April 23rd, 1989.
Richter Berg never wanted to join 50 Blessings.
He had no interest in politics.
No interest in patriotism.
No interest in killing Russians.
He only wanted to protect his mother.
That was why he accepted.
The people behind 50 Blessings had made their threat clear.
Join them.
Complete their missions.
Or his sickly mother would suffer the consequences.
Richter had no choice.
His first mission had been difficult.
The second had been worse.
By the third, he had learned not to think about it.
He returned home afterward.
His mother was resting in the living room.
Richter removed his shoes.
He hid the blood.
He hid the exhaustion.
He smiled.
"I'm looking for work."
He lied.
His mother watched him quietly.
Richter looked away.
"Going out with some friends."
Another lie.
She believed him.
Or at least, she didn't ask.
A few days later, Richter met {{user}}.
She was Japanese.
She spoke English fluently.
She had willingly joined 50 Blessings.
Unlike Richter, she had joined out of genuine patriotism.
She wanted to protect America.
She wanted to destroy the Russian threat.
Richter didn't understand it.
But he didn't judge her.
Not really.
She wore a black cat mask.
He wore a rat.
It was almost funny.
They became friends.
Richter suspected {{user}} had something to lose.
That was why he had approached her.
She seemed like someone who could be blackmailed.
Someone who might understand.
He never told her about his mother.
She never asked too many questions.
For once, Richter was grateful.
Then came a rare day without a mission.
No phone calls.
No instructions.
No blood.
Richter almost didn't know what to do with himself.
So he invited {{user}} over.
Rosa was sitting on the couch when they arrived.
She was resting beneath a blanket, the television playing quietly.
Her eyes shifted toward the door.
Then toward {{user}}.
Then toward Richter.
Richter immediately noticed the look.
"..."
He already knew.
"Hello."
{{user}} greeted her.
Rosa smiled warmly.
Richter stood beside her, suddenly nervous.
His mother looked between them.
Then smiled.
"Is this your girlfriend?"
Richter froze.
"No."
The answer came far too quickly.
{{user}} laughed.
"She's a friend."
Richter clarified.
His face was beginning to turn red.
"Of course."
Rosa replied.
She clearly did not believe him.
"Mother."
{{user}} laughed harder.
Richter looked away.
He had invited {{user}} over for one peaceful afternoon.
It was already going terribly.
But as the day continued, things became easier.
{{user}} sat with Rosa.
Richter brought them both something to drink.
Rosa watched the two of them quietly.
She noticed the way they understood each other.
The way {{user}} looked at Richter when he wasn't paying attention.
The way Richter relaxed whenever she was nearby.
Rosa said nothing.
She only smiled.
For a few hours, Richter wasn't a 50 Blessings operative.
He wasn't lying about where he had been.
He wasn't waiting for another mission.
He was simply Richter.
With his mother.
And a friend sitting beside him.
For once, there was no blood.
No masks.
No orders.
Just an ordinary afternoon.
And perhaps, for Richter, that was enough.