Chapter 5

Reika had put on the afternoon tea they liked to drink. It was currently in the fridge because Rei liked the tea cold. Kenji had also put some biscuits in the oven to bake. 

Reika was alone in the sitting room close to their front door when Kenji thought it would be a good idea to sit beside her whilst waiting for his biscuits. 

They were assassins and didn't do much except lounge around until their next kill. The family had massive wealth and they really only continued doing this job for the family's prestige.

Unfortunately, doing this kind of job meant precautions – not standing out, being careful with location, behaviour and since they also had children, getting a large mansion with many maids and butlers was not an option. So their family had lived in this beautiful, elegant but smaller house for generations where they could handle all the chores.

Bing! Kenji got his biscuits out of the oven and laid them down to rest on the kitchen counter. He returned to his tea-sipping wife. Honestly, she had been consistently siping at the same rate for hours now. Sometimes Kenji wondered if she was truly a robot.

After twiddling his fingers for far too long, he turned to his wife. "Reika?" She ignored him and put down her cup, walking upstairs. Kenji sighed. He couldn't remember the last time Reika had actually shown warmth to him. He followed her upstairs to their room. Brushing sounds came from their bathroom.

Ah. It must have been time for her late afternoon teeth maintenance. She loved to clean her teeth three times a day without fail.

Kenji stealthily walked in and hugged her waist from the back. "Kenji?" She asked. "What's the matter?"

Poor Kenji just sighed, grazing his chin against her shoulder. "It's just been a long time since we–" A glare from his wife through the mirror shut him up. 

"I know you desire intimacy, Kenji, I just –" She spit out some toothpaste. "We're just not that type of family, Kenji, and you know that." Kenji turned her around. 

"I know. Stoniness, paying attention, being ready for any kill at any moment, we must be perfect killing machines, perfection!" Kenji held her shoulders and looked lovingly into her eyes through the mirror.. "But sometimes I feel like what our parents taught us was wrong. Look at how our babies are turning out." 

Reika frowned. "You mean what your parents taught you." She placed her hands on her hips, trying but failing to look elegant with toothpaste all over her mouth. "My family has been assassins for generations just like yours and we don't train our children with extreme methods like your grandfather liked to do. I'm even surprised you turned out normal."

Kenji frowned. "But I never used those methods on my children, and at least I don't strive for my children to achieve an insane amount of expectations and perfection!" He righted his glasses on his face. " Look at Rei. He's simply an insane version of you." 

She gasped, shoving him off. "Don't you dare. Our children were fine until we left them with your parents."

Kenji sighed and put his hand in his palm. "This is the matter with you. Every time I try to talk to you, you become defensive and start this." Reika frowned, turning back to wash her mouth. "I know we didn't marry for love, but I'm sick and tired of these walls – " Reika glared at him and he lifted his hands in surrender.

"I'll see myself out." 

"See that you do." She shut the door after him, and locked it. Kenji stared annoyedly at the door. 

Before Kenji could attempt to apologize for his rash words a wail came from downstairs. "MOooooM!" It seemed Rei was back. Kenji went down to greet him.

"Oh hi Dad." Rei said enthusiastically. "Have you seen Mom?" He asked, dragging his cheap bag onto the kitchen counter. 

"Afternoon maintenance." Kenji said in his heavily montoned voice.

"Ah." He started munching on one of the cookies without asking. Kenji's eyebrow twitched, but he calmed himself down. He had promised himself calmness and intelligence in dealing with his children.

Rei had already started pouring himself a glass of cold tea when Kenji looked up. Maybe there were other things they needed to ban from Rei. "Where are your brothers?" Kenji asked. 

"I don't know." He took another biscuit. "Why are you asking me?" Kenji sighed. At least Nagi hadn't arrived so he could bring Arato home.

The person being spoken off was currently in the school's library oblivious to the time, because he was reading An Introduction to Applied Sciences. It was not until his phone alarm buzzed loudly and the librarian kicked him out that he noticed that it was almost time for dinner.

Nagi sprinted out of the library, his bag thumping against his side. 

Crap, crap, crap— He tore down the street, his brain already imagining Reika's disapproving stare. He skidded around the corner, nearly wiping out on a puddle, and bolted through the front door. Reika placed the last dish on the table.

"I'm here!" he announced, breathless and triumphant, tossing his bag on an empty chair before immediately making a grab for the rice. He was lucky he made it in time, otherwise he'd be going to sleep starving.

Everyone else stared at the door. No weird creep walking in after Arato. This was serious. The sun was going down.

Kenji glanced up from his plate. "Where's Arato?"

Nagi paused mid-scoop, his chopsticks hovering. "...Isn't he here?" Nagi looked around. A thick silence fell over the table as Nagi dropped his chopsticks.

Kenji's eyes narrowed. "Nagi… I thought he was with you…?"

Rei, who was halfway through stuffing his face with a dumpling, froze. He blinked. Slowly, he chewed. "...So he really didn't follow you?" Bits of filling sprayed from his mouth.

Reika eyed him. "Manners, Rei."

Rei frowned, confused. He looked at the door wondering why Arato had not come in. Nagi's face twisted. "What? He always follows you after school, Rei, like he always does!"

Rei threw his hands up. "I know, but that was because I had a car, remember?! I thought you'd have him because I hadn't seen him all day!"

"You have some classes together!" Nagi also shouted in response.

" Thinking of it, I haven't seen him all day either." Rei said thoughtfully. Hearing this Nagi started gnawing his fingernails aggressively . His leg bounced furiously under the table.

Reika frowned. "Honestly. Stop doing that Nagi. It's irritating." He froze under her stare but, almost on instinct, started chewing his nails again. What if Arato got lost? The poor creep had no sense of direction.

Kenji, pinching the bridge of his nose, muttered, "So… no one has Arato."

Nagi fumbled his phone out of his pocket, nearly dropping it in his rice. "Wait, wait—maybe he texted me!" His thumb jabbed at the screen, scrolling with lightning speed. "Come on, come on…" No new messages. His stomach dropped. He groaned and slapped his forehead. "Oh, come on!" He calmed down and addressed the table. "It seems like he's really missing." Rei choked on his tea.

"Impressive," Reika muttered, finally looking up. "This family's competence is truly something to behold." Her wobbling lower lip betrayed her own calm.

Kenji shoved his chair back with a screech. "I'll check the school." His keys were already jingling in his hand as he stormed for the door.

Reika was on his heels, her usual composed grace shattered. "Move." She brushed past him, yanking her coat off the hook with such force the hanger clattered to the floor.

Kenji blinked. "Reika—"

"Don't waste time. Get in the car," she snapped, her voice tight and sharp.

Rei, wiping his tea-soaked face on his sleeve, scrambled up. "Wait, I'm coming too!" He bolted after them, nearly colliding with Nagi, who was already halfway to the door.

"I'm coming too!" Nagi echoed, eyes wide with panic.

But Reika was already outside. "Kenji, drive!"

Kenji threw open the driver's side and jumped in. The engine roared to life just as the front door slammed open again—

"HEY, WAIT!" Rei yelled, his arms flailing as he and Nagi sprinted toward the car.

The tires screeched against the pavement. The car lurched forward—

"Wha—?!" Rei yelped, leaping aside just in time. The car missed him by inches, his shirt whipping in the wind. He stumbled, wide-eyed and breathless.

The window rolled down, and Reika's voice cut through the night air, cool and absolutely deadly— "Stay here."

Then they were gone, the tail lights disappearing around the corner with a screech of rubber on asphalt. The car swerved and drifted like they were in a police chase.

Rei stood frozen in the driveway, his hair tousled and his heart pounding. "What the hell—"

Nagi, hands on his knees, panting beside him, managed, "They… they almost killed you." All his breath had been taken over by hysterical laughter.

Rei straightened up, scowling. "Seriously?! What am I, collateral damage?" He turned to Nagi, eyes flashing. "Get in the car!"

Nagi's head snapped up. "What car?"

Rei spun around. Lined up along the driveway and glinting under the porch lights—his entire fleet. Sleek, spotless and expensive. His babies. His face twisted. "...Where are the keys?"

Nagi folded his arms. "You seem to have forgotten that all your possessions have been confiscated ."

Rei's jaw clenched. He whirled and yanked the handle of his recently bought red sports car. Locked. He tried the next one, a black one he had bought for summer vacation.. Locked. The next. Locked. He pounded the hood of a convertible. "Come on!!!"

Nagi raised an eyebrow. "Well, whose fault is that?"

Rei spun on him, wild-eyed. "Are you serious right now?!"