Even If It Kills Me ¦ Kozume Kenma

Chapter Four

3 years later

Kenma couldn’t deny his feelings any longer for the assassin. He thought he was going to move on; but that was three years ago. Three years ago either felt like a decade, or it felt like it was just yesterday wherein he and [name] along with their third member of the trio escaped the Kozume manor from the Snakes who were still hunting them down after all this time. However, three years is a long time, and it was more than enough time for Kenma to be able to adjust to his new life of adventure.

For the past three years, he had learned how to protect himself. Not just with a simple dagger, like what [name] had promised him, but also with other weapons his fifteen year old self wouldn’t even thought of ever handling in his boring life. It isn’t just with the weapons, he also knew hand to hand combat, somehow, because [name] kept on pestering him about learning how to fight bare handed. Kenma did have to admit it felt nice to beat someone up, but he’d still rather use a weapon if he was ever asked.

Also, he had dyed a part of his hair blond. At first, he was really against the idea, but [name] insisted for his safety. He didn’t really like the colour on himself, but soon found himself growing on it. All these changes, not even half of it he liked, but there was just nothing he could do about it now.

One thing that didn’t change, though, is his interest for gadgets. With the resources of the Crows, he was able to make his own gadgets. He sells some to the Crows, in the market, but he kept the best gadgets for himself.

And [name], well, she and Kenma got along much better than before. She really wanted to rebuild her relationship with Kenma from scratch, and she did fulfil that vow to herself. And with Tetsurou gone, she made Kenma her top priority at all times. Wherever they were, whoever they were with, she kept a watchful eye on him. She made sure that they have escape plans wherever they went, be it the craziest of places like the abandoned towers or kitchen areas. [Name] didn’t want to make the same mistake with Tetsurou anymore.

[Name] didn’t protect Kenma just because she was hired to do so. She did, for a time, but time has changed. She did sort of like him before they had lost Tetsurou to the Snakes, but after getting to know Kenma as her true self and not some person Kenma’s father had taken in, she finds herself in a situation she couldn’t get out of.

Yet despite the fact that they’re already adults who are allowed to make their own decisions, none of them wanted to make a move to the other. They didn’t want to destroy this, whatever relationship they had. Sometimes, they would glance at each other and smile and pretend that they don’t notice, and all witnesses that are their friends could only internally groan because they thought that they should just get together.

One day, during [name] and Kenma’s trip back to Karasuno from the West woods, they were spending a quiet time together while enjoying each other’s presence, they were surrounding by a group of men whom dressed suspiciously.

“Good day, gentlemen,” smoothly greeted [name] with a saint like smile on her face. Her hold on the reins of the horses of their carriage tightened, and she got ready to pull out her weapons to harm anyone who got too close for their comfort.

“A good day indeed,” agreed one of them. “Now let’s quit the chit chat. You know what we want.” His tone wasn’t one to brush off; especially if it was a voice that [name] couldn’t exactly forget.

“I want all of you gone before I lose my temper.” [Name] still kept the smile on her face, but she emitted a rather dark aura that had frightened a few of the men.

“No can do, missy.” The leader maliciously grinned under his mask, though [name] did take note of the way his eyes squinted dangerously on the person beside her.