Akari

I am an agent from Japan's Special Forces. My boss is not human.

He is a large yellow octopus with a permanent grin glued onto his spherical head. He moves in very high speed, enabling him to capture his targets easily. Because of his tenacity, he became the Head of the Special Forces Team 3 in 3 years.

His name is Korosensei, which is weird since he is not a teacher at all. But he teaches his underlings well. Our team has been very efficient in our missions and highly regarded by everyone else in the Special Forces.

Despite being a flawless boss who never mistreats his underlings, his only flaw would probably be...

"Boss, you have to stop reading pornography during work hours. If Karasuma-san finds out, he'll give you a beating," I state flatly. My arms crossed over my chest as I stand before his table, catching him with his perverted hobbies for the umpteenth time.

"NUYA!" Immediately he stashes his precious magazine away. "Don't tell him, Akari-chan! I'll... I'll buy you gelato!"

"I don't take bribes."

"NUYA!"

I roll my eyes at his ridiculousness. "Why did you summon me, boss?"

He clears his throat. "Akari-chan, the upper authorities has sent us another mission."

"Which criminal? The serial killer Rino? Or the elusive robber gang?"

He shakes his head. "We're not catching criminals. Yet. Specifically, you're going undercover to investigate the Yakuza. Presumably..." he hands me a file. I open it and see a huge photo of man with his back turned to the camera. The graphics is blurred and I couldn't make out the face. The only thing I spot is the fleck of red hidden under the man's hoodie. "...the Ayakawa Clan."

"What did they do?"

Korosensei would look serious if not for his perpetual grin. "For now, nothing. Past decades Ayakawa clan has been in ruthless gang fights with a lot of Yakuza clans. But since this guy came along, everything died down. The black market trading, the fights... nothing. We need more intel on what is going on with this clan. I hope they really did turn for the good. But who knows? Maybe they are hiding their talons till the right moment to strike."

I close the file. "So I'll go undercover as the rookie? Do they even take girls?"

"Rumours say the second-in-command is one tough chick and has been training a team of female fighters. You can fit in. But your position will be as the head's bodyguard."

I cough. "Wouldn't that be too close?"

"We need intel ASAP. Starting from a rookie takes too long time." He taps his chin. "Might as well seduce the man since you have the looks."

I glare. "No seduction ploys. I don't do that."

"Then maybe Irina can teach you som-"

"NO! NOT HER! NOT IRINA! I NEVER WANT TO GO TO HER LESSONS AGAIN!"

"I heard they were fun!" He grins evilly. If he isn't my boss I'd punch him.

"I hate her kissing lessons. Last time she pulled it on me and I collapsed. COLLAPSED."

He snickers. "Nurufufufufu... but it will come in handy somehow... anyway, I bet the Yakuza head might fall for you the first moment."

"Boss, you want gossip, find Sugino and Kanzaki. Or maybe Hinata. Anyone but me."

He sneers. "But you, the love-devoid machine, have so much potential..."

"I quit love long ago." The moment I chose this job, I quit love because it will only get in my way. Even my Uncle doesn't know I'm a Special Agent. If I have a boyfriend and my mission is compromised, they will be endangered. I can't risk anyone's life.

"You'll start tomorrow, Agent Okumura Akari. You'll take the name as Ayano Akari. Your location is Ayakawa building in town. Good luck."

*****

I walk out from Korosensei's office, wondering how hard this mission would be. Being too close to your target is never the ideal position. Chances are your secrets are more easily spilled and you'll be dead before you even know why.

I still want to live, Korosensei.

"How did it go?" Hinata, a girl with tomboyish haircut asks as I return to my desk.

I sigh. "I'll be on a mission tomorrow. I won't be back I guess."

"Then you won't be joining us with our trip?" Kanzaki places a cup of hot chocolate on my desk. She has a gentle charisma and pretty long hair. "It'll be lonely to Osaka without you."

I cringe. "Lonely? Kanzaki has Sugino while Hinata has Maehara. No way you guys'd be lonely."

Hinata blushes. "M-m-maehara has nothing to do with me!"

Kanzaki tries to hide her embarrassment. "Sugino-kun and I are just friends."

I hear an inaudible heartbreak sound coming from Sugino's direction as Kanzaki just friendzoned him. Poor Sugino.

Dragging his heavy legs, Sugino plops a file onto my desk with a depressed look. "Here's you fake resume. Try to memorize it." He returns to his desk, trying not to develop interest over the girls' conversation.

"Anyway... get a boyfriend back too, will you?" Hinata suggests. I choke as I drink the hot chocolate.

"No way. I'm investigating Yakuza. I'm not interested in bloodthirsty men."

"But there could be someone you like." Hinata nudges me. "Love happens before you know it!"

I calmly sip my drink. "Focus on your Maehara. He'll be back soon."

"He's not mine!!!!"

I blink. ".....yet."

*****

Ayakawa building is one of the most modernized buildings in the city. Sunlight bounces off its glass panels. I cover my eyes from the glare as I enter the building confidently. Confidence is something I need to maintain my cover.

I reach the receptionist, who is a young girl in long purple hair. On her name tag is the name 'Ritsu'. She looks up at me and smiles. "What business do you have here, miss?"

"Umm... I'm here for the job as the bodyguard."

She blinks in surprise. "Oh. Nakamura-san will be seeing you on the 5th floor." She hands me a colourful brochure as if this building is a tourist hotspot. "Please read it."

I read it as I wait for the elevator to arrive. The building has 10 floors. The ground floor is a lobby. The first a dining hall and a huge kitchen. Then second, a conference hall. The third is a training facility with a dojo and an indoor gym. The fourth is the recreational area where there are games, a mini cinema and a library. The fifth, sixth and seventh are office floors. The last two are residential suites.

This sounds more like a hotel than the home base of a Yakuza clan. I am expecting an underground prison where they torture their enemies. There is supposed to be a corridor where they would hang the heads of their enemies as trophies. Gruesome is supposed to be their theme.

Or maybe it is just my exaggerating fantasy.

*****

One word to describe the Nakamura woman. Beautiful.

Long golden hair flowing down her shoulders like a waterfall. Her cerulean blue eyes shine with pure conviction. Standing in the midst of bulky men, she glows with confidence and pride.

"You're Ayano-san?" She asks as she eyes me.

I nod. "Yes. I'm Ayano Akari. Nice meeting you, Nakamura-san."

"Call me Rio." She smiles. Suddenly she frowns as she fishes out her phone. "Karma, what the heck? Did you hire a girl because you're looking for a girlfriend?"

I hear a chuckle from the other end of the conversation.

"What? No I'm not asking her that. You ask her yourself. I'm not your slave. You are not making her your maid either. NO! She's a bodyguard, damn it, a bodyguard! I have a team of girls ready to protect you yet you... For god's sake! Kar... No... I'm not the boss, you are blah blah blah. I don't care. Does it look like I care? Did Nagisa even approve this? He what?! FINE! DON'T COME CRAWLING TO ME IF YOU CAN'T PROTECT YOURSELF." She rolls her eyes and sighs in exasperation. "I'll send her in...... well..." she pauses and looks at me. "She is kinda pretty."

I blush.

She keeps her phone away and drags me while hooking her arm with mine. The sudden friendliness frightens me. But the conversation is horrifying. Why does my target/new boss sounds like a maid-obsessed pervert?

"Umm... Rio-san?"

She drags me forward and hums. "Hmm?"

"The boss... is he..."

"He's kinda a weird guy. Obsessed with cat maids. No worries I won't let him put you in one." Abruptly she pinches my cheek. "You're so cute... your name's Akari right? Can I call you Aka-chan?"

Can you what?

She takes my silence as a yes. "Ok then! Aka-chan it is! You can just call me Rio."

We stop before a maroon mahogany door. Frowning, she clicks her tongue. "He better not pull any stunts..." I look at her quizzically. "I mean err... just make sure you take good care of yourself."

What kind of boss am I meeting? Why the hell do I have to take care of myself?! What did I get myself into?!

For the sake of the mission, Akari, chill. Focus.

I have a stun gun. I'll stun him if he pulls anything.

The blonde pushes open the door without hesitation. "Redhead jerk, your bodyguard's here."

The large windows overviewing the city are drawn with curtains, leaving only a tiny gap to let the light in. A man stands by the gap, drinking a cup of unknown steamy liquid. He is fairly tall and slim, wearing a greyish suit. But the most prominent thing of his features is his flaming red hair, burning in the semi-dark.

"Rio Rio Rio... how many times do I have to tell you? I'm your boss. Not a redhead jerk." The man turns to us and smirks. At a glimpse I catch his mercuric golden eyes, glinting beautifully like precious gems.

A flawless face with red hair and beautiful golden gems as eyes. He looks beautiful, like an angel fallen from heavens.

"I've known you since we're 10. I'll call you whatever I want."

"We could be an item, you know."

"You know damn well I'm not your type and you mine so stop the flatter. You're scaring the newbie."

On cue, I snap back into reality, realizing I've been mesmerized by him for too long. I bow. "Ayano Akari. First time meeting you, Sir."

"I wouldn't call it a first time, though."

I look at him questioningly. That is the sentence treading ever so closely to the line of my undercover. Did he found out who I really am? My heart pounds.

Even Rio blinks in surprise. "What?" She gasps.

"I don't recall meeting you, Sir." I state flatly, defending myself carefully.

He takes a few strides forward. By now, he is very close to me. I can hear my breathing sluggish.

Smirking, he tucks a strand of my hair behind my ear. "Call me Karma. Everyone does that." His smile makes my heart skips a beat. The mere contact of his fingers sends tingles down my spine.

"Redhead jerk," comments Rio without holding back.

"Except her. She has redhead issues."

Her phone rings and she picks up. "Nakamura here. Right. Right. I'll be there." She glares at Karma. "Don't do anything. I'm warning you."

He smirks as he shrugs off her warning. Turning to me, his smirk doesn't fade. "So, let's begin with the interview, shall we? Get to know each other better."

I don't know why my heart is racing. Is it because he almost discovered my true identity? Or is it how silky his voice is?

WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU AKARI FOCUS ON THE MISSION!

I take out my resume from my bag. Sugino has written a perfect fake resume for me. Most of it isn't real: about the previous jobs as bodyguards to other big shots. But the part of where I used to be a reigning Taekwondo champion is a truthful history of mine. At least, I have the skills of protecting my target till I get enough juice from him.

"Sir-Karma, here's my resume..." I trail off as he steps closer to me. Simultaneously I step back. He doesn't concede until I reach a wall. He stops right before me, inches to my face, his hair smells like strawberry. My legs shift to the right but his arms lock me between him and the wall.

I gulp. It's either a ruse to force something from me and do whatever he wants. There is a high possibility he has found me out and intends to juice everything from me. My heart pounds within my ears. I need to remain calm to reduce his suspicion.

But somehow, the panic isn't the source for the heat on my face.

I see how beautiful his orbs are within that proximity. I am mesmerized by its glitter even in the dark. His red hair, a burning crown, burns like a passionate flame. Strands of his hair frame his face perfectly. Scrutinizing his features so clearly means he is very close to me.

Close enough to kiss me.

My brain explodes. What is wrong with me? Why am I thinking such useless romantic things when I'm supposed to be worried about my life right now? What if he decides to kill me?

"So, let's begin with the interview," he says gently.

Apparently pinning me to the wall is his favourite way of interviewing newbies.

I shift uncomfortably. "Umm..."

"Hmm?" He hums. His voice ever so silky.

My eyes lock to his, unable to avert from them. I hand the resume to him and open my mouth. But words refuse to come out. I have memorized perfectly the fake resume, but being undeniably close to him paralyzes my verbal abilities. I can't utter a single word. It is an unacceptable failure especially I'm one of the top agents of the Special Forces.

Karma, without reading the resume, throws it to the couch nearby. "No scripts. Tell me your name."

"A-Ayano Akari."

His breath tickles as he whispers by my ear. "I'll call you Akari-chan then."

Blushing furiously, I try to remain focused on my main purpose but his voice makes me giddy.

"What do you like to eat?"

"S-sushi."

"What's your favourite colour?"

"R-red..." What do all these questions have to do with my job? No, answer them, Akari. Distract him. Comply with him. If you deny him it may cause severe consequences.

He raises his eyebrow. Then, he rests his forehead on mine. "You mean this red?"

At first, I thought he was talking about the unprecedented redness of my face. But then it dawns on me that he is talking about his burning crown. I nod. "Yes."

"Nice taste." He smiles. "Are you interested in a new dress code?" He scans me from head to toe. "Like cat-maid outfits?"

I blink.

So my boss has cat-maids obsession. It is more horrifying than the Yakuza's blood-stained history.

I imagine myself in a maid suit with cat-ears, purring as my boss pats my head. Meeeeoooow.

"No." I reply sternly. That image is unimaginable.

He sighs in disappointment. "Aww that's too bad. Now... are you seeing someone lately?"

My heart continues to pound. Not because it is a romantically awkward question but because of the hints he sent in his sentence. It is as if he is making sure that I'm not romantically involved with anyone.

"No," I reply feebly.

He blinks.

I decipher the moment as a chance to escape. I intend to shove him away gently because thrusting him too hard would mar my image and I'll end up compromising the mission.

"Good," is his short reply before his lips gently touches mine.

I couldn't comprehend what is happening. All I know is how tender his lips are. How sweet they are when I taste them. I realize how much I yearn for a pair of lips to coax mine, so spontaneously, so unpredictably. A spark ignites-a reaction from the chemistry happening between us.

I wrap my arms around his neck and kiss him back.

Simultaneously, he puts more pressure on my lips gradually. His tongue asks for permission into my mouth and I grant his wish. Instantly I am burning in flames. I have to thank Irina for her kissing lessons after this for turning me into a good kisse-

At that thought I break away and push him off me. He stumbles to the floor, staring at me with surprise.

I almost forgot my mission. Thank you Irina. Sort of.

What am I doing? Kissing my target? Am I that deprived of love to be so desperate I'd kiss any stranger?

No, my conviction is to not involve with anyone romantically. Not my target. Not anyone.

"I'm a bad kisser?" Karma asks as he stands, approaching me. I lift my hands before me to stop him getting closer.

"I... I'd like to keep things professional. I don't intend to have a romantic affair with my boss," I reply sternly. The heat on my face burns.

He smirks. "But you like it, don't you?"

"No."

"Denying the truth, are we?" Swiftly, he pushes away the barrier between us-my hands. My stand is trifling against his aggressiveness. My hands find no strength to push him away as he cups my cheek. He lifts my lips closer to his and bites my upper lip to tempt me.

Congratulations, Target/Boss, it actually works.

The desire to answer his wish is now an uncontrollable wildfire. I want to kiss him. I want my tongue to dance with his tongue.

Rationality fights against my desire. I have to stop these thoughts. I am not here to kiss my target. I'm here for the mission.

But I want to.

"Karma-kun, we're-" a voice cuts the air between us that is passionate with desire. I push Karma away and luckily he has stable footing that he doesn't stumble. I try to hide the blush on my face as I glance at the source of the voice.

A blue-haired man with pigtails, stands by the door, gapes at the scene before him. A shade of pink dyes his face. "I-I can come back later..."

"Ok," Karma instantly replies. Furiously I stab him in the gut without acknowledging the fact that he is my boss.

"No!" I gasp. "I really should be going." I need to flee. I cannot stand next to Karma anymore. Not when I still desire for him.

Karma grabs my wrist as he rubs his stomach. "Where do you think you're going? You're my bodyguard." His emphasizing on the word 'my' makes me shudder; a mixture of fear and giddiness.

The blue-haired man sighs while he rubs his temples, annoyed by Karma's persistence. "No wonder Rio asks me to check on the newbie. You're already forcing yourself on her."

Karma chuckles while I shudder with horror this time. Forcing himself on me? This does not sound good. It sounds like Karma has a bad history with his previous bodyguards.

He looks like a devil now instead of an angel, smirking sinisterly as he tries to lure me into his trap.

"I'm not forcing myself on her," Karma explains. "I'm interviewing her."

I blush again.

The man catches my blush and sighs. "Uh-huh." He then proceeds to shake my hand. "I'm Nagisa, Karma's assistant. If he ever does it again, just punch him. You don't need to show mercy even if he's the boss."

"She wouldn't." Karma dares as he looks at me. The curve of the corner of his mouth suddenly becomes very tempting.

I need to control myself. I need to clear my mind.

So, I punch him in the face.

*****

First day on the mission didn't really end well. The purplish bruise on Karma's cheek doesn't mar the perfection of his face though. These few days I scrutinize him carefully. He is actually very handsome with his taut jawline, his burning crown and his sparkling mercuric golden orbs. If he isn't the Yakuza head he'll be able to charm any girl he wants.

There's no way he would fall for me anyway. After all, I'm not pretty.

I've put a lot of thought into why he kissed me. Maybe he was fooling with me, to make sure I won't fall for any of his enemies and betray him. To make sure I'm not tempted by my desires. But unfortunately, I failed miserably.

The mystery that continues to stand is why I kissed him back. Maybe I didn't have love for too long and when it comes knocking to my door I grabbed it without hesitating. Maybe because he's too tempting. Or maybe I felt a spark between us.

The spark could have explained the blushing, the heart racing, the desire I felt for him.

I fell for my target? No way. No way.

Focus, Akari, focus. Your mission is of utmost importance.

You can't fall in love with him. Even if you did, there's no way from preventing that he won't find out what's your main purpose. You cannot be with him. Not when you're a spy. Not when he's the head of the Yakuza. I hypnotize myself.

And besides, there's no way he will fall for me in any other way.

By being his bodyguard, I'm at a vantage point. Korosensei's right. I get a closer look on how Ayakawa clan functions. I might unearth a dirty secret or two. It simplifies my work and I'll get it done in no time. Then I can leave. I'll leave this god forsaken place. I'll leave that perverted Karma.

But why it feels absolutely awful at the thought that I'll be leaving him soon?

My heart hurts. Pierced by invisible daggers.

Suddenly I want to see him.

I fasten my pace to his office from my room. As his bodyguard, I have to live next to him on the upper level.

Karma, just like these few days I've seen him, sits by his desk checking documents. He looks up the moment I come in and smiles. "Morning, Akari-chan."

What made my heart pounds is not the way he intimately calls me with the '-chan' suffix. It is his gorgeous smile, breathtaking and heartwarming. He would be a very handsome pop star, giving his fans a beautiful smile that captures their hearts. I would be the fanatic fan, fangirling and screaming for his affection. But of course, I'm 24. I can't be fangirling at him.

I want to see his smile once again. I want to feel once more the butterflies fluttering in my stomach.

"Morning, Karma," I reply, keeping my face impassive. Revealing emotions on my face is vulnerability. I sit by the couch while he does his office work.

By sitting at the couch and watch him doing his work seriously, I'm reminded of how aggressive and passionate he was on the first day. It feels fresh in my brain. I tried to discard these awkward thoughts but I failed every time. Karma has crippled my mental system, which I claim to be the most perfect weapon I possess. If I can't control my thoughts, there's no way I'll be qualified to be in the Special Forces again. My team would be disgraced.

I need to prove my strength. I cannot drag my team down with me.

Nagisa bursts through the door, a stricken look on his face. "Karma-kun, there's trouble in downtown."

Karma drops his pen immediately. His eyes turn into that of a beast's-angry and dissatisfied. "What is it?"

"Some of the Rakuza clan bullied the citizens in our territory."

This sounds interesting. Sounds like gang fight might ensue. I perk my ears and stare at Karma. What will you do? I ask him silently. Are you going to send your members to kill them off? This might instigate the so-called hidden talons of this clan-killing of anyone who invades their territory.

"Anyone hurt?" he asks. "The citizens."

"Some of our members got in the way and protected them."

"What about the police?"

"No response yet."

Aren't you going to give orders, Karma? Show me some of the bloodthirsty side of yours as the Yakuza head. After all, you are the Yakuza head. Don't tell me you're peace loving because that wouldn't be a Yakuza.

Rubbing his temples, he sighs. "Make sure Rakuza doesn't try to invade us or hurt the citizens. Their safety comes first. Our members can kick them off, but I don't want bloodshed. You hear me, Nagisa?"

No bloodshed? Not that I want any but seriously, a Yakuza without bloodshed?

I can't believe the ruthless Yakuza, their history renowned for bloodshed and vie for territories, one of them, named Karma is actually against bloodshed and prioritizing citizen's safety.

Nagisa nods. "I understood. You want me to call Rio?"

"Yes. Tell her to bring any rebellious ones to the police. And ask Ritsu to make an appointment with that muscle head."

"Right." Quickly Nagisa leaves.

"God..." Karma mutters as he finishes his cup of coffee. I stiffen as he punches the table. He glances at me but then returns to his documents, though his thoughts are now in disarray. A phone call comes in. "Yes Ritsu. 2pm at the golf course. Thanks."

I begin to see Karma in a new light. But his true character remains an enigma to me, too vague of an idea for me to grasp on. I have to learn more about him-about his contradictory character against his job.

When Korosensei mentioned Ayakawa clan became a tamed beast under Karma's new reign, I didn't believe it. Now the ginger is slowly proving me wrong.

Maybe there aren't skeletons in Ayakawa's closet.

But this could all just be a façade of an oasis in a dessert-the possibility of a peace-loving Yakuza could never exist. Maybe Karma is a bloodthirsty beast inside, hiding his talons for the perfect moment so that his clan could rise from the rubble.

"Akari, let's go." Karma's voice draws me back. "We're going to see the muscle head."

When he meant muscle head, I didn't thought it was a big shot-even bigger than Karma.

*****

The resort we are heading to is one of the largest in the city. Its prestigious fame only allows a certain amount of people to enter such as politicians, millionaires etc. It wouldn't be a surprise that Karma, being a Yakuza, is a lifetime member.

However, being a Yakuza head, with a huge amount of bounty warranted for any assassins to try their luck, doesn't require a huge entourage. He has Nagisa and me. Only. Other Yakuza clans could aim for this chance where he is out from his hideout and snipe him dead. But Karma doesn't really care. And Rio doesn't bother to send her team to protect him, probably from past experience that this guy can handle the situation on his own.

Now he sounds like a monster than a devil.

By the red flagpole at the entrance of the golf course stood a few people. From the large build of one, I immediately recognize the man. Plus his hair is very striking, contradictory to his job.

Terasaka, the High Bureau Officer of Internal Affairs. A renowned politician who really cares for his citizens and has been on his post for 5 years, earning trust from everyone, gaining jealousy from his rivals.

This looks like a secret trading going on between the cleanest government officer and the devilish Yakuza head. I might get something from this.

"Yo, muscle head," calls Karma relentlessly, disregard of the named person's position. "Fancy meeting you here."

Terasaka frowns at seeing the disrespectful man and clicks his tongue. His companions, a man with messy sandy brown hair, a woman with gothic features and another man with Bob Marley-styled hair, chuckle discreetly. "What do you want, Karma?"

Smirking, Karma picks up a golf club and inspects it. "Duh. The incompetence of the police forces trying to suppress Yakuza activities in my territory. Did you do it on purpose by not posting police officers in my territory and instigate a fight between Ayakawa and Rakuza so that you can catch two birds with one stone?"

Terasaka frowns and rolls his eyes. "I did request the High Commander of the Police Forces to-"

"Request harder." Karma glares at him.

"It's not like I'm not trying."

"If they are aiming for my members, I wouldn't be looking for you. But what they did was despicable. They almost killed a few citizens just to lure us out." Karma puts back the golf club. He gawks at Terasaka. "I won't allow anyone to get hurt on my accord. Citizens' safety comes first. Get that in your mind."

"Don't order me like I'm your underling," huffs Terasaka.

"But I'm the one pulling the strings behind all your political and welfare activities."

"You're the one who came begging me to be a politician so you can pull me like a puppet while you keep yourself hidden backstage!"

Karma chuckles. "You like spotlights. I don't. So here we are. And you enjoy being manipulated. But now you're doing things on your own. Looks like baby Terasaka has learnt some stuff from Karma-niisan."

"Quit your yapping, brat."

"We're the same age. But you look older anyway."

"You little devil..."

The woman who accompanied Terasaka speaks up. "Should I curse him, Terasaka?"

"Good idea."

"No no, Hazama-san," Karma pleads. "I wouldn't want you to spoil the good I've been having lately."

Terasaka huffs. "What good would you be having lately?!" He scans Nagisa, who is sighing in exasperation. Then his gaze rests on me. He smirks. "Oh. I get it now."

Karma smirks in return.

I'm the 'good' Karma's having right now? Really?

From the analysis based on their heated exchange, I speculate Karma is pulling the strings behind Terasaka's acts, though Terasaka had been doing some without Karma's help. Karma seems to be directing the flow within the Internal Affairs Bureau, with Terasaka as the so-called puppet. But he isn't using manipulation for his own good such as black market trading or to cover his dirty tracks. No. What he did is for the sake of the citizens. He prioritized the people in his territory before his own. Looks like he has been so far a good Yakuza head.

But I need to dig up any hidden skeletons in his closet. If there is any. I am beginning to doubt the purpose of my mission. Would Korosensei accept the fact that Ayakawa is clean?

"She's my new bodyguard," Karma exclaims.

Terasaka rolls his eyes. "Nagisa, really? You're letting an innocent girl to get too close to your boss? Eventually she will not just become his bodyguard. She will become his personal maid."

MAID?!

"I tried to stop him. But I wanna keep this job. I still have a wife at home." Nagisa sighs.

Karma laughs. "Anyway we'll be going." Nagisa follows Karma and me too.

But Terasaka's voice halts me. "Ooi, girl."

I look at him.

"Protect your boss at all costs ok? It's rare to have a good guy like him in this rotten society."

I blink. The Yakuza head a good guy? Him? That redhead? It looks solid with the validation High Bureau Officer of Internal Affairs.

It isn't just a verbal appraisal from a powerful politician. With time as I observe Karma, I didn't detect anything that should have correlate with the Yakuza's typical bloody fame. His members are tamed by the devil, obedient to his orders when he said no bloodshed. Occasionally some grateful citizens would gift him fruit baskets for his help, such as repairing old houses, cleaning clogged drains etc. He even wrote a check for the local donation fund.

Under his devilish mask, hides a kind, goodhearted Karma I didn't know.

Maybe he isn't as bad as I thought he would be.

*****

In the middle of the night, someone knocks on my door. Drowsily, I rub my eyes and open the door. A flaming red crown perks me back up energized.

"Karma?" I mutter.

Karma says nothing as he locks his lips on mine, his arms embracing my waist and shoves me to a wall. The sudden gesture takes me by surprise. The desire ignites within me, burning into a large flame. I kiss him back, realizing I yearn for him. As our heated kiss presses on, I pull him closer to me but he suddenly breaks away. My face is swooning with heat as I reach out for him. He complies, but this time, trailing kisses along my jawline to my ear. Gently he bites my earlobe, arousing me.

Then I realize this is a mistake.

I want to push him away. But my desire takes control.

I want him.

I...

*****

I wake up from that lustful dream.

My breathing is still heavy. My face burns. Every part of me feels numb, like it was not a dream. It was real.

I slap my cheeks. This cannot be real. I actually desire my target.

He's my target. He cannot be my lover. Nothing can happen between us. Nothing. I need to keep this professional if I want to finish my mission.

But I want him.

I slap my cheeks once more. It stings.

I look at the clock. It is 2 in the morning. But I can't fall asleep. Not when that lustful dream will haunt me.

I decide to walk around so that I'll get tired and fall asleep eventually. The door to Karma's room is open wide and no one is in there. Something tugs at my heartstrings. At the sight of his absence. At a time like this. Did something happen to him?

Frantic, I began running down the corridor, looking for signs of his burning crown. No. He isn't anywhere. Fantasies race through my mind as I think of the possibilities. Kidnapped? Assassinated? Sleepwalking? Abducted by aliens?!

My feet stop the moment a solid fact dawns on me. Why am I worried about him? Why am I searching for him?

I slap my forehead. Of course I need to search for him. He's my target. If my target is killed, I'll fail my mission. And besides, I'm his bodyguard. At least I have to pretend searching for him.

You know that's not true.

A voice emanates in my skull. I turn around and find the ginger, leaning against a wall.

"Thank god. I thought you're-"

I'm not him.

"Eh?"

I'm just a figment of your imagination Akari. I'm manifested because you've been thinking of him for a long time. And it's not just some professional relationship.

"I don't understand."

You like him. You LOVE him.

"You're lying."

I'm in your head. I know the truth even with your denials.

"He's my target."

No. He's not just your target. You like him. So you've desired him. So you kissed him back. So you had that dream.

"I cannot fall in love with my target."

Laughter mocks my conviction. Love is a curious little thing. It comes before you know it. You may think you fall in love with the wrong person, but love is always right. He's the one for you. There's no loving the wrong person. It's just the matter of how right this love is.

I cover my ears. "Shut up! Shut up!"

Suit yourself. If you don't like him, don't bother looking for him at all. Go back to sleep.

When I glance at the ginger, he has disappeared. A ghost. It doesn't exist. I don't need to listen to anything he says.

"Now back to what I am previously doing," I pant. "I was... I was..."

I was looking for Karma because I'm worried about him.

Should I continue? But that would only prove that ghost right.

"Who cares about a ghost." I continue my search, pushing away what it has said. "Lies. Lies."

I cannot fall in love with my target.

I go down a flight of stairs to the lower level. Light shines from the opened doors of the office. I peek into the room.

Karma leans on his chair, eyes closed. His desk is a mess with papers sprawled all over. Ever so peacefully Karma sleeps on his reclining chair. On closer inspection it would be as if the ginger has stopped breathing. I stand next to him, wondering how relieved I am to see him still breathing; to find out all my ridiculous fantasies never came true.

He's safe. That's good.

Relieved? I'm actually relieved that Karma is safe? Maybe I am too absorbed into this bodyguard job. I need to implant in my mind that my main purpose here is to find out what Ayakawa is up to. I am not a bodyguard. I am a spy. I am an agent from Japan's Special Forces. I cannot keep losing my priority because of my desires. Of how much I yearn for him to touch me. Of how good-looking my target is.

Really? Now I've labeled him as good-looking?

Somehow, that peaceful look of his draws me closer. Gently I caress his flaming crown, feeling how smooth it is under my fingers. Then I trace his taut jawline. It dawns on me that Karma is very handsome. And he actually looks cute when he sleeps.

You like him. The ghost's voice resonates.

Maybe?

Even if I do, he won't like me. After all, I'm not up to the standard of the modern society's ruler of a woman's beauty.

I remove my sweater and cover him with it. I wouldn't want my target to catch a cold.

Ok, that's beyond the boundary. Stop doing such trivial things to get his attention.

But the fine line between 'like' and 'don't like' is blurring. Do I like him? I ask myself. To do such petty things because I'm concerned of his wellbeing?

I'm surely not getting some sleep tonight because of all these questions.

Something warm grabs my hand the moment I turn to leave. The demon's awake.

"Hey." His voice makes me turn to see him. His golden mercuric eyes glint like a cat's.

"I err... I'll go back to my room." I stutter, trying to leave but his hand keeps me glued to the floor.

"Why are you here?"

"I... Couldn't sleep."

He smirks. "Or.... Is it because you're here to dig up some dirty little secrets?"

Stunned, my fingers tremble as I hide them behind me. Karma's grip becomes tighter. An alarm blares in my head. Not good not good.

"Just kidding." He releases my hand and touches the sweater over him. "Yours?"

I nod while trying to recover from the previous predicament.

"Aww you're worried that I'll catch a cold?" He sneers.

"I-I am your b-bodyguard. I have the r-responsibility to make sure your health is n-not corroded by viruses." That is a really lame excuse. "I really need to head back now."

"No. I can't do that."

"Eh?"

In a flash his hand pulls me into his embrace. Then his other hand coils my waist, making sure I could not escape. I look up at him, blushing as his face becomes very close to mine. Strands of his red hair tickle my face. He presses his forehead to mine.

"Do you like me?" he whispers.

Words couldn't form at my gaping mouth.

He smirks. "Too shy are you?" He kisses the corner of my mouth.

My desire returns, burning passionately. I want him.

I comb through his hair with my fingers. Looking into his eyes, I drown in those mercuric golden pools. I've never felt so alive when I'm with him.

Gently he touches my cheek. "Do you like me?" he repeats.

"I..."

"Quit the stupid professional reason. If you like me, kiss me. If you don't, punch me."

Perplexed. Confused. I don't know what I should do. My rationality nags at me not to fall into his trap. My heart tells me to do what I want to do. I weigh my mission and my desire together and the results are......

I pull him closer so that I can kiss him.

He is taken by surprise as his eyes widen. But gradually he kisses me back. The spark between us ignites into a fire; a heated, passionate kiss where our tongues fight for dominance. After a while, he pulls away panting. His face is red from the heat. Hastily, he removes his overcoat and unbuttons one button on his shirt, exposing his fair skin. He tugs on my shirt, trying to get it off.

But I'm not ready for that. I grasp his hands, stopping him. He looks at me, slight surprised but stops his movement.

"I'm... I don't want..."

Karma blinks. He rests his forehead on mine, whispering. "Sorry. I got carried away."

Then a thought hits me like a train. "Did you perhaps... kiss me because you want to do that?"

Blushing, an evident shock flashes over his face. "Akari, I didn't... I..."

"Do you like me?" I ask him with his previous question.

"I..."

"KARMA!" A voice from outside shouts and Rio comes running. She pants as she stops by the door from the excessive running. "Kar-" Her voice trails off as she sees us in a compromising situation. "REALLY?! Get a room, not the office damn it!"

I blush and push him away, but his arm tightens its coil on my waist. "Karma!"

"What's wrong, Rio? Can't you see we're busy?" He glares at Rio, ignoring my protests. Instinctively I jab him in the gut, like Nagisa told me if he is being too clingy. He coughs and lets me go. "Feisty. I like it."

"AKABANE NOW IS NOT THE TIME TO WOO YOUR BODYGUARD," huffs Rio as she cracks her knuckles. "It's Rakuza. They got our members as hostages. They want you."

*****

I've heard of Rakuza clan. They are Ayakawa's biggest rival, always fighting head-to-head with Ayakawa. Unlike Ayakawa which has become a tamed beast lately, Rakuza has been like a caged animal finally released from its cage, wild and untamable, wreak havoc to payback those who caged it.

Rakuza is never in the police and the Special Forces' favour. They had done countless illicit jobs-drugs, human trafficking, black market etc. To aggravate the tension between both clans, Ayakawa has been stopping Rakuza's human trafficking by rescuing the people involved. That ignited the time-bomb.

And now, Rakuza has 3 of Ayakawa's members as hostages, blackmailing Karma to show his face.

So that they can kill him.

Karma is intelligent. He would have known Rakuza's hidden agenda. But being coldblooded and selfish would not be the Karma I fall for. He cares for his members-a fact Rakuza uses against him.

Rio and Nagisa don't bother stopping him because they know him too well that this stubborn oaf will sink his feet deep into the mud even if it costs his life. I have to prepare myself for any impending fights to break out: 1. to make sure my target doesn't die and fail my mission. 2. To make sure Karma doesn't die because I don't want to lose him. Two similar reasons, based on different points -my professionalism and my love life.

I tried messaging Korosensei about this but I have no feedback. It's either he is sleeping or he is drunk. If things got worse I'll need backup but this stupid erotic octopus boss of mine isn't always there when I need him.

In an empty warehouse, a group of Rakuza members gather on one side while Ayakawa members gather on the other side. Karma stands in front, hands tucked into his pockets, looking bored. The Rakuza boss, a middle-aged man with greatly developed muscles sits on a chair, a sexy woman fanning him. Kneeling on the ground before him are 3 Ayakawa's members, hands tied up to their backs, bruises cover their faces.

Nagisa steps forward as Ayakawa's delegate "Hama," he addresses the Rakuza boss. "Release our members and we'll pay you for it."

Hama breaks into a fit of laughter. "Pay me for it? These three idiots trespass my territory and you expect me to let them go? Fat chance. I want Akabane to speak to me, not a runt like you."

Rio, frowning, spits at him. "DO YOU WANT ME TO PUNCH YOU INTO SUBMISSION NOW, HAMA? I can do that job very well."

"Little girls should stay silent and serve men." Hama points at Karma. "I challenge you to a fight. If you win, I'll give them back. But if you lose..." his gaze pierces me. I shudder. He licks his tongue, lust glinting in his eyes. "Leave that girl with me and you can leave safely with your members intact."

Using me as a trade? Disregarding women like they are tools? I can bring you in for sexual discrimination and let Korosensei groom you delicately.

I am about to step forward for my duty as Karma's bodyguard and to voice out women's rights when something pulls me into a warm embrace. Karma's arm squeezes me close to his torso, eyes glaring at Hama like a beast targeting his prey.

"She's mine. Don't even think about it," he declares.

An indescribable joy fills my chest, warm and sweet. I'm his. I look at Karma, whose eyes fixated at his adversary. Is it because I'm his bodyguard? I slowly interpret his words. Or is it because he likes me?

Hama looks at Karma then at me, licking his tongue. I feel disgusted. Something drapes over my head and covers my sight. It is his coat. Karma holds me closer to him, so close I can hear his breathing.

"I said, she's mine," Karma repeats, this time more venomously. "Look at her and I'll blind you." He releases me and steps forward, rolling his sleeves up his arms. "You wanna fight? I'll give you one."

I step forward in a gesture to follow him, to stop this nonsense because logically, Karma couldn't beat someone who is twice his size. But Rio's hand outstretched, blocking my path. "Rio?"

"Don't worry, Karma can do this. He's never lost a fight. Now with you at stake, he'll be sure to rain hell down Hama," she explains calmly.

Nagisa, his gaze fixed on Karma, nods in agreement. "It's rare to see Karma that fired up. You must really mean something to him."

I blink as I stare at Karma's unwavering figure-dauntless, fearless. I want to reach out to him and tell him I don't need to be protected. I want to fight alongside him.

Hama stretches his beefy limbs. Without a heads-up, he charges at Karma. He would have hit Karma if he didn't dodge by the last second. Hama puffs his cheeks, giving a loud battle cry. At sight, Karma seems to be prepared to punch Hama in the face. I squint harder to find him holding something in his hand.

Hama's mouth is open wide when Karma throws whatever he is holding down Hama's pit.

Simultaneously Hama's face explodes with red as he clutches his throat, pain distorting his features. He kneels to the ground, choking.

Karma laughs. "Oh my. Looks like you stumbled upon some ghost peppers, huh?"

Ghost peppers?!

Karma squats down before the man and opens two tubes of unidentified pastes. "Let's see if you can take some wasabi and mustard as I squeeze them into your nostrils."

Wasabi?! Mustard?!

I know Karma's an assertive devil, but I didn't expect him to be a complete sadist.

I watch him torture Hama endlessly, his wide grin such a rare sight along with his joyful, childish laughter.

What a cute sadist.

My head's seriously wrecked if I think him being a sadist is cute.

Hama, crying because the pain is unbearable, pleads for mercy. His members stand aside, neither of them coming to help because Karma's sadistic laughter horrifying. They wouldn't want to taste what their boss is suffering.

"So I'll be taking my underlings back." He waves his hand and a few members collect the 3 hostages. "If you want more of my torturing, feel free to come by. Bye~" Karma strides back to us, a complacent smirk on his face. I release a breath I've been holding since the fight begins. He glances at me, smirking evilly. "Let's finish our unfinished business, Akari-chan." I blush.

The corner of my sight I spot some movement from Hama. At first I thought he was trying to recover to his feet. But then I spot the familiar glint of a black barrel he draws from his pocket.

A gun, aiming at Karma's head.

By the sound of gunpowder exploding, my body moves on its own. I step into the path of the bullet, shielding Karma with my body. My back suddenly grows numb as pain courses through my veins.

I collapse to the cold hard ground, hearing someone screaming my name frantically, a beautiful shade of red enters my sight. My eyelids abruptly shut the world from me. In the darkness I realize how much I yearn to see that red again. However, a devastating truth hits me, telling me that I'll never be seeing that red again because darkness will be my companion from now on.

"AKARI!"

The voice of a devil I'll never see again. I miss it.

*****

I drift in nowhere.

I have no idea where am I.

I stand in pain whiteness, trying to recall what I was previously doing.

The whiteness looks pretty, but it easily bores me. I need some colour other than white. Something brilliant, beautiful, passionate...

Then I see it. Red.

Neither the colour blood-cruelty, or the colour of fire-passion. It is the colour of a sunset-calm, gentle, soothing. Such a beautiful colour.

He really deserved to have such a beautiful red to suit his personality-a red beast who has hid his talons to avoid conflicts. He loves peace. He has no intention of hurting someone. Even though looking as fearsome as a beast should, he stays on the ground, tamed, groggily stretching his limbs as he sleeps.

I stroke his mane and decide to name him Karma, a befitting name for docile beast of red.

*****

When I open my eyes, I see a white ceiling.

The darkness has conceded and I am back to where light is. It feels nice to be alive under the light.

I try to move my limbs but they remain numb. Exerting a lot of strength I finally sit up on the bed. This is not my room. Nor is it anywhere I've been to. The scent and strong antiseptic pierces my nose. I'm in the hospital.

Oh yeah. I was shot.

I recall everything before the blackout. Then it struck me.

Karma.

Where is he? Is he alright?

"Go get something to eat, redhead jerk."

A voice. From outside. Rio.

I carry my feeble legs to the door, leaning against it carefully to eavesdrop.

"Karma-kun, you've not been sleeping for days. At least get some sleep too." Nagisa's voice. "Kaede-chan's her nurse. She'll take care of Akari-san."

"He's right. You know how efficient Nagisa's wife is. You don't have to exert too much over Aka-chan." A pause. "Why do you worry too much over her anyway? You're too possessive or you're just over concerned for your underling?"

Silence.

A new voice full of conviction. The voice I've missed when I drifted in the darkness.

"I love her. Is that a satisfying answer for you?"

My heart thrashes in my ribcage. Inevitably tears flow down my cheeks. I cover my mouth as I sob.

I love her.

So he likes me. He loves me. I've never felt so happy. I've never felt so wrong to doubt him that he kissed me for my body.

"I'll... I'll walk around," says Karma.

After that, I try to sleep. But I couldn't. The pain in my back stings. His words in my mind repeating like chant.

I love her.

Rio and Nagisa came in after that, but I pretended to be sleeping because I don't know how to face them if they find out I'm eavesdropping. I heard their whispers, hoping that I'll recover.

With my eyes shut tight I wouldn't know Karma has been by my bedside the moment Rio and Nagisa visited me. I am stunned when something warm grasps my hand. I resist the urge to open my eyes.

"Please..."

I hear a voice.

"Please don't leave me... Please..."

Karma.

The voice sobs, pleading with desperation and despair.

"You can take anything from me... My life, my money, anything. Just don't take her from me. Please."

His grip on my hand tightens. His warmth heats up my ice cold hand.

I open my eyes. Karma sits by my right, his face buried into the bed, my hand amidst his hair that cascaded down his head. Vibrations vibrate my right arm as he trembles. His sobs turn into silent cries.

I reach out to touch him with my left hand but am only capable to brush a few strands of his hair. His head immediately jerks up. With tears in his eyes, he stares at me, bewildered. But the tears don't mar the beauty of his mercuric golden eyes. My right hand wipes away the tears streaming down his face as he continues to stare at me, paralyzed.

"Hey..." I mutter weakly.

Karma sniffs. Then he launches himself on me, hugging me tight by the neck. He trembles as he speaks. "Akari... Akari... you're..."

I comb through his hair. "I'm okay... stop crying..."

He releases me from his hug and cradles my cheek. "Akari... I..."

I smile for finally able to see him again.

Gently he rests his forehead on mine. "Please don't do something like that again... please... I... I can't lose you."

"I am your bodyguard after all."

He blinks. "You're... you're not just my bodyguard. You're... I... I love you."

To hear that directly from him, my heart beats in my ears. Butterflies flutter in my pit. I touch his face. It feels warm.

"I love you too."

A shade of red as brilliant as his hair colour paints his face. His mouth opens to say something, but closes it back and stamps his mouth with mine. A brief kiss, but it is dangerous enough to make my heart race.

"Then... can we go out on a date?" Karma asks sheepishly.

I nod. "Yes."

*****

As some of you might have known, this is the republished copy of Akari's Time Interlude 3!!!!

This will be a short story consisting only a few chapters so please enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!