Chapter 20

On the day after the incident, 'Dove Park' started business again.

Akio lazed around in the shop as he was bored. Sometimes he would take a stroll outside. Sometimes he would help around the store. But all in all, he was terribly bored.

Three days later, when the doors of the store slid open, a trail of people flowed into the store. In the lead was a pale lady still in her early 30s.

Zark was searching for something at the back of the store when she arrived. One of his assistants immediately responded as they entered the store.

『Hello, ma'am. How may I help you today?』

She did not respond. Instead, she looked around the store carefully. Seeing that she cannot find what she came here for, she decided to ask the attendant.

『Excuse me, but does a man named Akio, work here?』

The attendant was puzzled. He was unsure about whether or not to say about him. Store policies say to never give out your personal information while inside the store. But as it stood, it could be an important person for him.

『Please give me a moment, ma'am.』

He knew that Akio stayed with the store owner, Zark. But for some reason, Zark has always avoided telling them who Akio was to him. He thought that it would be best for him to notify Zark of the matter.

The attendant found Zark at the back of the store.

『Sir, we have a person asking for Akio.』

『What?!』

Several thoughts went through Zark's mind.

『Who is it? Is it his father? Is it his mother? Is that person his family member? A friend? How did they know he was here?』

He decided to see the person.

He went out of the room to the front of the store to see a lady talking to a man in a black suit behind her.

『Excuse me, ma'am.』

When she turned around, Zark knew who she was. Not many people knew of her true identity. But he knew her. She was someone who used to come regularly to his store before she got married. The attendant was a part-timer who joined just recently, so no wonder he didn't know.

But Zark wasn't going to let his guard down. Just because she was a regular, doesn't mean she was of a nice nature. They had hardly talked a little back when she used to come. So, even to Zark, she was shrouded in a cloud of mystery.

『Oh, yes. Hello, Mr. Zark. I think that attendant told you what I came here for?』

『Why do you need Akio?』

『You don't need to know.』

『I guess, you don't need to meet him as well.』

There was a clash of stares for a while in the middle of the shop. Neither side broke the silence.

5 minutes later, the madam gave in.

『Ugh, fine. The reason I want to see him is that he saved my life the other day. Are you satisfied now?』

Zark was skeptical. He didn't how Akio could even encounter such a person. Not to mention the person said help. How could a magicless person like Akio possibly help someone of that stature?

『If you don't mind, I would like to know in what way did Akio help you?』

Even while he asked this, he was continuously running as many possibilities as cold through his mind.

『Could he be a-? No, no, no. He would never do such a thing. What if he helped her in loading the goods? But would someone come to personally thank him for such a trivial task? There are countless other workers there, so why only him? What if he gave some advice on trading to her? But what advice can a student like Akio, who was missing for 3 years give to her?』

Even though advice seemed like the most probable answer, it still seemed like a far-shot to Zark.

The lady was looking at him with a confused expression. She was wondering if he was trying to waste her time. She was not even sure if this person really knew Akio. She did not want to tell him her circumstances if possible. Plus, it would take a long time to explain.

『I am sorry but I don't wish to tell you how I have been helped. But, I have to thank him. So, would you kindly call him here?』

Zark was more skeptical than ever.

『If Akio was related, then she must be able to tell me what it was about. Yet, she is not. It might not be right to let someone like her meet Akio.』

Zark didn't bother to think more. He was determined to decline her request.

But as his luck would've had it, just as he was about to say no, the familiar sound of the store doors opening hit them.