It wasn’t unusual—given the violent lifestyle Pearson city had to offer—that a young rabbit would be taken under the wing of a syndicate. Being a very young and nameless girl then, she had no recollection of who she was or who her parents were; she had only come to know the people around her as her “benefactors”—nothing short of being considered a family. As soon as she was old enough to be taught, she was “educated” alongside other children who, like her, possess nothing. Though unlike her peers, she didn’t feed off from the pointless optimism the older children spouted, believing that their real family would find them and take them away from the dreadful place they were in. All that mattered to her was to be a “good girl” so that she could receive good food, an adequate room of her own, her own things, and survive. The years went by and the large group she grew up with significantly decreased in number; whatever the fates of those children were, it did not matter as long as she was alive and living well.

She was eventually handpicked along with other girls specifically for their potential beauty for when they come of age. She was only eight then when she was provided a much more specific form of education—how to kill. She was taught a great number of things; though she was one of the youngest and smallest, she didn’t lag too far from the older girls but found it difficult to face them in hand-to-hand combat—where she exceled was in the use of weaponry that was suited for her size. Eventually, they were given more intricate lessons which included the study of man’s nature…and how to exploit their desires. Once they have completed their education, as a “graduation gift”, every girl had their ability to “create life” taken away from them.

It wasn’t long when she was given her first assignment at the age of 12. For her, it was an easy job especially when her target had an unsavory preference for young girls. A handful of assignments then passed with her not suffering a single casualty; the syndicate acknowledged her efforts and felt generous to grant her “anything” that she would want for being a good girl. It came as a surprise to them—from a girl who never once cried for her parents—for her to ask if she could meet her real family. She was immediately denied and was coaxed to no end to ask for something else. Thus, she postponed her wish. One of the syndicate members pitied her—guessing the child was simply curious—and secretly gave her records such as her birth certificate. That was only then did she know that she had a name, “Eilwen”.

It was by chance that an assignment came conveniently near the address that was on her records; the temptation to take a peek was so strong it deterred her from immediately going where she should have. She wanted answers to a lot of questions and most of them started with why.

「 Why did you abandon me? 」

Though what she found was a large empty house as though no one had been living there for years. Disappointed, she halfheartedly continued what she was supposed to do. Her return to the syndicate wasn’t like the usual; the place was in shambles and there were fresh signs of a big struggle. If she had been earlier by a few hours…or even minutes, she might’ve been caught in what happened. She felt at a loss on what to do, there was no one left—alive at least—to tell her what she should do next. It caught her by surprise to hear an elderly woman’s voice.

「 Little girl, you shouldn’t be here. 」

When she saw the long sword the woman was cleaning with a cloth, she knew she had a hand in painting some of the walls and floors red. That was the first time the girl felt so much fear and intimidation from someone to a point she froze in place when the elderly woman approached her. She closed her eyes the moment the woman raised a hand, thinking she would be put down, but to her surprise she received a gentle pat. The woman told her that she reminded her of her younger self—it would be a waste to just get rid of her. Thus, the young girl was given a chance to join another organization—BJBB. Having no loyalties to the syndicate whatsoever, she left with the woman without second thought.

Under the guidance of the woman who calls herself by “Shiro”, Eilwen trained under her and later joined her in missions. Though in two years’ time, the woman retired from her line of work and planned to use her life’s savings to quietly live the rest of her remaining years in her native land. She left the girl her own daishō, a matched pair of traditionally made Japanese swords. That was the last time she ever saw her mentor.

Her missions in BJBB have proven to be more challenging than when she was still working for the syndicate—especially now that she was alone. Without anyone to talk to, much less guide her, this “new chapter” of her life didn’t feel so different than before…besides the changing faces of her supposed “allies”. She cared none for the rebellion…she just wanted to survive and live life the way she knew best—by eradicating people who are wicked in her eyes.

With one mission where she failed to take down her target, she thought that was the end of her from one botched jump. It felt surreal, looking up at the sky get further as one fell down from a height of two stories—time moving at a slower pace before being taken in by the cold darkness. It came as a surprise to her she even woke up to see the next day, only suffering a broken leg and a few scrapes. Though relief was the last thing she felt when she realized she was at a stranger’s home, knowing no soul willing to save her then when she took the assignment alone. Much to her disbelief, of all people, the one who saved her was one of the guards of the man she was supposed to assassinate the night before. Though he didn’t surrender her to his boss, she didn’t trust him. Her first impressions of him: suspicious, overly friendly, weird. Besides his name “Lacheln” and his rather near bad cooking, she didn’t know much about him…but found it most interesting he had the ability to turn paper into anything. She found herself clutching the clover origami she found on her bed that day.

Due to her injuries, she had no choice but to stay with him. And in those long weeks they’ve been together; he tended her injuries, fed her, spent time with her, cared for her…and eventually fell in love with her. Though the man had admitted his feelings to her, she told him it was just a natural and physical reaction given they are of opposite genders living together for a span of time, and at the same time, an impulsive feeling that would soon fade. She was then given a promise—or a challenge even—that he would prove to her that what he feels isn’t a halfhearted emotion…and maybe even make her feel the same way. Though skeptical, she gave him a chance to prove her wrong.

Eilwen stayed with him for over two months and left the moment her leg entirely healed, seemingly ending the timeframe for the man to prove anything to her. When she thought her life was back to normal, as though fate was mocking her, she unexpectedly would bump into the man countless times and still he continued to court her. In three months’ time, though beyond apprehensive at the thought, she gave in to his pestering. With furrowed brows, an averted gaze, and mildly flushed cheeks, she said “yes” and agreed to date him.

Once again, she stayed with him in his apartment, both of them continuing their respective jobs even if they were potential enemies. Despite the awkward setup, Lacheln did his best to slowly introduce things a couple would do during the peaceful times they could spend together. The girl didn’t completely comprehend her own feelings for him, thus she was often hesitant to do anything intimate…but it always gave her a warm feeling whenever he would give her a paper flower every single day as though courting her all over again. In time, her feelings for him grew.

It’s been over a year since they’ve known each other and the months have been kind to them. Eilwen slowly adjusted and accepted another person in her life, always considering him in her daily plans. Though an unexpected day came when their jobs would once again overlap one another; Lacheln openly refused his order to shoot her down when she was sighted as a target. Because of this, he was seen as a traitor and tortured by his own organization. Having no choice but to escape then, she returned to the apartment for her things so she could be prepared to save him. In her panic, she stumbled on her own two feet—a green clover origami tumbled out of her pocket. Seeing that made her only think of him as she reached for it, later realizing there was writing peeking through the gaps of its folds. Upon unfolding it, she saw its message.

「 I love you. 」

Upon looking at the pile of paper flowers that he already gave her, she impulsively sifted through and opened some—all of which having a small message written inside them. “Good luck!” “Be safe.” “I miss you.” “I hope we can date again.” Seeing these words made her vision blur from her tears as she clutched the paper in her arms, wishing she could hear these words from his mouth again.

Though she wanted to save him the very day he was taken, she didn’t allow her emotions to take over—she planned carefully how she would save him on her own. Two weeks passed; she couldn’t make him wait any longer. If ever he was already dead, she couldn’t ever forgive herself. She snuck in successfully the fortress-like home. Her presence was undetected though it surprised her that the alarms sounded…but it was not her who triggered it. Hearing the blaring announcement, she was beyond relieved to know he was alive. Lacheln managed to escape his holding cell on his own though when she came across him, she realized how bad his state was. If it weren’t for Lacheln’s friend who was part of the mafia, they wouldn’t have escaped that place alive.

She brought Lacheln back to BJBB as he needed intensive medical attention. She stayed by his side and waited for him to wake up…so that she could tell him what she should have said a long time ago.

「 I love you too. 」