Natasha was tense. She was an agent who'd survived countless battles, someone numb to death—but this wasn't a warzone. It was an orphanage filled with innocent lives. Children who hadn't even begun to grow. She couldn't let them become bargaining chips in some twisted Hydra scheme.
As she rushed in, an image surfaced in her mind: the boy with the strange, mesmerizing eyes. Mischievous, yes, but… too full of life to be snuffed out in a senseless firefight. That thought made her legs move faster. She bolted through the hole the robbers had blasted open and entered the orphanage courtyard.
But what she found stopped her cold.
There were no hostages, no panicked kids, no Hydra operatives.
Just one boy—Kurogai—standing alone in the yard.
The courtyard was eerily quiet. Kurogai, who had just hidden the scroll and pistol, turned toward her with a grin.
When he saw her, his eyes lit up. Natasha, after all, was impressive—confident, sharp, and stunning in her form-fitting black suit. She had the presence of someone who'd seen it all… and walked away from it standing tall.
"Madam, you came just for me?" Kurogai said with exaggerated joy. "I knew you couldn't stay away. You missed me, didn't you?"
Natasha's face darkened. She instantly wanted to punch something. Preferably him.
Why this kid?
Why now?
"I swear, if I hear one more word like that—" she growled internally.
Outwardly, she kept her composure. Barely.
"That's not funny, kid. Did you see where the armed men went? This is serious. They're dangerous and might harm the orphanage."
She crouched a little, trying to seem less threatening—but her patience was thinning fast.
Kurogai's eyes narrowed slightly. He knew exactly why she was here.
Just moments ago, two robbers had been killed by his Geass, and the remaining eight had left, carrying their bodies. If Natasha followed them now, she'd eventually realize something strange had happened. He couldn't afford that—not yet.
He needed to stall her.
"So you didn't come for me?" Kurogai said, suddenly faking a pout. "That's... disappointing."
Natasha's face twitched.
This brat. This ridiculous, infuriating brat.
"Be a good boy, okay?" she said through gritted teeth, forcing a smile. "Auntie has something really important to do. Once I'm done, I'll come back and talk, alright?"
Kurogai tilted his head, thoughtful. "Really? Then… do you like me?"
She nearly exploded.
This kid.
He was testing her patience to its absolute limit.
"Yes, yes, I like you, you little gremlin," she said hastily. "Now can you please just tell me what you saw?"
"I like you too, Madam," Kurogai replied happily. He leaned forward a little, tilting his head with his eyes closed.
It was a classic gesture.
Natasha froze.
He's asking for a kiss?
She clenched her fists.
On the one hand, this was absurd.
On the other… he was just a child. She still had to chase down real threats.
"Fine," she muttered under her breath.
Natasha quickly leaned forward and gave him a brief kiss on the cheek—barely touching him.
Kurogai smiled faintly, satisfied.
"Now talk," she demanded. Her fists were clenched, her tone sharp. If he said one more outrageous thing, she might actually scream.
"Yes, yes," Kurogai nodded, suppressing a laugh. "A bunch of guys ran out of that hole earlier. They looked panicked and went that way."
He pointed in the direction the robbers had fled. His tone was serious, but there was a flicker of mischief in his eyes.
He knew she was done playing games. He also knew the robbers were likely already at the river by now. His delay had worked.
"Good. Now get inside—it's still dangerous out here," Natasha said quickly. Then she sprinted off in the direction Kurogai had pointed, needing a physical outlet for the frustration that boy had just put her through.
"Madam!" Kurogai called out behind her. "Remember—I like you!"
Natasha nearly tripped mid-stride.
She didn't look back.
She didn't answer.
She just kept running, her figure slightly tense and… somehow flustered.
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