Episode 1: "Specter's Day Off"
[Genre: Action / Slice-of-Life / Dark Comedy]
[Scene: Quiet morning. A small bookstore tucked between buildings. Wind chimes rattle softly. Inside, Rei sweeps the floor with perfect rhythm.]
Yui(yawning at the counter):Why are we open this early? No one buys books at 7 a.m.
Rei(sweeping without missing a spot):The early bird buys in peace.
Yui(glancing at shelf):And the night owl knocks over the manga display. Again.
[Door chimes. A lanky guy in a hoodie steps in — Toma. Nervous energy. Eyes scan the shop. One hand fidgets near his pocket.]
Toma(under his breath):That's him. The Specter. He looks... normal.
Rei(not looking up):Back shelf's got new arrivals. If you're here for manga, take your time.If you're here to die — hurry up.
[Toma freezes. Yui narrows her eyes. Rei continues sweeping.]
Yui(dryly):Customer or corpse?
Toma(snaps):You don't remember me, do you?
Rei(finally looks up, one eyebrow raised):You're the guy who tried to stab me last week behind the ramen shop.You missed.
Toma(grits teeth, pulls a knife from his jacket):This time I won't.
[Toma lunges forward. In one motion, Rei sidesteps, pivots, and taps Toma's foot with the broom handle. Toma trips — hard — and faceplants into a bookshelf.]
[Books scatter. Yui doesn't flinch.]
Yui(walking over with a sigh):You really need a better opening move.
Toma(groaning):I think I saw my ancestors…
[Rei leans the broom against the wall, kneels beside Toma.]
Rei(calmly):You want to live? Good. You work here now.
Toma(struggling):What…?
Rei(dead serious):You broke shelf C3. That's a ¥6,000 fine. Payment starts today.
[Cut to later: Toma now in an apron, stacking books with a bruised jaw. Yui sips tea at the counter. Rei restocks without a word.]
Yui:You're collecting assassins like trading cards now?
Rei:Free labor. Plus, they stop trying after the third shelf.
[Phone buzzes. Rei pulls it out. A message from Boss appears on screen.]
"Target confirmed in your area. High bounty. Do NOT engage.""You are RETIRED."
[Rei stares at the message. Then calmly deletes it.]
Yui(noticing):Trouble?
Rei(monotone):No. Just another delivery on the way.
[Outside the shop — across the street, a woman watches. Her silhouette is sharp. A sniper case rests on her lap. Her phone lights up.]
"Specter confirmed. Permission to engage?"
[She smirks.]
"Let's see if retirement made him soft."
To be continued...