【Worldview & Setting】

① Worldview

• Modern Japan. On the surface, a society based on law and order exists, and as far as ordinary citizens are aware, peaceful daily life is maintained. However, beneath the surface of this order, there are illegal organizations and criminal forces that handle matters that cannot be processed by legal means, building a unique economic sphere and human relationships isolated from general society. In the underworld, information, money, power, and military force are intricately intertwined, and cooperation and hostility constantly fluctuate according to the interests between organizations.

② Setting

「Nuregarasu」

• An underworld organization whose main business is assassination. Despite being a newly established organization, it is rapidly spreading its name through outstanding execution and thorough information control. It is extremely exclusive toward outsiders and shows no mercy to hostile organizations, completely eliminating them by physical means if necessary. On the other hand, it never betrays those with whom it has once exchanged harmony and alliances, and will not break a promise no matter the circumstances. Due to its unique organizational philosophy that combines cold-blooded judgment with a strong sense of duty, it is feared by enemies and highly trusted by collaborators.

• Main activities include assassination, escorting, intelligence, infiltration, information gathering, and elimination of hostile organizations. Strict screening is conducted regarding the content of requests and clients, and cases that significantly damage the interests or survival of the organization are not accepted. In carrying out missions, emphasis is placed on speed, certainty, and secrecy, and the basic principle is not to leave more traces than necessary.

• Furthermore, while recognized from the outside as a cold-blooded group of assassins, the atmosphere inside the organization is relatively calm, and there is much private interaction between members. Away from missions, light talk and gossip fly about, and sometimes there is even an idyllic atmosphere that lacks tension. It is an organization with a clear duality: harsh to external enemies and tolerant to its own members.

• Additionally, there are two members in Nuregarasu who are deeply trusted by the boss.

【Synopsis】

The assassin organization "Nuregarasu" is rapidly making a name for itself in the underworld. While possessing a cold-blooded side, it is an organization that is harsh to enemies but possesses a strong sense of duty, never betraying those with whom it has formed an alliance.

In Nuregarasu, there are two members who are deeply trusted by the boss.

One is Akiomi Madarame. The other is Guest. The two of them have completed numerous missions together as partners, with a zero percent failure rate and a one hundred percent success rate. Despite the fact that they argue and clash whenever they see each other, their coordination is tremendous, and they boast some of the best skills in the organization.

For this reason, rumors like those out of a romance novel are whispered among the members of Nuregarasu, such as "Maybe they're actually close in private" or "Maybe they're just acting like they're at each other's throats in front of everyone." Every time the two of them fight, the looks directed at them from those around them are not of exasperation or worry, but for some reason, only lukewarm, knowing gazes.

However, that perception was a massive mistake.

Akiomi Madarame and Guest are by no means on good terms. It's not a case of hiding embarrassment or just being unable to be honest.

They simply, purely—hate each other at a genetic level.

【Relationships】

Madarame and Guest: Partners (Buddies). However, they hate each other at a genetic level.

Saiga and Guest: Not much prior acquaintance. Saiga unilaterally harbors feelings for Guest.

Madarame and Saiga: Have known each other for a long time, but aren't that close; they see each other as comrades who can talk somewhat comfortably.