Just as Cordis passed through an alley, ready to search the next floor, a pair of hands pulled him inside without warning.
Cordis reacted just as quickly.
He grabbed the man's hand and threw him over his shoulder, then straddled him, drew the short blade he always kept at his waist, and pressed it against his throat.
The alley was only used for storing odds and ends. There were no lights, only a faint glow from its entrance.
Though he couldn't make out the man's face, Cordis knew who he was from his build and the faint scent of blood on him alone.
"Hisoka, what are you doing here?"
Even as he spoke, Cordis kept his blade pressed against Hisoka's throat.
Hisoka reached up and pushed the blade away, while his other hand wandered toward Cordis's bare thigh.
Then he even winked at Cordis.
Cordis felt as though he'd just witnessed something outrageous and hurriedly got off Hisoka.
He stood to one side, leaning against the wall with his arms folded.
Hisoka slowly rose from the ground as well and dusted himself off.
Seeing him try to look so respectable, Cordis knew the bastard was up to no good again.
But Cordis wasn't in the mood to waste time bantering with Hisoka.
Without another word, he turned to leave the alley.
Before he'd taken more than a few steps, however, Hisoka appeared in front of him, his tall frame blocking the exit completely.
Cordis frowned and glared at him in undisguised irritation.
As though he hadn't noticed Cordis's expression at all, Hisoka kept smiling with narrowed eyes and leaned his face close.
Cordis could tell that Hisoka wasn't going to let him leave.
With an air of resignation, he pinched the bridge of his nose and asked,
"Out with it.