The coupe rolled back to the under-underground garage.
Finally rolling to a stop, Kuromaku turned off the engine, and we got out the car.
I rushed upstairs in a calm pace, trying to find Naoki for some friendly talk.
Opening the office door, my gaze landed on Mr. Watanabe sitting on the side couch while calmly drinking some tea.
"How was the warm-up?" Mr. Watanabe asked in a simple, yet ominous manner.
"I expected something harder."
Mr. Watanabe scoffed. "I thought so."
I glanced around the room looking for my good friend, yet he was nowhere.
"Have you seen Naoki?"
"In you're room, isolating himself. And he may have locked the door."
"Maybe? You don't even know?" My voice was slightly irritated.
"You should in fact know! You brought him with me. Have you forgotten that already?"
"No... I haven't."
I exhaled deeply, and slowly calmed myself down. My hand grabbed hold of the door when mr. W suddenly started talking.
"Tonight is gonna be the birthday of the royal princess, and King Thomas expects us to be there. So, be ready."
Mr. Watanabe followed with a sip of his tea.
"Yeah, yeah."
I stepped out of the office and walked over to our room.
'Maybe I should get Naoki some snacks to cheer him up.'
Changing my mind mid-way, I walked over to the kitchen only to find Naoki sitting in the kitchen table, looking disappointed and not in the mood to talk.
"Hey man." A hint of concern in my voice.
"What's going on?"
"..."
"Come on. Don't do me like that."
Naoki still didn't say anything. Instead, he laid his two eyes on the refrigerator.
Noticing what he wanted, I walked towards the fridge and opened it.
The fridge was filled to the brim with food, enough to last us a few months without getting more.
I searched the fridge for anything sweet that could cheer someone up. Finally my eyes landed on a single box of chocolate cake wich was one of Naoki's favorite.
"Guess I'll be eating this whole thing by myself."
Putting the cake down the table, my hands reached for the cabinet containing utensils.
"If only someo-"
Not even letting me finish, Naoki stood up, grabbed a spoon, and sat down all within a second.
"You know, I'm kinda hungry right now, soo."
"So, what's the problem?"
"Who said I have problems?"
"...no one."
"Then let's dig in! You eat my half and I eat yours."
Naoki split the cake with a big grin, his eyes glinting with amusement.
Now it was time to dig in.
***
The cake was delicious, after the first bite the rest just went into our mouths like magic, and before we knew it the cake was gone.
I then washed my face in the sink while in full regret of eating that cake so fast.
"You full?"
"Not yet." Naoki replied with a smirk.
"I heard we're going to a celebration tonight."
"Yeah. Better get over what you'redealing with before then."
"I know," Naoki grabbed a towel, wiping his face. He was a surprisingly clean eater.
"By the way, I'm not jealous of you. It's just that..."
He trailed off, clicking his tongue as he tossed the towel aside.
"Nevermind. I'll dress up in a minute."
"Alright."
Just as Naoki left, Mr. Watanabe entered with two briefcases in hand.
"Is he good?" Mr. Watanabe asked.
"Yes, I understand him in a way."
"Very well." He handed me both the briefcases.
"The celebration starts in two and a half hours at the royal palace. Get dressed quickly. And grab some ammunitions in the arsenal. Understood?"
"Yes, yes sir."
Mr. Watanabe gave a curt nod before stepping out. My gaze stayed on him for a moment, before turning on my heel heading to the office.
In the office, two unopened briefcases sat waiting. I unlatched the bigger one, the metallic clicks sharp in the quiet room.
Inside, neatly folded, was a re-tailored suit - my suit. Black tuxedo, white dress shirt, black vest, black pants, a black belt with a gold buckle.
In my hand, a hexagon sapphire necklace with a thin silver frame from my personal belongings lay.
I dressed quickly, slipping the cool metal of the necklace around my neck. There
was no time to admire the outfit.
Opening the smaller briefcase.I loaded my gun with practiced efficiency, each click grounding me in the moment.
The tactical black holster wrapped around me while sliding the gun into place. The magazines followed, settling into the pouches and ensuring the tuxedo conceals them.
I rushed downstairs into the underground garage. Finding Kuromaku frantically fixing his tie.
"Let's go."
"Can't you see I'm fixing~"
"You can fix that later, Let's go."
Kuromaku exhaled and started the car engine.
"Such a boss."
He shook his head and clicked his tongue. Kuromaku drove quickly, while still an hour away to the palace. Filling through traffic gaps, and speeding down the road.
Half an hour until the celebration starts. Kuromaku slowed down in front of the Palace. The road leading to the palace already visible.
Banners, stands, statues, soft carpets, everything you can imagine.
As we were about to enter, two identical body guards wearing suits and shades blocked us.
"Verification." Both of them said simultaneously.
Kuromaku stepped forward, pulling a sealed envelope from his inner pocket and handing it over.
The man opened it, delicately scanning the contents, then nodding once. The
second butler tapped the tablet he was holding and the gates-
Didn't open, instead a third man; taller, older, wearing an insignia pin of the royal crest, approached from behind them. His posture was sharp; almost military.
"You're late." He said curtly.
"Oh, fu~!" I blurted out as the sudden realisation that we might get kicked out came to mind.
"There was traffic," Kuromaku interjected as if it was obvious.
"And the celebration will start after half an hour so we're not late."
The man ignored the excuse. His eyes landed on Saitou.
"No sudden movements, The King doesn't like surprises. And rule one don't curse infront of anybody here, understood?"
"Yes sir," I answered, thinking inwardly that that's two rules.
He signaled the butlers. This time, the gates moved aside, a wave of golden light spilled from inside. The sound of classical music and Distant laughter echoed.
As we stepped past the gates, the older man whispered.
"Walk with honor. Speak only when spoken to. And don't cause trouble."
Inside, hundreds of rich individuals
around the whole continent was invited to celebrate the seventeenth birthday of the royal princess.
As we walked around the lobby, we saw Mr. Watanabe having a chat with someone just as old as him.
"Must be the King." Kuromaku glanced over them.
"How did you know?"
"How do you not know? The man's wearing a large red cape."
"Fair enough."
Taking in the sights around me, my gaze landed on Naoki walking just ahead. Well not walking, his stumbling all over the place and can't even walk straight.
Leaving Kuromaku behind and walking towards Naoki, I asked in a worried tone.
"You ok man?"
"I would be right now, if I wasn't supposed to run to the bathroom before I ruin someone's dress, alright."
"It's called a washroom." Kuromaku; who was suddenly here for some reason, whispered.
"I don't care." Naoki sighed
"Just let me rest down a bit, I'll go with you later."
"This sucks." I heard Naoki mutter before he left.
He walked towards a chair, while holding his stomach in obvious pain.
A butler nearby took a cautious step, eyeing Naoki like he's a grenade in a tuxedo.
"Shall I call for medical assistance, sir?"
"No, no," Naoki squeezed the words out his mouth.
"Just a trash bin... and a mint."
"Yes, coming right up." The butler then walked away to follow the given order.
"Please, go faster."
Naoki managed to put on a tough act despite the losing battle he's facing.
***
Near a fireplace, Mr. Watanabe introduced us to the great King Thomas Night IX of England.
The suspense filled the air as we waited for our turn to speak.
"So these are the young men you were so proudly speaking of, huh Isamu."
Mr. Watanabe smiled proudly. "Absolutely, your majesty this is Uno Yamaguchi and Naoki Toriyama."
"Oh, are they really worth investing in?"
"Hahaha. Of course your majesty they are well trained for any situations, especially Saitou over here can handle anything you throw at him."
A light chuckle escaped the kings mouth.
"I can see that. His posture and eyes are like those of well trained assasins."
King Harvey paused for a bit, looking around the party as if waiting for something.
"Why don't you take a seat? The party will start in ...a few seconds, Or minutes."
"Thank you for the accommodation, your majesty."
Mr. Watanabe and the King bowed to each other like gentlemen. Then King Thomas offered Naoki and I a handshake. Honestly I didn't expect the king to be so welcoming.
"Nice meeting you young Saitou, young Naoki."
I nodded and put a light smile on my face. Then Mr. Watanabe and I, took our own seats. I sat next to Naoki, who
is still clutching the trash bag with his other hand.
"Want some cake~"
"No cake, please. Not now. You know I have a stomachache from eating too much, you already know that."
"Damn you're a glutton."
"How about we just enjoy the party. That cool?"
I nodded once, "Yeah, that's cool."