It didnât take long for Shiro to finish tending Kanaeâs wound. He sighed when he saw the numerous scars on Kanaeâs back.
"I donât understand how you can receive so many wounds on your back."
"I guess, Iâm just not careful enough," Kanae smiled wryly. She took her shirt and wore it before turning her body to face Shiro. "Thank you."
"No problem. Donât be so reckless, Kanae. If anything happens to you, I doubt we all can have a good night sleep."
"Iâll try to be more careful."
Shiro sighed lightly. The wounds on Kanaeâs back were mostly the result of her protecting other people. As a fighter himself, he knew that it was almost close to impossible for Kanae to show her unguarded back to other people. Especially with the skill that Kanae possessed now, she would not show her back to other people easily. The only possibility was she tried to protect others and took the damage on her back.
Cleaning up his tools, he looked towards the blood-soaked cloth that Kanae used. "You lost some blood, so you might feel rather sleepy. You shouldnât practice with Master Rudy for the time being."
"I understand."
"Just have some rests. I believe you will have to face a bigger obstacle not long from now."
Towards the warning from Shiro, Kanae understood it perfectly. Like what he said previously, there was a member of the government in the party. They must have known that the secret regarding Sakura got out. When they interrogated the latter, her name would surely appear.
Closing her eyes slightly, Kanae smiled. "Iâll be careful."
"If you need help or anything, just call us."
"I canât do that," Kanae frowned. Even if she tried to muster all the strength from the underworld and Jasonâs men from Wells Family, they would never be able to match the government. This is her personal problem. She didnât want to drag her friends into the black hole without any way to return.
Shiro arched his eyebrows. "You donât have any other choice. If they feel that youâre suspicious, your body might disappear and no one will know what happens to you in a matter of seconds."
"I know. Thatâs why I donât want to involve all of you. Youâre all my friends, and I donât wish to drag you down," Kanae replied solemnly.
Sighing deeply, Shiro looked deep into Kanaeâs eyes. He knew for sure that this girl has a secret she could never divulge to anyone else.
"Are you going to go against the government?"
"Do you think I qualify?"
"No, not at all," knowing that Kanae avoided the question, Shiro turned around. "Iâll be going now."
Kanae nodded. "Thank you for your help. You should try to avoid the cameras too, so no one will know that you have been here."
"Now that you mention that. With the location of your wound, I doubt anyone will believe if you say that you treat them by yourself," Shiro frowned. Even a single loophole could spell death in front of the government. No one wanted to antagonist them for this single reason. Their unfathomable strength was simply too mysterious.
"I can only say that, arenât I?" Kanae shrugged.
Shiro recalled Laura and the latterâs expression from before. Considering Lauraâs personality, it was close to impossible for her to treat Kanaeâs wound. Without Lauraâs support, Kanae wouldnât be able to use the excuse of the latter treating her wounds.
"In another perspective, itâs not that hard for me to treat myself. Itâs just the result will be worse and take much longer time," Kanae smiled wryly.
Shiro shook his head. "Lie on the bed and rest. Be careful."
"I will."
He walked out of the room and saw Laura was still standing in the living room. The little girl looked worried and scared as her eyes were locked on Kanaeâs room the entire time.
"Um... Sir Shiro, howâs my sister?"
"Thereâs no need to worry. Sheâs fine," Shiro answered with a professional smile. "Tell her that she needs a lot of rest. Aside from that, sheâll be alright."
"Thank you very much."
Shiro waved his hand and walked out of the small apartment. This time, he was being careful enough not to let his picture got captured by the cameras. He didnât want to invite trouble with the Nali Family as it was already hard enough for him to keep low-profile.
When Shiro had left, Laura tiptoed to Kanaeâs room. She peeked inside and saw her sister was lying sideways on the bed. Seeing that Kanae still woke up, she quietly walked inside.
"Sis, howâre you?"
"Laura, are you crying again?" Kanae asked in surprise.
Laura was startled. She quickly moved her hand to wipe her tears. Internally, she scolded herself to cry again.
"Iâm not crying."
Kanae smiled helplessly. "Come over here."
Laura looked towards Kanaeâs gesture and slowly walked towards the side Kanae pointed at. Her eyes locked to Kanaeâs face as guilt filled her entire body. She couldnât bear the thought of making her sister face danger again.
Kanae raised her hand and patted Lauraâs head. "Stop blaming yourself. Even a thousand âwhat ifâ canât bring back what had happened. You should rest too. Today is quite tiring and you still have school tomorrow."
Laura also knew that even if she lamented what had happened a thousand times, she wouldnât be able to change the past. It had happened and no matter how unwilling she was, she couldnât change them.
Her eyes turned larger when she processed what her sister told her. "Sis, Iâm not going to school when youâre still like this!"
"You have to," Kanae answered simply. "Thereâs nothing you can do when youâre at home. You better go to school and tell others about my absent."
"But..."
"No but, you have to go to school."
Seeing the insistence from Kanae, Laura could only nod her head in reluctance. She didnât want to leave her sister, especially because it was her fault that Kanae was in this position. However, Kanaeâs instruction didnât leave her with any other choice.
In truth, Kanae had to instruct Laura to go to school because she didnât know when the government would send people to fetch her. Although they would do it under the pretense of kindly asking her about the incident, it was actually a threat. When the time came, it would be better for Laura to not be at home or she was going to be extremely worried.
"If the other asks about visiting, tell them that Iâll be alright, thereâs no need for that," Kanae added.
Laura frowned. "Are you sure youâre alright, Sis?"
"Iâm fine. You worry too much, Laura," Kanae smiled brightly.
Hearing that, Laura could only nod her head in reluctance. She bit her lower lips as she thought about her sister condition.
"Iâm sorry, Sis."
"Like I say, itâs not your fault, Laura. Even if the scene can repeat itself, Iâll make the same decision," Kanae added again, unwilling to give up her stance.
"Sis, youâre still as stubborn as ever."