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Holding tightly on her too light purse while doing some window shopping, Selena strolled down a cobbled street. It was a quiet, relaxing affair until a barricade of high pitched voices picked on her ears, making her wince as she looked towards the end of the street with equal parts annoyance and curiosity. There, a crowd of squealing women gathered surrounding someone as if they were famous.
Selena wasn’t that nosy, but she slowly made her way there—ears attuned to pick on the indecipherable babble of that noisy bunch meanwhile her eyes looked with feigned interest at the shopfronts.
“Mister Kaze, please accept this gift!” One of the girls loudly begged on a honeyed tone.
At that name, Selena jumped in the spot—her heart did too but she hit her chest to silence it.
Well, now, this I haven’t seen. Selene arched an eyebrow as she peered at the bunch of women surrounding Kaze, she was able to see the top of his head, tousled green swaying in the wind. On his face, an uncomfortable expression as his eyes jumped around looking for an exit.
Selena had heard of the magnetic draw he seemed to have with the fairer sex outside the army. How couldn’t he? Stupidly complaisant, charming and that handsome face—Gah! She felt her face growing red as her hair as she let herself be swept away. Unlike those women, Selena wasn’t easily swayed by a gorgeous, handsome face and a gentle character. She didn’t have time for that.
Trying to keep casual, Selena leant against a wall and with crossed arms kept watch on Kaze and his predicament. She had never seen such a thing happen—with Laslow around, she usually saw the contrary.
“No, that’s… I’m most grateful but cannot accept it.” Despite his discomfort, he spoke politely with a smile on his face.
No wonder they seem unable to leave them around. Selena thought miffed, her frown growing deeper and wider as she saw a giggly blond throw her arms around Kaze’s arm, squeezing it. Despite his obvious vexation, he simply endured it with a tense smile.
She had a death grip on her own sleeves as she steamed on the sidewalk.
Not because it made her a little, tiny, bitty jealous. Not at all! Not even an itty-bitty!
“But I used my pocket money for this! All for you!” The same woman, a brunette holding on to a package she pushed towards Kaze, whined.
“Even more the reason to not accept. Just the thought is enough.” Kaze spoke, this time with a softer voice and demeanor, smiling to the brunette with half-lided eyes.
That only served to make that woman more insistent and the rest fawn over his dreamy looks and gentlemanly approach.
I cannot believe it! Selena jumped forward and decided she had enough. Kaze seemed unable to stop being polite—probably some Hoshidan courtesy bullshit—making his fangirls louder and more insistent. If he didn’t explicitly say no, did he say no? That was what they probably were thinking.
Without any care nor delicacy, Selena started to tear the crowd apart. Ignoring complaints and cries, Selena picked them by the back of their necks and pushed them out of her way; it was no problem as she was quite stronger than some punny villagers.
“Hey!
“Wait for your turn!”
That one commentary pissed her off even further.
What do they think Kaze is? Their personal stud? They were so focussed swooning that they didn’t care how distressing this situation was to Kaze. She couldn’t withstand seeing him being manhandled any longer!
“Move away.” She groaned as she finally reached the front of the line, tearing that clingy blonde apart from Kaze by the collar.
“Selena…!” Kaze whispered her name with relief, making her face blush red for a different reason.
She wanted to chide him for his soft-heartedness, but that could wait. Especially when he wasn't looking at her with those eyes all soft and gushy that made her legs feel weak.
Selena knew she was marching into a more fierce battle than the ones she was used to. But the mercenary hated to lose; she would show those village girls who were in charge. And maybe made sure to show them their place too.
She never had the time nor patience for petty, girly squabbles in the past, but even she knew how to play that game.
I’ll show you who’s the top dog here. Selena’s anger had been fed as well as her competitiveness; to not mention, she was a natural-born petty person.
Under Kaze’s surprised gaze, Selena took the spot the sticky blonde had been. Biting the inside of her cheek and doing her best to keep her heartbeat steady—she had no reason to feel embarrassed, after all—Selena linked their arms. She didn’t intend the iron grip nor her shaky hands, but she still looks smugly at the women in front of them, staring at her with budging eyes and halted breaths.
Unlike Kaze, I don’t play nice. Selena realized there was only one way for them to leave Kaze alone and her judgment was hot enough for her to endure the embarrassment of later.
“Kaze, how dare you walk on me like that?” Putting her best acting skills to play, Selena half-asked, half-complained with an annoyed voice.
With wide eyes and mouth hanging open, Kaze stared at her for a second before catching on to her plan. As expected of a master ninja, a quick reckoning made him realize what was the strategy at place.
“Forgive me, Selena. I just wanted some air.” He quickly followed with an apologetic tone, looking at her in an attempt to escape the furious, icy glares they were shooting in their direction.
“K-Kaze, do you know this rude woman?” A ginger who was to the back asked, looking at Selena with uncertainty.
Their loud and giggly group soon turned silent and sedate. Not only Kaze didn’t seem bothered, but also seemed to actually know the rude redhead climbing to his arm as if she owned him!
“Of course he does.” Selena snapped at her, squeezing Kaze’s firm, muscular arm harder. “I’m his s-sweetheart.”
She hadn’t meant to stutter. Of course they weren’t a couple, but they didn’t know that and it was the quickest way to get rid of them. Yes, it’s the fastest, most efficient method! Selena argued internally, definitely not fueled by jealousy at how easily those women expressed their interest in Kaze, touching him like that. She just was frustrated on how he let himself be swarmed like that.
Despite the confidence with which she acted, Selena was unable to meet Kaze’s gaze after that shameless statement. If she had done so, she would have noticed his ears growing pink in color.
“Indeed, that’s why I cannot accept such gifts. I would appreciate your understanding.” Kaze said with a firmer tone, emboldened by Selena’s support. And as if to put a bigger emphasis, he placed a hand over Selena’s as she held on his arm, gently squeezing it—she bit the inside of her cheek and breathed deeply, trying to focus on anything but his touch igniting her senses. “I beg you not to upset my sweetheart any longer, as I hate to see her sad.”
Geez, if he wants to stop being a ninja he might have a career in acting. Selena sulked, noticing how he didn't even hesitate on his word while she was fussing inside.
The women looked at them horrified and deathly jealous, fuming at the sight. No matter how insistent they were, they weren’t blind and insisting would make them look bad. Moreover they don’t have any reason to suspect they were acting, as Kaze seemed quite content with the lady in his arms in comparison to the way he dodged them.
Not wanting to risk the sham being exposed, Selena quickly found an excuse to go away.
“Kaze, you promised me a new ribbon for my hair〜” Selena manifested the most obnoxious and pampered tone she could—the same she used to scam her father into buying her stuff.
If she wanted to act cute, she would be the cutest.
“As you see, we need to get going now.” Kaze faithfully followed her lead, a refreshing smile in his lips, clearly relieved inside to be able to get away so easily.
With the women looking as they bite on the most bitter lemon possible, they made space for them to pass, bidding Kaze farewell with bitter voices and even more bitter glares towards the vixen that stole Kaze away from their hands. She did her best to bite her tongue and not laugh loudly at their reactions; no matter what or where, Selena just loved the feeling of winning. Even if acting like that was way more exhausting than any mercenary job.
With a tight pace, they walked with their arms entangled for a while before turning on a less populated corner, far away from prying eyes. As soon as they did, Selena let out a big relieved sigh, leaning against Kaze’s shoulder as all tension left her body limp.
Likewise, Kaze also left an exhausted sigh out, shoulders slumping as he did so, his body leaning a bit into Selena’s; green and red matching perfectly shoulder to shoulder. As she felt his weight against her, Selena tensed and started to feel her face grow hotter again.
“I’m truly grateful for your assistance, Selena.” Kaze said with his seemingly innate solemnlessness, looking at her if she had saved his life instead of chasing some villagers away.
“S-shut up, it’s nothing.” She mumbled under her breath. His honest and serious attitude just made her feel embarrassed and too self-conscious of herself. Hiding her face by looking away, Selena held her nose high as she admonished him with an authoritative tone. “I wouldn’t need to do this if you were firmer to them. Just tell them to scramp!”
Kaze chuckled in response.
“I fear that would be rude on my part.” He said helplessly, looking at her with tender eyes—which of course she was unaware of, staring with burning eyes to the street across the road to hide her bashfulness.
“You’re way too nice.” She grumbled, however there was no bite in her tone, mulling on how that wasn’t bad per se—He would lose his luster if he wasn’t this compliant. Even her stubborn heart was moved by his easygoing nature, just like those annoying village girls.
“I guess then I also have to apologize for that.” Kaze said apologetically, leaning slightly towards Selena to see her turned face, wrinkled brow and twisted lips transparently showing her annoyance.
She couldn’t help but squeeze his arm a bit to blow some steam…only to realize she was still holding on to his arm, digging her nails on his muscles. Her heartbeat raced at full gallop, making her froze for a second before trying to snatch her hand back.
Emphasis on trying as Kaze’s sharp reflexes kicked faster; his hand swiftly moved to cover hers, arm squeezing closer to his body, holding her in place. He was always so lenient towards everybody that as his ally it was easy to forget how his muscles weren’t for showing and he was a fully-fledged Saizo clan ninja to the core.
“W-w-what…?” Selena found herself baffled, her mind slowing down as her heart hastened. She licked her lips, suddenly dry alongside her throat before fighting back with feeble offense, staring at him with wide eyes and face rosy. She really didn't want to be let go. “Let me off, we already lost your entourage.”
“Don’t I owe you a ribbon.” Kaze affirmed rather than asked, a slightly coy glint in his purple eyes. He rarely showed anything besides straightforward seriousness yet he allowed himself to behave so brazenly in front of her.
Isn’t he a smooth talker! Selena found herself mad, both at him and herself. She just saved him from those girls fawning at him because he was too careless with his good looks and charming tone only for him to turn in towards her. I’m not falling for this—despite that she was a little bit—, is he even aware of the effect he has? She had to question it, frustrated at him for many reasons. But when it came to him her frustration always felt too short lived. Even if she was fuming mad, just seeing his gentle eyes was enough for her to forget any ill feel inside her.
If she didn’t know him better. She would have thought he was looking for excuses to keep her around.
Looking at him directly in the eyes, she admonished him with a slight stutter, with her free hand she pointed at him to add emphasis.
“Y-you know that was just an excuse.”
“I can not pay back for your help.” Looking a bit too gleeful, Kaze insisted.
“...” She remained silent, remembering her last shopping spree ended with more expenses than intended, tightening her budget. She had seen glimpses of Kaze going to absurd lengths to repay Silas, and unlike the knight, she was more eager to accept any and all gifts; she had earned a reward for her prize worthy acting. Leaning a bit closer towards Kaze, she put on a fake reluctant tone as she allowed herself to indulge a bit. “Weeeeell, if you insist.”
“What kind of boyfriend wouldn’t get a gift during a date?” Kaze gleefully teased her, way too comfortable calling himself her boyfriend. She didn't really mind that either.
He’s getting way too carried away…but I cannot complain—not that I want. She felt in quite the good humor, even if it was just so he could keep his fangirls at bay for the rest of the day, Selena couldn’t help but indulge in the fake relationship and playful flirting they had going on. I will have to go back to Ylisse someday…there is no harm enjoying the now for a bit. She thought as she felt the corner of her eyes sting a little. At the very least, she wanted to have only good memories when she thought of him and couldn't be able to see him again.
“Of course you have to get me a gift and then dinner.” Selena answered with renewed energy. Possessively, she gripped his arm tighter, resting her cheek on his shoulder as she looked at him from between his lashes; she was the very image of a pampered, jealous girlfriend charging interest. She didn’t even try to hide the pettiness in her words, her nose wrinkling as she spoke. “The least you could do after entertaining those women.”
“As you wish, my lady.” He answered, beaming as he squeezed her hands reassuringly.
Despite Selena acting in a way many would find obnoxious and annoying, Kaze smiled quite content, not showing his usual stoic side, he looked quite carefree in Selena’s eyes. And none of them can have a glimpse of this side of him. She thought with wicked happiness, relinquishing in the side Kaze was only showing to her.