Chapter 167: Hi Ma. [2/2]
'This must be what Bella and the others felt when I asked them. It is only among those we consider precious that we wish to be seen as good people.'
"I'm fine, Mrs. Simmons. I've made a lot of friends and I'm making a boatload of money at my new job."
"Oh? And what exactly do you do at this new job?"
"Um. Pest control. I exterminate bugs from rich people's houses."
"Hmm... I guess as long as you are not selling drugs or your body, that is okay."
"Haha, I wouldn't do that Mrs. Simmons."
As we chatted, a fast blur ran out of the house and tackled me.
"JOHNNY! YOU'RE BACK!"
"Hi Alana, just for a little while, have you been good?"
"I am now that you're here! Come on in!"
With Earl and Noelle taking care of me, I practically grew up with Alana and her sister Bless. Like any good brother, I stepped up and beat the shit out of anyone who bullied them.
So Alana had no qualms about being around me and treated me like family. She had the skin tone of her mother, but the curly hair of her father.
Already an adult, she still acted like a spoiled child when I was around. While Earl and Noelle didn't mind, many of the neighbors talked about how inappropriate it was. So I deliberately made myself scarce.
Almost dragging me into the house, I followed the cheerful Alana as Noelle followed suit.
As we walked in, an extremely beautiful Asian woman with large breasts made a traditional bow in greeting.
"Smith-san. We meet again. Have you been well?"
Stunned by her beauty, I couldn't say anything. Apart from her voice, Aki didn't look anything like the ninja I knew. Her appearance, which would drive any man wild with desire, now matched her erotic voice to a frightening degree.
'Are all Reapers born with such an appearance? And those breasts! She was flatter than Robyn! Where the hell did they come from?'
"Smith-san, I would be embarrassed if you stared so much," Aki said shyly as she blushed.
Suddenly, I felt something hit my head, along with an angry rebuke.
"Dipshit, I raised you better than to ogle a lady. Stop it now. I thought you knew each other, why are you so surprised?"
"Ahh that's...um..." I stammered incoherently.
"Noelle-sama, I was very shy about my appearance, so I usually wore a face mask at the workplace. Today was the first time Smith-san saw my face."
"Hmph, is that so? Anyway, everyone come to the table, Appleboo should be home soon."
"Appleboo?" Aki asked confused.
"Ah! That's my mom's pet name for my dad! Even after all this time, they still act all lovey-dovey, it is so embarrassing!"
" Zip it Lana, when you get a husband you will understand. Call Bless, dipshit, help set the table," my ma ordered.
"What can I do, Noelle-sama? I am quite good at cooking."
"You are a guest Aki, we will take care of it."
"Mrs. Simmons, why don't you let her help?"
"Can it dipshit, carry my stew to the table."
Noelle sucked at cooking, but Earl always ate it with a love-struck face, no matter how horrible it tasted. Bless, Earl's first born came down a while later and hugged me without saying anything.
Unlike Alana, she was extremely reserved with others, but she was still a very thoughtful soul. She gave me a quick silent hug and then ran off to help set the table.
After a few minutes, Earl came home and joined us for dinner. When we saw each other, Earl and I, like men, just nodded our heads. He did, however, have a quick glance at Aki before any conversation with her.
Dinner started and Alana told how she was almost kidnapped and then rescued. According to her story, a bunch of thugs were stealing a car and she caught them in the act. In a panic, the thugs tried to kidnap her because they didn't know what else to do.
Aki, who was supposed to meet me in the area, heard her screaming and beat up the hoodlums. While the part where we were supposed to meet was a lie, the whole thing was a coincidence that calmed my fears of the Reapers.
"Thank you for saving my daughter Aki. Who knows what would have happened if you hadn't been there," Earl said gratefully.
Aki panicked and waved her hands as she replied.
"Ah! No Earl-sama! I just did what anyone else would have done. It does not matter. Alana was very brave, so I am glad that nothing happened."
I also bowed my head to Aki and thanked her. "Aki, Alana is like a sister to me. Thank you for protecting her. I will return the favor."
"Smith-san, what are you saying, there is no need for such words between us," Aki replied, while blushing.
"Wow! Oy dipshit, she is adorable, marry her already!" my ma shouted in delight.
"Cute," Bless said in passing.
"If it's Aki, I approve Johnny!" Alana chirped
"Ah, marriage is too soon for Smith-san and me. Although I wouldn't say no..."
The whole table laughed at Aki's reaction. She was the perfect image of a loving wife. Which was why I didn't expect what happened next.
[Mithridate class 2 poison detected. Poison neutralized by {Digest}. {Fate} Overload detected. All {Fate} loans have been purged.]
"What?"
I saw the entire Simmons family lose consciousness and collapse in their chairs. I stood up in a panic, only to be greeted by a shuriken colliding with my chest.
A sharp ding echoed in the air as the razor-sharp metal star bounced off my clothes. It didn't penetrate my skin, but the sharp edge managed to cut through my suit like a scalpel.
Before I could even react, Aki had one hand on the table and was swinging her foot at my head. {Limitless} allowed me to block her kick as another ninja star flew toward my eye.
Time slowed down and I blocked the projectile with my forearm. While I survived, I was slashed once more. A pair of hands suddenly grabbed me and threw me into the air.
After hitting a wall, I looked up and saw Aki walking towards me with a cold expression on her face.
"Smith-san. I have come for your life. For the sake of your beloved family, please accept your death."