NOVEL NEXT Chapter 43: Rebellion Against Heaven - Part 30
Chapter 30: Billionaires in the Name of Death
The Ryuusei mansion stood like a fortress of black marble and steel, a masterpiece of opulence and fear. Its immense garden, where no flower grew for more than a week without being replaced, was surrounded by statues that seemed to whisper to unwary visitors.
There were no visible security cameras. They were not necessary. Whoever tried to enter without permission never left.
Inside, in the main dining room lit by a gigantic crystal chandelier, Aiko and Ryuusei shared an exquisite dinner. Black caviar, gold-plated wagyu beef, came at such a ridiculous price that even they laughed at the sight of it. Everything on the table was obscenely priced, but it didn't matter.
They were billionaires.
But not because of investments, nor because of inheritances, nor because of traditional dirty businesses.
They killed in the name of death itself.
Every bill in his bank account was stained with the blood of those who had begged for their lives before being silenced. Every piece of jewelry that Aiko wore on her wrist had been purchased with the suffering of those who had crossed paths with them.
But for Aiko, fortune was meaningless without a real life.
And for Ryuusei, killing people who had already fulfilled their purpose seemed absurd and sad at the same time that those people cannot continue.
"I want to go to school," he said suddenly, breaking the heavy silence of the room.
Ryuusei looked up, squinting.
"What the hell for?"
Aiko rested her elbow on the table and looked at him seriously.
"I want to know what it feels like to be surrounded by normal people.
Ryuusei laughed softly, resting the fork on the carved oak table.
"Aiko, you're not normal. I'm not normal. No matter how hard you try to play everyday life... You're still a murderer.
"That doesn't mean I can't try."
Ryuusei stared at her for a few seconds. Then he sighed, leaning into his chair.
"Okay. But if you go to a school, it will be a private one. One where people don't ask questions.
Aiko smiled.
"That's enough for me.
A month later...
Ryususei's black car parked in front of the huge private institution. The tinted windows prevented students passing by from seeing the face of the man inside.
Aiko, in her perfectly pressed uniform, adjusted her backpack and looked at Ryuusei.
"I'm going to be fine.
Ryuusei narrowed his eyes.
"If someone bothers you..."
"I must not kill them. Aiko sighed.
Ryuusei clicked his tongue.
"No, no, no... If someone bothers you, break their nose and tell them that your older brother will take care of the rest.
Aiko looked at him in horror.
"Ryususei!"
"What? Did you expect me to tell you to ignore it?" Come on, Aiko, we have a reputation to uphold.
She rolled her eyes and got out of the car, closing the door gently.
Months later...
Aiko had managed to keep a low profile. There were no beatings, no threats, just the routine of classes, homework, and superficial friendships.
But Ryuusei, in the mansion, waited for her every afternoon with a glass of wine (he didn't like it, he just wanted to look important) and a mocking smile.
"And how was normal life?"
"Not bad," Aiko replied. Today I learned algebra.
Ryuusei raised an eyebrow.
"What for?"
—To solve equations.
"Aiko... we kill for money. If I want more, I pull it out of the corpse of some bastard who thought he could fool me. I've never used algebra.
- Besides, Death gave us common heralds to teach us these things and not be brutes who only kill without thinking
"My logic is simple: if you don't pay, you die." If you get in the way, you die. If you breathe too hard near me... Maybe you'll die.
Aiko covered her face with her hands.
"How the hell do you manage a fortune?"
"With efficiency and blood, my dear.
But then... The real test arrived.
Aiko, after much thought, asked Ryuusei for a favor.
"I want to invite my friends over to the house.
Ryuusei fell silent.
—... What for?
"Because I want you to see how I live."
"Aiko... If your friends come in here and find out who we are...
"I won't tell you anything. I just want you to have a sense of my world... no blood, no murders, without... you know, that.
Ryuusei took a sip of his wine.
"Okay. But I don't promise anything.
On the day of the visit...
When Aiko's friends arrived, they were greeted by the butler and led to the main room, where Ryuusei was waiting for them.
Dressed in an impeccable black suit, with a glass of wine in his hand and an expression of absolute disinterest, he watched them in silence.
"Welcome to my humble home," he said in a deep voice.
Aiko felt her soul leave her body.
One of the boys, nervous, looked around.
"Wow... Your home is... enormous.
"Yes, well," replied Ryuusei. Money buys everything. Sometimes, even souls.
"What?" Another girl asked.
Aiko quickly intervened.
"Haha! It's a joke... He's a little intense.
The friends nodded, although somewhat uncomfortable.
Meanwhile, Ryuusei leaned over to Aiko and whispered:
"Don't ask me to be normal if what I say makes you uncomfortable later.
Aiko sighed.
"Just... Don't kill anyone.
Ryuusei smiled.
"It depends on how I like them.
Aiko felt that this was going to be a disaster.
And it was.