Tokyo, Japan

A handsome man stood at a window in his office with a distant yet intense look in his eyes. His mind seemed elsewhere as if he was removed from his current situation. He did not even seem to hear someone opening his door.

No one could decipher his thoughts.

After a moment, he turned to face the person who had invaded his space before looking outside again.

The woman looked at him with a slight frown that spoke of a hidden worry. She had known this man for a long time, so she had seen the strange sparkle in the usually detached eyes. While he was a person of many faces and expressions, he rarely showed true intensity as he did now.

"Kaito, are you really suspending our operations?" She finally asked.

The handsome man turned from the window and faced her again.

"Just our Shadow operations. I have been in the limelight for a little too long because of Hu Lei. Too many people are watching us. For now, we will focus on our legitimate businesses. Perhaps, we can step out into the light fully." He said with a wicked smile.

Ayumi felt her heart rate rise when she saw him smiling like that. However, she could not also help looking at him with a contemplative look when he said those words.

Since they had grown up in the mountains in that school, Kaito had been someone who had prioritised his assassin skills over everything. Hearing him suggest that they should leave the business seemed out of the norm.

She could only attribute this absurd suggestion to one thing.

"Are you sad that she is now married?" She asked.

Ayumi had always believed that Kaito had some feelings towards Hu Lei. She assumed that he had buried them deep within because he thought their love was impossible.

It was the reason she had held back from confessing her love and chosen to stay quietly by his side. She thought that one day the two would get together. And when they did, she would walk away and live a quiet life.

Kaito smiled strangely.

He knew that almost all the people who knew him and Hu Lei from before thought that he had a secret romantic interest.

Only Hu Lei did not think so.

He had asked her if she thought he was in love with her. She had told him that she was completely certain that he did not have romantic feelings towards her. Then, she had explained her thoughts about the matter.

He was not a passive person. When he wanted something, he fought for it with ferocity. One way or the other, he always got what he wanted. Or he destroyed it.

Hu Lei was someone who understood him, even when they did not meet for years.

"I am quite sad about it." He responded with a wider smile.

He was sad. He felt like he had lost a playmate. It was the same thing he had felt when she left Japan as a teenager. And then, he had heard about her exploits in Russia.

He had thought that even if she was far, they could still play and see who was the best ninja assassin.

It was a shame that she was giving up the lifestyle, but Zhong Feng was not a bad choice.

Ayumi's eyes widened in surprise when she heard the simple acceptance. She felt a little heartbroken because she held a little hope towards him seeing her. But if it was Hu Lei…

Perhaps, she still had a chance with him.

After all, Hu Lei was happily married to a powerful man.

"Luckily, she gave me a wonderful present before abandoning me." He looked out the window with animated eyes as he thought of her.

"What?" Ayumi was confused by the change in conversation.

Kaito turned from the window and faced Ayumi. When he had started the business, she had expressed her interest in joining him in building his empire.

He had always known about her feelings towards him, but he had seen no reason to turn down a partnership. She was not the best assassin, but her business skills were almost as good as his. They worked well together.

As for her other thoughts towards him, he was content for her to think that he was in love with Hu Lei. He assumed that she would let go of her crush on him.

However, it seemed like it was not happening.

Perhaps, his absence would give her much needed clarity.

She could be considered a good friend, and he did not want to mess up their business arrangement.

"I am leaving for a while. You will be in charge for now. Don't let the building fall apart while I am gone. Reach out to me if it's a matter of life and death." He declared without prelude.

"What? Where are you going?" Ayumi asked while clutching her tablet tightly.

There was something strange about Kaito. His eyes had a sparkle that gave her a sense of crisis.

"I am going to play with my present." He picked up his coat.

Before Ayumi could react, he was gone.

When Kaito reached the lift, he made a call.

"I am coming to Mountain Ridge City, Grandfather. I am fulfilling your wishes. Are you happy?" The words were spoken without respect.

"How dare you disrespect me? Do you know-?"

"I am aware of your plans. Let's not pretend." Kaito cut him off harshly before changing his tone to a playful one. "I will see you soon, Grandpa. I hope you have prepared a good gift for me."