Sforzando || ᴋ. ʙᴀᴋᴜɢᴏᴜ

2 • In Which Time is Relevant - More Than Usual

It is hard to describe the feeling you get when someone randomly knocks on your door in the middle of the night, but distress would be a good one.

Grabbing a dagger from underneath my couch cushion, I tuck it into the waistband of my pants before pulling my hair back into a bun. An unbidden memory taunts me, pulling me in before I can stop it.

"Now, Y/n," My father instructed me, handing me a knife. "What do you do when someone you don't know knocks on your door in the middle of the night?" We'd been coming up with fake scenarios the entire day, Dad's from of father-daughter bonding. I think about it for a minute, then reply.

"I'd grab a knife," I twirled the one in my hands, something I'd learned at a young age. I'd grown up around strategy and weapons, and it never crossed my mind that it was unusual. "Put my hair in a bun and open the door while stealthily slipping behind them. Then I'd put my weapon to their neck ask them what business they have with me,"

Dad beamed, patting me on the back. "That's great strategy, Y/n," he praised. I knew better than to take it simply, because there was always constructive criticism after a compliment. "But what if your opponent realizes?"

"Then I'd pin them to the ground before they can do anything," I responded, albeit a bit too confidently. Dad raised an eyebrow, along with a challenging grin.

"Well," He tested me, almost in a teasing way. "If you're so confident, then show me that you can execute your plan," I was a bit confused, still twirling the knife in my hands. "I'll stand outside your bedroom door. I'll draw the blinds, and you'll turn off all the lights," I did as he instructed, getting used to the sudden darkness in the hallway and my room.

Dad closed the door, separating us. He proceeded to knock, once, twice, thrice. I put my plan into motion, opening the door while behind it. When my father walked in far enough, I launched myself onto his back. He promptly responded by ducking, and I landed face first. He leaned over me, smirking. "You make a lot of noise when jumping, especially with shoes on. Now, try again," He closed the door once more, and I slipped my shoes off. He opened it once again-

Another brisk knock cut the memory, and I remembered that Akio and I were in a hell of a lot of danger. I slowly opened the door, concealing myself in the small gap between the door and the wall.

A man walked in, with pointy brown hair not unlike an explosion and ruby-like eyes. He was lean, but I could tell he was strong underneath the black hoodie he wore. His expression was one of utter confusion as he looked around for whoever opened the door. That gave me the upper hand, and before he could move, my swift movements had him captured.

One hand splayed on the small of his back, and the other took my dagger to his throat. I kicked the door closed. No witnesses would be optimal, but I'm sure Aki can testify for me. She'd probably help me hide the body, anyway.

I heard the man suck in a sharp grasp, his eyes trying to find my face. I was far enough behind him, so I hid my face behind his shoulders. All he could see was my h/c hair.

"Now," I asked, my voice viscous and portraying cold interest. It's better to show no real emotions while confronting someone. "Would you like to explain to me what you're doing in my apartment at-" I snuck a quick glance at the clock on one wall. "Two-thirty A.M. on a Tuesday morning?" I didn't lower my voice, stirring Aki by accident.

"« Y/n, »" She grumbled, rubbing her eyes. "« Can you shut up for one minute? »" She then opened her eyes to find the fiery-eyed man and I near the front door and gathered what happened.

"Uh-" I was about to say something before the man in front of me spoke.

"You're L/n Y/n, right?" He asked, his voice a bit gruff. I guessed he doesn't like having a dagger at his throat, which was like everybody else I knew. "I was told that you're looking for a roommate," I felt him asses his situation, feeling the muscles in his back tense up. "So, I came to check the place out. Is that a problem?" He asked with authority in his voice.