Pine Abode, a Ryusen Karate dojo located atop a hill full of pine trees, and only 5 km away from Hibino Lake. Until two years ago, Pine Abode was an active dojo, but now it was only used during training camps in summer.

The inside of Pine Abode was divided into a training hall, sandbag corner, sparring quarter, sleeping quarter, bathroom, and instructor quarter. While in the center lay a 9x4 meter inner-yard, which was not well-maintained and filled with weeds.

On the front yard of the dojo, there were several hitting posts, handcrafted weight training equipment, and targeting blocks that seem to be used for archery practice.

After checking out every corner of Pine Abode, Hide then sat on the terrace and re-reading the info and maps Takeo had gathered.

'A small road that connects to the highway to Hibino Lake, and six hiking trails that also connect to Hibino Lake. There are no houses or cottages in the vicinity. At dusk, some hikers saw Shizuka and Kuroki training in the front yard before the two went inside.'

Hide took a deep breath before pondering. He was sure Shizuka killed Kuroki on the last day they were seen together. After that, she threw Kuroki's smartphone at Hibino Lake which was a famous Saturday night dating spot, to give the impression that Kuroki went home first. Then, she dug a hole in a spot that was hidden from outside views.

'Well, I've already bought a shovel, an isotonic drink, and snacks, so I better get to work.'

Without delay, Hide headed to the inner yard and started to dig. Nichiko Metro's personnel already dug at a few spots in the inner yard to a depth of 1.5 meters and found nothing, so Hide realized he had to dig deeper.

---

Like any other Saturday, Shizuka would practice karate and archery at Pine Abode, and she instantly frowned when she found that Pine Abode's front door was unlocked.

She rushed towards inner yard and found Hide sitting in one corner. He only wore his boxers, his body was covered in sweat and dirt, while his right hand held a large bottle of isotonic drink.

Shizuka then turned her gaze to the three new mounds in the inner yard, and she was not surprised when she found one of them was the spot where she buried Kuroki's body.

"Three meters deep, you really made me work hard."

"Are you going to report me?"

Hide downed a mouthful of isotonic drink before replying, "A killer reports another killer, what a brilliant idea."

"Then, why do you work so hard to find the evidence of my crime?"

"I want to ask why you killed Kuroki, so I need to make sure you can't dodge my question by saying 'I didn't kill him.'"

Shizuka took a deep breath before saying,

"Never thought you have a hobby of prying into other people's secrets."

"Well, we're going to be involved in a high-risk job that could get us killed. So it's natural if I want to know my teammate with all my heart."

"Fine."

With casual steps Shizuka then approached Hide, but she immediately stopped because Hide pointed his silenced Sig P365 to her chest.

"Sorry, I don't want to sit too close to someone who can break an adult skull with the base of her palm. Especially when I'm in a place where no one will hear my screams."

Curiosity instantly flashed in Shizuka's gaze, "How can you be so sure I used the base of my palm and not a brick or iron bat?"

Hide smiled casually before answering, "I happen to see similar fatal injuries to Kuroki's skull a few times."

"Well, I will tell you the reason." Shizuka sat down and leaned against the wall before continuing, "After I entered senior high, Kuroki asked me several times to the love hotel but I always refused.

Then, during our last training he drugged my drink. While I couldn't move my body he raped me. It was disgusting to see his smile up close as he banged me. It's also damn painful when I thought that I just lost something precious without my consent, but I didn't have any intention to kill him. I just wanted to break his legs."

Shizuka was silent for a while before continuing, "However, in reflex my right hand moved, hit him 1 cm above his left ear from the side. Then, he fell to the floor and stopped moving. Surprisingly, I didn't panic at all."

"I absolutely agree. You should kill him." Hide took a deep breath before continuing, "I mean, there's a chance that one day he will come to see Takeo and say, 'Hey Dude, I already fucked and took your wife's first time. So, no matter how many times you do it with her, you would never beat me.' I believe it will be very painful for Takeo."

"Yeah, that was what I thought of at that time..." muttered Shizuka softly, but then with wide eyes she turned to Hide. "Wait, why do you make an assumption I will marry the Idiot Twig?"

"Because your feelings for Takeo are damn clear as the sun in the high noon."

Shizuka immediately lowered her head. "Please, don't tell Takeo about any of this."

"Consider it done." Hide then silent for a moment before asking, "Did Kuroki threaten you that he will tell Takeo if you refuse his lust to bang you again?"

"How do you know?" Shizuka looked at Hide, while deep curiosity filled her face.

"Most of my targets are bastards lower than animals, so I know how they thought."

Shizuka was silent for a moment before saying, "After the bastard cummed inside me, he even took pictures of my pussy, my naked body, and my helpless face as leverage for his threat."

"Do you feel any guilt after killing Kuroki?"

"Hell no!!"

"Did he come to your dream?"

"No."

"Do you feel any other sensation after you kill him, like a good feeling and you want to feel it again and again?"

"No, the only thing I feel is a regret that I killed him right away and didn't beat him first." Shizuka took a deep breath before asking in a low voice, "Am I strange?"

"Not in the slightest" Hide put together the words in his mind before continuing, "You just have a far stronger heart and mind compared to most people. Some people called it a natural hunter."

"I see."

"But I don't understand one thing. Kuroki is already dead, so why do you want me to teach you how to use firearms? You are even ready to use your body for the price."

"I need to kill a man named Takeshi Torumada. He has a group of tough bodyguards."

'Takeshi Torumada.' Hide instantly furrowed, "How in the wonder you get involved with the third son of Toruma Mafia's Leader?"

Without wasting time Shizuka explained, "One night Takeshi was targeting me, but a friend who helped me get the job at Kenzo Bowling took my place. The next morning she was found dead with a swollen vagina."

Hide nodded and said, "Takeshi killed your friend because he is a necrophile. Most of his victims are girls in the human trafficking managed by Toruma Mafia, but sometimes he also targets normal girls."

"Hide, Takeshi is still targeting me and quitting Kenzo Bowling won't stop him. My only option is to kill him using an arrow or go away as far as possible." In a pleading tone Shizuka then continued, "So I beg you, please teach me how to use a firearm."

"After we kill the Toruma Mafia's Elder, I will kill Takeshi. So don't worry about him."

"Okay." In an instant, relief appeared on Shizuka's face.

"Can I use the bathroom? I need to take a shower."

"Yeah, you can."

"Thank you."

---

When he underwent Sniper Specialization Training, Hide was introduced to Texas Tower Syndrome. A mental disorder in which a person experienced ecstasy when he/she was taking a human life. It's a syndrome that often occurs in a shooter. At that time, Hide witnessed how dangerous a shooter with Texas Tower Syndrome was, as he or she became very creative at hunting and killing prey.

In the Stalking Phase, after successfully infiltrating the objective, a cadet didn't shoot the targeting block. Instead, he shot one of the Airborne Rangers who guarded the perimeter, and he couldn't stop his desire to kill. Three other Airborne Rangers became his victims before he retreated, and two instructors were killed when hunting the cadet.

Unfortunately, Texas Tower Syndrome was a mental disorder without a cure. The only way to treat the patient was by killing them. Therefore, if Shizuka had symptoms of Texas Tower Syndrome, Hide would kill her without hesitation and bury her body in Pine Abode's inner yard.

'Fortunately, she is just a natural hunter,' muttered Hide as he cleaned his body.

Somehow, Hide felt tremendous relief when he knew he didn't have to kill Shizuka.

*****