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The land was pale, drained of color. Fog drifted lazily through the crumbling streets as people walked out of the ruins in silence.
One boy stood still in the middle of the path, watching them leave.
> "My name is Kirota Hoshigawa. I'm an assassin. I took this path to change the world—so my sister can live."
She was born with a rare disease. It won't kill her immediately, but it will stop her from living a full life. The treatment exists—but it costs more than he could ever afford.
That's why Kirota kills.
---
Kirota eventually stopped in front of a decaying apartment building. His boots crunched against broken glass. He reached into his coat pocket, pulled out an old silver key, and opened the rusty door.
Inside was quiet. Dust floated in the air.
The kitchen was small, barely enough space for one person. The window was cracked open, and through it, a white cat jumped onto the counter.
"I just stay here," Kirota muttered. "It's abandoned... and I can't afford rent right now anyway."
He walked over to the fridge, opened it, and pulled out a bottle of milk and an old bowl. He poured some in and placed it on the ground. The cat began drinking.
Kirota patted its head. "Eat up, little guy."
He stood, stretched, and glanced toward the clock.
> "I'm just waiting for my next mission. Once I finish it, I'll have more money... I can get her one step closer to recovery."
---
He stepped into the bathroom. The toilet and bathtub were stained and old, but functional. After washing up, he climbed the stairs and entered a small bedroom. Inside, he opened the wardrobe and pulled out a neatly folded black school uniform.
He dressed quickly.
Then checked the time: 7:09 AM.
"I'll be late…" He sighed. "And yeah—I still go to school. I'm only sixteen."
He walked out the door, locking it behind him.
---
As he made his way down the street, a voice called out.
"Hey there, young man!"
Kirota turned. An old woman approached him, carrying a shopping bag.
"You new in town?" she asked.
Kirota scratched the back of his head. "Yeah, I just moved in." 😅
She squinted at him. "You go to Kouyouka Academy, don't you?"
"I do," he nodded.
The old woman leaned in a bit, her voice lowering. "Then let me give you a warning."
Kirota tilted his head. "Huh?"
"Have you heard of the Blackgrave?"
He blinked. Does she mean... me?
He faked a laugh. "Nope, never heard of him." 😅
"They say he's the most feared assassin in the region. Strikes in the shadows. No one walks alone at night anymore—not with him out there."
Kirota nodded politely. "Thanks for the warning. I'll be careful. Sorry, I gotta run—I'm already late!"
He jogged past her.
> "Don't worry about me… I am the Blackgrave."
---
He ran to school, just barely dodging a car. His heart pounded as he reached the gates, then the classroom door marked Class D.
He opened it and stepped inside.
"Sorry I'm late!"
The teacher raised an eyebrow. "Your first day, and you're already late?"
"Sorry," Kirota said, slightly out of breath.
"Name?"
"Kirota Hoshigawa."
The teacher scribbled something on the attendance sheet. "Take your seat."
Kirota scanned the room.
Students stared at him.
One girl whispered, "I told you the new guy would be hot… guess I was wrong."
A boy muttered, "He looks boring."
Kirota sighed and took a seat at the back.
His eyes drifted to a girl near the window—long black hair, reading a book.
He glanced at the cover. The title read Call My Name.
She didn't look up once. Just sat alone.
> "She's not talking to anyone. Doesn't laugh. Doesn't even look around. Does she… have friends?"
The class buzzed with chatter. One boy said loudly, "Don't worry about the Blackgrave! I'll protect everyone!"
He punched the air and laughed. The other students laughed too.
The black-haired girl didn't react.
Neither did Kirota.
Eventually, the bell rang. Students stood and filed out.
Kirota slung his bag over his shoulder and got up. He glanced back at the girl... but she still hadn't moved.
He walked out alone.
---
Outside, students were playing soccer. Others gathered in groups, gossiping.
Kirota wandered off—until something soft brushed against his foot.
A black cat.
It purred, then took off.
"…Again?" he muttered, and followed.
The cat led him to the back of the school, where it stopped beneath the shade of the building.
"So?" Kirota asked. "What's the mission?"
The black cat stared at him. Then it spoke.
"You never waste time, huh?"
Kirota didn't smile. "Just tell me."
The cat sighed and swiped a photo from its fur. "Your target is a police officer. This guy."
Kirota caught the picture. A man with brown hair.
"Five hundred thousand yen."
Kirota studied the photo. "Wasn't he in jail? For kidnapping five-year-olds?"
"Escaped. Changed his name. Now he's walking around pretending to be law enforcement."
Kirota pocketed the picture. "Got it."
---
Back in class, Kirota sat down again.
The black-haired girl still sat at the same spot. Still reading.
He glanced over, then turned away. Then back.
"…So what's your name?"
She didn't look up. "Why should I tell you? We're not friends."
Kirota sighed. "We sit next to each other. You know my name… it'd be weird if I don't know yours."
"…Fine. Ayame Tsukino."
She flipped another page.
The bell rang again. Students poured out into the hall.
Kirota stood. So did Ayame.
They walked out—separately.
---
As Kirota walked, he passed the side street.
His eyes froze.
There was the man from the photo—his target—laughing and walking alongside a small boy.
He's pretending to be a cop…
Suddenly, Ayame appeared.
"Thanks for walking my brother," she said to the man.
"No problem," the man smiled.
Kirota narrowed his eyes. Wait. That's her brother? They look nothing alike... unless she's lying.
Ayame turned to the boy. "Don't talk to strangers, okay?"
He nodded. "Okay!"
"There's your mom." She pointed.
The boy ran off.
Kirota watched from the shadows.
---
Later that afternoon, Kirota returned to his apartment.
He opened a black case under the bed.
Inside was a sleek black coat and a full-face mask.
He suited up, stepped to the window, and jumped into the evening sky.
He leapt from building to building, finally spotting his target walking alone down a street.
Kirota's eyes glowed red.
Enhanced vision activated.
Far ahead, he saw a little girl walking by herself.
And... Ayame?
She exited a nearby store, holding a bag.
The police officer crept toward the girl from behind.
Ayame spotted him and immediately dashed forward, kicking him in the stomach.
He stumbled back.
Ayame shielded the girl. "You okay?"
The officer chuckled. "You got the wrong idea…"
Ayame narrowed her eyes. "What were you planning to do?"
He smiled nervously. "N-Nothing."
She turned.
Suddenly, he lunged—with a knife.
Ayame spun, unsheathing a small blade from her side and slashing across his arm.
"Self-defense," she said coldly.
"You'll pay for that!" he growled.
He drew a gun and fired.
She blocked it with her blade, but the impact knocked her down.
The girl screamed.
The officer charged again with his knife.
Then—thunk.
A black knife flew through the air, piercing his shoulder. He collapsed.
A masked figure stepped from the shadows.
Ayame gasped. "You're... the Blackgrave."
Kirota said nothing. He walked up to the unconscious officer and slung him over his shoulder.
His voice was low and sharp.
"Be careful where you walk."
Then he jumped into the sky—and vanished.
Ayame stood frozen, her heart pounding.
"…Next time…"
---