Chapter 168 - Not a Vacation After All (1/2)

”Isn't this... way too long for a short trip?”

Nik questioned with a dubious expression for the duo had been walking for hours. As if to justify Nik's thoughts, the glaring sun at the peak of its hour kept glaring at the duo, who were the only one walking across the flattened path surrounded by a clear area of grass and a sparse number of trees that sheltered cute rodents.

”We... are close.”

Shigure tilted her head upwards and gazed at Nik's chiseled jaws before replying impassively.

”You said that an hour ago...”

Nik muttered with a sigh while he took out another bag of chips and tore a small opening through his teeth before passing the packet towards Shigure, who instantly took out a small piece of potato chip and narrowed her eyes in delight when the combined taste of spiciness and tanginess intertwined within her mouth.

After another hour of walk, Nik could finally witness a semblance of establishment and he would have been probably thrilled to interact with other people if not for the utterly grotesque smell that could be smelled from a far distance.

Even Shigure's expression grew somber, somewhat forlorn, in fact, while the strength in her grip grew marginally, just like how the distance between the duo was shortened.

”Shigure, I just want to state for future reference... a destroyed village is not a dating site material...”

He whispered as the duo grew closer to the village before Nik stopped her and embraced her softly, inciting a surprised expression from the otherwise impassive kunoichi.

”You are shivering... I don't know why...

But try to calm down...”

He whispered and indeed, Shigure was shivering even under such intense heat. Hearing Nik's words, a mixture of a pained and relieved sigh escaped Shigure's plump lips.

”You are... too nice, Nik.”

She whispered while her quivering arms slithered oast his underarms and latched onto his back tightly.

”He passed away here, right? Your father?”

Nik whispered softly as Shigure nuzzled while nodding.

”He protected the entire village... he died an honor—”

”No.” Nik interrupted her and tilted a little back to face Shigure and smiled warmly.

”You can lie to the world... but never should you lie to your own self. He died honorably?

I am sorry, but we both know that there is no honor in dying.”

Shigure's expression started turning for the worse while tears, for the first time in forever, threatened to leak from the corner of her eyes while Nik placed his hand over the back of her head and pulled her in.

Shigure's body trembled yet again while soft sobs leaked through the embrace as a damp feeling was transferred to his brain through the fabric over his chest.

”There you go... let it out...”

Nik whispered gently while giving no regard to the two crows who were perched over a thick branch while averting their gazes sideways.

They both didn't step into the destroyed village and kept on embracing each other for more than half-an-hour as the fabric over Nik's upper body was already damp, but he did not care for mere clothing while tending to the beauty that deserved his undivided attention.

”Thank you...”

Moments passed after Shigure calmed down and finally looked up with her usual droopy eyes, yet, the tear stain on her cheeks pictured a different story.

”Why thank me? If I am even unable to share moments of compassion with you, then our relationship is nothing but of plunging and ploughing.

That, I do not wish for.

And instead of speaking words of gratification, you can always show your appreciation through your actions.”

Nik smirked and immediately swooped down for a surprise honey kiss, yet, Shigure did not avert and fully accommodated his roguish tongue while her own fleshy tongue intertwined with his, making her forget her sadness, even if it was for a moment.

”See? Now, let's go for an actual vacation.”

Nik smiled and licking his lips as Shigure's cheeks were already painted pink. Nik finally took out a handkerchief from his inventory... apparently, he had hustled everything from a supermarket from his homeworld.

”Oi! Are there any actual missions nearby? Like fifteen minutes of distance away?”

Nik spun and waved at the two crows, one belonging to Nik and one belonging to Shigure.

After their mistress, the boss of the Kasugai Crow Communication Faction— Lisa Lisa, brought the duo into her mansion, the two crows have been sending back mock information about the duo and putting off the myriad reports of demon sighting in the villages near Tokyo.

”Caw! Yes, there are many!!!” The middle-aged woman, Shigure's Kasugai Crow, cawed shrilly before flapping her wings and smacking the back of the head of Nik's crow— something, Nik was relieved to see— and flew up.

”Nik! Shigure Kosaka! Elderly of the Village Tamane are vanishing without a cause! Scout the region!

Scout the region!”

Nik grinned and looked at Shigure.

”I know this is not really a type of vacation, but I think you are going to like my moves this time.”

He couldn't help himself and softly pinch her somewhat red nose tip and took her hand while moving towards the direction of Tamane Village.

Just like Nik asked, the village was almost twenty minutes away from the already destroyed one and the duo's appearance immediately took the village by surprise.