest sister's face turns pale.

She did not only see the purplish bruise on her cheek. There are bandaged wounds on her forearm and her thigh. Moreover, she was walking limply toward her with her backpack on one shoulder. If she was in pain, it was masked within her exhaustive look.

"Wha- Sakurako!" Nadeshiko immediately held onto her sister. "George, what the hell happened to her?!"

George takes a gulp of silent breath. "She was mugged."

"Mugged!?" Nadeshiko held her sister's cheeks and stared into her eyes. "My God, Sakurako!?"

"I'm fine, onee-chan," Sakurako assured her.

"No, you're not!" Nadeshiko yelled. "What happened to you?!"

"Nade, why are you yelling?" the mother came to the front door, then her jaw dropped. "Oh, my- Sakurako!?"

"Okaa-chan," Sakurako flatly greeted.

"Oh, Sakurako. Wha-" the mother hysterically patted all over her daughter's body. "George, what happened?!"

"Madam, we should talk inside," George politely responded.

From this onward, they enter the house, and Hanako expresses the same terrified expression as her mother and eldest sister. George had offered to bring her backpack upstairs before moving into the living room. The family let Sakurako rest on the sofa, considering how horrible her wounds are. The rest sits on the floor, at the table, including George.

"George, now tell us," the mother demanded. "What happened?"

During this interval, the recount of the story was a bit long but also on the point, just as how this man works in the aftermath of a combat mission. Told them how they were at first just sightseeing around town before returning to Shiba's place until George told her to wait not far from an alley as he had volunteered to buy a couple of burgers for themselves. Admittedly, he did not pay attention to the blonde as he was a bit entranced by the cooking food. It was only a minute or two before he did turn at Sakurako, only to find she was not there. George already knew something was off, and he immediately investigated. Upon entering the alley, was he able to find Sakurako being tormented by three robbers. One had a knife and once more had a screwdriver. He described she fought back like a tiger, even after getting cut and stabbed, which explains her wounds.

"And then you went in there and beat them all by yourselves?" Nadeshiko asked.

"Yes. I have to admit, I might have stabbed one of them before I let them cower with what they deserve," George replied with his head bowed.

"Well, did you bring her to the hospital? Hanako asked.

"No," George shook his head. "Even if I convinced her to do so."

"What?!" the mother glanced at her second daughter. "Have you lost your mind?!"

"I don't want to make you all worry about me."

"Like hell we wouldn't! This is much worse than you fighting with those bullies! You'll just hurt yourself if you don't seek any treatment!"

"Easy, ma'am," George assured her. "Even if she didn't go to the hospital, I have patched her up as best as I can. I will still ask to check her wounds periodically, so it doesn't get infected. As for the bruising, enough rest and compressions should be sufficient to help her heal naturally."

"I see," Nadeshiko placed a hand on her chest. "I'm very thankful for that."

Sakurako sighs, unblinking. "I should've brought flashbangs."

"Uh, yeah, maybe," Hanako replied in concern but had to shed sweat.

"In any case, that's all I can say about this incident," George bowed his head. "I ask for an apology for letting this happen."

"T-that's alright, George," the mother replied. "Had you were not there, who knows what would happen to Sakurako. We're thankful that you were there for her."

"It is of no problem. It is what I do, after all," George responded. "Looking after people."

The man then checks his watch. "I'm afraid I have to go now. It's getting late."

"Ah, right," the mother stood up. "I'll bring you to the front door."

"Sakurako," George called. "I wish you a good evening."

Sakurako smiles. "You too as well, George."

Their mother then escorts him out of the house, leaving Sakurako with her sisters.

Nadeshiko then sits on the sofa next to her. She pats her head and then carefully holds her wounded forearm. "Is it still hurt?"

"Yes, but not too much," Sakurako's eyes went sideways. "Have you eaten?"

"We all have," Hanako answered. "Mom already prepared yours on the table."

"I see," Sakurako merely nodded.

The mother then comes into the room. "Well, Sakurako, I should've brought you to the hospital this instant, but… I'm going to take his words about you. You look exhausted as it is, so I guess I shouldn't drag you there for now. By the way, I will prep a bath for you."

"Thanks, mom," Sakurako nodded. "I want to eat first before that."

"Alright," the mother then went upstairs. "Enjoy your dinner."

"Well, I guess I should leave you for the time being," Nadeshiko stood up. "I'll see if we have any compressions to use."

Sakurako nods as she exits the room, then looks at Hanako.

"I'll just be here watching the TV if you need anything."

Sakurako nods at her reply before heading into the kitchen. Using her arm to eat was quite sore, but she enjoyed the dinner she savored. After that, she went upstairs to take a warm bath. Her wounds were somewhat sensitive to water, so it was best to leave the bandages on, or so she thinks. After drying herself up, she heads off to her room. Upon entry, she finds her eldest sister putting down medications on the table.

"Here are the compressions," Nadeshiko said. "Do you need anything else to help with?"

"Nothing for now, onee-chan."

"Alright, I'll be heading to my room," Nadeshiko headed to the door. "Give me a call if you need anything."

Sakurako never said a word and watched her leave. She then gets herself dressed in her pajamas. Then she applies the compressions afterward when she's finally resting on her bed. She looks up at the clock. Nine o'clock. She just rested for an hour in, now she begins to feel so sleepy. As she was about to close her eyes, a knock was heard.

*TOK-TOK-TOK*

"Ugh… come in."

The one who entered was her little sister. She was too weary to lift her head but smiled to see her here.

"Hanako," Sakurako called. "Is there something you need?"

"Onee-chan…," Hanako paused, standing next to her bed. "Can I sleep with you?"

"Hmm?" Sakurako almost raised an eyebrow. "You didn't watch a horror movie, did you?"

"As if," Hanako pouted, then frowned. "Actually, I'm worried about you. It must be scary to get robbed back then."

"It is. But I fought back long enough for George to help me."

"It seems being paranoid is a good thing for you."

"Maybe…."

"Anyway, I want to sleep with you, so it could help you forget, or at least calm your nerves from being in that situation."

"That's… kind of you, Hanako," Sakurako carefully shited to her left. "Come on."

Hanako then carefully lies next to her, making sure not to shake the bed. Sakurako had noticed that Hanako had brought her roll pillow. At first, Hanako hugs her pillow, and then she hugs her wounded arm.

"Ugh."

"Oh, right," Hanako quickly recoiled. "Your arm's wounded."

"No, it's fine," Sakurako assured her. "Go ahead."

Hanako then reluctantly hugs her arm until she's confident in holding onto it.

"It's… comfortable… Hanako…," Sakurako slowly trailed off, her head limply turned at her.

It takes a moment to realize that Sakurako had already dozed off almost immediately. A soft snore emanates from her mouth. Hanako only forms a small smile.

"You really are so tired after that fight," Hanako whispered to herself. "I wonder if I could be as strong as you, onee-chan. Maybe you could teach me one day."

Soon, Hanako follows suit to chase her sister in the land of dreams.