'Well, it seems I should be more attentive,' muttered Hide.

In his previous life, Hide died at 48 years old. So, when he grabbed Shizuka's waist, he purely thought of Shizuka as a child, nothing more nothing less. He never imagined Shizuka would blush to the point her face became as red as a tomato. She even became clumsy.

Also, as far as he remembered Shizuka was a happy-go-lucky girl who was never shy to drag boys she wanted to beat. In short, Hide assumed that she was not a girly goof who would blush just because a boy touched her hand.

Fortunately, after Hide changed his approach and only held her hands, Shizuka managed to calm down. With ease, she then listened to and absorbed every piece of explanations regarding her job.

"Do you have any questions?"

"Nope, and you can grab my waist."

"Umm... I think holding your hand is more than enough, and sorry if previously I made you uncomfortable."

"Don't sweat it, I'm just a little surprised because you did it so naturally," replied Shizuka while inwardly she muttered, 'As if we are a long life couple.'

"Okay," Hide replied and opened the zip on his jacket halfway to his waist.

While holding hands, Hide and Shizuka continued to walk on the right side. At Hide's request, Shizuka skillfully put on an annoyed face that looked very natural. He even thought that Shizuka was truly angry with him.

Then, five figures appeared in the distance walking on the left side. Two figures at the front looked at Hide and Shizuka vigilantly, but only for a moment before their attention was absorbed by Shizuka's charming figure.

When they were only 10 meters apart, Hide squeezed Shizuka's hand twice. Spontaneously, Shizuka jerked Hide's hand away and stepped one step faster. Shizuka's action made the five approaching figures giggle. Their attention was also fully directed on Shizuka, because now they could see her beautiful face.

At the same time, Hide pulled out the silenced Sieg P365 from the holster under his left armpit and placed it in front of his chest. Once his left hand merged with his right hand, he then pushed the Sieg P365 forward until his hands were straight and formed a triangle. At the same time, Hide also slightly lowered his knees.

The Sieg P365 had no external safety lever and one round was always loaded in the firing chamber. So, once his aim was fixed on the target, Hide immediately squished the trigger gently.

Be-beeb! Be-beeb! Be-beeb!

Five quick double-taps hit five chests alternately, followed by five thuds.

When one of his targets tried to crawl, Hide fired the last round at his chest. Then, he loaded a new magazine before shifting the slide-release lever using his right thumb.

Clack!

Smoothly, Sieg P365's slide was returned to the front and one round automatically loaded to the firing chamber. Without wasting time, Hide then approached his victims and shot their temples from a distance of 2 cm.

After making the confirmed kills, Hide immediately moved closer to the tunnel's wall. While holding Sieg P365 using both hands at waist height, he turned to Shizuka.

"Your turn."

"Okay."

Swiftly, Shizuka started to work her part.

—

Even though it's only in the movie, Shizuka had at least seen how hitmen ambushed their targets using a silenced handgun. However, compared to the sensation when she looked directly up close it was like heaven and earth. For a moment, she even felt a strong rush and excitement.

Shizuka could easily see that Hide's action was a masterpiece. One that took tons and tons of practice and experience to finally become a second nature. The steel determination that Hide showed when he gave the final touch was also deeply imprinted on Shizuka's mind.

'Normal humans wouldn't be able to execute an art of killing at this level,' Shizuka muttered as she was done collecting all the brasses.

She then took the small bag and smartphone from the man lying in the middle. Swiftly, she moved five bundles of money in the small bag to the inner pocket of her jacket, then copied the content of the smartphone. Last but not the least, she returned the smartphone to its original position. Therefore, people would conclude that money was the main target.

With a face full of pride Shizuka then approached Hide.

"Done."

"How many brass?"

"Sixteen."

"Good job."

After sheathing his Sieg P365 into holster, Hide then led Shizuka to jog towards the west end of the Lily Tunnel. Once they past the exit, the two turned right and climbed a 40 degree slope full of grass.

At the top of the slope, they immediately lay down beside the wire fence and waited until no cars passed before jumping over it. Then, they casually walked down the sidewalk to Red Light District.

In a casual but curious tone Shizuka asked, "Hide, how did you know the five people who entered Lily Tunnel were our targets?"

"I recognize them. The man who brought the money is Maeda The Fox, one of the group leaders in Toruma Mafia."

Hide didn't lie. But he couldn't tell Shizuka that in his previous life he had done the same action and all the information he had gathered was still stored in his mind.

"How many times have you done a job like this?"

"This is my third job with Takeo. But I have done tons of similar jobs alone."

"Who taught you?"

"Well, I can tell you, but then I have to kill you."

Shizuka pursed her lips, then was silent for a while before saying resolutely, "Teach me how to use a handgun."

"In your dreams."

"Hide, I'm serious. You don't use your dick to pull the trigger. So, I will be able to do it too."

"Sorry, I'm bound by an oath not to teach my skills in the killing."

"Break your oath, I will pay you with everything I have. Including my body, if you want it."

In reflex, Hide looked at Shizuka's body from head to toe before casually saying, "Don't use your body as a bargaining chip, as if it's nothing."

"It's my body. So---"

"Talk about your request one more time and I'll kick you out of the team."

Hearing Hide's sharp tone, Shizuka stopped arguing and was only able to purse her lips. Under the night sky full of stars, the two then walk in silence.

*****