The middle-aged woman froze. She looked at the armed Hitomi, trapped between advancing and retreating. Hitomi didn't attack immediately. She looked at Yuu. She had accepted what was happening because there was no other choice.
Gin raised an eyebrow but didn't interfere. Yuu knew their relationship couldn't be hidden, so he spoke up. "Hitomi, do you need help?"
The message was clear: Do what you have to do. Hitomi was his "Destiny" partner, and he wouldn't let her be in danger.
Gin re-evaluated them. Their bond was deep. Usually, the Organization worked in pairs; a deep bond with a partner was an asset, provided it didn't lead to weakness.
Hitomi shook her head. She knew she couldn't rely on Yuu forever. She took a deep breath, the iron scent of blood filling her lungs. Fighting back the urge to gag, she lunged at the woman.
The woman was a madam, not a fighter. Without her brother, she was defenseless. After a few desperate dodges, Hitomi found an opening and drove the blade into her heart. Blood sprayed across the girl's pale face, giving her a dangerous, seductive look.
Gin began to clap slowly. "Well done. You've passed."
He didn't even look at the bodies. Disposal was a job for the low-level grunts. Gin handed two black smartphones to them. "These are your links to the Organization. My number is saved."
Yuu and Hitomi took the phones in silence.
"You can leave. I'll contact you when there's work." Gin turned and walked away without another word.
Vodka, now noticeably warmer, led them out and helped them register their biometrics so they could enter and exit the base freely. On the way out, they passed through the lab again. Shiho Miyano was still there. Seeing the blood on them, her brow furrowed.
Since Vodka had introduced them as recruits, she immediately labeled them as cold-blooded killers—no different from Gin.
[Successfully triggered a 'Disgust' interaction with Shiho Miyano. Talent Draw +1.]
Yuu paused. Well, that's one way to leave a lasting impression, he thought. He gave her a slight, mysterious smile as he passed.
To Shiho, that smile was the mark of a sociopath. Someone who could smile right after a murder was just as twisted as Gin.
Yuu invited Hitomi to his new home. She nodded silently, needing time to process the physical sensation of taking a life. Yuu, with his high mental stats, had already compartmentalized it.
They were driven back by a silent chauffeur. Once they were a block away from the tower, Yuu asked to be let out. He explained his new living situation to Hitomi—the harem, the luxury apartment (which he attributed to Seimi's "savings" to keep the Suzuki secret for now).
They arrived home to find Seimi waiting anxiously. Seeing the blood, she nearly panicked. "Yuu! Are you hurt?"
"It's not mine," Yuu said calmly. "Run a bath for us. I'll explain everything."
The bathtub was large enough for all three. While cleaning the blood away, Seimi and Hitomi noticed each other's "Contract Marks." The shared connection immediately broke the ice. Yuu whispered to Seimi to keep the Suzuki's secret from Hitomi for now, as the Organization might have "ears" everywhere.