[Semi Hiatus] Bruises and Tears 【SNPNK / Sorata X Mashiro AU】

: ⅱ : Old Faces, New Lives

"Meet me in the break room if you want detailed information.
Misaki 😸"

This assignment was obviously a big one, so my stress factor had a reason to be up so high. I didn't understand all that was exactly trying to be said mainly because of the penmanship. There should be some course for being able to recognize cursive when seen... "Oof!"

"H-Hey! Watch where you're going!" The angry Kansai accent spun in my head for a minute before I could make eye contact with its owner. The pear eyes of fury bore into mine, until they widened and became softer. "Kanada?... Kanada Sorata?" The voice pierced me, and my body froze in place by the sound. I can tell that accent off from a mile away, and the sweet sound of her voice.

"Aoyama." We were both breathless with shock, our eyes locked for the longest than they were have been. She hasn't seemed to age a day, the only significant difference was her hair–it was shorter and now cut into a curled bob. I didn't expect anything to happen until she moved up, grabbing my hand, and taking me to an empty office. It reminded me a lot of when we'd go to empty classes in Suimei to... well, "talk", you could say.

"What the hell are you doing here, Aoyama? I'd never expect to see you in such a work area." An anger tone flared from my mouth. Aoyama is not this kind of person.

"I can ask you the same." She replied with a bland tone.

"Well– I asked first!"

Sighing, she leaned against the desk with her gaze down. Strands of her chocolate colored hair fell into to picture of her eyes. "I needed to raise money for the voice acting school. My dad still refuses to help me pay for anything; holding a grudge like usual." Chuckling lightly, it was obvious to see the reflections in front of her in her eyes.

Questions flooded to my head to ask her, but I couldn't choose one. Fortunately, she's always been able to read my mind.

"I know–this doesn't seem like a job for me. I saw an ad in the paper that they paid well, so I joined. And you know me," Her gaze went to mine, and a smile stretched across her face. "I'm all about working towards my goals."

It wasn't an exaggeration to say to myself, but this was too much for me to take in. The goody goody of our graduating class, an assassin like me? Anyone would call it a joke if they knew Aoyama. I couldn't picture her in this position at all–this isn't her.

"Aoyama, I–"

"Kanada, I can tell by that facial expression. Just go and take your time to understand it. It will take some time," he voice trailed off as it got lower. Three steps and you're home free, Kanada. But, she looks disappointed... No, of course she's not! ... Yes, she is. Swallowing my pride, I gave her a quick hug.

"I'll try to understand in time. And when I do, I tell my story." Smiling, I pulled away. "I have to go meet Misaki, so I'll see you later, okay?" Her nod filled me with warmth, an answer to show I did the right thing. Aoyama was always so sweet, it's too bad that we had to break it off... Releasing me from my thoughts, I turned out the door and made my way to the break room. Everyone seemed to be busy, which meant no attention on me. Misaki was an easy target in the break room, narrating her coffee story as she added mass amounts of sugar to it. Who even needs that much energy–especially her!? Walking closer, the sound effects could be hear.

"... BOOM BOOM BOOOM! TZZT TZZT TZZT! A-hah~! The little Nekon falls to the ground, defeated! AHAHAHAH~!" The sugar cube that she had sculpted into a cat had dropped into her cup of coffee by he stir stick.

Knocking on the doorway, I kept my voice low. "Uh, Misaki?" She jumped, letting out a small "Oh!".

"Kanada! It's nice to see you when you're not under the pressure of Jin!" She smiled widely, and examined me closely. I've never seen her in such a way, appealing a little scary to me. "I can see why Jin gave you this assignment–you're perfect for it! Now, let's see the file, hmm?" Handing her the manilla folder, we both sat down at the small coffee table.

"Jin and I remember seeing you a little at Suimei, but do you remember a girl named Mashiro?" Her head tilted a little to the side.

Mashiro? White? I don't really remember such a name... "The name doesn't really ring a bell,"

"Mashiron, Shiina Mashiro?"

"... Faintly." I admitted. I have heard the name, maybe in the news?

"Maybe her picture will bring back some memories." Her tone was low as she opened the folder, and pointed to the picture of a fair blonde haired girl. As if the sound of millions of bombs had dropped, my whole world has collapsed.

"Sh-Shiina... Mashiro... What about h-her?" My shaking gaze couldn't stay on Misaki's melancholy-filled eyes.

"Mashiron could be in trouble, and hurt. Jin thought this assignment would be perfect for you, because of who you need to assassinate." Her voice was low as she said each word. Why would such an assignment be perfect for me–especially if it involved... her!

"Who is it that must be killed?"

"Mashiron's husband, Akasaka Ryuunosuke." BANG!

Sure, assassinate the C.E.O. of the biggest computer system company known to man as if squishing a bug. Easy, right?

Thoughts swirled as the ever growing bump on my head throbbed.

[1,922/15,000]