Chapter 425 - HOLDING ON TO A PROMISE (2/2)

”Yeah, I have met her.” Akira made a face.

”Kaito seemed to have secretly withdrawn his most trusted members from the Shadow Brotherhood. I ȧssume that the separation between him and Ayumi was not as amicable as it seems on the surface.” The Chief said with a lifted brow.

Akira thought back to the occurrence that led to the division. It seemed that Kaito had taken her words seriously. She did not believe that Ayumi would let things go after her love for Kaito was scorned.

”I should also warn you that there is a bit of unrest due to Kaito's recent actions.” The Chief added.

”What actions?” Akira leaned forward with tension in her limbs.

”You child!” The Chief was exasperated. ”When he decided to begin a domestic life with you in Mountain Ridge, he abandoned his responsibilities. I have told you before that Kaito is considered a necessary evil.”

”He has filled a crucial niche that even we, in the unorthodox law enforcement branches, cannot. He eliminates evils that cannot be handled by the legal arms of the government. If he is not available, a lot of people will be unhappy.”

”Can't another ȧssassin take over?” Akira asked.

”How can it be so simple?” The Chief sighed. ”An ȧssassin who can gain the protection of the government is not easy to come by. In the past, Kaito was hunted by governments before he proved his worth. And it is more than his skills.”

”Kaito proved to the powers that be that he goes beyond earning a few bucks as a mercenary. When he accepts a mission, he is diligent in checking the background of both the client and the target. He does not take on tasks without merit.”

”And when he eliminates a target, he provides the government with sufficient materials to prevent public pushback and unrest in case questions are asked. Furthermore, his skill level eliminates conflict since no one has ever seen him kill anyone.”

Akira nodded in understanding.

”With his whereabouts unknown, some ȧssassins will be vying to become the next chosen one. It could get messy. Moreover, some people have been looking for an opportunity to get revenge on Kaito. What better way than to take out his woman and child?” The Chief said with anger and frustration.

His sword would taste blood once he met that man. How could he leave Akira in this mess?

”I will find him,” Akira said with conviction.

”Don't forget you have a limited timeline.” He looked meaningfully at her abdomen. ”If someone can manage to make Kaito disappear, it has to be someone much stronger.”

There was a long silence.

”Are you sure he did not leave of his own volition?” The Chief asked a difficult question.

Akira's mind went back to that morning after.

{What do you propose?” She asked.

”An oath of trust.” Kaito leaned close to her. ”Believe in me, and I will believe in you.”}

She lifted a hand and touched that ring she had around her neck.

”No. He would never leave me.”

In truth, she was afraid. Really afraid.

She was not a stranger to being abandoned. Everyone in her life always left her. And she had sworn to never let anyone leave her again. She never wanted the burden of wondering if she was good enough for people.

But she held on to Kaito's promise.

She would believe in him.