Pov Neo
' What is she thinking ? Of course I worry about her when she looks like a corpse . '
I think , while continuing my journey through the empty street of Vale .To my misfortune , the sunny weather I found when I woke up has passed. Street was covered with a light fog and sun hide bihinde the dark clauds. This made it a rather cool and humid day today . But , such weather did not prevent me from doing what I have to do today . And I have a few things to do . No work or missions , just some errands around town .
' First I have to visit a pawn shop to return a pot after yesterday's soup . Then the dust store to pick up the money for the head of that SDC employee who " Disappeared " . Then get the money to the warehouse owner and his daughter . And at the very end I have to give Cherry the camera with the mission confirmation video . '
I think, arranging in my head a plan and a time frame to get home to this stupid girl as soon as possible.
' I know that something is bothering her and she obviously can't sleep, but if she doesn't say anything to me I can't do anything. Putting pressure on her will only make her even more closed off or worse, angry. However, if it is to get worse I will have to do something eventually . '
I think sighing with fatigue . Seeing Kurumi in the state , in which she is today breaks my heart . Unfortunately I don't know what to do , and that probably makes me feel even worse .
' For now, I'll buy some sleep and sedation medications to make sure Kurumi gets at least some sleep . By the way , I will also buy some medicine for her pains . '
I think , adding this to my to do list today .
' Well at least Kurumi kept her word and stayed home . Unfortunately it worries me that she stayed home alone . It worries me that with her unnecessary stubbornness something might happen to her '
Thinking about this I could only sigh as my hand , nervously turned the umbrella , which I held leaned against my shoulder and open above my head . Doing so I looked back to see Emerald walking behind me , with the empty pot after yesterday's soup held in her hands .
' I have to go with Emerald for safety reasons . '
I think unhappy about this . I would have preferred that she stay with Kurumi or go alone to settle our affairs , while I would have taken care of Kurumi in the meantime . Unfortunately Kurumi said that we should both go . Even though we are not doing any task and I can protect myself , sometimes it is better to go in two people .
' All the more so when you hold in your hands a camera with a recording worth several thousand Lien . '
I think , while tightening my grip on the bag with camera inside , which is in my other hand. I honestly don't believe that someone will steal it from me , but if there's anything I've had to learn living this type of live is certainly the fact that overconfidence kills . Kurumi repeatedly says that we are not invincible and I know she is right . Hunter and snipers with high caliber weapons will kill us without any problem . I know this well myself .That night and that bang of gunfire haunts me in nightmares to this day .
' If not for Kurumi , I wouldn't even know when I died . Everything happened so fast . But the worst thing is that that sniper is still alive . At least I hope so because I want to kill him myself . That Bastard gave me nightmares and trauma . '
' If it wasn't for Ash who confirmed that the sniper couldn't see our faces in the darkness of the street , I wouldn't be able to walk in the open without illusions . Unfortunately I can not say that about our figures and height . According to Ash, this is the only information that this sniper could get about us. It is not much but still .... It is annoying ."
Thinking about it I can only cluck my tongue and clench my fists . However, in addition to the safety itself , I would not be able to carry both the pot and the camera together . And well maybe I didn't want to argue with Kurumi about it either , I know she is stressed and I don't want to add to it . So even though I don't want it, I'm stuck with Emerald .
I think while continuing to look at Emerald, who, seeing that I was looking at her, looked at me and gently tilted her head with a questioning expression on her face. I just ignored her , I don't have the mood . I want to finish this as soon as possible and take care of Kurumi . While she is lying in bed , I will take care of her and pamper her . The few days off promised by Kurumi will be an ideal opportunity for this .
We work hard every day and we have no problems with money, so there is no need to overwork ourselves. We have already paid the monthly installment, earning for the next one is only a matter of a few weeks if we find a good job. And there are a lot of them lately . So a week off won't make a difference for us . '
I think to myself as I turn the corner and continue on my way . Within half an hour we reach Lombard . Today is the only day of the week when the pawn shop is closed , but that is not a problem when you have the right keys . Taking these keys out of my pants pocket , I easily open the door and go inside .
" Good morning , it's me and Neo ! "
Said Emerald loudly to inform and warn that it was us .
' Once I , Emerald and Kurumin made a joke in which we snuck into Lombard to make an unannounced surprise visit. But , the only surprise, however, turned out to be a barrel end of double-barreled shotgun , which big papa pointed in our face . '
Thinking about it I can't help but be amused at the memory of big papa's long lecture on our behavior and common sense .
' Well at least it was fun .
Thinking about it my attention is caught by footsteps coming from the depths of the building .
" I am in the living room " .
Said big mom . Her voice came from the residential part of the pawn shop . Without saying anything more we both headed towards the living room where we were greeted by the sight of big mom adding three plates to the table , on which there was already one lonely plate of food .
" I did not expect you today but I still made a little too much, so sit down . "
Said big mom after which she quickly returned to the kitchen . When she returned , she brought forks and knives . Only after putting them next to the plates did she notice Emerald standing with an empty pot
" Thank you , and sit down already , I'll bring the food soon . "
Said big mama picking up the pot from Emerald, who looked at me and then at the three extra plates on the table. Then big mama came back from the kitchen again , this time with a paten stuffed with meat . Normally I would never refuse food from big mom , unfortunately I still felt satiated after eating Kurumi's breakfast . Besides , staying to eat will cause delays in our plan today . However, lookingat the lonely plate and big mom's happy smile .
" Where is Big papa , Ash and Cooper ? "
Emerald asked , also noticing a lonely plate and a quiet house .
" They went to sell some things from the pawn shop . We managed to find some customers for our stuff . "
Said big mom in an overtly good mood . Clearly everyone has their own things to do today leaving big mom alone . If it wasn't big mom I wouldn't care , I would just leave . But she is a big mom . This woman is like a mother to us . When we explain to her that Kurumi feels bad , she will have no problem that we leaving . But leave her alone during a meal ? '
Thinking about it , I begin to dislike this soft part of myself . My heart has developed some soft spots that make such situations annoying . Looking at Emerald I can see how she is also not sure about this situation , rather she is looking at me waiting for my decision . And as if on cue , big mam was already about to put food on the third plate , and only then did she notice that Kurumi was not with us .
" Little Kurumi did not come ? "
Hearing big mam ask this , I couldn't help but notice how there was definitely hesitation and sadness in the tone of her voice .
' And how can I not see her as a mother ? '
I wonder while watching her old hands put the pan down on the table .
" Kurumi is feeling bad today , she had a rough night and doesn't look too good today . "
Said Emerald sitting down at the table . I also sat down , not wanting to make big mom more uncomfortable . Besides , she has already put food , and wasting it is unacceptable to me . Let's just eat quickly and move on .
" I understand " .
Said big mom in an understanding tone after which she quickly put down the pans and returned to the table at which we quickly began to eat .
" I understand that Kurumi is now alone at home , and you have things to do ? "
Asked big mom to which I , chewing the food , nodded .
" You could have called me and I would have come to take care of her . But well , knowing Kurumi , she would not let me take care of her anyway . "
Said Big mom pointing out the obvious issue of Kurumi's stubbornness . This stupid girl , as long as she is able to stand , there is no option that she will let someone take care of her .
" I used to think it was because of lack of confidence that she is like this , now I understand that she does not want to look weak . Kurumi does not want to worry others and rely on them because she believes that others should rely on her and it is her responsibility to provide you with everything . "
Said big mom with evident fatigue .
" This girl ..... Kurumi is so stubborn that she will carry any burden on her back , even when her legs start to buckle under her from that burden . And now that she is getting older she is getting more and more stubborn about it ."
Said Big mom with some dissatisfaction . I also felt the same . It's annoying but I also know that Kurumi is not like this because she doesn't trust us , she just takes the worries and stresses on herself . She just does not want us to worry .
" But now she has both of you . Looking at how you've grown I don't see a problem to worry anymore . Kurumi is your family so I believe you will be able to help her . You don't need those old bones anymore .... No ..... The truth is that you never needed us . "
Says big mom with some sadness , distance and thoughtfulness in her voice . Of course, immediately upon hearing this I looked at big mom , who was looking at us with a sad smile .
" That's not true ! I would literally die if it wasn't for you ... From what I know Kurumi and Neo also lived thanks to the pawn shop . Our house and our work also exists only because of you ."
Said Emerald with indignation . I was thinking the same thing but I couldn't express it in the same way she did . If it wasn't for the pawn shop Kurumi and I might not have even had a reason to meet . If not for the pawn shop we would have died after the events of the museum . If it wasn't for the pawn shop , big mama , big papa , Ash and Cupper we wouldn't have been able to make it in this world .
" These were only small pushes , we never did anything more than giving you three a chance . And If it wasn't for our gut feelings about your bright future we might never have helped you ."
Said big mama from the bottom of her heart . However , just because she said it from the bottom of her heart means nothing . What she calls giving us a chance , is enough to consider as a factor that made us alive to this point . I love what I have and I am proud of what I have achieved . However, this does not eliminate the contribution that the pawn shop had on my life .
I am no longer a young , lonely girl from a rich home . I am a Neo , a killer and a girl that no one wants to mess with . I don't know what my life would be like if it weren't for Kurumi . The fact that Kurumi changed my life is only because big papa and big mama decided to help her . This means that if it wasn't for the pawn shop I would definitely not be alive .
After all, if it wasn't for Kurumi the spider syndicate would have captured me sooner . I would have died at the hands of that woman and her people . Or worse , live a fate worse than death . And after escaping from the museum, if the pawn shop hadn't helped us hide and heal we both might not have lived .
" However, now I have nothing to worry about . You have grown up and already have the foundations for a bright future . You are no longer children , although in my eyes you will always be that group of emaciated and lost girls . Of course if you need anything we will always be here for you . After all, we are family . "
Said big mom with a sad smile on her wrinkled face .