Chapter 4

Akari

My brain fails to comprehend his outrageous claim.

Did he just say I'm pregnant?

But I have never...

"WHAT?!" gasps Leena as her eyes are wide open. She glares at me furiously.

Rio sighs as she slaps her forehead. "He went and did it..."

"I bet we need to get a baby room ready, huh?" Nagisa remarks sarcastically.

With a smug on his face, Karma peers at Leena's shocked face. He risks a glance at me, catching my dumbfounded look that immediately evolved into a glare, barely winces and continues his bold lie. "Since a child is on the way, I suppose I can't marry you but her. Besides, I love her. You? Not really."

Steam fumes from Leena's face that reddens from humiliation. "My father won't be pleased about this!"

Karma laughs. "I don't really care. It's even better that the board council votes against me and gets me fired so that I don't have to constantly fear for my life on this line of work and also avoid seeing you. I've earned enough money to start a family at the suburbs and open a tiny cafe for living." He yawns. "Yakuza business isn't really my thing. It's because my father is old that I have to be his substitute. I was too young by then to reject him. Now that I'm capable, nothing can stand in my way. Not you. Not your father. No one."

Leena puffs her cheeks in rage at the humiliation. She grits her teeth as her hands ball into fists. If she intends to pounce on me, I'm ready for her. But she barely regards everyone in the room and bolts out through the door. However, I fear this is not the end to her.

First it is silence. Then Nagisa breaks it. "So... We have a wedding to prepare?" Nagisa asks. "I think I got the perfect wedding planner for you."

I frown as I push Karma away. I lift a finger in his face to emphasize my point. "One, you did not just broke the rule. Two, I swear to God I did not do that with you so I can't be pregnant. And three, I have never said I'd marry you!"

He blinks, not intimidated. "One, yeah, I know I broke it. You can punish me. Two, it was just a lie to force Leena cancel the wedding. Do you really want to see me marry her? I thought you love me. Three, I bet it did occur to you at some point in your life. Besides, we didn't need a baby to marry. I might be proposing you tonight. Or tomorrow. And the day after that. But if you really need a baby, we can just-"

I kick him in the shin. He yelps.

Rio raises her hand in the air to ask a question. "You do realize we're still right here, right? So if you want to make out or something, please do it after we leave. Though..." She eyes me and Karma. "A baby between you both... Aka-chan's good DNA will most probably dilute out Karma's devilish DNA so I'm fine with a little godchild."

"I can be the godfather," Nagisa adds innocently.

This looks more like a prank instead of an innocent offer.

"I AM NOT HAVING A BABY WITH HIM!" I shout.

Karma chuckles. "Oh. My wife is outraged. Better get her some desserts."

"I AM NOT YOU WIFE DAMN IT!"

I ignore Karma for the rest of the day because his so-called joke was not funny. I fume in my room, thinking of countless ways to make him pay for making me look like some slut. A tiny part of my brain rebels by contemplating on if it is nice to have a family with him.

For the love of God. I'm still a spy, not some maiden ready to be married to a Yakuza head.

Yes. My mission. I almost forgot about it. It is as if Karma has cast a love spell on me, causing me to lose track of my objectives.

I dial Korosensei's phone number on my phone. "Korosensei, we need to talk."

True to his appearance, my boss is never the inconspicuous person in town. He always draws attention wherever he goes, especially children crowding around him in bustling streets, believing that he is some mascot or clown. Thus, he never participated in spying or tracking down criminals. Even with his impeccable speed, he would always end up messing the missions.

The best disguise artist in the facility is Sugaya. He tries to make perfect human-like disguises for Korosensei so that he can blend in and not being left out by his own team. But Korosensei is too yellow and huge in a way that Sugaya has given up on him. Thus my boss holes himself in his office because that is the only thing he can do not ruining our missions and also not infuriating Karasuma.

"Nurufufufufu… so Ayano-san, what brings you here?"

I roll my eyes at the large figure cramped on a short kiddy chair painted in vibrant colours. Around us the walls are decorated with colourful cartoons of current children favourites. Kiddy squeals pierce my ears now and then as children run around; sometimes they would scurry under the tiny tea table before me. I take a sip from the pink-coloured Barbie-stickered cup and my face contorts from the tea's overly sweetness. A sigh escapes my mouth as I glare at Korosensei for picking such a wondrous destination.

"It's the best place I can think of!" Korosensei defends himself. "No one would think we're meeting up here!"

But a children playground within a shopping mall, really?

"Do you have the information I need?" Korosensei asks, trying to balance all his eight feet while suffering from cramping his big butt onto the tiny chair.

I scratch my head. "Not really."

"Hey octopus man! Can we get a hug!" a girl screeches as she and her friends approach us.

"NURUFUFUFU!" Korosensei's face lights up with a pinkish colour of giddiness as he stretches his arms wide open. The children pounce onto him, squishing and pinching his flesh. He loves attention, that narcissist. Here is undoubtedly the best place to get affection, aside from his office where we would occasionally glare at him for his clumsiness. Of course, no sane adult would hug their boss, let alone an extra-terrestrial, non-human, perverted octopus.

"Pedophile," I remark. He chokes.

As the children finally return to their previous attention, I continue the solemn topic. "Sorry, boss. I still haven't dug out anything suspicious yet. It's been a month. I thought Karasuma would have withdrawn me."

"You know well being a spy takes more patience and time. And besides, I believe you wish not to leave there forever, regarding your new boss is now emotionally, physically, and romantically attached to you?"

My turn to choke.

"…and vice versa," Korosensei adds evilly with a smirk. "I assume your seduction skills are in good training."

"I did not seduce him."

"But I've heard you are now lovers with your boss. Nurufufufufufu… this is such an interesting matter. I've told you that you'd fallen in love and you did! Congratulations! I bet that boss is irresistible right?"

"It's nothing more than a ruse," I lie, trying to maintain my professionalism.

Korosensei's face inches closer. "Lying is not good for your health, Okumura-san."

"Refrain from calling my real name please."

"Nurufufufufu…" Korosensei's face is a brighter shade of pink as he reaches into his pocket to pull out a tiny note book. On the cover inscribed the words 'Gossip between my lackeys'. "I bet you did every couple would do. So tell me… what did you do?"

I blush, as if Korosensei has been spying on me and Karma for a long time and knew everything. "You perverted boss! Don't tell me you send me to undercover for the sake of your book and not a real mission? I'm calling Karasuma-san," I threaten.

"NUYA! Don't! I swear to God it's a real mission! Not just for the sake of gossip!"

So gossip is still one of your reasons, huh?!

The tentacles flail in air, flustered. He easily panics than normal people as well. "I… I heard from Irina! It's just that! So I got hyped!"

Irina?

"Now Irina got pissed for sending you to a suicidal mission, in terms of romance. I'll never get a glimpse of her grandeur again…"

"You pervert."

"Please do not discontinue the mission! You know well that Ayakawa is a Yakuza clan that we have to stay guard on to prevent any tragedies from happening! We still do not know the real purpose behind their sudden docile nature or they might be just feigning to cover something huge in the making!"

"Or it's just Karma…" I blurt.

"You mean the Yakuza head?"

I nod. "He looks violent as first but he seems like a decent man. At least he stops his men from spilling blood or doing illegal things. Though, wouldn't that topple the main objective of a Yakuza?"

"But as a decent man as he looks, he must have some pretty good skills to get someone like you." Korosensei nonchalantly sips his tea. I throw a chair at his face. He dodges.

"I told you I—"

He snickers. "Do you really believe that I'd fall for your petty lies? I've never seen such a healthy and vibrant glow on you. You look cheerful than previous before I sent you to Ayakawa. Only love or money can make a woman glow. I assume it's love, in your case."

"You are a very nosy boss."

"I care for my colleagues."

I exert a sigh. "Whatever." I rise from my seat. "I still haven't collected any useful information yet so—"

"I get it. Don't withdraw you from the mission even if you would complete it in the future because you would prefer to stay with him forever. I understand."

I glare at him.

"Though… don't get too emotionally attached, Akari. As much as I care for my colleagues' love affairs, may I remind you, that you are still carrying a fake identity as Ayano Akari. Your life could be easily destroyed if your mission is compromised. It's a ticking bomb. Your mission and your relationship with Akabane. Once either of it blows up, there's nothing left for you. I suggest you find what you need and get out of there."

I blink at his unexpected warning – wise yet full of hazards.

He's right. My relationship with Karma is a ticking bomb. It will blow up sooner or later.

Then, I would be left of nothing.

The dining hall back in Ayakawa is unusually quiet and devoid of humans at the time for dinner. The pictures of previous Ayakawa heads stare back at me as I tentatively walk through the large hall to the back – the kitchen.

I thought of picking up my dinner here then retreat to my room without meeting Karma. The lights overhead blink dangerously with every step I take. If only this is something paranormal I would be expecting some ghosts – at least I know what I'm up against. But in Ayakawa, I remain cautious all the time, wondering if someone has already found me out and decide to take me out with my back turned – I wouldn't know I'm dead and how did I die.

The lights suddenly extinguished and the hall soaks in eternal darkness. A few tiny lights flicker deeper into the hall, beckoning me to come. My boots crunched on the smooth polished floor as I take meticulous steps. Are those lights for real? Are they… ghost fires?!

I see a figure shuffling in the shadows as I got close. The lights revealed themselves as long, spiraled candles on a table covered with white satin cloth. I remain cautious against the shuffling figure moving towards me. But as the candlelight cast on his flaming red hair that burns up in the dark, I jolt with surprise when he catches my hand, trying to stop me from running away in fright.

"Sorry," Karma mutters. "I thought the candlelight is sufficient. But it seems it's still too dark here."

"What are you doing?" I ask, not yanking my hand from his grip.

"Umm… trying to make up for the crude joke I made?"

I peel his hand off mine. "No skinship."

He pouts innocently. "Sorry." He shifts to the chair near me and pulls it for me. "Please sit, my lady."

"Being such polite is not your thing," I retort and take my seat.

He smirks. "So you wish that I'm a devil? As devilish as I may be, I will still treat you the nicest."

I watch the candles' flame flicker. "What's for dinner?"

Karma picks up a bell on the table and rings it. A figure emerges from the kitchen doors. Only when the candlelight cast upon his face I realize it is Nagisa. He bows at me politely and places a plate of steak before Karma and I respectively. "Good evening, Akari-chan. We have here today is Wagyu ribeye, medium rare with our chef's special sauce."

"Chef?"

Nagisa's gaze rests upon Karma.

"You cooked these?" I ask and shift my gaze from him to the steak.

He flashes a smile. "Bon apetit, my lady."

I cut a tiny piece and place it into my mouth. It tastes just right, with its perfect tenderness and juiciness. The sauce accentuates the original taste of the delicious beef. Karma is such a capable chef. I wish he would cook for me forever.

"You are wishing that I can be your chef forever," Karma voices out my thoughts like he is some psychic. "I'd do that for you only."

"I never said that, narcissist."

"Denial, are we?" He cuts off a piece of beef and shoves it to my mouth. "Open wide."

"No."

"Say 'ahhh~'"

I glance at Nagisa, who clears his throat and takes his leave. Without someone staring I quickly bite off Karma's fork. He grins with satisfaction. He then opens his mouth wide, gesturing me to do the same to him. I reluctantly feed him. He enjoys it with happiness.

Music suddenly swivels in the air. Not far from us, a maiden plays a violin under the spotlight. Her deft hands move agilely while producing sweet and lulling melodies. She dons a long, maroon dress reaching the floor. Her pinkish peach hair is tied up as a bun. Eyes closed, she focuses on playing the song. I realize I've seen her somewhere. She was the one who bumped into our make-out in the kitchen.

"Who'd know a sniper would be a violinist," remarks Karma.

"What's her name?" I ask.

"Hayami Rinka. She is a super tsundere. But you're a super duper tsundere."

I kick his feet under the table. He winces.

After the main course, a familiar girl with golden blonde hair gleaming in the dark serves us dessert. "Enjoy," says Rio and she retreats to give us privacy.

I stare at Karma. "How many of your workers you dragged into this?"

Karma taps his chin. "Nagisa, Rio, Hayami… hmm there's few more who helped me set up the table. Well, they do want you to be happy so that you would say yes when I throw you the question."

I eat a spoonful of cake. "What question?"

Karma's hand darts across the table and grabs mine. He stares at me with glitter in his eyes. "Will you marry me, Akari?"

I blush and I choke. My mouth agape. "W-what? You're joking right?"

"No, I'm not." His tone is solemn.

My hand trembles under his hand. He grips it tighter to calm me down. "K-karma, don't you think it's a little bit too early for this? I mean, we barely known each other."

Aside the fact that I'm a spy.

Is this a predicament the heavens have sent to test me? To see whether if I can pick the right choice between work and love? Or is just an ominous premonition, warning me that soon the ticking bomb will go off and it will destroy everything in my life?

I need to wisely pick the right choice. I… I have to… I cannot give him false hope. I cannot hurt his feelings with that false hope. My heart jumps up and down from the jittery nerves and also from a sudden surge of happiness. If not for my rationality in the way, I would probably be squealing with happiness like every girl would.

This can only mean I love Karma so much I'm willing to marry him after a month.

"We can know each other better after we marry," says Karma. "And fulfill the duties of husband and wife."

Pervert.

I cannot give him false hope. I hypnotize myself. I cannot accept the proposal. I…

"I know I don't have a ring yet… but I was kinda' hoping that you'd go and choose it with me. Akari-"

"Did you propose to me because of Leena? To get rid of her?"

"Akari?" He is taken aback by my outburst.

I… I need to crush that false hope before my lies hurt him even worse.

My heart clenches in my chest painfully. It hurts me to see a look of hurt across his face.

"Y-yes or n-no…" I begin to falter. I pinch my thigh and force myself trudge through the strong opposing waves in my heart. "Yes or no," I repeat firmly.

Karma lowers his face. "Honestly, yes. I am planning to use you to get rid of the contract with Leena."

The truth hits me like a train. It hurts me now more than it does to him, to realize that the possibility that he doesn't love me is escalating – is becoming real. The love between us is never real. He uses me as tool. As a tool to free himself. He seduces me because I'm too innocent. All the words he told me, all the affection, all the kisses, is for his own sake. He is a conman. He is a scam. He—

"But mostly, it's because I love you."

My eyes widen slightly.

"I thought it is a good plan but it is also a stupid plan for using you. I can get rid of Leena and I can… I can get you to myself forever. But I don't know… how hurt my heart is when I tried to carry it out. In the end, you still found out. I must be such a bad liar. I… I want you to myself. Just myself." He pauses and fiddles his fingers. "Maybe one day you'll say yes? I'll just cling onto that hope."

Crush his false hope. Destroy the lifebuoy thrown to him.

"I…" I stutter.

Pretend to be mad. Do it.

"You infuriate me."

Then, break up with him.

My hands tremble. I realize I cannot destroy that false hope because I cannot bear to hurt him even if I'll end up hurting him more if I don't end this now.

Maybe we can still remain as lovers, yes.

But then our love would be too strong to break apart.

Then I will want to marry him.

I wouldn't carry out my mission.

Either I would be withdrawn or I won't.

But I would carry a fake identity, a fake me forever. Karma would only know me as Ayano Akari and not Okumura Akari.

I don't want to live as a fake.

I want him to see, to know everything that is real about me.

I can't do this.

"Sorry," mutters Karma, oblivious to my dilemma. "Sorry I pissed you off. Looks like I've gone beyond the boundary. Let's… let's just pretend none of that ever happened, okay?"

Can I be selfish for once?

Can I keep him to myself before I have to let him go?

I'll leave him before he finds out. Then he wouldn't get hurt.

I rise from my seat and approach him. I grab his collar, the force causing him to stand. Then I slam my mouth onto his. After a brief moment of shock, he kisses me back and holds me tight around my waist.

"Just for the night," I breathe against his lips.

He grins. "Whatever. Told you you couldn't resist me."

…And he will never hear of Ayano Akari again.

His hands reach beneath my shirt as he shoves me onto his bed.

Adeptly he removes my garments one by one while trailing kisses at places he has never ventured before – places that make my heart race and my cheeks flush.

"You're beautiful," he breathes against my face as he eyes my nudity.

I blush furiously as I lay bare to him – everything I hide beneath clothing is exposed raw to him.

A surge of pain courses through my veins when we finally unite as one. Then the pain is replaced by pleasure and excitement that I drown myself in. I feel like on cloud nine, warm that he emanates throbbing in my insides.

"I love you, Akari," Karma mutters as he plants a kiss on my lips.

"I love you too, Karma."

"Akari~"

Karma's voice wakes me up in the morning. I am greeted with the tantalizing scent of bacon and ham wafting in the air. Rubbing my eyes, I squint at Karma placing a plate right at my thighs. It has sunny-side-ups, bacons, hams and baked beans. I take in a deep whiff and my stomach grumbles simultaneously.

"Morning," I mutter groggily.

"Morning love," he replies and kisses a trail down my neck. "Did you get some sleep last night?"

I blush, reminded of our passionate first night together. "Err umm…"

"Hmm?" He breathes against my neck, tickling me. Inadvertently he slips his hand into the blanket and touches me.

"I'm trying to eat here," I say and shove his hand away. He pouts.

A series of knocks rattle on the door. "Redhead jerk, get up. You got plenty of deskwork today. GET IT DONE NOW," shouts Rio from the other side of the door.

"A few residents in the area wish to meet you, Karma," Nagisa adds. "Oh yeah. Can I get the rest of the day off today? I want to plan a surprise for Kaede."

"Oh. Her birthday today?" asks Rio.

"Tomorrow. I'm getting plenty of things planned to give her a surprise."

The duo's conversation interrupts the tranquility in the room. Karma sighs and kisses my cheek while grabbing a piece of bacon. "Enjoy your breakfast, my lady. Meet me back in the office after you're done." He opens the door and exits the room. "You two are such a ruckus!" he shouts from outside.

"Aww did we interrupt you and Aka-chan lovey-dovey?"

"Karma, Akari-san is a good girl. Please be nice to her."

"What are you talking about, Nagisa? Of course I'll be nice to her…" their voices fade off in the distant.

I quietly finish my breakfast while enjoying the love Karma instilled in it. I pick up my clothes sprawled over the floor, refresh myself with a bath and dress myself in my working suit. I tidy Karma's bed and balance the plate on my hand, en route to the kitchen.

However, as I open the door, two bulky men greets me in black suits and matching black ties. They have slicked hair with solemnity over their faces. I have not seen them before.

"Ayano-san, please come with us," says the blond.

I eye them from head to toe meticulously, staying on high alert. Are they intruders? But Ayakawa has high security that not mere thugs can break through. Besides, who would be dumb enough to intrude a Yakuza's HQ?

I glare. "Why should I? Who are you?"

The men exchange glances. "We are here sent by Mr. Turant," replies the one with black hair.

"Please come with us and refrain from fighting."

Mr. Turant is mostly likely linked to Leena the hag. I assume it's her father, one of the elders of the clan. What does he have to do with me? Is it because of Karma? Is it that his precious little hag daughter filed a complaint?

"Fine. I'll come with you." I might as well be digging deeper into Ayakawa or might as well be sending myself into a tiger's mouth.

I would have not expected that the two men would lead me to a nearby café located next to Ayakawa building. It looks normal inside out, with its fill of customers taking their breakfast there. The entire atmosphere is relaxing and quiet, typical of most cafes. At a corner, a middle-aged man drinks his coffee in silence while emanating an aura that intimidates any passerby. Tables around him are empty as if the rest of the customers knew he is not someone to be close with.

I have never seen such an intimidating aura. The man is like a viper hiding in the camouflage of dead leaves on the forest floor, waiting to strike any unwary prey.

The man looks up and spots me approaching with his fellow guards. Flashing the smallest of smiles to hide the hidden lethal fangs that he can strike with at any time given, he gestures me to sit. The man has wrinkles across his face that whenever he smiles they become crevices. Greying patches of hair is unable to conceal his imminent baldness. Black eyes, dark pits like a viper's scan me.

"Have a seat, Ayano-san," says Mr. Turant with a courteous smile.

I sit, concluding that he couldn't plant a death trap amidst normal people in a café.

"What business do you have with me, Mr. Turant? I still have to work," I demand directly.

The man casually sips his coffee. "Tell me, Ayano-san, what is your work?"

I cock an eyebrow. "I work as Karma's bodyguard."

"Then what main objectives does it pose?"

"To protect my boss at all costs, even with my life."

A small smile creeps onto his face as if he opposes my answer. "Congratulations, Ayano-san. You are completely clear of your work. I thought you were some airheaded girl applying for the wrong job. Though, your first impression tells me you are not as innocent as you look." He stares right into my eyes. "If you respect your line of work, you should understand that Karma is completely out of your league and seducing him would not look good in your resume."

Finally. Straight to the point.

"I believe you are aware of the engagement between my daughter and Karma. So why bother dating an engaged man?"

I yawn and stare back at him, holding to my ground firmly. Unwavering I reply. "Seduction is such a vulgar word, Mr. Turant. I'm in love with him and so is he with me. For a person who uses marriage as a tool for business, it's clear to me that you wouldn't understand even if I try to elaborate. Now, if you excuse me—"

"Name your price, Ayano-san," says Mr. Turant.

"Excuse me?" I ask in a high-pitched tone, clearly offended.

"For someone as wise and calculative as you are, Ayano-san, there must be a hidden agenda behind your objective in getting close to Karma. It's either coincidence or money. In this realistic world, I believe the latter. So tell me, how much do you wish to gain from this 'bargain' of yours with Karma? I'll pay you double. Then you leave Ayakawa and Karma for good."

The disrespectful tone of his irks and disgusts me. For someone who dresses like highly noble social elite, he has a dirty opinion on people. And his heart must be slicked dark with icky slime. I'm not someone who can be bought with money.

"Look, Mr. Turant. I don't want money or anything you offer me. I love Karma and that's it. Please do not look for me again," I huff and leave. Mr. Turant snickers in the background but I ignore him. His guards do not hold me back.

I dislike this Turant guy. This is not the end for him. According my intuition he will find all means to make me comply.

Should I tell Karma about this?

Bad luck bad luck all day long.

My mood has gone down the drain. I am completely disgusted and devastated at how the man looked at me, like I'm some slut. My rejection may also lead to other circumstances. If Turant pursues further, he might dig up my entire history and unearth my biggest lie. Then, he can use it against me, as blackmail or report me to Karma. Then I would be totally ruined.

I try to maintain optimism. But the scary thought is buzzing in my mind like annoying flies that I cannot swat away. As I drift in my train of thoughts, I bump into something and fall onto my butt on the ground.

"Eh?"

A gasp draws my attention to look up. The familiar face, the familiar raven hair, the familiar voice…

Sugino?!

"Akari you alrigh—" Sugino stops in mid-sentence as I glare at him, sending a signal not to familiarize with me. He stuns for a while then recovers his composure. Hand outstretched to pull me up, he says, "You okay, miss?" His face an impassive mask, Sugino carries out his acting flawlessly.

I would have freaked out to meet one of my co-workers during my mission. I stay collected, for we are now located near the Ayakawa building, where anyone deemed smart enough would have discovered something amiss between us.

My muscles have frozen and it takes all my strength trying to act normal just to like any helpful stranger. I grab his hand and Sugino pulls me up. Rid of any usual chat, I thank him in a quiet voice and quickly walk back to the building. I risk a glance back at Sugino, but he has disappeared. I look around to see if anyone has seen us, but only Ritsu is in the lobby counter typing in data into her computer.

Thank god.

Sugino sends me a message after that, stating that he was just passing by and did not expect to bump into me there. He promises he would not pass by that carelessly anymore and risk my entire mission in jeopardy.

I sigh and enter Karma's office, where the redhead is fixated in his deskwork. He flashes a grin as he sees me. I pray my trail of bad luck ends right here right now.

If only God would grant me that wish.

"I'll be in the dining hall when I'm done with my work. You go get some food first. Wouldn't want my girlfriend to get hungry," Karma says as he kisses my nose. "I'll miss you."

"We won't be seeing each other for like 30 minutes. Don't be so clingy," I chide.

He wraps his arms around my waist, seemingly forgotten about his work. "But if I don't be clingy, you'll be taken away…" He kisses the nape of my neck as his hands began tickling my waist. "Why don't you give me some energy booster right no—"

I shove him away. "Finish your work, boss."

He laughs cheerfully and kisses me. "Bye love." And he releases me.

I stroll to the dining hall, focusing on what delicious food the kitchen would cook tonight. They make the best stew. My stomach growls in correspondence. Should I bring some to Karma's office and eat with him? He barely touched his lunch today and I heard his stomach grumbled occasionally, protesting.

"Akari."

Rio's voice halts me before I reach my destination. I spin around, finding her leaning against the wall. Her golden hair is still the prettiest feature she possesses. She looks at me, smiling.

…In a way that sends chills down my spine. My instinct immediately yells at me something is wrong. I do not like the way she stares at me, like she is some predator lurking in the shadows awaiting her prey. She must have stayed there waiting for my appearance. I know she is a capable woman, but I didn't know she can be so fearsome suddenly. Her aura changes 180 degrees from a tamed lion into some feral beast.

"Rio?" I say, remaining calm.

She approaches me in wide strolls.

With a solemn zip across her lips, she asks a taboo.

"Who are you, Ayano Akari?"

CLIFFHANGER! (lately I love suspense so, cliffhangers are born)

Finally, another chapter done! I was on writer's block, again!

Bad news: this story may end soon. Probably. I expect 10 chapters because I'm not going to cling to this story too long. I need to return my focus to the main story!

Thanks for the love! I love you, my readers! Reviews are love~

Reviews:

Aipom4: Thanks!

Animeandmangafangirl: drunk Akari's everyone's entertainment!

SilverSapphire34523: No spoilers!

Dotdotdot777: Thanks for reading!

I12Bfree: looooookiiiiiiing foooorward fooor yooour next revieewww~

PhoenixFireBlade: Drunk Akari spilling the beans? Hehehehehehehehehehe~

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