Diana Dang's Darling Domain

It was huge. The white Victorian-styled mansion that was located in Japan loomed over Myoki’s head. Glancing around, there was a tight security. The gate she had just passed through with a stolen invitation was at least five men tall. There were watchmen everywhere, pacing back and forth with a gun hanging firmly by their side.

No matter how guarded the place was, Myoki knew should get the job done. She patted on her expensive up-do that her boss paid for. Her pitch black, shoulder-length hair that is filled with striking blue streaks was nicely done and the ends curled just right. The Japanese girl’s dress hung around her model-like body perfectly. It was a strapless blue dress that trailed behind her beautifully. She had to hold it up so it did not drag along the ground. Her mask was black and sparkling blue that matches her outfit accordingly. It was artistically decorated; surely the price was more than a few thousand yen. The mask refined Myoki’s face and brought out her deep aqua eyes that would mesmerized you if you stared into them for so long.

The door man opened the grand door to the masquerade. People were dancing with each other as the musical orchestra played old melodies. Everything was like out of a movie set.

I’m impressed. Hayaki Tokoro did very well, Myoki thought, referring to the host and owner of the mansion. Then again, he was the boss of one of the biggest yakuza group around asides Myoki’s boss, Toji Hanazaki, and another named Tae-Hyun Jae. (Even though he was South Korean, his underground organization linked with businesses in Japan.)

Myoki let go of the dress so her hands were no longer full with fabric, except for a small hand purse. It contained something vital and she could not let it disappear from her sight. Therefore she could not dance with anyone because that would result both of her hands free and she did not wish that.

Instead, she went to the side where people were chatting with their peers. She stood beside the snack table, which of course held fancy drinks and desserts. A servant came by with a tray of white and red wine. Myoki’s blue gloved hand skilfully swiped a glass of red wine without knocking the others down. The servant did not notice that one went missing from his tray.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Lee Yun silently watched behind his black half-mask. Tae-Hyun, his boss, sent him on this task. It was important that he completed his boss’s order or he may not get enough pay for a month’s feed.

Glancing at the antique clock against the wall, the hands said it was not yet 10 pm. A small sigh escaped from the Korean’s lips. He ruffled his dark short brown hair, which he refused to gel back, and wondered when he should carry out his plan.

Then, his light chocolate-coloured eyes laid on something. No, it was more than just a something, it was a person. It was a girl, tall with grace and elegance. Whoever she was, she looked stunning, even when Lee Yun stood so far away to get a clear view.

Many people awed at her beauty. Some men wanted to approach her, but they were arm-in-arm with their wife or girlfriend. He kept his eyes on this rare beauty. Her swiftness with the glass of wine was remarkable. Something told him she was no ordinary girl. A man came up to her as Lee Yun quietly went towards her direction. She declined the man’s offer to dance and said that she was waiting for someone.

Lee Yun was now beside her, hoping that he would be able to communicate with her before the party ends.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Myoki was slightly annoyed that she was asked to dance. She did not want to be rude but she must not do anything that would put herself at risk. A presence of a person stood beside her. Myoki did not want to turn to see who it was because she prayed that it was not another man wanting her on the dance floor. The music continued playing while no words were exchanged. Finally, the male cleared his throat.

“It is a nice masquerade, is it not?” A soft, yet loud enough, voice asked towards Myoki.

Great, Myoki thought irritably and was ready to decline any offers. When she turned to him, she immediately noticed how dark his eyes were behind his mask. She forgot to reply to him because he gave her a puzzled look.

“Hello, my name is Lee Yun,” he introduced himself, giving her a warm smile with his hand out to shake.

“Myoki. But, err, my real name is Ayane,” Myoki referred to the person who was supposed to be here instead of her. She fell sick, so Toji took the invitation without her notification. Myoki shook Lee Yun’s white gloved hand. “Please, I prefer to be called by my nickname Myoki.”

“Myoki then.” He flashed another sweet smile behind the black mask. “Why are you here?”

Then they started talking, lying through their teeth about their true identities. Little did they know, they were both in the mansion for the same reason.

  Both Myoki and Lee Yun were from different yakuza groups, working as an assassin in exchange for food, shelter, and money. Myoki was an orphan and was raised to be skilled in the art of killing. She specialized in handling knives. Lee Yun’s background was a mystery.

Their bosses, Toji and Tae-Hyun were fooled by Hayaki with the same problem. Hayaki promised them each on a separate contract that he would split fifty fifty for a sum of money that they earned from their shady business. The bosses were tricked when they found out they had signed a contract with invisible ink. It claimed that what was in black ink was all false and the money goes towards Hayaki instead. The two bosses had lost a huge sum of money and neither side knew that Hayaki duped the other aside themselves.

Lee Yun and Myoki were sent to kill Hayaki without being suspected. Luckily, Hayaki hosted the masquerade in celebration for his new home. Good thing he invited over 200 guests or it would be harder to sneak in with other people’s invites. (But Lee Yun had a fake one that looked exactly like the real one.)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Myoki’s and Lee Yun’s pleasant conversation ended when the sound of tapping on the microphone interrupted them. Up on the stage in front of where the orchestra was Hayaki himself. He was very built for someone his age and he had on a tailored tuxedo. His black and grey hair was gelled back which made it look like plastic from afar.

“Good evening everyone! I would all like to welcome you to my new mansion!” He then continued on with his little welcoming speech for the next ten minutes. After, he stepped down with a round of applauses. Everything resumed to its lively atmosphere once again. Myoki had to quickly get to him before she loses sight of him.

 

“I have to go look for my friend. Good-bye Lee Yun.” Myoki turned; ready to hurry off until he grabbed her wrist. She stopped to see what was wrong.

“Will I see you again?” Lee Yun asked, letting go before she got the wrong idea. He badly wanted to meet her one more time. Their conversation lasted for about half an hour but the interaction felt amazing. At least it was to Lee Yun. He did not know what Myoki thought of him but he felt that they should at least be friends.

“If fate has it so, then it will be.” Myoki gave him one last smile before trotting off.

Hayaki was making his way down a hallway with paintings of kings and queens from ancient times. There were vases and antiques that could fall over any moment with the slightest touch. Myoki quickened her pace and her heels hitting the marble floor at every step.

“Mr. Tokoro,” Myoki started when she caught up to him, gently laying her hand on the back of his shoulder.

He grunted and turned to see who it was. My, who is this lovely young lady? Hayaki thought, couldn’t help be impressed by her appearance.

“What is it, my dear?” He flashed his millionaire smile.

“I want to tell you how much I love this masquerade,” Myoki smiled seductively behind the sequined mask. She hated the fact that she had to get him away from the crowd alone, but work is work.

“Well, well! Why don’t you tell me more?” Hayaki gestured her to a magnificent library room near them.

Myoki stepped in, admiring the mountains of books. All were old with thick dusky covers. They were kept clean and were well preserved. A gentle breeze blew in through the balcony doors. At least, it was a beautiful night to die on. It was a full moon and the stars were twinkling on an endless black blanket.

“Wine?” Hayaki held up a bottle that was nearly 100 years old.

Perfect, Myoki thought slyly as he poured it into two glasses. Everything was going swell so far. He turned to put it away in a wooden cupboard below the bookshelves. During that short time frame, Myoki opened her purse. She took out a tube with a clear and odourless liquid and stealthily poured it into one of the glasses. By the time Hayaki returned, the tube with poison was put away and Myoki had the wine without it.

“This is truly exquisite.” Myoki swirled the drink that was older than herself in her delicate hand.

“Not as exquisite as you.” Hayaki moved behind her and stroke her hair. He inhaled her sweet perfume, wanting more from the girl.

She shuttered and stepped back, giving him a fake smile. Picking up the drink Hayaki did not take yet, she handed to him.

“This is a toast for an amazing ball and mansion.” She held hers up, clicking it against Hayaki’s before she lifted it up to her glossed lips. When he drank from his, Myoki smirked as she sipped from her own. She placed the cup onto a round oak table after she her second sip.

“I have to go back to the grand hall, my friend is waiting.”

“Can’t you stay a little longer?”

Shaking her head, Myoki turned the doorknob open and the noises poured in. She timed that after a couple of minutes she was out of the library, he would drop dead.

“Bye sir.” And the door shut lightly with a click.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

After Myoki left the grand hall, Lee Yun followed from the distance because she was also going towards Hayaki. He was curious of why Myoki was with the old guy but he did not let that bother him. He saw they went into what should be the library, if he remembered the layout of the mansion correctly. Rotating at 360 degrees, he went back and past the masquerade towards the exit. He nodded towards the doorman as he passed by and jogged down the steps. He made sure that no one noticed him; he slipped into the shadows and crept along the walls. His feet soundlessly and rapidly moved on top of the fresh grass. Once he reached the library balcony, he ducked behind a thick row of plants, just in time before a security guard came around the corner with a flashlight.

Thank god no cameras are installed yet, Lee Yun thought in relief.

From the sound of it, Hayaki and Myoki were having a drink from inside. Lee Yun kept himself hidden, dare not to budge. The door then signalled Myoki’s departure. He waited for a few more seconds to make sure no one was around. His hand went into his pocket and withdrew a small blowgun. Lee Yun edged towards the door and fortunately, Hayaki’s back was to him. With one end of the gun in his mouth and aimed at Hayaki, he blew into it. A needle shot out like a bullet when Hayaki started to twitch. It hit his neck and the needle’s venom circulated though his blood. Hayaki let out a choking noise and collapsed dead.

Lee Yun ran in. He crouched down to Hayaki who was now foaming at his mouth. Pulling out a cloth, Lee Yun used it to pull out the thin weapon. He wrapped it carefully and tucked it inside his pants pocket along with the blow gun. He double-checked his surroundings before returning back to the front of the entrance. He went to retrieve his coat before leaving. When he reached the gate, Myoki came up beside him. Her ocean-like eyes sparkled behind the mask.

“So we meet again. You are leaving already?”

“Yes, I am very tired,” Lee Yun chuckled. The night air swayed the leaves on the trees around them. The wind howled like a wolf’s cry as it got chillier. Myoki shivered, rubbing her arms that were only protected by a thin silk shawl. Lee Yun took off his coat and wrapped it around the cold girl.

“How about I drive you home?”

Myoki nodded as her lips curved upwards prettily. “This is going to be a memorable night.”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

A week later, Tae-Hyun visited Toji for a drink of celebration in his illustrious loft. Smokes and laughter filled the room.

“Ah, that bastard got what he deserved!” Toji boomed merrily and chugged down his whiskey.

“Indeed! I am glad that I am not in South Korea right now. This is a joyous occasion!” Tae-Hyun puffed on his fat cigar. “I can not believe that we were both deceived by that wretch! Good thing Lee Yun finished him off with only a needle.” He sniggered.

“Wait,” Toji sat upright. “It was my little Myoki who poisoned him.”

Tae-Hyun stopped laughing and lowered his cigar. “No… Lee Yun implanted a venomous needle in his neck.”

“But, I was told otherwise. So, who really did kill him?”

THE END