[ DISCONTINUED ] Reborn: Runaway Bride

Chapter 22: This Rich Girl

With a composed smile on his face, Shion Hozaka replied: Long time no see indeed, Cousin Mizuko...

Ai stood still, shocked by the turn of events. So... they were cousins ah... but looking at the two men, other than both having the tall towering frames, the two of them were nothing alike. One extremely moody and one extremely quiet, one likes to make trouble and the other prefers peace. The two cousins were the complete opposite, like fire and ice.

But Ai Shizuka didn't want to meddle in someone else's family matters so with a small "hmm" and a nod, she quietly untangled Hayama's arms and walked away.

But soon after she reached a distance, a hand suddenly grabbed hers. From the familiar tingles shooting up her arm, she knew exactly who that was.

Tired of people constantly seeking her out, Ai dragged out with irritation clearly evident in her voice: "Yesss? Young Master Omaru?"

Jin Omaru smiled cheekily at the annoyed girl. "So you know how to make weapons?", he asked curiously.

Seeing that the girl had no intention of answering him, he continued with a slight tilt of his head: "That's a very useful skill, I want to learn too. Wanna teach me?"

Of course, if anyone asked Ai if she wants to teach, her normal answer would be...absolute no. The lady hated being bothered and not even eloquent in her day-to-day speech, teaching someone would be a complete disaster. But she was also slightly confused.

In her past life, Jin Omaru hated that hobby of hers and with every chance he got, he had always reprimanded her for harbouring such unladylike interests.

But looking at this current puppy-like Jin Omaru, she suddenly felt conflicted. What on earth is wrong with him...

Yet a high-pitched voice saved her from her dilemma: "Young Master Omaru is very busy... perhaps now is not a good time for you to take up such hobbies. And since Miss Shizuka is working for young master Hozaka, he surely won't allow his workers to dilly dally, no?"

Ai wanted to roll her eyes. ...Who died and made you everyone's manager, Miko?... Stop acting like you hold a leash for everyone you see...

But just wanting to get out of this little drama as soon as possible, Ai simply agreed: "Yes, my master won't allow."

Jin and Miko froze: "Y-your Master?!"

"Why yes, I designed those weapons for him, and he gives me a sum of profit. So yes, he is my master", Ai explained with a closed-eyed smile, looking completely like a contented cat.

Miko Yamato felt baffled. She wanted to insult Ai Shizuka by degrading her status, but obviously, that damned woman was not at all bothered, and rather she looked happy.

In her mind, Ai had a different way of thinking: ...Is she Shion's subordinate or is she not, who cares... It doesn't matter what her status in Hozaka, the point was to get as much profit as possible and become rich. Plus all these profits were from her favourite hobby, she earned and enjoyed at the same time, that's considered good enough.

Jin Omaru looked like he wanted to protest. But with no words to reply, his mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water before mastering a smile on his face.

"Miss Yamato, could you leave us for a while? I would like to speak with Miss Shizuka. Alone.", Jin stated with an emphasis on the word "alone" as he cast a glance to both Miko and Akiyo, his intentions straightforwardly clear that he wanted them gone.

Miko looked like she wanted to protest but upon seeing Jin's cold expression, she swallowed her words back down and walked away begrudgingly. 

Yet Akiyo remained firmly as he stood staring at Ai. His cyan-blue eyes were filled with concerns as he stood stubbornly, refusing to move an inch.