They enjoyed a few more minutes of the warm bath before Chisato had to get up and leave earlier than Takina before the black haired girl could remove the towel in front of her. She got dressed immediately as she waited for Takina to get to the locker room and helped her dress up in her more comfortable clothes.
Takina now clad in some black tights, comfortable stretchable shorts with four pockets, and some ankle friendly cloth boots. A white sleeveless turtle neck shirt with a black short sleeved button up blouse. A chest guard over her left breast, and an arm guard on her left arm. There were still a few more clothing, which were neatly folded and packed inside a small backpack.
“Lastly…” Chisato picked up the dark blue cloak from a paper bag and quickly put it over Takina’s head, gently tying the string around her neck to keep the cloak on her shoulders. “Nice.”
Takina closed her eyes as Chisato finished dressing her up. It felt surreal because she only had these equipment upon contact to a target, and not for traveling. She put her hand on the black tights around her legs.
“What are these for? They’re very warm, though…” Takina touched her thighs as Chisato cleaned up the paper bags and threw them to the trash.
They’re so it’ll make it harder for me to remove them, and so that I don’t get distracted by white legs! Chisato coughed. “You seem to be easily cold, and those are warm. It’s for you, so you don’t feel cold easily.”
“I see.” Takina nodded, as if satisfied. “The coat is very warm too.”
“It’s my favorite material, wool. It could be a bit expensive, but ah, don’t worry about it. Sensei’s got it, heh.” Chisato gave her a confident grin. “Come on. Let’s get some light food, after that we need to scout the forest before the shipment comes tomorrow afternoon.”
“Ah, yes.” Takina nodded as Chisato handed her the wooden long bow and a quiver of arrows.
Chisato starting getting dressed as Takina side eyed her. The red leather pants followed by the leather boots until just below her knees. She wore a black long sleeved shirt tucked to her pants, and a gray multi-pocketed vest followed by a white long sleeved long coat, and then her black cloak clasped with a gold buckle around her neck. Chisato picked up her double criss-cross sword belt as she clasped them around her waist, followed by her pristine white scabbard and sword.
“Chisato-san. Do you not wear steel armor?” Takina asked as Chisato picked up her sword in a pristine white scabbard and attached it around her waist.
“Nope… They just slow me down and I don’t need them.” Chisato gave her a grin. “Don’t need armor if they can’t hit me.”
Takina opened her mouth to ask about it but immediately felt wrist grabbed as she was dragged out of the bath house.
“Let’s go!” Chisato grinned at her as they walked out together.
Takina blinked, unable to speak as she gave her a small nod. In her whole life being with the DA, she has never met someone who treated her as warmly, as welcomed. It was not just the warmth of that hand on her skin, but the warmth of that smile, those eyes, and that gentle voice.
They were all directed at her, and no one else. Takina found herself being conflicted of how to deal with all these kindness. Was this person really an alpha? The only ones who gave her as much kindness were either the same omega or betas.
Was it okay for her to trust this alpha?
~*
Takina followed Chisato closely as they entered the Oshiage Forest. Unlike the forests near the DA, the trees around the path ways were blooming. Their leaves were green, and the bushes near the path ways were all trimmed, with only a few twigs, branches, and some rocks on its path.
“Hm? What’s wrong?” Chisato turned to look at Takina who was looking around every direction on each step.
Takina blinked at her and shook her head. “It’s nothing… I’ve never worn such comfortable boots before… I’ve never seen such clean path ways before.”
“Ah… The forests around the DA could only be passed by horses instead of a carriage, huh.” Chisato stopped at a wider path in the forest as she looked at the map. She turned to Takina who only looked at her in surprise. “Don’t look at me like that. You heard from Sensei before meeting up in the diner, right? I used to be one of the DA people too.”
“…Why are you here now?” Takina asked as she peered over Chisato’s shoulder for the map. “…If it was invasive, feel free not to answer.”
“Oho? You want to learn more about me?” Chisato grinned at her then looked around the vicinity. “I’m looking for someone.”
“…I see.” Takina looked around the vicinity as well. She wanted to ask further. Ask if she had found them. Ask if she had any clues… but those forlorn looking eyes… It drew her in, and yet pushed her away.
Chisato only smiled at her and turned to the paper in her hand.
The coordinates in Mika’s notes was a wider path at the center of the forest. It seemed to have been used for camping and was about a forty minute walk from the desert stop.
The trees were taller around the area, and more rocks are around the foot of the trees. Perfect for resting near camps or setting up tents.
Chisato opened her map and looked at the Oshiage Forest.
“This is the first of the camp areas, there’s at least two more ahead before reaching a fork to go to the next city, Sumida city, or upwards towards Asakusa Village.” Chisato trailed her finger around the corner of her map. “We can set up our ambush here.” She pointed at the exit of the camp. “They’re likely only passing through, since it will be at dawn.”
“Where would you like me at?” Takina blinked. “If you’d like a perfect sniping position.” She looked around. “…That tree would be perfect.” She pointed at a mid-high tree further down the forest, hidden by other taller but thinner trees.
Chisato blinked. “No, I mean. I’m talking about stopping them here.” She pointed at the map and looked at where it is from their position.
“Yes, that’s correct.” Takina tilted her head at her. “It’ll only be about 800 meters.”
“ONLY 800 METERS!?” Chisato’s eyes widened.
Takina tilted her head at her. “…Is there a problem?”
Chisato pinched the bridge of her nose. It was hard to believe, and yet… not hard to believe. “In the dark?”
Takina blinked at her and nodded slowly. “…In the dark.”
“That’s very cool. Okay then.” Chisato grinned at her. “I’ll be right here.” Chisato pointed at a tree near a rock on the same direction where Takina would be. “However, here’s the deal. You will only fire an arrow, if you truly believe that I’ll be in danger, okay?”
Takina only looked at her. “Understood.”
“Good!” Chisato grinned at her. “Now it’s time for you to meet Walnut.”
“You mentioned that… What is a Walnut?” Takina blinked.
“Eh? I thought you’d at least know what it actually is. I wanted to brag about how mine is super special~” Chisato took out something from her hip pouch and showed it to Takina.
It was a red cube, comfortably the size of her hand. It had grid lines that made small squares that seemed like you could turn and make shapes.
“While the ones the DA use are actually shaped like walnuts, mine is a bit of like a cube.” Chisato turned the cube as Takina watched it. “They’re alchemy items that the DA used to communicate with their agents via morse code. Only people with similar devices can receive the code, and each device has a unique spell.”
“I see. I didn’t know the DA had such advanced artifacts.” Takina looked at the cube, curious, and at the same time, her heart sank.
When she was sent out on missions, it was always in isolation. She was always given adequate information, and no one contacted her. It was always ‘meet here at x time on x day’. Did that mean she didn’t have a space in the DA right from the start?
Chisato blinked as she watched Takina look at the cube with those purple eyes clouded in frustration and sadness.
“Errr… uh… yeah! Anyway, mine is special because of this.” Chisato held the cube in her palm then she took apart one of the corner squares and put it on top of the cube at the center.
The cube suddenly started glowing as it pulsated some harmless light waves from Chisato’s hand and into an area of about twenty meters. The cube then blinked as it suddenly showed a hologram of the area from bird’s eye view.
“It can scan an area and show me what it looks like from bird’s eye view. Since it’s new technology, it only shows up for about two minutes, then it disappears.” Chisato grinned as she looked at the hologram map, checking out pathways and corners, soon enough, the light disappears and the piece that was on top automatically switched in back to its place. “Cool, right?”
Takina blinked at the device and nodded.
“Oh, it has one more use. If I press the center square here.” Chisato pressed inward the square at the middle of the cube as it clicked in. “It beeps twice, and then you can say something. Sensei.” She winked at Takina as the cube blinked twice every second before lighting up.
A hologram suddenly popped up, and Mika, the manager from the diner, was suddenly on the other side.
“What is it, Chisato?” came in clearly his voice.
“I’ve got plenty of things to complain to you about later but for now, I was just showing to Takina what this thing does. Bye!” Chisato pushed the button again as the hologram disappeared before Mika could communicate. “You can communicate with others who own the same device this way too.”
“Th- That’s amazing…” Takina couldn’t help but voice out her amazement, covering her mouth with a hand as she switched back immediately to her silent demeanor. “I hadn’t know there were such advancement in magic, science?”
“I don’t know how our resident alchemist does it, but she keeps on discovering these new stuff.” Chisato grinned. “You’ll meet her in a few days in Asakusa Village!”
Takina nodded as Chisato gave her a thumbs up.
“For now, I need to set up the traps.” Chisato took two square cubes from her Walnut and put one on the entrance and exit of the camp area. “These are harmless and hard to find. It’ll notify me if someone passes by.”
Takina nodded.
“With our preparations done… Let’s go back.” Chisato smiled as Takina followed closely behind her.
~*
Takina and Chisato returned to the Diner. Chisato watched Mika sweat behind a long list of stuff to pay for. Mika looked up from the list and was about to glare at Chisato, but those red eyes only stared at him as if they still had business together.
Chisato guided Takina back to her room. “I need to talk to Sensei for a bit, I’ll call you when it’s time for dinner.”
Takina only nodded at her.
“You can use the bed.” Chisato pointed at it with a gentle smile. “You can put your bag here.” She pointed to a space near a chair. “Your cloak there.” To a coat hanger. “And your weapons here.” Then she motioned to the weapon rack. “Make it comfortable for yourself, okay? I’ll be back soon.”
Takina nodded again and watched Chisato slowly close the door and disappear down the hallway, back to the diner.
Curious purple eyes looked around the room. There wasn’t really anything that interested her. However, as instructed, she put the cloak on the hanger, as well as her newly obtained backpack where it should be, and her temporary weapons.
Takina looked at the single bed as she sat on it. It was soft. She doesn’t remember when was the last time she’s sat or laid down on something that had cotton on it?
“Maybe it was when I was still training…” Takina blinked as she smiled a little at the good memories.
However beyond that, after she had awoken to her powers, it was mission here, mission there. Hard surfaces, camp grounds, metal beds; you’d be lucky if it had blankets, wooden floors. She was always on the go, and when she isn’t it wad only during her heats. If the organic heat suppressant weren’t working, she’d be isolated in a closed four wall room with a hard bed…
Takina shook her head as she dreaded it. She traveled to this location for a month from the DA. In a month’s time, she’d be getting her heat soon… What’s going to happen?
She found herself drawn to the fireplace as she sat down in front of it, on the soft carpet. She liked the heat.
It made her forget how cold the people treated her.
~*
“Chisato! What’s this!?” Mika showed the list of bill as Chisato stomped her way towards the bar counter.
“Don’t ‘What’s this!?’ me! That girl came with nothing but a thin robe, some boots and a thin white dress!” Chisato slammed a hand onto the counter, more powerful than she intended it to be as it dented inwards. “Ah… S- Sorry. Anyway–!”
“What?” Mika raised an eyebrow. “Her escort told me
her things arrived in her room at the inn.”
“There’s nothing there. Are you doubting these eyes that make business?” Chisato pointed at her eyes and raised an eyebrow. “The person herself mentioned that she was often unarmed, without armor! Without a change of clothes, aside for whatever those she was wearing when she met us!” She raised her hands above her head in anger.
“It’s rare to see you angry over a person.” Mizuki, the long blonde lady who helped around the diner leaned her head on her hand. “What’s the catch?”
“There’s no catch! Have you seen her wrists? Her ankles!?” Chisato glared at Mika. “What’s going on!?”
“Wrists? Ankles?” Mika blinked. “Mizuki, did a package arrive at the inn, or here, yesterday or today?”
Mizuki shook her head. “There was nada.”
Chisato raised an eyebrow as Mika looked extremely confused as well.
“Don’t tell me you don’t know anything too?” Chisato took a seat at the counter and leaned her elbow on the table, head propped on her hand. “Sensei?”
“Kusunoki just told me she’s entrusting a girl in my hands. However, she did say that ‘the circumstances are difficult’ as well as ‘try to ride along the plan’, and that was it.” Mika pinched the bridge of his nose as he sighed. “And then before she arrived, her escorts came early to tell me her mission, as well as about her luggage and such…”
Chisato sighed. If Mika didn’t know anything as well, there’s
a chance that no one else knew what’s going on.
“Can’t you write a telegram to Kusunoki-san? This is really shady, even for her.” Chisato removed her head from her palm, then she started tapping the wooden table with a finger.
“I can’t.” Mika sighed. “After telling me about this girl, she’s told me that the situation at the DA would make communication harder, and that she would send me a message first.”
“Fiiine. Well, for now, I’m fine with ‘playing along’ with what we’re told, but what are we telling Takina?” Chisato softly rested her palm onto the table, a bit calmer than earlier. “Also, I need a med-kit because those wounds on her wrists and ankles needs to be looked at.”
Mizuki who have been silently following the conversation opened a drawer and pulled out a small red pouch. “I think the girl deserves to know the truth, which we also don’t know, but at least, what’s going on.”
Mika nodded. “I will talk to her tomorrow after the interception mission.” He turned to Chisato who was just receiving the med-kit. “Are you both prepared already?”
Chisato nodded. “Yeah, just need to rest until dusk. Anyway, I’ll be going back now. Thanks for this, Mizuki.”
The door chimed as Chisato left the diner, and Mika and Mizuki could only look at each other.
Chisato stood in front of Takina’s door. She knocked twice before calling to her.
“Takinaaaa~ I’m back.” She waited a while for a response, but didn’t receive one. She slowly opened the door and felt proud of the black haired girl for finally making the room quite a bit homey.
Chisato scratched her head as once again, she didn’t find the girl on the bed, but in front of the fireplace instead.
“Takina.” Chisato called for her as she crouched in front of her in the fireplace with her warm dark blue cloak, but she didn’t get any response. “Geez…”
She lifted Takina up, bridal style, completely ignoring how light she was, and later on thinking of a way to fix that; she brought her towards the bed, her head onto the pillow.
“…It’s cold…” Takina grabbed Chisato’s clothes before she could completely let go of her as Takina unconsciously snuggled towards her.
“Ah…” Chisato inhaled and then exhaled as she scratched the back of her head. “Fine…”
And for the first time in her life, Chisato did something she hasn’t done in her twenty years of life.
She didn’t know that sleeping like this and sharing warmth was this comforting.
(The “Perfect” Bodyguard and The Ice Princess II / END)
