's targets had ranged from that turncoat accountant, a former mobster's truant son, an old priest who decided to turn informant

and a intoccable's girlfriend who took the cash and fled. Somehow all of them (or their police protection experts) thought that-

Japan was the safest place to stay hidden.

thought that guess they did not anticipate the Varia to send a girl to dispatch them.

The last target was a challenge though. An old hitman who still had a few aces up his sleeve. Literally. Steel playing cards as his weapons

had to fight him out on the riverside to minimize witnesses. Which earned her a few gaping tears on her clothes, as well as quite a lot of

razor-thin cuts on her arms and legs. He had almost seen through her illusions which allowed him to attack her with his steel cards.

sleepy, tired, definitely hungry, wants a bath and some sleep before she takes out the last pair of targets (twins, if she remembered), ok?

from the future has actually hijacked his home, for the moment. Kaoko's out. Just as planned.

fumbles for the keys to the front door and manages to unlock it. She sinks to the floor as soon as she closes the door behind her.

calls out to Kaoko, weakly. "... Kaoko-san? I'm home..."

She's not in, Nagi.

at the couch, smoking through a cigarette.

's heart completely stops at the sound of that voice. Coupled with her real name being uttered by that same voice...

's head slowly cranes up to see the older Kyouya sitting nonchalantly on the couch in a haze of smoke.

Kyouya... san...

Hello. I thought I'd drop in, since I have some time to spare.

would have wanted nothing more than to be able to stand up and walk towards him. Damn that old man!

stands up, putting out his cigarette, and approaches, kneeling before the girl, reaching out for her cheek.

Another mission for the Varia?

*he's this close, this close* as she nods and grasps at his hand on her cheek with her own, bloody one, inhaling the scent of cigarettes-

-a scent that she has gotten so used to living with them. *Kyouya-san* she almost cries, clutching at his hand, never wanting to let it go

chuckles. He gently pulls her up to her feet. "Sounds like you've missed me."

My younger self hasn't been treating you *too* badly, has he?

leaning on you now for support. "... not *too* badly" she replies, with a tiny, tired smile on her face. "... we're civil now."

That's good to hear. It's a good thing that you're very understanding. He's... got a lot on his plate.

Well, let's get you patched up before I have to leave.

Does it have something to do with his... your relationship with Dino-san?

maneuvered them both back to the couch, and set the girl down with a gentle push on her shoulders.

If I answered you, what would you?

*you do

now retrieving the heavy duty medical supplies that Kaoko keeps hidden beneath the kitchen sink.

would have liked to say "To find a way to help you", but it wouldn't come out.

I don't know...

rounds back, sitting down on the couch. He sets the supplies on the coffee table and starts rifling through them.

in a murmur & with a crooked smile, "I can't answer you unless you're certain" as he starts tending to her injuries.

staaaring at you, Kyouya, as you start to clean her cuts and bruises. And... is that the smile she had been longing to see?

I... I want to help...

gently brushes Chrome's hair to the side before planting a bandage right across her nose.

Then don't be afraid to let him know that. And don't back down when his fangs come out.

to see how that might make things better, even though he knows he never will.

Have you ever thought of growing your hair longer?

red now. "I-I've thought of it... every now and then..." she stammers.

You should. Kyouya-kun apparently likes people with long hair.

finishes up, then turns away, replacing the supplies. "That should do it for the moment."

reaches for his cigarettes again, but not before checking his watch.

... time for you to go back?

Not exactly. I'll be in the past for a while yet.

I can't stay here for much longer though. I have business with Cavallone.

nods and sits up slowly, all bandaged up. "I"ll... I'll tell him. And I won't back down so easily."

lights up. He looks up at the girl before him, his gaze searching for the trace of the woman he knows back in his real time.

's smile grows soft, as though he's content with what he sees.

...He'll be hard pressed *not* to notice you, I think. Still. Good luck. Kyouya-kun's a difficult one.

smokes for a bit before finally standing up. He bends down, kissing Chrome on her one uninjured cheek.

It was fun, Nagi. I'll try and drop in later, if I have the time.

's heart seems to stop beating once again as he touched his lips to her cheek. "... I'll... I hope you come back, Kyouya-san..."

Ah! Wait!

Mm?

turns back, right when he's at the door.

How did... I told you my real name? When? How... what was I... we...?

smiles & turns away. "What does it matter? You'll tell my younger self in your own way, once you've figured things out, in your own way."

leaves without waiting for a response.