Chapter 57 - #56 Cornelia (2/2)

”I am sorry, we didn't think anyone would try to take a bath at this hour, miss...” I got up and extended my hand with an apologetic smile while calmly looking into her blue eyes.

She threw a quick glance down once I got up from the water but she quickly looked into my eyes with ashamed expression and accepted the handshake.

---

'What the hell am I doing? He doesn't have any ŀust visible in his eyes while looking at me yet I am behaving like this...Anyway, what a faithful husband or maybe he is too scared to be caught by his wife, hehe' The woman thought and her mood has gotten a little better since the encounter.

---

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”I see so you met each other thanks to Taeko's grandmother? And she even saved your life, Katsura? It sounds kinda romantic, hehe” Cornelia laughed.

”Yes, thanks to her grandmother being herbalist, my life was saved and I decided to stick around. And before I knew it...I fell in love with Taeko.” I nodded and looked at Taeko with a ”loving” expression but maybe it looked a bit awkward. Taeko on the other side just blushed and smiled back at me.

We were already out of the hot springs but Taeko suddenly wanted to talk with Cornelia and when I wanted to leave them alone, both of them stopped me from leaving. How much I want to tell Taeko that this woman here is our enemy but I really can't.

”Oh?! *Taeko...Could you please describe what exactly is 'love' to you?*” Cornelia exclaimed when she heard my words and then she suddenly started whispering to Taeko, unfortunately she didn't know that I am not a normal civilian so my hearing is extremely sharp.

When I heard her question, my eyes widened and horrified expression appeared on my face before I quickly calmed down.

Please, Taeko...Say something that makes sense.

”Uh? Um...I- For me, it is for example when you are holding hands together with that person and you suddenly forget that you are even holding them. I can...feel um, a connection between us that is much stronger than physical connection can ever be.” Taeko blurted out something with a bright smile while looking at me. But it was apparent that she was caught off guard by such a question.

Well...that worked out somehow, although it sounded a bit weird, hopefully she will believe it.

I thought and looked at Cornelia just to see a very thoughtful expression on her face as if she was just told something grand...How?

”Cornelia...Do you know a man named Akashi?” I asked her and then also described my previous appearance.

”Hm...I don't know anyone who looks like that or has that name...I am sorry to disappoint you.” At first, she was confused when I asked her that question but she quickly replied with a forced smile.

Not at all...You didn't disappoint me at all. With that matter off of my mind, I feel much better.

”No problem at all” I told her not to apologize with a bright smile.

---

'Why does he look more relieved by this fact?' Cornelia thought when she saw Katsura's smile but she quickly threw it aside.

---

We talked for a while before another guest came in but fortunately this time, I had clothes on and we were sitting inside the changing room so she didn't attack me at first sight, however, her gaze landed on me and also stayed there for a while.

The only person I didn't want to meet here...It's really bad that I can't see my Luck stat in System.

”Akame! Don't be surprised. These two are husband and wife and I kinda interrupted them while they were taking a bath, ha-ha.” Cornelia explained the situation and introduced us with an awkward laugh while she was scratching the back of her head.

However, even after hearing explanation from Cornelia, Akame didn't stop staring at me.

”?” Even Taeko noticed this and grew slightly more vigilant since she knew that not just anyone would be able to see through my disguise and Akame was strangely staring at me.

”*Akame? It's rude to stare like that...!*” Cornelia got up from her seat and whispered to Akame who just approached me.

”Mister Katsura, it's nice to meet you. Have we ever met before?” Akame bowed a little and bluntly asked.

?!

”Yes, I believe that we saw each other in front of the inn! There is also a chance that you could have seen me a few years ago when I used to be an adventurer before marrying my Taeko.” I answered completely naturally and with a friendly smile. In front of Akame, I couldn't risk acting awkward so when I said ”my Taeko” I said that with an absolute affection while wrapping my arm around her body and pulling her closer to me with a silly smile of the man in love.

Taeko who was suddenly pulled close to me looked slightly confused but she still blushed and looked embarrassed.

”? I see...I am sorry for being so rude, you just remind me of someone.” Akame seemed a little confused but she immediately apologized.

I said that's fine and I with Taeko took our leave since the situation was getting a little bit weird and even Taeko felt it so she didn't protest this time.

---After Akashi and Taeko left---

”That was kinda weird coming from you, Akame.” Cornelia said with a small smile.

”...Didn't they appear to you a slightly awkward to be wife and husband? Taeko was unusually bashful to be close to her husband...” Akame muttered with a thoughtful expression.

”Well, they told me that they did marry not a long ago so maybe they are still easily embarrassed around new people. ?!” Cornelia said and then shocked expression appeared on her face out of nowhere.

”?! What is it?” Akame immediately asked with a hopeful expression that Cornelia thought of something.

”Maybe they had yet to do it and I interrupted them during their bath...!!! That could be the reason why they were so embarrassed and awkward.” Cornelia said with a completely horrified and guilty expression.

”They had yet to do what?” Akame tilted her head to the side in confusion.

”? No...it's nothing!” Cornelia started waving her hand from side to side to deny everything she has said.

'That man...I get a bad feeling from that husband and wife pair...I have a feeling that I have seen somewhere his red eyes with vertical pupils but no one in my mind fits his personality or appearance.' Akame thought while looking at the door leading out of the changing room with a thoughtful expression.