Itsuki's POV:

  There always have been exceptional people living amongst the ordinary. But what happens when these exceptional people are put in an environment where they all are equals? A place where being exceptional is a standard? A norm to be followed. What happens to the one who falls under the norm in this place? The individuals pretending to be more than they are. What do they do with them when they have been found out?

  In my personal experience I can say that nothing good comes to it. My next job is in a place like this. Somewhat similar but so different where I come from. Akasia is a city that has a reputation for having exceptional people and its history that’s not known by many. Technology is something that this world craves. The best and new shinier version. Nations like to compete with each other. The same is where I come from and the same is here. Considered enemies but it’s just the same coin flipped around.

  This is my second time visiting Akasia. The last time was two years ago. It was also the same time I first met Em. My now unique pet. The job back then was requested by a certain government individual who asked me to investigate the state and the objective of the progress of the town's development over the years. Though…that project ended in failure as rules they set were broken. I happened to play a role in their conflict as a third person at the time. Is where I met this interesting individual. Someone really unique that from the first glance told me a single thing.

  He is dangerous. Someone even I couldn’t read. Someone who has become my rival then and there. He was the reason I took the girl in. And the reason why I accepted this job request. Protecting someone's life isn’t a request that one would put in the app made to kill but paired with the second request that came through made this more intriguing. A second job is to gain information and then kill this individual. And this individual in question is some girl whose name is Rory Aisaka.

  Her origin is Ryui. It is located quite far from Akasia but shares the same sea. The information I have on this girl is that she is nineteen years old and is known for her title as prodigy child. It doesn't say that she has attended any learning institution. Only one on the list is the one in the city now. Since a kid she was taught under different big name professors. I got all of the names listed here and quite this looks impressive. All the best ones in Serenity. Even some names from outside Kuyo and Soriee. Impressive! Though…living amongst the ordinary and being called a prodigy wasn’t something to be proud of but there was a single name I recognised. Someone my father knew and respected. Sano Aisaki. I met this man once. At the time I wasn’t interested in anyone but I always remember my fathers expression after this man left. The face of deep hatred and excitement at the same time. Both of these men were scholars. Best in each country but their methods to achieve the results were opposite and is why they never saw each other again. If he was the one who was in charge of this girl's education then it might be true that she could be the same as me.

  This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

  “You look happy!” A high pitched robotic voice put me out of my thoughts. I glanced left. A pair of big green eyes were looking up at me.

  “And you look too calm.” I answered. Em’s eyes watched me with a longing stare. Em is a name I call her but her name is Emily. She has lost her memory for most of her life in Akasia. The last time she was there she was given that face decoration.

  “I am happy to be by your side! Brother!” She had her big eyes on me.

  My eyes slightly lingered on her. My left hand moved and a palm touched her outgrown long blonde hair as I patted her head. That made her eyes sparkle in joy.

  In my eyes she was nothing but a lost puppy. A misfortune born to be used by individuals like me. I did have feelings towards her that made me think that there’s so many lost puppies in this world. Unprotected and cast aside for all kinds of different reasons. Em’s existence has been settled from the day she was born. I saved her that day from her fate and she has been by my side since. I never imagined that I would uptake a pupil like her. I should’ve left her but her being alive was valuable even in her broken state. This damaged and very fragile young girl made me realize that even unnecessary can be made necessary.

  I watched her bright green eyes looking at me. Then they turned and looked at the opposite side. A tall building was in the view. The car we were inside slowed down. Parking right outside of it. A hotel where we will be residing while being in Akasia. I know this is not a coincidence. The both jobs I am assigned to. The battle has begun between the two sides and I am brought in to act like a pawn on their behalf. A mere chess piece to be placed and moved on the chessboard.

  I stepped out of the car and scanned my surroundings.

  Three other vehicles were parked next to the one we arrived in. My eyes stopped at the entrance. Five men stood right outside the hotel building all wearing suits and the same hair each wearing white gloves. The suit was identical to a butler's.

  The same butler suit from the other day. I glanced at a single face. I was chasing this same guy a couple nights ago. That same butler noticed my stare and slightly shifted. Then moved to walk towards the entrance and held out the doors. I stepped towards it with Em following my steps. Two other butlers moved towards the car we arrived and greeted our driver who passed them our luggage. The two butlers followed us after retrieving it.

  I walked with confidence with each step towards the doors to get inside. The moment I was passing the butler who escaped me days before. My eyes shifted his way. I could sense his breathing hitched for that second uncertain if I would attack him or not. Then my eyes turned back forward and landed on someone I was not expecting to see this early on.