"Hayama. I have a job for you. Not like you could refuse but I'm throwing this out for formalities sake" hikigaya? You're nowhere to be found. Already pronounced dead.

And yet you came out of nowhere just to offer me a job?

"Hikigaya? What are you doing here? And are you sure that it's me that you wanted to meet? It makes sense for you to show yourself to your family."

"Yukinoshita-san and the others are waiting for you."

Out of all the things that isn't likely to happen.

I'm seeing hikigaya right in front me.

Wearing a white dress shirt with a black vest on top. Pairing with black pants and a black dress shoes.

A cigar in his hands. Stands straight and look me right in eye.

"I've already talk with your family.

Besides aren't you bored here? Just talking. Giving others what they want. Saying nothings they want to hear?"

"And you didn't change at all. That's expected. You didn't really apply to college haven't you? That's cute.

A damn puppet as i thought.

you're gonna inherit the family's business." Hikigaya says as he takes a puff of his cigar and waits for my answer to his offer.

It's like my highschool life itself is coming back to haunt me. In this form. The two of us talking again. Alone and disdainful of each other.

"What kind of offer?

I'm afraid i have to refused." Even if you said that my parents already know that you're here. I still give an answer.

I have to test the waters.

"Like i said. You don't have a choice here hayama.

And not like it's meaningful for you to be here either.

You're useless here. It's a good offer.

Look at it as an equal exchange from all the favors you ask me back then." Hikigaya. With a charismatic smile gave his reason for appearing right in front of me.

Useless huh. Feels like forever ago since we had a conversation just like this. And I'm enjoying the bittersweet memories.

Even if it's fake. It's the only semblance of what i have that i truly felt satisfied.

I form a clique built on pretenses and white lies. Yet i couldn't ever regret all the sins that I've committed to make it stay the same.

What do you have for me.

"What kind of job." As i lean my back against the wall of our building complex.

I wait for his answer.

"Mountain mile high. The biggest organization in japan right now. You might have heard of a few politicians and ceo getting killed that have dealings with your family. Your father's orders." I see. And you're a part of this organization?

It make sense as to why you suddenly vanished out of thin air.

"Don't worry. We don't murder and bring chaos for no reason. We have reasons to kill those people. Corruption. Bribery. Abusing worker's rights. You name it. The money's a plus while where at it." He gave his reasons.

An organization. Mountain mile high? I've never heard of it but I've heard of the increase assassinations of business owners and political figures in these past few years.

"What do you have?" I question as he takes another puff of his cigar and answers me.

"Have you ever thought of killing a man before?" Hikigaya question me.

With eyes wide. i reacted

What.

"No? You planning to get me to kill somebody?" I throw the question back.

"Yeah. Don't worry we're not gonna make you do anything too drastic. You fit the bill. Unempathetic. Cowardly. A good manipulator. Cautious and with a head on your shoulders. Most people don't last that long without one of those." Hikigaya explained as to why he's here.

"Why me" What's in it for me. And why choose me. We've never had dealings with each other that much back then. Yet you show yourself right in front of our building.

"Not that many in here to fit the job. I need someone Predictable."

I laughed. Predictable? I guess i am.

"You don't know me." With a lighthearted tone. I give my statement.

"I guess i don't. Yet your actions stays the same throughout the years. I believe i have some semblance of understanding."

Hikigaya sharing a laugh with me. Snarked back as he always have.

"Don't worry. with your state right now. You'll handle the paperworks for now. The killing comes right after the Gaia's trained you.

If you want to feel sophisticated let's call it assassinations" Hikigaya follow up his words and say his piece.

"What do you know. I'm pretty satisfied of where i am right now." I reasoned out. There's no need for things to change. I might find it a bit mundane. But it's better than treading unknown waters.

Where i know where I'm going.

Where everything is in my control.

And where everything stays at the same predictable pace. I need everything to stays the same.

I've been doing the same thing for all these years. Trying to keep everything together from changing too much. From everything getting derailed. And where doubts and fears are hidden to never see the light of day again.

"You have a lot to win here don't worry. It's gonna be a nice change of pace. Aren't you missing the good ol days?

here's your chance for something new." Hikigaya explains and offer his hands. Waiting for me to return the gesture.

I hesitated. I don't see a reason to accept these offer. Hikigaya came out of nowhere and mention unpaid debts. Something unknown. And another option for me to take.

Yet these offer still entice me. All these years I've been keeping the same routine since i started working here as preparation for the heir.

And all these years. I've been bulldozing through weeks and months in making sure that nothing changes too much. That things don't go out of hand.

"What about my business? I'm the heir. Unless you forgot that part." I stand straight up and wait for his answer. Yet not making any effort to close the distance. Or show my hands to return the gesture.

"They'll find another one for now.

I know someone." He said. cryptic as ever. Not giving any more explanations.

I take my time to think about it.

I take a deep breath and look down and reflect. Just reflect to everything that ever happen after graduation.

I cut contacts with my clique. And continue my preparation for the heir. And I've been doing nothing but that since then.

It's not that rewarding of a job but it's enough. I'll keep the same front that i have before and work. To wait until I'm ready to take over.

Yet hikigaya. As always throws a wrench over my plans. Convince my parents to whatever offer that he have.

I didn't even know what his connections are to my family.

And for how long.

There's no option for me to refuse. If my parents orders it. Then there's no wiggle room for me to decline.

If hikigaya already got to them and this is the result.

Then there is nothing for me to do but to accept.

I move forward and return the gesture. Shaking his hand. And sigh.

"I hope this isn't a waste of my time hikigaya." I said. As hikigaya smiles at my answer.

I'll make my way out of this if i don't find what I'm looking for.

"Likewise. And you'll never be able to show yourself in public after this. I'm thinking you should know that." Hikigaya with a smirk on his face. Throws that statement out by the time we ended the handshake.

What a damn bastard throwing that out at the very last minute.

"Despicable as ever.

When will we start?" I release my hands and ask.

"We have paperworks right now. Driver's already waiting for me.

You'll start today." As hikigaya turns his back and i followed him outside the complex.

I hope i don't regret this.