Chapter 011: Him

"Alright then. Tell me, Okami, why are you pretending not to know me? Why are you hiding that you were my mentor? Well, you and that other boy. What was his name again? Neo? Noah?" Maou asked. Okami tensed. She looked as though she were reliving a terrible memory. A moment later, she relaxed a bit and smiled, although it was clear that she was only doing so to try and hide the pain she was feeling. "I'm surprised you even remember that, you were so young back then. As for what you said about a boy, I have no clue what you are talking about." she said. When she had began saying the second sentence, her eyes narrowed and her voice was cold. It was obvious that, whoever the boy she claimed not to know might be, was either truly hated by her, or just the thought of him reopened long-sealed wounds. Perhaps someone she knew, maybe even someone she had loved, was killed. Or perhaps someone betrayed her. Or maybe she had betrayed this mysterious boy. "W-wait, mentor?! What are you two talking about?! And, Maou, how do you even know her name? I didn't mention it at all!" Ren exclaimed. "Aw, didn't Okami tell you? I was once training to become an assassin, and she and another boy were my mentors. They helped me escape. Okami stayed back to cover for us, while the boy went with me to make sure I escaped safely. After he made sure I was far away from that place, we parted ways. I assumed he went back, but, by the way that you tensed when I mentioned him, I guess not. He was your partner and friend, wasn't he?" Maou asked. "Alright. You really want me to talk about him? Fine, but, I refuse to speak his name. After helping you escape, he never came back. Although I don't blame him for wanting to leave, I wish he would've waited for me. But, I suppose he must've had a good reason for not coming back. He was more than just my partner, and I haven't worked with another assassin since. I'd honestly love to see him again, though I doubt I ever will. There, are you happy now?!" Okami seemed extremely angry, although they could all tell that she was really in so much pain just thinking about this mysterious man. "Are you so hesitant to kill me, because, if he didn't make it back for a different reason, then his sacrifice would've been for nothing?" When Maou asked, Okami froze. "W-what are you talking about?! Of course he's still alive! Neikan would never die so easily!"