Slash the Scarlet Eyes: Start with a Starburst Air Stream Slash Chapter 012

Lin Yu and Sayo almost simultaneously stopped their movements, their gazes simultaneously falling upon the figure under the dim, yellow streetlamp behind the carriage.

The streetlamp’s light was dim and flickering, barely outlining the silhouette of the brown-haired boy. He stood there, his brows slightly furrowed, his eyes carrying a hint of confusion and uncertainty, as if he was still trying to discern the people in front of him.

“Is that you? Sayo? Ieyasu?” The boy’s voice held a hint of a question, as if he was afraid of mistaking them.

Sayo reacted first, her eyes instantly lighting up, revealing a look of pleasant surprise: “Tatsumi?! It really is you!” She walked over without hesitation. After all these days, she had thought this friend had met with misfortune.

“Damn!”

A scene of a man in white throwing a wine bottle involuntarily flashed through Lin Yu’s mind.

“It’s me, it’s good that you’re alright.”

When Tatsumi saw Sayo, the unhappiness in his eyes instantly vanished, replaced by surprise and relief. He showed his signature sunny smile, scratched the cowlick on his head, and said somewhat awkwardly, “I was originally planning to enlist in the army, but it seems they’re not recruiting anymore. After I left, I even got scammed. My luck’s been a bit bad.”

Ieyasu also walked over and patted Tatsumi’s shoulder, his tone teasing: “I didn’t expect you to be so miserable, Tatsumi. But it’s alright, I, Grandpa Ieyasu, have already received a recommendation from Aria’s father. When I become an officer, I’ll pull you up.”

“Eh?! Ieyasu, are you that amazing?”

Although he and Ieyasu had boasted when they left the village, he didn’t expect Ieyasu to achieve it so quickly.

“Of course, thanks to Miss Aria.”

Ieyasu suddenly looked a bit smug.

“Oh, who is he?”

Tatsumi’s gaze fell on Lin Yu.

“Him? His name is Lin Yu, he’s a new companion we met on the road,” Ieyasu introduced.

“Hello, Lin Yu, my name is Tatsumi. My ideal is to carve out a place for myself in the Imperial Capital and save my village.”

Tatsumi stepped forward and extended his hand.

“I’m Lin Yu. I don’t have any ideals at the moment, so I’ll just accompany you to save the village.”

Lin Yu said weakly.

At this moment, Sayo’s eyes changed; she seemed to have found something interesting. This man, ah~ he’s really stubborn and hard-mouthed.

She deliberately lowered her voice, leaned close to Lin Yu’s ear, and whispered, “Oh, Lin Yu, didn’t you say you were one of those 30%?”

Σ(ﾟдﾟlll)

This… this isn’t right, Sayo, why are you still stuck on this topic?

“Are these your friends, Ieyasu?” Just as the group was exchanging pleasantries, a clear voice came from the carriage. Aria poked her head out of the carriage, revealing a gentle smile, “The night air is very cold.”

Ieyasu looked up, saw Aria, and quickly said, “Oh, Miss Aria, this is our companion, Tatsumi.”

Aria’s gaze fell on Tatsumi, she paused slightly, then revealed a polite smile: “So he’s the friend you mentioned who got separated. Hello, I’m Aria, welcome to the Imperial Capital.”

Tatsumi scratched his head somewhat awkwardly and smiled: “Thank you, Miss Aria.”

Aria nodded, her eyes carrying a hint of gentle scrutiny: “Since that’s the case, then come back to the manor with us. My father and mother will definitely be very happy.”

“Manor?” Tatsumi looked at Ieyasu and Sayo with some confusion, his eyes carrying a hint of uncertainty. He was wary from being scammed, but not overly so.

Ieyasu explained: “Yes, the Aria family is very good. They recommended us to be officers and arranged accommodation for us. Our daily task is just to accompany Miss Aria on shopping trips.”

Although Lin Yu had warned him that the Aria family wasn’t good people, after a few days of getting along, he hadn’t found anything amiss. Compared to believing Lin Yu’s innate ability, he might as well trust his own feelings.

“This isn’t good… We’ve already troubled the Aria family enough.”

Sayo still harbored doubts about the Aria family, but her heart was already wavering. After all, she hadn’t found anything amiss during their interactions these past few days.

Well, that was pointless.

Lin Yu didn’t say anything to stop them. People don’t learn from being told, they learn from experience. Ieyasu was like a fresh graduate, no, he was even more innocent and naive than a college student, terrifyingly pure, the kind who would count money even after being sold. Coupled with the unrequited love buff, he was truly pitiful~

Tatsumi hesitated for a moment, but seeing Ieyasu’s ‘sincere’ gaze and realizing he indeed had nowhere to go and all his money had been scammed, he nodded: “Then… alright, thank you.”

Aria smiled slightly, gracefully jumped down from the carriage, and extended her hand to Tatsumi: “Come, I’ll help you get on the carriage.”

Tatsumi somewhat awkwardly took her hand and, with her help, boarded the carriage.

Inside the carriage, Ieyasu also showed a welcoming smile, leaving only Lin Yu and Sayo outside.

“These two idiots, Miss Aria is very nice, but you can’t just get into someone’s carriage like that.”

The carriage slowly started moving. Sayo walked beside Lin Yu. These two idiots, one a guard and one a pitiful person being rescued, even if Miss Aria had a good temper, this wasn’t how you played it, honestly.

Tatsumi sat in the carriage, appearing somewhat reserved, while Ieyasu seemed to be quite at ease.

“Oh, Tatsumi, where are you from?” Aria leaned over curiously.

Tatsumi scratched his head and began to recount his experiences.

Aria leaned by the window, quietly listening to Tatsumi’s self-narration, a faint smile on her lips. No one knew what she was thinking.

The carriage moved through the night, and everyone soon returned to the manor.

At dinner, the Aria family surprisingly laid out a lavish spread of food and invited Lin Yu and the others to dine.

“Tonight might be the last time we meet like this. My friend has already made arrangements. After this meal, report for duty tomorrow,” Aria’s father said, raising his wine glass.

“Yes, tonight’s dinner was made by me personally. It’s very delicious, everyone.”

Aria’s mother also smiled from the side.

[Ding! Detected Aria’s parents’ malice value reached 60%. Killing them will grant a random reward.]

(#ﾟДﾟ)

Lin Yu looked at the food on the table, feeling an inexplicable chill. Now even an idiot would know there was something wrong with the food.

“That… that…”

“Really? Thank you so much!”

Ieyasu ψ(｀∇´)ψ, however, excitedly picked up his utensils, ready to dig in, interrupting Lin Yu’s polite refusal.

“Ieyasu! You’re being so rude!”

Sayo grabbed Ieyasu’s ear and said.

“It’s alright, it’s alright, it’s just a meal. Just eat casually, it’ll be quick.”

“Yes, it’s just a meal, no need for so many rules.”

[Ding! Detected Aria’s parents’ malice value reached 80%. Killing them will grant a random reward.]

(#ﾟДﾟ)

Alright, now it’s confirmed that this family is 100% poisoning them.

“Then thank you very much.” Ieyasu picked up his chopsticks and started eating. “Hmm? Aren’t you going to eat? After you finish eating, you’ll be ready for your journey tomorrow, right?”

“Sayo, Lin Yu, aren’t you two eating?”

Tatsumi was a bit confused but also sat at the dining table.

“Yes, why aren’t you eating? Is it not to your taste?”

Aria slowly walked over.

[Ding! Detected target character Aria’s malice value reached 100%. No matter how she dies, there will be a reward.]

Σ(ﾟдﾟlll)

My god, are they not even pretending anymore? It was only 55% before, and it shot up to 100% just because I didn’t eat?!

“Sorry, I’m feeling a bit unwell. Perhaps I ate something bad while shopping with Miss Aria.”

Lin Yu took a step back and said.

“Do you need a doctor? Maybe a shot will fix it,” Aria’s mother asked with concern.

Lin Yu shook his head: “No need, a rest will do.” He then walked out of the hall.

“I’ll go check on him, in case something happens.”

Sayo also took the opportunity to follow Lin Yu out of the hall.

“It seems your companion is truly unwell.”

Aria’s father was still so benevolent.

“That’s right. Since he’s unwell, Ieyasu and this new arrival, Tatsumi, is it? You two eat first.”

Aria’s mother was still gentle.

[Ding! Detected Aria’s parents’ malice value has reached 100%. As long as they die, there will be a reward.]

(●—●)

No need to sleep tonight.

Lin Yu pulled Sayo’s small hand and led her towards his room…