Lights out, all was quiet in the dormitory. It is currently two past midnight, not a great time for a student to be awake, but as someone who has worked his whole life beneath the moon, it's hard to adjust. Make that two of us.

Within the shadow of our dorm room, Sakuno and I rested in silence. I sat on the bed while he was leaning against the wall. The reason? We're expecting a call from Watcher any second now.

"Did you catch it too?" Sakuno asked.

"Catch what?"

"The second-year 'Belle of Campus,' Taiyori Ayaka. I'll give you a hint, it was nine years ago. The CEO of Yori Corporation made a request to the Hunt. His daughter was kidnapped on her way home from school."

"The chauffeur was found dead in a car with multiple gunshot wounds. The kidnapper demanded a ransom of three billion yen. The Hunt responded by sending all seven of us among the top assassins. We were ordered to kill without discrimination and rescue the girl by any means necessary. I remember."

Sakuno let out a soft chuckle. "What a small world, huh? Taiyori was that very same girl. She grew up to be a beautiful woman, but... that attitude needs a bit of work. You think she'd remember us if we told her?"

"Maybe. Maybe not. I have no intention of telling her."

"Why not? Since you were the one who saved her at the last minute, she would probably get on her knees and beg you to marry her."

"How one acts when oblivious to the facts is very telling of their character. She made her first impression, and it wasn't ideal, to say the least. I'd rather go back to the underworld than associate myself with the likes of her."

"Haha! So blunt. You could easily make 'the Belle' herself fall in love with you, yet you abstain simply because of that. I guess that's just the way you are."

Now that he mentions it, the memory rushes back vividly. Nine years ago, I first encountered Taiyori huddled in fear, a rag tied around her mouth. She was terrified when I approached her. The moment I removed the rag, her sobs filled the air as she clung to me, trembling.

I never expected to see her again. I had no reason to. But now that I have, all I can think about is avoiding her. She can never know I was her savior. For one, it would expose my true identity. And for another, I shudder to think of how she’d react if she ever found out.

Let's just say... I'm not used to receiving compliments at all.

Suddenly, my phone began ringing. Sakuno and I shot each other with confident looks. This is it.

I picked up the phone and put it on speaker.

"Sir," I said.

"...Sir...?" an unfamiliar voice answered.

My eyes shot wide open. It's not Watcher. Who is this and how did they get my phone number? That's not something I would give out to just anyone.

"Who am I speaking to...?" I asked cautiously.

"Um... T-this is Saki..." she replied nervously. "Am I... bothering you?"

Sakuno nearly stumbled over with a huge smile as if holding in his laughter.

"No, sorry," I said. "I just didn't expect a call from you. How did you get my number?"

"Oh. You wrote it on the application I gave you for the culture club."

"I... did?"

"Yeah. It was one of the blanks we had you fill in."

Looking back on it, I definitely did write it down. How could I forget such a thing? Have I become too lax over the months that I've been here?

"I see. Anyway, what brings you to call me this late at night?"

"Ah, right! I just wanted to tell you that both your and Sakuno's applications have been accepted, so you're now official members of the culture club! Congratulations!"

"Oh. Y-yeah."

"To be honest, I didn't think you would pick up. I don't know why, but I called you without looking at the time. That's on me. Sorry."

"It's fine. I'm normally awake around this time anyway. Thanks for the call."

"Mhm! Just to let you know, our next meeting is in two days at six in the evening. Will we be expecting to see you there?"

"Yeah, we'll come."

"Great! Then... Have a good night, Tsuki."

"You, too."

With that, I hung up.

"I almost thought Watcher was using a voice changer to catch us off guard," Sakuno scoffed.

"And I thought I got caught or something. Calling this late at night... Just what was she thinking?"

"Told you, man. She likes you."

"Shut. Up."

Right then, the phone began ringing again. This time, I read the lock screen to confirm the caller. 'Unknown Caller.'

"Sir," I said again.

"How's it going, son?" Watcher answered. "I'm hoping to hear some good news tonight."

"And good news you shall receive, boss," Sakuno grinned. "Mission accomplished. Tsuki and I joined the culture club."

"Damn, really?!"

"...Ain't gotta sound so surprised, but yeah. We figured we might as well so we can learn about the culture of the common folks."

"Good stuff, guys. Honestly, I was expecting to hear that you two failed the mission, but glad to know that I was wrong. Haha!"

"We'll see how it goes for now, sir," I said. "However, don't expect us to stay for too long. From what I hear, clubs can get... loud."

"That's the point, son. Those clubs are there for students to interact and have fun with each other. For a kid your age, that's what you're supposed to be doing."

I wonder if Watcher understands the struggle I’ve been facing since arriving here. Unlike me, he's had ample time to adapt to the real world. In the shadows of the city, he's Watcher, but above ground, he blends seamlessly into high society.

Maybe that’s what he wants for me. No, I’m certain that’s exactly what he wants. But it’s tough, and a part of me fears letting him down.

"By the way, boss, are you still in contact with Mr. Taiyori of Yori Corp?" Sakuno asked.

"That grumpy old man? Yeah, he comes to me for requests every now and then. What about him?"

"Well..." I gulped. "Do you remember his daughter, sir?"

"Of course I remember Little Ayaka. She's the reason why I sent you to that school in the first place, Tsuki. I thought you two would have a nice reunion. Why bring her up now? Wait... Don't tell me... You two are dating now?!"

"Pft...!" Sakuno spouted.

He tilted over to me with curled eyes and a hand over his mouth, desperately attempting to contain his hideous laughter.

"We are not, sir," I sighed. "And I have no intentions of being anything more than a stranger to her."

"What?! Why?!"

"Let's just say... She's not as kind as she appears, sir."

"Damn, for real? There goes the plan."

"...Plan, sir?"

"Yeah. I heard that Old Man Taiyori's daughter was nicknamed the 'Princess,' or 'Queen,' or something like that."

"Belle, sir."

"Yeah, that. Figured I'd try to reconnect you two. Who knows. Maybe way down the line, you two will be getting married. The thought of it brings tears to my eyes."

"Absolutely not, sir."

"Oh, come on. Just give her a chance."

"I've already seen all there is to be seen, sir. Unless you have any further instructions, we're going to call it a night."

"Oh, yeah. Your next mission. Get a girlfriend by the end of the month, and that girlfriend can only be—"

I hung up before he could finish. 'Normal,' my ass. What kind of sick person would try to pair a murderer with an average girl? 

The blood of countless lives stains my hands, casting a shadow tainted with red. The echoes of my victims reach up from the depths of hell, a grim reminder that I am no better than they are. A sinner... That's what I am.

I have killed. I have done wrong. Someone like me doesn't deserve love, nor does he have the right to seek it. Someone like me can not be allowed to forget and simply move on.

I... am not a good person.

"Ran," Sakuno called out.

I looked up to see him glaring at me with a frown. That's a look I rarely see from him, and I knew exactly why he was now showing it.

"Sorry," I muttered.

"What are you apologizing for?" he scoffed. "Just forget about what the boss said and sleep it off. Don't go and do something dumb just because he said so. If he wants us to live a normal life, then he shouldn't be telling us how. It's up to us to live this life however we want. Make sense?"

"...Yeah. I get it."

"Good, so quit making that face. Let's just take it slow and see where it goes. We've got plenty of time now."

As I tucked myself into bed, I couldn't help but wonder how Sakuno manages the guilt. He's been part of the Hunt just as long as I have, yet he carries himself as if the sins of the past don't haunt him at all.

No... Maybe it is bothering him. He's just better at hiding it.