After their conversation yesterday, Allein dismisses the trio. Any further conversation would be meaningless as they needed time to rest and think. If they wanted to quit the job, so be it. Allein wasn’t their babysitter and has no obligation to encourage them to stay. That’s why he was pleasantly surprised to see all three of them return to his office without any letter in hand.

“Not bad.” He commented.

Allein led the trio inside and took out a medium size birthday cake. Four pairs of cutlery were placed neatly on the table, three facing the sofa and one in front of the lone chair. His large figures loom over the cake, casting a shadow over it.

“Let’s continue our conversation shall we?”

“You seemed to be awfully dissatisfied with me yesterday. Mind telling me the reason?”

After debating for sometime yesterday, the trio decided on a spokesman. Nanako was sitting in the middle and was the one to speak up.

“Sir. We think that it’s irresponsible of you to leave us alone on our first day here. Since we don’t know our way around or what to do, it would be simple to show us around no?”

Nanako took a peak at Allein to gauge his reaction only to realize he was more focused on the cake in front of him than her speech. Still, she was patient.

After putting a good slice of the cake into his mouth, Allein looked back at her.

“So?” He asked.

“What?”

“Is that all?”

“Yes...?”

Allein put down his fork, taking a glance at the three.

“Is it my job to show you around? The only order from the higher ups was to meet the newbies and so I did. I was even nice enough to tell you what to do, didn’t I?”

“That’s... you could have shown us around...”

“And you couldn’t do that on your own?”

They were silent. Nanako grimace. Technically, Allein was right. He did what he needed to do and even gave them tips. But his words go against her common sense, shouldn’t the old help the new?

Allein pushes forward the cake, inviting them to eat.

“You think that you are the newbies and I should train you as a senior right. However, this job isn’t the one that could be trained for as it’s always accompanied by death. Unless you are willing to risk your life in some training, there’s not much one could do.”

“Knowledge is one of the things you can prepare for. But the ironic thing is, the relevant knowledge to survive is not accessible by you newbies.”

Allein took a big gulp of water, taking his time before speaking again.

“I didn’t show you around yes but why did you think that actively asking around isn’t a good thing? On a mission that requires cooperation, that connection may help you to stay alive. In a sense, I have done everything I can to help you, no?”

They were speechless once again. Nanako wasn’t sure if he was saying the truth or not. Whatever the case, none of them can complain anymore.

Finishing knocking some sense into the newbies, Allein cut out three pieces of cake for the trio. He continues in a more serious tone.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

“Our job is very free but don’t mistake it for being easy. We can rest and relax for 90% of the time but the last 10% is always filled with madness and death. Sometimes our suffering won’t end even in death, one mistake could bring eternal hell to you and those around you.”

The trio stared at the man in front of them like a fearsome beast. Three slices of cake laid in front of them, prepared by Allein himself. They weren’t sure if they had understood his words, they weren’t sure if they had understood anything at all. Still, they knew Allein was inviting them for more than a bite.

“What do you say? Do you still want the job?”

His dark brown eyes stared at them like a deep abyss, like a devil who has finished enticing their prey. Nanako was the first to move. She decisively took the whole slice, eating it slowly. She had readied herself the moment she took the prepayments.

“It’s good.” She said.

Loren was the second. He pushes the slice of cake back to Allein and excuses himself. He said he was going to the library to start learning.

Jack moved last, he took a small bite of the cake and put it in his mouth.

“I don’t like cake. It’s delicious though.” He said.

Allein didn’t reply and took a large piece of cake. With just a few bite, the cake was gone. He looks back at the duo with slight annoyance.

“What are you still here for? I’m out of cake. Go to learn or something! Oh and come to the training ground after breakfast, you’ll start your training with guns. Tell the short guy too.”

The two quickly excused themselves out of his room, returning its usual calm. Allein cleaned the table before changing out his black suit into a blue coat and leaving the room. He took a lollipop from the inner pocket and walked down to the nearby park.

The park was next to his building, like a small oasis in the bustling city. He found a lady busily feeding the birds with a happy expression, her blue eyes deep in focus.

Allein walked to the stone bench and sat down next to her, disregarding her frowning gaze.

“You scared the birds away.”

He looked at her pouting face and responded with a kind smile. The smile sends shivers down her spine. She let out a sigh.

“Don’t sigh too much, you’ll age faster that way.” He teases.

“Whose fault do you think that is huh?” She shot Allein a glare.

Knowing he was the source of her long and lengthy smile, Allein broke out into a grin. He suddenly felt like playing teasing her more.

“I don’t know who that is but I’ll help you with them. Can’t let my good friend be bothered so long after all.” He said seriously.

Suzuha lamented in her heart, she didn’t know what to do with this guy. She took out a cigarette only for it to be snatched away by Allein.

“Hey!”

“No smoking.” He said seriously.

“Ughh... fine, give me one of those pops.” She grumbled.

Like a showman, Allein dramatically pulls out another lollipop from his inner pocket.

“How many did you bring?”

“Three.”

“All strawberry flavors?”

“Yeah.”

“Gross.” She disgustedly put the candy in her mouth.

The two spent their time in the quiet and peaceful park, observing the few birds who had returned for food. Allein shooed away all the one who moved close to him while Suzuha continued to feed them seeds.

Suzuha could taste the artificial strawberry flavor in her mouth, she didn’t like it. Allein has already finished his first piece, reaching for another one in his pocket. She stopped him, putting hers in his mouth.

“Next time bring me a cola flavored.”

“..mmh sure.”

The cool autumn breeze brought with it a few yellow leaves. The wind was colder than normal, signaling the coming winter. The leaves were suspended in the air as if dancing.

“How’s the newbies?”

“I wouldn’t give them more than a year. Two at best.”

“That bad?” She asked gravely.

“They are the ‘typical’. I did tell them to quit but well, they’ll know when they have their first job.”

Suzuha stares at the leaves in a daze. Were they like these leaves, forever dancing to the wind they couldn’t control?

“Hey...”

She looked at her side, only to see an empty seat. The one who was there has now moved further away, she can only look at his leaving back.

“Hah...”

In the corner of her eyes, a small lollipop was there. Written on it was a line of words: “premium strawberry flavor”.