"The nerve of them! I can't believe they just turned you away! After everything you've been through!"
"...Miss Keekee. Please. Eyes on the road."
As much as Martial Kim wanted to URGE Keekee to be more careful in riding her bike up the hill, seeing how angry she was he could only voice his honest feeling with the tone of a meek sheep. So all he could do was brace himself by gripping the basket seat, all the while larger vehicles rushed right past them up and down the hill.
Every time they screeched past, he felt their shockwave beating into his chest. The noise of whatever was powering their movement ringing in his ear over and over. The young master had been through hardship from training and battles in the martial world – but never experienced torture of this level. He feared, he will lose his sanity at this rate.
"To think we could trust the safety of our town to them!" Keekee continued to fume while pushing on the pedal of her bike, "And they were just so rude to you! How dare they! That's it, totally going to give them a bad review on social media! Just you wait!"
---Which should I be more concerned about: the police ignoring the truth; Miss Keekee cursing them with this 'bad review' ritual; or this demonic bicycle... H-how can she casually ride this contraption next to a road full of horse wagon charging like bulls!? Does she not fear death!?
Martial Kim gulped this worried thoughts back down into his gut. Fortunately they didn’t have to suffer for long. Eventually they veered off the main road, riding up a dirt trail, and soon made their way back to the familiar and peaceful cabin.
In saying that, the young master truly felt at ease – when Keekee stopped to dismount the contraption.
---No no no, please do not spread your legs—Oh god. How can I survive in this world full of casual temptation!?
"Augh... What a waste of a good day," Keekee mumbled as she pushed her bike next to her. "Sorry you had to go through all that Kim."
"......"
"Kim? Why is your face red?"
"S-sorry did you say something?"
Keekee tried to laugh, but the events of the day weight heavy on her heart. She would give Martial Kim a good rub on his back to try and cheer him up. Obviously it drew an opposite reaction from the young master.
---Miss Keekee! Propriety! Propriety! If you keep touching me like that in such a callous manner, my-my body will misunderstand your good intentions! Amitahba! Amitahba!
"You know what, you deserve better," Keekee agreed...to herself. "I'll cook up something nice! Fridge may be busted, but I still got pancakes. It’s the instant mix kind, just add water and boom! You definitely look like you need to stress eat!"
Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.
---Are you sure that I am the one who needs to stress eat in this situation? You more frustrated than me.
"I...feel really bad for you, Kim. Like, girlfriend walked out on you, career hitting a strut, now the cops laughing at you like some kind of side show."
---How do you expect me to respond to a strange comment like that? And I am not married or betrothed! Please stop misunderstanding!
Martial Kim wanted to express his thoughts out loud, but ended up voicing something else. "It is fine. I am used to persecution."
"D-don't say something like that!” Keekee gasped, “People have to treat you with respect! It's only right!"
---I meant I had my fair share of rebuke amongst various level of authority back in the Jade Empire. Even if they called me the Saint of Investigation, not all government officials or county magistrate welcome a ‘vagabond’ of the martial world like myself.
The moment Martial Kim walked through the front door of the cabin with Keekee, he felt a sense of ease fill him. The town, or whatever it was, was just too much for him. Even when he lived in the Capital of an Empire, the level of hustling and bustling in this world was just beyond his emotional capacity.
Just one visit in this ‘town’ and he felt burnt out like a shrunken candle stick. He just wanted to sit on the couch and take a nap. He didn’t get much of a proper sleep and he wasn’t that hungry. Might as well make the day faster by taking a short shut eye. Too bad the film assistant woke him up before he could touch the couch.
"So Kim," Keekee chirped as she washed her hand in that that place with automatic well water. "How do you want your pancakes? Soft, thick, single, stacked. Don’t be shy tell me what you—"
"Miss Keekee. Could you please go to your room?”
“Huh? Wh-what did I do wrong? W-was it something I said?”
“Please lock the door behind you. Bar it with something if you must. Do not come out until I give the word.”
“...K-Kim. Wh-what’s wrong? Y-you’re scaring me.” The chill dripping down Keekee’s spin made her drop everything. Even before she could hear an answer her feet was starting to backpedal to the nearest room with the thickest door.
It was only later did she realize how quiet everything was. As if the world fell into a hush, to give her a surprise.
Martial Kim stood poised like a guardian statue in a royal tomb, eyes unblinking with vigilance.
“K-Kim.” Keekee barely breathed, “Wh-what is happening?”
“Do you recall the men back in the mountains,” the young master hushed, “I believe, they brought friends to pay a visit.”
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