Chapter 354: Building Connection



"Seki-sama, are you alright?" Nobu's voice cut through the cabin's quiet ambiance, breaking the silence between them.

They sat across from each other in a private train compartment. The steady sound of the train wheels on the tracks created a calming background.

Nobu, dressed in a casual black jacket that hung loosely over his frame, observed Seki with concern.

She, too, wore a black jacket, but hers was more fitted and feminine, designed to be lighter.

Her black hair was pulled back into a bun, held in place by a simple hairpin.

"I'm just thinking about things, Nobu-san," she sighed, staring at the window monitor with a distant, unfocused gaze.

The fake landscape sped past in a blur of colors, a digital illusion meant to lift the mood of the passengers.

But for her, it offered no comfort. Her mind was consumed by the weight of their recent failure.

She had been in a bad mood since they boarded the train, her usual warmth replaced by a heavy silence.

Nobu could sense her internal struggle but chose to wait patiently.

He understood the gravity of their situation—leaving Brentwood without finding any clues about the artifacts was a huge setback.

Seki had wanted to stay longer, hoping that more time might get them some results. But their plans changed abruptly when Reign sent an urgent message warning them to escape immediately.

The message had been clear: the city was on the brink of destruction.

Given Reign's known power and the rumors of his influential family, there was little doubt about the credibility of his warning.

"Do you need anything, Seki-sama?" he asked with a worried tone.

"I'm alright, Nobu-san," she replied, her voice tinged with resignation. "I'm just trying to figure out what comes next. We didn't find any clues about the artifacts. Can we really go home like this ?"

Her face grew somber as she spoke, her usually vibrant eyes now shadowed with a deep sadness.

Her hands were clenched tightly in her lap, as if trying to hold onto some semblance of control.

The thought of returning home empty-handed was a heavy burden, especially given the high expectations placed upon her.

In their culture, failure was not taken lightly—it carried a stigma that could tarnish not only her reputation but also the honor of her entire family.

The thought of facing their disappointment and hearing people whisper about it was too much to handle.

However—

'Seki-sama, Seki- sama ' he whispered, raising his hand toward her. For a moment, his mind wandered as he found himself drawn to her timeless beauty.

Lustful desire stirred within him, and he felt his body react, but before he could act on it, he stopped himself.

With a deep breath, he pulled his hand back, forcing himself to calm down.

'I need some fresh air,' he muttered under his breath.

Seki was really beautiful, and traveling with someone so captivating made it hard for him to keep his composure at times.

He knew he had to stay focused, reminding himself to not cross the line.

But who could blame him? He was just a man, after all.

He left the cabin and made his way to the bar compartment.

Once there, he took a seat and ordered a drink, hoping it would help calm his nerves and clear his mind.

As he sipped his drink, a fleeting thought crossed his mind.

'Maybe if we don't go back home, she'll fall for me, and we can start a new life here?'

The idea was tempting, but he quickly pushed it aside, knowing how unrealistic it was.

'What am I thinking? She's over half my age,' he muttered to himself, shaking his head to push away the unwanted thoughts.

"Are you alright, sir?" the bartender asked, sensing the unease in his customer's demeanor.

Nobu looked up and shook his head, "It's nothing , I'm just thinking about some things ,"

"Is it a problem about love ?"

Nobu was caught off guard by how perceptive the bartender was. He hadn't expected someone to notice his inner turmoil so quickly.

"You can talk to me," the bartender offered, leaning in slightly. "I've heard all kinds of stories over the years. So, what's the issue? Is she already married? Too old? Too rich?

Or maybe... too young?"

"I..." Nobu stammered, momentarily at a loss for words. He had underestimated just how skilled the bartender was at reading people.