In the heart of the Assassin encampment on Kyusku Island, Tomo Sakagawa was already engrossed in his laptop, his fingers dancing across the keyboard while his eyes remained fixed on the terminal screen, deciphering lines of intricate code. Beyond the confines of his digital world, the courtyard echoed with the sounds of young Assassin trainees engaged in sparring sessions.
Unlike his peers, Tomo had not received any martial training. His mother, staunchly opposed to the path of becoming a killer and an advocate for a modern Brotherhood, believed that the Assassins needed fewer warriors and more scientists. She had envisioned this path for her son. Consequently, Tomo often found himself the subject of mockery from his fellow trainees, who had chosen the more traditional route.
Even at his age, Tomo couldn't ignore the lingering desire to be like his fellow Assassins.
"Ohohoho! Whatcha working on here kiddo?"
A sudden voice interrupted his concentration, causing Tomo to turn his head. A smile greeted him, along with the presence of a figure with brown eyes and shoulder-length hair. This person was clad in a checkered scarf and a long green haori, but what truly captivated Tomo's attention was the leaf-shaped hair clip that adorned their hair, a detail he couldn't help but fixate on.
The figure bends a little down and peers over Tomo's laptop screen. She stands like that for a minute and gazes at the screen, seemingly interested in the lines written on it while mumbling out the codes aloud. After doing that, she suddenly looks at the kid and then smiles at him in a motherly way.
"Ahh, I see...those sure are some very interesting-looking codes there! Could you please elaborate further? It sure looks interesting to me!"
Tomo found himself in a moment of uncertainty, his gaze shifting between the computer screens before him and the ongoing sparring of the trainees outside. Questions raced through his mind: Did he know this person? Who was she, truly? Could she be another fellow Assassin? He realized he hadn't caught her name in the midst of their unexpected encounter.
Observing Tomo's hesitation, she discerned his difficulty in initiating a conversation. To break the silence, she opted to share a bit about herself, hoping it might ease his nerves.
"My name is Mamizou Futatsuiwa...it is nice to meet you!"
"Tomo Sakagawa," He replied.
Mamizou's eyes sparkled with a hint of affectionate curiosity as she squinted at Tomo, as if she were nearsighted and trying to get a better look at him. With a gentle and maternal touch, she leaned forward and placed her hand on his shoulder, a gesture reminiscent of the way older women often interacted with children and familiar acquaintances.
"Ahh, I see...Tomo...such a very nice and beautiful name..."
Tension hung heavy in the air as the conversation between Tomo and Mamizou continued. The unease grew palpable when, out of nowhere, one of the Assassin sentries who had been patrolling the outer courtyard stumbled into the room. His sudden appearance suggested that he had sensed an unwelcome presence where it didn't belong. The sentry stood frozen in place, his hood concealing his identity and intensifying the aura of mystery in the room. Initially, he remained silent, but in the next moment, he swiftly extended his hidden wrist blade.
Mamizou's warm demeanor vanished in an instant, replaced by a steely glare as she looked up at the sentry and then back at Tomo. Her motherly smile gave way to a cold, calculating expression. Rising to her feet, she scanned the room with sharp, vigilant eyes, her instincts on high alert.
More Assassins arrived swiftly, encircling Mamizou from all angles, their hidden blades and knives menacingly aimed at her. She found herself trapped with no escape, cornered in every direction.
A commanding voice broke through the tense atmosphere. "You were not invited here, and this place is off-limits to civilians. How... did... you... get in here?" The question hung heavily in the air, demanding an explanation.
Mamizou, maintaining her submissive facade, raised her hands and placed them gently behind her head. With a soft, almost whispered tone, she began to speak, her voice carrying a submissive quality.
"Ah...well...I was very intrigued by the place...the camp that you have...I thought to myself...maybe I should come by and take a look here..."
With deliberate slowness, Mamizou opened her eyes, revealing a subtle but unmistakable grin, introducing a hint of intrigue into the situation.