Hey, guys! I have a gift for you! :)

Also, I want to inform you that I posted a poll in my profile about the next 'part' of The Hitman. It's not required to answer that one, although I'd like to hear your opinions. It's just about how the 'next' part will be written: if you want it to be added as additional chapters to 'The Hitman' or make a new story post just for that one.

Well, I'm really thankful for all of you that read this fic. I'm really so surprised too that The Mercenary: Kise Ryouta - Tip Offwas appreciated even a little. Seriously, the content is just brutally serious that I assumed that no one would like it. :P

Warning: Writing errors? (oops) My bad.

Disclaimer: Meh...

Interlude: The Hitman and The Agent

I have no choice but to record this right now. He had been moving against me for the past months. I don't want to admit it, but I'm already losing some hope. Even though I find my situation a little bit hilarious, the fact that I'm being chased by the police does not make me feel any better. I always find his ways so amusing, but to think that he was able to downturn my movements makes me feel belittled. I know I'm running out of time and I've got fewer options to choose from. And it looks like I'm not going any further.

It's August 3, nighttime, exactly 08:27. I tried my best to get away from the police again. Almost 10 hours ago, I was almost caught by the police's clutches, if I hadn't thought so logically that time. It was unfortunate for me, for Michikawa-san and even for Mibuchi Reo. Even though I thought I'd be making the most successful move I have ever made, confidence was not enough to push me into my luck. It was either only because fate hated me that much… or that person was always a step ahead, just waiting for me to strike him. Waiting for me to take his bait.

I'm sorry for my poor handwriting, if you're reading this right now. I'm rushing this as of this moment, because I feel that anytime next week, I will finally be apprehended. Though I don't really fear to be caught, what I'm worried about is the outcome of my possible arrest. If that man is given free reigns after having the knowledge of my arrest, then I'm afraid for the next things that could happen. I've chosen to leave Seirin, to betray everyone I care for, just to make sure I'm going to stop that man. But then I guess I'm pleased to tell you that I've failed and whatever comes next rests in your hands.

I have no more evidence to leave you at this point, so I'm just going to write here what happened that time. I will share you what my eyes saw, of what took place in that mall, no lies and half-truths. Perhaps, by the time you've began your investigation, I'm pretty sure that you are already misled. You've been given a knowledge that covers up the truth behind Mibuchi's assassination. It's unfortunate that you will need to know it through this letter alone, but I trust my judgment that by the time you receive this, I may have already fallen to the custody of the police.

Or you might have already even been wrongly accused like me.

Kagami, I've heard your name and your story from Hyūga and some inputs from Kasamatsu. Right now, you are the only person I can trust with this evidence and I hope you are not losing the race against time. I tried to be brave and go against time, but, if you're reading this right now, it seems that I lost against it. I did think I can do this alone. But it was already too late for me to realize that going alone was never an action for a Seirin detective to do. I'm not that strong. I'm not even perfect. But I thought I can protect everyone I care for. Even in our weakness, we still crave to shelter those we cherish, but then it was already too late. Do take me as an example, because I do not regret what happened to me. The only thing I'm sorry for is that I may have already failed to protect those people, those friends of mine. Those who are close in my heart.

That's why I'm going to deliver you the rest, Kagami. I will be taking a risk and a dangerous move. Perhaps, you will need to hate me once we meet each other, but that is the only way for us. I've been following you, and I know that you're the one who has the greatest chances of success to continue with my work. After my last plan takes place, that will be the time for you to move. Things are going to be nasty, but it was already like that since that Teikō graduation happened. No; perhaps even earlier than that. I will ask you a heavy burden then, because failure is not one of your options anymore. Seriously, sorry for that. But this second chance is already the last.

Anyways, I will tell what happened back then at the district mall, for the sake of the truth.

It was 09:58 that morning. I was outside the mall patio, since I waited for some people to arrive that time. I knew that there was a conference to happen that day inside the mall's convention area, and that was the exact reason why I went there. As an ex-detective, I had the quirks to act as careful as possible, so I limited my presence by not attracting too much attention.

At 09:59, a black sedan was driven through one of the patio's entrances, exactly in the one nearest where I waited. I already expected that car to arrive, since it was the particular one I waited for. Instead of speeding through to continue farther inside the mall vicinity, the sedan stopped in front of me, as if the driver anticipated for me as well. One of sedan's windows rolled down, and revealed the visage of that not-really-old man.

Michikawa-san, I greeted him that time, raising a laidback hand as an added gesture. I'm glad you were on-time. I opened the door of the sedan and––

. . .

––some man took the liberty to seat in the vacant chair.

"What's this all about, Michikawa-san?" Mibuchi spat, while he gave a menacing stare at the man who suddenly went inside the car. He did not need any particular effort to identify the trespasser, since nearly everyone from the known Police Headquarters could identify him at first glance. He slowly slithered his hands towards his sides, only to realize that police work was already behind him. It was completely a reflex that made him subconsciously think that he had a weapon to protect himself. He hissed softly, glaring harder at that man. "Just what do you think you are doing, Kiyoshi?"

"Taking an opportunity, I guess," Kiyoshi answered in sing-sang. "I see that we all have that gesture to pull our weapons first before speaking." He remarked, barking a soft chortle. Kiyoshi Teppei himself had placed the nozzle of his gun earlier by the front seat's periphery, setting it directly against Mibuchi, although it was still hidden in plain sight. "Police work and such, it seems," he added, giving a friendly grin at Mibuchi. "Even though we aren't that particularly close, what's bad about giving a visit to an acquaintance?"

"We are only acquaintance by name, Kiyoshi." Mibuchi appeared tensed, although he gave a signal that he already abandoned the idea of defending himself. Instead, he slumped at the back seat as he placed his hands crossed over his chest. "Even though we are shadowed, the name 'Uncrowned Generals' still sticks," He said. Mibuchi's eyes still trailed over Kiyoshi's face. "Am I going to be the next victim of the famous hitman, Kiyoshi?" He asked, his face showing little apprehension at that thought. He even spared a small smile at Kiyoshi.

"I hate to break the news to you, Mibuchi," Kiyoshi just answered, wondering slightly about the seemingly unmoved expression from the other male. "But you are correct. The hitman does intend to get you next," he said, as he finally lowered the gun away from Mibuchi. He faced the driver, Michikawa Tarō. "Michikawa-san, let's go. Mibuchi has a conference to attend to." He just said, as he finally relaxed on his seat, placing both of his hands under his head.

Mibuchi Reo only looked at Kiyoshi incredulously. "W-What?" He muttered at first, so soft that it sounded only as a whisper. "What are you trying to do, Kiyoshi?!" He then yelled out, making Kiyoshi look at the man through the rear-view mirror, his brown orbs seemingly threatening Mibuchi to remain calm and composed. "If you are trying to fool me, then I must tell you that–"

"That what, Mibuchi?" Kiyoshi cut him off, sending narrowed pupils to the man. "Don't misunderstand," he told him. "It's too late for me to make excuses and it's also too late for you to make some claims." He added. "Our lives are already hanging by some threads at this very moment and none of us can simply get away with it." Kiyoshi's gaze did not falter. "We are in a game we are expected to play and the person that will be the better player can be spared." He explained to the other one, deep enough to make Mibuchi gaze back in curiosity and annoyance.

"What are you saying?" Hicenn Pharmaceutical's Chief Operating Officer asked, his countenance that of a man with full skepticism.

"The fact that you knew you are going to be targeted next tells me some things, Mibuchi." Kiyoshi replied. "It only makes this whole lot of problems even worse than I expected." Seirin's ex-detective said, now wearing a disappointed expression. Mibuchi observed how Kiyoshi shut his eyes tightly, making some creases by the bridge of his nose. After a few second, some deep-voiced chuckles escaped from Kiyoshi's lips. Michikawa briefly turned and sent a blind sight at the ex-detective, while Mibuchi appeared uneasy with the gesture. "Much, much worse," Kiyoshi continued.

Mibuchi Reo held his tongue. He had no idea what Kiyoshi was ranting about and it seemed it was not the best time for him to talk, to discretely gather some information from the wanted man. He only brushed his hair away from his face, but kept his gaze lingering over Kiyoshi by the same rear-view mirror. He did not understand what the other male was trying to say, but at least he got one piece from him that at least appeared to him as logical – things were getting worse.

"You were an officer of Rakuzan – that Emperor Headquarter," Kiyoshi continued to speak, quickly noticing Mibuchi's silence. "But you traded your current status as policeman into something private," he said, trying to remember the important specifics about the man who sat at the back seat of that sedan. "Now it makes me wonder what could possibly be the things you'd still be doing now if you remained in Rakuzan, Mibuchi," he shared. "Do not worry; I'm not really upset with that decision though. We are entitled to our own choices."

"I've made things possible, Kiyoshi." Mibuchi responded. "Things that I cannot do if I remain in the police."

"I would have been satisfied with that," Kiyoshi honestly said. "But, tell me, is it your own choosing?"

"I hate it when people pry," Mibuchi answered. He ignored the last question from the ex-detective, and only heated up his angry glare once more back at Kiyoshi. "If people can't understand some other individuals, it's better for them to remain silent. Poking into other people's business just because they don't figure out one another is as rude as ever." He said, his voice steely. "But since I regard you despite your depravities, I will have to tell you," Mibuchi maintained. "I'm actually quite greedy, you know,"

"Not the answer I want to hear," Kiyoshi chuckled a little.

"Sei-chan predicted that you will come next to me," Mibuchi only said. "You know I'm defenseless. Do you as you wish, hitman."

Kiyoshi Teppei snubbed the last sentence from Mibuchi Reo, as he placed his hand beside Michikawa. The old man handed him a newsy cap similar to what he wore, and pulled out a black blazer, which he also gave to Kiyoshi. The ex-chief detective of Seirin garbed himself with the items he received, still remaining silent in consideration of Mibuchi's previous words. After he had finished, Kiyoshi snuck a glance at the mirror, now seeing that he looked like how Michikawa was supposed to look, the only seeming differences were the differences in height and build.

"I am not the hitman," Kiyoshi said, as he grabbed his gun and unlatched the safety mechanism. Mibuchi was only wide-eyed when he heard that. "I told you that you are the next target, because that is the real hitman's aim. I don't want to make a believer out of you," Kiyoshi finally faced back, looking at Mibuchi with his determined orbs. "But I am here to help you out." He added, finally surprising Mibuchi to the fullest. "Like I said, we are now in a game but I intend for both of us to play this out and emerge victorious,"

"B-but, Sei-chan said that–"

"He anticipated my presence here," Kiyoshi cut him off once again. "Akashi does appear to have an understanding of the enemy, but what is he going to do if that very enemy can sneak under our very noses?" He added in a question. He only got a blank look from Mibuchi, somehow expecting the reaction. He felt the car shifted more than normal, which made Kiyoshi look through the windshield. As he deducted, the car that Michikawa drove had finally reached near the main entrance of the mall. He looked at his watch.

It was already 10:01 in the morning.

The presence of people waiting in lines told Kiyoshi that the mall was yet to open, although it also meant that the time was growing near. He gave another glance at Mibuchi, who still appeared to be in slight confusion. "Mibuchi," Kiyoshi called and the man quickly whipped his head towards him. "If you want proof, then I am going to show you." He cradled the handgun nearer his chest. "I promise that this weapon will be only used to protect," he added, his eyes stern. "The evidence you are all trying to find is going appear by itself," he just said. "Go,"

Mibuchi did not know what took over him, but he felt an air of honesty that crept over him. The Police Agency had labeled Kiyoshi as their main suspect, but something inside told him that this person could be given a second chance. Mibuchi's eyes never left Kiyoshi as he opened the door, only pulling them away when he finally exited from the car. He stood up tall and composed himself. However, before he took his first step, Mibuchi took the time to look back and offer a glance to Kiyoshi, as he closed the door behind him.

Kiyoshi only nodded, urging the man to move forward.

Just as soon as he began walking, Mibuchi noticed the large number of people that began to pace towards the mall like him. He glanced side to side, inching forward but his attention directed to the sheer amount of people near him. Even though he largely doubted Kiyoshi's words, Mibuchi couldn't pull himself away to give a thought at what Kiyoshi had said to him. Kiyoshi claimed that he was not the hitman. It was not possible. He was the only person who the police could point their fingers at.

As his eyes flashed forward, Mibuchi noticed a figure that somehow appeared in front of him. He was surprised, but his expression of shock remained hidden in his impassive look. His brows raised at that––

Kiyoshi had an openmouthed expression when a person suddenly emerged in front of Mibuchi. It was only some brief seconds ago; Kiyoshi was sure that no one was walking ahead of Mibuchi Reo. But, as soon as his pupils flicked back at observing Mibuchi from inside the sedan, he only stared at disbelief when a person materialized as soon. It was––

The man raised his right hand and revealed a handgun. No sooner than a second, the gun was fired at point blank range, hitting Mibuchi squarely in the body.

Reo Mibuchi shuddered from the shot, his body falling from the bullet that hit him. He fell to the floor as soon. It almost took a minute for the crowd to react.

They all ran in confusion.

The man who shot Mibuchi was gone at that time. Kiyoshi blast the car's door open as he went towards the fallen COO of Hicenn Pharmaceuticals, a hand quickly running through the other man's wrist. Kiyoshi Teppei flung his head around, looking for any signs of the man who took down Mibuchi Reo. However, the mob that scattered all over the place that kept running in agitation blocked much of his view and limited his concentration. Kiyoshi sighed in relief as he felt that Mibuchi still had a viable pulse. He quickly fished his phone out and dialed some numbers, explaining to the emergency hotline of the situation. His eyes fell at his wristwatch.

It was 10:02 that morning.

He adjusted Mibuchi'sbody, putting him to his back, to ensure less strain to the man's body.

It took at least five minutes for an ambulance to arrive; Kiyoshi noted as the personnel took off the vehicle and began to work. He was approached by a paramedic and––

. . .

–told him what happened. I was startled with what just ensued. I spoke at the paramedic and told him what I should tell. Perhaps I might have spoken in precise manner always done by a detective, since I understood that the paramedic was slightly amazed that I, the supposed to be driver, explained everything flawlessly. Of course, it was to be expected that a man who had just witnessed something so distressing fell into the feeling of anxiety. I did not know time if I had acted correctly, but seeing it all happened made my blood rush into my body and heightened my senses.

Nonetheless, I already knew it was too late to act when I saw that man in front of Mibuchi. I already recognized that I was helpless to begin with. And after the deed had been done, I was already too weak to do anything. It was as if that the man who took down Mibuchi told me that I was powerless to begin with; that my struggles were nothing but an extension of a story already deemed finished. It was how it appeared to me that time, Kagami. It is just so funny to think of that when I finally realized that person's plan, I still ended up defeated.

However, despite my failure, the only thing that came out good from it was a confirmation. It was that one. It was the person who took down the other two victims before Mibuchi. The one who I am trying to follow ever since that graduation happened. I did not need any more evidences after that.

He was the one who appears by the shadow, the one who emerged from nothingness. He would appear and vanish just as soon, his existence a question that could never be asked. He whose presence could never be found. He is the one capable of assassination without anyone noticing his existence.

He is the Phantom Hitman.

He is the man I'm trying to catch, Kagami.

Signed,
Kiyoshi Teppei

Mashiro Public Museum
August 10, 23:56

Kagami trod vigilantly inside the museum, with careful glances thrown to the sides. He had been fretful since he started to venture towards the museum; after all, it was not easy to take a trip when the National Police Agency had finally declared him a criminal after a thorough investigation for what happened days ago. Kagami held his frustrations to his limit after he had been labeled wrongly and decided that it was an erroneous move for him to submit to the ploy of the person who brought him to that predicament. The police were trying to desperately hunt his tail, in order to bring him under justice. However, Kagami Taiga was yet to surrender, which was still out of the question, now that he was finally going to learn the truth.

In spite of everything, Kagami was now following a trail that he caught, and was already desperate to correct all the things that had been made wrong. He clutched a certain piece of paper in his hands, frantic about the end of track he charted using the said item he held. The paper he gripped was actually part of the envelope seemingly left to him by Kiyoshi Teppei, as the whole stack was apparently addressed to him. He took a cursory glance down at the piece that guided him to the museum, a silent wish uttered as he made contact with the letters written in there. Kagami Taiga had already gambled everything in the hope contained in the letter, as everyone from Seirin did in an unspoken manner. Now, it could not be denied, all hope rested on the guiles of Kiyoshi Teppei – the man who had now fallen into the custody of the police.

In the end, Kagami understood, that the revulsion he felt for the ex-detective from Seirin after he had wrongly accused him for the crimes that happened already melted and was replaced by a hidden admiration he would keep to himself. Eventually, it seemed, Kiyoshi was still their secret guardian that protected them at the time when Seirin was in need. 'Everything had been a lie,' a thought that was passed to them by the ex-Seirin detective. But it was a supposition that could only be the thing that would save them from an even darker moment. Nonetheless, despite the lies that concealed them into their despair, it was only truth that would save them still. Kagami, now who stood in the dais of both half-lies and unsaid truths, was the only person who could clear out the falsehood that set them up to the world of pain and distrust.

He flattened out the paper in front of him, rereading the contents for the nth time. Time and time again had proven that Kiyoshi's text wasn't merely as it seemed; hidden messages kept on appearing from within his journals in the most inappropriate of times, making the redhead confused by the meanings written in them. He knew he had followed up to that point correctly; there were evidences that he kept away from sight, an action which perhaps was rooted from the suspicion that he could be caught anytime, from the fear that he might be outdone. The evidences that Kiyoshi Teppei had hidden, separated from the vicious arms of the online database, were a series of items and information that could potentially help Kagami to solve one of the toughest crimes he held right now.

However, despite his determination, Kagami could not really ignore that it wasn't his case anymore. He now trod in an avenue he had never walked upon before. Days ago he had been a hand of justice but right now he was merely turned into that person who was to be persecuted as a criminal. Perhaps it was as what Kiyoshi had written in that letter; once Kagami took hold of that message, Kiyoshi was already captured by the police or Kagami might have been misjudged – just like what happened to Kiyoshi as well. Kagami hated the fact that he was labeled wrongly, but he was even angrier at the fact that he was toyed to begin with. Now that he had been forcefully stepped down from law, Kagami had no choice but to take on the enemy outside the law.

Indeed, it was finally his and Seirin's most difficult time. The detective agency had been finally held up by Rakuzan, all of its detective in the custody of the National Police Agency. Kagami Taiga was an escaped criminal and the Generation of Mercenaries was on his tail. He had no other choice but to follow through Kiyoshi's work. In fact, he had sacrificed much by going to that museum. He had finally risked his cover and exposed himself to different people already. Perhaps – even Kagami knew – that he was also waiting for those monster detectives to follow him and finally end everything once and for all.

Outside Mashiro Public Museum
August 11, 00:18

"We finally found that bastard."

"We're going to finally make him pay for what he did, Aominecchi,"

- End of Interlude -

in·ter·lude, noun \ˈin-tər-ˌlüd\: an intervening or interruptive period, space, or event : interval

OHHHHHH! The IMPLICATIONS/INSINUATIONS! Oh how will it mean for the next parts? *smirks*

NOOOOOOOOO! ItolyouguysthatKiyoshiisagoo dguy!

Haha. I don't seem to be resting, do I? Because I'm naughty and bad. And I also like to live dangerously. Haha. LOLJoke. XD

Thanks for reading! :D