Signore Octo looked like he was very close to grabbing a gun and shooting someone right now.

Richard cowered under his gaze. He was actually looking forward to meeting the panther, feeling proud that he had found such an important lead to Red Wolf. However, that expression made him reconsider his intentions. The panther had that serious look on his face that demanded respect, Richard knew that. This, meanwhile, was another thing entirely; Richard was not one to easily cower, yet right now, before Signore Octo's gaze, he dared not look up at all.

The lead he found a few days ago, it was quickly investigated by Signora Lucia and turned out to be accurate. Thomas Luis Purnama, as he was called, had a sparse but fitting background. An orphan known to be volatile at times, he was adopted by an Indonesian couple before an accident happened. Afterwards, he was adopted by another couple until another accident happened and he was detained in child prison. After release, he lived in an orphanage in Køpmanshavn till 16 years old when he moved out. He was offered to be taken into the Indonesian embassy in Øsefård and offered citizenship on the basis of adoption from his first stepparents, but he declined and chose to remain South Icelandic. He moved into a small flat building near the Barrowislander city limits just before the woods until he was granted a scholarship and moved to the University of Barrowisle student dorms. He had a history of being out of control and had psychopathic tendencies.

As much as he wanted to tell Octo that, right now, not even Signore Ludwig dared look him in the eyes. The bear's words seemed unfocused. No one in the room even dared to move. Signore Octo came here only asking for reports, a very, very condensed version of it… basically just asking whether they had found Red Wolf and how. His expression hadn't changed at all since he came here.

What happened? He wasn't one to pry into people's lives, but really, if looks could kill, he was sure he would be dead the moment Signore Octo looked at him.

When a chair creaked, Richard realised that Signore Ludwig was done talking. The room was silent, as if Signore Octo's own presence oozed guaranteed death and no one wanted to be a part of it. Richard had been in a room with his father—Signore Giuseppe, whom he'd recently known to be his father—but not even he had an aura this menacing.

Octo gave a sigh. He only looked at the folder on the table dirtily as if it offended him. The sound of his waving tail was almost audible in the room as he shifted on the seat. “You have located Red Wolf, correct?"

“Y-yes, sir." Ludwig replied.

Octo looked back at the folder. He didn't open it, as if he were waiting for more explanation but at the same time not bothered by it at all. He gripped his chin. “Inform me when Operation Red Wolf 2's plans are finalized. I want to have a look before approving it."

“Yes, sir."

“I trust this will not be a total failure like Operation Red Wolf?"

“Yes, sir. We're working on the plans."

The panther looked back up at the bear who was looking down. His ear twitched, and Richard instantly looked down, not wanting to be acknowledged.

“Ludwig, look at me." There were a few moments of silence. “I trust this will not be a total failure like Operation Red Wolf?"

“Y-yes, sir. This will not be a total failure like Operation Red Wolf."

“Che caratteristico." Signore Octo chuckled a little, sending chills down his spine. “The uncertainty in your voice is even more audible than your words," There was a screech of a chair being pulled back. “but I know that the plans are not ready. I expect this to be more effective than Operation Wolven Eye last summer holiday, the one which resulted in nothing. Quite fortunate, or suspicious, that the only lead we have is a folder found by Richard just a few days ago."

The hyena flinched at the mention of his name. He closed his eyes, not wanting to see whether everyone was looking at him or not.

There were more shuffling sounds, making him shut his eyes tighter. “I feel no need to repeat myself about the plans, sì?" He could hear footsteps growing closer and closer before finally going away. “Dismissed."

When he heard a door being shut, he opened his eyes, just in time when everyone let go of their breath.

Whether he liked it or not, Signore Octo was still one of the owners of this operation. Richard wasn't sure if he wanted to serve under him or not, now that he knew just how scary the panther can actually be.

So, this is Red Wolf, huh?

Richard stared at the Walkirie Station entrance. A grey wolf was walking there, small, probably a little shorter than him. He was accompanied by a German Shepherd dog bigger than him. They looked happy. They were carrying some grocery bags, just chatting as they went into the station.

This is Red Wolf? He repeated the question inside his mind as he narrowed his eyes. This is fuckin' Red Wolf?

Frankly, he was dumbfounded. He knew not to judge anyone so quickly. Even an innocent man could turn out to be a ruthless killer. However, this was outright a joke. That wolf over there was not red, moreover, he did not even look like he could hurt a fly. Hell, he wouldn't really be surprised if his first suspicion were on that big German Shepherd next to him.

The only thing that signified “red" from him was his eyes. Richard had scrutinised it before. His eyes were red; although they looked kind of brownish from afar, the closer he got, the redder they became. That unnerved him; maybe that was why he was called Red Wolf?

“Is that really him?" Oliver said next to him.

He huffed. “Apparently. Shinori's already inside?"

“Yeah. Really boss, shouldn't reconnaissance be given to Signora Carolina?"

The hyena clicked his tongue. “I'll tell you when Big Boss gets his mind back. Now wait here. Shinori and I should be back by sunset." He began walking towards the station. “Go eat something, Oliver. You didn't eat breakfast."

He didn't hear the ibex's answer as he was already crossing the street and into the station. Tapping his public transport card on the gate, he followed this Red Wolf and his… guard, maybe, into the platform. Keeping his distance, he took his phone out and pretended to check his social media all the while his ears pointed towards them. He noticed Shinori a bit farther away from them, but he didn't acknowledge the Akita.

He put his phone back into his pocket. His outfit didn't seem too suspicious, did it? He usually didn't do reconnaissance. He was more of an information finder from a third party.

Now that he thought about it, that was also reconnaissance.

But no, he didn't observe the target directly like this. He obtained information from other sources, usually Grant, but there were more. He reported those findings to Signora Lucia despite her much higher position. In a way, he felt like he was someone expendable, someone who was given the fieldwork because he could be easily replaced. The same way Rodrigo was, bless his soul.

The metro arrived and Red Wolf went inside. Richard locked eyes with Shinori, then they both nodded and went inside.

It wasn't very packed inside, unfortunately. The hyena was kind of expecting it to be packed because he could blend in easier in the sea of people. Red Wolf and his guard sat down on the available seat with Shinori sitting across them, but at the end of the seat near the door. Richard instead held onto the handrail as the seats were all filled up. He didn't make himself too invisible—were he noticed, that would make him even more suspicious. It was a bit hard to do since the wolf's red eyes kind of fascinated him, but he would do his best.

Red Wolf pulled his phone again, this time not pointing his ears towards them. The metro was a bit loud, but their conversation could easily be heard from his position. Eavesdropping on their conversation, he couldn't help but feel… a little… well…

“…seriously, are we gonna go spend the night under the stars in the park? That's some romantic shit right there!"

“No, mate, that's cringy."

“I thought you were into romantic stuff like that."

“I do but the way you say that makes that sound questionable."

“Questionable how? There's just gonna be me, you, and the stars! And maybe the grass."

“Yes but we have work tomorrow."

The German Shepherd laughed. “Stop worrying about work, wolf. I'm pretty sure Lucas won't miss you if you come 5 mins late."

“He won't but my boss sure will." Red Wolf chuckled a bit and put his phone away—yeah he had been talking with the German Shepherd while typing on his phone. “I'm starting to question if your boss hasn't told you off by now."

“Why don't you tell me off now?"

“That seems to sound quite inadvisable to be done and I don't think I have the capacity to do such a thing on someone so meticulously careful of their actions like you."

“Damn, I gotta stop you from buying any more books." The dog grinned, tapping their bag twice. “What's that supposed to mean?"

“I was saying that you're perfect the way you are." The wolf smiled.

Richard turned a bit red and covered his face behind his phone. He wasn't gay, but he had to admit, Red Wolf had a way with words. It had been a while since he had a date, so he couldn't help but feel envious of him. He would like to be just as smooth. Judging by the way they either chuckle or roll their eyes, it seemed the other passengers thought the same, aside from a few who sneered.

“Speaking of books," Red Wolf continued despite the dog next to him still laughing softly with his ears going down. “open one, ya? You go listen to music or something. Don't disturb me."

“Don't you want me to read the book for you?"

“Shut up. Go away."

The dog laughed again, but then he pulled one book from their bag and gave it to the wolf. After that, he gave the wolf a pat on the head and took his headset out, listening to some music.

Well, it looked like the rest of the journey would be spent in silence.

Indeed it was. As Richard sagged slightly because he was getting tired of standing like this, he lessened his attention to Red Wolf. The wolf was deep in his book while the dog was asleep next to him, listening to music. They passed several stations already. Where were they going?

The metro stopped at a station, leaving the seats mostly vacant. Richard sat down on the available seat in the corner of the car. He was about to take his phone again when he noticed it.

Red Wolf's ears were directed at him.

The hyena ignored that and just turned his phone on while inside he furrowed his brows. How did he notice? Had he been noticing him all this time? He didn't do anything suspicious, right?

He huffed and put his phone down while glancing in Red Wolf's general direction. The wolf's ears were no longer pointed at him, so maybe that was just the wolf noticing him sitting down. He shifted a bit on the seat, still focusing on the book.

In the corner of the seat across from Red Wolf, Shinori looked bored. He was playing with his phone, occasionally yawning. Richard fought the urge to facepalm. Right now, that was not a disguise. Shinori really was bored. Maybe it was true that he should have brought Oliver or Jun instead. They were more suitable for this.

Folgende stand: Greter Temsøw. Þa døre sjålen an báð síðen åpnen. Next station: Greater Temsøw. The door will open on both sides.

Hearing that, Red Wolf closed the book he was reading and put it back in the paper bag. He sat up straighter and woke the dog up. “Mate, come on, we're here."

The German Shepherd stretched a bit. Richard locked eyes with Shinori, who looked excited that they were getting down. He made a gesture to prepare to get off the metro and follow them.

Not long after, the metro stopped and the doors opened. He got off the metro and followed Shinori as he trailed the wolf from behind. He tapped his public transport card on the gate, then followed them outside.

Outside, Red Wolf and the dog—maybe his boyfriend—got onto the tram. Shinori was quick to follow them, but Richard was too late. No matter. If he followed them, he could be seen as more suspicious. He only sent a text to Shinori to keep following them and send him the location. The Akita replied to him with an affirmation.

Putting his phone down, the hyena let out a huge sigh as he walked to a bus stop nearby.

This Red Wolf was… well, he really wanted to greet and congratulate him for being so slick and such a pain in the arse. Was this really Red Wolf, though? Probably. This was just an early observation, so he could be wrong. For now, he couldn't decide whether to trust the document or not. Signora Lucia was still fleshing out his background, and even with her extensive network of informants, that still took longer than expected

Somehow… Richard wasn't sure if he wanted to be a part of this operation. This could cost him his life if the document were to be trusted. Red Wolf wasn't just ruthless, he also had psychopathic tendencies if not outright psychopathic. Ending up on an operation table wasn't really the best way to go.

For now, though, he just sat down on the available seat at the bus stop. Free from anyone, his underlings or bosses or any of the mafia members, he let his resolve fall just for a while.

“Hey, uh… Richie, right?"

The hyena looked up. A Doberman was walking towards him, an easy smile on his face and some grocery bags in hand. Richard's ear twitched in surprised irritation; was that one of the guys he met during the summer festival a few months ago?

Goddamn, he couldn't even get a five-minute break.

Richard just ignored him. He did say Richie, not Richard, but there was no one else at the bus stop.

“Yeah, you, Richie." The Doberman came closer.

“Richie?" He crossed his arms. “You're calling me?"

“Of course. It's Richie, right?"

Richard rolled his eyes. “Richard."

“Oh, right, Richard. Sorry." The dog laughed a bit, then took something from one of the grocery bags and gave him it. “Juice?"

He eyed the hand. “No."

“Don't think about it. I just bought more than I needed." The Doberman still threw it towards him, leaving him with no choice but to catch it.

He snorted as he inspected it. “John, right?"

“Yeah. So, catching the bus?"

“Not really." He shrugged and put the small box of juice into his jacket pocket.

“You live around here, yeen?"

“No." After a bit of a pause, he continued. “You?"

“No, I live in Wonsberg, Øverhill shire."

“So, what're you doing here then?" He asked, feeling a little more relaxed now. He wasn't a fan of small talk like this, but he didn't know he was this uptight. Red Wolf had really taken all his attention recently.

John took another juice and opened the small box. “Here for my fiancé. She's having a party with her friends. Her flat's all empty. You wanna come over and watch some football or something?"

Richard eyed John. While the Doberman was easily bigger and more muscled than him, he looked friendly. That shouldn't really be a reason not to be suspicious of him, though. Despite his size, Richard was still confident that he could take him down if necessary. “No." replied the hyena carefully, still eyeing the dog.

The bus honked as it approached the stop.

That didn't seem to offend the Doberman. John just gave a friendly chuckle, finishing his drink and throwing the empty juice box into the bin. “Eh, that's fine." He gathered his stuff. “You can find me in that block over there, three roads away behind Asjeneberg Square if you wanna come over. I'm here till next week. See you round." he said, then got onto the bus.

Richard just grunted as he watched the Doberman.

Where was he? Oh, right, Shinori. He took his phone out and found a message. The Akita said that he might need more time because Red Wolf and his guardian went to a restaurant first. That gave him a bit of time to catch up.

He began walking towards the location Shinori shared. It was quite far, so he hoped he could get there before they were finished.

On another note, his stomach rumbled, so he turned to a minimarket to buy some snacks to accompany the juice John gave him. He might need it to deal with Red Wolf, and in extension, Signore Octo later.