Chapter 10: The event starts

 "I guess you would believe everything I say now?" Said Fujima as he approached Mio's seat which surprised the whole class that made a silent and awkward air around the room. 

"Why should I?" Answered Mio.

"It was a deal and I got a perfect score." 

"Yeah, and I got a perfect score as well. The deal was to believe you if you beat me. You didn't. It's a tie." Said Mio as she smiled at Fujima.

"Well, you do have a point." 

"Of course I do." Replied Mio as he offered her hand for a handshake which Fujima accepted before returning to his seat. 

The silence around the room was broken by Ken the moment Fujima went back to his seat.

"That was totally cool bro! It's like you and the class president are now rivals!" 

"Well, it was a miscalculation of mine to think that no one besides me would get a perfect score on the quiz." 

"Is that arrogance or confidence?" 

"It is arrogance coming from confidence I suppose." 

"You're not making any sense but you are making sense." 

"Look who's talking." 

Days passed by after the quiz and the day of Hiroshi's speech had come. This speech will be held in a theater. A rather fancy venue for someone making a speech whose motto is to run for less fortunate people and make their lives better. 

During the morning, Fujima went to school like any other day. He listened to the lectures and butted heads with Mio on who's getting the higher scores on the next quiz. They sure got a little bit closer which surprised most of the students in the class. 

The bell chimed that marked the end of classes so Fujima stood up and was about to go home and prepare for his mission tonight. That was before Ken stopped him.

"Can I talk to you for a minute? Let's just wait for our classmates to go home." 

"I'm a bit busy today so make it quick."

"I know you are." 

After the students started leaving the room, Ken rearranged his seat to face Fujima.

"Did you see the news? It says that the phantom rose is out to kill Hiroshi Masato. Will you kill him tonight?" 

"Yeah" 

"Then be extra careful. It says that security will be tighter than ever. Even special agents will be deployed in the area just to safeguard Hiroshi." 

"I know. But I am the phantom rose." 

"Just be careful okay? I don't want to lose a friend. You're important to me already. Got it?"

"Yeah sure. I have a plan so don't worry too much. This guy deserves it. Not that killing is the answer but I don't have a choice." 

"Just be careful out there." 

After their conversation, Fujima went to his apartment to prepare as he found Mr. Takamura already standing by his front door.

 "What did I tell you about showing up this way Mr. Takamura?" 

"Oh yeah, I totally forgot about that." Said Mr. Takamura smiling while scratching the back of his head.

They both went in the apartment as Mr. Takamura sat in one corner to talk about the plan while Fujima started getting dressed for his mission. 

"I will be in communication with you through this earpiece the whole night. I will give you updates about the scenario and will give the go signal for you to eliminate him after exposing him. First, you are to infiltrate the backstage and act as a crew member. The question is how to get your weapons inside."

"That won't be a problem, I already left the necessary things last night as I infiltrated the theater where the speech will be held." 

"That's good. For now get dressed as a crew—. I see that you've already done that. Be careful out there kid." 

"Much appreciated sir. May the gods of death be with us tonight. This will be a tough one to deal with considering that special agents are involved." 

"Yeah. Don't let your guard down, Fujima." 

After their meeting, Fujima and Mr. Takamura parted ways. Mr. Takamura is to sit among the crowd and give Fujima the details of what is happening on stage, while Fujima is to prepare for the final assassination.

Fujima went to the venue an hour and a half before the start of the ceremony. 

"What's your business here?" Asked one of the guards who was tall and well built wearing a suit.

"I'm a helper backstage for today's event. Here's my ID."

Fujima and Mr. Takamura already prepared a fake ID that wouldn't raise any unnecessary suspicions as it is well made by the organization. 

"The ID is good. You may now proceed to that area for a body and luggage check." The guard pointed to his other companions as he instructed them to check on Fujima.

"Walk through the sensors." Instructed the guard who was in station for the body and luggage checking.

Fujima went through the sensors and he was all cleared up. As he expected, security is indeed tight. 

The theater was indeed luxurious. There were VIP seats hanging from the walls that would overlook the whole venue. Those seats might be where the other politicians and other known figures would sit. The lights were extravagant which had Fujima stunned for a moment as he entered the venue. This is his first time seeing the venue with the lights on after all.

He went straight to the backstage and helped with the ongoing work to prepare for Hiroshi's speech. Despite looking around the area for a few minutes, he hasn't yet seen his target. 

"Did he decide not to go? That's impossible, this event is something that would boost his publicity so he wouldn't possibly ditch it just because of a death threat coming from me." Fujima thought to himself. 

A few minutes later, the guards started becoming more alert and observative, so Fujima asked one of the crew members what's up.

"What's happening, why are the guards on the edge of their seats suddenly?" 

"I heard that Hiroshi Masato already entered the venue and will pass by here shortly." Said one of the crewmen. 

Fujima held back a smile on his face as he thought to himself. "So the target has already arrived. The pest I must say." 

Moments later, Hiroshi Masato passed by the backstage and Fujima locked his eyes on him. The politician went straight to the dressing room so Fujima only got a sight of him for a few moments.

"At last, the main actor of the night has arrived."