The Contract of Kyofu and Johnny

The bright neon lights flickered and danced across the glossy bar top, casting sharp colors that clashed with the smoky haze lingering in the air. From the corner speakers, The Lonely Note whispered soft, gentle jazz, wrapping the room in a velvet lullaby that felt almost out of place—like a secret rebellion against the city’s usual chaos. I perched on the edge of my stool, fingers curling around the cool glass of gin, savoring the sharp burn that promised more than just warmth. My striped suit skirt hugged my legs just right, but I shifted slightly anyway, adjusting the hem with a slow, deliberate motion. Appearance was everything—not just for the others watching, but for me. After all, a queen always made sure she looked worth guarding. Johnny would be here soon. I could feel it.

Rumors swirled like cigarette smoke about the last bodyguard—too soft, too loyal, and, frankly, too boring. They never lasted long. Loyalty was a luxury I couldn’t afford, especially when betrayal tasted so sweet and familiar. A queen like me didn’t need a yes-man; I needed a blade—sharp, dangerous, and with just enough edge to keep everyone guessing. That’s why I chose Johnny Black. His reputation was brutal but precise, like a scalpel cutting through the noise. I wasn’t expecting him to be soft, and I wasn’t about to give him the comfort of easy smiles.

I glanced at the door again, not because I was nervous—far from it. Patience was a game, and I played it better than most. Instead, I was curious, amused even. What kind of man walks into a den of vipers and doesn’t flinch? What kind of bodyguard looks at his queen and doesn’t immediately bow or break? Johnny Black wasn’t just another hired muscle; he was a question I intended to answer in my own way. And maybe, just maybe, the first one who’d make me want to lower my guard.

The door slid open with a quiet hiss, and there he was—Johnny Black. His robotic black armor was bulky but well-crafted, the kind that looked heavy but moved with surprising agility. Neon green lights glowed steadily at the sight areas and joints, casting a faint, ominous glow in the dim bar. He strode in with quiet confidence, eyes sweeping the room before locking onto me without hesitation. I watched him approach, a slow, knowing smile curling my lips. This was the man who thought he could keep up with me, protect me. I wondered already which of us would crack first. Sliding off the stool, I let my fingers trail lightly over the bar as I stepped closer, voice low and teasing. “You’re late,” I said. “I was starting to think you’d chicken out.”

I motioned to the bartender with a flick of my wrist, signaling a fresh glass of gin. “Drink up,” I said, sliding the glass toward him, my fingers lingering a moment too long near his armored hand. “You’ll need it if you want to keep up with me.” My eyes sparkled with mischief as I studied his unreadable expression. He didn’t flinch or smile, but something in the way he held himself told me he wasn’t easily shaken. Good. That made this game all the more interesting. Leaning in just a fraction, I let my voice drop an octave lower, barely more than a murmur. “Tell me, Johnny, do you always keep this calm when you’re walking into the lion’s den? Or is that just for me?”

Johnny’s eyes flickered briefly to the glass, then back to me, his jaw tightening just enough to show he noticed the slight touch. “Calm’s a luxury I can’t always afford,” he said, voice low and steady, “but I’m good at reading the room. And right now, it’s got one queen who’s testing her new guard.” His gaze didn’t waver, but there was a flicker of something—respect, maybe amusement? I smiled wider, letting my fingers trace a slow arc on the bar’s surface.

“Testing isn’t just a pastime,” I teased, leaning closer so the warmth of my breath might be a whisper against his armor. “It’s how I find out who’s worth keeping… and who’s worth breaking.” His eyes darkened in challenge. “Don’t worry, Johnny. I’m not easy to break.”

“Good,” he replied, voice roughening just a touch. “Neither am I.”

Before I could answer, the sharp click of a gun safety catching echoed from the far end of the bar. Heads snapped toward the sound—just for a second—before the usual haze swallowed the tension again. A group of rough-looking men in dark jackets whispered too loudly near the entrance, eyes darting like restless predators. I didn’t flinch. Johnny’s gaze sharpened, the neon glow reflecting off his armor as he subtly shifted, hand twitching near his side.

“Looks like the night just got more interesting,” I murmured, voice smooth but edged with warning. “Tell me, Johnny—are you ready for this kind of chaos? Or will I have to remind you who’s really in charge?”

I stood straighter, letting the hum of the neon lights mingle with the pulse of my own heartbeat. “Enough waiting,” I said, voice low but sharp, cutting through the bar’s simmering tension. My eyes locked onto the men, and with a slight tilt of my head, I signaled Johnny—time to show him how I run things. “You came here to protect me, didn’t you? Then keep your eyes open and your reflexes sharper. This is my world, and I decide what happens next.”

A slow smile curved my lips as I stepped forward, the weight of my presence pushing back the shadows. “Let’s remind them why crossing Kyofu Kurayami is the last mistake they’ll ever make.”

Johnny’s gaze tightened, the neon green lights on his armor flickering slightly as he readied himself. Without hesitation, he slid smoothly from the barstool, the bulk of his suit moving with surprising grace. His hand went instinctively to the side holster, fingers brushing the grip of his weapon, but he didn’t draw it—yet. Instead, he scanned the room with cold precision, calculating angles and exits in a heartbeat.

“Got it,” he said, voice low and steady, “I’m watching every move. No one’s getting past us tonight.”

He stepped closer to me, a silent promise of protection woven in his stance, and just like that, the game had truly begun.

I let the edges of my smile deepen, the kind that promised both danger and desire. “Good,” I whispered, voice dripping silk and steel. “Because in Zaibatsu, loyalty is expensive—and betrayal even more so.” My eyes flicked once more toward the men lingering near the entrance. They thought they could rattle me. They hadn’t met Johnny yet.

The neon haze thickened as I took a slow, deliberate step closer to him, feeling the subtle weight of his armored presence. “Keep your focus,” I murmured, “but don’t forget why you’re here.” My fingers brushed lightly against his forearm, a teasing touch that sent a quiet current through the space between us. “I hired you to guard more than just my life—consider it a warning and an invitation.”

Johnny’s eyes darkened, the stoic mask slipping for just a fraction as he met my gaze. There was something in that look—a silent acknowledgment that this wasn’t going to be easy. Or simple. Maybe even worth it.

Suddenly, a sharp laugh broke through the tension—a jagged sound from one of the men. The bar’s door rattled as they pushed inside, the scent of cheap liquor and malice flooding in. Johnny’s hand finally curled into a fist at his side, neon lights flickering with the charge of imminent action.

I straightened my spine and pulled my jacket tighter, ready to step into the fire that was our world. “Let them come,” I said, voice steady. “We’ll show them exactly why Kyofu Kurayami doesn’t lose.”

The night was just beginning.