CHAPTER 924: HER HESITATION

Day Ninety-Eight...

Tatsumi, Hanabi, and Mr. Kazuki boarded the Sparks Family Private Plane. They were heading back to Country J for the special mission given to them by their clan leader.

Tatsumi secretly observed Hanabi. He could tell that she was troubled by something. Without wasting any second, he approached her, sitting next to her chair.

"You’ve been spacing out, Hanabi. Here," he handed her a can of cold beer.

"I won’t drink. We have a mission to do." Hanabi pushed the canned beer back to him as she rejected his offer. Hanabi looked very serious.

Meanwhile, Tatsumi scratched his face, wondering how he would open up a conversation with her.

He never talked to her about personal stuff, so he was in doubt whether Hanabi would confide in him or not.

’Should I try? I think I need to talk to her about her relationship with the Dragon Lord. She seems so close to Alexander. She might be hesitating to do this mission because of him. After all, Arthur Wayne is Alexander’s grandfather.’ Tatsumi thought inwardly.

"What are you looking at?" Hanabi snarled at him, narrowing her eyes. "There are lots of available seats. Can you move away and leave me alone?"

Tatsumi pursed his lips. Hanabi had started picking a fight with him again.

"You are so grumpy! I’m just worried about you! Can’t I be a little bit considerate of my comrade?" He lamented, pouting his lips and folding his arms across his chest.

Hanabi arched her eyebrow. "Why are you worried about me?"

Tatsumi took a deep sigh, waving his hands dramatically.

"Your mind seems to wander off somewhere. You are not paying attention to your surroundings. Clearly, you are distracted. Come on. Tell me what’s troubling you."

The crease on Hanabi’s forehead deepened when she heard that. She became more annoyed as Tatsumi was being nosy.

"I told you to leave me alone. I want to have a quiet and peaceful moment here. I’m going to take a nap. Just wake me up once we arrive at the airport," Hanabi said, dismissing him.

However, Tatsumi was so persistent. He wouldn’t leave her alone until she opened up about her concerns.

"Hanabi, you know what... My father and I can do this mission alone. You can just stay put and do nothing. Besides, if you are hesitating–"

Tatsumi wasn’t able to finish his words when Hanabi suddenly grabbed him by the collar. She glared at him, her eyes blazing with anger. His words had deeply offended her.

"What do you take me for? How dare you say that to my face, Tatsumi? You deserve some beatings!" Hanabi snapped, her temper flaring at Tatsumi’s words. She raised her fist, ready to strike him.

But Tatsumi was quicker. He caught her fist mid-air, his palm closing firmly around her tightened hand.

Hanabi tried to pull back, but he tightened her grip on her fist, unyielding. He held her other hand that was holding his collar, his eyes locking onto hers with an intense, serious gaze that made her freeze for a moment.

"Hanabi, you don’t want to admit it, but I know for sure that you are hesitating to do this mission... because of Alexander," Tatsumi directly stated without holding back.

"You’re spouting nonsense! I’m not hesitating, you dumb fool!" Hanabi retorted, denying his accusation. She became more annoyed because of Tatsumi’s direct confrontation.

"Really? Then tell me... can you kill the old man without caring about Alexander’s feelings? Once you go through with this mission, there’s no turning back. Your friendship with Alexander will be over. You’ll become sworn enemies." Tatsumi reminded her, his voice laced with a sharp warning.

Hanabi fell silent for a moment as she continued glaring at Tatsumi.

"As if I care about him. We are not even friends. I can do this mission," Hanabi muttered, her voice barely above a whisper, though the slight hesitation in her tone was hard to miss.

Tatsumi could only sigh helplessly. Hanabi seemed so stubborn. She would never admit her true feelings.

"You can lie to me, but you can’t lie to yourself, Hanabi," Tatsumi said firmly, his eyes narrowing with concern.

"I’m here to warn you. If you’re hesitating, even for a moment, you might jeopardize the entire mission. It’s better for you to back out now. Don’t force yourself to do something you’ll end up regretting."

Tatsumi genuinely cared about Hanabi’s feelings. The last thing he wanted was for her to carry a burden she couldn’t live with.

Hanabi ground her teeth. She was mad because she couldn’t refute Tatsumi’s words. The truth hit so hard.

She would like to finish this important mission for Jane and her late mother. However, whenever she would remember how Arthur Wayne interacted with her, she couldn’t bring herself to harm the old man.

"This isn’t about me or what I care about, Tatsumi," Hanabi spat back, her voice edged with determination.

"I’m doing this mission because our clan leader entrusted it to us. I have to prove my loyalty. There’s no room for hesitation!" She clenched her fists tightly, her eyes blazing with determination. "I’ll show you that I’m willing to do anything... for Jane and for our Godfather."

Hanabi finally made up her mind. No matter the cost, she would see this mission through. If it meant becoming Alexander’s enemy, then so be it. She would bear that burden.

She could never betray her clan... or her Sister Jane. Their trust in her was everything, and she would not let them down.

Tatsumi could only sigh in defeat. Seeing the determination in her eyes, he was now convinced that Hanabi’s hesitation was gone.

"Fine. If that is your decision, then I respect that. Don’t forget that I tried to convince you to pull out. Don’t regret this, Hanabi. And don’t you dare cry after this!" Tatsumi said, lecturing her as if he were her elder brother.

"Just go away! Leave me alone!" Hanabi forcefully yanked her hands away from Tatsumi.

Tatsumi could only stand up and leave her, returning to his original seat. Even though he had seen her resolve, he was still worried about Hanabi.

’Can she really do this? Damn it. Is she truly that heartless? Does she really feel nothing for Alexander?’ Tatsumi had conflicting thoughts. He had seen them together, witnessed the way they looked at each other.

’I really thought they were getting close... maybe even forming a deeper bond. Could I be wrong about this? Will she really be fine with this?’ No matter how he tried to shake it off, the nagging doubt refused to leave him.

"Ugh, why am I even worrying about that stubborn woman? This whole mess is giving me a headache. There’s got to be something I can do for her. I need advice... Yeah, I’ll call Jane later. Maybe she can talk some sense into Hanabi. That hard-headed woman only listens to Jane, not me."

Just then, a voice interrupted his muttering.

"What are you mumbling about over there?" Mr. Kazuki asked, appearing out of nowhere.

Tatsumi nearly jumped. "Dad! How long have you been eavesdropping?" he demanded, staring at him in disbelief.

Mr. Kazuki rolled his eyes skyward before pinching his son’s nose. "Duh! I’m not eavesdropping. You are talking out loud. Did you argue with Hanabi again? Will you stop bothering her?"

"Ouch! Dad! Stop pinching my nose. I’m not a kid anymore!" He complained.

"Not a kid, huh? You’re acting like one, always picking fights with Hanabi. When are you going to grow up? Maybe I should just arrange a marriage between you two!"

"Dad! No! Are you crazy?!"