28: Chapter 28: First Blood

The afternoon sunlight filtered through the leaves of the plane trees, casting mottled shadows on the sidewalk.

Lin Long held Miyano Akemi's hand as they strolled down the streets of Ginza. Her fingertips were slightly cool and trembled with a hint of nervousness, but she did not pull away.

"Mr. Lin Long, are we really going to watch a movie?"

Miyano Akemi asked softly, her eyes filled with anticipation mixed with some unease.

In her memories, "watching a movie" meant the old films she used to sneakily watch with her younger sister, Shiho, when they were children. After growing up and being controlled by the Organization, almost all entertainment had been cut off for her.

"Of course."

Lin Long turned to look at her. His long blood-red hair shimmered softly in the sunlight, and his red eyes held a warm smile.

"I've already booked a place, and I guarantee you'll like it."

The "place" he spoke of was a private cinema hidden on the top floor of an office building.

The Shadow Guards had long since checked it out; this was the most private and secure place to watch movies in Tokyo. Each room was an independent suite equipped with top-tier audio-visual equipment, and it absolutely would not leak any customer information.

The elevator went straight to the top floor. A waiter in a black suit respectfully led the way. The hallway was covered in thick carpet that absorbed all sound, and the walls were decorated with posters of classic movies, creating a perfect atmosphere.

"Mr. Lin, your room has arrived."

The waiter swiped open a hidden door and bowed as he retreated.

Lin Long pushed the door open and gestured for Miyano Akemi to enter.

Miyano Akemi smiled slightly and walked in with an elegant posture.

Upon entering the room, Miyano Akemi was instantly stunned.

How was this a "cinema"?

This was clearly a warmly decorated bedroom suite—directly in front was a huge projection screen, with a projector and sound system placed to the side. In the center of the room was a wide double bed covered with soft velvet sheets, and next to it was a small bar counter stocked with red wine and fruit.

Warm yellow light spilled down from the ceiling, and the air was filled with a faint scent of aromatherapy, so gentle that it made one lower their guard.

"Mr. Lin Long..."

Miyano Akemi stammered, her cheeks instantly flushing red.

"Di-did we go to the wrong place?"

"Aren't we here to watch a movie? Why, why did we come to a place like this?"

Her heart was beating fast, and her eyes darted around nervously. Especially when she saw that double bed, even the tips of her ears turned red.

This setup was too ambiguous, making her unable to stop her wild imagination.

Lin Long walked into the room and closed the door behind him. Only the sound of their breathing remained in the room.

He walked to the bar, poured himself a glass of red wine, and said with a calm expression:

"Hmm, that's right, this is a cinema."

"This is a private cinema. You can watch movies and rest here; it's very convenient."

He raised his glass and swirled it towards Miyano Akemi:

"Don't be nervous. We're just here to watch a movie; it's fine."

"We're all good friends, it's okay."

He walked to the on-demand screen beside the curtain and tapped it:

"Come on, you pick. Which one do you want to watch? There are many classic movies here."

Seeing his serious demeanor, the panic in Miyano Akemi's heart lessened slightly, though she was still a bit shy.

She lowered her head and took small steps to Lin Long's side. Her gaze swept rapidly across the movie titles on the screen without really seeing the content, and she pointed at one randomly:

"Let's, let's watch this one."

Lin Long took a look at the movie she chose—"Before Sunrise," a romance film known for its romantic dialogue.

He raised an eyebrow and didn't change it, though he had been prepared all along—he had long since had the Shadow Guards add a "special" movie to the list, hidden in the romance category.

"Alright, let's watch this."

Lin Long pressed the play button. The lights in the room dimmed, leaving only the screen illuminated, showing the scene where the male and female leads met on the streets of Vienna.

He walked to the bed and sat down, patting the spot beside him:

"Sit down."

Miyano Akemi hesitated for a moment before sitting down cautiously. Her body was rigid as she hugged the edge of the bed, keeping a distance from Lin Long, her hands nervously clutching her skirt.

The movie began to play. The male and female leads chatted about life on the streets, their dialogue witty and romantic, and the atmosphere gradually became relaxed.

Miyano Akemi became engrossed, her tense body slowly relaxing. Occasionally, she would be amused by the plot, revealing shallow dimples.

Lin Long wasn't watching the movie; his gaze was fixed on Miyano Akemi's face—

The light cast soft contours on her profile, her long eyelashes fluttered gently as she blinked, and the curve of her lips when she smiled was as gentle as moonlight.

He could clearly feel her presence and smell the faint scent of shampoo in her hair. The fire within him began to stir again.

Just then, the movie scene suddenly changed—the male and female leads walked into a hotel, and the camera angle became ambiguous. Although there was no explicit nudity, the use of light, shadow, and sound conveyed a strong sense of intimacy.

Miyano Akemi froze instantly, her breath hitching, and her cheeks flushed red in a "whoosh," even redder than they had been at the restaurant.

"Ah!"

She let out an involuntary cry, covering her eyes with both hands. Her body trembled slightly, like a frightened little rabbit.

Lin Long watched her reaction, a hint of a smile flashing in his eyes.

Interestingly, there were large gaps between her fingers, and her eyes were still peeking through the gaps at the screen, clearly curious yet shy.

He deliberately leaned closer and asked in a low voice in her ear:

"What's wrong? Is it not good?"

His warm breath blew against her earlobe, and Miyano Akemi flinched as if scalded, pulling her neck back and shaking her head:

"No, it's not..."

The scene in the movie continued, the dialogue between the leads becoming tender and lingering, and the atmosphere growing thicker.

Miyano Akemi's breathing grew rapid, and her body began to heat up, as if the surrounding air itself had risen in temperature.

Lin Long's heart also beat faster and faster. Looking at her flushed cheeks and evasive eyes, and listening to her suppressed breathing, the "inner fire" within him was completely ignited, and flames seemed to be dancing in his red eyes.

He reached out and gently touched Miyano Akemi's shoulder.

"Ah!"

She shivered in fright and turned to look at him, her eyes watery, filled with panic and a hint of imperceptible anticipation.

"Akemi,"

Lin Long's voice was hoarse and magnetic,

"It's so inconvenient to watch a movie sitting up. Let's lie down."

Before Miyano Akemi could react, he reached out and pulled her into his arms.

"Mm!"

Miyano Akemi exclaimed in surprise. Losing her balance, she fell onto the soft bed with Lin Long.

She lay on Lin Long's chest, clearly hearing his powerful heartbeat, "thump-thump" knocking against her eardrum, making her dizzy.

The scent of cedar on Lin Long, mixed with the smell of red wine, surrounded her, making her body go limp, so much so that she didn't even have the strength to push him away.

"Mr. Lin Long..."

Her voice was as thin as a mosquito's hum, her cheek pressed against his shirt, burning hot.

Lin Long didn't speak; he just adjusted his position to make them both lie more comfortably, still holding her, his gaze returning to the screen, looking as if he was "concentrating on the movie."

But his arm held her very tightly, locking Miyano Akemi firmly in his embrace, allowing her to clearly feel the temperature and strength of his body.

The intimate scenes in the movie continued, the gasps of the male and female leads coming through the speakers, exceptionally clear in the quiet room.

Miyano Akemi's body temperature rose higher and higher, her body trembling involuntarily. She could feel Lin Long's heartbeat as fast as her own, and could feel his hand on her waist, carrying a scorching temperature.

Miyano Akemi's mind went blank, leaving only instinctive shyness and a hint of indescribable palpitation.

Slowly, Lin Long's hand began to wander, moving slowly up along her waistline, gently brushing over her back.

"Mr. Lin Long... you..."

Miyano Akemi trembled all over, lifted her head, and looked at him with dazed eyes, her voice carrying a shy, coquettish reprimand, but without any real resistance.

Lin Long lowered his head, meeting her watery eyes, his red eyes filled with affection and desire.

Lin Long didn't speak; he just lowered his head and gently kissed her lips.

Miyano Akemi's eyes widened, her body stiffened for a moment, then softened, closing her eyes and clumsily responding to him.

The kiss started gently and gradually became fiery.

Lin Long's hand unbuttoned her dress, and Miyano Akemi's hands subconsciously grabbed his shirt...

The movie was still playing, the voices of the leads becoming the most ambiguous background music.

And for the two leads watching the movie, their clothes also inexplicably "disappeared."

The temperature in the room rose higher and higher. Clothes were discarded one by one on the carpet beside the bed, like fallen flower petals.

Lin Long's long blood-red hair scattered on the sheets, intertwined with Miyano Akemi's long black hair. His red eyes reflected her flushed face, filled with possessiveness and tenderness.

Miyano Akemi held him tightly, burying her face in the crook of his neck, feeling his breath and strength. All her anxiety and fear disappeared, leaving only unprecedented peace and palpitation.

Miyano Akemi's eyes were filled with confusion and deep infatuation as she stared intently at Lin Long.

She knew that from this moment on, she belonged completely to this man.

And Lin Long, since coming to this world, had finally achieved his first "kill."

The sunlight outside the window gradually slanted westward. The light and shadow in the room changed. The movie had long finished playing, leaving only the faint light of the projector reflecting on the two embracing figures.

Miyano Akemi curled up in Lin Long's arms, her cheeks flushed, her breathing even, clearly exhausted.

Lin Long gently stroked her long hair, his red eyes filled with a satisfied smile.

He lowered his head and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead.

"Akemi, from now on, you are mine."

Miyano Akemi murmured a soft "Mm" in her sleep, shrinking into his arms like a kitten that had found its home.

Lin Long smiled, held her tighter, closed his eyes, and enjoyed this rare tranquility.