2 Reborn (1/2)

Ai opened her eyes, squinting her eyes slightly to adjust to the brightness of her surrounding.

”Am I dead?”, she wondered, ”Where am I?”

A familiar wall with light blue lanterns decorated her room.

Wait, isn't this her room in Shizuka household?!

How did she end up here?!

Suddenly her room door opened and her handmaiden Kiya poked her head in. The moment Kiya's eyes landed on Ai, she smiled widely and exclaimed in relief.

”Miss Shizuka! You are awake! Lord Shizuka and young master had been worried sick since you fainted!”

Ai's eyes grew wide at her exclamation. Kiya looked younger than she last remembered. With bouncy pigtails, Kiya looked to be in her teens, like how Kiya was before Ai get married into Omaru household.

Wait, Kiya mentioned Papa and brother, does it mean they are alive? I must find them!

A very worried Ai immediately dashed out of her room to the general study, even though she was in the state of undress.

”Papa! Brother!” Ai burst open the study door and rushed forwards, immediately hugging the two figures in the study as tears streamed down her delicate face.

Ai's father and brother stood shocked as their eyes landed on Ai. The young miss of the household was in her pyjamas and was bawling her eyes out as she hugged the two Shizuka men so tightly. It was almost as if she was terrified of losing them into the thin air.

Concerned, Hakura leaned down to face his very distressed daughter.

”What happened, little Ai? Did someone bully you?”, Hakura asked softly, wiping away the tears of his young daughter.

”Ai, tell me who bullied you, brother will go settle with them!”, Saito agreed, his eyes flashing with anger at whoever that bullied his baby sister.

Ai shook her head rapidly, her face turned into happiness as she took in the sight of her father and brother alive and well. She didn't know how this was possible but she knew one thing, she will treasure this and prevent any calamity to befall on her family. At all costs.

Hakura and Saito turned to look at each other, if anyone said they were shocked, that would be an understatement.

For a quiet child like Ai, the sight they saw was indeed a rare occasion. Ai, being a headstrong girl, had never once cried out ever since she was a child. What could have made their little Ai be this emotional?

Nevertheless, Ai looked happy now and this was all that matter to them. Suddenly there was an announcement from their servant: Lord and Young Masters of Omaru household had arrived.

Hearing that, Ai froze as dreads started to fill her veins. She remembered now. Today was the day she met him for the very first time. Today was the beginning of all things that went wrong.

Despite that, she had been reborn. Only this time, Ai doesn't want anything to do with him. Even if she has to die again, she decided that she will stay as far away from him as possible.

Be free, Jin Omaru. Let this be my redemption and let us never cross paths again.

Jin Omaru

Jin sat still in his seat as his father and Lord Shizuka discussed the possible business merger between the two prominent households.