Killer’s Diary

Ep.2 Charon

"What's your name?"

"Draft Dodger."

"I'm Charon," she said, setting her tray down beside me.

"Oh, I know you. Top marksman in our class." I nodded and went back to eating. It had been nearly two years since I arrived here, and this was the first time someone had spoken to me. This young girl was about my height, with long black hair and double eyelids. She had a delicate, refined appearance, and her eyes seemed to pierce right through you.

"Hurry up! Everyone behind, keep up!"

"Yes, sir!"

"Only 2 kilometers left! Can't you even run this short distance? The last one does 50 push-ups. Move it!" Instructor Wu fired two warning shots into the air.

"Reporting: 15 kilometers completed."

"Mm. Stand at attention." Instructor Wu said, hands clasped together.

The sun was nearly set, casting the last vestiges of twilight. Over the past decade, my line of sight had risen from barely reaching his waist to meeting his eyes directly. From a little girl who couldn't run a single kilometer to the first to finish and stand before him. In the fading light, the gleam of Instructor Wu's signature black leather belt with its wolf-head buckle was almost blinding.

Soon after, Charon arrived at the finish line, panting heavily. Our eyes met by chance.

"Your endurance is better than mine," she said—her second words to me today—before standing beside me. The summer evening breeze felt refreshingly cool, carrying the faint rustle of leaves.

"Falcon: 10 shots, 10.9 points. Excellent."

"Dodge: 8 shots, 10.9 points; 2 shots, 10.8 points. Second place," Instructor Wu announced.

Regular shooting drills followed.

I glanced at Charon at the adjacent firing position. Though seemingly slender, she gripped the rifle stock with unwavering steadiness. The moment the bullet left the barrel, the air seemed to freeze, radiating an overwhelming sense of pressure.

"That concludes today's training. The day after tomorrow, we'll conduct team field combat drills. Form groups of three to five members yourselves."

"Shall we team up?" Charon extended her hand to me.

"Sure." She was undoubtedly my best choice—the top sniper.

Night had fallen. After finishing training, I walked home along a dark path when a returning transport plane swept overhead, its propellers roaring. At the edge of the darkness, a little girl stood gazing happily at the sky. As I approached, she reached out and clasped my hands. "Mumu, Daddy just brought me chocolate from Japan. I want to share it with you," she said, pulling me into the house.

"I did amazing in training today—first in the class! Even Shen Ming couldn't beat me," the adorable girl announced.

"That's amazing," I said, instinctively reaching out to ruffle her hair. She nuzzled closer to my hand.

After showering, Su Shuyu emerged wearing a new lace nightgown, arms wide open.

Honestly, I couldn't help her. At some point, she started insisting I carry her to bed before she'd settle down to sleep. I lifted her onto the bed, tucked her under a light blanket, set the AC to sleep mode with the remote, turned off the lights, and lay down. "I feel a little cold," she murmured, gently wrapping her arms around me and resting her head against my chest. Instantly, my face burned hot.

"Mumu, why is your heart beating so fast? Did Devil Wu torment you today?"

"No," I quickly pushed her away.

"Do you not like me anymore, Mumu?"

"We're not kids anymore. This isn't right."

"But haven't we always cuddled to sleep since we were little? Mumu has changed." Warm tears unexpectedly fell.

"Okay, okay, don't cry." I hurriedly wiped her tears with my hand and nodded in the darkness.

"Mm-hmm." Her tears stopped instantly. I was always amazed by how easily her tears came and went. She was like a British Shorthair cat—loving to tease me, but a gentle stroke would calm her right down. Sometimes when I came home late from missions, she’d be curled up on the bed, waiting patiently for me.

My ears itched, and I suddenly woke up. Opening my eyes, I saw this mischievous girl hugging me with her arms again, kissing my ears, her happy face so close to mine. My breathing quickened.

"Mumu finally woke up," she paused.

"Time for our cultural studies class," I thought, if I hadn't woken up, you would've eaten me alive.

"A day full of energy begins, Mumu." Su Shuyu stretched lazily. How come I didn't notice last night how sheer that lace nightgown was?

"Why is Mumu blushing? Did I fight you for the blanket again last night and catch a chill?" She was playing the victim again, and I had no idea how to handle her.

"No, it's probably just a bit warm this morning. Don't wear that nightgown next time—it's too thin. I should be worried about you catching a chill." I quickly stood up and turned away, afraid she'd notice anything, pretending to be calm as I went to change into my clothes for going out.