Anime: Dance with Devils
Requested by: @MUSLIADINM

(Y/n)'s POV

The sun's warm rays felt cold against my pale skin. Everything around me seemed dull and lifeless like the atmosphere of an eerie graveyard.

It was odd. I had lost all hope of gaining my own freedom yet I couldn't care less. During this meaningless life, I realised that there was nothing worth living for. I no longer harboured the emotions of your average person.

My small house was located on the edge of the city, somewhat overtaken by the shrubs and vegetation. The only occupants of this upsetting building were my mum and I.

"(Y/n), did you do it?" asked mum.
"...yes."
"So? What was the woman like?"
"She...begged me...for mercy but...I gave her none. Her death...will be forgotten..."
"Good job. Tomorrow, you have to kill a high school student that goes by the name of Ritsuka Tachibana. It was another request for you."
"I see."
"Leave. I have no more things for you to do today."

She closed the door to her bedroom, leaving me alone in our pathetic excuse of a living room. I grabbed a piece of stale bread before heading out to the backyard, where I would be left alone in peace.

~The next day~

Stealing a girl's uniform from the change rooms was a piece of cake. Some idiotic girl had forgotten to pack their stuff and left it all lying on the benches, as if asking me to take them.

I roamed the school grounds without so much as a glance at everyone that was passing by. The best trick was to act like you were one of them, all nonchalant and naive to the dangers that lurked within the darkness...the darkness that I knew so well.

As the bell rang for lunch, I immediately headed to the brunette's class. Upon her exit, I discreetly followed her to the cafeteria. She met up with a red-haired boy but he left almost as soon as he had come.

"Hey Ritsuka?"
"Hi? Do I know you?" she asked.
"I'm a new transfer student. The teacher told me that you would be able to take me around."
"Oh, really? Well, it's lunch now so would you like to come to the garden with me?"
"Sure."

Reveal as little as possible and use the benefits of their ignorance to your own advantage. She gestured towards the door, which I went through with what I thought was a decent smile.

As soon as we were in a secluded area, I pulled out a knife and held it to her throat before covering her mouth. She was shivering in fear, careful not to make a move that might accidentally kill her.

"Stay still and don't scream. I'll make this as painless as possible. A simple slit through your throat and it'll be over. Don't worry, it's nothing personal."
"Hey, let her go!"

I turned around to face the boy that had interrupted my killing. It was the same red-head from before.

"Who are you?! What do you want with Ritsuka?!"
"...I see...no reason to...answer your...questions."

He aimed a kick at me. I pushed Ritsuka to the side and blocked it. He tried to take the knife but I just swung him back. A nuisance...an irritation which I would never be able to rid myself of.

"Please...I need...the money."
"You kill people for money?" he asked, shocked and disgusted.
"That was...how I was...brought up."
"And you never thought to defy your...guardian?"
"No, I was...taught to never...disobey."

He attacked me again but it was easy to dodge. This was when that fell out of my pocket. He picked it up, inspecting it from all angles. I felt the anger grow inside me, furious that someone else had touched my most prized possession.

"Where...did you get this?" he asked.
"G-give it back!"
"I asked you a question."
"Give it back!"

I was overwhelmed and blinded by the anger that I had kept hidden for so many years. He jumped back in surprise at my sudden increase in both agility and strength.

I aimed punches and kicks at his body but all he did was block them. I used the knife to distract him, making him lose his composed posture. This gave me the chance to steal the charm back.

Unintentionally, I had let my guard down, allowing him to pin me to the tree. Ritsuka immediately stood up and ran away but whether it was out of fear or because she was getting help, I didn't know.

"Where did you get this?" he asked, softer this time.
"...it's none of...your business."
"Are you...(Y/n)?"
"H-how do you...know...my name?"
"(Y/n)..."

He pulled me into a hug, taking me by surprise. I wasn't sure how to react in such a situation as I was not used to anything that related to the term called affection.

"Do you remember me?" he asked with hope visible in his eyes.
"How could...I ever forget...the boy...from my childhood?... You're Lindo...the boy who...helped me survive...all those tortuous nights..."
"What about the promise?"
"I'm...sorry."

His grip on my shoulders was tight, almost as if he was disappointed in the fact that I had not held back from killing innocent people...but I had no choice. If I wanted a place to call home, then I would have to do as I was told.

"I looked for you everywhere but you just disappeared..."
"I...didn't mean to...I was...forced to..."
"By who? Your mum?"
"Her days as...an assassin...were over. It was...up to me...to continue her...job..."

A second later, his eyes widened in surprise. I looked at him in confusion as he wiped the tears away from my face. Why was I crying? I couldn't tell what this feeling was. I was...confused.

A small smile appeared on his face. He was smiling...not smirking, nor scowling...but smiling. It was a smile filled with acceptance and kindness; love and desire.

It was as if the world had suddenly come back to life. Everything was full of colour and life. The dull, monochromatic life I had known was gone. Instead, a new wonderland was left in its place...and I was glad.

"Lindo...what is this...feeling?"
"(Y/n), it's called happiness. You've probably never experienced anything so...different before."
"This happiness...is better...than my...life of death."

The light in his eyes was quickly replaced with a darkness that changed his outward appearance. I have never known this side of him when we met as children...so why did I feel so...indifferent about it?

"(Y/n), I promise you that I will make sure you never have to go through that again," he exclaimed with a strong sense of resolve.
"I guess...this would be...when I'd...say...thank you."
"*chuckles* Don't worry, you're fine just the way you are...because I've loved you from the moment I first saw you all those years ago..."