trigger warnings: general Shamal nastiness (mild sexual harassment)

1

Even today, there still exist numerous old castles in Europe. After some refurbishment, many people currently live in them.

On the Italian peninsula, high up on the Apennines, one could see a man and a woman standing on a certain castle's cliff.

The man wearing a white shirt looked about 30, and he had a handsome and slightly rugged face. One of his hands was wrapped around the shoulder of the woman beside him.

"I love you...... So much that I want to kill you."

The passionate honeyed words were uttered right by her ear.

As strands of her hair danced in the wind, the beauty mournfully closed her eyes.

"Me too......"

Her palm, as pale as light snow, gently covered the man's hand.

Then---

"But only the part where I want to kill you."

In the instant she opened her eyes, she mercilessly bent back the man's wrist.

"Hurts..........! Uwah!"

THUMP!

Thereafter, she suavely threw him over her shoulder. It was hard to imagine that her slender body was capable of such forceful movements.

Then, following which---

"Haaa!"

STAB! STAB!

"Uwahhhhhhhh!"

The man's eyes were directly jabbed with biscuits, causing him to scream and roll on the floor.

"...... Poison Cooking."

"Hey hey! That move was just a normal eye jab, right? What's it got to do with cooking?"

The man protested, eyes bloodshot.

"Also, that was too mean, Bianchi~ It's been so long since we met, yet you......"

The man stopped, as if realising something all of a sudden, and very slyly lifted the corner of his mouth.

"Ah yes, I see, you're just shy, right? It can't be helped, I was the handsome older man you admired when you were young. You don't need to be shy! Just call me "Big Brother~" like before and run into my embrace......"

STAB! STAB!

"Uwahhhhhhhhhhh!"

The man's eyes were assaulted once again, his pained screams almost caused him to suffocate.

"I already said not to attack my eyes with biscuits!"

"Those were candies."

"Both of those aren't meant to be put into the eye anyway, right!? Are you really trying to kill me?"

"............"

"Ah, hey! Approaching me with that much killing intent......."

But the woman lowered her hand, and sighed with a expression that said 'What a pity!'

"Although I really want to kill you....... I have something to ask you first."

"Oh, you want to ask me something? Mm, as your elder, I should give you some advice. Okay, tonight I will teach you what adults do......"

"I'll kill you."

"I-I was joking! Yeah, those biscuits, they're far too pointy in the front, whatever it is, just put them away, put them away! Keep them!"

"Che!"

"Don't put on such a disappointed look......"

The man in the white shirt helplessly drooped his shoulders.

His name was Doctor Shamal.

From the previous strings of interaction, you might be surprised that he was indeed the top underground doctor in the Italian mafia.

And the beauty's name was Bianchi.

Like Shamal, she was also a part of the mafia, nicknamed "Poison Scorpion", and was a freelance assasin.

"Ah yes, what did you want to ask me, Bianchi?"

"Shamal...... why are you here?"

"Can't I be here? Uncle also has to occasionally climb mountains to stay healthy, you know."

"Don't say such obvious lies."

"I'm not lying, I'm actually a man that loves the truth. The love I give to beautiful ladies, has never contained a shred of falsity......"

"Your target is that castle too, no?"

Bianchi looked like she no longer wished to speak nonsense with Shamal. Using a finger, she pointed to the castle ahead of them.

"...... Aiyaya?"

Shamal smirked lazily, eyes narrowing into slits.

"Hey hey, this isn't like you, I can't believe you simply let it slip like that."

"!"

Bianchi promptly realised her mistake, and covered her mouth with her hand. But she was too late, as the word had already been said.

'Too' --- was the word.

"Whatever, there was nothing to hide anyway."

"Of course it's something to hide! How can a hitman so easily reveal their mission's......"

"Bzzt! That's a point deducted."

"Shit......"

Bianchi bit her lip in frustration. The hitman nicknamed "Poison Scorpion" should not lose her composure like this.

It was all the other party's fault, Bianchi found it hard to maintain her cool and reasoning in front of Shamal.

"I wouldn't have thought, that I would run into you here......."

"That's fate! To show my respect to the great Fate, let me give you a passionate kiss......"

".............."

"I already told you not to glare at me with such a scary expression. What a shame for a rare beauty."

If this carried on, Bianchi knew she would be strung along by Shamal, so she adamantly announced:

"My target is Giazi. (1) He's the current owner of that castle."

"Giazi, is that that "Sunshine" Giazi? (2) He lives there now, huh?"

Too obvious...... was what Bianchi wanted to say, glaring fiercely at Shamal.

Giazi was a famous powerful man in the mafia. Though it would be more accurate to say "infamous". Previously from a Famiglia, he excelled greatly in tactical manipulation, using all sorts of ploys to finish off their enemy Famiglie. But after that, his schemes extended to his own allies, taking out several capable adversaries before claiming the position he had now.

Because of this, the number of people that hated him was not few, a fact that Giazi was aware of. Hence, he hid himself away most of the time in this isolated castle on top of the mountains, almost never showing his face to avoid having revenge taken by his enemies.

"If you want to kill this conscientious man, it can only be done today."

The two stared at the old castle on the mountain.

Not too long ago, multiple black cars had drove past on the narrow road leading to the castle.

"A lame party held to praise his own power, he must be feeling very satisfied with himself already just by calling other people to come to this godforsaken place."

Bianchi couldn't hide the loathing on her face.

In this line of work, to be able to calmly take hold of the situation is a must, and then to swiftly complete the mission. Bianchi's current attitude could be said to be a very risky one.

"............."

Shamal watched Bianchi with an unreadable expression, and sucked in his cheeks.

"So you're saying, you intend to just show up nonchalantly at the party and kill Giazi?"

"Hmph, are you not doing the same? I don't know who hired you, especially since that guy has so many enemies."

"Mm, about that...... keep thinking about it if you want."

"............"

--- Poof.

Bianchi suddenly procured a huge cake from god-knows-where. But the decorations on the cake were......

"Hey hey hey......."

Earthworms, centipedes, cockroaches...... Even the sound of these poisonous beings was enough to terrify someone. They wriggled on the cake that Bianchi was holding, her narrowed eyes filled with a menacing aura.

"This commission is one I must complete, I won't give it up to anybody."

"Even so, there's no need to be so violent all of a sudden! That- there should be a peaceful solution, like through discussion, or some loving...... Especially the part on loving......"

SMASH!

"Woah!"

Shamal dodged the poison cake aimed at his head by a hair's breadth. It landed on the rocky wall behind him, and the part that was in contact with the cake began to smoke, then melt.

Poison Cooking---

The dishes made with it were laden heavily with toxins, this technique was used by Bianchi as her assassination tactic.

"Wow, that was close. Even if that was a loving wife-y dish, it was way too passionate......."

Shamal's sentence was cut short.

"Cough...... cough......"

He held his throat, kneeling as he groaned in agony. Bianchi watched him coldly.

"That cake had two important traits, the taste, and the smell of it."

"Th-the smell......"

He was too negligent after avoiding the direct attack, his entire person had been shrouded in the white fumes the cake produced after it was smashed onto the rock wall.

Thud--- Shamal slumped lifelessly on the ground.

"Goodbye, Doctor Shamal."

Bianchi, without a trace of longing, abandoned the unmoving man, striding away.

2

The setting sun sunk under the mountains on the horizon.

As the world changed colours from red to black, the number of visitors to Giazi's castle also reached its peak.

The guests that alighted one after the other from the black sedans, they were all powerful people with lofty positions in mafia society.

Amongst these socialites, one woman stood out in particular.

All the men that saw her couldn't help but gasp, and all the ladies too couldn't hide their jealousy.

The beauty was dressed in a cool ocean blue gown, and possessed a stunning figure. It was Bianchi.

The killing intent she had previously during her interactions with Shamal had disappeared without a trace. Even the movement of her fingers were practiced and elegant, leading all of those who looked at her to believe that she was a heiress from a big, influential family.

"Good evening."

Bianchi performed a deep curtsy. The guards at the door were momentarily dumbfounded at her beauty, and when they finally came to their senses, hurriedly straightened themselves.

"W-welcome......"

"The owner of the house hasn't changed a bit, has he? I can't wait to see him!"

"Yes, as you said."

The guards were so nervous they could hardly speak. Bianchi threw them a small seductive smile, intending to enter just like that.

"Ah, p-please wait."

"............"

Although her heart was beating fast, Bianchi did not show it. She put on her most refined smile and turned around.

"What's the matter?"

"Uhhh...... please let us confirm your invitation."

"Ah, so sorry, I forgot."

Bianchi retrieved an envelope from her handbag and handed it to the guards. It was given to her by the person who had hired her, a counterfeit with the highest degree of likeness. To fool Giazi's vigilant subordinates, the person who had hired Bianchi spent a fortune on the counterfeiter, it was obvious that they were very serious about the hitjob.

The guard carefully pored over every portion of the invitation, and returned it to Bianchi with an expression that indicated that nothing was wrong.

"Really sorry, that was rude of us."

"No, you guys have worked hard."

The smile on Bianchi's face was exceptionally sweet. Just as she was about to enter---

"Ah yes, if you don't mind me asking, where is your partner?"

Surprise.

Bianchi's face twitched ever so slightly.

"Today's party only allows a man and a woman to enter as a pair, this point should have been told to all attendees by our master......"

Now this she hadn't heard of.

Her contractor had unexpectedly made such a blunder, Bianchi couldn't resist biting her lip.

"......... He's been delayed by his work, he should be here in just a bit."

"Ah...... Well, around what time will he arrive?"

"Well......"

"Very sorry, if you're alone, you cannot enter, really very sorry......"

The guards who had been mesmerised by Bianchi's looks started to grow suspicious.

"Could you allow me to check your invitation once again, please?"

"............."

Bianchi desperately controlled the trembling in her hands, if she carelessly showed even a bit of hesitation, she would have doubt casted even more strongly upon her. Just as she was about to hand over her fake invitation to the guards once again---

"Ah, sorry, sorry, sweetie."

"!"

A voice that she was sure she would never hear again, a voice that she never wanted to hear again. Bianchi's face hardened to the extreme.

"Ahhh, it's all because of that other party that delayed me, those cute little ladies wouldn't let me leave, it's really such a headache......"

"Uhh, may we know who you might be......"

"Ah? I'm her partner, her partner. I asked her to wait for me, but she left all on her own. But just between you and me, I think she's super cute when she gets all jealous like that."

Bianchi fiercely held back a litany of words that would cause people's spines to shake, faced him, smiled and said:

"I waited so long, dear."

"Didn't I already apologise? So many other guests are waiting to get in, let's not prevent them from doing their job and go in, quickly."

He wrapped an arm around Bianchi's shoulder, and with quick steps, they walked through the robust castle doors.

After they entered the castle grounds, the two first walked through the sprawling gardens. There was a small cobblestone path that when followed, led into the castle itself. Bianchi checked the surroundings for onlookers, and when she confirmed they were alone, pulled the man aside.

"Woah, hey, young women these days sure are bold, what do you want to do, bringing an uncle like me into such a dark place......"

BASH!

"Aaahhhhhhh!"

Bianchi mercilessly kicked the place between his legs. The whites of his eyes showed as he almost lost consciousness.

"Ahh...... Hurts......"

"How are you still alive, Shamal?"

"Ah, uhhh...... how should I say, I'm experienced... Oof......"

Should I hit him again? No, Bianchi thought, let's give up that idea. If someone discovered a dead body, the commotion would make her assassination job much more troublesome.

"I will definitely pay you back for this debt I owe."

Bianchi left the kneeling Shamal behind, intending to make off on her own.

"Don't forget, if you disturb me again, next time, I will kick you so hard you'll explode."

"Eek!"

"........ No, I will kill you."

To Shamal, this was no laughing matter. Bianchi quickly vanished into the lamp-lit castle.

"Sigh...... She really turned into a such a firecracker! Whatever it is, she should change her man-hurting ways."

The pain had subsided, and Shamal shakily got to his feet.

"However......"

The memories coloured by time came and went, Shamal quietly looked around at the gardens, his eyes narrowing with grief.

"This place really hasn't changed a bit, how annoying."

Shamal used to live here before. Nothing to do with Giazi, he had been the family doctor for the Famiglia that lived here.

In this castle now, there was no one that knew his past. The man that owned this castle previously had lost a power struggle in his Famiglia, and the penalty of that loss was to give up the castle.

Ironically, the current owner Giazi was the one that had won that power struggle.

"The winner can be determined in a split moment...... That's just how it goes, I guess."

The scenery before him melded together with the memories of the past.

Sunlight bathing everything in sight...... On the neatly trimmed grass, two close young siblings, a brother and a sister, were running---

"...... Sigh."

Shamal slumped, and waved away the phantasms of former times.

3

The party could be described as opulent, though that was all that could be said about it. Although a lot of money had clearly been spent on it, neither the dishes nor the taste were particularly attractive in any way.

This was what Bianchi was thinking as she mingled amongst the partygoers, who were chatting and enjoying the delicacies. She was still on the alert, eavesdropping and observing all around her as she went.

The configuration of the guards, the dead ends, the escape routes after the assassination, et cetera. Bianchi checked all these one by one.

The men attracted by Bianchi's gorgeous looks came in twos and threes, all she had to do was perfunctorily flirt and deflect, and she was able to smoothly investigate all four corners of the venue.

'.............'

She gently furrowed her brow.

The target Giazi was nowhere to be found. This party was held to celebrate his birthday, logically it was impossible for him not to show up. If he was too cautious, on the flipside he would be seen as cowardly and be ridiculed.

'Did he leave temporarily? Or does he only plan to show himself once all the guests have arrived......"

He was definitely in the castle, but leaving the party venue to find him would be too risky, and could not be done carelessly.

Whatever it was, it would be better to wait and see first. At this moment......

"Eek!"

"Aw, don't look at me with such a hateful expression. Just a peck, let me give you a peck......"

"Th-this can't do, I'm working......"

"Just leave it. Play with me, cute little girl~"

Bianchi's brows furrowed even more.

'I should've killed him after all......'

Unaware of the gazes of the people around him, Shamal continued to try to pick up the waitress. Witnessing this, Bianchi fumed.

'A hitman doing such meaningless and attention-seeking things...... The past him would never do something like this......'

The past Shamal---

As the image conjured itself in her mind, Bianchi hastily shook her head.

'What am I doing, thinking of such unrelated things in the middle of a mission......'

Nevertheless, the memory once recalled would not retreat so easily. Moreover, this situation was one of special circumstances.

For Bianchi, this castle held an unforgettable past. Not to mention she had been brushing shoulders recently with someone who shared the memory.

'Calm down, right now only think of how you're going to complete the mission.'

Bianchi reminded herself repeatedly in her head.

But, just as her efforts were coming to fruition......

"---!"

She suddenly heard the sound of a piano.

The clumsy melody immediately made Bianchi's mind a blank.

"Ah......"

The image swam in front of her eyes.

A black grand piano.

And, the person playing it was......

"...... Hayato."

The child's tiny fingers labouriously fought with the keys.

The moment she saw this, Bianchi's rationality shattered into a million pieces.

She reached towards the child, her shaky steps wanting to bring her closer---

"Okay, that's it."

"!"

A hand rested itself on her shoulder. Bianchi's consciousness returned to reality.

"Shamal......"

"You look terrible! Did you drink too much? As your past doctor, I advise that you head outside for a breath of fresh air. It could do you better!"

"..........."

Bianchi's body was completely powerless, and with Shamal's lead, they left the party venue.

4

In the empty night garden, Shamal looked up towards the sky with an expression that complained of the cold.

"Huff...... It really gets chilly on the mountains when night falls, so there's no one out here."

As he said this, he took off his jacket and wrapped it around Bianchi's shoulders.

"............."

He had thought Bianchi would have taken it off and returned it to him immediately, but instead she held onto the jacket tightly.

It was as if she were a completely different person from her assertive self outside the castle, when viewed from behind, she looked extremely fragile.

Shamal lit a cigarette, and quietly approached Bianchi.

Finally---

"....... How embarrassing."

Bianchi spoke all of a sudden.

"The 'Poison Scorpion' losing her composure like that, how ridiculous. You think so too, right, Shamal?"

Bianchi bared a self-deprecating smile, but Shamal only silently shook his head.

This reaction only agitated Bianchi.

"I don't want your stupid sympathy! There's no relationship connecting you and me anymore! It's about time to forget the past, don't you think!"

"The one that can't forget is you, no?"

"!"

As if struck by lightning, Bianchi's body began to tremble, causing the jacket Shamal had put on her body to fall to the ground.

"...... Yeah."

When Bianchi opened her mouth again, although her gaze was dangerous, she had regained her poise.

"Maybe it was because I couldn't forget that I came here."

"............"

Shamal solemnly viewed the garden. For him too, this castle was an unforgettable place.

Bianchi spent her childhood in this castle.

And as the family doctor, Shamal also stayed here.

"In this castle..... there was once love."

Bianchi muttered to herself as if intoxicated.

"There was always people who admired Daddy and Mummy that gathered here, it was lively and warm...... Those days were really radiant."

"...... Yeah."

Shamal extinguished his cigarette, though it was still long, in a portable ashtray, and watched Bianchi seriously.

"Are you here...... for revenge?"

"How can it be possible, don't get it wrong. I know Daddy giving up the castle was something that can't be helped, the weak in the mafia cannot survive, that's the golden rule."

"If so, why......"

"Does it even need to be said, of course it's for a commission."

Bianchi coldly spat the words. There was no longer that wavering in her eyes, she had shut off her heart again, so as to calmly execute her mission.

She picked up the jacket on the floor, returned it to Shamal, and headed indoors.

"Wait here, weren't there those delicious-looking little lobsters in there? I'll bring some for you."

"Ah? Uhh, I'm not hungry......."

Her scathing look prevented any other objections.

"This way I don't owe you anymore."

With that, Bianchi departed quickly from Shamal's field of vision.

"Hey hey....... This way of returning the favour is far too simple."

Shamal shook his head exasperatedly.

Then, he turned to face the thicket behind him.

"Hey, how long are you planning to hide in there?"

Shamal stared unwaveringly at the thicket.

Unable to bear Shamal's gaze, a small shadow ran out. It was the youngster that was playing the piano.

"Spying at this age, looks like you have a future ahead of you. But, being spied on isn't as comfortable, is it."

"............."

"Hey, don't go silent, say something......"

WHACK!

"Owww!"

The youngster had savagely kicked his shin, Shamal was half-dead from the pain.

"Wh-what are you doing? Brat! If you dare underestimate adults, I'll show you......"

"You're not allowed to make her cry!"

"Ah?"

The outburst made Shamal's eyes widen.

On the other hand, the youngster was shaking, but still glared at Shamal stubbornly.

"I-I saw everything! You were arguing with her!"

"What arguing, you..... Ah, it's too troublesome to explain, the world of grown-ups can't be understood by you kids. Really, what is this brat talking about......"

"I'm not a kid! I...... If it were me, I would definitely cherish that person!"

The youngster said resolutely.

"Oh......"

Shamal stroked his messy beard, smirking.

"What's wrong, kid? You like the big sister?"

"Uh......"

The youth's face turned red instantly.

Shamal chummily petted his shoulder and said:

"Well, you should have said so earlier! This uncle can give you a hand, you know!"

"But...... isn't she your girlfriend......"

"That doesn't matter. I've been moved by your pure heart. As your senior in life, guiding juniors is something I should do. Yup!"

Obviously, Shamal was just teasing him. But the youngster did not notice this, and looked towards Shamal fervently.

"You're really willing to help me?"

"Mmhm, of course! I will teach you how to get along well with girls."

"Thanks, Uncle!"

The youngster that not long ago held animosity against Shamal, now had eyes filled only with anticipation.

"What's your name?"

"Giulio!" (3)

"Alright, Giulio, women are......"

Shamal talked incessantly about his tactics on women, with biased and delusional accounts.

The youngster nodded earnestly as he listened. Shamal became more animated, and embellished his stories even more.

"Listen up! Women are most afraid of the so-called direct attack, if you're all coy, there's no way to get the girl. You have to prepare yourself, and when you see her, just go up and kiss her; lacking this mentality won't do."

"Kissing...... I haven't......"

"What're you all shy about, kid? I was actually intending to tell you to just push her down! However, confessing is still good."

"C-Confessing!?"

"Yes yes, confessing. A man that can't express his feelings, is no different from a little chicken!"

"Confessing......"

"Okay, next I'll teach you about the secrets of a woman's body. Though demonstration is better, but for a kid like you, it might be too exciting, so here, I have a secret book......"

"Having a good time, Shamal?"

"!"

Giulio's back straightened.

Holding a tray filled with delicacies, Bianchi looked at the two with a small smile on her face.

Not expecting to be seen at that very moment, the youngster was stunned, should Shamal say he was lacking experience? With a nonchalant expression, he approached Bianchi.

"Thanks, Bianchi. Mm, food served by a beauty looks a hundred times more delicious. Though you in that dress is beautiful already, I still think a maid's outfit could be cuter......"

"You're really good."

"Mm?"

"I envy you. Even back then, kids like you. Even Hayato did."

Hayato---

Just now when Giulio was playing the piano, Bianchi's vision overlay his silhouette with that of her little brother. Hayato was his name, right now he should already be grown, much bigger than the youngster.

"Hayato loved sticking to you like glue, styled his hair like you, and even asked you to teach him how to use bombs......"

"Ah, eh? Did he? On the contrary, I found him hanging around me very annoying......"

"I don't know why, that child hated me a lot."

Bianchi's eyes blazed with jealousy.

Shamal, on the other hand, watched her while scratching his head, at his wit's end.

He knew the reason Hayato avoided his big sister Bianchi. When she was young, she was still unaware about her ability, and gave some of her Poison Cooking creations to her little brother to eat. Though she didn't mean it, the victim would of course still become wary, it couldn't be helped.

"Forget it, let's not mention it that, let's go sit down first! The food's going to get cold!"

Shamal changed the subject, pointing to the gazebo in the middle of the garden.

"Uhh......"

Just then, Giulio attempted to make conversation with Bianchi, looking at her intently.

"What is it?"

Bianchi smiled at the youth tenderly, this was an expression that would never be seen during interactions with Shamal. Just with that, the youngster's face bloomed red.

"Uhh, if I may ask, are you alright? When I was playing the piano just now, you looked unwell......"

"Ah, don't mind that, your playing was great!"

"Really?"

Giulio lit up.

Shamal indulgently watched Giulio, whose feelings for Bianchi were revealing themselves.

"Ah, uhh....... And also......."

Giulio's words stopped there. Like this, he really was going to confess, wasn't he? Shamal felt that it was going to get even more interesting. Bianchi would never take him seriously, but no loss, boys needed to fall down to grow up...... Shamal's head was filled with such self-assuming thoughts.

"Uhh....... uhhh......"

Looks like the kid was struggling.

"Please marry me!"

Shamal jumped in shock.

"Hey hey, you......"

Even Shamal couldn't hold back his bitter smile, although he did tell him to confess, he didn't expect him to go straight to proposing!

Then, hearing the confession, as expected, Bianchi---

"Sure."

Now it was Shamal's turn to be stunned.

"............ Ah? Hey, Bianchi?"

Not caring about the bewildered Shamal, who was as still as a wooden chicken, Giulio was overjoyed and grinning.

"R-really? You're really willing to......"

"Mmhm, but we have to get to know each other first!"

"Okay!"

Giulio answered excitedly.

Shamal sneakily came closer to Bianchi, and whispered by her ear:

"Hey hey, are you serious? A brat like this......"

"A lolicon like you has no right lecturing me."

"Th-That's not...... No, my love philosophy is not to discriminate between ages....."

"Whatever it is, I don't intend to take guidance from you, besides, he's as cute as Hayato back then."

"Just because of that, you......"

"Not just because of that."

Bianchi smiled elegantly, and gave Shamal a look.

"He's Giazi's grandson!"

The air between them turned cold.

Bianchi's smiled gently, but the hidden meaning behind it made Shamal shiver.

"...... You knew, so you agreed?"

"Eh? Were you not playing with this child because of this?"

"I met him out of pure coincidence, if not for that, who would play with this brat......"

"Uhh, may I interrupt?"

The joyous voice dissipated the nervous tension between the two.

Giulio seemed to be trying to contain his expression as he looked at Shamal, but it was clear that he saw himself the winner of this battle for love.

Giulio shifted his gaze to Bianchi, looking like a puppy that was fervently wagging its tail.

"Can I invite you to meet my grandpa? Today's party was held to celebrate my grandpa's birthday, but he's not feeling too well, so he's been resting in his room. But, if I were to introduce my bride to him, I think he would be very happy."

The youngster pleaded innocently. But it was impossible for him to know that the beauty in front of him was an assassin who wanted to kill his beloved grandfather.

"I got it."

Bianchi beamed as she answered.

The youth was also grinning naïvely.

"Uhh, Grandpa's room is over here. It's heavily guarded, usually people can't get in, but I'm special!"

"Really? That's awesome!"

"Hey, Bianchi......"

"Ah, you can help yourself to all those dishes, Shamal."

"Not that......"

Bianchi emitted killing intent in just a blink, though Giulio did not notice, but for the experienced hitman, it was more than enough.

"This battle, is my victory."

With that sentence thrown over her shoulder, Bianchi vanished through a door that did not lead to the party venue, holding the adolescent's hand.

Love --- no other word could be used to describe it, the feeling in the room.

The bright-eyed boy was currently speaking to his grandpa.

The old man, listening to his grandson, with his eyes in crescents.

In front of the warm blazing fireplace, the two were talking non-stop, not tiring of each other's presence.

That was an interaction that hadn't changed since the past.

Back then, when she was young, she too had seen a heart-warming moment shared in the cold night.

To destroy it all, that was why she was here.

She did not hesitate.

Because, she was a hitwoman.

She never looked back, either.

Because --- she was a hitwoman.

5

The cold air blew on her countenance.

Bianchi stood alone in the empty courtyard of the castle.

It had been two months since that party. The scene of that lively party, though recent, was completely untraceable, in the deserted castle, only the frigid wind was blowing.

"............"

The weeds were flourishing, the flowerbeds were showing signs of being overgrown. In Bianchi's heart, there was the feeling of reality, of finishing a difficult job. Yet, the feeling promptly disappeared into nothingness.

This castle had become Bianchi's.

Her payment for killing Giazi.

When she had walked up to Giazi, she had already completed ninety percent of her job. Bianchi had hid her Poison Cooking in the middle of all the gifts from those who had visited the sickly man. Making the scene look as if he had died due to illness was not difficult for her.

As for his Famiglia that had lost their leader, they begun to fragment, and eventually was chased out of the castle.

Just like Bianchi and the others back then.

"........... Huff."

Bianchi sighed softly, and walked into the castle. In the desolate hall, only the grand piano remained in its place.

Bianchi stood in front of it, running her slender fingers across the keys that had been covered with a layer of grey dust.

The melody echoed in the barren castle.

For the first time, Bianchi smiled lightly.

"This way...... Maybe Hayato and I can live together again."

She murmured to herself, but Bianchi knew, this was an impossible wish.

The days of the splitting of the Famiglia were long in the past, her little brother, like her, had started to walk his own path.

Even so, she wanted the castle, she couldn't help wanting it. Immersed in the life of killing at such a young age, Bianchi wished for a patch of light that could heal an exhausted soul.

But, even after snatching the castle back, she hadn't changed at all, only the fetters of pain and regret from severing a Famiglia remained.

"................"

Bianchi's fingers fell lifelessly onto the keys.

She stayed in this position for a good while, as if enduring a great agony.

--- At this moment......

"......!"

Bianchi noticed someone coming closer, and raised her head in surprise.

"What's wrong? You look tired. How about it, do you want a doctor to look you over? If so, then quickly take off your clothes......"

"What do you want, Shamal? Have you come to take your revenge for last time?"

On the receiving end of Bianchi's cold glare, Shamal fidgeted with his hands.

"How could I. Grown-ups don't get mad over that kind of stuff. On the contrary, I think you're really impressive, huh. Who would have known that that little girl back then would have become such a......"

"Are you taking a dig at me? If there's nothing, get out of my sight......"

Shamal handed a white envelope to Bianchi.

Though she was taken aback, Bianchi accepted and opened it.

"!"

There were several photos inside.

But, the person in the photo was---

"This...... How is it possible......"

The dazzling sun shone on the sand of the beach, it looked like somewhere in the southern part of the country. In the photo was the person who had proposed to Bianchi: Giulio. Yet beside him, lying on a beach chair with a smile, was Giazi.

"What's going on, Shamal? Giazi should have already been......"

Halfway through her sentence, Bianchi had an epiphany.

"Unless...... you......"

Trident • Shamal, he who possessed this nickname, also had a unique body unlike any on Earth. In him coursed 666 kinds of incurable illnesses, the symptoms of which cancelled each other out, hence making it seem as though his body was healthy.

He made use of this body and honed an assassination skill of his own, allowing mosquitoes to act as vectors that carried his body's diseases to transmit their effects to his targets.

These mosquitoes were hence dubbed "Trident Mosquitoes".

"Damnit......"

Bianchi bit her lip.

Before they had entered the castle, the reason Shamal had not died from her Poison Cooking attack, was definitely because he had used some disease of his to neutralise the toxins in the cake.

"...... I lost."

"No no no, I was also a bundle of nerves! To be honest, I didn't think you would use that sort of tactic to get close to Giazi, I barely just succeeded getting the antidote in him, it almost felt like a miracle."

"I knew something was fishy, but I wouldn't have guessed that it was Giazi who hired you......"

"Hold on."

Shamal shook his head.

"Don't get it twisted, I would never help those kind of geezers."

"What are you saying? What other reason do you have to help him?"

"No, there is one."

"Ah......"

Shamal reached out a hand, and brushed back Bianchi's hair.

"Of course it was because I didn't want you to make the sort of expression that you had just now."

Bianchi's eyes widened, and looked at Shamal with disbelief.

Shamal held her gaze.

That's right...... Shamal had not accepted any mission, but was working entirely of his own accord. Right after he caught wind of Bianchi's acceptance of the hitjob.

To complete a mission in a place brimming with memories of the past was no easy feat. Hence, Shamal originally intended to watch over Bianchi, to prevent her from committing a fatal mistake. Then, if possible, he hoped that she would not do anything to sully the place where so many memories were created. But her competitiveness would not allow her to be persuaded otherwise, so he could only do it in such a roundabout way.

Everything was for Bianchi---

To protect that maiden's heart from when she was still young, spending those blissful days together not too long ago.

"Giazi, on the surface, is dead, he can't return to the mafia world. He said he wished to spend the rest of his time peacefully with his grandson and his family on an island in the South."

"................"

"Mm, but he has to constantly live with the fear of being exposed. After committing such foul acts, living like that is a given."

"............ Heh......."

Bianchi covered her face with her hands, and laughed out loud. Then her laughs grew increasingly louder, filling the expansive hall with the sound.

"What a failure of an assassin...... both you and me."

"I'm really sorry to hurt your pride in the end. But look at that kid in the picture. He's smiling so wide, if his beloved grandpa were to die, he wouldn't be able to be so happy."

"You don't need to say anymore, it's all over. My assassination failed, that child is living happily with his grandpa......"

Suddenly---

If you didn't look closely, you would have missed that moment. A smile from deep within Bianchi's heart hung on her lips.

"Isn't this...... a good thing?"

Bianchi abruptly held her pale hands to herself.

Her deeply frozen heart, was now revitalised, and was beating warmly in her chest.

"Shamal......"

Bianchi looked hesitantly at Shamal, her expression changing from that of a master hitwoman to that of a shy damsel.

"About this...... I...... You......."

"Bianchi......"

As if returning her sentiment, Shamal's expression was also very serious.

"Do you want to live here with me?"

"Ah.......?"

Shamal's reply caught her off guard.

But she did not falter for long.

"I....... I......"

Bianchi decided, that she was going to reciprocate these joyful feelings to Shamal---

"Ah, hold on."

Suddenly, a bright electronic tune played, Shamal retrieved his phone from his jacket.

"Hello....... Ah, Roberta darling! Ah, Uncle's so happy, my beloved kitten is giving me a call!"

"!"

CLANG! Her face stiffened.

"Ah, today? Of course I'm coming! Then, I'll see you at the usual restaurant. I'll quickly wind up for tonight...... Heheh......."

"......................"

Seeing Shamal's perverted expression, Bianchi's face was completely frozen.

Shamal, on the other hand, hung up with a reluctant pout. He looked completely devoid of guilt, and resumed looking at Bianchi.

"Ah, sorry, sorry, that was a work call. Ah yes, how about it, Bianchi, do you want to create a little love nest with me here?"

"...... It's such a shame, I have a fiancé called Giulio."

"That brat will find a new chick to spend some delightful days with in no time! Forget about the past, cultivate a new love with me!"

"New love...... that's it!"

Great! Just as Shamal was about to grin and proclaim......

BAM!

"Ahhh----------------------!"

Bianchi ruthlessly kicked the area between Shamal's legs, if it was someone of the same sex, they would have never done it like so. Shamal nearly flew up into the air with this single hit.

Bianchi left him there, exiting with her head high.

"I'm going to live on for new love, but, not with you."

"H-How did it end up like this......"

Ignoring Shamal's disheartened look, Bianchi walked out of the castle.

Then, she turned around to glance at this castle that was rich with history.

This place was very important to her.

But she can't remain in the cradle of the past forever.

A new love...... A new world---

She had to live in that sort of place.

'Stupid mature men, I've had enough of them. If I'm going to date, maybe it'll be better to find someone younger than me......'

Bianchi mulled over the thought.

Finally, one day, after she had gone through many loves and deaths, she met her fated one, an infant---

But, that's a story for another day.