[ DISCONTINUED ] Reborn: Runaway Bride

Chapter 21: Stand-off here and Stand-off there

Ai felt her eyebrows twitched nervously as she looked down at their intertwining hands. It had been a while since they left Hozaka Weaponry and Shion had yet to let go of her hand.

At first, Ai had taken Shion's hand thinking that it was merely a gentlemanly gesture but as they continued to walk, he didn't let go and continued holding her hand as if it was the most normal thing in the world...

"Young Master Hozaka, I will walk behind you, the streets are narrow..." Ai prompted slightly as she tried to pull her hand away. 

But immediately, the large hand gripped her own tighter. With something resembling a gentle smile, the young master turned and peered down at her closely: "...don't let go, it's crowded here..."

Ai didn't say anything and nodded. It seemed that even though this young master is a man of few words, he seemed to be quite a caring person. With his thoughtfulness and noble character, and a calm temperament to boost, it was no wonder she has a very good impression of him. Yet his gentle actions triggered something in her mind... 

One minute, she was happy. The other minute, she was not. She didn't know why but she felt a sense of foreboding. It was like something or rather... someone... was slipping away from her. Almost immediately, the image of a blonde young man with a gentle demeanour popped up.

...Kit...

Perhaps it was Shion's persistence and gentle actions had reminded her of Kit but she wondered how he is now. He was knocked out cold by Hayama and had yet to wake up when she left...

At the busy seaport of Yunes Industry, a young man dressed in black blend himself into the shadows as he jumped up onto a large cargo ship. With an astounding sense of accuracy, his thin blade pointed at the neck of the ship captain and, in a cold voice he spoke: "...if you want your life intact, you will cooperate with me..."

In a matter of a few minutes, the largest cargo ship of Yunes Industry set out to sail without a schedule, surprising the workers at the port. 

"Intruders! Intruders! Stop that ship and inform Young Master Yunes!", they yelled in panic. But it was too late, that cargo ship was the fastest and the best in the port of Yunes Industry, plus the vessels were filled with gun powders imported from Westania. If they were to shoot fire arrows, the whole ship would explode and the port would catch on fire. 

With a heavy heart, they could only watch in dismay as the cargo ship sailed away. In their minds, they lamented: ...Young Master Yunes is definitely gonna have their heads...

Shion stared silently at the young woman walking beside him. With the long flowing silver hair that framed her slender figure and the pale golden eyes that showed nothing but limpidness, she gave off the impression of a rare gemstone from the exotic lands. Yet her face held a trace of melancholy and coldness, making the onlookers feel pained yet unable to look away. In other words...very attractive...

Noticing the distant look in her eyes, Shion sighed inwardly. ...Looks like she is lost in her thoughts again... 

"...Miss Shizuka, what are you thinking about?...", Shion asked, gazing at the enchanting woman and gently stroking the hand he was holding.

Ai suddenly felt blank.

... Ahh, what was she thinking about? Her thought range was extremely vast, from what kind of weapons she should design to Kit's well-being and also what to eat for dinner, they were all jumbled up with no head and no tail. 

"Ahh... I'm not really sure...", Ai replied in confusion, not being able to make sense of her own self. 

Shion's lips thinned but calmly looked away. ...Not willing to let me in huh? It's fine, I have a lot of patience anyway...