1) Ciao: an informal Italian verbal salutation or greeting, meaning either "goodbye" or "hello".
KateiKyōshi Hitman Fujino! Welcome to the Mafia.
Chapter 3.
One week later.
Since the initial shock had passed, Natsuki took the time to reflect about the events of last Saturday. That nightmarish day seemed like a distant memory, perhaps even a dream.
"No, I will not let my guard down, not until I'm sure this woman won't attack me again."
She tried to decrypt the mysterious woman's actions once more, but unfortunately, nothing logical came out.
She rose from her seat abruptly. Stretching her arms whilst moving toward her office, she took her pen and began to make a summary of her mathematics course, although her concentration was shaken when she heard the warm voice of her mother
"Na-chan~, Natsuki, come please. We have a guest."
Sigh.
"I'm coming."
She descended the wooden stairs which led to the main entrance, stopping in her tracks a few steps away from her destination when her eyes fell on a familiar figure. In front of her stood the person who had kidnapped her and threatened her family.
"Good evening, Natsuki."
Natsuki's answer was a deathly glare, she turned to her mother and demanded with a trembling voice:
"Mom, what is she doing here?"
Saeko was incensed by the rudeness of her daughter - with pleading eyes she bowed politely to their guest.
"Oh my, Shizuru-san please forgive my rude daughter, I'm so ashamed."
"Ara, do not worry anymore, I will raise your child to become the leader of the next generation and so long as I have a place to sleep and a meal..." She turned here to face Natsuki,
"I will teach your daughter everything I know for free~." With that said, she gave Natsuki a wink whilst holding herself from laughing.
Natsuki immediately understood the ecchi implications here, and her cheek turned a slight shade of pink.
"Hey! I don't need a tutor and what with that wink?!"
Natsuki was trembling with anger, she knew couldn't trigger a brawl in the presence of her mother - it would be a very risky for the latter - though neither she could explain the events that occurred a few days ago. After all, who would believe something like that? She was trapped.
"Mom, please, you need to call the police now! I'll make sure she won't attack you, please run Mom! Run!"
"What on earth are you talking about, Natsuki? Why do I need to call the police? Shizuru-san is harmless girl, she kindly offered to help you! Stop being so rude!"
"Oh no..." Natsuki gaped at her mother. Had her mother had already fallen under the spell of the slayer?! Nonetheless, she tried to convince her mother once more.
"Mom, open your eyes! She's dangerous! She is a devil, don't be fooled by her smile!"
Saeko sighed ruefully.
"Na-chan I've told you to stop playing video games, they have a bad influence on you, you don't realise the difference between reality and the virtual world anymore? Perhaps I should take you to our Doctor..."
The eldest woman felt a twinge of worry for her daughter's sanity, listening to her daughter spout nonsense. It was true that she'd noticed Natsuki's behavior change in the past few days but she did not think she was seriously deluded! Withdrawing her eyes from her daughter's, Saeko turned to face Shizuru as the latter smiled back warmly.
"Please do not worry, your daughter will be in my care as of now, and I will make sure she loses these childish notions and regains her sense."
Seeing the confidence burning in those crimson eyes and hearing the reassuring words from the lips of the chestnut-haired girl, Saeko couldn't help a relieved smile.
"Please take good care of Natsuki, Shizuru-san. She is all yours."
"Mother, I'm not mad! She's the one who is completely crazy! I mean look at her damn smile, it gives me goosebumps!"
Punctuating her statement with an accusing finger at her enemy, Natsuki was stunned when her mother suddenly burst into tears. Natsuki's further protests about the situation seemed to do the opposite of convincing her mother that Shizuru was a psycho, and instead was making herself look like the psychotic one. As she watched the enemy comforting her mother, she knew then that she was failing. She had lost, and to keep her mother from doing something as crazy as calling the mental ward, she had to play along. For now.
After reassuring her mother, the dark-haired girl returned to her room accompanied by her enemy. She wasn't exactly thrilled with the idea but it was the only option she had to appease her mother's worries. Sitting beside the window, she folded her arms and turned to the woman before her.
"You're never going to leave me alone, are you?"
"Ara, I came here to help you Natsuki, I know you can't give your trust easily but please do not reject me."
Natsuki was exasperated that the taller woman claimed once again to know her.
"Don't act like you know me!"
"I know everything about you, Kuga Natsuki. 19 years old, your test scores for all subjects are good, your favorite color is dark blue, your favorite meal is mayonnaise, you have an extravagant lingerie collection and you've never had friends nor lovers."
Natsuki eyes widened in shock, her jaw dropped but suddenly it hit her and she managed to regained her composure.
"You certainly have done a great job on stalking me."
Natsuki saw Shizuru smirking therefor she prepared herself for the worse, she will not be surprised if she finds out that the woman in front of her has put cameras in her room or something like that. She took a deep breath and prepared herself for the fateful answer.
"Not really, it is your eyes who tell me everything."
"Huh? That makes absolutely no sense!"
"Ara, it is time to sleep, see you tomorrow Natsuki."
The chestnut-haired girl approached Natsuki's bed and slipped under the blue blanket, the bed specially crafted to provide softness and comfort to its occupant. Smiling, she closed her eyes and plunged instantly into the world of dreams.
"Hey! Don't sleep in my bed!" Natsuki cried angrily but it was already too late.
The next morning Natsuki woke up earlier than usual, thanks to the fact that she could not sleep in her warm bed. She looked around and saw no sign of the hitman, inwardly praying that the she-devil had left during the night and wasn't going to appear again for a while... however unlikely that wish was.
After washing, she went to the kitchen where she thought she would find the dark blonde but again she didn't.
She greeted her mother, ate a quick breakfast and went to Fuuka University which was only a few minutes from her house. Walking confidently with an icy look, she gave off an aura that could terrified the bravest of the samurai. She was very close to her destination when suddenly a melodious and familiar voice addressed her.
"Ciao."
She continued to walk, pretending that she didn't hear the girl with black Fedora, but her plan failed when she felt the tip of a gun on her back.
"Ara, never turn your back to your enemy, dear student."
Once the surprise and especially the fear were under control, Natsuki turned bravely toward Shizuru.
"You wouldn't dare shoot me in the middle of the street."
"Do not underestimate me, child."
After a quick glance to the person who walked quietly past them, Shizuru adjusted her hat that covered her face with a shadow, she raised her hand and aimed her metallic blue gun at her student's head. With a serious voice she stated:
"Looks like it is finally time."
"Huh?! Time for what?"
"You will understand if you die."
Natsuki could not believe her ears. She had heard correctly, right? Surely this professional hitman wouldn't be so foolish as to shoot her in public?! No, it's impossible.
"Die now."
"Don't joke arou-"
BANG.
A/N: Save the cheerleader *cough*Natsuki*cough*, save the world XD
Seriously, I thank all those who have read this modest story and especially those who have kindly left a comment, I responded to each of you, I hope that KHF will live up to your expectations.
I am very grateful to my beta Komett. --- XD you don't need to flatter me so much, mou! :P
A/N2: You need to stop from being humble Komett.