Chapter 36 Bonding Time? What?
Hei is currently walking slowly. Very slowly. Hanging his arms naturally on both sides of his body, he silently strides through another layer of bushes in front of him. His pace represents a rhythm – one that is harmonious and steady. Under such dull walking pattern, Hei's eyes never wandered off from his predicted target position.
The green bushes which Hei has been observing shakes upon the close approach of the Black Reaper.
SHOOP!
Two men in ethnic armory dashes straight out of the hidden plant, carrying their respective scimitars for their surprised assault.
"Targets established. Body mass estimated. Weapon danger analyzed. Instantaneous velocity will be taken in to calculation. Armory shows significant weakness in protective means."
Without a single sign of panicking, Hei swiftly switches his center force from his body to his legs, and pushes himself from the steady ground on which he stands. Rotating his body three hundred sixty degrees backward, Hei effectively evades the rushed horizontal slash from the two intruders. After successfully increasing the distance between the two attackers and himself, Hei's hands follows into his line of action.
"Bullet direction vector calculated."
BANG! BANG!
Two shots, two hits, two centers of their respective targets!
Unlike the time in Elder Basin, where Hei charged his bullets with high-voltage electricity, Hei decides to take the clear kill with just his pistols this time.
Before the two men can effectively cast a response to the Black Reaper, their bodies are no longer under their control anymore.
Landing on the ground carefully, Hei's line of sight continues to direct toward the upcoming forest.
SLASH!
As the shining blade cuts through the body of the fallen assassin behind Hei, Akame expressionlessly turns toward the Black Reaper, hoping to gain a certain response form the analytical man.
Is he going to thank Akame for saving his life? Apparently not.
Not even looking at the young assassin, Hei relentlessly ignores the existence of crimson-eyed girl – again.
Is Hei a grateful person? Of course not. If you would like to pursue the reason for his lack of reaction to Akame, then Hei would tell you that it is her job to cover his back; therefore, they are just fulfilling their respective duties.
And so, we come to the conclusion that Hei is an absolute jerk.
But on the other hand, can you blame him? He can't even be classified as a fully functional human being.
Blinking her eyes, Akame disappointedly follows the Black Reaper behind, attempting to search for an approval.
Focusing on his footsteps, the Black Reaper is currently leading the way through the dangerous forest for the duo, while the black-haired girl is following him completely silently.
No one is willing to initiate a conversation.
Rather than saying that the duo is searching for enemies, Hei and Akame looks more like a couple strolling in the beauty of nature after their afternoon tea. Even though it is currently nowhere near afternoon, even though neither of the two assassins have any special emotions toward each other, even though their weapons are residing right in their hands, this pairing atmosphere cannot, in any way, be more harmonious than this.
Suddenly, the Black Reaper cuts short of his pacing, and stops in the middle of nowhere.
"Particle unanimity disturbed. Component of potential danger ahead. Reaction plan initiated."
Wanting to step forward, Akame soon finds herself hindered by Hei's stretched left arm.
"Enemy sniper stationed."
Looking at the pale mask, Akame tilts her head to her left side, seemly asking the Black Reaper to let her handle such a threat.
"Unnecessary actions ineffective. You have a certain possibility to be injured. Stay here."
Thoughtfully glancing at Hei, and then turning to her Murasame, the young girl finds herself tightening her grip to her katana.
"Is he caring for me?" That is the first thought coming into Akame's mind. Unintendedly shifting her line of sight from Hei's mask to his left hand, a familiar feeling comes to her memory. Hei is known for his indifference toward everyone around him. Internally, Akame believes that even if Hei takes off his white mask, his emotionless facial expression will still cover up his internal thoughts like another layer of protection. Notwithstanding, something about this man is certainly interesting – such as his hands.
When Hei purposefully held Akame's hand before their cooperation began, Akame could clearly feel the heartwarming touch – but how is that even possible?
Reading Hei's unmovable mask again, the young assassin starts to ask herself the same question just like many days before – who is he?
For some reason, Akame has the urge to cut this man fully open with her blade and see what really lies inside that cold surface.
BANG!
Akame cannot see the target for which Hei was aiming.
But somehow, she knows, maybe by faith, that Hei has successfully eliminated the threat.
"Let's go."