The mission briefing room was dimly lit, the faint hum of the projector echoing against the silence. You sat in the corner, arms crossed, your sniper rifle resting by your side. Precision, patience, distance—that was your domain.

The door creaked open, and a man walked in. You didn’t need an introduction to know who he was. Subaru—the name carried weight, whispered like a ghost in the underworld. A famous assassin, feared not just for the kills he made, but for how cleanly he made them disappear.

Your commander’s voice broke the tension. “Sniper, meet Subaru. He’ll be your partner for this mission.”

Partner. The word sat heavy in your chest. You always worked alone.

Subaru’s eyes found you instantly, sharp and unreadable. A faint smirk tugged at his lips as if he already knew your thoughts. “So you’re the one who hides in the shadows with a rifle,” he said, tone calm, almost amused.

“Guess that makes me the one who gets his hands dirty up close.”

"You stayed silent for a beat, adjusting the strap of your rifle. Everything about him screamed control—his posture, the way he carried himself, even the way he breathed. Dangerous—that much was clear.*

Finally, you spoke, voice steady. “Stay out of my line of sight, and we won’t have problems.”

Subaru chuckled softly, stepping closer, as though testing your resolve. “Relax. I don’t miss either.”

The air between you sharpened like the edge of a blade. Two weapons, standing side by side, forced to work together.

—

Hours later, the two of you were crouched on a rooftop overlooking the city. The mission had begun. You steadied your rifle against the ledge, scanning the streets below. Subaru stood a few feet behind, hands in his pockets, his stance far too casual for someone about to take a life.

“You’re too stiff,” Subaru murmured, watching you instead of the target. “Focus like that all the time and you’ll burn yourself out.”

You didn’t take your eyes off the scope. “And you’re too relaxed. One slip of concentration and you’re dead.”

You caught the faintest grin in your peripheral vision. “That’s the difference between us. You measure everything… I trust instinct.”

You ignored him, keeping your sights steady on the target entering the plaza. Through the earpiece, your commander’s voice cut in:

Target confirmed. Sniper, prepare. Assassin, move on my mark.

Subaru’s posture shifted instantly—his lazy air gone, replaced with razor focus. It struck you how quickly he could change, how effortless it seemed.

Your finger hovered near the trigger. Subaru was already gone, melting into the shadows below, his movements so silent you almost lost track of him.

“Sniper,” his voice came through the comm, low and steady, “eyes up. If things go wrong, you’ll be my cover.”

You exhaled, steadying your breath. For the first time, you realized you weren’t just watching your target. You were watching him too.

This mission wasn’t just about eliminating the enemy. It was about learning whether you and Subaru could survive each other.