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It's a rather spacious apartment - in the sense that it had one of those modern open floorplans. The kitchen and living room spaces were merged together. To the left were two doors- one, presumably leading to Cade's bedroom. To the right, down a narrow hall, was another door attached to one side; flat against the wall was an ornate chest-drawer. On it is a little shrine in the form of a platter and a framed photograph, with offerings placed on the platter. Incense sits steeply pointed up in an ashy pot, unlit. His living room comprises of a long black couch, coffee table, TV table but no television set. Instead, a small radio sits propped on the TV table, next to a laser disc player and sound system. There are very little personal effects. The framed pictures on the wall are generic, and you get the sense they came with the apartment. There is a single framed photo on the TV table. Across from you are large windows looking out across Cantilados.

Was your first day anything like you'd expected it to be? Mr. Kinoshita is an interesting character, no? Once you've all gotten situated, he approaches you once more. "Good work today, Kanemaru-kun." With sleeves rolled up and tied removed, he only seems a fraction more lax than an office worker. @Rey ✨Hotaru

She's taken off her blazer and a few of her accessories to get comfortable as well. Might as well, since she's staying the night. "You as well, Kinoshita-san." "Hope we made your day a little more interesting." @li 🚭 five (kazik)

"It is has been the most entertaining day I have had in a while." Which must mean a lot, considering you all found it boring as sin. He remains standing for a while, but Hotaru is welcome to get more comfortable. "You are all interesting individuals." "Have you been in America for a long time?" @Rey ✨Hotaru

It wasn’t that boring. But it was work and work should be a little boring at times. Hotaru chuckles nonetheless, leaning back on the couch. “Yeah? That’s good to hear.” “No, only been here a few months now.” Hotaru tilts her head. “And you?” @li 🚭 five (kazik)

"Two years." "Why Cantilados?" @Rey ✨Hotaru

Two years is a long time. But to garner the attention of both factions in only two years is an interesting feat. He can’t just be an accountant. “What can I say,” she says with a hum. “It’s new.” And unknown to many. @li 🚭 five (kazik)

"America is different," he remarks sympathetically. @Rey ✨Hotaru

“It is.” The customs and the people. Despite everything, she finds herself a little home sick. The quiet early mornings help quell the feelings a little bit. But lot quite enough. “So why Cantilados?” Shooting the question back at him. “Was it for work or..?” Running away from something too? @li 🚭 five (kazik)

"It was." Moving close to work. Maybe he'll move again in a couple years. He does that if it gets too suffocating, too boring. "They're much more lax about dying hair in America," he comments. You get the sense this has a deeper meaning. The looser grip on scruples. The freedom. @Rey ✨Hotaru

Idly, she brushes her bangs away from her face. Bleached and dyed blonde, jusy a few shades off from the color of rebellion. “Mmm, they don’t bat an eye at it.” It helps her blend in here too. “Kinoshita-san,” She leans forward in her seat. “Just what did you do to have five people assigned to watch over you?” A terse smile grows on her lips. “You seem to be quite special.” @li 🚭 five (kazik)

Most children have their rebellious phase in their teens. Some people are not so fortunate. You could almost consider his entire life a rebellious phase. `"I'm just a salaryman." "But I have particular skills that the syndicates want me for, that not many people can do." Once he's no longer useful, he'll probably die. He'll probably die. "It'd be easier to list what I haven't done." "I am not a particularly good person."` @Rey ✨Hotaru

So he says he’s not a good person. That makes two. Or three, or four, or five. Hotaru can’t help but laugh, it’s a muted and soft sound. “Color me curious.” She eyes him again, looking for carefully now— the same way she would when somebody brought in a new recruit. “Whatever you’ve done I assure you, I’ve done worse.” Or at the very least, veen the cause of much worse. @li 🚭 five (kazik)

-# cw gore He doesn't seem abashed by the way she looks at him. He doesn't flinch or look away, doesn't shrink under her gaze. ||"Have you lit a man on fire and cut words into his body to take photographs?"|| @Rey ✨Hotaru

Her eyebrows raise just a little. And she takes a note of the way he stands his ground, posture and attitude unchanging. Though it makes sense, considering she no longer has the power she had back in Japan. Still, He’s got a backbone. “Now that’s creative.” She gives him a sharp smile and raises her hands up in defeat. “No, can’t say I’ve done that one before.” Hotaru lowers her hands. “Who’d you do all that for?” @li 🚭 five (kazik)

I can't say I've done that one before. That's good. Hotaru would be better off if she didn't. "I'm not sure," he answers. @Rey ✨Hotaru

She’s already done so many things— what’s another one to the list? “I’m sure you know. Who— as in what family.” Which Syndicate, Gang, Yakuza, or Cartel. @li 🚭 five (kazik)

"I don't know." "I am not informed of where my tasks come from." "I'm given my tasks by a middleman." So he does all of that- for, well. Strangers. "It could have been the Cartel." Or the Triad. @Rey ✨Hotaru

Well that’s not helpful at all. “So that particular skill that syndicates want you for…” “Is it killing people?” Anyone can do that. @li 🚭 five (kazik)

`"Something like that." Anyone can do that, that's true. Well, it's not. Not everyone can kill a person, Kanemaru-san. And even then- "Consistency."` @Rey ✨Hotaru

Another hum. “Impressive.” Being consistent, that is. She knows how difficult it is to find a good hit man who cleans up after himself. Assuming Cade does, that is. Because why else would syndicates want him, and want him protected like a prized dog? Ah, that explains why he was barely working earlier. “What was your first like?” @li 🚭 five (kazik)

`"First job?" "Or first kill?"` @Rey ✨Hotaru

“First kill.” She’s asking only out of morbid curiosity.! @li 🚭 five (kazik)

`"I was assaulted first." "I was overcome with an unfamiliar emotion." "So I killed them."` But afterwards, he found that it was (un)surprisingly easy to do. That this is something that was not normal for everyone, but rather normal for him. Something he was good at. So. @Rey ✨Hotaru

“Were you scared, or angry?” An unfamiliar emotion, he says. There are only so many possible choices in that situation. “Did you find it fun? Killing them, I mean.” @li 🚭 five (kazik)

`"I didn't want to die." Is the unfamiliar emotion. "I suppose it was fine." "I suppose the rush of adrenaline made me lively." "But I don't particularly find killing people fun. I don't enjoy it."` @Rey ✨Hotaru

Nobody wants to die. Is it so unfamiliar? … She can’t help but think that he’s a perfect hitman. Disconnected enough to not find joy in killing people. It’s just another job, simple as that. “I see why they hired you, now.’” Vague. @li 🚭 five (kazik)

Some people want so badly to die it drenches every fiber of their being. The strong desire to kill yourself is, too, a feeling. Sometimes that's better than nothing. `"Because I'm heartless," he smiles a little bit. Just the corners of his lips. "It's a good thing to have feelings, Kanemaru-kun." Out of nowhere. "Having feelings means you're alive." "May I ask how old are you."` @Rey ✨Hotaru

"You're not heartless.," she says easily. "A heartless man wouldn't treat a bunch of bodyguards to lunch. Or get pulled into a stupid eating challenge." Having feelings means you're alive. Is that how he sees it? "I'm 28. And you?" @li 🚭 five (kazik)

`"I see." Not necessarily. A terrible person could do such gestures easily to buy some cheap peoples' trust. But was Mr. Kinoshita a terrible person? Debatable. He didn't think about such things. He never did. "I'm 36." "I don't consider you all bodyguards."` @Rey ✨Hotaru

She shrugs. "That's what we are for the time being. What do you consider us, then." @li 🚭 five (kazik)

"That's vague." " What kind of people?" @li 🚭 five (kazik)

What kind? ...He doesn't really hold any kind of opinion. People. Just people. Well... `"Interesting people." "Fun people."` @Rey ✨Hotaru

Still, vague. "Fun and interesting." "Is that what you want to get from us?" Fun and maybe something interesting. @li 🚭 five (kazik)

`"I don't want anything." "If you could complete this mission safely, and have fun," "It would be a good thing."` @Rey ✨Hotaru

"Everybody wants something." It's something that comes up eventually. "The mission is to keep you safe. So as long as you don't do anything crazy..." She tilts her head from side to side. "Then we'll be fine." It's just work, after all. "What are your plans for tomorrow?" @li 🚭 five (kazik)

He doesn't want anything. Not from you all. He tilts his head in a similar fashion. `"I'm going to kill someone, most likely."` @Rey ✨Hotaru

"With all of us following you?" She wonders how he'll manage such a feat. It's not like they're inconspicuous. @li 🚭 five (kazik)

`"I would tell you all to stay home, but I have already been told 'no.'"` @Rey ✨Hotaru

“… I’ll do my best to stay out of your way, then.” She’d hate to ruin a job. @li 🚭 five (kazik)

`"I see." "Use your best judgement."` He trusts you, anyway. @Rey ✨Hotaru

Should he be so trusting? Well, it doesn’t matter. “Of course.” @li 🚭 five (kazik) we can end…