Chapter 2

As I walked away from Junko's office, the breath I'd been holding came tumbling out of me in short gasps of relief, clutching my stomach as I keeled over with shaking lips and fumbling hands. The brown of my hair fell over my face as if it were smothering me – telling me to run and escape and never come back to this hellhole. Make someone fall in love with me? Is that even possible for an awkward mess such as myself? Hell, the only girlfriend I'd ever had was one that lasted a few months; that doesn't exactly make me the best candidate for the job. And this 'Nagito Komaeda' wasn't even a girl…so how am I supposed to know how to treat him?

These questions came in quick snaps of thought as my mind began to overheat, a sudden wave of sickness flowing over my body. Killing someone is one thing, but having them grow to have an emotional attachment to you only to betray them…? It was inhumane. Junko's sincere hatred for this man was clear enough, but why? And, most of all, why me? I understand that I was the closest to the boss compared to the other lowly assassins, but I highly doubt I was the most suitable for the job. And if I failed, then that was anoth-

"The fuck are you doing down there?" My thoughts were interrupted by a gruff voice sounding from above me. My head raised from where I was crouched over to see the Underboss himself – Fuyuhiko Kuzuryu - staring down at me with a curious expression, golden eyes peering over his sunglasses. He was wearing his usual fancy suit and tie with that ridiculous black hat he always wore, placing a firm hand on my shoulder as I slowly straightened my back.

"It's nothing," I affirmed myself more than him, "Just…feeling a bit off today. Probably the hot weather and that," The shorter man eyed me searchingly before shrugging and returning his hand to its pocket.

"If you say so. What about getting something to eat, eh, Hajime?" I nodded swiftly although my stomach wanted nothing less than to have food shoved down it. The elevator beside us opened and more men rushed out, turning into Junko's office at once. As we stepped inside the lift, my eyes were forced to tear away from the closing of the bosses room, a feeling similar to regret sounding through my body.

Inside the nearest KFC, we were joined by a swordswoman by the name of Peko Pekoyama who also worked under Junko. Us four had been friends since the age of 13 when we joined the agency - all found by Junko in one way or another - and the bond between us four ran deep through our veins. So here we were sipping milkshakes more than ten years later - fitting, really. As I chewed mindlessly on the end of the paper straw, Fuyuhiko coughed loud enough for the entire restaurant to hear. I looked up in surprise, irritated.

"What was that for?" I hissed, "We're not supposed to draw attention to ourselves!"

"Dumbass, I was tryna get your attention before you disappeared from all that brooding," he replied with a hint of annoyance, although I could read the worry in his eyes like a book. I sighed.

"Like I said before, it's nothing," Peko raised an eyebrow at my words, and I fell back into my chair in expiration. "I don't know what you want me to say…" I muttered with a fold of my arms.

Really, I wanted them to ask. I wanted to tell them everything at once. But the words Junko told me as I left the office echoed around my head…

"Oh, and Hajime. If you tell anyone about this mission, then I'll have someone come kill you instead," she smiled gleefully, "And have fun!"

I bit my lip as Peko tried to meet my eyes.

"We don't want you to say anything, Hinata. It is clear something is bothering you…however, if you have been instructed to not tell anyone then I would keep that promise," I smiled gratefully at her words, yet Fuyuhiko rolled his eyes - a hint of a smirk playing on his lips.

"Ok ok, some fancy orders the 'boss' has given ya then. No more questions asked," He raised his arms in a mock surrender, "Junko always did have the confidence to do whatever to us…and now she's the boss…well, that's another thing ain't it," Fuyuhiko murmured grumpily. I furrowed my eyebrows.

"Junko's been the boss for two years now, Kuzuryu. I don't expect you to understand the pressures of leading an entire underground organisation," His jaw clenched and unclenched, leaning forwards in his seat.

"Watch ya tongue, Hajime. You always were quick to defend that bitch, weren't you?"

"Fuyuhiko," Peko lay a hand on his arm, her words gentle yet forceful. Their eyes met and they shared a knowing look, causing Fuyuhiko to breathe out in one slow motion.

"I'm sorry," he eventually murmured, "Didn't mean to lose my temper…I know what she did to you and-,"

"It's fine," I replied shortly, stopping him from saying anymore. I felt their eyes on me as I stared down at my half-eaten food with conflicted emotions. Even the thought of what he was about to say…no, this wasn't the time or place to be looking back on old memories. I looked back up at them with a forced smile.

"No, I shouldn't have said anything in the first place," I said while slinging an arm through my jacket, "I'm gonna head back for now, I'm catching an early flight tomorrow morning so I need to pack…" They both nodded, standing up next to me to wish me goodbye.

"See you soon Hinata," Peko whispered as she enveloped me into a hug, bowing slightly as she took her seat again. I extended my hand out to Fuyuhiko, who soon after pulled me into a tight embrace, a sad yet genuine smile on his face.

"Stay safe dude," he muttered into my shoulder, "Call me if you need anything, k?" I nodded, although he said that every time I left for a mission. It was something I imagined a big brother would say, and even though we were all the same age, that was how I'd always pictured him. As I left, I shot a last smile over my shoulder at them, the comforting smell that wafted through the restaurant the last familiar scent of Aomori I would smell for a long time.