A woman with shoulder-length, jet-black hair stood in front of a window inside a hallway.

As someone approached from behind, the woman quickly jolted her dark gray eyes back to lock onto the visitor’s hazel gaze.

“Oh, it’s you, Madam Bri.”

“Hello, Kira. I see you’re as aware of your surroundings as ever.”

“I been used to looking over my shoulder for so long now. I guess you get used to it in this job.”

Bri directed her attention to the window.

“Yeah, I guess so.”

For a slight moment, Bri and the woman she referred to as Kira silently stared through the window. On the other were a group of new recruits, diligently training to become assassins.

“So, how did the mission go?”

“It was a success. I managed to eliminate the group of Minami warriors that were stationed near the American and Canadian border. They will no longer be a threat to us or innocent civilians.”

The reflection of the window gleamed off of Bri’s eyes, giving her hazel irises a slight glow.

“It’s important that we wipe out as many of them as we can, now more than ever. They will stop at nothing to claim all of the Seishin and to wreak havoc on the world.”

Kira turned to her leader and smiled, with a sense of direction and determination buried deep within her eyes.

“You don’t have to remind me about the importance of my job, Madam. All I need for success is a short break every once in a while.”

Bri turned from the window to meet Kira’s gaze.

“Actually, I’m giving you a decently long break prior to your next mission. I’m sure it’ll be a great opportunity for you to touch up on your training.”

“Oh, a new mission planned out well in advance? This one must be highly important.”

“Yes, it will be. I’ll give you the details later, but for now, I’m going to go ahead and change your codename.”

Kira placed her hand on her hip while maintaining a confident posture and a slight grin.

“What shall my new name be, Madam?”

——

Savior: Original Story by OneSevenEight

Episode: Framed Perspective - Part 19

——

“Alright guys, here you go. Let’s eat!”

Sensei opened a box of pepperoni pizza as Tamashi and Rai watched from the other side of the table.

As soon as the box opened, Tamashi’s stomach started to rumble like an earthquake.

“Oh, wow, it’s been all day since I’ve had food…”

“Pssch. How are you gonna become an assassin and use my powers if you can’t deal with hunger?”

“First of all, when did I say I wanted to become an assassin? And second, I’m watching you load up your plate. Seriously, dude, leave some for the rest of us.”

“I’ll take what I want! It’s been centuries since I’ve manifested into the physical world!”

As Tamashi and Rai launched a new battle of words, Sensei thoughtfully munched on his slice. Eventually, he lowered it to his plate.

“Tamashi, you should eat quickly then go to bed.”

Tamashi dropped his argument with Rai and directed his attention to Sensei.

“Huh, why the rush?”

Tamashi’s rich blue eyes were met with the glow of Sensei’s green gaze.

“Well, to put it simply, tommorow is going to be a hard day for you. You should get all the rest you can.”

After silently staring at Sensei, Tamashi broke the line of sight and picked up a slice of pizza.

“Whatever you say, Jiji-sensei.”

“DON’T CALL ME THAT!!!”

——

As the sky turned to black and the crickets began to sing, Sensei and Rai sat quietly in the living room area. Both stared at the floor and neither said a word.

After what seemed like the entirety of the night, Rai was the first to break the ice.

“So what are we doing here? Admitting our feelings for each other?”

“Rai, everyone over the past few centuries has been looking for you. Are you aware that your cooperation with Tamashi can cause the fall of Minami once and for all?”

“Can I leave now? Your dusty stench pisses me off.”

Sensei slammed his fist into the coffee table.

“Damnit Rai, stop running away! I know you feel terrible about what-“

“Let me stop you right there, bone bag. I don’t feel terrible. I don’t feel sorry. I don’t feel anything. I’m just the personification of lightning. That’s all I am, and that’s all I will be.”

Rai turned his head away. He placed his elbow on the table and his head in his palm.

“That said… it would be nice… if I could fight again. But he’s so useless, he would never pass the test.”

“Yes, the right of passage. Every potential Riyosha must conquer their own Seishin prior to using the full extent of their powers. It’s a requirement mandated by the Law of the Elements.”

“Let’s be honest, it’ll probably takes years for that kid to come anywhere close to beating me in a fight…”

“So why did you choose him?”

Rai continued to stare in the other direction with his head in his hand.

“Let’s just say… I had an obligation.”

“An obligation? Who-“

“Never mind that. I wanna hear what your fancy plan is to help that kid beat me. I’m sure you have one, geezer.”

Rai turned his head back towards Sensei to find him widely grinning.

“You’re right, I do have a plan. Tamashi won’t be able to completely conquer you in his current state, that I understand. But, there is a way Tamashi can acquire some of your powers by tomorrow night.

“HAH! How do you plan to pull that one off, sag-skin?”

“The Law allows you to lend out your powers in exchange for a condition, does it not?”

——

As Tamashi settled into bed, all he could think about was reuniting with his friends.

‘Charlie, Anna… I don’t know what the hell is going on anymore, but I know one thing for sure: I’m gonna clear my name, and I’ll be able to go back to school. That’s gonna happen, no matter what.’