I grew up on the edge of the city, and when my parents jobs started failing, I stepped up. I joined the army, and a few months in, I was called to the admirals office, which meant surefire death... well, I wish it did. Well, I used to. Then I met th...
I'm working the register while Azuki relaxes in the back of the café. She helps out here and there, but usually she just plays with Cacao, a kitten being raised by Chocola and Vanilla. She is very quiet, looking like this;
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She still had the one arm, but she's managing without it. But managing the register is annoying with one hand, and we all want her to rest.
"Hey kitten." He's been showing up again lately, but I don't mess with him, out of wanting to not bother Azuki.
"What are you nyasking for~" Doing this voice is really going to get on my nerves.
"Can I get a number 4?"
"Yes sir, meowster, that'll be... 39.99, credit or debit?"
"Cash."
He hands me the cash, purposely running his hand over mind when I take it from him.
I am going to murder him one of these days. I really hope I get a contract for him, would do it for free, even. As long as I can see his blood trickle down my blades.
"Valerie. Excuse me."
I look down to see Cacao looking up at me.
"What's up?"
"Can I have some dried fish?"
"Oh, sure, no problem."
"thank you."
I give her a small pack we keep under the counter, and she walks back, enjoying her fish.
Cute.
...
Alright, time to pack up. Time to get ready for my next contract.
Mr.hands reached out to me recently, asking if I could help take out another target, given my previous success. While I told Azuki I wouldn't, I need the money for her arm.
"Thanks for cleaning up, Azuki."
"No problem. I mean, you're working hard for my sake, it's only fair."
"Thanks, I'm heading out."
"Alright, where are ya' goin'?"
"A side job, an old boss contacted me recently, asking if I could take a job."
"Alright, what's the job?"
"I'll find out when I get there. All I know is that it pays well."
"hm... fine, but let me know when you're back, how it went."
"alright, see you!"
I feel a tugging on my leg.
"And bye to you too, Cacao."
She smiles up at me.
...
...
"Your target is Jacob Marshton. He is soon to be elected as the new mayor, and some people aren't taking kindly to it. You know what to do."
"How much will I be paid?"
"A good 120 thousand."
"Damn, I better do a good job then, huh?"
"You better."
...
He is relaxing in his penthouse, with maximum security in the form of automated defenses, turrets, the like. While I don't need to worry about the robots, as my mask hides me, I do need to worry about the lasers that'll set off the turrets and barricade the house.
I get into the basement through a workers shaft, and jack in, disabling the security long enough for me to get in and out.
I sneak into the foyer, and he's relaxing in front of the TV.
Now's my chance.
I turn on the jukebox in the kitchen, distracting him. He gets up to turn it off, complaining about it.
I sneak a pill that'll lead to a quick death into his wine, which quickly dissolves. I sneak out of the house, letting my drug do it's magic.
...
I get home at 7, tired and wanting a nice, hot shower.
Azuki is waiting for me. "So how was the job?"
"Went pretty smoothly. I even earned a heart 120k."
"Really?!"
"Yup, should have enough in a week, once I get payed."
"Alright, what was the job?"
"That's confidential."
"What?! Why?!"
"Client confidentiality. If I told, I would probably be unable to work in the field."
"Fine, I get that. Well, what did you do in general? Like, even a hint?"
"I got to put my old tech skills to use, if that helps. Now then, I'm gonna take a shower."
"Wait for me!"
She follows me into the shower. With one hand, it's difficult for her to get behind her ears without hurting them, so I help with that.
While I'm cleaning her hair, she brings it up. "Your job... was it a dirty one? Like, illegal?"
I stay silent, unsure how to respond.
"That explains why it paid so much."
"I'm sorry, but you know I needed the money, and it was the most effective way to do it!"
"Look... I'm not upset. I get it, and I understand. Its just... you promised you wouldn't."
"I... I'm sorry."
"Would you do it again?"
"What do you mean?"
"Would you take the job again? If given the chance to go back, would you?"
"... yeah, I would."
"..."
She's silent, in thought. We finish showering in silence, without so much as a word between us.
Dinner is the same, with an awkward silence.
Finally, when we go to bed together, she speaks.
"Listen... I'm not upset. Just... next time, let me know."
