Chapter Text
CHAPTER 1
“This should be, what? Your 120 th bounty since you joined us?”, the man in a suit stirred his tea before bringing it up to take a sip. “134th , Mr. Rex Lapis”, the boy with teal hair answered, staring down at his steaming tea resting on the table before him. The man in a suit chuckled, placing his teacup down to look at the boy. “For the millionth time, Xiao. Please, call me Zhongli”, he said.
Xiao stared back at him. “If I address you as your public name, it could cause trouble and danger in the future. I would prefer it if you call me Yaksha at work as well.” Zhongli nodded. “Perhaps you’re right. I called you here for another reason aside from our name however,” he leaned forward, resting his elbows on his lap as he smirked at Xiao. “I want to know if you know what you’re about to do and if you can do it.”
The teal haired boy soundlessly gulped, still not used to how his boss interrogates him before he goes on duty. This is his 134 th time being asked these questions. He never fails to get nervous, even when he’s sure to finish it anyway. “Yes, Sir. I’ll go on and finish my duty like I always do,” he answered surely and confidently, it seemed to satisfy Zhongli as he sat back straight and took his tea again.
“Good. I just wanted to make sure. You are free to leave”, with that, Xiao stood, turning to open the doors to exit his office.
“And Xiao?”, he stopped, turning his head to look at the now intimidating gaze of his boss.
“If you continue to be like that- nervous I mean- even for just a second, I guarantee that imperfection would be inevitable. We don’t want that now, don’t we?”, his amber eyes tore into his gold ones and it took Xiao a moment to process what his boss had just said.
“Of course, Sir. I won’t disappoint you.”
His boss finally smiled. “As always, ok, Xiao? Perfect as always.”
134 kills. 134 kills in his five years with MORAX. 134 kills as Yaksha, the most requested hitman working for MORAX. 134 kills of important targets since his first in the age of 12. HIs 134th now that he’s 19.
Get the blue velvet box and assassinate the head of the Sunsietta Preschool.
That was his job. His 134th job.
And he’s going to finish it and get his 135th next.
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The colorful walls of the rooms were vivid and bright. He studied the intricate designs and drawings supposedly made by the children who goes here. He spotted a flamingo, drawn well- as if someone in grade school had made them instead of preschoolers who actually go here. He caught another sight of a well drawn butterfly but poorly colored with what seems to be a mix of crayons and paint. And another of a beautiful scenery, a mountain before a sunset- the canvas adorned with textured paint. Surely that isn’t a work of a preschooler now isn’t it?
They’re kids. Talented kids perhaps.
“Don’t be fooled by the paintings. One of our helpers has been sticking her works here and there”, the old lady walking before him interrupted his thoughts. “Well, to be fair, she does think like a child most of the time. And she needs help now more than ever since the last helper suddenly quit”, she straightened her sky blue uniform dress before continuing her walk. He followed a few steps behind her.
“Now where were we?- Ah! The introductions, yes, of course. I’m Granny Ruoxin, the founder and perhaps the principal and this preschool. I’m incharge of the bigger stuff- tuition, PTAs, taking care of our little school, and of course, the kids’ afternoon snacks”, she laughed to herself, stopping before a red door that had the words ‘Class II” hanging on an embedded title. “I believe they just finished. It’s around these times where my other helper cleans her room,” he looked at Granny Ruoxin, waiting for her to open the door to introduce her to the other helper.
From what he knows, there’s two teachers in this preschool. One assigned in the morning and the other in the afternoon. Aside from that, the only staff this preschool has is the other helper whom he will be joining as he does his task.
Granny Ruoxin gave him a small smile before twisting the knob and pushing it open. It revealed the bright light coming from the big sliding glass doors on the other side of the room There were a few toys laying around the carpeted floor and other books and materials neatly stacked on each drawers in the sides. Music was playing in a quiet speaker.
“Lumine? Can you come here for a second?”,Granny Ruoxin gestured to Xiao to enter the room which he obediently followed. HE glanced sideways to see what was behind the pushed open door. It was a girl.
Their gold eyes met and he was welcomed by a soft smile from her. She was holding a handful of toys and empty juice boxes in her other hands. Her hair looked disheveled, probably from playing with the kids, and her turtleneck blouse and jumper dress were splashed with different colors of paint.
She does need help.
“Ah! You must be the new helper! I’m Lumine”, she drops an empty juicebox to offer a hand for him to shake. He instead grabs the toys from her and nodded. “Xiao.” She tilts her head in slight confusion.
Granny Ruoxin laughs behind them, offering an empty basket for Xiao to place the toys in. “That’s a way to get acquainted. Lumine, this is your new partner now. Teach him the ropes before you leave so he could start as early as tomorrow.” Lumine immediately reacts to that, rushing to the nearest trash can to drop the remaining empty juices from her hands. “He’s already starting? I thought you were just about to conduct an interview”, she looks at him, seemingly to say ‘no offense’ which Xiao doesn’t really mind.
The old lady laughed once more, slowly crouching down to pick up the toy dinosaur from the floor. Lumine was immediately beside her in a flash, supporting her as she came back up. “I could’ve just done that, Granny. And didn’t I tell you to check the applicants first before rushing in accepting just anybody?”She switched to whispering, which Xiao thanked she sucked at because he could still hear her with his trained ears used to eavesdrop on important clients and targets.
“I know you pity me but I’m really ok! I think I can handle a few more years until we find the perfect applicant. Plus… we know how some parents think of male preschool helpers… isn’t that why we agreed to only hiring females? Lisa would treat him badly too”, Lumine glanced at him with an apologetic look before continuing to persuade the old lady to agree with her.
“Lumine, I understand your concerns but I’m afraid no one has called to apply in two months already. We’re in dire need of help. You’re in dire need of help. You’ve been taking care of both the morning and afternoon classes alone for two months now. Plus, I checked him out, he’s clean. He only needs to save some money for a year before he leaves”, Granny Ruoxin placed a hand on Lumine’s shoulder to reassure her. She scrunched her brows in confusion, looking at Xiao with the same confused look. He remained in his position, staring back at her with his toic eyes.
“Let me ask him some questions, Granny”, she moved away from her and stood in front of him. If Xiao isn’t mistaken, he would say that the girl is far more a little concerned and suspicious of him than any of his past target’s associates. He killed governors before but none of their bodyguards ever looked at him like that. “Oh, Lumine-”, Granny Ruoxin tried to stop her but failed when Lumine quickly shot her question.
“How did you know about the job?”
“Flyer in the kids park”, Lie. MORAX informed him.
“You’re taking this job to save money?”
“Yes. I’m about to leave town next year and I suppose this is the easiest job with the most stable pay compared to fast foods or construction.” She squinted her eyes at that. “Easiest job?” she scoffed. She was about to say something more when Granny Ruoxin pulled her towards her. “For goodness sake, Lumine, give him a chance. Do you really want to take care of 20 energetic kids on your own for five more months?”
She pouted. “But I’m not alone. Katherine and Lisa are always with me.” The old lady sighed, shaking her head, tired of the girl’s hardheadedness. Xiao sympathizes. She’s forward. Too forward perhaps. And relentless too. It seems she doesn’t want him here.
Too bad he’s guaranteed the job.
MORAX already took down the other flyers that hung up, studied the place for two months and intercepted possible candidates and gave them money to not apply. All while he studied his target, Ruoxin Ying.
He watched as the two ladies argued on whose decision was to be followed. The old lady seemed frustrated just as the blonde who doesn’t seem to be backing down.
He’s had enough of this.
He cleared his throat, garnering both their attention towards him. “It seems I’m not wanted here. I'll get going”, he turned around, counting a few seconds before sure enough, the old lady stopped him. “Oh, please, Xiao. That’s not true. I’m sure Lumine will warm up with you soon, isn’t that right, Lumine?”, He glanced at her, her bright eyes dancing in confusion and reluctant.
“Just give him a chance, child. If things do go like you think then maybe we can change this. But I’m sure you will be able to help each other in the meantime”, Granny Ruoxin’s soft pleading voice made Lumine crack. She sighed.
Xiao triumphed inside.
“Fine.”
She glared at him. “Two weeks. If not one parent complains that a guy is working here, I won’t say anything more.” Granny Ruoxin clapped and laughed in excitement. “Good! That’s good Lumine. I think we can all accept the terms, right Xiao?” He nodded, eyes not leaving hers as he thought of how to bribe anny possible parent that might actually complain.
“Then it’s settled! Lumine, you give him a tour to the classroom. Show him the ropes, schedule, and introduce him to the class tomorrow. I’ll have to go home early to prepare dinner. I’ll see you later”, she walked out of the room and pulled the door, bidding Xiao goodbye before actually trailing off.
Huh. They live together?
He turned around to confirm his theory but was surprised to see Lumine glaring at him, only this time more… mad? Ferocious? And threatening.
“You must think that I’m stupid if I actually believe that you would choose a small preschool with only 20 students is the perfect job for someone who plans on leaving town by the ned of the year”, she folded her arms to her chest. As scary as her glare could be he couldn’t really take her seriously with all the pain splashed on her dress. “Like I can have other plans to work here other than money”, he shrugged. “Well, you did find the flyer in a park. Who knows if you’re a pedophile”, now he scrunched his face at the word.
“I can assure you that I’m not. However, I would like to get the ropes of this place so I don’t get confused and look stupid in front of the kids tomorrow”, he folded his arms to his chest which she rolled her eyes at. “Two weeks, Xiao. Less if I find out why you’re really here,” she threatened. He shrugged, sure that she won’t find anything.
Never in his 133 kills that someone actually came close to catching him, let alone catch his plans.
“Whatever. The ropes then? Faculty, lounge, office-” he was cut short when Lumine raised a hand to stop him. “If you really had motives you wouldn’t be stupid to be that… obvious, right?”
That’s the point.
He just stared at her.
She sighed. “Classes are from 8-11am and 12:30-3 or 4pm. The morning teacher is- you know what, you’ll meet them tomorrow. I’ll introduce you to the class tomorrow as well. You think of how you’ll memorize their names yourself”, she walked over to a locker on the other end of the room and grabbed a coat.
“You’re leaving? Granny Ruoxin said-”
“Granny Ruoxin has probably been scammed by you. I’m going home to try and talk her out of this. I expect you to be here by 7 so we can get you settled with your uniform”, she put on her coat and muttered some words to herself, “That is unless I get to convince Granny that you’re unneeded here.”
“Until then, rest. No phones and gadgets during school. Breaks are during lessons which only lasts about an hour each. No earrings, cigarettes, alcohol, drugs-”, he finally stopped her. “I’m a decent man, Miss Lumine.” A decent man who has killed 133 targets and some.. Uncounted incidents.
She rolled her. “Well then, Xiao. It’s time to leave. See you tomorrow.”
They exited the school, Lumine insisting that he leaves before her as she locks up. He follows, not in a rush to do his job, especially since he’s in somewhat thin eyes with the blonde lady.
They live together.
He didn’t know that Ruoxin lived with anybody.
Lumine finished after 5minutes, surprised that he was waiting for her. “You know that only makes me suspicious of you, right?”, she says, tucking the school keys in her bag. “Waiting for a friend to pick me up. You should go.”
She scoffs. “Even more suspicious”, she trunks and walks to the left, Xiao following her with his eyes, a small smile on his lips.
The day might not have gone too well but at least he knows which way the Ruoxin’s house is.
And possibly someone who can lead him to what he needs to find.