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"You're free, right?"
Shinobu turned around vigilantly at the question, eyes glaring to scare whoever just called her in an empty alley. The voice was definitely masculine, and she gotta admit it was smooth—which made her switch to vicious mode immediately. Because the last thing she wanted to deal with after failing to bail out her boss was flirts, for her and their own sakes.
"Whoa, no need to glare at me, Miss," the man who called her laughed, waving his hands, probably to show that he meant no harm. "I'm not hitting on you."
Her gaze swept over him quickly, looking for an indication of ill intention. He appeared quite harmless, small in stature and clad in light clothing. She didn't miss his good posture and toned forearms, though—he might know some martial arts. "... Then what do you want?" she asked, voice level but eyes staring directly at his green eyes.
The moles below his eyes jumped as he smiled. "Information."
She lifted an eyebrow. "About?"
"Anything I tell you to gather."
Ah, a job offer, she thought, albeit a weird one. People had called her for help in cooking, repairing, tailoring, even managing finance—but collecting information? That's new. She didn't know if she would be good enough for it. Not that she thought she would absolutely fail at it, but she had a more pressing matter to attend, which was appealing her boss' case to the Tenryou Commission so they'd release him more quickly—
"I can pitch in a few words for your boss," the green-eyed man said, as if reading her thoughts. "You see, I'm affiliated with them. I can get him out by tomorrow."
Shinobu couldn't stop her eyes from getting wide. If he could say that confidently, he must be a high-ranked officer, despite how he talked to her and how he dressed. Who exactly was this man?
"Not a bad deal, isn't it?" He stretched out his hand, smile ever present on his lips. "Don't worry. I won't send you to dangerous situations."
She looked at the hand stretched toward her, waiting to be shaken to seal the deal. Well, yes, it's not a bad deal, but it was so convenient that it made her wary.
"I'll get your boss out first and we'll talk more after that," he suddenly spoke up. "I won't force you if you're not comfortable with collecting the information I want, too."
So he's aware I don't trust him.
Shinobu pressed her lips together behind her mask, thinking. It was honestly a good deal. Gathering information didn't sound too hard. Plus she got good social skills, which should make it easier. In relation to Itto, an extra supporting voice is nice to have, especially after she failed to appeal to the Commission to lighten his punishment. Her instinct was pretty good, too, and it told her this man could be trusted. If he endangered her or the gang member in any way, she could always beat him up.
However, his condition was too good for her boss. While he didn't do anything that made him deserve one-month jail time, some disciplinary action was in order.
"No need to bail him by tomorrow, you can keep in there for three days," Shinobu said, arms crossed in front of her chest. "But give him some lavender melons to eat."
The man in front of her looked taken aback for a while, before barking a laugh. "What a strict but caring subordinate! He's lucky to have you."
"They're a good bunch, just need someone to reign them in." Sighing, she finally stretched her hand to shake his hand firmly, which was returned just as firm. "What kind of information do you want?"
"Well," he paused, pulling her closer before whispering in her ear. "Meet me at Grand Narukami Shrine's gate three nights from today. I'll tell you there."
Shinobu winced visibly. Not the shrine! "Must it be there?"
Her employer looked at her quizzically. "No? Then how about at the stairs' end?
Stairs' end... Should be far enough from knowing eyes. She nodded. "Yes, that works."
Curiously he chuckled, the sound pleasant in her ears. This man really had a nice voice. "You're different from the others. Usually women want to meet at more crowded place."
"I am perfectly capable to break your bones should you try anything funny," she deadpanned.
"Heh, I won't dare. Being electrocuted doesn't sound too fun." He released her hand. "Alright, I'll see you then."
"Wait," she called, stopping him from fully turning his back on her. "What's your name?"
"Oh, right! I forgot to tell you." It seemed he didn't take offence, thank goodness. "Shikanoin Heizou, Doushin of Tenryou Commission. Looking forward to working with you."
Ah, so he's a doushin. No wonder he could pitch in words to bail out criminals quickly (though her boss was hardly qualified as one). "I'm Kuki Shinobu," she returned his introduction. "Likewise."
She expected him to walk away after that, maybe said goodbye for courtesy—but no. Instead he said, "I know. I've had my eyes on you for a long time."
Shinobu blinked several times in surprise, before remembering he had hired her to do a job, so he must've meant as someone who could do the deed. But by the time she realised that, he was already gone from her sight, too late for her to spit out snarky comments.
He has an innate talent to be a flirt, was her thought, rolling her eyes even though he's not there to see it, as she exited the alley through the opposite end.