* Name Reminder
Haphuco - The main character
Biani - Haphuco's not blood-related younger sister
May - Biani's co-worker and her best friend
Buido - The owner of the house where Haphuco is living in an apartment for rent inside
Calvin - A father who is a tenant inside Buido's house like Haphuco
Hana - Cavin's daughter
Dorin - An university student who is a tenant inside Buido's house like Haphuco
Momo - A teacher who is a tenant inside Buido's house like Haphuco
Floret - A florist who is a tenant inside Buido's house like Haphuco
Bodi - The boss of the Hakyo Bodyguard Agency where Haphuco is working for
Nara - A co-worker of Haphuco at the Hakyo Bodyguard Agency
Ba - The Vietnamese style restaurant owner where Haphuco is working for
Haphumi - Ba's daughter
New Character
Tando - Biani's co-worker, likes Biani
Tomo - Biani's co-worker, her Manager
Sasa - Biani's co-worker, tends to ditch work
Merodi - Haphuco's co-worker at Ba restaurant
Sanda - Haphuco's schoolmate
Hakyo - The name of the city where Haphuco is living in
Biani opens her eyes.
She is...no... she feels herself conscious but she is actually dreaming. So this is how a lucid dream feels like. Lucid dream is a fascinating state where you become aware that you are dreaming while still in the dream. Sometimes, you can even control the elements of the dream and make it your own world but not in this case.
Apparently, she is sitting on a chair, in front of her is a big mirror and...
and...
she is wearing something...
Something that she has never worn but she has definitely seen it somewhere before...
She is wearing a wedding dress !
She looks stunning in the dress.
May [ Approach from behind ] : Are you ready, Biani ?
Biani [ Startled ] : May ?! Ready...for what ?
May [ Smile ] : Your wedding, silly ?!
The scene immediately changes and Biani is now holding a boutique and in front of her is a double door.
Wait, this door is familiar.
Yep, this is top floor of the skyscraper where Biani took the Order to assassinate the city major Mayo last month. This is where she reunited with Haphuco.
The door opens. The main hall once used for the mayor inauguration has now changed to be a wedding for her and... who ?
Considering this is her dream, you can already guess, can't you ?
Biani enters through the door and walks on the central aisle.
She tries to look around but everything is dark so all she can see is the shape of round tables on the two sides, apparently for the guests who she can't sees their faces.
The only thing clear to her eyes is the destination where she is walking towards, where a Mother who will give a blessing to the wedding couple and the groom are waiting. The groom, by its definition, is someone who she, as a bride will marry to.
Is he the person she is thinking of ?
The groom turns his face at her.
Yes, he is...
It's Haphuco !
This is the first time she ever has this dream, probably because of what happened last night when she fell drunk. What happened afterwards by the way ? She couldn't remember.
His smile...
She always loves his warm smile. She has liked it since they were young and now, she loves it.
Biani is fully aware that this is just a dream but she can't help but feel happy. She wants to enjoy this dream as much as...
Biani : Eh ?!
Haphuco suddenly grabs her nose and says...
"Wake up"
Biani wakes up. She is laying on her bed and the first thing she sees is not the familiar ceiling but someone's face. It's Haphuco. His face is close to her, he is smiling and pinching her nose.
Haphuco : Wake up, Biani.
Surprised and also blushed, Biani unconsciously gives Haphuco a slap to his cheek which sends him flying to the left.
Haphuco : Auch !
Biani ( Blushed ) : What... what are you doing here, Haphuco ?!
Biani ( Look around ) : And how did I get into my bed.
Haphuco : You got drunk last night, remember ?
Ah, that's right. She used the drug given from May which made her drunk and she just could not remember anything afterwards.
Haphuco : Did that's person, May, trick you to get drunk ? She even put a tracking device on you. If that's the case, I will deal with her.
Biani ( Waving her hands in disagreement ) : No, no, she did not trick me or anything.
Biani : Uhm...I just wanted to experience the feeling of being drunk so she gave me the drug. That's all !
Haphuco ( Doubt ) : So you just wanted to try being drunk, right ?
Biani ( Hesitated ) : Yes...
Haphuco : Well, I guess you are still at the age of curiosity.
Said from a guy who is the same age as her...
Haphuco : But hey Biani, being drunk is nothing cool, you won't know what on earth you will do when you are drunk.
Biani ( Hesitated ) : Did I do something...weird ?
Haphuco : Let's see, you suddenly got... clingy and you tried to say something.
Biani ( Startled ) : ...
Haphuco : But I knocked you out before you could say anything.
Haphuco : Probably just something nonsense because you are drunk.
Biani ( Embarassed ) : Haha, yeah, it must be something nonsense...
Haphuco : Anyway, it's 5 a.m. Time to do the morning exercises. Go do your stuff and we can begin.
Biani : Right...
Biani ( After Haphuco leaves the room ) : Sigh !
Biani : Maybe one day...
Haphuco ( Just let his head through the door ) : Oh, by the way.
Biani ( Startled ) : Wha..What ?!
Haphuco : While you left home, I cleaned your room a bit.
aphuco : You need to be more tidy, Biani, especially... your female stuff.
Biani ( Tomato face ) : Haphuco !!!
...
100 push-ups, 100 sit-ups, 100 squats and finally 10km run
These were the daily exercises of Haphuco and Biani back then.
But apparently someone stopped doing them since she left the Orphanage.
Biani ( Try to keep the pace ) : Hah...hah...
Haphuco : Come on, Biani. It's not that tiring, you know.
Biani : Hah...You speak like it is so easy.
Haphuco : This is what you gets for stop doing the exercises.
Haphuco : I bet that you stopped walking up at 5 since you left the Orphanage, didn't you ?
Haphuco : And I am sure that you did not do the exercises while you were on the trip, am I right ?
Biani ( Can't deny ) : ...
Haphuco : I guess daily training can be tiring. But hey, we will do the exercises together. It feels better when you exercise with someone else, right ?
Biani : Hah...Right...
...
Haphuco : What's your schedule for the week, Biani ?
Biani : Well, just working from Monday to Friday at my Facility. I will see if I will receive any Order for the week when I comes to the work today. What's about you, Haphuco ?
Haphuco : I will cover the Agency on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. I think I will receive a Request during the week but weirdly enough, I have not been given any Emergency Request since the mayor inauguration.
Biani : If you get one, let's just ensure that the Target of my Order and the Client of your Request won't overlap.
Haphuco : Yeah, better be mindful about that.
Haphuco : In addition, I have work at Mr. Ba restaurant every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
Biani : Don't you feel tired about doing two jobs at the same time ?
Haphuco : No, not at all ! I enjoy my time working at the restaurant. I get to learn making new dishes...
Haphuco : ESPECIALLY when I can make them for someone who always ate out or ate instant noodle before I moved in.
Biani : Oh, come on ! I know you are mocking me.
Haphuco : And finally, I just got the work to become the Bodyguard for the mayor's daughter every Saturday.
Biani : How did you get the work ?
Haphuco : The major trusts me to ensure her daughter's safety while he is actually the person in constant danger.
Haphuco : He is a good father, and a good person.
Haphuco : So is his daughter. Therefore, I will try my best to do my job well.
Biani : Right...
Haphuco : Oh right, Biani, do you want to eat out at Mr. Ba restaurant this evening ?
Biani : The Vietnamese style restaurant where you are working for ?
Haphuco : You have not tried it before right ? Mr. Ba's daughter, Haphumi told me that she wants to meet you someday. How's about today ?
Biani : ...Sure, sounds good.
...
The morning exercises are done and it's time to take a bath before having the breakfast. Haphuco will take a bath first because he sweats a lot which makes him stinky and also because he takes less time taking the bath.
As usual, breakfast happens at 7:30. The breakfast today is Grilled cheese sandwich, milk and fruits. There are always milk and fruits. Drinking milk provides essential nutrients like calcium, protein, and vitamins, supporting bone health, muscle growth, and overall well-being while eating fruits provides essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that support overall health and help prevent chronic diseases..
Today is not the usual Monday. It is the beginning of September, the beginning of a new school year. Not that Haphuco and Biani understands it as they did not attend a regular school but the School.
Hana is seen today wearing sailor uniform. The uniform generally consists of a blouse attached with a sailor-style collar and a pleated skirt. Hana will have her first day at school and she is very excited about it. With a navy blue felt hat wearing on her head, she looks so adorable.
Hana : Hehe, do I look cute ?
Buido : You are the cutest, sweetheart.
Calvin : She has been all excited since last night.
Dorin : Your cuteness is over 9000 !
Haphuco : Eh ?
Dorin : What ? You did not get the reference ?
Right after that, Momo appears. Unlike the revealing clothes she wore yesterday, she is wearing a formal black and white blouse and skirt. She looks more like a proper teacher now.
Momo : Oh, you looks so cute, Hana.
Buido : For the love of Mother, I'm glad that you still have some sense of a teacher.
Momo : Of course, I am.
Momo : But if the weather gets hot, I might open some buttons.
Buido : No, you won't !
Floret : Ah, school years ! How's reminiscent.
Dorin : I used to have my school years too. Now, I attend university and everything is completely different.
...
After the breakfast, everyone parts ways to their own places with Dorin staying at home a bit longer as he will only have his class at 10 a.m, his first class of the semester.
[ Biani's Facility ]
The Facility where Biani is working for is a private company specializes in creating, developing and refining products for clients. A group of the company employees are Assassin in disguise and Biani is one of them. They are typically gathered on the same team and Biani is on a team of five people.
May : Oh hey, Bia...
Biani ( Grab May's shoulders ) : It was a terrible idea, May !
May : Wait a minute... Calm down, Biani.
May : You almost succeeded. If only that Haphuco guy did not knock you down right away. What's this ? You knock people out when they are drunk ?
Biani : I don't know, May. He only treats me as his younger sister. I don't think I have any chance.
May : Don't talk like that. Keeps going and you will succeed.
Tando : Succeed in what ?
Tando, a boy who is a member of the team, suddenly pop out of nowhere, innocently asked.
May : Eh, when were you here, Tando?
Tando : Just now, what are you guys talking about ?
Biani : Nothing !
Tando ( Smile at Biani ) : Okay then, Biani, same question, wanna have a date with me ?!
May : Here's we go again.
Biani : Tando, I think you should stop asking me for a date.
Biani : You have been doing that since we were still at the School.
Biani : Why do you still like someone like me ?
Tando : Do I have to explain again. You stole my heart when you defeated me on our first Duel.
Tando : So now, if I continue to like you, you will like me someday, right ?
May ( Thought ) : Maybe, if she hasn't fallen in love with her brother.
Biani ( Slightly blushed ) : Uh, Tando !
Tomo ( Enter the room ) : Good morning, everyone.
Everyone : Good morning, Tomo Senpai.
Although it is not required, an Assassin spending more time learning skils required for the work at the company will get a higher position.
And as a result, Tomo became a Manager for these bunch of 22 years old juniors but actually 19.
Yeah, so Assassins like Haphuco and Biani typically graduate from the School at the age of 19 which is supposed to be the age when normal people attend the university. Therefore, they all claim themselves to be 22 to make things normal.
Tomo : Sasa is absent again, isn't it ?
Sasa is the last member in the team.
May : She must be still sleeping.
Tomo : Sigh, at least she still takes her Order well. But this should be stopped.
Tomo : Anyway, here's the Orders assigned for the week.
Tomo : Biani and May, good job for the last Order. Do you want to take another one right away ?
May : Is there a "business trip" Order again ?
Tomo : No, May. They are not something you have regularly.
Biani ( Thought ) : I should text Haphuco about the Order I want to take.
Oh wait, he does not even know how to text. That's a bit annoying.
Tomo : As usual, you will have time to decide by tommorow.
Biani ( Thought ) : Maybe I will call him or discuss with him tonight.
Tomo : Now, let's start our day, shall we.
Biani : Oh, by the way, everyone.
Biani : Do you guys have any plan tonight ?
...
[ Hakyo Agency ]
Today was a quite day. There is barely anyone coming here today to make a Request so Haphuco has been feeling a bit bored while Bodi is just enjoying watching shows on TV.
Bodi : Quite a quite day today, isn't it, Haphuco ?
Haphuco : Mr. Bodi, may I ask why I have not received any Emergency Request since the one for the mayor last month.
Bodi : Why are you hoping to get the Emergency Request, Haphuco. You know they are dangerous, right ?
Haphuco : Oh, uhm,...
Right, why does he want that ?
Nara ( Knock the door ) : Hey there, Haphuco, wanna hit the Gym. You seem bored.
Haphuco : Hi, Nara Senpai ! Yeah but can I, Mr. Bodi ?
Bodi : Sure, go ahead Haphuco. It doesn't seem like there will be anyone coming here today.
Nara : Let's go !
Haphuco : Before that Nara Senpai, I just want you to take it ea...
...
Easy my a**
Her strength is just a monster. Although Haphuco managed to dodge almost every move from Nara, his current state is the result of receiving the rest of them.
Limping to Mr. Ba restaurant, Haphuco meets Biani. She is with some people.
Biani : Hi, Haphuco. I did invite my co-workers to have dinner with us tonight.
Haphuco : You are May, right ? Promise me that you will never do what you did last night ever again.
May : Understood, Bro Haphuco.
Tomo : You must be Biani's brother. My name is Tomo, Biani's Manager at work.
Haphuco ( Shake hands ): Oh, thanks you for helping Biani.
Tomo : That's nothing. I should be glad that Biani is being taken care by you.
Tando : My name is Tando ! Nice to meet you, Biani's brother.
Haphuco ( Shake hands ) : Wow, you are energetic !
Tando : I will be straight, would you let me date Biani ?
Haphuco : Oh ?!
Biani : Tando !
Haphuco ( Look at Biani ) : So you like him ?
Biani : No !
Haphuco : Then I guess that's a no, Tando.
Tando : No, wait. I like Biani since we were still at the School. I am and I will keep trying my best to make her like me.
Haphuco ( Pleased ) : You seem determined, Tando.
Haphuco ( Look at Biani ) : You have a serious boy following you, Biani.
Biani ( Shake head ) : Oh, Haphuco...
He is clearly showing the vibe of a brother meeting his younger sister's crush here.
Haphuco ( Look back at Tando ) : I am not some kind of brother who can decide my sister's boyfriend. If you can make her like you, then I am good with it. So good luck, Tando.
Tando ( Bright face ) : Thanks you, brother-in-law !
Haphuco : No, no, we are not there yet.
Haphuco ( Thought ) : Even if Biani eventually likes you, I will still make sure that you are capable enough to take care of her.
Haphuco : Now let's get inside the restaurant.
Tomo : It's a Vietnamese style restaurant, isn't it ?
Haphuco : Yes, I am sure you guys will like the food.
Haphuco : Hello, Mr. Ba !
Ba : Oh hi, Haphuco. You don't work today, do you ?
Haphuco : Yes, I am coming here today as a customer, bringing along my sister and her co-workers.
Ba : Oh, is that so. Then come on in !
Haphumi : Hi, Haphuco Senpai !
Haphumi : I just realized something huge today.
Haphumi : Oh, hi, you must be Haphuco Senpai's sister, Biani. I have wanted to meet you for quite some time.
Haphumi : Oh, it seems like there are more people, I want to know about them too.
Haphumi : Wait, I am being sidetracked. Haphuco Senpai, I came back to school today after the summer break and I just realized something.
Haphumi : The mayor daughter, the person you are being a Bodyguard for, is actually a classmate of mine !
Haphuco : Really ! No way !
Haphumi : I know right. She is a quite person in class. I did not know that she is the mayor's daughter all along.
Haphuco [ Thought ] : Quite person ?
Haphumi [ Tossed away by her father ] : Ah...
Ba : Don't chat for too long, Haphumi. There are still customers waiting for you.
Haphuco : Let's talk later, Haphumi !
Merodi : Sup, Haphuco !
Haphuco : Sup, Merodi Senpai
Merodi : Why "Senpai" ? We are both 22, aren't we ?
Haphuco : Oh, right...
Merodi is another person who got hired by the restaurant along with Haphuco.
Looking at the scene in front of him, Haphuco remembered the question Bodi asked him about why he seems eager to take Emergency Request while it means confronting with Assassins who can kill him.
Is it because of the joy of fighting. He spent his entire childhood training to become an Assassin, after all.
But isn't he having joy ?
Seeing Biani getting along well with her co-workers in a restaurant erupted with cheer from people eating and drinking.
This is what he wants.
...
[ The next day - Assassin Gym ]
This is not what he wants at all.
Well, I don't dislike it but this is surely not something I have in my wanted list.
Sanda : Haphuco...
Haphuco : Sanda...
I do not expect to meet a schoolmate here.
End of Chapter 7 : It's September ( End of Volume 1 )
Next Chapter - Chapter 8 : Schoolmate