⚠️WARNING!

This chapter contains blood, violence, and intense scenes. Reader discretion is advised. 

Afternoon 

Gabriel returned and handed over the folder.

“Mr Bagrovski, here it is. The document you gave me is 100% accurate.”

Mr Bagrovskiy nodded, looked out the window, and lit a cigar.

“How did he get this information… overnight?” he whispered.

“Did you say anything, sir?”

“Nothing.”

But he was slowly starting to get curious and suspicious of him. Haruto was either a genius… or dangerous.

“We move tomorrow night. Get ready.”

“Roger.” Gabriel left the room.

Mr Bagrovskiy kept staring out the window, cigar in hand, as the night drew near.

Determination burned in his eyes—he was ready for war, no matter what. He didn’t care if he lived or died tomorrow. He always thinks that he was born this way. And whatever fate threw at him, he would accept it.

*****

Three nights later, the day of the mission has come.

Mr Bagrovskiy’s intelligence pinpointed a San Diego headquarters in Ostiense. Lightly guarded. Housing a man named Dominic, San Diego’s accountant and one of the heirs, and the last link to the offshore accounts funding the bombings and rats in the organization.

They moved under the cover of darkness. Mr Bagrovskiy, Haruto, and two Blades. Silent. Efficient.

Inside, the headquarters was too quiet. Haruto’s instincts prickled.

“He’s still here,” Mr Bagrovskiy whispered, pistol drawn. “Gabriel, get all the money.”

“Roger”

They found Dominic in the study, wide-eyed and reaching for his gun as soon as his men alarmed him.

“Mr. San Diego, they found us,” one of his men said while gasping for breath.

“What? Get ready!!!” He said, clearly seeing the surprise and nervous tension written on his face. 

“Get the money, boys!! I didn't expect Mr Bagrovskiy to find out so quickly--he's sharper than I thought.”

Haruto didn't waste time. He aimed his rifle at Mr San Diego while they were collecting the money. No hesitation, he fired a single, clean shot.

Dominic collapsed, blood spilling across his desk.

“Bingo,” Haruto smirks.

Silence.

Mr Bagrovskiy looked at him. “You didn’t hesitate.”

“I’ve killed worse,” Haruto muttered, but something in his voice cracked.

“Move now, his men are still inside. Get him before he escapes—my shot only caught his back.”

“Don't worry, Gabriel is already on his way.” Mr Bagrovskiy looked at him quietly, every glance carrying unspoken judgment as if reading him like a book.

As they walked into the mansion, Mr Bagrovskiy watched him entirely.

They arrived at Dominic's room, and Haruto leaned against the wall near the door and looked at Mr. Bagrovskiy.

He looked around the room and suddenly caught sight of Haruto.

Haruto sighed and tilted his head, ordering him to get inside.

“Too bad, Mr Dominic, my man here doesn’t like your game. No more hide and seek. Happy Death Day!” he smirked and shot him in the head. 

*****

Later, as they burned the headquarters, Mr Bagrovskiy approached him.

“First kill in my world is different."

He looked at him, hollow. “Because here it never ends?”

“Seems like you’re more desperate than I am.”

They glanced at each other. Mr. Bagrovskiy's instincts kicked in.

He’s stunned to speak. “Ah.. Because you said it’s my first mission and I need to earn your trust. I just did my job…”

“So you did it for me?” smirk.

“What?”

“You said you shot him because you wanted to earn my trust, so you did it for my sake. Why?”

“Yeah, Why!? What?..

“Do you like me, Mr Haruto?” he looked at Haruto with a straight face.

Oh, God! I'm tired of this… Okay, I'll play along with your game. He said in his mind. He looked at him, and he said, “What if I do!” 

They both look at each other, and Mr Bagrovskiy walks towards him.

“What will you do if I do, Mr Bagrovskiy?”

He grabbed his neck, startling Haruto with his actions. And Mr Bagrovskiy whispered into Haruto's ear. “Then we should fuck right now, Mr Haruto,” smirked.

“W-what?!! I’m kidding, Mr Bagrovskiy, how dare I like someone like you, right?” laugh awkwardly while he held Mr Bagrovskiy's arm and struggled. This bastard, can you take your hands off me?! He said in his thought.

“Can you take your hand off!!” He glares, hand trembling as he struggles to breathe.

“So you mean I’m not your type?” 

“What?! It’s not that. Mr Bagrovisky, can you take your hands off me for a moment? I can’t talk to you like this.”

He released his neck. “So you like me?” smirked.

He coughed after Mr. Bagrovskiy released his neck.

“No.. I.. argh. Oh, please God, think whatever you want.” He sighed. Oh God, Buddha, Allah, can you get rid of this bastard already!! He thought to himself as he left and got on the helicopter.

Already regrets playing along with him. And Mr Bagrovskiy chuckles and follows him.