[Author Note]
Disc: 7VPPVvcK
Yo.
I would lie and say I'm busy like many other writers, but I'm lazy and have had no drive to write recently.
Sorry.
__________
Heisuke P.O.V.
Ugh, I really need to find this Toji guy if I'm going to eat something. I can't support Piisuke if I starve to death.
Maybe I can't beat him, but if I can find out where he might be hiding out, I'll be set for a while.
I rub my forehead. "*Sigh*, I'm not built for this. Maybe I should work somewhere else. Selling my sniper would get me a little cash to start up someplace new."
While contemplating quitting my profession and finding a real job, I turn to my left to see a convenience store. "Hmm?"
While it isn't much, I might find something cheap enough to get Piisuke and me through the day. However, the name of the store seems familiar. I feel like I've seen that name at the JCC.
"Sakamoto's"
I shrug. "Doesn't matter, as long as it has something for me to buy."
Rustling through my pockets, I pull out a 500 yen coin.
It'll have to do.
I've burned through all my money since I haven't had a successful job in weeks. Someone gets to my target first, or I fail the job because of a time limit.
*Pi!*
Piisuke rubs against my cheek.
I huff a laugh. "Yeah, yeah. I'll get something for you, too, partner."
It looks like I'll have to get something for both of us to eat.
...
3rd P.O.V.
*ding*
Even though Heisuke had heard the name Sakamoto before, the store didn't look out of the ordinary.
A man behind the cash register spoke to the newcomer in a deep, monotone voice. "Welcome."
Heisuke turned to the right and saw two men. One was standing up with a neutral face, and the other sat in a chair reading a newspaper.
Contrary to the many soulless people who usually walk through the door and would return a greeting in an equally monotone voice, a nervous boy with a bandage on the bridge of his nose and a crosshair on his right cheek enters the convenience store.
One notable trait about the boy was that he carried a bag on his back. Unknowingly to most, it was his sniper.
He wasn't nervous because he was socially awkward; he didn't know if 500 yen could buy anything, even if it were a convenience store. A customer who couldn't buy anything wasn't a customer.
Also, one of the men at the register was built like a monster. He had a scar on his lip, and even though he was wearing an apron, Heisuke could tell the man was shredded.
Even his neutral face would make children scream in horror.
Heisuke's expression had no more nervousness, only shock. 'That guy is a cashier!?'
If he didn't know any better, Heisuke would've assumed he was a top-tier assassin.
Heisuke rubbed the back of his head. "H-hello."
Seeing the man just standing there, menacingly, Heisuke turned back toward the aisles to try to find something that he and Piisuke could eat.
Since it was unknown if the store allowed pets, Piisuke was left outside.
It didn't take long for Heisuke to calm down after seeing the prices. Some items were out of his price range, but knowing he could afford basic food was reassuring.
After looking around for a while, he settled on onigiri.
Heisuke muttered out loud. "Better pay and get outta here before that cashier kills me."
Walking up to the cash register, Heisuke put the onigiri on the counter.
The man casually scanned the items; however, Heisuke noticed the man's nametag.
'Fushiguro.'
Heisuke blinked. 'Where have I heard that name?'
Similarly to Sakamoto, he'd heard the name before, but this one felt much more familiar.
...
*WOOSH*
...
Suddenly, Heisuke reached behind him and went to open his bag, however...
*boof*
Before he knew it, he was staring at the ceiling. It was strange because he didn't feel anything.
He went from standing to lying down on his back—no pain, wind, nothing.
It was as if he teleported.
Stunned by what had just happened, he saw the man he recognized as he lay on his back.
He spoke. "Behave, or get the hell out."
The other man at the cash register said a word with a slightly irritated face. "Language."
Heisuke muttered a name. "Toji Fushiguro."
Yes, he recognized the man before him because he had just seen the absurd bounty on his head.
Toji decided to get a real job. If he was going to do anything, he might as well do it with an old friend. He'd gotten tired of killing and could always fight Rion if he wanted to indulge his habit of fighting.
After years of training, they had reached similar levels but weren't even comparable to their previous selves.
Rion was highly talented, but didn't apply herself at first. She was motivated to protect and reached an entirely new level of power.
The man, or rather Toji, rubbed his forehead. "What a pain in the as-... rear."
It didn't take a genius to figure out that there was a reason why a random assassin came into the store to kill him.
The old Toji would likely torture or interrogate Heisuke for information, but he didn't care. He was confident enough to take out any threat that came his way. Besides, he'd given the JAA and his other enemies scars, physical and mental.
If any of those people from seven years ago wanted to fight, they wouldn't make it a few minutes before they were dead. Most wouldn't even last a second.
There were also the...rules...that Aoi tried to impose on Toji.
He agreed to follow them, unless the person was a serious problem.
Aoi wasn't happy but didn't press the issue further. It was a miracle that someone like Toji agreed to spare anybody.
However, he couldn't deny that it could be a problem for the Sakamotos if people were actively hunting him.
Taro Sakamoto had retired, and the rest of his family couldn't fight. It would take a single JAA order to put Sakamoto on the run.
Toji shook his head and sighed. "Sorry, kid, but if you're gonna try to kill me, do it outside of work hours."
Heisuke blinked. "You're not going to kill me?"
Toji picked his ear with his pinky with a relaxed expression, as if someone didn't just try to kill him. "Nah, Sakamoto and the woman would get pissed if I got blood everywhere."
It was at that point that a lightbulb lit in Heisuke's head. "Ah, that's right! Taro Sakamoto, the legendary assas-!"
The other man at the cash register seemingly teleported from his spot, put his hand over Heisuke's mouth, and put his finger to his own mouth to shush him.
Sakamoto's identity was an open secret to assassins, but he still didn't want the general public to know about his past.
To the community, he was a simple store owner who cared about everyone and helped them every chance he had.
After a short while, Sakamoto stood back up, and Toji picked up Heisuke by his shirt to bring him to his feet.
Heisuke hadn't had an interaction like this when dealing with assassins. After he was neutralized, he thought it was over.
Sakamoto returned to the cash register to sit and read his newspaper; however, Toji leaned on one of the aisles.
He crossed his arms. "Now, care to tell me why you tried to kill me?"
Even though the situation was defused, Heisuke felt a drop of sweat run down his face.
'I just wanted to buy some food!'