Chapter 81 - One's Nature Is Hard To Change

Two silhouettes ran throughout the halls, footsteps ringing as guns were shot in succession, leaving behind a trail of bodies. Ayami led the way, not even gasping for breath as they ran at full speed, while Kayden was the same even when carrying the unconscious Klein.

The two of them were quiet, not even bothering to speak with each other, only glancing at the other once in a while. 

"Turn left." Kayden instructed, to which Ayami followed. 

Although Ayami was wondering what he was planning, she didn't question him. Along the way, there were some unknown intruders who were lying mixed along Klein's underling. 

They reached the back and quickly entered the black that was waiting for them at an inconspicuous spot. Kayden tossed Klein at the back without any care and restrained him with some cable ties that came out from his pockets. Then, he took out a cloth and shoved it inside Klein's mouth.

Another explosion went off as the two went inside the car. Alfred was still the person who was driving the car.

After setting off, neither of the two of them, much less the assistant. Kayden glanced at Ayami, who was calmly looking out the window, before taking off his mask. Seeing her calm look, Kayden hesitated for a moment before speaking.

"You're not gonna ask anything?"

Ayami turned to look at him. With a smile on her face, she asked him, "What do you think?"

"What do I think?"

Ayami kicked his leg and glared at him. Of course, she wanted to ask! She has been holding it off because the situation looked urgent. 

Kayden let out a chuckle and shook his head. "It's confidential."

Ayami didn't react as much as she had expected this. Her interest faded after he said that. It was silent once again. The two of them were deep in thought so it didn't really matter. Only Alfred, the poor assistant, was drenched in cold sweat as he subtly glanced at the rearview mirror once in a while.

He kept wiping off his sweat using a handkerchief, his hand was gripping and loosening the steering wheel. 

This odd behavior didn't go unnoticed under Ayami's keen eyes. She couldn't help asking Alfred with a worried tone.

"What's the matter?"

Alfred stiffly smiled at her. "It's nothing, Mada— Ahem, Miss." 

"It's nothing? Then why do you look like you're running away from a monster?"

"It's really nothing. It's just that, ahem, you know…"

Ayami narrowed her eyes, before patting his shoulders. "I understand. It must have been tough holding it in."

Alfred could only scream in his heart, 'It's not that!'. But he could not say the real reason out loud, afraid of making the young madam panic. He took a deep breath and looked at the mirror again.

On the dark road, a black inconspicuous car was being driven, surrounded by tens of cars from front to back and on both sides.

Ayami stared outside, watching the scenery, thoughts unknown. 

"I'll be leaving the city." Kayden spoke casually like he was saying it in a passing. She nodded her head, replying, "Oh." 

"When?"

"Right now. I'll drop you off at the hotel. You can stay there for how long you want." Ayami could feel his gaze on her, as if observing her reactions. Ayami languidly replied an affirmation to him. 

"By the way, are you not going back to the academy?" From the corner of her eyes, Ayami could see Kayden taking out his phone while he spoke.

"No, I'm probably expelled by now."

"Hm. Not yet. You have a month until you can return. If you still haven't, then the academy would file it as a drop out."

Ayami frowned. "That's not what the rules says."

"What a good girl. But it's unfortunate that you live under a rock. The rules were changed a month ago." Kayden typed something onto his phone, but Ayami could not see it, unfortunately. "The academy decided that they would lessen the strictness."

"But it's already mid-year. What about the people who got expelled during the previous month? They didn't say anything?" She said that, but it doesn't really matter to her.

"Would they dare say anything?" The corner of his lips curled up. Ayami couldn't say anything. So what if the academy wanted to loosen up a little? What could they do?

Anyway, it's not like it's any of her business. 

"So, are you going to return or not? If not, please inform the academy."

Ayami pursed her lips, unsure of what she needed to decide. To go or not to go? Cut off the last remaining thread to her dreams or not?

"You don't have to think that hard. You still have a month. If you still haven't decided after a month, then come to me." Kayden patted her head and smiled gently at her, making her feel warm in her heart. 

"Alright." Ayami nodded her head, and finally, she smiled genuinely. 

That being said, Ayami was not planning on going back anymore. She previously vowed that she won't drop out and fulfill her dream, but look at her now, playing delinquent. 

Ayami turned her head and looked outside again. She looked far away and smiled once again. This time, her smile was a sneer.

She was being indecisive again. Maybe that was why she failed in her previous lives. This kind of nature was hard to change and probably, she'll fail again. She'll die by the hands of the mastermind again.

What was her purpose in life again? Right, her revenge. A meaningless revenge. But it seems, there is another purpose growing slowly in her heart. A sweet one at that, one that would make her life bliss, not just an empty goal.

As her thoughts wandered aimlessly, she heard Kayden's voice.

"Alfred, you don't have to worry about them. They are my allies." Kayden spoke to Alfred, who was still nervous. Then, they talked about some matters to which Ayami could not understand. 

It doesn't matter anyway. It's not like she finds it interesting. 

A few moments later, they were now in front of the hotel. Ayami got out of the car and waved her hand. Kayden saw her off but didn't leave the car. 

"I guess we won't see each other for a while." Her voice was soft as she smiled bitterly. She looked like a wife who was sending her husband off to a war. 

Kayden chuckled and reached out his hand to pat her head. He seems used to doing this to her.

"It seems so. Will you miss me?"

Ayami stared at him for a long while, as if she was imprinting his face to her brain. Their eyes met. Her lips bobbed then she looked down. It wasn't noticeable as it was dark, but her ears were really red. Her soft voice resounded after a few seconds, "…Yes."

Kayden paused and looked at the girl in front of him. Then, he smiled brightly as he dropped off the words: "I'll miss you too."

Ayami stood rooted to the ground, her heart beating fast as she felt an indescribable feeling inside. It didn't make her uncomfortable but it did make her happy.

"I-I will go now."

Ayami ran inside in a hurry, her hands both on her reddened cheeks. 

Kayden looked at her back with a deep gaze, his thoughts unfathomable. He stayed still for a few minutes before ordering Alfred.

"Let's go."