-Vol 5: A New Life-

-Chapter 194-

From that day since they went separate ways, Kenshin had never seen Maria again. Although he had got her contact details, that one time after Akari’s mischief, her phone didn’t connect ever again. And then his emergency sent-off to the north, and the events after, he had already forgotten about her.

The time he spent with her wasn’t even six hours, but within that time, they had both walked on the edge of life and death, slaying a very powerful adversary together. Though it was just an act, he had still prepared to sacrifice his life to secure her escape.

Kenshin had a mixed feeling about this girl, she was clearly a mature woman, but her tendencies were all childish. Sometimes she was annoying while other time she was heroic. Kenshin had experienced all these sides of her in just those few hours they spent together. She was also very moody. Despite being such a colourful character, she had failed to impact strongly in Kenshin’s heart. Though that one time, when he first saw her, it was her beauty that attracted him a great deal.

But, unexpectedly he met her again today. That too under these circumstances. The world sure is small.

“Hello, Maria. Long time no see!” with a smile that wasn’t a smile, Kenshin addressed her.

“…”

“How are you these days?” seeing her remained silent, Kenshin tried to continue the conversation on his part.

“…” again silence. This time she even sent a cold glare his way.

“You have gotten used to Mito yet?”

“…Who are you talking with?” with a voice that was colder than absolute zero temp, Maria replied Kenshin’s persistent questions. Although she looked calm and collected to the outside, Kenshin could tell the unbound fury hidden deep in her heart. But what can he do? He was completely helpless in this matter.

He could only smile wryly at her. He knew about her temper, which was similar to a little girl. Although they say when a mature woman acts like a little girl it would be cute, he had yet to verify that statement. To him, the way Maria acts sometimes was very annoying. Though he couldn’t do anything about it, he was also not that cold-blooded to just pretend as if he didn’t know her.

But this time, he decided to not waste both of their time and started to walk away.

“Is that so! Sorry, it seems I have recognized a wrong person it seems. Excuse me for troubling you!” with that he started to walk away.

Before he could walk far, a firm hand fell upon his shoulders, stopping him from advancing. Sweat dripped from Kenshin’s brows, and his palms were wet.

“What’s the meaning of this?” Kenshin asked politely, though he knew the answer.

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“What do you think you are doing? Pretending to not know me and walking away like it has nothing to do with you, huh?” the girl, no, the woman said slowly in a very subdued voice.

“But it really has nothing to do with me. didn’t I just say that I have recognized the wrong person!”

“Ho! Is that how you are going to play? I thought you are a good and respectable guy, but unexpectedly you are a lecher that knows how to play with girls. That time when I call…” but she stopped herself before something unwanted slip from her mouth.

“Huh! What did you just say? I only know how to play with girls?” Kenshin was suddenly enraged at her accusations and refuted her claims exaggeratedly.

“So, you are not commenting about that lecher statement!” Maria quipped with a dull eye.

“And…what was that? You have called me? For what? Is it that you were worried for me?” unexpectedly for her, Kenshin had caught that last piece of slip of her tongue on her part.

“Worried? Why would I be worried? Don’t delude yourself! Hmph!” her face turned red as she vehemently and bit violently protested his claims.

“Are you some sort of tsundere character in a love-com manga? Why are you acting like a shy maiden?”

“Who are you calling a shy maiden?” the woman was ignited again.

‘Are people really affected by their skills? is this why she was so explosive and short tempered?’ Kenshin wondered in his heart after dealing with her tempers for quite a while.

‘Dealing with her is really not a simple task’ Kenshin sighed miserably.

“So, who is that boy? Your son? brother?” Maria now took notice of the hanging boy on Kenshin’s hand. She was so entrapped in bickering with Kenshin, she didn’t took notice of him till now.

“Neither. I am just taking care of her for the time being. So, how is your life? what about your guild?” Kenshin answered and also asked a question of his own. Despite all their bickerings, at the end of the day, they are still acquaintances if not friends.

“Okay. The guild was yet to get clearance for opening a branch, and the life is good too. I have returned to my home for a few days after that dungeon break incident. I heard you were sent to the north a few days ago, is everything alright there?”

“How did you know?” Kenshin was surprised to hear that she knew he had gone to the north. That matter, although wasn’t a secret at all, was still not something should be known to others. Especially, to a member of another guild.

“I have gone to the DCB office looking for you before my departure to my home. The director told me that you are sent to an emergency assignment there.”

“Yeah. Now it's all fine. Sorry, I couldn’t divulge any more. I am not allowed to do so.” Kenshin apologetically said. Before returning to their respective towns, all the hunters who were gone to that expedition had sworn and ordered to not expose any of the events transpired here to anyone. Under the threat of treason, no one dared to do otherwise.

“I see. It's okay. One of my friend's elder brother also gone there, and he had also told me the same thing. So I understand.” Maria nodded her head.

But before they could continue their conversation, Maria’s phone rang loudly.

“Excuse me.” with that she opened her phone before her face contorted into a frown.

“You haven't changed your mail address right?” she asked.

“No.”

“Then I will call you later. I have something important going on, so I am leaving first.” And like that she vanished into from his line of sight.

Kenshin also unconsciously frowned when he saw her face suddenly changing. After standing there looking at her retreated direction, Kenshin sighed once more before going his own way.

During his travel to him via a taxi, he received a call from Ferrari showroom, notifying him that his car has arrived in Japan and would be in his doorstep within three days. He very heard it, after all, who wouldn’t be happy to get themselves a supercar?

“Brother Shin! You are back. I am waiting for you for a long time!! Ah! Who is that? Mom! Brother Shin brought home a little boy…” needless to say, he found another surprise in her doorstep.

It was the easily excitable, Ellie, the tiny devil.