16 The Death God Shiki

"I never thought you would recognize me in such a short time." Shiki grinned. "Well if you can remember, you owe me a life debt."

I was first confused on what Shiki said. But then I remembered after my death and rebirth in this second life, I was able to meet a death god and made a deal with him. With remembering this my eyes went wide with shock.

"Y-You...h-how are you here? I mean...are you really that d-death god?" I can't believe my eyes. This beautiful man before me was that 'death god' that I made a deal with.

"At your service, mademoiselle." Shiki made a dashing smile and bowed down before me. He reached for my hand and gently lifted it. He placed a soft kiss on the back of my hand and that sent shivers through out my body.

"B-But why are you here?" I asked, still in disbelief. I retrieved my hand slowly from his grip.

"Didn't I say that we will see each other once again." Shiki said. "Of course I need to watch you closely. You owe me a life debt and you need to pay the price by doing the missions I give you. But when I arrived here, I just knew that you ran away. Tsk tsk." Shiki shook his head from side to side as if telling me I have done something wrong.

"I am not running away!" I shouted. "I-I just need some time off. After what just happened." I lowered my head down.

The memories started coming back once again. The pain that was starting to numb came back once more. My eyes started to tear up after these memories came rushing in.

My emotional state was going down once again when I heard a sigh. I looked up and saw Shiki looking at me with pitying eyes.

"I-I don't need someone's pity." I sniffed a snot that was trying to get out. I wiped the tears that were just starting. I strengthened my resolve once more. "I just need some time to collect my self. I promise that I will do the missions that you will assign to me. I will pay my life debt to you."

Shiki's face smoothed into a smile and nodded in agreement. "I am not strict of a debt collector. I am not in a hurry. But like all debts, your life debt also has a deadline. I can give you at least a year to relax here in Paris. But after that you need to go back to your home country."

I nodded knowing what Shiki means. My second life was made possible because of him. I am grateful for this second chance and I am willing to do the missions he give me.

"Then I promise to go back home after a year." I looked at Shiki with conviction. "I just have some questions, if that is okay?"

Shiki clasped his hands in the kitchen counter and rested his chin on it. "I guess you have many questions. I am willing to answer them so you can focus on your missions in the future."

I looked at Shiki with seriousness. He was right, I really have many questions for him.