The date started with all smiles and gentle laughs. Nagumo’s usual playfulness gave you no implication that anything was wrong, at least thats what you thought. Whether it stemmed from naivety or some sort of trust that had genuinely been built, you didn’t know. Either way, your guard was down today, lower than it should’ve been after weeks of playing this game.

At least for your mission. You had been assigned to gather intel on more members of the Order; Slur had assigned you to Nagumo and at first, it was just that. All you had to do was get close, charm him, gather what you could. It should have been so simple, but things began to shift. It seemed Nagumo had no problem reciprocating the feelings you threw at him. Inevitably, the line you so carefully balanced on began to blur.

What you didn’t know was how fast it was about to snap.

You were dealing with one of the most skilled members after all, the most perceptive. Even if he wouldn’t admit it, there was something bitter in the air. A feeling of quiet resentment on his end, betrayal?

His voice finally cut through the air, low, steady. “So… when were you planning on telling me?”

His eyes seemed darker, an expression that was almost unreadable. The slightest flicker of anger that you almost missed. It made your heart rate quicken, sitting in the dim light of the restaurant, the candle on the table flickering. You saw it, the faint twitch of Nagumo’s hand as if the assassin in him was itching to end you, take you out.

But he didn’t. He hesitated as if part of him wondered if it had meant something to him too. Had he been the one deceived this time? Had he gotten too comfortable? Too soft? His eyes stayed locked on yours, making you wonder if he was about to strike. Instead, he let out a quiet breath, almost a laugh.

“Hah… seems like I let my guard down, huh? Silly me.”