Chapter 25

"Ahh, you weren't kidding when you said your dream is hard to have... Kiritsugu." I'm in my shed, working my magic circuits and making a fuss.

Pawn. That's my trait and role. A Pawn, that's the lowest role. Maybe I should have negotiated my role before accepting without saying anything... So I have to aim up from there... My road to become stronger starts by getting onto a rough road. By the way, there is someone else who is Buchou's [Bishop].

"My [Bishop] already exists. But that [Bishop] is not here. The [Bishop] is at a different place, following a different order, working for me. If there is a chance, then I will introduce the [Bishop] to you." That's what Rias said.

So I was chosen as the left over [Pawn]. I have many difficulties to overcome. When I think about it, was I actually okay with this?

I was almost killed by two Fallen Angels because of Ddraig. She also used my feelings. Then after that, I was turned into a Devil. I've negotiated with Rias to stay with her team for only five years, but I have a feeling that won't be enough... Has she been lying to me?

I work my butt off every day as Rias's servant. Handing out leaflets. And making contracts. But my power is weak, so I can't use the magic circle to teleport to the customer. Something like this has never happened before, the worst Devil ever. That's me.

I breathed a little air. Come to think of it, I'm anything but normal, accumulating powers that ultimately prevent me from using them properly, if at all.

But my dream doesn't change, our dream. And becoming a devil will make it easier for me to reach it.

Wait, is turning into a Devil even a good thing? Well, if I haven't been saved by Buchou back then, my life would have been over. Just like this, I don't have time to enjoy my youth. Well it's kinda... interesting, everyone is kind. Well, for a Devil, that is. You really can't judge people by their appearance.

Then I remembered the blonde sister, Asia. Then at her. Damn it, playing with my feelings... Yuuma-chan, I was starting to open up to you. Shit. Why is my life always controlled by something or someone else? Maybe that's how life works. A lot of things happen around me, so I have a feeling that I dragged myself into it.

Asia... Sister huh. The person who is standing on the opposite side of me. I probably won't meet her ever again. That girl will walk her own path, and I will walk my own path. We just happen to be the servant of a Devil and the servant of God. We just met by chance. We probably shouldn't see each other again. It might lead us to an unfortunate destiny.

"Aaaah, yes, yes, I'm just a weak [Pawn]. There's nothing good in me, so can I really be strong thanks to Rias..? What do you think, Maou-sama? Well, it's probably pointless discussing it with the Maou-sama, anyway." I laugh bitterly at myself.

My goal won't change, it can't change. But I'm going to have to take it one step at a time.

Sobbing time is over. I've turned into a Devil. That can't be changed. Then I will have to live on as a Devil but I will make my dream come true as a Human.


Tuesday, December 6, 2022.

In one of the school gyms, I train with Haruko, under Fuji-nee's supervision. With our respective shinai, we exchange attacks. Having an aggressive style made to kill coming from Kiritsugu and facing a balanced fighting style as clear and limpid as water. Haruko doesn't give in, retaliating every time.

But I can see she's having trouble keeping up, she must be too used to traditional kendo fighting, but unfortunately for her, I'm keeping up my intensity.

"Stop! It's been 5 minutes! Take a break." Fuji-nee announces the end of the fight.

We both breathe a tired sigh of relief. We take off our helmets and shake hands.

"Well done Senji, it ends in a draw again!"

"Yes, it's a bit frustrating, I must admit..."

"Indeed, but don't worry next time I'll catch you."

"We'll see."

Fuji-nee brings us two bottles of water, congratulating us and giving us a brief summary of our fight and tips on how to improve. After a few minutes, we hear the door open, letting in the Finnian twin sisters, Aililu and Lilu.

"Oh, there he is." Aililu points in our direction.

"Indeed he is." Lilu Lilu follows her example.

(Like a mirror...)

They stop right in front of me.

"Hello!" Aililu greets us.

"Hello to you!" Lilu does the same.

"Hello girls! What brings you here?" Fuji-nee asks.

"We're coming for Senji, Akaya-sensei is asking for you!" Lilu announces.

"Ah, ok but..." I look down at myself, drenched in sweat still in my battle gear.

"Don't worry, he knows all about it and he said no need to get changed, it won't take long!" Aililu explains.

We look at each other with Haruko and Fuji-nee, then I nod, agreeing.

"Okay, I'll just take off the suit and follow you."

Haruko helps me take it off, then I take off my top to put on my changing clothes.

"Senji! There's a locker room for that!" Fuji-nee hides the girls' eyes.

"Oh, it's okay, it's just the top. Let's not make a big deal out of it, shall we?" I turn to Haruko, who's as red as a tomato.

"AH yes! Of course! It's nothing!" She said, gasping for air.

"Okay, I'm ready, I'll follow you."

"All right, here we go!" Lilu leads the way.

"After you!" Aililu asks me to follow her sister.

I wave to Haruko and Fuji-nee before leaving the gym.


When I arrive in the room, all the Venus members are present, along with their leader and teacher, Akaya-sensei.

"Hello everyone, Akaya-sensei."

"Hi Senji!" Shiria is, as always, the first to greet me.

"Hello Senji, would you like something to drink?" Demitra asks me.

"Hey, we didn't come here to have tea among mercenaries Demitra!" Yan Min complains.

"Come on Yan Min, right now you're students and I'm a teacher, so let's relax. Welcome Senji, settle down. Ah, but it's true you've just had a sparring match with Haruko Amaya, haven't you?" Akaya-sensei is sitting on the sofa in a strange pose, something that must resemble an elegant seat.

"Indeed, so if we can make it quick, that would suit me, I'd like to go and wash up." I explain, taking the cup of tea Demitra has served me.

"So, how did it go?" Yan Min asks.

"Hmm... Another draw."

"Really? very impressive, Haruko is known to be a formidable opponent." Akaya puts his hair back in the same direction.

"We don't really give it our all, you know..."

"Hey Senji, do you know why we called you?" Shiria asks.

Friday's discussion comes back to me.

After thinking about it and rummaging around in my memory, I remembered certain details, but the whole thing remains hazy.

"On Friday, you spoke as if we knew each other. That's because Kiritsugu and I had followed you on one of your missions, wasn't it?"

"Like you, at that time the girls were still unexperienced and the mission we were given was more difficult than usual, so I asked a former associate to help me, for ransom of course. What a surprise when I saw that he was also accompanied by an apprentice." Akaya explains the misunderstanding.

I look at the girls, they seem to be waiting for something from me.

"Okay, I remember." A smile spreads across each of them. "But first, I wasn't just his apprentice, I'm his adopted son. Secondly, at the time, I wasn't really myself, and I'm sorry for anything I may have said to you." I bow my head, remembering that back then, I was hostile towards everyone except my father.

"Ah no Senji, lift your head, that's not why we brought you here at last!" Shiria pushes my shoulders to set me straight.

"So you're his son? Sorry for the misunderstanding, I admit I'm surprised." Akaya finds it hard to believe me.

(I can't say I blame him, considering how cold he used to be on missions).

"I'm his adopted son, he saved me from a terrible catastrophe."

"I see, good to see you again Senji, you have indeed changed a lot since then. In a good way of course." Akaya shows a sincere smile for the first time.

Their faces come back to me, only a year older than me, their childhood faces, like a soft warmth long lost.

"Yes, it's coming back to me, Especially Yan Min, who's still as big-mouthed as ever."

"Obviously, it has to be the most memorable thing about me!"

"You're really impressive Senji, I admit I was surprised when we played in the pool. I didn't recognize you right away, but that fighting spirit you showed immediately reminded me of our mission." I'm surprised to see Demitra talking so much, even though she's very direct and punctual.

"It seems to me I hadn't done much..."

"You were much braver than us! It was our first real mission in hostile terrain, we were scared, but you just followed Kiritsugu as if nothing was wrong, that impressed us a lot!" Shiria's eyes shine brightly.

"Hmmm, it wasn't really courage... more like recklessness."

"By the way, how is your father? It's been a long time since I've heard from him." Akaya asks.

"Sorry to tell you, but Kiritsugu died a few years ago."

"Ah I see, my deepest condolences Senji. Kiritsugu will always be an example to me and I imagine the same goes for you." Akaya stands up and shakes my hand.

"Indeed, that's why you called me, did you want to see him again?"

"No, well I would have actually shared a glass or two of sake with him. But no, since we're old colleagues and therefore war comrades, we wanted to warn you about one thing."

"About?"

"Senji, you've already faced two Kamigari agents haven't you?" Yan Min asks me.

(Kamigari, that name rings a bell... Ah yes, it was Kodama who mentioned it).

"Maybe yes, why?"

"We also work for Kamigari." Demitra announces.

Tension builds in the room. They seem ready to fight at any moment.

"*Sigh* What's the point of this conversation anyway? If I remember correctly, one of the Kamigari members went after Kodama and me to find strong students. Is that your goal too?"

"No, not at all. We're here for something else. But as good friends, we can give you something. Among you are important members of Kamigari, who are planning to dissolve the school." Akaya explains.

"What? Why shut down Kuoh if their goal is to find good students?" I don't understand their ways.

"We can't tell you anything more, sorry. I hope you understand. By the way, this discussion stays here, doesn't it? It would be deplorable if we were forced to eliminate you because you spread 'rumors' about us anyway." Akaya plays the villain very badly, or he does it on purpose, I admit I don't know what to think of them anymore.

"Very well, we have nothing more to say to each other then. I'll be going."

"Of course, I imagine it can't be pleasant bathing in his sweat." Akaya regains a normal tone.

"Ah yes, one last thing, if you're looking to fuck things up in Kuoh, I won't hesitate to take care of you myself, is that clear?" All at once, I let Ddraig's aura permeate the whole room, freezing them all.

"Oh, I know very well, you're not Kiritsugu's apprentice for nothing." These are the last words I hear from Akaya before closing the door.

I'm confused by this interaction. On the one hand, they seem genuinely friendly towards me, but on the other, I know for a fact that they'll succeed in their missions no matter what. The problem is, I don't know why they're here, other than to do the same thing as the other guy with the blades on his arm, and yet they assure me that's not why they're here.

(In any case, I have to keep this to myself. If I start blurting out what I've just heard, they'll probably speed up their plan. Better to wait and see. As for who they were talking about, I confess I have no idea. Is it related to the attack when Azuki and Kurigasa clashed?)


Saturday, December 10, 2022.

"*Sigh* All Might left me no mercy tonight, but I never thought I'd like the gym, even though I still find this place terrifying..." I mutter to myself in front of a soda machine, just coming out of a torture session.

I take a big sip of a cool soda, which cheers me up. Then I set off for home.

"Oh my, isn't that Senji?" I hear a familiar voice.

I look up to see Sword in front of me. How could I not see him when there's nobody on the street and he's three times my height.

"Good evening Sword."

He approaches me and puts his arm around my neck, forcing me to follow him.

"How are you doing, buddy?"

"A bit knocked out, I've just come out of an intense session at the gym."

"Ahh, I like the sound of that, go ahead and tell me, maybe I can give you some tips."

As the discussion progresses and our journey continues, we enter a street with pink lights and... sex shops? And adult bars?!

(The bastard! Why is he bringing me here? I'll be in trouble!)

"Hey Sword, what are we doing here? I remind you that I'm a minor, I don't belong here!" I free myself from his grip.

"Oh don't worry you're not the only one." He points to a group of young people checking out a poll-dancer.

"So what? because others do it, so there's no problem for me?"

"Enjoy my boy, you won't be coming here often, besides if you ever want to come back, don't hesitate to call me!" He said, laughing.

Too embarrassed to turn back on my own, I prefer to walk down the street with Sword.

(Strip club, Love hotel... wait is that what I think I'm seeing? Are they allowed to do that?)

"Are you free?" A scantily clad woman is turned down by a man just passing by. "Hey wait! Jerk."

Then she turns to look at Sword. I make myself as small as possible.

"You're a strong one, aren't you? Do you want to come over? I'll give you a good price."

As we pass and continue on our way, Sword can't help but step back and stand in front of the working girl.

"Let's have a good time tonight." She said, showing off her wide-open cleavage.

(He's falling further and further in my esteem.)

He steps back slightly and clasps his hands, as if praying before her breasts.

"What?" She doesn't understand what he's doing, normal.

"Thank you, for the view." He said in a solonel tone.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, a car hurtles towards Sword, hitting him head-on and landing on the car's hood.

"Sword!" I step forward but soon notice that he's okay. (This guy is a monster of toughness...)

I notice it's a woman in the car. (Did she do it on purpose?)

"Is he dead?" The hooker panics.

Sword raises his head and faces the driver.

"Still coming in hot, I see, Gina."

Gina removes her sunglasses and shakes out her hair.

"You're looking good, Sword."


In a perfectly normal bar, we're sitting at the counter with Gina in the middle, Sword and I sitting next to her.

"It's been a while. You don't come by much, I've missed you." Sword begins the discussion.

"Makai priests are pretty busy, you know. You yourself seem very busy with your conquests." So she's a Makai priest, just like the white-haired one.

"You're going to keep me company tonight, aren't you?" Sword prepares to "pray" before Gina's chest.

But a white squirrel-like creature emerges from her chest and attacks Sword, biting him on the forehead.

"Do you still have that thing?" This thing has green eyes and 10 yellow fangs and two long claws at the end of its legs. I feel sorry for Sword.

"Mia protects me as she should." Said Gina, turning her glass of a rosy liquid

I knew very well that I should have left, someone my age listening to their adult conversation, with my soda can... I want to run away...

"Besides," She turns to me and approaches. "You're pretty well accompanied, aren't you? So you're Senji, the young man who helped Sword on his last two missions?" She runs her hand over my cheek and through my hair, then lifts my chin, inspecting me.

"Um... yes, nice to meet you..." I'm feverish, her hand is so soft and her voice so... she's so sexy.

"Hmm, I see, I thought you were more impressive to be honest." She says with a smile, yet her intonation isn't unkind.

"Sorry to disappoint you." I feel like I'm at her feet.

"But no, on the contrary, you hide your game well, I like that kind of man."

"Um, thanks...?" I'm lost in her beauty. Long, shimmering hair flowing down her back, a red dress revealing her curves, bright lipstick and purple highlighter bringing out her green eyes.

"You really are a handsome boy, I imagine you're a big hit with the girls, but be careful, don't let yourself get too tempted okay? Besides, if you want, I don't mind teaching you about a woman's pleasure..." She moves closer, running her fingers over my lips.

"Madam, I'm only 15. So..." I step back.

"Precisely, you've reached the age of sexual consent, that's perfect. And call me Gina, okay?"

"Very well, Gina, but no thanks, I don't feel ready for that yet..."

"Hmm, hmm. There, that's fine, I like you a lot already Senji, I hope to see a lot from you." She kisses me tenderly on the forehead.

Then she turns back to Sword, who is still fighting with Mia.

"Sword, I didn't come here to have fun with you." She winks at me.

Mia frees herself from Sword and returns to her chest.

"Really? Don't tell me it's for work..." Sword is... disappointed, so to speak.

Gina puts a tablet on the counter for us to look at. She shows us photos of... Yakuza members?

"Damian Steward." She points to one guy in particular. Well-dressed, blond hair slicked back. Fuji-nee's father told me about him, he's not well thought of...

"He was just a petty thug a few years ago. Suddenly he's one of the Yakuza's finest, as well as CEO of a major corporation. He's spreading his influence very quickly." Gina explains.

"It's not that strange." Sword remained unmoved.

Gina takes a sip before continuing.

"Indeed. But his methods are. Damian is surely using the city's network info, and the way he collects it doesn't seem human."

"Is he a monster?" Sword asks directly.

"No. From my investigations, I have evidence that he isn't." She shows a photo of a luxury building. "This is Damian's base. The top floor is ultra secure. It's particularly dodgy." Then a photo of a corridor barred with red lasers. "I tried to get in alone, but the security system I'd spotted has been changed. It's as if they knew I was coming."

"Um..." I raise my hand to make my point, their gazes turning to me. "I know one of the Yakuza members, who also explained to me that this guy isn't clean-cut, he even massacred a dozen clans, who met privately to eliminate him. To this day they still don't know how he knew."

"I want to, but there's nothing to say that a Monster is connected to this. Disreputable guys like him aren't my thing." Sword sips his glass in one gulp.

"I wasn't specifically asking you to help me." She said, rising to her feet. "What do you say Senji, want to see what it's like to be a spy?"

"If there's really something dangerous going on, I'm in." I say firmly.

"What? Wait a minute, you're not going to take him in there? He's still inexperienced!" Sword steps between us.

"With Damian's information gathering, you could know a lot about Eldorado."

When she says this, Sword's gaze changes. Eldorado, I remember Sword talking about it when he confronted that huge stray devil.

"I go too." Sword changes his mind immediately.

She finishes her glass and a big smile appears on her face.

"This is going to be a fun mission."


Sunday, December 11, 2022

It's almost time. The sun is at dawn, and I'm getting ready for their arrival and the mission that awaits me. A message, it's them, they're in front of the house.

In front of the house, it's a somewhat strange red sports car. There are gold ornaments all over the place, and especially at the front, two huge skeleton hands under the car.

The door opens, Gina takes off her glasses and smiles at me, but I can see Sword standing next to her, not quite reassured.

"Come on darling, I hope you're ready." Gina says, making room for me to ride in the back.

I nod and take a seat in the back. She takes off in a hurry. After several minutes of driving, I understand better why Sword is so desperate...

(She's sick, I've never seen anyone drive so fast... I'm going to puke...)

Then, glancing ahead, I see Damian's building in the distance.

"To access the room on the top floor, there are two missions to complete." Gina briefed us. "First, we have to disable the security of the entire building."

"I see. That way, even if they're watching us, they won't be able to do anything if everything's turned off." Sword adds.

"To deactivate it, you need a security card containing Damian's DNA." Gina says nonchalantly.

"'His DNA? Isn't that a bit of an exaggeration?" I ask, suffering from motion sickness.

"We'll get a sample." Fortunately, she keeps her eyes fixed on the road...

"How do you plan to do it?" I ask, moving closer to them, poking my head between their seats.

"Sword, open the glove compartment." she ordered.

He executes and pulls out a bikini, sexy to say the least.

"Sexy..." It's the first time I've seen him blush...

"Hum Hum! And the 2nd mission?" I ask.

"Even if we disable security, it won't last long." Ah as I thought it wasn't going to be that simple.

"How much?" Sword asks, the bikini still in his hands.

"60 seconds."

"It's mega short!" Sword couldn't get over it.

"The system will restart after 60 seconds. So you'll need to infiltrate the top floor in that time." Gina tells it like it's the easiest thing in the world to do.

"After that, we see what Damian's got stashed there and if it's a monster, we smash it up, right?" Sword said, running his hand through my hair to loosen it.

"Hey!" My head is spinning even more.

"Besides, Senji, your role will only be secondary, as you well imagine." I can only agree, seeing Gina worried about me from the rearview mirror. "That's why I'm asking you to be both our guardian angel."

"No problem, we'll do as planned." I still remember perfectly yesterday's discussion, usually things never go as planned, but hey, no choice but to believe it.

"So, which way do we enter?" Sword asks.

"I've planned the perfect trip for you two." She said with a smirk.

Sword doesn't seem at all reassured by her words.


Now I understand why Sword made that face. Gina got us in through the air ducts and we've been crawling for a while now. It's so exhausting, my knees are starting to hurt. And then the ducts are... horribly dirty.

"Damn, it's always the same with her. Sorry Senji." Sword at the front apologizes.

"Don't worry, I was ready for anything when I agreed to help you, I should have thought of the areation duct... On the other hand, I can't believe we're able to go around peacefully..."

We keep going until we come across a grid in front of us. Sword opens it to see that it overlooks the elevator space.

"Senji, we have to climb." Sword threw himself off and grabbed onto the wire rope and began to climb.

"Yeah... obviously..." I strengthen my hands and throw myself in turn.

(I can thank All Might's training, it's definitely easier than I thought).

I can easily keep up with Sword, who's moving forward quite quickly on the strength of his two arms alone.

(On the other hand, he's on a whole other level, how does he leave his legs unused?)

Suddenly, something falls out of his pocket. It's... the bra from earlier... He tries to catch it by all means, I even thought he was going to throw himself, but he stops upside down. He looks at me, tears in his eyes. I can only give him a disappointed look.

That's it, we've reached the top floor, Sword forces the automatic door open and we can finally put our feet on the ground, our arms completely spent. We catch our breath and then nod off towards our goal. These grey corridors are never-ending. There's only one road.

Suddenly, all the lights go out. That's the signal, meaning we have 60 seconds to get there on time. I strengthen my legs and run with all my might. Sword does the same, but he doesn't need strengthening, yet he runs much faster than I do. The corridor suddenly turns, and on the other side is our goal.

Sword is the first to arrive at the door, and makes a direct attempt to force it open, but the monumental effort in the elevator shaft has exhausted him.

I arrive in turn, strengthen our arms and help him, pushing the doors open. But instead, Sword starts twisting the doors. I help him, until we can force them open enough to enter the room, and a few seconds later, the security system is back on.


The lights have gone out, that's the signal. I open the grid beneath me and let myself fall. I scan my surroundings, seeing as well in the dark as in broad daylight. I see a guard completely disoriented. I strengthen my arm. Which makes me see, that and my glowing eyes in the dark. But before he can do anything. I hit him with my fists, causing him to bounce off a wall, knocking him out.

I transform myself into his appearance, take his access card and lock him in an empty room. The lights come back on, announcing the return of the security system.

"Okay, normally, Sword and I are through. Now I need to find Gina." I crouch down and scan the building with my magic circuits. "Normally, she shouldn't be too far down the floors... Here she is, two floors below me."

Without waiting, I head for the stairwell and descend as quickly as possible to join Gina, who seems to be in trouble.


Sword and I managed to get into this famous room. It's completely dark. Sword puts his hand on my shoulder so as not to lose me. For the moment, there are only rows of unused servers.

We're coming to the end of a row. On the other side... on the floor, lots of bloodstains and a desk with an old computer and CRT screen.

Sword lets go of me, seeing a little better. We approach the computer, which suddenly lights up, even though it has no power.

"What's that thing?" I ask, not understanding how it works.

"This is the monster in question." Ddraig warns me.

I put all my senses on alert. Indeed, snake-like cables are approaching us.

"Sword?"

"Yeah, I noticed, we'll show him who he's dealing with."

At these words, he grabs a handful of cable. I create a sword and slice through the pile of cable in his hand. This surely irritates the monster, who increases his attack. Sword pulls out his blade and slices through all the cables approaching him. Being weaker, I dodge most attacks and cut the cables when the opportunity presents itself.

These things are so violent that they destroy the servers around us. Creating clouds of dust everywhere, and making the fight more difficult. Suddenly, the cables change strategy and grab my sword, throwing it further away. I take the opportunity to strengthen my legs and run towards the computer. I create a new blade and pierce the screen. Then I turn the table over, making sure of the result.

The situation seems to have calmed down. Sword approaches, thumbs up. Suddenly, a mass of cable emerges from nowhere, forming a torso and arms, with a screen in the center of the torso, displaying a green smile.

"So this is its true form..." Sword prepares for round two.

Out of the corner of my eye, I see a mass of cable hurtling towards Sword, ready to pierce him.

"Sword!" I push him away, taking the attack instead. "I'll leave the rest to you!"

I have time to see him nod before I disappear.


I run with all my strength towards Gina. Suddenly, I see all the clansmen running in the opposite direction.

"Shit!"

I can see her in the distance, in the security center, that asshole Damian is pointing a gun at her head, she can't do anything.

I create a blade and shoot it towards Damian's arm. Caught in pain, he drops the weapon and Gina finishes him off with an acrobatic spin kick. I resume my appearance, arriving to see that she is still in a bikini.

"Gina! Are you all right?" I enter the room, approaching her, catching my breath.

"Senji darling, I knew I could count on you! But we have another problem."

I look around us and our situation is indeed not looking good. We're surrounded by these cables, which my clone has to tackle with Sword.

"Who are you?" Asks a guy with dark green hair and a gun in his hand.

I turn to Gina, who nods, letting me know he's not hostile. I create other swords, give one to Gina and hand the other to this guy.

"Do you want to help us? Then drop your gun and take this, you'll be more efficient."

He hesitates for a few seconds, then picks up the blade and drops the gun. I turn my attention back to the enemy attacking Gina. The three of us are holding our own, but the cables are getting more and more numerous.

I see that the cables are trying to capture Damian, winding him up. Gina and I jump, cutting the cables holding him. Falling limply to the ground.

[BOOST] I take out my Sacred Gear and create a dozen clones. Suddenly we hear explosions coming from the top floor, the building shaking with each impact.

"Damn it! What's he playing at!" I know right away that it's Sword fighting this monster.

"He does his job! We have to hold on! Ah!" Gina is in trouble.

I push her back behind me and conjure up Rho Aias, the shield, protecting us from the cable salvo. A final jolt is felt and a final explosion is heard. Then all the cables fall, as if dead.

I make the shield disappear and breathe a sigh of relief. Behind me, Gina takes me in her arms and kisses me on the cheek, leaving me the mark of her lipstick.

"You really hide your game well darling, thanks for the rescue."

"Yeah, no problem." I free myself from her grip, take off my sweater and place it on Gina's shoulders, who accepts it, warming herself with it.

"Let's go." She said.

Damian wakes up, she approaches and kicks him right in the jaw, knocking him out a second time.


We exit the building through the front door, which is completely empty. The guy with the green hair followed us.

"Wait!" At his request, Gina and I stop. "Why did you save that guy?" Gina turns and approaches him. "Who are you? What are you trying to do?"

She doesn't answer, just kisses him on the cheek.

(Um... why do I feel jealous?)

"Thanks for your help." Sighing in his ear.

Then she comes back. The guy almost loses his balance, cheeks as red as tomatoes., I can understand it.

When she comes back to me, she notices my confusion.

"Hm? Are you jealous? Oh but don't worry, I can give you as many kisses as you want! After all you're my absolute favorite!" She clings to my arm.


We stopped at the bar, sitting in the same place, with the same layout.

"In the end, we found nothing on Eldorado." Gina interrupts the silence.

"Ah Damn, I totally missed it!" Sword takes his head in his hands, flabbergasted.

"You didn't even think to ask him?" I ask, taking a sip of lemonade.

"No I'm telling you, I was too focused on eliminating him and seeing your clone die pissed me off, which didn't help!"

"It's going to be my fault..."

"Fufufu... Anyway..." Gina stands up, preparing to leave.

"Are you leaving already?" Sword asks, feeling disappointed.

"I'll be back if I get an interesting assignment."

"I'll enjoy the view next time. Including the bikini version." How could Sword say something like that so casually.

She doesn't answer, but turns to me.

"Come on Senji, I'll take you home, let's go."

Hearing this, I have flashbacks of her driving on the highway earlier.

"Um, no it's okay! I can get home on my own, I know the way!" I try to stop her, but she grabs my arm and forces me to follow.

"No way! You are under my responsibility and those until you get home!"

"Let it go Senji, she's crazy about you, you should let it go. See you then!" Sword laughs at my distress.

"What? You can't do this to me Sword! She's your colleague!"

Just before leaving, I see a waiter give him the bill.

(I think about it, but Gina and I haven't paid our bill...)

"Gina!" That's what I thought...


Good evening to you, thank you for reading this chapter! I feel like I'm writing longer and longer chapters and I don't know if that's a good idea. Normally I always try to write between 3000 and 4000 words per chapter, but right now it's much more. If nothing else, let me know if it bothers you, at least I'll know. In any case, see you next week!