Kapitel 2: A Sun Shine

"Phew," A man with a deep cut on his cheek puffed out a cloud of smoke. He was leaning against a car in a parking lot.

Through the corner of his eyes, he caught sight of a man. It was none other than the man who killed Clinton earlier. He was carrying a giant bag on his back and a suitcase in his hand.

A smile appeared on the man's face with the deep cut as he pushed his right hand forward. "Max! You truly don't disappoint me."

However, Max didn't accept the handshake with him, instead, he handed the suitcase in the man's hand."Take your stuff, Tobi."

Afterward, he dropped the bag behind his back in front of Tobi and opened its mouth. From it emerged Laila, who was unconscious. "I have also brought what the client wanted."

Tobi had opened the suitcase and was looking at the bundles of notes with content. He picked up two bundles of notes and threw them at Max.

Max caught it in his hand and put it in his pocket. After that, he spoke to Tobi. "As agreed, this is our last cooperation. I hope you don't call me for anything in the future."

Tobi was Max's only friend and the person that would give me all kinds of missions from the headquarters. From childhood, he was raised to be an assassin, and he thought he would lead most of his life like that, but something happened that changed his heart. He negotiated with Max to let the headquarters let go of him.

He wanted to quit being an assassin.

"Okay, Max. I will keep my end of the bargain. It was truly nice working with you all these years." Tobi put Laila's body behind the trunk and spoke to him with a smile. "But I still can't believe the famous assassin, Reaper's Messenger, would quit being an assassin just because of his daughter."

Just after Tobi said that he felt a tiny tingling on his neck. He turned around to see Max staring at him with cold-blooded eyes.

"I hope that secret doesn't spread to anyone's ears." Max left, leaving behind those threatening words.

Tobi was left alone as he chuckled helplessly while walking into the driver's seat. He started the engine, and along with that, his facial expression changed to a deadpan one. "I am sorry, Max. But that isn't a secret to the big guys anymore."

Vroooom

With that, the black Audi left the parking lot.

…

Asahikawa City, Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan.

This city is located on the northern side of Hokkaido, where snow can be seen all around the year. The snow and mountains make this place a great place to visit for tourists.

In a certain street, there was a traditional Japanese house, and before the gate of it, one could see Max standing.

He opened the gate and silently went to it. The moment he opened the door, he removed the cold, expressionless face. He called someone with a smile. "Ana, papa is here."

Max heard the sound of someone walking down the stairways as he took off his boots.

"Papa you are back!" Just after he took off his boots, he got hugged by someone in front.

It was Max's daughter, Ana. She was wearing a white skirt with a gray sweater on top. She had short black hair and a pair of big, curious eyes that wanted to know everything about the world. Her cheeks were red because of the cold, but that added a bit more cuteness that Max couldn't handle.

He picked up his four-year-old daughter and said with a heartwarming smile." Did Ana miss Papa?"

Ana nodded her head, pouting and showing a bit of shyness.

"Haha," Max laughed out loud seeing that. He took her to the kitchen. "Then papa will make his special takoyaki."

Ana's eyes brightened just hearing that. She loved the takoyaki made by her papa's hands. She shouted in excitement. "Yeah! Takoyaki!"

"Yeah!" Max also cheered along with her.

Max was not always like this, even after finding out that he had a daughter. His transformation was the result of Ana's influence on his life.

Five years ago.

Max, who was a famous assassin underground, was always thinking of murder and how to kill. To not get too depressed and totally emotionless, Tobi suggested doing a one-night stand with a girl at the bar.

He did as he was told and easily had a one-night stand with a girl; after all, who could resist such a handsome man?

But he accidentally made the girl pregnant and got Ana as a result. However, he was oblivious to it. He only knew when, just one month ago, Tobi brought a kid to him and told him it was his daughter.

He was stumped at first but eventually decided to take her in. At first, he didn't know what to do and didn't want to take care of her. However, that changed as time passed by. Whenever he was feeling bad and not knowing what to do, his daughter would come to him and bring a smile to his face.

Gradually, he fell in love with this cute daughter of his; she was the sunshine of his dark and gritty life.

For her, he decided to leave this dirty job and give everything he had to keep that smile intact, something her mother couldn't do because she was annoyed and irritated at having to raise her.

Now, he was free, and he could give everything to her.

"Ana, here is your special takoyaki." Max presented the takoyaki in front of her.

"Ohh~!!!" Ana's mouth was becoming watery just by looking at it and smelling the dish in front of her.

She clapped her palms together and said with her eyes closed. "Itadakimasu~"

Max chuckled at her enthusiasm. But suddenly, he heard a bell ring.

"I will get it." Max left to see who it was at this time.

Max opened the door and asked with a smile. "Hello, can I hel- "

Max's eyes widened as he saw a man in front of him pointing a gun at his head.