Chapter Text
K
The Onyx Order was an organization wrapped in shadow, where whispered rumors carried weight and silence was the deadliest weapon. It was a place where elite assassins honed their skills, and every face held a story-usually one of bloodshed and cold calculation. Karma Akabane didn't think much of the organization, despite his position within it. To him, the Onyx Order was just another game. He played by his own rules, and that was more than enough.
It was on one of those rare, quiet mornings that he heard the first of the rumors. Word spread quickly around the compound, filtered through hushed voices and knowing glances. Whispers that one of the new recruits was something special.
A boy.
A kid who'd apparently come out of nowhere and was already causing waves within the organization. Karma overheard snippets as he passed by the training hall-a place he didn't frequent unless absolutely necessary.
"Did you hear about Silent Serpent? He's not like the others. They say he's practically a machine."
"I heard he was trained from a young age... more like a weapon than a person."
"Supposedly, he can take down an entire squad single-handedly."
The more Karma heard, the more his disinterest grew. He didn't care much for gossip or anyone who wasn't worth his time. But there was something about the constant mention of Silent Serpent that piqued his curiosity, though he didn't fully understand why.
There was no mistaking it-a boy who could do what seasoned killers struggled to pull off. It sounded like a story someone would tell to pass the time, and yet the strange undercurrent of fear that lingered around the rumors made Karma uneasy. The others didn't just speak of Silent Serpent-they respected him. But what did Karma care about some random newbie? He was an elite assassin in his own right, and he'd never been one to give attention to the underlings.
The meeting, of course, was a different matter entirely.
As the call rang through the halls that every assassin was to report to the central briefing hall, Karma groaned inwardly. He had little patience for these "important" gatherings. They'd sit everyone down, drone on about the next mission, give them some intel no one really needed, and then they'd all be on their way. It was the same thing every time. But when the Onyx Order called, you answered, whether you wanted to or not.
He adjusted his jacket as he walked through the halls, joining the sea of silent assassins heading toward the briefing hall. Everyone was moving with purpose, their expressions cold and unreadable, as if their very presence here had burned all traces of warmth from their lives. Karma was the only one who didn't seem to take it seriously, his casual gait a stark contrast to their discipline. They all knew what was expected-him? He couldn't have cared less.
When he stepped into the large briefing room, it was almost exactly as he expected. The group of assassins stood in neat rows, awaiting the leader's speech. Karma let out an exaggerated sigh as he moved into the back, crossing his arms and immediately zoning out. The leader was already at the podium, speaking with that familiar, deep, commanding tone. Karma didn't even try to listen. He was already bored, leaning against the wall with a yawn.
Blah, blah, blah... Another mission. Another target. Whatever. He was here because it was required of him. And while everyone else hung on every word the leader said, Karma's attention wandered elsewhere.
It wasn't long before his eyes began scanning the room, looking for something to entertain himself with. And then, his gaze landed on someone unexpected.
Standing near the front, among the assassins, was a figure he hadn't seen before. His sharp posture and calm presence immediately stood out to Karma, though he couldn't pinpoint why. The figure wore the standard black uniform of the Onyx Order, but there was something about the way he stood-controlled, unflinching-that made Karma's interest flare.
'Who the hell is that?'
Karma didn't recognize the assassin, which was odd. He kept a mental tally of everyone, even the new recruits, but this one didn't register. His eyes narrowed as he observed the figure. The assassin was standing with a casual air, but his eyes, sharp and focused, didn't miss a thing. There was something unsettling about him, something almost... unnatural.
Karma's mind started to race, but he still didn't know who the hell Silent Serpent was. This wasn't just another low-level recruit. There was something more to him, even if Karma didn't quite know what it was. What the hell could someone like him do anyway?
Karma's lips curled into a small, disinterested smile.
'I'll be the judge of that.'
He was sure that whatever this assassin could do, it wouldn't be anything that could challenge him. But it was the assassin's coolness-the calm that radiated off of him-that irked Karma. It wasn't the usual arrogance or cockiness he saw in most people; it was something more... unnerving. And that was enough to plant a seed of interest, though Karma would never admit it.
As the leader continued speaking, Karma half-listened, his eyes still occasionally flicking over to the stranger. The room was filled with silence as the other assassins waited for the mission details, but Karma couldn't stop the nagging feeling that something wasn't quite right. He had no idea who this assassin was, but he wasn't about to let it go.
His thoughts were interrupted when the leader finally finished and the group began to move out of the room. Karma, still mostly uninterested, slipped out into the hallway with the others, his eyes narrowing in the direction of the unknown figure again. The assassin hadn't moved, still standing there like a statue, almost as if waiting for something.
Karma's lips curled into a smirk, the corner of his mind still whirring.
'What's your deal, Silent Serpent?'
He wasn't sure yet. But something told him, sooner or later, he'd find out.
N
Nagisa stood at the front of the briefing hall, his back straight, his eyes unwavering as the leader spoke on, outlining the latest mission. It was all routine, nothing he hadn't heard before. He had his orders, and the rest was irrelevant. The weight of the room was heavy with the presence of his peers, each one an elite assassin in their own right, but Nagisa wasn't concerned with them. His attention was entirely focused on what was being said, his mind running through the plans in his head.
But something shifted.
Nagisa's eyes, though fixed on the leader, were keenly aware of the subtle energy in the room. A pair of eyes, sharp and curious, landed on him. He didn't have to turn to know; he could feel the weight of the gaze pressing into him. It was like being observed from a distance, the curiosity in the eyes more tangible than anything else. The look didn't feel threatening, but there was an amusement there, a silent acknowledgment that he was being studied.
Nagisa didn't flinch.
He had grown accustomed to being watched-assassins in the Onyx Order didn't get much privacy. Eyes were always lingering, waiting to assess, to calculate. It was nothing new. So he didn't react. He stood still, calm, unflinching, as if nothing in the world could disturb his focus.
The seconds ticked by, and the feeling persisted, but he didn't let it break his concentration. There was no point in reacting. If the gaze was meant to disturb him, it had failed.
The meeting dragged on, and as the others began to file out of the room, Nagisa stood his ground, still unmoving, his expression neutral. His mind was already on the next phase of his day-missions, reports, and whatever other tedious tasks awaited him. The leader's voice faded in the distance as the hall emptied.
Finally, when everyone had left, Nagisa turned toward the exit, his footsteps light as he made his way out of the briefing hall. He didn't rush, didn't hurry. The Onyx Order's compound was vast and filled with shadows, but Nagisa had no reason to be hasty. His steps were as fluid as water, moving with purpose, each one taking him closer to the exit.
And then he saw him.
A figure stood in the hallway, partially illuminated by the dim light spilling from the briefing room. Tall, his body lean and angular, the figure leaned casually against the wall, his arms crossed. Nagisa didn't recognize him, and that alone was enough to capture his attention. His posture was relaxed, but there was something about the way he held himself-something off. Like a predator who was pretending to be uninterested in its prey.
The man's face was sharp, strikingly angular, with wild, red hair that framed his features in a mess of untamed spikes. His golden eyes gleamed with an intensity that felt both cold and unnerving. A smirk played at his lips, an amused, almost intrigued expression-as if he had already figured out everything there was to know about Nagisa in the span of a few seconds.
But Nagisa didn't acknowledge him.
He simply walked past, his steps as fluid as ever, unfazed by the stranger's presence. The air between them was thick with unspoken words, but Nagisa wasn't interested in whatever game the man thought he was playing.
The figure stayed where he was, watching him, curiosity written on his face, but Nagisa didn't spare him another glance.
___________
K
Karma couldn't shake the feeling that something about that new recruit bothered him. He watched as the boy-silent, unassuming, practically invisible-moved through the room with a practiced ease, and Karma found himself unable to look away. There was no arrogance, no bravado in his movements, but something about the way he held himself made Karma's instincts go on high alert.
Most of the new recruits had something to prove. They were eager to show off, try to make a name for themselves in the Onyx Order. But this kid? He didn't care. Or at least, it seemed like he didn't care. He was quiet, detached, almost eerily so, and yet, there was a certain sharpness about him that Karma couldn't ignore.
He shouldn't have been thinking about him-about that kid-but Karma couldn't stop. The quiet confidence, the calm that seemed to radiate from him... it was strange. Too strange. And there it was again: that feeling in his gut, that frustration that something wasn't right. The way the kid moved, his complete lack of care about the room full of seasoned assassins-it had to mean something. But what?
Karma shook his head, as though trying to physically push the thoughts away. "Focus," he muttered under his breath. "It's just a rookie. Nothing special."
But the more he thought about it, the more unsettled he became. He hated being uncertain, hated the fact that this boy had sparked an emotion in him that wasn't annoyance or even amusement. It was... curiosity. And that was the last thing Karma wanted to feel. Curiosity made him weak, it made him think too much, and Karma was always the one who liked to be in control. So why was his mind racing over someone he didn't even know?
"Dammit," Karma muttered, turning sharply and walking down the corridor with a determined pace, hoping that movement would shake off the nagging sensation.
The compound was quiet now, save for the faint humming of machinery that filled the empty spaces. He didn't even realize how far he had wandered until he reached his office. The door slid open, and he stepped inside, letting the quiet close around him like a blanket.
Karma threw his jacket onto the back of his chair and plopped down behind the desk, leaning back with a deep sigh. His fingers drummed restlessly against the cold surface. He could still see the kid in his mind, moving fluidly through the mission briefing earlier. There was nothing spectacular about his presence-he wasn't flashy, didn't stand out in the usual ways. But something about him...
He spun the chair around and stared out the small, unadorned window of his office. The city below was quiet, too. Everything was quiet. But inside his head, it felt like everything was loud. The sensation of being unsettled was so rare for him that he didn't know how to shake it. Karma was used to making quick assessments, used to knowing exactly what was going on at all times. So why couldn't he make sense of this?
Was it that calmness? The fact that the kid seemed unphased by the reputation of the Onyx Order, or by the way everyone in the room had looked down on him as a rookie? Was that it? Was he that unimpressed?
Karma let out a frustrated sigh and stood up, pacing the room. "Dammit. I don't even know his name."
The kid hadn't even looked at him directly during the briefing, as if he couldn't care less about someone like Karma, who normally commanded attention with a flick of his gaze. And that pissed Karma off. He hated being ignored, hated feeling as if someone else didn't acknowledge his presence.
"That's it," Karma muttered to himself, narrowing his eyes. "Who the hell are you?"
His thoughts were interrupted by the door to his office opening, and another assassin walked in, giving Karma a nod.
"We've got a new assignment," the assassin said. "You'll be joining the mission, same as usual. You're needed downstairs in five."
Karma blinked, momentarily shaken from his thoughts. "Right," he replied quickly, trying to shake off the strange feeling that had settled in his chest. "Tell them I'll be there."
The assassin nodded and left, but Karma remained standing by the desk, looking at the door as it closed behind him. The mission. Right. He should focus on that. But his mind was still locked on the new recruit, the boy who seemed so impossible to read, so unbothered by the chaos around him.
"Who the hell are you?" Karma whispered again to the empty room, his voice edged with frustration.
With a sharp exhale, Karma grabbed his jacket and stormed out of his office, determined to get to the mission. But even as he walked, even as he prepared to leave everything behind for the time being, the boy's image lingered in his mind. That mysterious kid was starting to take up too much of his attention.
________________
N
As Nagisa walked down the long, dimly lit hallway, his mind lingered on the odd encounter. The man with the sharp eyes-he had been watching, and Nagisa had felt it. Even though he'd refused to acknowledge him, the weight of the gaze had been impossible to ignore. It wasn't typical. Most assassins in the Onyx Order were either too busy with their own affairs or simply didn't care about someone like him-especially not someone who was as detached as Nagisa. But that guy... there was something about him that stirred something unfamiliar inside.
Nagisa felt an annoying tug of curiosity, but he pushed it down quickly. He didn't have time for distractions.
Tonight, a joint mission was set to take place. It would involve multiple teams working together, combining their skills and experience to accomplish a high-stakes target elimination. The teams-separate, yet aligned under the Onyx Order's banner-would have to cooperate, and Nagisa had a feeling it wasn't going to be as easy as it sounded. In this line of work, trust was a rare commodity, and alliances were fleeting.
Still, it was just another mission. And Nagisa was prepared. He always was.
As he made his way to the briefing room for the final pre-mission meeting, he adjusted his black uniform, smoothing the edges of his gloves. The air around him felt different tonight, charged with the anticipation of what was to come. No one ever liked these joint missions-too many egos clashing, too many variables to account for. But it was routine for him, just another assignment to complete with cold precision.
When Nagisa entered the briefing room, he could already feel the tension in the air. The other assassins were gathered in small groups, their voices barely above a whisper. The mission leader, a tall figure draped in shadow, stood at the front, waiting for the last few stragglers to arrive. Among them, there were a few faces Nagisa recognized-seasoned members of the Order-but there was no sign of the red-haired man from earlier. The one who had been watching him.
Nagisa took a seat at the back, his posture straight, his face unreadable. His eyes scanned the room for a moment, but his gaze quickly settled on the leader, who began speaking as soon as the room quieted.
"This is a high-priority mission," the leader's voice was cold and commanding. "We're targeting a rogue faction that has been operating on the outskirts. They've been a thorn in our side for far too long. It's time to eliminate them."
The leader outlined the specifics: multiple high-value targets, strategic locations, and tight security. As always, the objective was simple-get in, take out the target, and get out.
Nagisa barely paid attention to the rest. He didn't need the details. His mind was already running through the plan, analyzing the situation in his usual detached manner. What stood out, however, was the mention of working alongside another team. It wasn't often that teams merged for a mission, and when they did, it usually meant that the task was more complicated than usual.
As the leader continued, Nagisa's thoughts drifted. He couldn't stop thinking about that man from earlier. The strange unease he'd felt. Nagisa had been part of the Onyx Order for a long time, and he didn't get unsettled easily. Yet, something about the red-haired man gnawed at him.
Was it just because he had been watched? Was that the cause of his irritation?
No. It was something else. Something that didn't sit right with him.
The briefing ended, and the room began to empty. Nagisa rose from his seat and moved toward the door, his footsteps quiet but sure. He didn't make a move to approach anyone, not even his fellow assassins. He was alone in his thoughts, focused on the mission ahead.
As he passed through the hallway once again, he paused.
A figure appeared from the shadows, stepping into his path with a slow, deliberate stride.
It was him. The man.
Nagisa's expression remained unchanged, but the air around them seemed to grow heavier. The red-haired man's eyes locked onto his, a smirk playing at the corners of his lips. There was a strange, unsettling familiarity in the way he studied Nagisa, as though he knew him from somewhere.
Nagisa didn't flinch, but he didn't move either. The two stood there in silence, the weight of their unspoken words hanging between them.
"Well," the man spoke, breaking the silence. His voice was low, yet it carried an edge of curiosity. "I haven't seen you around before. Name's Karma. Karma Akabane. Looks like we'll be on the same team for this mission."
Nagisa didn't respond immediately, studying Karma with quiet indifference. There was something about him that felt... off. But Nagisa knew better than to reveal anything. His silence was a tool, and he would use it as he always did.
Karma seemed unfazed by Nagisa's lack of response. He leaned forward slightly, clearly intrigued by the quiet assassin in front of him.
"You really don't talk much, huh?" Karma chuckled lightly. "That's fine. Keeps things interesting."
Nagisa's eyes narrowed slightly as he regarded him for a moment longer. Then, in a voice as cold and neutral as ever, he spoke the only thing he felt was necessary.
"Nagisa," he said simply, his tone flat. He offered no last name, no further explanation. Just his first name, as always.
Karma seemed unfazed by Nagisa's brief answer. If anything, the smirk only deepened, as if intrigued by the lack of a more personal introduction.
"Well, Nagisa, let's see how you perform in the field," Karma said, his voice still laced with playful confidence. "I'm sure this mission will be interesting. We'll see if you live up to the rumors."
Nagisa said nothing more, his expression as unreadable as ever. With a final glance, he turned and walked past Karma, his footsteps echoing in the empty hallway.
He didn't know who Karma Akabane was-at least not yet-but that didn't matter. They were on the same team, and that's all that was important right now.
_____________
As Nagisa walked away from Karma, his mind churned. There was something about that brief interaction that lingered in the air-something that made him feel... strange. Karma's confidence, his probing smile-it was all too familiar, yet foreign at the same time. Nagisa had learned long ago not to let anyone get too close, especially not someone with such a blatant curiosity about him. But Karma wasn't like the others, was he?
Nagisa shook off the feeling as he reached the designated meet-up point for the mission. A dimly lit garage with multiple vehicles lined up, waiting to be used. A few of the other members of the team were already there, checking their equipment. Most of them avoided eye contact with him. It was no surprise. In the Onyx Order, you didn't need friends. You needed efficiency, and that's exactly what Nagisa provided. He wasn't here to make alliances. He wasn't here to play games.
But as he set his bag down and checked his gear, he found his thoughts drifting back to Karma.
The mission leader's voice broke him out of his thoughts.
"Everyone ready?" Kōji's voice was stern, no-nonsense. "We leave in five minutes. Stick to the plan and stay sharp."
Nagisa didn't respond. He merely nodded and continued preparing, but this time, something else had slipped into his focus. Karma. The red-haired man with the eyes that saw too much.
K
Karma adjusted his gloves, feeling the slight burn of anticipation run through his veins. This mission wasn't just about taking out a target-it was about proving something. He wasn't going to let anyone outshine him, especially not some quiet kid who barely said a word.
But something about Nagisa had caught his attention. He wasn't like the others. Most of the assassins Karma worked with were loud, brash, or eager to show off their skills. But Nagisa? There was a silence about him. A cold, unreadable calm that intrigued Karma more than he cared to admit. He had to admit, the challenge was tempting. The kid didn't react the way others did-he didn't flinch, didn't try to make small talk. It was... refreshing.
Karma leaned against the wall, watching the team gather. His eyes flicked over to Nagisa, who was standing off to the side, still as ever. He wanted to know more. There had to be something beneath that silence. Something that made Nagisa different.
"Focus, Karma," he muttered to himself, pushing the thoughts away. There was no time to waste on distractions. But that didn't stop the curiosity gnawing at the back of his mind.
He took a deep breath and joined the others. Time to get to work.
N
The ride to the target location was uneventful, the silence between Nagisa and the rest of the team thick. He didn't need to speak to them, nor did they seem to have much interest in speaking to him. This was fine. It was how things worked in the Onyx Order. As long as the job got done, that's all that mattered.
However, as they neared the target building-a heavily guarded compound-Nagisa noticed Karma's gaze on him again. This time, it was less playful, more serious, like he was weighing him, trying to figure out if he could trust him in the field.
Nagisa didn't give him the satisfaction. He kept his eyes focused on the target, not looking back.
K
When they arrived, Kōji wasted no time. The compound was surrounded by armed guards, cameras, and a few layers of security. This wasn't going to be easy, but it wasn't anything the Onyx Order couldn't handle.
"We'll split into pairs," Kōji said, snapping everyone's attention to him. "Nagisa, you're with Karma."
Nagisa didn't say anything, as expected. But Karma couldn't help the small grin that tugged at his lips. This would be interesting.
"Stay close," Karma said, more to himself than Nagisa, but his words were directed at the quiet assassin. "Let's see how you handle this."
Nagisa nodded, his expression still unreadable. Karma didn't know what he expected-maybe a little more resistance, a little more acknowledgment-but Nagisa simply followed, his movements fluid and silent.
They moved as a unit, working through the shadows, slipping past guards, and neutralizing the targets in their path. Despite his cold demeanor, Nagisa was good. Efficient. Deadly. But there was something more. Karma couldn't help but notice the way Nagisa seemed to anticipate their every move, his actions perfectly aligned with Karma's without a single word exchanged.
It was... unnerving.
As they reached the final objective-an office near the top floor-Karma could feel the tension rise. The air was thick with the possibility of something going wrong. But as always, Nagisa remained a stone. His gaze was steady, his movements precise. It was clear he had done this a thousand times before. Still, Karma couldn't help but wonder why someone so skilled would choose to remain so detached.
Before they made their move, Karma's curiosity got the best of him. He couldn't hold back any longer.
"You're quiet," he said, his voice low but sharp, "even for an assassin. What's your deal?"
Nagisa didn't turn to look at him, but there was a slight shift in his posture-an almost imperceptible change that caught Karma's attention.
"Deal?" Nagisa replied, his voice flat, as always. "I'm here to do the job. That's all."
Karma chuckled softly, but his eyes never left Nagisa. There was more to him than that. Karma was sure of it. He had a feeling that, when the time was right, Nagisa would show him what lay beneath that icy exterior.
They entered the office, and the mission took a new turn, with the team working seamlessly together. But Karma's mind wasn't entirely on the job anymore. It was on the quiet assassin by his side, the one whose every move intrigued him more than he wanted to admit.
______________________
N
The target was in sight, sitting behind a reinforced desk, his fingers tapping impatiently on the wood as he spoke with someone over the phone. The guards outside the door were oblivious to the danger lurking just a few feet away. Nagisa didn't need to speak to Karma; the moment was already set. The plan had been executed flawlessly so far, and there were no surprises yet.
The target's life was in Nagisa's hands, and he didn't need to think twice. Moving without hesitation, he stepped forward, his presence unnoticed until it was too late. The target didn't even see him coming-Nagisa's movements were too fast, too smooth. But there was something else now, something different. A dark energy, an oppressive aura that seemed to shift the air itself.
Nagisa stood over the target's body, his calm face a stark contrast to the violence of the moment. The target was down, no longer a threat, but the room had gone cold, filled with an undeniable tension. Something primal lingered in the air, a sense of fear that wasn't just from the target, but from the very atmosphere itself.
K
Karma's eyes narrowed as he watched Nagisa. There was something off. He had seen a lot in his time as an assassin, but this-this was different. Nagisa wasn't just a skilled killer. No, there was something darker about him, something that felt... dangerous, in a way that almost made Karma's skin crawl.
As the target's body hit the floor, Karma's instincts screamed. He looked at Nagisa again, really looked at him this time. Nagisa wasn't just standing there; he was radiating something that made the room feel colder, heavier. It wasn't just silence-it was emptiness.
Karma felt a shiver run down his spine. He had been trained to deal with dangerous people, but this? This felt like being trapped in a room with a predator, a predator who had just shown his fangs.
Nagisa's eyes remained locked on the target, but there was a brief flicker in his gaze, something that made Karma's stomach tighten. He didn't know what it was exactly, but he could feel the weight of the atmosphere shift. It was as if Nagisa was... toying with the corpse, letting the bloodlust linger a moment longer than necessary.
Karma's mind raced, his breath slightly quickening, but he forced himself to maintain his composure. He wasn't afraid of anyone. But he had to admit, Nagisa's presence in this moment-this cold, unnerving silence-was making even him uneasy.
Karma took a cautious step forward, his voice a little more controlled than usual, trying to shake off the unnerving feeling that crept up his spine. "You... you're not just another assassin, are you?" His tone was more of an observation than a question.
Nagisa didn't answer right away. Instead, he turned slightly toward him, and for a brief moment, Karma thought he saw something flicker in those cold blue eyes-a flicker of something almost human. But it was gone in an instant, replaced by that same dispassionate mask.
"I don't need to explain myself," Nagisa replied, his voice calm but with a sharp edge that sent a chill through the air. "This is what I do."
Karma blinked, still processing the unsettling shift in the atmosphere. "Right," he muttered, but it wasn't so much the words that bothered him. It was the feeling that hung in the air, thick and suffocating, like the bloodlust hadn't fully dissipated.
They stayed silent for a moment, the room heavy with the aftermath of what had just transpired. Karma's eyes didn't leave Nagisa, his mind racing with the thought of what he'd just witnessed. He'd seen bloodshed before, had been part of plenty of executions and kills, but this... this was different.
Nagisa was still standing there, his hands clean of the blood, yet his presence was still unsettling, like he hadn't fully returned from the kill yet. Karma swallowed, trying to shake the unease that was settling in his chest.
"So that's how you handle your business," Karma said, the edge in his voice more subdued now, almost like he was still processing the unsettling feeling. "Impressive. But don't think you're going to scare me, kid."
Nagisa finally looked at him, and for the briefest moment, there was a hint of something in his eyes-something almost unreadable. "I don't need to scare you, Karma," Nagisa said quietly. "I just need to finish the job."
K
Karma stood in the aftermath, the target's body cooling on the floor, the room filled with the eerie silence that only Nagisa could create. There was no satisfaction in the kill. No sign of emotion. It was just another job.
But something inside Karma couldn't shake the unease. He had seen the bloodlust in Nagisa's eyes-felt it in the air like a cold wind-and he knew then that there was more to this kid than he could ever have guessed. Nagisa wasn't just a tool in the Order; he was a weapon. And Karma was starting to realize just how dangerous that weapon really was.
Still, that didn't deter him. If anything, it only made him more determined to understand what made Nagisa tick.
"Let's get going," Karma finally said, his voice still steady but with a sharp edge to it, as if trying to force himself back to reality. "We've got a mission to finish."
Nagisa didn't respond, but when Karma looked at him again, he saw that same icy calm. A calm that somehow felt more dangerous than anything Karma had ever encountered before.
______
The mission had been smooth. The target was eliminated without any complications, and Nagisa, as usual, had been eerily efficient. Karma couldn't shake the image of the coldness in his eyes, the way the air around him had shifted when he used that bloodlust. It had been subtle, but it was there, and it unnerved him more than he cared to admit.
Karma followed Nagisa back to the underground headquarters of the Onyx Order, where their leader, Kōji, was waiting for them in the briefing room.
"Mission complete?" Kōji's voice was calm, his sharp eyes flicking between Karma and Nagisa.
"Yeah," Karma said, his voice steady, though his mind was still processing everything that had happened. "No issues. Clean execution."
Nagisa gave a small nod in response but didn't say anything. His silence was always unnerving, but today it felt especially heavy.
"Good," Kōji nodded, clearly satisfied. "Report back to your rooms. The next phase will begin soon."
Karma glanced at Nagisa one more time before heading to his own office. Something about the kid-the assassin with the eerily calm demeanor-was gnawing at him. He couldn't get past the way Nagisa had carried himself, like he wasn't just a member of the Onyx Order but something... more.
Karma's Office
Karma slammed the door to his office behind him, still trying to shake off the unsettling feeling that had settled in his chest. He needed answers. He needed to know what made Nagisa tick, why he was different from the others.
Karma walked straight to his desk and grabbed his phone. His fingers hovered over the screen for a moment before he typed out a single message to his assistant. Find everything on Nagisa Shiota. Everything.
His assistant, Rika, responded almost immediately. Understood. I'll get on it now.
Karma leaned back in his chair, his eyes staring blankly at the files on his desk, but his mind was far away, running through everything he had observed about Nagisa during the mission.
What bothered him the most wasn't just the way Nagisa moved or the bloodlust that had radiated from him-it was the silence. Nagisa's complete lack of emotion. His complete control over everything. There had been moments during the mission when Karma had felt like he was in the presence of a ghost-someone who was detached from everything around him. The kid had killed without even flinching.
Karma tried to shake the thought. He wasn't here to indulge in existential musings. He was here to get answers.
Meanwhile, Nagisa had already retreated to his own room. He had a lot to think about, though none of it seemed particularly important. The mission was over. The target was gone. Another day, another job.
But something had shifted today. Nagisa wasn't sure what it was, but Karma's presence felt different than before. There was something more to him than just the cocky assassin he presented. Nagisa felt that small spark of curiosity-a feeling he rarely allowed himself to experience. Why was Karma interested in him?
He pushed the thought away, not willing to entertain distractions. But still, a small part of him couldn't help but wonder if Karma had been more than just a colleague. The way Karma had looked at him, the brief moments where he seemed to understand the weight of Nagisa's silence, felt... different.
Karma sat at his desk, staring at the file that had just been delivered. His assistant, Rika, had come through, providing every scrap of information on the elusive Nagisa Shiota. But even after reading it, Karma was no closer to understanding the enigma that was the boy.
Nagisa's file was bare at best. He was listed as a top-tier assassin, someone who had made a name for himself in the underground world, known for his efficiency and lack of emotional attachment to his kills. No family. No friends. Just a string of successful missions under the Onyx Order. His past was sealed tight, and there was nothing on record before he joined the Order.
But then there was something else. A single mention, buried deep in the file: Silent Serpent.
Karma's heart skipped a beat. The name was infamous in the criminal underworld, whispered with fear. The Silent Serpent wasn't just an assassin-he was legendary. The very mention of him sent a ripple of unease through anyone who knew of him. His kills were silent, precise, and utterly void of emotion. There were rumors that the Silent Serpent was a ghost-a being who existed only to kill, leaving nothing behind.
And it all pointed back to Nagisa.
Karma leaned forward, his brow furrowed as he read further. There was no concrete information about how Nagisa came to be the Silent Serpent-just more rumors, more hearsay. Some believed he had been trained from an early age, others speculated that he had simply appeared out of nowhere. One thing was certain: Nagisa was the Silent Serpent, and he had earned his place as one of the most feared assassins in the world.
Karma's head was spinning. He leaned back in his chair, the file dropping from his hands as he stared at the ceiling. No wonder the kid is different. Karma had never met anyone like Nagisa. There was no fear. No hesitation. Just... a killer.
His thoughts were interrupted by the buzz of his phone. It was a message from Rika.
I've found it. Nagisa Shiota is the Silent Serpent. Some have heard whispers of the Serpent's existence, but no one knew who they truly were. His real identity was concealed long before he joined the Onyx Order. There's barely anything known about his past before he showed up here. To most, he's a ghost—nothing more than a shadow in the dark.
Karma grinned darkly. It wasn't much, but it was enough to confirm everything he had suspected.
Nagisa was Silent Serpent. And Karma? He was only just beginning to understand what that meant.
_____________________
Days After the Mission
The days following the mission passed in a blur. Karma was still consumed with thoughts of Nagisa. The more he learned, the more fascinated-and unsettled-he became. Nagisa, the Silent Serpent, remained an enigma wrapped in mystery. He rarely spoke, always maintaining that cold, detached demeanor, yet there was an undeniable depth to him that Karma couldn't ignore.
Karma continued to observe Nagisa from afar. He'd catch glimpses of the boy moving silently through the halls, his every step purposeful and without hesitation. There was a cold, calculating nature to him that could not be mistaken for anything less than pure professionalism. No one seemed to know much about Nagisa's past-he was a ghost who only existed in the present, in the mission.
Karma, however, was determined to learn more. Despite Nagisa's reluctance to engage, Karma made it a point to interact with him more often, trying to draw out even the smallest reaction. But Nagisa remained unyielding, always polite but never interested in small talk.
One evening, after another successful mission, Karma decided to confront him. He knew Nagisa wouldn't open up willingly, but there was something-something in the air-that told Karma that Nagisa wasn't as emotionally detached as he appeared.
Karma had waited until they were both alone in the lounge area of the Onyx Order headquarters. It was late, and the lights were dimmed, casting shadows across the room. Karma sat on a leather couch, his arms casually draped over the back, his eyes fixed on Nagisa as he quietly entered, his usual emotionless face in place.
"Nagisa," Karma spoke, his voice cutting through the silence. "You know, I've been thinking about you a lot lately."
Nagisa paused at the entrance, his back to Karma, his posture perfect. He didn't respond right away, his silence only adding to the tension.
"You don't talk much, do you?" Karma pressed, his voice light but laced with curiosity. "Why is that? Doesn't it get... lonely?"
Nagisa didn't turn to face him, but his lips twitched, almost imperceptibly. "I'm not lonely," he said, his voice soft but firm. "I'm just focused."
"Focused, huh?" Karma leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "You know, you're a bit of a mystery, Silent Serpent. People are starting to talk."
Nagisa's shoulders tensed slightly, but he didn't look back. Karma's words had struck a chord, but the boy refused to acknowledge it fully.
Karma smirked. "You've got that cold killer vibe down. But I can't help but wonder-what happens when that mask slips? Is there anything behind it, or is it all just... for show?"
Nagisa didn't speak for a moment. The air between them grew thick with tension, but finally, Nagisa turned to face Karma, his expression unreadable.
"You don't need to know," Nagisa replied, his voice flat, though there was a flicker of something behind his eyes.
Karma chuckled softly. "I don't need to know, but I want to." He stood up and closed the distance between them, his eyes never leaving Nagisa's face. "You're not like the others. You're different. I can see it. I want to understand you."
Nagisa's gaze hardened, the familiar coldness returning. "That's your mistake, Karma. You think you can understand me."
Karma took a step closer, his gaze never wavering. "I don't think. I know."
For a brief moment, the room seemed to hold its breath. It was as though the air had shifted, and for the first time, there was a crack in Nagisa's composed façade. Karma could see it-the slightest flicker of emotion, maybe even curiosity, in those ice-blue eyes. But it disappeared just as quickly as it came.
"Don't waste your time," Nagisa said, his voice quieter now, almost as though he were warning Karma. "I'm not someone you can understand."
Karma wasn't deterred by Nagisa's cold dismissal. If anything, it only fueled his curiosity further. There was something about Nagisa's indifference that gnawed at him, something that told him the boy was hiding far more than he let on. He began to watch him more closely, learning his patterns, his habits. Nagisa never showed any signs of weakness-never allowed his emotions to show. But Karma had a knack for spotting cracks in the armor, and he was determined to find them.
Weeks passed, and Karma's obsession with Nagisa only grew. He would find himself watching the boy, whether in meetings or from across the training room. There were moments, fleeting and almost imperceptible, where Nagisa's usual calm façade would slip, revealing a fleeting emotion. It was always gone before anyone could notice, but Karma could see it. He could feel the depth behind Nagisa's cold exterior.
One day, after another mission, Karma followed Nagisa down a hallway. The boy was walking ahead of him, his movements quiet and graceful. Karma couldn't help himself-he had to ask.
"Nagisa," Karma called, his voice low. "Tell me something."
Nagisa didn't slow his pace, but he did glance over his shoulder, his face unreadable. "What is it?"
Karma took a deep breath. "Why do you hide it? Why hide who you really are?"
Nagisa's gaze hardened, but there was a flicker of something in his eyes-a brief flash of something raw. "Because no one deserves to know."
Karma's heart skipped a beat. There it was again. The hint of something more beneath that emotionless exterior.
He was close. He knew it.
Karma couldn't let go. He wasn't sure if it was Nagisa's stoic nature or the way he hid behind that impenetrable wall, but something kept drawing Karma in. One evening, after a particularly successful mission, Karma found himself in his office once again, scrolling through Nagisa's file. He knew everything there was to know about the boy, but there was something missing. Some vital piece of information that wasn't in the file.
Karma had Rika pull up more of Nagisa's history, anything he could find, and after hours of digging, he stumbled upon it: Project Silent Fang-a secret training program buried deep within classified files.
Karma's heart raced as he read further. The program, Silent Fang, was an intensive, high-risk regimen designed to forge the ultimate assassin-cold, calculating, and devoid of emotion. Every detail painted a picture of someone meticulously crafted for precision and efficiency, with no room for weakness or hesitation.
But there was more. Karma dug deeper, and he found something that sent a shiver down his spine-Nagisa had survived a brutal assassination attempt at the hands of the very organization that had trained him. He was betrayed, left to die, and yet he had survived, emerging from the shadows as the Silent Serpent, a legend in the criminal world.
Karma sat back, stunned. Nagisa wasn't just a cold assassin. He was a survivor, a ghost who had been forged in the flames of betrayal.
_________________
Karma sat back in his chair, the file still open in front of him, his heart pounding. The more he read, the more twisted and fascinated his thoughts became. Nagisa had been shaped into the perfect weapon - stripped of emotion, of attachments, of anything that made him human. But Karma wasn't convinced that the process had worked entirely.
He'd seen it - those fleeting moments when something cracked in that calm exterior. The faintest flash of something behind those cold, unreadable blue eyes.
And Karma wanted more.
It wasn't just curiosity anymore; it was an obsession. He needed to know what lay beneath the surface. What Nagisa would look like when his composure shattered. What his voice would sound like when it wasn't carefully measured. What it would take to make Nagisa feel.
And if there was anyone who could break through that wall, it was Karma.
He smiled to himself, dark and sharp. He would figure Nagisa Shiota out - no matter how long it took.
_______________
Later that night, Karma found Nagisa in the training room - alone, as always. The dim lights cast long shadows over the mats, the air heavy with quiet. Nagisa moved like liquid, his strikes precise, his breathing controlled. Karma leaned against the doorway, arms crossed, watching.
"You always train this late?" Karma's voice broke the silence.
Nagisa didn't stop, didn't even flinch. "It's quiet here," he replied without looking up.
"Mind if I join?" Karma was already stepping onto the mat before Nagisa could answer.
There was a beat of silence, then: "Do what you want."
The fight began without preamble. Karma lunged first, and Nagisa dodged without effort, slipping aside like a shadow. Karma grinned. "You gonna keep running, Serpent?"
Nagisa didn't answer. He struck fast - a kick aimed at Karma's side - and Karma barely blocked in time. The next hit came quicker: a palm strike that knocked him back a step.
"You're fast," Karma muttered, eyes alight. "But I wonder - do you ever let anyone get close?"
Nagisa's face stayed unreadable, but his strikes became sharper, his movements faster. "You talk too much."
Karma laughed. "You'll get used to it."
They moved faster, strikes and counters flowing seamlessly. And then Karma made a mistake - left his side open just a second too long. Nagisa took him down in an instant, his knee pressing into Karma's chest, his hands pinning Karma's wrists above his head.
For a heartbeat, neither of them moved. Nagisa's face hovered just inches from Karma's, his breath warm against Karma's skin. And up close like this, with those cold blue eyes staring him down - Nagisa looked beautiful. Karma's gaze flicked down - to his lips - and something twisted in his chest.
But then he smirked. "Didn't know you liked being on top, Serpent."
Nagisa's eyes narrowed - and Karma pushed, flipping them over in a burst of strength. He pinned Nagisa this time, his grip iron-strong around the boy's wrists. "Guess I win this round."
Nagisa's heart skipped - just for a second. The weight of Karma's body, the heat of his skin - it was too close, too unfamiliar. And those golden eyes - intense and burning - held his gaze.
But Nagisa didn't let fear show. He stayed calm, assessing, and then he moved. His hands broke free, and before Karma could react, Nagisa's palms cupped his face - gentle, almost tender. And then -
He kissed him. The kiss of death.
It wasn't soft. It wasn't sweet. It was a calculated strike, cold and deliberate. Karma froze, his eyes wide, and Nagisa counted in his mind. One hit. Two hits. Three hits.
But then Karma's eyes darkened-and he leaned in closer, his tongue sliding against Nagisa's lips, slow and teasing, an invitation wrapped in heat. The suddenness of it, the sheer intensity, sent a sharp jolt through Nagisa. For a fraction of a second, his mind blanked, his body betraying him.
Panic struck.
Nagisa reacted on instinct, shoving Karma off with a sharp kick and scrambling to his feet. His breath was uneven, his pulse hammering in his ears. For the first time, his carefully maintained calm cracked-just a little.
Karma wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, then let out a low whistle. "Damn, Serpent. If you wanted to kiss me that bad, you could've just said so." His smirk was all sharp edges, eyes glinting with something dangerous and amused. "No need to get rough... unless you're into that."
Nagisa didn't answer. He turned sharply, slipping out of the room, his heartbeat thrumming against his ribs.
Behind him, Karma watched him go, licking his lips like he was savoring something. His smirk lingered, playful, smug-then slowly faded.
Because now, he wanted more.
___________________
N
Nagisa walked swiftly down the dim hallway, his footsteps soundless against the cold floor. The air felt heavy - thick and unfamiliar - and his chest was tight in a way that had nothing to do with exertion. He pushed the feeling down, locking it away as he always did.
But it didn't disappear.
His heart was still pounding. His lips still tingled. And his hands... his hands still remembered the shape of Karma's face. The warmth of his skin. The way Karma's breath had hitched just before the kiss turned - dangerous.
Nagisa's pace quickened.
He shouldn't feel like this. He didn't feel like this. He hadn't felt anything in a long time - not fear, not joy, not anger. Project Silent Fang had made sure of that. They'd carved it all out of him and left only what was necessary: precision, obedience, control.
So why was his pulse still racing?
He slipped into his quarters and shut the door behind him. The room was sparse - a bed, a desk, a few weapons neatly arranged. No personal touches. No distractions. He sat on the edge of the bed and stared at his hands. They were steady as always. But the memory of that heat... it wouldn't leave.
Karma.
Nagisa had always found him irritating - too cocky, too loud, too unpredictable. But there was something about the way Karma looked at him - like he saw something beneath the surface. Like he wanted to drag it out.
Nagisa didn't know if he was more annoyed or... unsettled by that.
He pressed a hand to his chest, feeling the rapid thrum of his heartbeat. It wasn't fear. It wasn't panic. It was something else - something dangerous.
He didn't like it.
And he didn't know why he wanted to feel it again.
Nagisa forced himself to focus - on his breathing, on the steady rhythm of air in and out, on the coolness of the room against his skin. He counted backward from ten until his heartbeat slowed. Until his hands no longer felt like they were burning.
This wasn't a problem. He couldn't let it be a problem. Distraction was dangerous. And Karma - Karma was a distraction wrapped in fire and sharp smiles and golden eyes that saw too much.
He wouldn't let this happen again.
And yet...
Nagisa's fingers brushed his lips, and the memory sparked-heat and pressure and the way Karma licked his lips for entrance-
He exhaled sharply, yanking his hand away.
Nagisa stood up abruptly. Enough.
He crossed the room to the sink, splashing cold water on his face. The reflection that stared back at him was calm and still, but his eyes... his eyes betrayed him. They were too wide, too focused. As if his body hadn't quite gotten the message that the fight was over.
It wasn't fear. It wasn't panic. But it was dangerous.
There was a knock on his door. Sharp. Confident. And Nagisa already knew who it was.
For a second, he considered ignoring it. But Karma wasn't the type to walk away. And if he didn't answer, the redhead would probably find his way in anyway.
So Nagisa opened the door.
Karma leaned against the frame, his usual smirk in place, but his eyes... his eyes were darker than before. Focused. Curious. And for once, he didn't say anything right away. He just looked at Nagisa, as if waiting for something.
Nagisa's voice was steady when he finally spoke. "What do you want?"
Karma tilted his head, studying him. "You ran off pretty fast."
"That wasn't running."
"Sure felt like it." Karma's smile widened, but there was something sharp underneath it. "What's wrong, Serpent? Don't like it when someone pushes back?"
Nagisa's fingers twitched at his side. "I don't like wasting time."
"Funny," Karma murmured. "Neither do I."
And then he stepped forward. Nagisa didn't move back, but his whole body went still - a predator's stillness, waiting for the first sign of attack. But Karma didn't strike. He just stood there, too close, the air between them sparking with tension.
"I'm not going to stop," Karma said softly. "You know that, right?"
Nagisa's throat felt tight. "That's your mistake."
"Maybe." Karma's eyes dropped - just for a second - to Nagisa's mouth. And that heat was back, crawling up Nagisa's spine. "But I don't think so."
Nagisa should have pushed him away. He should have closed the door and ended this. But for some reason - a reason he didn't want to examine - he didn't move.
And Karma saw it. He saw it, and his smile softened into something more dangerous.
"You felt it too, didn't you?" Karma's voice was almost gentle, and that was worse than any of his usual teasing. "You're not as empty as you pretend to be."
Nagisa's breath caught.
"Stop."
"Make me."
For a second - one terrible, reckless second - Nagisa almost did. Not with violence. Not with words. But with the same heat that still burned in his veins.
But then he stepped back.
"You should go." His voice was flat again, his face blank. "This is a waste of time."
Karma's eyes flickered - disappointment, maybe. Or frustration. But the smirk returned. "We'll see."
And with that, he turned and walked away, leaving Nagisa alone in the doorway, his pulse thundering far too loud.
He closed the door. And this time, not even the sharpest rain could cool the heat burning through him.