Dai gripped my arm before I could react. I attempted to signal anyone else that I was available, but everyone had left us to our own devices. I didn't understand why he would do this. I evaded everyone I knew like the plague.

"What's your problem? You will botch my cover if you keep this up. I'm trying to work. I don't interrupt you do I?" I was attempting to be inconspicuous but I also didn't care. He was in my way. I will have to get rid of him if he keeps it up I have no choice.

" Yes, you have. I needed a partner; here you are. " He grinned again his eyes though didn't match his mouth. His eyes glistened with indications of more rage and.. suspicion.

"I think you should leave me alone before this turns ugly. I would rather not have to kill you but I will"

"You don't want to kill me? I think you do but you can't." He shifted behind me and I sensed a soft jab through my sweater. Whatever weapon didn't matter. I didn't sense pain either way. He could impale me; I would be fine. I was tormented a million times over no amount of bodily pain would stop me. I required this job, it was my first with the company. Failure wouldn't be just for me but for my entire family's name and livelihood.

"Here? You can't." I wavered if I persisted my dignity would die just a little. I pivoted my head to meet him. I attempted my best to push him into reading my eyes differently than what I was feeling.

"I truthfully don't desire to kill you. I didn't choose this life, I'm trying to be normal can't you allow me?" Of course I wasn't but I think he would buy it. In previous exchanges at most, he appeared disinclined to do his assignment. He could've killed the mark before me but he didn't. If I could gamble, he was doing this job out of necessity or by force.

Dai leaned in closer. He smelled like a holiday candle, the mix of cinnamon, nutmeg, and spices. A clue.

" Are you lying to me?" He started seemingly into my soul. I could vaguely hear the announcers instructing pairs to draw from the hat. I needed to end this with my cover intact somehow.

"No. I can't live with my family name. I can't live that life. We can talk about this later though right now we have an icebreaker to do."

Dai let go of my arm and shifted away his weapon before I could see it. He slipped a hand around my shoulder as we walked together to draw whatever was going on.

"You and your partner will have to play out whatever scenario is on your paper !" The announcer gestured each word dramatically with the stringy-haired blond girl next to her. " Later you will vote who you think were the best partners and those people will be given a gift card to the restaurant of their choice!"

Dai's hand started shrinking away from my shoulder as the hat was passed around and reached us. I recognized the one holding the hat too, it was Cameron Evans, my target. He was much taller than I thought he would be with sandy loose hair, broad shoulders, and delicate brown eyes. If anything he looked like he would cry if someone denigrated him once, he looked too sensitive to blackmail anyone. I knew that meant nothing. I strode forward shrugging his arm off. As Cameron approached us, I executed a strategy in my head of what I would do to reel him in. I decided to go the brazen route, it would be most straightforward and he didn't look smart enough for mind games. " Here." He held out the hat. I reached out to grab a slip but hesitated and peeked up at him. "My name's Angi, what's yours?" I smiled and reached down to select a slip.

"Oh, it's Cameron. Nice to meet you Angi.. you're a freshman?" I grinned at his inquiry this was freshman orientation dumbass. But it was okay he didn't want me to be one he needed me to be older he was a junior after all.

"No, I'm just here because I needed a tour and it led here, I'm a sophomore but I just transferred" I spoke in a lower pitch attempting to cultivate a feeling of lighthearted care.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

"Oh cool. I'll see you around then, Angi maybe you should come to the party this week it's next door." He beamed and started patting my shoulder; It took everything in me not to jolt away from his weighty touch.

"Of course, I'll see you there then." I touched his hand lightly on my shoulder as he moved on to the next group, looking back at me as he went.

"Is he a part of this new start?" Dai stepped up beside me speaking straight into my ear.

"Maybe he is. You think I'm here by accident?" I grinned as for once Dai's eyes let up on the flashes of anger and reflected shock and .. hmm a little bit of laughter. I opened our slip to see what scenario we would have to act out: "The annoying couple who finishes each other..." This looked fun. I lifted the paper to Dai who was trying to look over my shoulder.

"Do we really have to do these? Who thought this would be a good idea?" he sighed as the over-excited announcer came on again.

" Once all of you have your slips, you can begin to interact with different groups, at the end make sure you reveal your scenario!" She hurriedly started the music and the giant timer on the presenter.

"GO!!"

I looked at Dai wondering whether or not he would follow along he didn't seem like the type to be good with a cover, he was easily readable and seemed never to hide his intentions.

"Think you can keep up?" I linked his arm as we went to our first pair to act out as the best couple we could be.

"Let's see how you do" Dai smirked as we reached our first interaction. It was two guys one was short and on the leaner side and the other was much taller but seemed stubbier. The shorter one was looking me up and down in a way that made me feel like he was calculating how much each part of me was worth.

"Hi my name's Daiksuke" he poked me as if I didn't know I was supposed to come next

"Hi I'm Angi and we're.." I waited for Dai to catch what I was trying to say

"So happy to meet you." We both extended our hands out at the same time unfortunately the short one was about to shake mine but then Dai interlocked with my hand instead. I just smiled and continued. The two guys were supposed to be acting as bad cop and good cop but they kept talking over each other and glaring, it seemed like they just were trying to convict each other. They both grilled us like we were suspects the whole time but me and Dai acted blissfully ignorant and continued finishing each other's sentences. We moved on to the next pair who were impressively playing two shady businessmen. As the game continued I eased into my role, becoming accustomed to finishing Dai's sentences.

"And times up!"

As I prepared to accidentally bump into Cameron, I hoped that I could trip and land on him somehow I figured it might work as clichè as it was. Just as I was about to execute my plan and "tripped" on a wire toward Cameron I felt a hard tug as I was pulled away from Cameron who kept walking. Out of instinct I stepped my foot back hard onto my attacker's foot and jabbed up with my elbow. I whipped around as they grabbed my elbow inches from their face.

" We need to talk" Dai's eyebrows scrunched together as his mouth compressed into a scowl.

"You interrupted me. We can talk later I'm busy." I tried to leave but he held tight onto my arm

"Fine not here though, we can go outside or the basement."

"No. I need to stay here don't you want to know who won." I wouldn't let his acting ruin the careful cover I needed to create although my instincts seemed to be giving me up. Dai who was still holding my arm reaffirmed his grip digging into my arm.

" There is no way you are here by accident." To an outsider, he probably looked like he was lovingly whispering to me when in reality he sounded like he was going to bite my head off.

"No really. I mean it. I didn't know you went here, I came here for Cameron. He's who I'm looking for" The sincerity in my voice should be winning me awards.

"Not a target?" He grinned into my ear as he said it, the announcer had started announcing first and second place but nothing was audible over his deep menacing voice.

" No, as my boyfriend dipshit. I ran away from home if you hadn't noticed. I can't date him and still live as Akumu."

"So you're giving up everything for him?" Before I could answer the announcer called us for third place. Dai dropped his hand from my arm to my hand dragging me up in front of the announcer and the auditorium. I didn't care as long as it maintained my cover but I hoped Cameron wouldn't see it.

"I have to say I'm so surprised that y'all didn't win first place the way I heard about you two!" The announcer giggled as she handed us our gift cards. Dai took them, smiled, and dragged us off stage.

" I'll see you around, I have someone I need to catch up to!" I grinned releasing my hand from Dai's. I expected him to let me go as we were already to meet but he pulled me back, reaching into my pocket and grabbing my phone, well not my phone. He grabbed it and typed in his phone number calling himself.

"Just in case you don't show" I smiled and moved out as quickly as I could.