Rebirth Online World

Author’s note: Next chapter tomorrow!

At the bar near Icicle’s house, Lisa’s POV

There were only a few customers at this time of the day.
Few men were furtively glancing at me, did I overdress?

*creak*

The doors slowly opened and I saw Icicle walk in.
It was funny to see him looking around as if he was lost.
I took my seat at the corner of this… establishment, so it definitely wasn’t a conspicuous place.

“Over here!” I shouted louder than I should have.
Seeing Jeremy awkwardly getting here, I sniggered.
“I’m sorry, did you wait long?” looking at his watch, Icicle was clearly surprised.
“No, I just got here.” I can’t tell him that I came here early because of anxiousness, right?
“I see. So…”
“What do you mean “so”?” I blurted out, completely confused.
“I meant to say, what am I here for?”. How rude!

Suppressing my raging desire to kill this nonchalant piece of work, I answered as calmly as I could.
“Oh, can it be that you didn’t want to come?”
“If you were invited by Brad Pitt, would you go?”
What kind of stupid question is this!
“I don’t know, probably, why?”
“I have no reason not to come then. The thing is, Sara, I’m curious as to what this meeting is supposed to mean”.
“Stop playing games with me and ask what you want to know like a man”.

“Are you asking me out?” Icicle blurted out.
“Who knows, am I?” like I’ll admit that so bluntly!
“Alright then, we’ll play it your way. I’ll get the menu”
“I have already ordered.”
“Very well. Just for myself then.” he turned back and was about to call the barkeeper.
“For two.”
“Aren’t you a thoughtful beast?” Jeremy grinned widely.

I seriously want to kill that piece of a gun!
Carl and Jack don’t hold a candle to him!
To think I considered myself pretty resilient when it comes to teasing…
*sigh* Unfortunately, I met my match.

In the instant those thought flashed through my mind, I tried to cover up my awkwardness coupled with embarrassment by flashing my trademark smile.
Luckily, the barkeeper came with two steaks I previously ordered and saved the day.

“Enjoy your meal.”he said after placing the dishes on the table. I was left alone with Icicle… again.
I have no idea if I’ll be able to endure this teasing game till the end.
Why must involving yourself in a relationship be so hard?

“How much did you pay? I’ll pay you back”.
Look at that, what a gentleman!
“No need.”
“I insist, at least split the bill you stubborn donkey.” I take back the gentleman irony.
“You asked me earlier what was all of this for, well, I wanted to eat something good and at the same time thank you for what you did earlier, so stop being so “polite” and eat your goddamn steak, okay?” that last part came with my right hand, which holding a knife, slicing the air a few times.

We began to eat and an awkward silence filled the air.
Even though there were a few customers, there wasn’t any disturbing noise.
How did it become like this?

As I thought of that, the barkeeper from before came again.
“Do you need anything else, miss?” his attitude was kind and friendly.
“No, we’re good, thank you.” replying with a faint smile, I returned to eating.
After nodding, the man turned to leave.
Taking two steps, the barkeeper stopped right in his tracks as if he was thunderstruck, then he turned around, stroked his moustache and exclaimed. “Aren’t you the young man from before?”
Does Jeremy frequent this place?

Weird, Icicle’s stuffing himself like a starving beast, completely ignoring the barkeeper.

“Last time you shunned me saying it’s only luck, yet look at you, another beauty in a span of a week! What a ladykiller! Since the meeting before ended with only some cuddling, I guess you were hungry for more, huh? Come on, tell the old man your secret.”
H-He did what?!
“Why are you asking me, ask the lady how did I do it, I’m not so sure myself.” Icicle’s cool voice rang out.
“Hmph, at least take responsibility for your actions playboy.” yeah barkeeper, you tell him!

I wanted to cheer the barkeeper on, but then I realized this whole situation concerns me the most.
With a powerful downward thrust of my fork, the porcelaine platter below the steak made a *thunk* sound.
Although I tried my best to keep my emotions at bay, some of the anger leaked out. “So, who was the girl?”
“Hahaha, I’ll leave you two alone.” I didn’t even bother with the barkeeper anymore.
“Her name was Ashley, I met her here, at the bar” not fazed even a little, Icicle continued eating.

Met her here my ass, what a lying piece of shit!
“Oh really? How did you two meet up?”
“I was running in the morning, as always, then I passed by the bar which is in a straight line of my way back home. I smelled the steaks and decided to buy one. Thing is, I forgot my wallet. When I was trying to convince the barkeeper to start making one while I go get it, so that I don’t have to wait for who knows how long, the girl, Ashley, paid for me and invited me for a chat.”

Look at that, what a charming woman.
I wonder if she wore a shining armor and rode a white horse too.
Although it would explain why he wanted to pay the bill this time.

“Okay mister proper, the barkeeper mentioned cuddling, what was that about?” taking a napkin, Jeremy wiped his mouth of all the sauce and potatoes, then spoke slowly.
“Her grandparent had a terminal illness so I… wait, why are you even interrogating me like this?” exactly, why am I?
“You know what, I thought I was hungry, but it seems that’s not the case. Here, take my half as well. People who are hungry tend to grumble a lot”.

Now I had two plates before me and a person leaving.
Great, good job Lisa, you did well.
I saw Icicle turning and giving me a glare. “If this is how you thank people, then I can’t even imagine how you interact with them casually”.
Ouch.

Leaving the unfinished dishes behind, I rushed after Icicle to the exit.
Outside the bar, two men who were eyeing me before were smoking cigarettes, propped on a wall.
“You poor thing, have you fallen out with your boyfriend?” said a blond-haired one on the left.
“Don’t worry, we will console you.” his dark-haired friend apparently had some ulterior motives as well.

“Thank you for caring, but I can handle myself quite fine.” and here I thought Jeremy was crude…
“Come on, don’t be like this lady, we’re really good entertainers.”
I was caught by the shoulders by both of them. These two looked about thirty and their grip was really strong, making my struggle completely futile.
“Don’t be pushy!”
“Or what lady, you’ll scream? We’ve had countless women like you, all of them were harsh at the beginning, but a while later only loud moans of pleasure echoed out.” when the blond guy talked, his spittle flew about.

“Let me go!” I struggled fiercely, but it was a struggling comparable to a fish out of the water.
The thought of actually getting raped started sinking in within me.
I came to this backwater town to meet with Icicle face to face and this is what I get?!

“Jesus, women are so troublesome. Hands off.”
As if it was a thunder, Jeremy’s hands moved like the wind and I was free in a jiffy.
When I looked at the two flabbergasted men, I was already pulled behind Icicle.
Not knowing what to say, I tried to thank him, but no words came out.

“Stay back.” was the only thing I heard.
“Look at that guy, did you plan it all knowing we’re gunning for the lady? Quite a schemer, aren’t you? What will you do now, brave boy? Play the hero? You need to be strong enough to play the part!”

Powerful right hook filled with momentum was heading Icicle’s way.
In the instant it was about to land, Jeremy’s seemingly lifeless body ducked, his right leg slided forward and he countered with a left.

I was so shocked that I forgot to warn him of the sudden blow.
Trying to regain my wits, I remembered seeing a counter like this on TV while watching a boxing match.

It didn’t take long before Icicle’s right fist embedded itself in the dark-haired man’s stomach.
The man in question seemed on the verge of vomitting.
That’s when his head was grabbed and right knee knocked the lights out of him.

“Hahaha, you have some skill young man. Let’s see if you can take this”. Merely a second passed since the blond guy laughed and his kicks flew out like a storm.
In my eyes, those kicks seemed like snakes, constantly wriggling about, incessantly changing directions.

Icicle was stepping backwards and sideways, dodging or blocking the attacks with his bent arms.
I blamed myself for being a cause of this fight.
Good looks not always make your life comfortable…

In the split second I was engrossed in thinking, I missed out on a kick.
Its trajectory – Icicle’s right temple.
Suddenly…

Jeremy grabbed the left leg of the blond guy with both hands and twisted it around in an expert way.
With this sudden turn of events, the blond guy ‘s body violently turned around in mid-air, falling face first on the ground.
I thought this was enough, but then, before the man landed, Icicle’s right leg stepped on the man’s area where the knee bends, resulting in the latter’s scream of agony.

“Y-You! You actually know aikido?!”
Weird, I haven’t seen Icicle using any martial arts in-game.
“That’s rich coming from someone using martial arts on pedestrians. Your brazilian kicks are… lacking. As for my martial arts, indeed, I have learned a lot of them, but my talent was meagre, so I never bothered to use them. However, when you get beaten to the ground over and over, you pick up this and that.”

I stared at all of this agape.
How the heck can you learn so much in one lifetime?!
Mental fortitude, martial arts, charisma, killing aura…
What kind of life are you living, Jeremy Grand?!

“Your leg may be broken, but you’ve earned it. Wake up your pal, he’ll take you home. As for the girl, I would advise you to stay away from both her and me. Otherwise… *whisper* *whisper*. Am I clear?”.

Icicle walked up to me and harshly asked me to go home.

…

Near the bar, Icicle’s POV

What a day, first I try to act polite, restraining all my thoughts and actions only to get questioned like a criminal.
That goddamn barkeeper ruined everything.
And those jackasses who got lured by this succubus’s beauty…

It seems that whenever there’s woman involved I have to get into a fight with some douchebags.
Hell, this blond one was strong, if he trained properly I would most likely get knocked out after three hits.
Praise the lord of bluffing!

Otherwise nothing short of miracle will save your sorry asses. Am I clear?

That should scare him for some time.
Still, why is this blond bane of doom following me around?
Does she want to cause another disaster?

“Where are you going?” was her question when we were passing by my apartment.
“Weren’t you supposed to go home?” cease bothering me, will you?
“Stop dodging the question.”
Rolling up my sleeve, I exposed my swollen right arm, pointing towards it with my left hand’s index finger, I said casually “It can be broken”.

Sara’s expression was stunned, she looked at me wide-eyed, her mouth gaping, face devoid of blood.
I didn’t have time to deal with her, my right arm had pulsations running all over it, like a spreading electrical current.
This sort of pain, I hadn’t had to deal with it for over two years, I seem to have grown weak.

Heading directly towards the hospital, Sara was still following me around.
Does she want to pay for my bills or what?
Come on, I’m not that poor, I can afford insurance…

“Does it hurt?” hearing the soft tone of Sara’s voice, I couldn’t get angry and randomly blurted out.
“Did you think that blondie was a pushover? Far from it. Had he trained more, I would be done for. What a terrible luck I have, first I get ganged-up upon by three guys because of some woman I barely knew, now it’s two guys within which one was a martial artist. Can it get even worse? Maybe my destiny is to become a god-fearing priest.”

Normally I would never reveal my feelings like this, but all the accumulated stress, pain and the tone of Sara’s voice softrened me, resulting in a flood of words.

…

At the hospital, Lisa’s POV

I’m currently at the ER.
When asked how am I to the one being checked on, I blurted out “girlfriend”.
This of course didn’t go unnoticed by Icicle…
His gaze seemed to pierce me, his eyes clearly asking “What the hell are you saying?”.

The doctor who seemed to be in his mid thirties touched vaious areas on Jeremy’s right arm, watching his reaction.
It lasted a while, but his diagnose was inconclusive.
When I heard MRI was needed, I was scared witless.
If something happens to him, I’ll never be able to forgive myself!

…

Pacing around anxiously, I finally saw Jeremy coming out of the room.
“Doctor, is anything wrong with his arm?” words came out of my mouth involuntarily.
“It’s not broken, but it has been brusied pretty badly. I prescribed an ointment for the swelling, it should help out. As for you, young man, don’t overexert yourserf for the next few days. Either way, this sort of injury shouldn’t take longer than a week to fully heal. Off you go.”

Heaving a huge sigh of relief, I was finally able to relax a little.
“Shall we?” I asked with a faint smile.
“I told you to go home, what are you still doing here?”
Not minding Icicle’s grumpy reply, I took his left arm and started walking towards his house.
“Are you sure everything’s okay with your head? You’re acting weird.”
“Stop whining, Jeremy. When life gives you lemons, you make lemonade.”
My voice was cheerful, carrying a little bit of teasing in it.

I thought nothing can spoil my good mood now, but I was once again proven wrong.
“Well, you sure are blond, but about that lemonade… Ouch! No need to pinch me, okay? Jeez, what a fierce woman.”
“That’s right, you shouldn’t mess with me.”
Ahh, it feels good to appear dignified.

“What a pity that you didn’t act so bravely back there…”
“I-I was scared okay!”

Suddenly, I felt warmth sensation spreading through my belly. Seeing Icicle’s hand over there, I was startled. “What are you doing?!”.
“Nothing much, considering your mood swings I’m simply checking if you’re not pregnant”.
I almost killed that rascal on the way back…

…

Icicle’s apartment

“Sit down and relax, I’ll cook something.”
I headed towards the kitchen. Opening the fridge there wasn’t much.
Fast foods, instant noodles, that kind of stuff.
Fortunately, there were some freshly bought vegetables and some meat, I guess Jeremy does cook after all.

Humming a song, I continued cooking. I was surprised that I’m not uncomfortable in someone else’s house. Wierd.
Anyways, half an hour later the dish was ready.

“Here you go h-e-r-o.” as I said that, the look on Icicle’s face was priceless.
*cough* *cough*
Suddenly giving me a glare, Icicle looked at me stangely, as if there was poison in the dish. “What?” I asked confused.
“You could cook this well and you asked me out on a steak? What a cheapskate.”

I wanted to smash his face in, even though it was supposed to be a compliment. That bastard surely didn’t make it sound like one.
However, when I looked at Jeremy’s injured arm, I couldn’t do it.
“Thank you for the meal, it’s really delicious.”
“No, thank you for saving me out there.”

With the atmosphere eased up, I felt a lot better, but that’s when the bomb dropped.
“You should go home or back to work when you finish eating. No need to babysit me, I’ve lived through worse.”
“I have already called in sick for the next three days, you can’t dispose of me so easily.” I can finally tease him back!
“What do I do with you… I left you in the hospital for a few minutes and you’re already causing so much damage. Jeez.”

Looking at the man who’s supposedly strong and collected being totally hopeless, I felt proud.
It’s time for my comeback, Lisa hits and it’s a homeru-
“So, since you’re staying here and I’m currently crippled, does it mean you’ll take care of my bodily needs as well?”
“Eat your goddamn meal moron.”
I guess the comeback has to wait…

“Alright, you take the bed, I’ll take the couch.” Jeremy’s voice rang out.
“What?” I asked, perplexed.
“You’re staying right? Then take the bed.”
Didn’t he agree too fast?

“Aren’t you afraid I’ll do something to you?” seriously man, get a grip! All in all I’m a stranger!
“What can you do? Rape me? Considering your looks that would be a surprise sex.”

Being teased like that, my three tormenting days with the silver-tongued devil began.

…