CRed1988: Glad you do. Oh, they have... some reactions alright lol

Fiction Fan 369: Actual named techniques will take a bit of... time lol. I have an idea for Crossbell, but I don't have anything final for that yet tbh. Yup, his System might put him into absurd power levels after a few years, but there's no way he wouldn't feel fear toward the rest of the Brights

RosyMiranto18: the Calvardian government also exploits the poor conditions of some of the areas in the capital to their advantage after all. Well if you know Gambler Jack, then you'll know how the current Almata is just THAT different compared to what it used to be where they're mainly in the Eastern Quarters. Actions speak louder than the name... I won't say much, but it'll show a glimpse of Kress's actual Yakuza side, heh. Miss Perfect is the actual teasing name she's been called in the localized version lol. I missed changing that blank my bad. The original Keisuke already had a Xipha, and naturally, Kress now possess it after his transmigration. S.C.L.M... Honestly, I forgot either. I always called it scrum since that's how it sounded in Kuro. Kress will have his S-Craft... in the future. Gnosis is pretty cracked for a drug, so instant regeneration isn't that farfetched when one could be demonized. Strawberry-blonde is a shade that Patrick Hyarms also has. I do agree that it is very similar to orange. This current chapter won't be as exciting... but next one will definitely return to excitement as Daybreak's Chapter 1 will be explored-

Koncor the great: DxD is a bit difficult to incorporate in Kiseki... I don't know if I'll be able to equalize power levels properly, and I honestly don't know much since I didn't finish the light novel lol

Guest: thanks

Leomitch: hehe. no comment. and yup, Kress was just a normal teenager who had just graduated high school prior to his transmigration. even if the original Keisuke's body is influencing him to an extent and the System is making him stronger, he's still very inexperienced. He had only fought a bunch of thugs until he came with Van and Agnes to the ruins. Hehe, I think you might enjoy Hikaru's scene here. And yes, the tiny, little speck of a crush is there. Thanks for reading.

tmnt101107: OCs will definitely appear given the presence of yakuzas now

Guest: Like a Dragon/Yakuza is goated fr fr

MiharuTousaka: and thank you for reading. i did put a warning that it might not be for others just in case, but it's nice to hear that it captured your interest.

CROSS-EVOL-X: oh, we're saving that scene for some time... All I'll say is it'll be similar to how Grendel gets officially revealed, the first debut and then the official debut with reactions

Van leaned against his chair and sighed.

Great, just freaking great. Just what did he get himself into...?

He didn't expect that a simple request to retrieve a family heirloom would lead him to work with a relative of Professor C. Epstein and look for not just Almata but also the Hibiki Clan.

To top things off, Agnes Claudel firmly insisted on working as a part-timer for the office. If he knew that trouble would pile up on top of each other back-to-back, he would have never accepted her request in the first place.

Unfortunately for Van, he already gave his damn word. He may tip the lies beyond the gray, but he still had his own code of operation. As much as he wanted to decline Hibiki's request, confronting the yakuza was inevitable if they were indeed cooperating with Almata.

Now, it made sense why Dingo asked if he knew anything about the Hibiki Clan's recent affairs at that time.

He should probably curse out Dingo, too.

Sighing, he slumped in his seat.

The office door creaked open, breaking his thoughts. His blue eyes narrowed at his unexpected visitor of the night.

"René," Van, who normally wouldn't frown at the CID agent's presence, scowled. "What did you need that you had to come to my office at this hour? I already paid my debt to you."

"Call me Kincaid." Undeterred by the cold shoulder, the brown-haired man let himself in as he took a seat across the Spriggan. "There's no need to be so hostile, Van. I didn't come here for that. I simply wanted to check up on you. You weren't in the best of conditions when you left."

Van's lips twitched, somewhere between a smirk and a grimace. "That's rich, coming from someone who dangles favors like a carrot on a stick. What's this really about? Worried I might step on some CID toes?"

"No toes of mine, I assure you." René chuckled softly, shaking his head. "To be frank, I came to check up on you on Elaine's behalf... She doesn't know the location of your office, correct?"

A breath Van didn't know he held left him. "...No. She doesn't."

"You know she's going to find out eventually."

"That's the Van of the future's problem."

"I see that you're as determined as ever to avoid her like the plague." The man in the burgundy suit sighed.

Van grumbled, the earlier heat in his voice diminishing slightly as he sighed as well. "All right, let's cut to the chase. I doubt that's the only reason you stopped by."

"Perceptive," Oh, Van didn't miss the snark. René leaned forward with a rare frown, fingers locking with each other. "I'll be blunt: tread carefully if you plan to do whatever Keisuke Hibiki's request is."

"..."

"Don't even dare play ignorant, old friend. I already looked him up in the CID's database, and though information is lacking, his appearance is a match." He crossed his leg over the other, smirking. "Considering his current status in his clan, it's not hard to deduce what his request is about."

"I'm not going to humor your speculations, René." The Spriggan's scowl deepened as his childhood friend chuckled.

"You don't need to." He pushed his glasses back and smiled. "My deduction is likely right."

"If you already know, then why waste your time coming here?"

"Because I know you, Van. You're going to do whatever you think is right, regardless of the risks." René's smirk remained, though his tone shifted to something sterner. "But when it comes to the Hibiki Clan, you're treading on dangerous ground that might end with you six feet. Small as they may be, there's a reason why they're one of the very few yakuza clans that still exist to this day."

"...I know." A weary sigh left Van's lips as he slumped against his seat again. "Their leader prevented the clan's destruction, even from the likes of Heiyue targeting them in the past."

The man nodded his head, adjusting his glasses. "Which is all the more reason you need to be careful. If not for my sake, then Elaine's."

The Spriggan bit his inner cheek. He hated how the man used Elaine in their conversations. René knew damn well the effect it had on him. There was a flickering desire to snap, but he reined in his emotions. Taking a deep breath, he sighed.

"You done with the lecture yet? Or is there more you're itching to get off your chest?"

The CID agent sighed, his expression softening slightly. "I'm just saying, don't underestimate what you're stepping into."

Van's lips twitched into a wry smirk, though it didn't reach his eyes. "Appreciate the concern, René. Really warms my heart to know you care."

"You're impossible." René gave him a flat look, clearly unimpressed. Rising from his seat, he straightened his jacket and adjusted his glasses. "Fine. I've said my piece. Just remember to be careful... And pay Elaine a visit once in a while."

A shaky exhale left through his nose. "...I'll think about it."

With that, he stepped out, leaving the Spriggan alone once more.

Van sat in silence for a few moments, his gaze fixed on the closed door. Finally, he let out another sigh. His thoughts drifted to a certain blonde, easily imagining her scowl if she found out about what kind of jobs he took this time around.

You always have a knack for getting into trouble, don't you, Van?

Despite himself, his chuckle was bittersweet.

Kress walked by Agnes's side, escorting her back to the dorms. Neither spoke about what happened earlier— the boy didn't ask why she wanted to be a part-timer, nor did the girl ask about his family lineage. They were dying of curiosity, one more so than the other. But they respected their secrets more than their need to satiate interest.

The blonde stayed silent throughout the walk. She had many questions she wanted to ask, but she knew better than to pry, especially after seeing the expression on Kress's face while explaining his request to Van.

It was a conflicted pain.

It was an expression she didn't know her vice president could make.

What happened in his past to be treated as "the abandoned heir" of his clan? Did his family cast him aside? Did they not care about him?

As her mind ran wild speculating her friend's circumstances, Kress would be the one to break the silence.

"Thinking about me, first year?"

"W-What?"

Agnes looked up with reddened cheeks. expecting his teasing grin, only to find a strained smile on his face.

"You're curious, aren't you? About my circumstances? About family? About me?"

"K-Kress, you don't have to force yourself..." She wasn't even meant to learn of his identity anyway.

The transmigrator shook his head as he looked up at the starry sky, fatigue clear on his face. "I said it before, and I'll say it again: it's only right you know my secret when I know yours, too."

He would gesture for them to take a seat at the nearby bench. And once they were seated, Agnes waited for him

"I don't really know much about the Hibiki Clan. After my mother passed away a few months after I was born, my father abandoned me."

Catching the wide-eyed gaze and gasp from the blonde, he quickly corrected himself and raised a hand, "Not in the traditional sense of kicking me out of the house or leaving me up for adoption. He... just ignored my existence and let the servants take care of me. Besides the servants, I was essentially like air to the rest of the clan.

He leaned back against the bench, his gaze fixed ahead.

"It didn't matter what I did— good or bad. No greetings, no scoldings, no attention. I was just... there."

The weight of his words settled heavily between them, and Agnes could feel the depth of his isolation.

"Kress..."

"I guess that's why I don't really think of myself as part of the Hibiki Clan. I vaguely recall my mother being well-loved by the clan." He offered her a small, tired smile. "So I guess I was just some unwanted reminder of my mother's death."

Agnes's grip on her skirt tightened. "But that's not fair... You were just a child. How could they—"

"That's just how it is," Kress interrupted gently. "Whether I was an accident or not, I'll never know since my old man never bothered showing his face to me since my mother passed away."

Agnes bit her lip, eyes watering. She wanted so badly to tell him that he wasn't an accident, that he didn't do anything wrong. He'd only been a baby, innocent and undeserving of such neglect. But the words caught in her throat, unsure of whether they would comfort or hurt him more.

He glanced at her then, his brown eyes softening as he patted her head. "Don't worry, first year. I didn't tell you this to make you feel bad. I just figured you deserved to know."

She wiped her eyes and took a deep breath, meeting his gaze. "Thank you for trusting me with this, Kress."

"Well, now we're even, right?"

"R-Right."

The two sat in silence for a moment, the night air cool and still around them. Finally, Kress pushed himself to his feet, stretching his arms above his head.

"Come on, let's get you back to the dorms. Don't want you getting in trouble for being out late."

"Okay." Agnes smiled as she stood, walking beside him.

They resumed their walk back to her dormitory.

"You're late, Young Master."

By the time Kress returned to his apartment, he was greeted by Hikaru, arms crossed with a frown that could make him freeze into a block of ice. It only grew worse when she saw his bandaged arm, earning an icy gaze that sent shivers down his spine. The aura she emanated was once again a reminder that she wasn't any ordinary maid.

Kress thought that he wouldn't be able to beat Hikaru in a fight, even if he used everything in his arsenal.

"I-I can explain—"

"Then, please do."

He winced at her tone as he took a seat on the couch, his maid following after him before taking her seat. Kress explained everything that had happened since he met the Spriggan. Throughout his explanation, Hikaru's expression remained the same... perhaps it got a bit icier when he reached the drugged Almata part.

Once the transmigrator was finished, Hikaru shot up from her seat, and Kress instinctively grabbed her wrist.

"What are you doing?"

"I will eliminate the fools who dared to hurt you, Young Master."

"Don't say that like you're taking out the trash on a Monday."

"I am taking out 'trash.'"

Kress sighed, slowly loosening his grip when he was certain Hikaru wasn't going anywhere. "Look. The CID and the Bracer Guild already took them away. I'd rather we don't attract unnecessary attention. The guy from the CID seemed to have an idea about who I am."

"I'll eliminate him as well—"

"Hikaru, no."

The assassin-maid clicked her tongue and sat back down. She then sighed and leaned against her seat.

"I knew I should have accompanied you," Hikaru muttered. "I was foolish to grow complacent simply because you know how to defend yourself."

Kress shook his head, rubbing the back of his neck. "Come on, Hikaru. I'm not a kid anymore. I'm handling it, aren't I?"

"That's not the point, Young Master." Her cold eyes softened just slightly as they met his. "My duty is to protect you— whether you think you need it or not."

"And I get that," Kress replied with a tired grin, leaning back into the cushions. "But I can't exactly keep my cover if my maid starts leaving a trail of bodies wherever I go."

"You're insufferable, you know that?"

"Is it alright to speak like that bluntly to your master?" He grinned.

"My apologies. I meant that you worry me to death."

"Fair enough."

Hikaru leaned back into the couch, her sharp gaze narrowing in thought. Kress knew that look. It was the kind she wore right before concocting a plan. He braced himself, unsure if he should feel relieved or even more concerned.

"Young Master."

"What...?"

"I believe I've come up with a way to ensure your safety while keeping things... subtle."

Kress blinked, a concerned frown creeping on his face. "Uh-oh. What's going on in that head of yours?"

She ignored his quip, sitting up straight. "Since you insist on involving yourself in dangerous situations without my supervision, I'll ensure I'm close enough to intervene if necessary."

"And how are you planning to do that?"

"Simple." She replied, her calm demeanor betraying none of the deviousness lurking behind her words. "I'll enroll at Aramis Academy."

Kress froze, staring at her like she'd just suggested they start a circus. "Wait, what?! You? At Aramis? That's—"

"Not only logical but necessary." Hikaru's tone was firm, cutting off his protest. "We're close enough in age that my presence wouldn't raise suspicion. I could introduce myself as a transfer student and act as your... peer."

"Hikaru, you do realize Aramis isn't exactly the kind of place you can just waltz into, right?" He pinched the bridge of his nose.

"Leave the details to me. I'll ensure everything is handled smoothly."

Hikaru stood back up, excusing herself as she gave a bow before heading back to her room. The transmigrator chose to see her off and ease his incoming migraine instead. Once he heard the sound of her door clicking shut, he finally turned his attention to the rewards of his latest mission.

-MISSION COMPLETE-

[Aiding Miss Perfect]

Rewards: 500 Yakuza Points, 1 Random Skill, Medium Reputation Increase

The dyed blonde glanced at his bandaged arm and frowned.

His body might have been physically better than the average person, but he was once a normal human who was about to graduate and become a working member of society. The most pain he had ever experienced was in street fights, both in his current and past life.

The knife wound, while it wasn't as painful as he initially thought, still shook the shred of normal Kress possessed.

It was the first time he had gotten an injury to that degree... and it surely won't be the last.

"Yakuza System... Let's see what skill I got."

[Random Skill Acquired!]

-Demonic Step-

[Enhances the user's evasion capabilities. If the user manages to perfectly dodge an enemy's attack, they'll be able to circle behind the enemy's blind spot.]

It wasn't a bad skill since the Thug Style gave Kress quick reflexes and great adaptability, but would it be enough to face his future enemies?

No. No, it wouldn't.

"Show me every skill I can unlock using my Yakuza Points."

It was rather unnerving how efficient Hikaru was.

Standing at the front of his first class was none other than his maid... who donned the second-year Aramis uniform.

And she managed to enroll at Aramis in the span of two days.

"Hello, everyone. My name is Hikaru Aozaki. It's a pleasure to meet you all."

Hikaru offered a curtsy out of habit as the class stared at her with varying levels of awe.

"All right, Miss Aozaki. You may take your seat..." Please don't pick the one beside him. Please don't pick the one beside him. Please don't pick the one beside him. "Beside Mr. Hibiki."

"Understood."

Fuck.

Kress caught the faint smirk that appeared on the assassin's face, grumbling inwardly.

Hikaru gracefully made her way to the seat beside Kress. She sat down without sparing him a glance, folding her hands neatly on her desk. Despite her seemingly composed demeanor, the faintest trace of amusement lingered in her expression.

Kress leaned closer, whispering sharply under his breath. "This is already a nightmare, and it's not even second period."

"Nightmare? I believe I'm making your life easier," she replied just as quietly, her tone cool but laced with amusement. "You'll find I'm quite resourceful, Young Master."

"Could you stop calling me that here? I'm trying not to broadcast my identity."

"Old habits die hard, but I'll do my best."

He groaned, slumping in his chair. He could already imagine the misunderstandings coming his way.

As the class progressed, Kress couldn't shake the feeling of eyes on him. Glancing to the side, he saw Hikaru's sharp gaze flickering between him and the teacher. It was subtle, barely even noticeable. But he could tell she was assessing the room, cataloging every potential threat.

"Relax..." He muttered under his breath.

"I'm perfectly relaxed," Hikaru replied without missing a beat. "You, however, look like you're about to melt under the pressure."

"I'm fine. Just... stop hovering."

"Hovering? I'm simply ensuring your safety."

The rest of the morning dragged on painfully slow, with Kress enduring Hikaru's unrelenting presence and the occasional hushed remark. By the time the lunch bell rang, he felt like he'd survived a battlefield.

As they left the classroom, Hikaru following a step behind, they encountered none other than Renne Bright in the hallway. Her golden eyes immediately lit up as they landed on the transmigrator, a smile creeping onto her face.

"Keisuke."

"Renne," He nodded in acknowledgment. "Are we having lunch at the student council room?"

"Naturally. However, I won't force you if you have prior arrangements." Her amusement became clear as her gaze flickered between Kress and Hikaru. Kress would have to be stupid if he didn't understand the signs.

Sighing, he gestured at his maid. "This is Hikaru Aozaki. She's... a friend of mine back home."

"Ah, an infamous childhood friend, hmm? Interesting." Renne's smile widened knowingly. "A pleasure to meet you, Miss Aozaki."

Hikaru inclined her head respectfully, lifting her skirt slightly. "The pleasure is mine."

"Oh, I quite like you already. I respect those with such manners." She simply grinned and gestured for them to follow. "Come on, Keisuke. Let's introduce Hikaru to the rest of the council. I'm sure they'll find her fascinating."

He sighed. This was going to be a long day.

When they entered the student council room, the atmosphere was as lively as ever. Odette leaned back in her chair, balancing a pencil on his finger while Albert was flipping through some documents. Agnes was organizing some files on the bookshelf diligently.

"Ah, there you are!" Odette greeted with a cheerful wave, before noticing Hikaru. Her pale-red eyes lit up with curiosity. "Who's this?"

Albert raised an eyebrow and leaned forward. "A new face?"

Agnes turned around, her expression brightening when she saw Kress. Her gaze shifted to Hikaru, and her smile softened. "Welcome. Are you a new student?"

Before Kress could answer, Renne took the reins as usual, her voice carrying a teasing lilt. "Everyone, meet Hikaru Aozaki. She's Keisuke's... old friend from the past and our recent transfer student."

The deliberate pause didn't escape Kress, and he shot Renne a warning look. Of course, she ignored it completely.

Hikaru stepped forward with her usual grace, offering a small bow. "It's a pleasure to meet you all. I hope to contribute positively to the council during my time here."

The three first years widened their eyes in surprise. Surprisingly, Renne didn't seem that shocked over the revelation.

"Council?" Odette repeated, blinking in confusion. "Aren't all positions occupied?"

Renne shot Kress a glance as he sighed. "Agnes has a part-time job starting next week, so Hikaru will be filling in whenever she's absent."

"You have a part-time job?!"

"Why is this the first we're hearing about this?!"

Odette and Albert snapped their head toward the blonde, causing a sheepish laugh to leave her throat.

"I-I was, um... going to tell you all about it after school! Promise!"

Albert adjusted his glasses, his sharp gaze narrowing. "You should've informed us sooner, Agnes. What if an urgent matter required your attention? The council needs to function seamlessly, even in your absence."

Odette crossed her arms, pouting. "Yeah, Agnes! You can't just spring this on us. What if we had to cover for you last minute?"

"I-I'm really sorry," Agnes stammered, bowing slightly. "I didn't mean to keep it a secret. I just wanted to be sure everything was settled before bringing it up."

Renne, as usual, stepped in with her composed demeanor, waving a hand dismissively. "Now, now, let's not make a big fuss over it. Agnes has been doing an excellent job balancing her duties so far. And besides, Miss Aozaki is here to ensure everything runs smoothly when she's away."

Hikaru inclined her head. "I assure you, I'll fulfill my responsibilities with utmost diligence. Please don't worry about any disruptions."

Odette gave a huff but relented. "Fine, fine. But I'm holding you to that, Hikaru. No slacking off, got it— ow, ow! What did I do, Vice Prez!?"

Kress had reached over and grabbed her cheek, pulling it with an exasperated expression. "Don't act all high and mighty when you're the least serious about council work, Odette. And stop teasing Agnes. You'll make her think she actually let us down."

"O-Okay, okay! Uncle! I yield! Let go of my cheek!" Odette flailed dramatically, drawing a chuckle from everyone else.

Agnes giggled softly, the tension in her posture easing. "I'll do my best to make sure my absence doesn't cause trouble."

Albert sighed, shaking his head. "As long as the council continues to run smoothly, I suppose there's no harm done."

"Exactly," Renne said with a sly grin. "Now then, I'll show you the other tasks you can do while Agnes is present, Miss Aozaki."

"Yes, President Bright."

While the violet-haired lady explained Hikaru's responsibilities, Kress walked over to Agnes and whispered, "Sorry I won't be able to lend you and Arkride a hand. I can't exactly abandon my responsibilities as vice president. But I'll help out whenever I can."

"I already told you that it's alright, Kress." She chuckled, patting his arm reassuringly. "I have a feeling the rowdier... side of the student body might get out of control if you were absent as well."

"They'd be thanking Aidios that their precious 'treasures' won't be confiscated." Kress let out a sigh as Agnes giggled.

With that, they both returned to their tasks. Hikaru, meanwhile, absorbed her new responsibilities with remarkable efficiency. Under Renne's guidance and Agnes's detailed explanations, she quickly mastered the General Affairs duties, tackling paperwork with ease and even suggesting improvements to existing processes.

By the time the meeting ended, it was clear to everyone that Hikaru wasn't just competent—she was exceptional. In fact, Kress had the sinking suspicion that if she wanted to, she could run the entire council by herself without breaking a sweat.

"Have you explored campus already, Hikaru?" Odette asked, clearing up her desk as she got up.

The black-haired girl shook her head. "I'm afraid I haven't, Miss Odette."

"Odette, Hikaru had just transferred here." Albert reminded her, sighing.

"Oops. I forgot about that."

"Of course you did..."

"How about we take her on a tour after classes later?" Agnes suggested, getting an eager nod from Odette. "What do you think, Hikaru? Would you like us to be your tour guides for the day?"

"Or perhaps you'd like Keisuke to lead you around campus?" Renne chimed in with a smirk, her gaze fixated on the last document she was checking.

"Quiet you."

Kress grumbled and shot Hikaru a glance. Unsure at first, Hikaru ultimately nodded.

"Then, you have my thanks for your kindness."

"It's no trouble!" Agnes reassured her with a smile before her eyes widened. "Oh! We still have our afternoon classes!"

Albert, already by the door, adjusted his glasses and sighed. "If we don't hurry, we'll all be late."

Hikaru hesitated, glancing briefly at Kress. The transmigrator gave her a subtle signal— a slight tilt of his head that said, Go on. I'll catch up later. Reluctantly, she nodded and allowed herself to be shepherded out by the first-years.

Once the door closed behind them and the sound of footsteps faded, Kress crossed his arms and turned his gaze toward Renne, who hadn't moved from her spot, her golden eyes still scanning the last document on her desk.

"You knew, didn't you?"

Renne didn't look up immediately. Instead, she finished marking a note on the paper before setting it aside with a deliberate slowness. Only then did she lift her gaze to meet his, her usual playful smile in place.

"Knew what, Keisuke?"

"Don't play coy with me, Renne." He set his hands on the desk, keeping himself from slamming it as his brown eyes narrowed. "It always bugged me why you showed that side of yours to me when you confronted Ronald. You could have told me off or scared me into running away, but you didn't. You wouldn't show that side to just a regular delinquent... unless you already knew who I really am."

"Well, well... I underestimated you, Keisuke. You're sharper than you let on." Renne's smile widened, her golden eyes glinting with amusement. "I have known of your true identity since I transferred to Aramis. Despite the rumors of you being delinquent, you mostly kept to yourself, so I figured you were no trouble."

"Then you can answer me this... Do you know anything about the connection between the Hibiki Clan and Almata?"

Renne stood up gracefully, placing her hands behind her back as she walked around the desk.

Faster than what his eyes could follow, he felt his back slam against the desk and a finger pressed on his neck like a reaper's scythe. Beautiful, cold golden eyes stared at his fierce brown.

"If I say yes, what would you do?" Renne tilted her head, lips curling into a calm smile. "Will you charge into their base of operation with reckless abandon? Do that and you'll be filled with bullet holes."

"None of your business." He growled despite his heart racing in fear.

"Oh, Keisuke. That's where you're wrong... It is my business." She pressed her finger deeper into his neck. "One reckless move from you could draw their attention. And who do you think might get caught in the crossfire?"

His eyes widened. Her implications were clear.

The first years.

He swallowed the saliva stuck in his throat as he let out a shallow breath, his ferocity fading. Renne's expression softened as she removed her finger against his neck, placing her hand on his shoulder.

"I don't know your whole story, and I don't know why you're so insistent in trying to figure out your clan's affairs," She admitted, softly squeezing his shoulder. "But I don't want you throwing your life away for answers. You might not think we're friends— not me, not the first years— but imagine how we'd feel if something... unpleasant happened to you."

As the words sunk in, the tension in the transmigrator's body started to fade.

"Fine, you win..." He sighed, a reluctant smile crossing his face. "What you're saying is: don't do anything stupid, right?"

"Especially alone, yes." She nodded, her playfulness returning.

"Understood..." He raised his hands in mock surrender. "You got one thing wrong, though, Renne."

"Oh?"

"I do think of you and the first years as friends."

Renne blinked before a chuckle left her. "Good. I'd be hurt if you still thought of us as mere acquaintances after we bonded through grueling amounts of paperwork together."

"As if the thoughts of a delinquent would hurt THE Renne Bright." He quipped, rolling his eyes.

"That's where you are wrong. A lady can still have her feelings hurt, Keisuke." She retorted with a smirk. "Oh, by the way, could you ask Miss Aozaki to put her weapons away? I can't get off of you until she does."

"Huh?"

Kress looked over Renne's shoulder as he felt his eyes nearly leaving his sockets. Standing behind Renne was Hikaru, her scythes were inches away from Renne's head, scowling coldly.

"Hikaru, I'm fine! Put your weapons away!"

The maid complied, albeit begrudgingly, lowering her weapon with an audible huff.

"I knew that I shouldn't have left you alone, Young Master..." Hikaru grumbled with a slight pout, seemingly looking out of place on her usually stoic face.

"I suspected she wasn't an ordinary girl," Renne said with an amused chuckle as she straightened up, brushing off her blazer. "An assassin disgusting as a student, huh? Interesting."

"I am actually the Young Master's maid," Hikaru corrected, her professionalism returning as Kress facepalmed.

"A maid, hmm?" Her lips curled into a smirk. "How delightful. It seems I now know two assassins moonlighting as maids..."

"What were you saying?"

"Nothing at all, Keisuke." Renne brushed her violet locks as she walked toward the door. She tossed the two a glance. "I suggest you hurry along as well to your class, Miss Aozaki. We're all quite late as is. Come along, Keisuke."

"Yeah, yeah. I'm coming." Fixing his uniform, he followed after her.

Hikaru stared at the door for a few moments and sighed, hiding her weapons underneath her uniform.

"The women the Young Master interacts with are never normal..."

"They managed to get a picture, Captain."

The soft glow of paper lanterns illuminated the grand hall, casting shadows across the wooden floors. A faint scent of incense lingered in the air, mingling with the tang of tobacco smoke from a nearby ashtray.

Seated at the head of a low table was a man exuding quiet authority. His sharp black hair was neatly combed, but a prominent slash scar running down the left side of his face drew immediate attention. He wore a tailored black and red suit that didn't do well in hiding his toned body.

A no-name grunt seated across the man as he offered him the envelope. The man in the black and red suit didn't take it immediately. He let the moment stretch, the only sound the faint crackle of a nearby candle. Finally, he reached out and took the envelope.

"You better not have brought me something worthless," He said, his voice low and gravelly.

"N-No, Captain," the grunt stammered, sweat beading at his temple. "We're certain it's him."

The captain's scarred brow lifted slightly at that. He slid a photo from the envelope. It was blurry and grainy, but his eyes widened in recognition. The image depicted a young man in the Blacklight District, his dyed-blonde hair and casual confidence standing out even in the dim light of the chaotic streets.

The captain's lips curved into a faint, bittersweet smile as he held the photo up to the light.

"So he finally set foot in our world, huh?"

The grunt looked confused, unsure if the captain's reaction boded well or ill.

"Did he notice any of you?" The captain asked, his gaze still fixed on the photo.

"N-No, Captain. We were careful," The grunt assured him. "Our men kept a low profile, just like you ordered. No unnecessary moves."

The captain nodded, setting the photo down on the table and tapping it thoughtfully with his finger. His sharp black eyes seemed to pierce through the paper, as though seeing more than the picture itself.

"Leave him alone for the time being."

"S-Sir?"

"What we do next is entirely up to him." The scarred man narrowed his eyes. "Do not make unnecessary contact. Understood?"

"U-Understood!"

"Good. You can leave."

The grunt bowed deeply before leaving the room. Alone once more, the man in the black and red suit poured himself a glass of sake. He swirled it slowly, the liquid catching the flickering lantern light. His scar pulled tight as he smiled faintly.

"The prodigal son returns... It may be selfish of me, but I look forward to seeing you again..."

He took a sip of his sake, sighing as nostalgia lit in his eyes.

"Young Master."