Chapter 58 - #57 Katsura vs Chelsea (1/2)

When we were returning to our room from the bath, Taeko was glancing at me with a confusion visible in her eyes.

”Are you wondering why I asked her if she knows ”Akashi” yet gave her description of a completely different person?” I asked with a small smile while we were going upstairs.

”...A little bit, I am slightly confused but that's all.” She didn't hide it and nodded her head.

”Well, let's just say that she looked like someone I once knew and at that time I was also in 'disguise'.” I replied with a mysterious smile.

”Ah, I see. Anyway, what do you think about her? Except for ambushing you at first sight, she was quite friendly. She even apologized to us immediately once I explained the situation. However, that girl named Akame was behaving strangely...Do you know her? She looks quite similar to your sister Kurome.” Taeko asked curiously because even she could see the resemblance between Kurome and Akame.

”Akame is Kurome's real sister...” I said in a low voice when we returned to our room.

”?!” Taeko widened her eyes in shock and her expression indicated that she was thinking hard about something.

”...Taeko, don't get any high hopes of becoming Cornelia's friend.” I muttered with a serious expression which made her narrow her eyes while staring at the empty space.

”Well, I will go catch up on sleep even though it is almost dawn...” My expression once again became cheerful and I waved at her before going into my own bed.

”Okay” Taeko nodded with a smile but it was visible that she was feeling uneasy from my random words.

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'It didn't sound like ”we aren't meant to be friends due to our differences”.' Taeko thought with a helpless expression while looking at Akashi who was already lying on his bed.

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The morning...

A bird flew into our room through the window and I opened my eyes and sat up from my bed.

”Looks like make-up girl finally arrived. I thought that you ditched us already, heh” I said with a provoking tone and the bird turned to Chelsea.

”Are you aware of how hard I have been working?! Where are granny and Taeko?” She immediately retorted back and then asked with a confused expression while looking around the room.

”They went to get something to eat.” I replied with a small smile.

”I see...then I will wait here.” She said and sat down on the bed positioned on the opposite side where I was sitting. She sat down while facing me but she wasn't speaking and we were only staring at each other in awkward silence.

”Hm?” Seeing this, I slightly tilted my head with a smile and closed eyes.

”...Just looking at you, irritates me so much.” Chelsea suddenly said while crossing her legs and adjusting her lollipop in her mouth.

”You aren't the most pleasing woman to eyes either...And am I complaining to you?” I shrugged my shoulders while tilting my head and said with a friendly tone and closed eyes.

”Grr!” She narrowed her eyes and started to produce a weird sound while glaring at me. In response, I simply had closed eyes while facing her with a big friendly smile.

”I will castrate you.” She suddenly said while looking between my legs.

”I will kill you~” I immediately replied with a playful tone.

*Creek* The door opened and two figures walked in.

”What the hell is up with the atmosphere here...Are you planning to murder each other or what?” Babara asked while looking at both of us.

”Not at all!” Both of us answered at the same time with a totally fake smile when we snapped our heads at Babara.

”*...Taeko, never let those two be all alone in one room ever again.*” Babara whispered to Taeko who was standing next to her with a dumbfounded expression.

”*Understood.*” She nodded her head with closed eyes and replied.

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After we ate, Chelsea reported everything she found out.

”...And that should be everything...Can I now go to the hot springs? I worked really hard.” Chelsea stopped her report and then asked with a pleading expression.

”No, you still need to tail someone.” Babara said while sitting beside the window, constantly checking the road outside.

”He still didn't return, right?” I suddenly asked with a small smile and folded arms.

Taeko and Chelsea looked a bit puzzled but Babara just glanced at me before returning to her observing duty.

”That's right, I didn't see him return nor inside this building already. Lad, you already know who those ȧssassins are, right?” Babara asked with a calm voice.

”What?! Then I didn't have to work so hard if it's the truth!” Chelsea immediately gritted her teeth while looking at hatefully.

”Like I already said before...I won't let you slack off, even this is the training and the way for you how to gain experience for yourself.” Babara interrupted Chelsea's outbreak.

”I am not entirely sure but most likely I already know.” I nodded my head.

When Taeko heard me, her expression immediately hardened, most likely she remembered my previous words.

”Hm? Finally, Chelsea, come here quickly.” Babara said and all of us quickly arrived near the window.

”There...I want you to follow those two.” Babara pointed her hand with the gauntlet at two figures walking towards the town's exit.

”?!” Taeko's eyes immediately widened when she saw them and then glanced at me.

”Looks like you already know her, Taeko and Akashi. Chelsea, do your job and be careful.” Babara said when she noticed a change in Taeko's expression.

”*sigh* Even more work to do...I am going, see you later.” Chelsea's shoulders dropped down together with her head in defeat and she replied with a tired face while transforming into a bird and flying away.

”I feel like her disguise is getting worse each time I see her do it...like her aura is leaking out.” I muttered with a thoughtful expression while touching my chin.

”...That's right, the more frequently she is using it, the less effective it is against strong and observant people.” Babara nodded at my speculation and confirmed it.

”Anyway, let's wait until she returns...” I said and glanced at Taeko who had a complicated expression on her face.

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Roughly after an hour...

Chelsea returned while heavily panting and her heart was beating really fast as if she just escaped death.

*sigh* ”You can't even walk for a while without getting tired, do you?” I joked a bit and got behind her and put my hand on her back near her heart. I started to release a calming warmth from my hand to calm down her raging heart.

”You-! Huh?” She gritted her teeth when she saw my provoking smirk but she stopped in midway.

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