Chapter 21

Akio had gone out for a bit of fresh air. Since the customers were fewer during this time of the day, he figured that he didn't have to help out. But even the outside was pretty mundane now for him. After only a few days of roaming in the outside world, he was bored.

Feeling that there was nothing he wanted to do, for now, Akio decided to return to the shop.

Akio was whistling happily as he walked into the store. Although the store door was transparent, he did not pay attention to the inside and walked right in.

Entering the store, instead of looking ahead, he moved his head from side to side, searching for any customer that might have come while he was gone.

Just when the sliding door finally made a sound, indicating the closing of the store door did he finally look forward.

What he saw made him feel rather awkward and uncomfortable.

Before him, zark was standing face to face with a lady whose hair was blocking the view of her face. Behind her were some people in black suits standing with perfect posture not showing even the slightest movement.

Akio was a bit startled by this. One glance and even a baby could tell that this lady was an important person who had brought bodyguards with her.

The fact that such an important person had come to the shop was fine for Akio. After all, 'Dove Park' was a famous store. He had seen many important people visit the shop before.

The reason why Akio was uncomfortable with her was that from the moment he entered the shop, this lady was staring holes at him. And not only her, this included her bodyguards and even Zark.

Seeing this, Akio did not know how to respond. So, he decided to just stare back at them. although this may come off as rude, according to him, this was the most preferable solution to his current situation.

Five minutes passed without anyone saying anything. To Akio, the awkwardness was only increasing by the second without anyone showing any sign of breaking the ice.

Ten minutes passed in the same manner. Akio now couldn't bear to handle the silence and this situation anymore. He felt like he was going to die internally due to the pressure.

Normally, a person of his caliber wouldn't actually feel like this but since he only talked to himself for over a millennium, he felt weird when someone stared at him without hostility.

Akio decided to break the silence.

『Um, guys?』

As soon as he said that, the other two also came to their senses.

Both of them were actually going with the flow and had not bothered to think about why they were actually staring at him.

When they heard Akio speak, they glanced at each other once. Immediately after that, Zark sprinted and stood in front of Akio.

Seeing this, Akio's mind was full of doubts.

『Hey-』

Akio didn't get to speak. Zark raised a hand to show Akio.

『You stay quiet for a while.』

Then Zark again continued to stare. But this time at the lady.

『Now, tell me why.』

Seeing all this happen, the lady was also a bit taken aback. But she immediately recovered and answered Zark.

『Sorry. As I've said many times before, it's not possible. But you can ask Akio about me. That should be enough to satisfy you, right?』

Hearing this, Zark slowly nodded his head. But he was still unsure.

『Does Akio really know her? She's saying with such confidence so she must be sure that Akio will recognize her. But how does he? Could it be...?』

Zark's eyes opened wide as if he suddenly got a huge realization.

『Could it be that this woman threatened him?! Yes, that must be the case! The nerve of her to actually force him. No matter what, I will never allow him to suffer again.』

However, he still decided to at least ask Akio. After all, there could still be a minute chance that he was wrong and Akio actually knew the lady without having been forced.

『Akio, do you know her?』

What Akio answered shocked everyone in the room. Even Zark didn't expect that answer.

Akio looked at the woman and said non-chalantly.

『I do not know her nor have I ever seen her before.』