The reason why the update is so late? Got a new job and now work full time, that's why!
Next update? Charming Demon! Why? Because the readers over on that story have been making great comments!
Write a comment if you want more!
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Chapter 19
"Reports have just come in, that the terrorist group known as The Shining Light Liberation Army has suffered a catastrophic blow. The camp nestled in the dense jungle, once teeming with dangerous terrorist activity, now lies in ruins from a catastrophic explosion. No one knows who is responsible fo-"
Noir looked away from the TV and focused back on the task at hand… finding clothes for Kimiko.
Despite the late hour, the convenience store was conveniently open for them to shop for clothes. The only person inside was a passed-out cashier sleeping away behind the counter, allowing them to browse in peace.
Black Noir watched as the woman, now dressed in a plain white t-shirt and black pants, grabbed everything in sight. From bags of chips and sweets to cans of soda, it was as if she'd never had the freedom to choose such common commodities before. She piled them all into the shopping cart with a childlike glee that was almost infectious.
Noir felt something tugging at the corner of his lips.
A high-pitched ding broke the silence as Kimiko approached the freezer section and yanked open the door. She studied the ice cream selection with an intensity that would be more appropriate for disarming a bomb, while Noir quietly watched from afar.
He had always been a silent shadow, a figure lurking on the sidelines, people often forgot he existed, which suited him just fine. The less they noticed him, the easier it was for him to do what needed to be done.
In this case, what needed doing was finding clothes suitable for Kimiko to wear. Noir steered their shopping cart towards the clothing aisle, leaving Kimiko with her ice cream decision-making.
He picked out several items - a jacket with a hood large enough to hide her face, more pants and shirts, and some shoes. He added them to their growing pile of items and looked back towards Kimiko. She was excitedly walking back to him with two ice cream cones clutched in her hands and a triumphant smile on her face.
Kimiko offered him one of the cones, her expression full of expectation for him to take it.
He regarded her for a moment before taking the offered cone with a nod of his head. Normally, he wouldn't eat in front of anyone but since it was her… he moved up his mask, showing his pale skin that had never seen the sun, and took a bite of the ice cream. The cold sweetness of the ice cream flooded his senses.
Kimiko watched him with bright, curious eyes, waiting for his reaction. Noir noticed this and brought his hand up and gave her a thumbs up, much to her delight.
She began to eat her own cone with fervor, little hums of approval slipping out between bites. Kimiko seemed to relish every bite, eyes squeezed shut as she concentrated on the flavor, like it was the most delicious treat she'd ever eaten.
Noir couldn't help but watch her, her happy smile reflecting off his helmet. Although battered and scarred by her past with The Shining Light Liberation Army, there was an innocence about her that he hadn't expected.
He turned away from her and began to push their cart toward the counter with Kimiko walking beside him. They stopped in front of the sleeping cashier and rang the bell that was sitting on the counter. The cashier started, flailing for a moment before looking blearily around the store.
She blinked at the sight of them, her gaze sweeping over their shopping cart full of goods, Kimiko's closed eyes as she enjoyed her ice cream and Black Noir's mask staring down at him. Noir took out a large roll of cash, took out a single note, and slid both of them over the counter to the cashier who was still blinking as though she wasn't quite sure if she was dreaming or not.
"B-Black Noir? W-What are you doing here?"
The silent member of The Seven simply pointed at the cart full of items.
"O-oh, you w-want me to scan your items?"
Noir gave a curt nod before turning to Kimiko, who had just finished her ice cream cone. She gave the cashier a smile before turning back to Noir with a tilt of her head. Understanding what she was asking, the hero nodded his head again, much to her joy as she excitedly ran back to grab more ice cream.
She came back with the entire contents of the freezer.
"…A-Alright."
The cashier quickly set about scanning their items and bagging them up in haste. Kimiko watched curiously as each beep rang out clearly in the silent store. In between bagging, she stole glances at Noir who was patiently observing their surroundings through the reflection on the store's window, ever so vigilant.
Eventually, with all items scanned and placed in several plastic bags, Noir took one last look around before nodding at Kimiko who had finished another ice cream and looked ready to leave. He grabbed the bags and handed her a couple to carry.
"W-Wait! You forgot yo-!"
Noir brought a finger up to his masked lips and made a shushing gesture towards the flustered cashier. The poor girl abruptly fell silent, her mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water.
She looked down, her eyes widened in disbelief when she saw the roll of bills was filled with hundreds while a single bill was separate from the rest to pay for the items. Thinking that maybe it was a mistake she looked back at Noir to clarify. But Noir's unwavering gaze and silent demeanor made it clear: there were no mistakes.
"Uh... right," the cashier stammered, gratefully taking the roll for herself. "T-Thank you for your business a-and your service."
She understood what was happening, Noir was giving her the money in exchange for her silence. While she would have happily done so without it, she was in desperate need of money which was why she was working such a late shift. The money would really help her…
Noir then picked up the remaining bags and headed toward the door, with Kimiko following closely behind him.
Their exit from the store was silent; Kimiko looked back over her shoulder at the dimly lit aisles before stepping out into the night. The cold wind whipped around them but neither flinched, they were able to handle worse weather.
They walked in silence through deserted streets back towards their temporary hideout.
Despite the shadows that followed them, there was a lightness in her steps, a freedom she was only just beginning to understand. She held up one of the bags, peering inside with excited eyes before hastily opening yet another ice cream cone. Noir couldn't keep a bemused smile from forming beneath his mask at the sight.
Together they walked down the dimly lit streets, their silence a comfortable understanding.
As they walked towards their destination Kimiko's head kept swiveling around, taking in every little detail of her surroundings. Noir could see her expression shift from excitement to fascination before finally settling on a contented smile as they walked further into the heart of the city.
Suddenly, her gaze landed on something across the street, and froze. Her eyes widened in awe at a small park bathed in moonlight, with a playground sitting quietly in its midst. She tugged at Noir's arm to get his attention, pointing enthusiastically towards it.
He noticed her excitement and followed her gaze, tilting his head when he saw the playground. Slowly, he nodded and together they crossed over to the park with Kimiko immediately running to the swing set, leaving Noir at a nearby bench where he carefully set down their bags.
Noir watched as Kimiko giggled while pushing herself higher and higher on the swing, her silent laughter echoing through the still night air. It was an unusual sight for anyone who would happen to stumble upon them to see a grown woman acting like a child.
But he didn't mind.
As Kimiko continued to enjoy her newfound freedom, Noir walked to her and took the swing next to her. He struggled to take a seat due to his large muscular frame, but he was eventually able to get on and began to gently swing beside her.
…Just two broken kids having fun.