The most feared assassin watched as his classic car disappeared into the distance at a high speed. He touched his painful ribs and knew that a number were broken. His girl could kick like a champion. The thought filled him with some pride.

However, it also reminded her that she was not an ordinary girl. If she wanted to disappear, he might not find her again. The Yamazaki family took almost eighteen years to get a hold of her. He did not want to wait that long.

He took a sharp painful breath as he turned back to look at Ayumi.

"You better pray that I find her. Otherwise, I will personally put you in the Ground for ten years." His voice was calm and cold.

There was not a tinge of emotion in those words. He meant it.

"You would put me in the Ground for her?" She asked with a tremble in her voice.

The Ground was not a simple place. It was a prison Kaito had built for punishing traitorous members of the Shadow Brotherhood as needed. After all, it was difficult to keep law and order in an assassin group.

The Ground was designed to confine the traitors and ensure their suffering without wasting resources on crude torture. As long as it existed, it served as a warning to other members of the group against betraying the organisation.

Of course, some members were sent there for a fun few days if they annoyed Kaito.

Though it was just a hold, it was not a pleasant place. No one had survived for more than five years in the Ground. It was built in the basement of the Shadow Brotherhood centre. It was soundproofed, isolating it from the outside world.

Eventually, most people were driven mad after a few months.

"Do you think that I should forgive your actions? Is this the behaviour I should expect from my subordinates?" Kaito asked coldly.

"But I am also your childhood friend. Shouldn't you forgive your friend?" Ayumi said with a sense of injustice.

Kaito laughed with a sense of disbelief at these words. The absurdity made it possible for him to ignore the pain in his chest for a moment.

"Would my childhood friend sabotage my happiness? Would my childhood friend watch me throughout the day without saying or doing anything even during an attack? And would that friend find the most appropriate time to strike and deal a devastating blow on his girlfriend?"

"I do have a good friend indeed." He laughed again.

He had not sensed Ayumi watching him and Akira, but she knew his habits. She had probably set up a watch station far enough away and watched them for a long time before appearing at the opportune time to maximise the effect of her words to Akira.

Ayumi looked at him breathing in pain but still fighting for that little b*tch, and she felt angry once again. Yes, she had watched him and come at a good moment to drive a wedge between them.

But if that shameless sl*t really liked Kaito, she would have stayed by his side instead of behaving like a dramatic child. Could that b*tch's shaky feelings for Kaito compare with her years of love?

"You are defending her so hard. Didn't she break your ribs and drive off with your car? You would rather be with someone who does not even care about your physical wellbeing than with me? All I do is think about pleasing you!"

"You should know that I also have a temper. I will not always be waiting for you to turn and glance at me. I do not understand you. I am a beautiful woman, and I have always been devoted to you. Why would you rather choose someone else?" She asked angrily.

"Is this about men always wanting something that they can't have? I do not know why I keep wasting my time on you. And do not even pretend that you do not know I have feelings for you! I have made myself clear."

Kaito felt that the words were ironic.

"If you have made your feelings clear, I have also made myself quite clear. I have never given you a reason to believe that I am interested. And since my actions are not clear, I will clarify with my words. I do not have feelings for you." Kaito said.

The words were cruel but clear. In consideration of their past friendship, he thought it was the kindest thing that he could do. She could see it as a parting gift. After this, he could no longer see Ayumi as a friend.

He could forgive his friends for literally stabbing him with knives, and he had. But he could not let go of what Ayumi had done.

She had crossed his bottom line.

"Why? Am I not beautiful enough? Am I not intelligent enough? Haven't I always strived to be a better assassin for your sake? That b*tch does not even love you. You are willing to do everything for her. You have never even given me a chance." She cried out in frustration.

Kaito stretched a hand and put it around her neck. The bloody aura of a dangerous killer surrounded him like a second skin. His eyes had a red tinge as he lifted her in his hand.

"This is the last warning, Ayumi. Insult her again, and I will really end you." He let go of her neck.

She coughed as she looked at him in disbelief. She knew that Kaito did not have tender feelings towards the fairer sex. However, he had always treated her well. But for that b*tch…

"And if you believe that love is about giving someone a chance, why don't you give one to Ogawa? He has always been by your side, right? He has always given in to you regardless of the situation. He has never given up on you." He added, his breath a bit laboured.

"How can you say something so cruel?" Ayumi asked with a sob.

She could not believe that he would suggest such a thing when he knew that she loved him. Wasn't that slapping her in the face?

Kaito laughed with a short breath. "That is cruel? Isn't it the exact thing you suggested to me? You want me to give you a chance even though I have made my feelings, or lack thereof, clear. Why is it so cruel if I ask you to do the same? You have opened my eyes today, Ayumi."

"I…" Ayumi stopped.

It was different because she knew how much she loved him. It was just different.

However, she could not say those words.

"Let us have only the business relationship of a superior and a subordinate from now on," Kaito said coldly because he could see that she was not convinced.

He could say nothing further.

"Call the police and report the crime." He added before leaning on one of the vans.

He had promised Akira to deal with the matter properly, so he would not go back on his word.