Favors

Kyo only manages a couple hours of sleep. He jumps out of bed to take a quick shower, followed by putting on some fresh clothes.

While he gets ready to leave, a notification comes in. It's a message from Suzy.

"You awake? Sorry for last night. I said I'd take the tab. Let's meet up so I can pay you back. See you in an hour?"

I don't really care about the money, but I need to ask her a few things. Might as well go.

He replies to her text. "I'll be there in 20. Hurry up."

Suzy gets there in 20 while Kyo somehow still manages to be late by 5 minutes. 

She eyes him like a hawk, followed by a sigh. "I pretty much had to run to get here in time, and you're still late. Are you a real person? You know what, forget it. How much do I owe you?"

Kyo sits down beside her. "I'm not here for the money."

"What then? And how's your hand?"

"It's fine. We need to talk."

"Are you breaking up with me?!"

"These jokes get old fast, Suzy."

Suzy gives a teasing smile. "Not my fault you don't take me seriously. My heart didn't change from last night."

Kyo sighs. "This is not the time. I've got real shit to do."

Suzy gets visibly upset. "Is the thought really that repulsive to you?"

"It's not that. Let me explain."

"Go on."

"Not here."

They leave the bar behind and make their way to Kyo's home. Suzy sits down on his couch, crossing her legs and arms.

"Spill it."

"I wanna join the royal guards."

She chokes on air. "Have you actually lost your mind?"

"I'm serious."

"I can't process this right now. I need some water."

Kyo hands her a glass. She downs the whole thing to calm down.

"Why do you wanna do this?" she asks, worried but curious.

"I wanna become a better person. Join the good side and all that."

Suzy chuckles. "Yeah, right. I can feel it's something serious. You shouldn't have to deal with that by yourself. As your partner in crime, I'm here for you."

"That's why I'm asking for your help. I need it, but I have to walk this path alone."

Suzy sighs. "Alright. I respect that, but just know that I'm here if you get lost."

Kyo shows a faint smile. "Shit, don't say stuff like that. I like you when you're silly."

"If you don't like me at my worst, you don't deserve me at my best or whatever."

"But I like your worst."

She blushes. "So, what do you need?"

"A way in."

"It's not that simple. You remember what that guy said last night?"

"A lot has been said."

"He said something about stench. That was crass, but he's not wrong. These guys have eyes everywhere. Given your reputation, there's no doubt they know who you are."

"You think?"

"I know it. If you want in, they'll need to test your loyalty."

"Meaning?"

"They'll probably make you kill a few people."

Kyo gets silent. Suzy holds eye contact. "Are you ready for that?"

I've beaten up a lot of people. Got close to killing a few but it never came to it.

Despite that, his resolve is clear. "I'm ready."

Suzy seems doubtful. "You never actually killed anyone, did you?"

Kyo scoffs. "I can do it. I'm a piece of shit after all."

Suzy chuckles. "You don't see it, do you?"

"See what?"

"You're not... forget it. I'll hit up a few contacts. Some people owe me favors big time."

"I don't doubt that."

"Sit tight. I'll get back to you as soon as I can."

"Don't take too long. Also, Suzy?"

"Yeah?"

"Thanks for being here."

She smiles. "Any time. But don't forget you owe me one!"

He smiles back. "Naturally."

BZZ BZZ 

"Damn, right now?" Kyo enters his pin and checks the message. "Shit. New mission. I gotta go."

"Be careful."

He gets up and leaves. Suzy's words replay in his head.

I gotta kill someone, huh? Well, as long as it's a bad guy. I'll make sure of that.

His train of thought is interrupted as soon as someone bumps into him.

He turns around. "Watch where you're..."

He stops mid-sentence. It's a girl. That white hair... those white eyes. Never seen someone like her. She's beautiful. Wait, what am I thinking?

She snaps. "I-I'm sorry!"

"You're good. Keep your eyes open."

She bows and walks away. That guy seems dangerous, but there's something about him. I think I...

Kyo is hunting for a group of three who owe his boss a large amount of money. He makes it to an abandoned warehouse and stays hidden. I can hear something.

"They're gonna be on our asses soon. We need to leave the city right now."

One of them spits on the ground. "You want us to run? Let them come to us. We can handle a few retrievers."

The third one is split between the two. "I don't wanna leave, but are you sure we can do it? I've heard a few crazy stories."

"Stories are just that, stories. Don't believe everything you hear. We never lost a fight as a trio, why flee now?"

That's gotta be them.

Kyo interrupts their discussion by throwing a knife at them. A warning shot.

They scatter around and look toward him. One of them speaks up.

"Didn't expect you this early! Where are the others?"

Kyo chuckles. "The others? I work alone."

They grin. "You bastards really underestimate us, huh? We'll teach you a lesson here and now."

"Bring it."