CHAPTER 73: FATHER AND SON

"Do your absolute best."

That was the advice that Matsuo Yamamoto gave to both Liohime Kitagami and Jolene Aurora, followed by, "I won’t travel along with you guys. I have important business to attend to here, after all. Still, do note that I will be supporting you guys from Polar Town."

He exhaled, and then continued, "Jolene."

"Yeah?"

"Use your assassin skills to the fullest. I don’t want you holding back, even though you don’t necessarily like having to kill. This is your life that’s at stake, as the Paradisus Legion is a very dangerous place. You hear?"

"No shit. I’m ready for anything, so you don’t have to remind me," she coolly answered while turning her head away. Still, despite her ignorant attitude, Liohime glanced at her slightly trembling hand, and her clenched fist, noting that she too was nervous.

He smiled faintly, but his smile faded as his name was also called.

"Lio."

"S-Sir?"

"You are a man who thinks a lot during your job. Use that. Your strategic thinking, reaction time and fighting ability are top notch. Don’t hold anything back when faced with danger."

"Understood, sir!"

"Goddamn, I think he heard you, man," Jolene chimed in as she scorned his enthusiasm, but Matsuo chuckled.

"Good. Also, concerning your Magical Beast..."

Huh?

Liohime’s eyes widened and his breath got caught in his throat.

He froze, waiting for what his Chief had to say about the matter.

"I won’t ask about where you got it, but as I saw from the fight challenge a few days ago, it’s definitely powerful as fuck. It’s kinda putting me at ease now that I talk about it, cause with that power backing you up, it should be easier for you. Still, ensure that you use your Magical Beast."

"Yes sir."

Jolene scoffed. "You need a Magical Beast to be strong. That’s soooo sad, Shrimpick."

"You’re not cool just because you don’t use one, Cumslut."

"Uh, actually, yeah? I’m miles clear of you in strength, darling," she responded teasingly, and stuck her tongue out at him.

He replied to her teasing by sticking his own tongue out and placing his index finger right below his right eye, but Jolene instantly switched into sticking her tongue between her index and middle finger that was shaped into a V shape.

Slightly blushing, he averted his eyes and tried to ignore her, while Matsuo enjoyed the banter between the two.

Good luck, you two. You’re gonna need it.

***

"Well, looks like we’re here, you guys."

With that declaration, Matsuo Yamamoto had arrived at the destination, and just a few feet ahead of the sedan was the brilliantly black colored private jet that stood with elegance.

The stairs just behind the cockpit were laid out, and attendants stood by the door, waiting for passengers to arrive.

As the duo who had sat in the back seats got out of the car and opened the trunk to collect their suitcases, the hype mixed with genuine anxiety just didn’t seem to fade, and their inner child-like qualities were shown, even if it was just for an instant.

"Yo, are you seeing this shit, Jolene!?"

"It looks so fucking cool! But, shit, now I’m nervous as fuck. D-Do you think that we’ll be able to fly first class if it’s available?"

" ’If it’s available’? It better be!"

They both grinned mischievously, like two goblins ready to cause mayhem, but Matsuo Yamamoto quickly put them back in check.

"You guys better behave when you enter that jet. Don’t embarrass yourselves."

"Y-Yes sir," they both replied.

Now with a few steps away from the beginning of what would be an incredible phase of events, they both took in a deep breath.

"This is it, Jol-"

"Last one to the stairs is a piece of cow shit!!"

"Wha-!? Didn’t the Chief just say...!? Ugh!!"

Leaving him in the dust, Jolene sped forward, while Liohime merely stared on with a disappointed look in his face.

"Well, go on ahead now," muttered Matsuo, who folded his arms while leaning back on the side of his sedan.

"...Right."

Liohime took a few steps forward, but just as Matsuo had decided that he should head back into his car to drive away, the former dropped his suitcase and strutted back over to him.

"Hm? What’s wrong? Did you forget something-"

He could feel a warmth that enveloped his body, and he stiffened, unable to comprehend what just happened.

--Liohime Kitagami had hugged him, and he slowly gazed slightly downwards to glance at him with confusion.

He had never hugged him in a long while. Not since...

"Thank you for everything, sir," said Liohime, clinging onto him tightly. "For taking me in, for giving me a roof over my head, for allowing me to work for you, for making sure that I could provide for myself..."

Matsuo’s eyes wavered, and Liohime continued, "...For everything. Thanks to you, I am who I am today, and I can now possibly gain money that could set me for life if I successfully complete this mission.

The middle-aged man gnashed his teeth and held his breath, trying his best to ensure that his emotions did not spill out like Liohime, who was now practically silent with tears in his eyes.

"I promise that I will be someone that you will be proud of," the young man proclaimed solemnly. "I promise."

Taking those words to heart, Matsuo Yamamoto returned the embraced and smiled with joy.

"You already have, kid," he concluded. "You already have."

They pulled away from each other, and the older man placed a firm grasp on his shoulder, staring into his eyes one last time before they parted.

"Take care, Liohime Kitagami. May we meet again when this is all over."

"Yes, sir."

With that, they both saluted each other, and Liohime turned away, picked up his suitcase and strided forward with confidence.

In Matsuo’s eyes, the baby boy that he knew was now running freely towards his future, with a bright, cheerful grin, and he couldn’t be more proud.

"Stay safe, kid."