Hitman x Wives-Chapter 196 - Next Move

The concert continued from then on. Each song was more beautiful than the other and the fans found themselves in a whirlpool of emotions that they never felt before. It easily settled in their minds as the best concert they ever attended.

Even Eva and Kaya felt the same and had the time of their lives listening to the songs. The only one who had a rather tame reaction was Kai as he simply sat in his chair, looking at Claire through the window.

Eventually, the concert reached its climax with the last song and Claire ended the show with two words.

"Thank you." After that, she bowed to everyone before she walked off stage. The moment she was out of vision, she exhaled a long breath before she wiped the sweat on her face.

"It was absolutely amazing, Claire! I couldn't believe my own eyes!" Her agent quickly approached her, handing her a towel and a drink.

"I'm going to rest." However, Claire simply took the two items before excusing herself toward her room.

When she entered inside, she exhaled a long breath before she wiped the sweat and sat down.

'Now, when am I going to die?' She thought to herself.

Kai didn't specify the time, he simply said that it would happen after the show. Which meant that it could happen now, or in a few minutes. Well, in any case, the moment the show was finished, Aria readied herself for the inevitable.

She had already done everything she could to die with the least amount of regrets. Granted, she still felt extremely regretful, but something is better than nothing. One thing she was certain of is that she definitely had done her best to protect the person she loved.

Because of that, her life turned into hell. But, she didn't mind as long as the person she adores lives a happy life.

'Let's see, how should I lay down.' Thinking about the position she should die in, she stared at the sofa in the room before she stood up and approached it. After that, she laid down on the sofa on her back.

'Hmm, or maybe on my side better?'

Then, she tried her side, her stomach and even simply sitting down.

Her movement continued in the silent room as she tried to find the optimal position. However, she still couldn't find it.

"What are you doing?"

Suddenly, a voice shook her awake from her dilemma. Looking at the opened window, she found Kai standing there looking at her with a cold yet also confused look.

"What… are you doing here?" Seeing the person she least expected to see, Aria asked with a swirl of emotions flashing in her eyes. Luckily, Kai didn't see her reaction.

"There is one thing left that bugged me which I didn't find an answer to." 𝒃𝙚𝒅𝒏𝙤𝙫𝒆𝒍．𝙘𝒐𝙢

"..."

"Did that man do something to me before I could leave?" He asked.

"What do you mea-"

"You know exactly what I mean. There is something wrong with me that I can't find an answer to and my best bet is that the bastard did something. You were his partner in the plan so you should know."

"I really don't know what you're talking about. What's wrong with you, Kai?" Aria asked as her emotionless voice sparked with a hint of worry.

This was really news for her. Kai had something wrong with him? That alone was more than enough to shake her fears again. If something happened to Kai after she died, what was the point of all of her efforts? She did all of that just so that Kai could escape and live his life.

Meanwhile, Kai was thinking about something different. Aria was certainly knowledgeable about all kinds of things that bastard does. She was one of the few people he trusted with the job after all. So, if Kai told her, there was a very high chance that she might know something.

However, in the off-chance that she doesn't, he would've simply told her something unnecessary.

Thinking it through, Kai could only sigh. He doesn't have many leads toward that man other than Aria herself. She knew many things he didn't which was a huge advantage.

'If she doesn't know then she will simply die. That shouldn't create a problem.' He thought as he closed his eyes.

"Please tell me what's wrong. I will try to help in any way I can."

"I'm going to die in a few more months," Kai said with a sigh.

This was something that he didn't tell Kaya and Eva yet. In actuality, after what happened with the Guild, Kai discovered that his symptoms had become even stronger and more intense. It didn't take him long to realize that because of his overuse of Origin, the period of time he had left was shortened by at least 9 months.

When he realized that, he decided not to tell the two girls because they would only be scared to death. Especially, Eva, it took him some effort to convince her that she wasn't to be blamed for what happened. If she realized that she had a hand in shortening his life span even more, Kai didn't even want to imagine how she would feel.

'I will solve this problem without making them suspicious.' He thought to himself.

The moment Aria heard those words, her expression crumbled. Her heart stopped for a second and her face paled to a horrible degree. She almost thought she heard him wrong.

"W-What…"

"As I said, I'm going to die in a few months. It's a sickness I had ever since I left that godforsaken place. I don't know how or why but it happened and now I'm looking for a cure or a lead for the cause of the illness."

"Illness…" Aria quickly took a deep breath to calm down. Panicking will do her no good. She had to think rationally.

After a while, her expression changed again as if she recalled something.

"I do remember seeing something like that. I… He did tell me once about making something that will help him… control anyone he wants. I don't know if that's… any help…"

"Control anyone he wants?" Kai raised an eyebrow as he fell into deep thought. That didn't sound like an actual thing related to his illness… Or is it?

From what he can remember the times it prominently showed its symptoms were when those pair of eyes that Kai can't quite remember appear. Every time they do, he instantly gets hit with the symptoms.

Which meant that those eyes triggered his symptoms. Isn't that also a form of control?

'I already expected that bastard to have a hand in this. But, to think that he actually found something that could kill me…' His fists instinctively tightened.

"Kai…" Aria called for him gently. "I-I can help you…"

"Help me?"

"Y-Yes, if what you said is true then finding him is your top priority, right? I can be useful…" Claire said. "I know many things about him and I also have connections in Divinity. I will help you find your father."

"And why should I believe you?"

"I know it's too much to ask for that. But… Please, prolong my life till I'm sure you're safe and sound… Please…" She said with a low tone.

Aria was completely stuck in a really bad situation right now. Not only did she just hear that Kai is sick but she also can't help him much especially when her death is near. She could only beg Kai to let her live just a few more months so she could help him find his father.

'He doesn't trust me… Why would he even accept?'

The latter poured into her face as if he was trying to discern what she wanted to do. Then, he asked.

"Why is my well-being of your concern? As far as I remember, you're one of the reasons I'm like this now."

"I can't… tell you. But, please trust me, Kai. I really mean no harm to you. What I did in the past… It was for a reason."

"What reason?"

"I can't say a word." She replied.

"So you betrayed me and now you want to help me without telling me why?" He raised an eyebrow.

"..."

"Well, if that doesn't sound logical enough." He added with a sarcastic tone.

However, even though Kai was being defensive, his mind was working through all the possibilities and decisions he should take. Aria certainly had valuable knowledge he lacked and using that he could potentially find that man way quicker than if he went into this without any prior knowledge.

But, trust was important in such a matter. Aria could be still working under that man as far as he's concerned.

"Let's do an Origin Vow… I will prove that I'm not trying to harm you." Aria spoke after a while.

Those words surprised Kai a little.

'So you're ready to put your life at risk for this…' He thought to himself.