Chapter 360: Killer Vs. Maid

"Damn it, why'd he suddenly change the lock today?"

Fusui rattled the doorknob—it was completely locked. Unlike the old single-key lock, this new one was a dual system: a cross-shaped 3D keyhole plus a password. No standard lock-picking technique would work here.

She used to open Rinji's simple lock easily—it was nothing for someone in the assassin business like her. But this one? Without proper tools, it was impossible.

"Rinji changed the lock?"

Karura curiously walked over. Sure enough, the door lock on Rinji's room was different from before.

"Probably because I've snuck in too many times… Even if I never succeeded, it must have raised his guard," Fusui frowned. "But seriously, two cute girls trying to do that with him and he still stays alert? Is he some kind of ascetic?"

"I don't really get it," Karura replied simply.

Her thinking was straightforward—she just wanted to have a baby with Rinji. She didn't think too deeply about other things.

"…Wait."

Fusui suddenly realized something.

Today wasn't like the usual times when it was just the two of them and Rinji—there was someone else: Hayasaka Ai.

"That lock… it must've been installed by the maid."

"By Ai?" Garuda tilted her head. "Why?"

"Because she doesn't want us getting involved with Rinji."

"Huh? But doesn't she like Rinji too?"

"Exactly. That's why she wants to stop us."

"That's strange," Karura said, confused. "Wouldn't it make more sense for her to work with us then?"

"…I don't think she's the strange one."

Fusui was very aware that her thinking, as part of the Kure family, didn't align with normal people.

Still, she was certain Hayasaka was behind this. The goal was clearly to stop them from making a move first.

And since the lock had been replaced so openly, it had to mean Rinji allowed it.

"…Karura, do you remember that gang boss we killed together last year? He also locked himself behind a weird reinforced door."

"Yeah…"

Karura recalled the incident. "That guy locked himself in a heavily guarded room with his men outside. We took out his guards first, then crawled through the air ducts and strangled him."

"Exactly. So…"

They both looked up at the ceiling.

"…But I think the air ducts in this building are too small for us."

"Yeah."

"Then let's come up with something else."

"Forced entry?"

"That'll definitely wake him. And I didn't bring any knockout drugs today," Fusui shook her head. "That won't work."

"…"

Karura fell into thought, then returned to the guest room, opened the window, and glanced up at the rooftop. After gauging the distance, she ran to the storage room.

"Hm? What are you doing?"

"Found it."

Karura smiled, pulling out a black rope with a claw-like grappling hook at the end.

"We'll rappel down and open the window from outside."

"Ahh, so Rinji's place even has gear like this."

Fusui grinned.

"Hmph. That little maid really thought she could stop us just by changing the lock? How naive."

Without another word, they grabbed the rope and headed straight for the rooftop.

They had to sneak into Rinji's room before Hayasaka returned.

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"Thank you for your purchase."

At a nearby convenience store, Hayasaka, still dressed in her maid outfit, walked back with a plastic bag full of snacks.

The earpiece in her ear was still active—she'd heard everything that had happened at home.

"Unfortunately for you two, I've known for a long time that you're assassins. And I already anticipated you'd try rappelling," Hayasaka said coldly.

She had fully investigated Fusui and Karura's backgrounds, including the tactics they might use.

That was why she didn't just change the lock—she'd made many other modifications.

And it was exactly why she chose this timing to stay at Rinji's home.

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"Alright, I'll go down first and check things out."

On the rooftop, Fusui pulled the rope harness around her waist tighter and turned to Karura.

"I'll signal you once I get the window open, then you can come down."

"Okay~"

"Here I go."

After a quick glance at the height, Fusui stepped off and rappelled down, her feet pressing lightly against the side of the building as she descended toward Rinji's window.

Karura watched from the rooftop as Fusui carefully made her way down.

But once she reached the window, Fusui simply stared at it—no signal.

Instead, she began climbing back up slowly.

"How'd it go?"

"Failed. The window lock was changed too. Not just that, it's reinforced anti-theft glass now."

"Eh…"

"Pretty thorough, huh."

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"I'm back."

At 10 PM, Hayasaka returned.

The moment she entered, she saw Fusui and Karura sitting on the sofa, both lost in thought.

Without a word, she placed the snacks on the table, leaned back, and said to them, "I trust you didn't do anything while I was gone."

"…We did a lot, but ran into… obstacles."

"I see."

"Hey, Ai. Let's make a deal," Fusui turned to her.

"No."

Hayasaka pulled out a bottle of coffee from the bag and rejected her instantly.

"I haven't even said what the deal is yet."

"I don't need to hear it to know," Hayasaka sipped her coffee, her tone calm. "Rinji wouldn't want you two doing that. Forcing it will only make him hate you."

"…Then how about a negotiation?"

Fusui considered for a moment.

"Hm?"

"Give us the key and password, and we'll let you go in first."

"…"

"That's our biggest concession. You get to go enjoy him first."

"…You sound like a total creep."

"I'm not forcing Rinji to do anything. I don't want to be hated either. I just want to tempt him a little—but I need to get into the room first."

"…"

"So? Do you agree?"

"I refuse."