Chapter 139 - #138 Damsel in Distress (1/2)

”...Good to see you again, please take a seat” Akashi said after a short awkward silence while pointing at the chair opposite to him.

”Thank you for agreeing to see me at this hour. Truth be told, I already expected you to be asleep so my hopes were really small.” Poney replied while forcing smile out of herself.

”I had a lot of work to do and I am not sleepy anyway. What is going on?” Akashi shook his head before he asked with a worried expression while looking at Poney.

”...Have you heard of the commotion that happened tonight?” She asked with a depressed tone.

”Yeah, a few ȧssassins ran away from the Capital together with Teigu in their hands.” Akashi replied with a natural tone, not trying sound surprised neither he tried to sound too knowledgeable about the situation.

”...It was Akame and Green. The moment when I heard the news, I immediately went after them, however, when I caught up with the group that was responsible for catching them, I found a father and Tsukushi together with them, well...only their corpses with black markings on them.” Poney said while looking down and folding her hands between her thɨġhs. Tears started to well up in her eyes once again.

”...” Akashi gave her time to catch a breath before she continued.

”I-I didn't know what to do. I didn't know what is happening, 2 of my closest people to me died while another 2 ran away and the chief is still somewhere outside on the mission to find Cornelia. I had no energy to do anything not to mention chasing after Akame and Green. I just wanted to grieve for a while however, I wasn't even allowed to do that, one of the officers of that group put a gun to my head and asked me if I will go look for Akame and Green or not.” Poney said and tears finally slowly rolled down her cheeks.

'Seeing this side of hers is really different feeling. She always struck me as a cheerful and airheaded girl which definitely suited her. *sigh*' Akashi thought before he released a short sigh.

”Seeing that you are here...it's safe to ȧssume that you are already branded as a traitor, right?” Akashi asked with a serious expression.

'Let's see what's her answer and maybe I should also cheer her up so she can speak without pausing after each word.' Akashi thought while awaiting her answer.

”...Y-Yes, it's safe to ȧssume that...” Poney looked down at her legs, not daring to even look at Akashi.

'That serious expression...I am gone, what was I even thinking? Akashi doesn't know me well enough to stick out his neck for me.' Poney thought while biting her lower lip.

*Thud* ”Ouch!” Poney felt a small pain from the middle of her forehead so he raised her head while protecting her forehead with her hands.

”Thanks for being honest with me.” Akashi who flicked her forehead while leaning forward said with a smile.

”Huh?” Poney continued rubbing her forehead while looking at Akashi with a dumbfounded expression.

”Don't 'Huh' me! Tell me, what do you need from me? I might be able to help you.” Akashi said while leaning back against his chair.

”I-I don't know what to say...Thank you! However, I don't know what I want or what I should do...he-he” Poney said and when she noticed Akashi's expression, she released an awkward laugh while scratching back of her head.

Akashi facepalmed himself.

'This is the old Poney I know...' Akashi thought while looking at Poney like on the idiot.

”You actually risked getting sold out by me to the Empire just to talk to me? What about Akame and Green? Don't you want to find them? Don't you want revenge? What is it that you truly want? I won't be able to help you without knowing that first...” Akashi said with his arms folded.

”I-...I have no idea, this is simply too much for me to absorb. In just a few hours with my absence and apparently Akame killed her best friend and father...what is this development?” Poney asked while leaning forward, putting her face close to Akashi as if she was trying to find answers on his face.

”Akame and Green simply chose their own way. I get it that Gozuki taught you everything but once you grow up to have enough of common sense, you should also start questioning the teachings of the person who was taking care of you. You shouldn't walk the path someone taught you to or show you, you should discover your own path and make sure that it is what you truly want.” Akashi said, slightly implying that Gozuki wasn't exactly what he pretended to be.

”...Do you mean to say that they were no longer content with the father's teachings? Why? I know Akame very well and she wouldn't abandon the path that helps people.” Poney muttered with a thoughtful expression.