I Killed My Brother In Law

Chapter 3 I Killed My Brother-In-Law.

The silence in the room was deafening. The peaceful atmosphere was obliterated by Taka's outburst, causing Matsuo to scold Iwao in his head. Stupid official brains like weathered rock, what subtlety? Where is it, and why can't I see it, unreliable prick! However, he had his image as a gentleman to uphold, so he didn't say anything. He coughed twice to alleviate the awkward atmosphere. "Yami-San your organization has set a guarantee and you have already signed the contract. Now receive your payment, and please accommodate this old man." Taka sent Matsuo a cold look before he burst out laughing. "Truly a wily old thing using my weaknesses against me like that-" 

Bang! 

A sound akin to that of a firecracker rippled through space as Taka struck! Brandishing his sword from seemingly nowhere. Matsuo gasped and jumped back and tripped, falling awkwardly; to his horror. Taka's blade evaded him entirely, cutting a path toward Biwa! 

The sound of metal scraping against metal filled the room. Countless metal shards fell on the floor. Matsuo looked up and saw Taka kneeling on the floor, inspecting the shards. "Mr. Yami, what is the meaning of this?!" Matsuo queried, his voice filled with indignation and confusion. Taka glanced at him before responding, "Assassin." 

" What! Guards–"

 " Don't bother; they are long dead by now" Taka interrupted before Matsuo could finish his command. Taka turned to the Biwa and asked, "How was it?" 

" What?" Biwa answered, snapping out of her stupor, her face extremely pale. " Your near-death experience, my elegance, my heroics, your near-death, my swordplay, your near-death!" 

Taka answered, his words sounding in her ears like a ringing bell. His words seemed to be telling her something and suddenly she understood he was telling her to be grateful to him. He wanted her to be ashamed. She ground her teeth in anger, snorted, and walked out. Matsuo watched their exchange, and when Biwa left, he thanked Taka 

" Why are you thanking me?" 

"You destroyed the shadow before it could form." 

"Shadow? Humph, I don't know what you're talking about, you senile old man".

 Taka snorted as he left the estate. Inside, Matsuo smiled and whispered to himself, "Fear". 

The following day, Taka came to collect Biwa and take her with him to the Fuma clan. Mashiro's words had greatly alarmed him. He decided to visit his mother, but he had a duty to protect Biwa hence he decided to bring her along. They walked side by side, heading towards the city's southeast gate. People who saw them saw them as a couple; this caused Biwa to curse at them vehemently in her head.

This man was cold and unfeeling. Who could possibly want to marry him? Since they set off from her adoptive father's residence he had not spoken one word to her. His indifferent attitude hurt her pride as a lady. At noon Taka suddenly stopped walking much to the relief of Biwa who had been growing tired. 

"Bastard!" She cursed him furiously in her head while rubbing her sore legs. She was sure he was intentionally making things hard on her. 

She wouldn't expect anything less from him. She started daydreaming; a beautiful scene was painted in her mind: Taka was helplessly following her orders, doing her bidding without complaint. The daydream seemed to have given her a radical kind of confidence.

With a spark of panache and a flip of her robe, she geared up to dress him down. That is until she caught the look of intense concentration on his face. Instantly, she forgot about her indignation. A feeling of anxiety washed over her. "What's wrong?" She asked somewhat tentatively. 

A smile slowly spread out on his face, thoroughly confusing her. "I'm going to visit my brother-in-law". 

Taka replied offhandedly, and then he entered a small restaurant. Biwa followed closely behind, puzzled and extremely curious. Inside Taka was conversing with a waiter, his face scrunched up. "He was dashing and handsome and also the most erudite fellow. I held him in high regard but my stupid sister is too simple, and he soon wanted to divorce her!"

Taka pointed his finger at Biwa and burst into tears. " The waiter was very sympathetic; he stared wide-eyed at Taka and tried to console him "This matter is simple. It would be best if you got both parents involved. Your in-laws would be placed in a tight position, making divorce almost impossible. The key lies with her.

Have they consummated their marriage?" by now, rivers were flowing down Taka's face, and his eyes were blood-red; before Biwa had a chance to sort her anger and annoyance toward him into words, Taka suddenly roared, "ARRRGHHH YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND I KILLED HIM, I KILLED MY BROTHER IN-LAW!!"

Faster than the untrained eye could perceive, Taka pulled out his sword and buried it in the waiter's chest. With a solemn air and an aggrieved expression, he sheathed his sword and walked out pulling Biwa in tow. Before the latter could even react, mumbling sadly, "brother in law sniff, brother...." 

The restaurant was thrown into chaos, a few people rushed from their seats to follow them, but Taka and Biwa had already mixed into the crowd and disappeared. A few minutes later, on a busy street, Taka took a sharp turn off the main street into an obscure alleyway. 

By now, Biwa's fury had been replaced by fear. Before she had criticized him about his attitude, blatant disregard for her feelings, and random killing spree; now, she was silent.

 Why would a prideful aristocratic young lady suddenly swallow her pride and keep silent? Taka was bargaining with a brothel madam about " A well-trained aristocratic lady's worth." 

"Despicable coward! Father should have never trusted you; how could he believe you would so easily let things go? Taka Fuma! Even if I die disgracefully in this life, I'll become a ghost to haunt you for all eternity!" Biwa cursed inwardly but refused to make a sound or show fear; she didn't want Taka to relish in her despair. 

Taka continued to converse with the brothel madam. 

"Absurd! You want such a high price! She may be a beautiful aristocratic miss, but the price is exorbitantly high. Come to think of it, I notice that you stare around a lot. This means you are either a kidnapper or you are a scammer who disguised himself as a famous bodyguard. You plan to sell this young miss at a high price, make your escape, and live comfortably from now on. This strategy has been used hundreds of times before. You are only the fourth person this week."

 "H...h..how did you know" Taka's expression was heavy with panic. His voice suddenly became very loud, and his hands were shaking profusely. 

When she saw his panic and fear, the brothel madam became very excited. 

What a fool! This is going to be some of the easiest money I'll ever make!

Her large breasts bounced heavily as if they would jump out of their silk wrappings. She was dressed scantily, without much covering as expected of a prostitute. Her lips curled into a smile. She was a prostitute. However, she made most of her money as an assassin. 

She hailed from an evil sect that used dark arts to kill or control unsuspecting men. Many officials and successful merchants had fallen prey to her charms. An unknown source had hired her to kill this young miss. When she saw that the girl had a bodyguard, she thought it would be difficult, but as luck would have it, he turned out to be an empty shell. 

She sent him a charming smile, giggled complacently, and thrust her body forcefully on his. She whispered sultrily in his ear, "If I can have her for two million, I could give you a satisfactory performance later." Instantly, Taka nodded his head, his eyes betrayed his purpose. She became even more enthralled because while he was quite pale, Taka was decently handsome and had a certain air of mystique about him. She couldn't wait to pair with him and drain his life with her evil arts. Thinking of it, she let out another giggle. Suddenly, Taka grabbed her and pulled her close to him; they were wrapped tightly together in a fierce embrace. "Thcch!" Biwa spat in disgust 

"What an unreliable man". By now, she despised him thoroughly. 

Suddenly, there was a crashing sound. The brothel woman lay lifeless in the narrow street, dead!

Astonishingly, no blood could be seen. Biwa who had been looking on did not even notice when Taka drew his sword. There was no trace of sword work on her body except for a very thin line where her heart should be.

However, only a person with extraordinary perceptions would take notice. Taka's hundred-degree change left Biwa gawking. He flattened his crumpled robes indifferently and made his way out of the alley "Hurry up, we're leaving." Biwa stood there momentarily dazed, then hurried after him.