Anime: Ashura from Killing Akame

The atmosphere was somewhat frozen, and Zanke was the first to speak to break it, "What did you just say?"

He would rather think that he was hallucinating and heard it wrong.

"Baby, your ears are not working well... Oh, do you have an earphone problem? You're wearing earphones in broad daylight, no wonder you can't hear me." Tatsumi's eyes fell on Zank's ears, motioning for him to take off his earphones.

Zanke hesitated.

Tatsumi continued, "If wearing headphones helps, then that's fine, but is there any point in you deceiving yourself like this?"

"If you stay still, you will only perish. If you don't make changes, you will never get over this hurdle."

Tatsumi's words seemed to be the final blow that broke down the defenses in Zanke's heart.

Zanke gritted his teeth, as if he had made a great determination, and resolutely took off his headphones.

Tatsumi was stunned when he saw Zanker taking off his headphones.

"Well, why don't you put them back on? You look ugly without them."

Zanke: ...

You TM.

It took me a lot of effort to make up my mind.

You made me lose so completely.

Blanch...

"Big brother, what were you just saying?" The little girl was confused, and like Zanke, she thought she had misheard what her big brother said.

Tatsumi smiled, squatted down, and looked at the little girl, "We know each other now, right?"

"Yes! Big brother is my friend."

The little girl nodded her head earnestly and vigorously, looking as cute as a chick pecking at rice.

"Can you tell me your name, brother?"

"Sure, big brother, my name is Shi Mei."

Shi Mei said.

"Jiumei... Perfect, your parents gave you a good name. Jiumei, my name is Tatsumi."

"That guy with a sullen face is called Zanke. He likes to stay at home and be alone. Don't be fooled by his fierce and unfriendly appearance. He is actually very lonely... Can Shimei make friends with him?"

Tatsumi leaned over to whisper in Jumei's ear, causing Zanker to frown.

What are these two people whispering about?

"Brother Tatsumi, he looks a bit fierce..."

Shimei glanced at Zanke secretly, feeling a little scared.

"I'm counting on you, Jumei." Tatsumi clasped his hands together with a sincere expression.

"Let me try." Shi Mei's gentle personality made it difficult for her to refuse other people's requests.

And he also helped his brother Tatsumi.

"Zanke, your task today is to take her out for a day."

After taking care of the Ten Beauties, Tatsumi came closer to Zanke and said.

Zanke frowned and was about to refuse, but then he heard Tatsumi say, "If you can't even complete such a simple task, don't even think about curing the disease."

Zanke was speechless and swallowed back the words of refusal that were about to come out of his mouth.

Isn't it just taking care of the baby?

What's so difficult about it?

I'd like to see what tricks you have in mind.

Thinking of this in his mind, Zanke looked at Shimei. His ferocious face made the other party shrink back in fear.

Shimei subconsciously looked at Brother Tatsumi, and saw him mouthing to her, "Come on."

I must fulfill what I promised to Brother Tatsumi.

Shi Mei's eyes became firm, and she mustered up the courage to walk up to Zanke, "My name is Shi Mei, I want to be your friend, please take care of me!"

After saying these words, Shi Mei seemed to have used up all her strength. She took a few steps back, leaned against the wall, and looked at Zanke nervously.

Zanke's face remained unchanged, and he was lost in thought.

friend...

He hadn't heard these two words for a long time.

During the time he was in prison, everyone was afraid of him as the executioner. Who would be willing to be friends with him?

Suddenly, Zanke felt a push on his back, and heard Tatsumi's disdainful voice, "Can you do it? You can't even handle a child. I'm really worried about your social skills!"

After hearing this, Zanke immediately became unconvinced.

His eyes fell on Shi Mei, and he tried his best to look kind, "Hello, my name is Zanke, and I'm a murderer."

Tatsumi: ...

You are so fucking awesome!

I asked you to introduce yourself, and you introduced yourself as a murderer?!

Shimei was immediately at a loss. Looking at Zanke's ferocious face, it seemed that he was definitely a murderer?

But she still managed a smile, “Brother Zanke, you are so funny.”

Upon hearing this, Zanke became even more excited, "My way of killing is more interesting. I skin them first, then bleed them, and watch them in despair..."

"No, you're the second one, right?"

Tatsumi couldn't help it and cursed.

There's really no point in chatting with someone who keeps killing people, right?

"Brother Zank, it's okay, just continue talking, Shimei is listening." Shimei noticed the embarrassment on Zank's face and came to the rescue in time.

This puzzled Zanke, "Aren't you afraid?"

"Scared." Shi Mei's face was pale and her lips were trembling.

"Then why do you still..."

"Because we are friends."

The voice was not loud, but it was extremely firm, with a magical power that seemed to penetrate people's hearts.

Zanke was silent.

A string in my heart that had lost its luster for a long time was gently touched.

His expression seemed a little relaxed, and he did not continue chatting with Shi Mei about topics like murder.

Shimei was a little nervous, her little hands unconsciously grasping the corner of her clothes, looking at the silent Zanke, she swallowed her saliva, and took the initiative to start a conversation.

"Brother Zanke, what do you like to do?"

"Kill... Daze."

"Um, is there anything you like to eat?"

"No."

"Um...what does Brother Zanke do?"

"I lost my job not long ago."

"..."

Tatsumi couldn't stand it anymore and suggested in Zanke's ear, "Look at how shabby Shimei is dressed. Why don't you take her to buy some new clothes?"

"Then go have a meal, go shopping, etc..."

After hearing Tatsumi's suggestion, Zanke felt a little moved.

It's too awkward to just stand there and do nothing. Maybe going out shopping can make time pass faster.

"Shimei, I'll take you clothes shopping."

"Brother Zanke, forget it..."

Zanke was stunned by Shimei's answer. He turned around and asked Tatsumi in a low voice, "What's going on?"

Tatsumi rolled his eyes, "Can't you see that? It's obvious that he doesn't have any money, and he doesn't want to waste your money."

Zanke thought about it for a moment and said, as straightforward as ever, "I'll treat you."

Shimei was still somewhat reluctant. Years of wandering made her flattered by the sudden concern, and also a little scared.

People who are used to darkness will find it difficult to accept light in a short period of time, and may even be harmed by the glaring light.

"Don't worry." Tatsumi stepped forward and rubbed Shimei's head to comfort her, "This guy has a lot of money, just spend it with confidence."

"Okay! I understand, Brother Tatsumi." Shimei's uneasy heart relaxed a lot.

......

In the bustling market, Zanke took Shimei into a children's clothing store and bought a lot of new clothes.

As a result, Shimei was no longer as afraid of Zanke and would even smile from time to time.

Zank was stunned by the innocent smile. He didn't know how long it had been since he had seen it. He felt so much better.

Afterwards, Shi Mei took the initiative to suggest going to the candy store with Zanke.

In the candy store, Shi Mei taught Zanke how to make candy. Zanke said it was childish and meaningless, but in his heart he felt unprecedented happiness and satisfaction in the process of making candy.

After leaving the candy store, Shi Mei took Zanke to the flower market filled with the fragrance of flowers. She used Zanke's money to buy a small flower and said to Zanke, "This is a gift to commemorate our friendship!"

Zanke looked at Shimei for a long time. When he took the flower, he didn't even notice the smile that inadvertently appeared on his face.

“Brother Zanke, you’re not scary when you smile like this.”

Shi Mei said with a grin.

"Yeah..."

Zanke looked at Shimei's smile and felt somewhat cheerful. The noise from the souls of his subordinates who had been tormenting him seemed to be somewhat dispelled by the spring breeze of Shimei's smile.

Afterwards, Shimei took Zanke to an old noodle shop and had a bowl of steaming ramen.

"Brother Zanke, you have to try it. This store is cheap and affordable, the quantity is large, and the boss is very nice."

Zanke took a bite and it was delicious.

It's much better than the tasteless food before.

Maybe it’s because of the bottle of Shimei seasoning that the taste is so delicious.

After dinner, the two went to the zoo again, where Shimei introduced each animal to Zanke. Zanke was infected by Shimei's enthusiasm and began to have a new understanding of life.

They fed the pigeons together, and for the first time, Zanke felt the joy of living in harmony with nature.

In the evening, they found a quiet little lake, and Shimei taught Zanke how to fly a kite. When the kite flew high, Zanke suddenly had a sense of freedom he had never felt before.

Night has completely fallen.

Shimei took Zanke to look at the stars on a bench in the park.

Shi Mei told Zanke, "Every star represents a person's dream."

Zanke was deeply touched by Shimei's words and began to think about whether he had a dream, and if so, what it was...

Just then, a meteor slid across the sky.

Shi Mei was very excited and pulled Zanke to look at the shooting star. "Brother Zanke, I heard that if you make a wish to a shooting star, it will come true!"

After saying this, she clasped her hands together into fists, her face full of piety.

“Brother Zanke, I hope you can be the best person in my heart.”

After a day of spending time together, Shimei also discovered that Zanke was not as ferocious as he appeared to be. After they became familiar with each other, she was able to discover the warmth hidden deep in his heart.

Feeling the evening breeze, hearing the girl's sincere and pure wishes in my ears, and the fleeting, short and brilliant light of the shooting stars in the sky.

Zanke seemed to know what his dream was now.

The darkness in my heart began to be illuminated by the warm light.

It was the fulfillment and satisfaction he had never experienced before.

The whispering of the dead souls had been bothering him, making him feel miserable and living a life worse than death.

At this moment, the smoke disappeared.

......

【Change Zanke's life and gain experience】

Tatsumi, who had been silently watching the two of them from a distance, received a system prompt.

"Thirty thousand experience points, not bad."

"It's worth all my effort."

What can be considered a cure for those who are shrouded in killing, whose bodies are alive but whose hearts are dead, and who have become numb?

The answer is love.

Love can tolerate everything and heal everything.

Good medicine tastes bitter, but love is not bitter.

Shimei used her innocence to heal Zanke's broken and numb heart.

Zanke also used his company to make Shimei feel happiness she had never experienced before.

The two people who fell into the abyss warmed each other and saved each other.

After seeing this, Tatsumi even wanted to go back to Night Raid to seek redemption from Leone.

I haven’t returned to Night Raid for a day. I wonder what’s going on over there with Nadezhda?

......

All good things come to an end.

People have joys and sorrows, and the moon is full of gloom.

There will always be a time to say goodbye.

Night is deep.

It’s still the same versatile old actor Xiaoxiangzi.

"Brother Zanke, I had a lot of fun playing with you today."

Shimei waved goodbye to Zanke.

Zanke looked at Shimei, wanting to say something but stopping himself.

At the critical moment, life mentor Tatsumi came out to assist in time.

"If you can't bear to let her go, just let her follow you. She's a little girl wandering around alone anyway, and because of her refugee status, she's often beaten and bullied by local residents. Yesterday I saw Shi Mei being strangled by a man and pressed against the wall. If I hadn't appeared in time to save her, Shi Mei might have died in some corner now."

"Beating, bullying? Whoever it is, I will kill them!!"

Upon hearing about the injustice suffered by Shimei, Zanke suddenly became agitated, with no concealment of hostility in his eyes, and a strong murderous intent rising to the sky.

"I don't know about that." Tatsumi shrugged, "But it's definitely not safe for a little girl like Shimei to live in a place like this. If you don't do something, she might be kidnapped and sold the next day."

"call."

Zanke suppressed his anger and regained his composure, then he exhaled deeply, "I understand."

After saying that, he walked towards Shimei with firm steps.

"Hey, Brother Zanke!"

Hearing the footsteps coming from behind, Shimei turned around suddenly, with happiness and surprise in her eyes.

Coming in front of Shimei, Zanke squatted down and stared into the girl's white eyes, which were full of tenderness. After a day of interaction, he reached out and rubbed Shimei's head for the first time.

His movements were very gentle, as if he was afraid of hurting the girl in front of him.

"Shimei, follow me, and let me protect you from now on."

"Yeah!" Shimei responded happily.

...

When a person has an important person or something precious in their heart that they want to protect, they often experience a profound inner change.

The once selfish, cold-hearted Zanke, when faced with something that cannot be given up, will let go of himself, learn to care about others, and even defend the treasures that belong to him at all costs.

At this moment, Zanke has found the meaning of life and is no longer tortured by the endless torture of the past. In order to stick to this belief, he is willing to fight for it all his life without regrets.

......

The place where Zanke lives cannot be said to be very good, it can only be said to be average, and he himself does not have too many requirements for where he lives.

In the past, he was only interested in killing people and indulged in bloody and low-level pleasures.

Now, he just wants to kill for someone.

"Thank you, Tatsumi. If you need me in the future, please let me know. I will do my best to help you, no matter what!"

Zanke could now understand Tatsumi's intention in the morning. He felt very grateful in his heart, and thousands of words finally converged into the two words "thank you".

"The one who really helped you was Shi Mei. I just went along with it and did you a favor."

Tatsumi said calmly.

To be honest, he is the biggest beneficiary of this incident.

With the experience rewarded by the system and the help of the imperial tool envoy, the ten beauties found their home.

Three birds with one stone.

And he didn't actually do anything.

The greatest contributor must be Shimei.

Who would have thought that the little girl who was accidentally rescued by a good deed would be so powerful and break into Zanke's heart in just one day.

If it weren't for her age, Tatsumi would have suspected that Jumei was a spy with extraordinary abilities who could manipulate people's hearts.

Sincerity is the secret weapon. Perhaps the innocence and kindness of children are exactly what is missing in Zanke's heart.

At first, he had the attitude of giving it a try and found Shi Mei, trying to influence Zan Ke with love. Unexpectedly, the effect was surprisingly good.

"You should behave yourself these few days and don't go out casually, especially at night. The night raid is still chasing you."

Before leaving, Tatsumi did not forget to give a reminder.

As for whether Zanke would continue to be called a killer, he was not worried at all.

Shimei has entered Zanke's heart and replaced Killing as his spiritual pillar.

Unless Zanke is really a natural killer and feels uncomfortable if he doesn't kill people every day, then there is nothing he can do.

Anyway, the experience is already in hand. Even if Zanke still refuses to repent, the worst that can happen is that he will be saved.

Amitabha, may Buddha have mercy on me.

Killing is to protect life, killing karma is not killing people.

After Tatsumi left, Zanke returned home and was greeted by Shimei's smiling and expectant face.

Zanke also smiled at Shimei, "I'm back."

"Welcome home."

Home, for the first time, felt like home.