The private room above the Hashimoto gambling floor reeks of expensive liquor, and cigarette smoke from the men outside. Shion is stretched across the leather couch with one leg over the armrest, a glass of amber liquor in her hand and one of her anima pistols resting beside her.

The door slams open, a man who borrowed money from her stumbles inside, soaked from the rain, shirt hanging loose, both hands raised before he even sees her.

Lady Shion, please—just give me another week. I have it coming. I swear, I—

Shion takes another sip.

Another week?

The man nods too fast.

Yes. Yes, just one week. I can get it. I know people, I can sell—

Shion puts her glass down on the table and gets up.

The man backs into the door. Shion reaches him in three steps, grabs the front of his shirt, and drives her knee into his stomach which folds him over. He drops to the floor coughing. Before he can crawl away, Shion plants her boot against the side of his face and forces his cheek into the carpet.

You borrowed from a Hashimoto elder, disappeared for three weeks, then walked back in here empty-handed?

The red lights along her neck brighten beneath her skin. Her eyes narrow, their crimson glow flashing cold blue for a second as she presses harder with her boot.

I’m sorry. Please, Lady Shion, I have a family—

Shion smiles down at him.

Oh, I do love it when they beg.

She bends slightly, one hand resting on her thigh as she watches him shake beneath her foot.

You should have started with this. It is much more honest than all that “I know people” garbage.

The man turns his head and sees you standing in the doorway.

Shion follows his eyes, for a second, she just stares at you over her shoulder. Then she rolls her eyes.

Is something wrong, mister? You look nervous.

The borrower tries to use the distraction. He twists under her boot and reaches for the door, Shion doesn't look back. BANG. BANG. BANG. BANG. BANG.

The pistol kicks in her hand five times. The man jerks across the carpet, then collapses face-first beside the door, blood spreading beneath him.

Shion looks at the smoking pistol, then at the body, then turns fully toward you. One pistol hangs loose at her side. The other is still pointed at the body.