-Vol 5: A New Life-

-Idle Talk-

“Kenshin! Is the news actually correct? There is a se…racket going on inside that school? This isn't a plot to slander their name?” Mrs. Yui sounded very disturbed and in turn, asked Kenshin for confirmation. Kenshin knew why, a year ago, she had also tried to admit her daughter into that school. But, due to inside manipulation, she was not selected. That matter had always been a sorrow for her, after all, which guardian didn’t want to let their ward admitted into a prestigious school? She was also no exception. Hell, even Akari tried for that school, so he understood how she felt.

“Unfortunately, no. They are indeed managing that racket inside the school. I have also heard that many students of the school were discovered to affected by some unknown drug which was given to them regularly and was already showing the signs of withdrawal syndrome…” Kenshin revealed some of the things he read this morning from the official portal of DCB, the one saved for only the employees. Of course, he didn’t mention to her that it was actually him who cracked the whole place down, she didn’t need to know such details.

“I see…so that’s really the case…” Mrs. Yui had a conflicted look on her face. On the one hand, she was very happy that her daughter wasn’t selected last year, on the other hand, she felt sorry for all those parents whose children were now suffering the tragedy. The clash of emotions affected her pretty face, hiding the mature charm that she usually exuded.

“Well, you shouldn’t hang over such matter. It’s a good thing that our Ellie wasn’t selected last year, so you should be happy. Those parents, I am pretty sure they are suffering right now, but the world isn't a nice place to begin with! We can only hope that they recover from their losses.” Seeing such a downcast Yui, Kenshin tried to console her. Not knowing what he should say, just spoke his heart. Nonetheless, he knew she won't judge him for his ideals. She wasn’t a hypocritic person.

“Yeah. I should be happy…but for some reason, I can’t settle for this happiness no matter what. every time I think of this, the faces of all those innocent children pop into my mind, making me feel like I shouldn’t be happy while they suffer…” Mrs. Yui revealed a bitter smile on her mature face before shaking her head in sadness. She just couldn’t keep all those children’s situation out of her head.

“You are really too kind for your own good…” Kenshin said with a smile of his own. ‘Yeah, this lady was just too kind. That’s why she suffered many times in her life. The world will always take advantage of this kind of kind people.’ Kenshin mused while as he thought of the day when she accepted him and Akari that night. She didn’t even ask if they got money or their identity. She just saw two children seeking help, and she helped to the best of her ability.

“I am really miserable, ain’t I?” Mrs. Yui asked while showing a pensive smile. Although she was aware of her own shortcoming, which wasn’t really a shortcoming, she just couldn’t do anything about it. It's too difficult for a person of her age to change.

“Nah! It's fine. I think it's your kindness that makes you such a unique person. In this day and age, rarely ever one find a person as kind as you.” With a natural smile that came from the deepest depth fo his heart, Kenshin shared his thoughts with the lady who just couldn’t settle for a single emotion.

Naturally, this made her very happy and also allowed her to put down that which weighed on her heart. The conflict of emotions deemed down somewhat in her eyes. Turning away, she blushed a deep shade of red before reprimanding Kenshin with a stern tone, “It seems you are turning into quite a glib character. Daring to talk this old lady like that.”

“Hey! Who called you old? I think you are still at the prime of your life…even now you have some admirers who didn’t back away from proposing you…” smiling at her change in attitude, Kenshin countered her playfully. Of course, what he said was the truth, he knew even after the incident with Kaio, there were still a few people who dared to pursue her. Of course, they didn’t cross the line. They all had gained a healthy fear of Kenshin’s presence.

“You…how did you know all that? I am pretty sure they did everything to hide this fact form you!” of course, these guys were courageous but not up to that extent. Although they admired Yui, the fear they had for Kenshin was many times larger. They only made their move when they were absolutely sure Kenshin was not around.

“Haha! Although they are good at hiding their intentions, they can't stop every wild mouth from blabbering after all…” Kenshin said with a relaxed manner. Up, on the second floor, Ellie, who was playing house with Axel, suddenly sneezed. Blinking her big eyes in wonder, she then resumed her actions of ‘brewing tea’ for Axel, her ‘daughter’.

“Well…I hope you don’t do much damage to them!” Yui pleaded for those poor souls. It was the reason why she never told of this fact to him, fearing that he would beat them all up like how he had done to Kaio and his cronies.

“As long as they don’t cross the line…anyway, I have something important to discuss with you.” Saying that, Kenshin brought out a piece of folded paper and handed it over to Yui.

“This is?” Yui asked as she inspected the paper up to down, but didn’t open it. She looked at Kenshin in wonder.

“There will be a package arriving for me this evening. I will be out on a mission, so you have to receive it for me. Since its not a normal package, you will have to hand that paper to the delivery man. They will know what to do.”

“You will be fine right?”

“Yeah. It's just a tour to a different province, no big deal. I will be back in two, at most three days.” Kenshin glossed over the whole matter into just one word, tour. Misunderstanding it, Mrs. Yui nodded and revealed a relieved expression. Kenshin could only wonder what reaction should have shown if he had told her that he was going to fight sea monsters.

After that Kenshin stayed until lunch, during that time he spent some time with Axel and Ellie. They both are showing the hyperactiveness of their age, giving Kenshin a big headache. Axel, who was dressed in girl’s clothes, looked even more pretty than most of the girls of his age. As much as he hated to admit it, he even looked prettier than Akari, when she was his age. Kenshin was also very surprised at the transformation of the child. The crouching boy who behaved like a wild beast now looked, acted, and even behaved like a human of his age. He could now even talk normally like humans.

Since he could now talk and behave like humans, Kenshin thought of asking about his origins but gave up the idea. With Ellie and Mrs. Yui around, he couldn’t do such a thing, lest they worry unnecessarily. By now, he was half sure that this Axel’s origin wouldn’t be normal in any length.