[6] Asuka Koukawa
"How... how could you...?" Asuka stammered, trying to grasp how the man could have moved so swiftly without her noticing.
Kaoru merely smirked, his confidence hidden behind his sharp gaze. "You don't need to know how I did it," he said, folding his arms across his chest with a superior air. "What you need to understand is that you shouldn't meddle with things you don't comprehend."
Asuka tried to steady her breath, her gaze resolute despite the lingering traces of fear within her. "I won't stop until I know who you are and what your intentions are here," she said firmly, attempting to mask the trembling in her voice.
Kaoru nodded slowly, as if appreciating the courage of the woman before him. "You were the one keeping an eye on me when I dispatched that monster earlier, weren't you? From the tight outfit you're wearing, I can guess you're from a special organisation. An undercover agent, perhaps? So, where are you from?" Kaoru's voice grew more pressing, bombarding Asuka with sharp, direct questions.
Asuka was taken aback, her eyes widening in disbelief. How could this man deduce everything so accurately? Every detail he mentioned was spot on. Her mind raced, trying to regain control of the situation, while she marvelled at the man's analytical skills that seemed far beyond those of an ordinary human.
Noticing the confusion and uncertainty beginning to overwhelm Asuka, Kaoru decided to toy with her a bit. There was a certain thrill in feeling complete control over the situation. Once known as a 'lady killer', not for his ability to kill but for his prowess in seducing and charming, Kaoru could make any woman fall into his embrace within an hour. Now, as he licked the corner of his mouth slowly, he devised a plan in his mind, thinking of how to entertain himself and alleviate the lingering stress.
Asuka, still lost in her thoughts, suddenly felt a chill creeping down her spine. The sly and intriguing smile forming on Kaoru's face made her shiver. There was something off, something she couldn't ignore. Just as Asuka was about to speak further, Kaoru interrupted her with a low, alluring voice, as though his words carried a spell that captivated her attention.
"Forget about it... Let's move on to the next question," Kaoru said with an enchanting tone, stepping closer to Asuka with a calm yet commanding stride. Danger was palpable in the cool night air, and Asuka immediately positioned herself in a fighting stance, her instincts as a ninja coming into play.
"You must be eager to find out my identity after seeing me defeat that monster so swiftly, perhaps faster than you could imagine," Kaoru continued, his thin smile remaining fixed on his handsome face, making Asuka even more alert.
"What?" Asuka tried to interject, but Kaoru quickly raised a finger to his lips, stopping her with a smooth gesture.
"Shhh... Don't interrupt me, darling," he whispered softly yet firmly, his eyes glinting with mischief.
Asuka's face flushed reflexively at the familiar and seductive address. Throughout her life, she had been the one to seduce, using her charm to gather information or catch her enemies off guard. But now, the situation was reversed. The man before her, with his handsome face bathed in moonlight, had managed to make her shiver with just words and a glance. This was a different kind of assault, one targeting her heart.
"Let me guess, you want to know which side I'm on, right?" Kaoru continued, his voice like the night breeze, soft yet leaving a chilling impression on her soul.
Asuka could only remain silent, her mind spinning for an answer, but her tongue felt numb. Kaoru, enjoying the silence and uncertainty he had created, slowly turned away from her, walking towards the deserted city streets under the streetlights. The night wind tousled his hair, adding to the mysterious aura that surrounded him.
"I'm not on anyone's side, Miss," he said with a flat yet meaningful tone, his eyes gazing into the distance. "But if you can refrain from disturbing my life, then I won't cause any trouble."
Asuka bit her lip, trying to regain her composure. "How can I be sure you're not dangerous?" Her voice trembled, but she still tried to maintain her firmness.
Kaoru turned swiftly, moving towards Asuka with a sudden yet graceful movement until he was very close. His sharp eyes locked onto Asuka's, and without warning, he bent down, bringing his lips close to her ear. His warm breath felt on Asuka's skin, startling her and making her heart race faster.
"How about a wager?" Kaoru whispered, his voice deep and enticing, as if injecting fire into Asuka's veins.
"A wager?" Asuka stammered, almost incredulous at the direction of the conversation.
"Yes," Kaoru replied with a broader smile, looking every bit like a charming prince from a fairytale. "Since you seem to be the type who enjoys a fight, I'll give you a chance. You can attack me for five minutes. If you manage to touch me, I'll lose, and I won't mind being taken by you. But if you fail, I'll make one request of you. How does that sound? Fair enough?"
Asuka fell silent, her mind racing as she processed the offer. Although she knew this could be a trap, there was something within her that couldn't refuse the challenge. She was a ninja, a Taimanin, trained to face all threats. This was an opportunity to prove herself, and she wasn't going to back down.
"O-Okay... I accept your challenge!" Asuka finally responded, her voice filled with newfound determination.
Kaoru grinned, his satisfied smile enhancing his already ingrained playboy aura. "Very well, Miss. Let's begin."
With a light step, Kaoru moved back, giving Asuka space to prepare. As he assumed a fighting stance, Kaoru regarded Asuka with a look of genuine interest. "You know, I've always liked brave women," he said in a teasing tone, as if this were merely a game to him.
Asuka tried to ignore the comment, focusing on the task at hand. Yet, Kaoru's smile and words continued to echo in her mind, disrupting her concentration. This wasn't just about physical strength but also psychological warfare, and Kaoru seemed to know exactly how to unsettle her.
"Ready or not, I'll start counting now," Kaoru said, his voice like a dancer poised to begin a deadly performance.
Asuka tightened her muscles, preparing to strike. The next five minutes would determine her fate. At that moment, Kaoru stood relaxed, his arms folded across his chest, as if he had no worries at all. Their eyes met, and time seemed to pause for a moment before Kaoru said with a confident smile, "The time starts... now."
Asuka darted forward with lightning speed, trying to reach Kaoru with all her might. However, Kaoru merely smiled, evading with light movements that made him seem as if he were dancing in the air. Asuka swung her legs, twisting her body to attack from another angle, but once again, Kaoru vanished from her reach, reappearing in an unexpected spot.
"Wow, you're really fast," Kaoru exclaimed cheerfully, his smile widening. "But unfortunately, you're not fast enough to touch me."
Asuka continued her assault, using every technique she had learned over the years, but Kaoru always stayed a step ahead, moving with an almost supernatural grace. Each time she came close to touching him, Kaoru disappeared, leaving Asuka frustrated and increasingly determined to win.
"Time is almost up, Miss," Kaoru reminded her with a teasing tone, his eyes sparkling with pleasure. "Are you sure you can do it?"
Asuka gritted her teeth, unwilling to give up so easily. With a fierce cry, she launched her final attack, directing all her energy at a single point. But Kaoru, with his smile still etched on his face, merely lifted one finger, and with a single motion, he halted Asuka's attack, bringing it to a stop just before his face.
"Time's up," Kaoru said with a cheerful tone, as if he had just won a small contest. "You failed, darling."
Asuka gasped for breath, sweat dripping from her forehead. She couldn't believe she had lost, and more than that, she felt humiliated for falling into this game. Yet, Kaoru merely looked at her with a gentle gaze, his satisfied smile revealing how much he enjoyed this game.
"So, Miss," Kaoru whispered, moving closer once more, this time with a softer tone. "Are you ready to hear my request?"