|Alfheim Online, New Aincrad, Floor 10|
After our meal, which we split the payment of thanks to Yuuki's stubbornness, we were on our merry way to complete side quests for her to unlock the other Dango flavours and meals that only I could see, one being the very dish we just had. This meant going to a part of floor 10 that was teeming with wisteria trees against a shoreline, giving the land an ethereal glow, but before that, we had to make a small stop to gather some of the supplies we needed. Unfortunately, not all we required for tomorrow was sold here which meant returning to the upper floors the next day.
"You're quite the connoisseur for Dango, Mr Malzeno," Yuuki wagged her fingering knowingly.
"Says the girl with a sweet-tooth bigger than the moon, Ms Yuuki," I shot back as her hand shoved me slightly.
"I really can't help it, I want to try all sorts of foods I've never had before, but stuff that's sweet is on the top of my list!" She patted her chestplate proudly.
"Like Dango?" I raised a brow.
"Especially Dango," She gave a firm nod with a cute but fierce glare. "Oh, and crepes,"
"Crepes too?" That's a new ticket of information I kept locked up.
"Mmhm, between the two though I'm in the midst of a power struggle," She slumped in defeat as I laughed at her 'terrible misfortune'.
"Then how about it?" I offered, feeling her gaze on me as I stared forward to avoid her gaze. "Once we triumph, we'll come back here as a celebratory occasion, and with more Dango options," That prompted stars to sparkle around her as her hands tugged on mine again.
"Sure! Let's not waste a single second! Move-Move-Move!" She pulled as I felt helpless to resist, jogging slightly had something not anchored my feet. Yuuki turned with a frown. "Hey, what's the hold up? You shouldn't have hyped me-"
"This way," I grabbed her hand tightly, pulling her to a small side alley to our right before anyone could notice us, the lanterns too spaced apart to illuminate the narrow area. Due to this, our chests were pressed together.
"Z-Zeno?" Yuuki appeared to be as embarrassed as me but I quickly found my focus on those I saw pass in the street. I said nothing but I felt her cheek rub against mine as we stared at the trio in red armour, Salamanders. Next to the curved health bars was the symbol of horse head in a red shield.
"I thought you said he went this way?" The tallest, to the right, grunted.
"I did... I think - hey, he was with someone in dark colors too, all Spriggans are hard to make out at night-time!" The middle one squawked in defence.
"Yeah, some girl with purple hair, looked like an Imp," The third to the left was much more calm as he scanned the area, completing missing the pair watching in the dark. "They probably left for the gate by now,"
"Right? So it's not my fault!" The middle guy sighed.
"Tch, keep your eyes peeled, that freak's been avoiding us this long for a reason," The tall guy shook his head. "That chick he's with probably doesn't realize how dumb she is to party with him." That made my smile tighten, like a Salamander taking roleplaying too seriously gets it.
"Poor girl, he probably has her wrapped around his finger, they were eating at a small place nearby," The middle guy added.
With that, the trio left and we could finally breathe again without having to be pressed together to do so. But now the cat was out of the bag, or one of them atleast. I stared in the direction they left as an awkward silence filled the air.
"...What did they mean by that? About you?" Yuuki's voice was tender, but she was looking straight at me. I saw it though, her hand gliding by her blade, yeah, I wouldn't trust me either.
"You're just like us, kiddo! Congratulations!" That twisted smile made my stomach ache. "Why cry over spilled milk, not like there's any real proof they're gone, what's to say this isn't all some hoax? Or maybe they really are, who knows..."
Taking a long breath, I turned to her, rubbing my nose again, I hid my concern with a weak smile. "I'm a mercenary, Cupcake, told you I have enemies,"
"That's not what I want to know," She stepped closer, watching me pensively. "Are... are you really just using us... me?"
Now I see. I looked around, then, with my hand, I carefully took hers, "Follow me, we aren't leaving the safe zone," I thought that would put her at ease enough for the moment. Her hand remained taut in mine as I guided her through the town of Senja Castle, nearest the wall away from the teleport gate, so if you faced the castle in question we were heading east.
Yuuki didn't say a word until I took her up a stairway that went above the small houses below, it was the lowest plateau of Senja Castle, one that was accessible to the public less you were doing the main quest of the floor. But, for what it was worth, it gave you a complete overlook of the town and the wilderness beyond. So at night, with a clear sky and bright moon, it was a sight like no other.
"Okay, this seems good enough," It was also open, no places for a player to hide. I turned to Yuuki as I sat down, patting the spot next to me. She did so slowly, dangling her feet off the edge, even at his height, the fall damage would be pitiful. "Those guys are part of a Raid team that'll happen in a week's time, and they're people I've tricked after I exposed a few players in their group who were being very naughty players by cheating items out of players."
"As for what they said about me 'having you wrapped around my finger', that's... complicated," I played with my hands. "The reason I fought you was because my informant wanted to know if you were cheating in your duels, I mean, over sixty wins straight? Come on, that's gotta be suspicious,"
"...I guess, some said that," Yuuki replied honestly, looking down at the streets below. "...is that why you're helping us? Because... you think I'm a cheat?"
"I stopped being skeptical when I lost," Her head swiveled around to my embarrassed expression. "I've fought countless players, but you... hah, your skill goes beyond the system itself, I've only seen that happen once before now," I admitted. And if I were honest, I was enraptured. "Your strength isn't fake, I've never seen someone as spectacular as you, Yuuki,"
It was my honest feelings, something I didn't share often but I had to clear the bad air somehow. She stared back at me, the moonlight caught in her eyes as her mouth moved without words. "...you mean that?" She whispered.
"Hey, despite what I said about trusting a mercenary to lie I can be pretty honest - Yeah, let that sink in," I chuckled as she giggled too, her face a little redder. "Yuuki, I am going to see this fight of yours through to the end, this whole world's gonna see what the Sleeping Knights can do," A bit cheesy but hey, whatever keeps her spirits up. "And I bet they'll be pulling their hair when they see my name too up on that monument so I'm all for it!"
She just continued to stare at me as I laughed, pinching my nose. "Oh, Gods above, okay that was the most Shonen-esce line that has ever left my lips, wow, never doing that again," I swung my arms into an 'X', thereby terminating all thoughts akin to that phrase. I've been reading too much manga...
"Pahahahahaha!" The beautiful girl next to me quickly erupted into laughter, hugging her stomach as tears caught in her eyes from how hard she was laughing. I rolled mine, watching her as I leaned back a bit to admire the view... the girl not the sky. "Sorry t-that's just - I-I'm glad, t-thank you for clearing that up!" She quickly bowed a few times as my hand landed on her head.
"Don't worry about it, I should've explained the kinda trouble I bring with me like a bad ex... not that I've had a girlfriend - but hey, let's just skim that topic," I shuffled my hands to side like moving a box. "We still got time for some of those side quests, you up for it?"
"Hm... I can do a few," She pursed her lips then a yawn escaped her. "But I think my battery's nearly tapped out from that slight scare of possibly being with a bad person." She stuck her tongue out at me.
I scoffed, placing a hand on my chest. "My dear leader, are you insinuating I'm a delinquent, I am shocked and appalled," My awful posh tone made her snort as she poked my side.
"Good thing I'm into bad boys," She quipped as if she was trying to make me flustered. Two can play this game as I poked her cheek.
"Aw, that's sweet, I'll get my leather jacket and motorbike," I clapped before a round of laughter escaped us.
"You're an idiot!" She snickered.
"You hired this idiot!" I jested.
You know, they say a star-filled sky with the moon high with a beautiful girl is romantic, but honestly? I think laughing our asses off was far more enjoyable.
[To Be Continued...]
[Author's Notes]
Malzeno's got more than a few secrets, this is probably the most minor in that list. I hope you enjoyed, I appreciate the support, seeya in the next chapter, Readers!