One day in class, you're partnered up with the quiet kid not many of your peers talk to in order to do a science project with him. His eyes flick up to yours, as he sits in his desk and stares boredly at you. "So...you're my partner, eh...?" He grins suddenly, narrowing his eyes, before offering his hand and smiling more brightly... "I'm Hachirō, but please...call me Hachi-kun, 'kay? I think we're gonna be good friends!" Internally, he's dissecting your every move and microexpression like a hawk, heart pounding.

Hachirō smiles brightly at your response, his piercing pink eyes sparkling with what appears to be genuine interest and pleasure. He grips your hand tightly, squeezing a little too hard for comfort as he looks deep into your soul...or so it seems. "Great! I can already tell we're going to get along just fine!" He then leans back in his seat, fingers laced together beneath his chin and gives you an expectant look, as if daring you to make the next move.

"Oh, we're just getting started!" Hachirō replies, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Why don't you tell me what subjects you think would be the best for our project? I have quite an extensive knowledge on taxidermy and knife-sharpening techniques..." His voice trails off suggestively, eyes flicking meaningfully to your hands before snapping back to meet yours again in a direct stare. He holds his breath, barely able to contain the anticipation coursing through him as he waits for your reply

"Very well, then!" Hachirō exclaims brightly, clearly relieved and eager to get started. "Meet me after school at the old abandoned shed behind the baseball field," he whispers conspiratorially, leaning in close as if sharing a secret. "I've got all of my supplies stashed there...and some extra surprises for you." His breath fogs up his glasses as he grins widely, showing off his pointy little canines before retreating back to the safety of his desk.

"Excellent!" Hachirō nearly squeals with glee before composing himself and giving you a polite, if somewhat distracted smile. "See you after school then, User#1733879185527! This is going to be the best project ever." He can't resist winking at you as he says this, a mischievous glint in his eye.

The rest of the day passes by excruciatingly slowly for him; every second feels like an eternity until he finally sees you trudging through the snowy field towards the dilapidated shed behind it. His heart flutters with anticipation as he hurriedly gathers up all his supplies and lays them out neatly on a makeshift workbench, humming tunelessly to himself.

Just as you're about to enter the dimly lit shed, he

Suddenly, a shadowy figure appears in the corner of your eye. Before you can even register what's happening, Hachirō leaps out with a knife in hand, pressing it against your throat. "I wouldn't move too quickly if I were you," he whispers icily into your ear, his breath hot on your neck. His eyes are wide and unblinking, fixed on something behind you. You cautiously turn around to see what's caught his attention...

A figure dressed in black clothing stands by the entrance to the shed, silhouetted against the dying light of day outside. Their body is tense and ready for action, as if preparing to pounce at any moment. You can't quite make out their face under the hood that covers it, but you feel a chill run down your spine nonetheless...

Without taking his knife off your throat, he replies with quiet venom: "This isn't someone you should be messing with. Now, I suggest we make a pact right now. You leave us alone and go back to whatever it was you were doing before...or things could get ugly." He presses the knife harder against your skin, drawing a thin line of blood. His breath hitches as adrenaline surges through his veins.

The figure in black says nothing for a moment, their body language remaining tense and wary. Finally, they turn away from you and slowly step back out into the falling snow...

"Yeah..." Hachi mutters, his voice barely audible over your ragged breathing as he slowly pulls the knife away from your throat. "That was...unexpected." His tone is not accusatory but more thoughtful, almost reflective. "Anyway," he continues, clearing his throat nervously, "let's get started with the project now that they're gone." He motions for you to follow him back over to the workbench where all his supplies are laid out neatly.

As you both begin working on your tasks assigned by their grand master plan of domination through taxidermy and knife-sharpening techniques...or so they tell themselves, a small smirk tugs at the corners of Hachi's lips. It is the smile of victory, albeit an oddly hollow one. They know that with this pact made under such intense circumstances

they will always have each other's backs...even if it means taking drastic measures against those who dare threaten their partnership. The thought fills them with a twisted sort of comfort, and they can't help but feel even closer to you as they work side by side, their knives and needles clacking softly in the silence of the shed.

Soon enough, dusk falls upon the abandoned shed, casting long shadows across the dusty floorboards. The air grows cold and still as snowflakes begin to dance outside the filthy windows. Even though they've made progress on their project today, there's always tomorrow...and more threats waiting just around the corner.

"You know..." Hachi starts conversationally, eyes fixed on the tiny stitches they're making in a rabbit pelt with practiced precision, "It's funny how life works sometimes." They chuckle to themselves under their breath, not realizing that you can hear them clearly. "Here I am, stuck with someone like you...and we end up becoming partners..." They trail off thoughtfully, looking for your reaction but not getting one yet since you're preoccupied with stitching up something yourself. "I guess we make quite a pair, huh?"

They pause for a moment before adding almost innocently: "...in more ways than one." This time, they can't help but look at you expectantly, wondering how you'll take their implied double meaning.

Hachirō chuckles softly at your reply. "Well, you know where to find me if you ever need someone to talk to," he says casually before returning his attention back to their shared project with renewed focus and dedication. For now, any further conversation seems pointless as they meticulously work on perfecting their crafts; knives honing against whetstones making a high-pitched shriek that cuts through the silence like a knife itself while stitches thread themselves tightly into the fur and skin of countless animals both dead and soon-to-be-so. As if drawn by some invisible force, their hands move in perfect synchrony; each motion mirroring the other's as if they've been practicing together for years instead of mere hours. And though there may be doubts lurking behind those pale blue eyes, Hachi resolves to trust this partner...for now at

They smile to themselves as they continue their meticulous work, relishing the feeling of contentment that washes over them when they're able to focus on something other than their own troubles. As the shadows lengthen and darkness begins to claim the old abandoned shed for its own, Hachirō can't help but wonder what tomorrow will bring...and if their newfound partnership will be strong enough to withstand whatever challenges come their way.

The thought comforts them slightly, like a warm blanket on a cold night. Maybe this partnership is exactly what they needed all along...or perhaps it's just fate's twisted sense of humor playing out its sick game once more. Either way, Hachi decides not to dwell on it too much. Tomorrow is another day full of possibilities - and with their new partner by their side, they feel ready for anything that comes their way...no matter how dangerous or unpredictable it might seem.

"Yeah," Hachi agrees with a nod, not meeting your gaze but instead looking out into the falling snowflakes drifting lazily past the filthy windowpanes. "Maybe we'll make quite a pair...who knows? Stranger things have happened." A small laugh escapes him before he quickly regains his composure, his focus returning to sharpening another blade beneath the faint light of an old, flickering lamp.

Suddenly, the thought strikes them that perhaps you should be his girlfriend...or at least a good friend. "Um..." Hachi hesitates for a moment before blurting out: "Would you like to hang out sometime after this whole project is done? Like, maybe go see a movie or something?" He blushes slightly as he asks the question, unable to meet your eyes but hoping that maybe - just maybe - there's even more of a bond between them than they thought.