With the Princess in Academy City -2-
“Um... I actually have plans today, so it might be tough.”
“...!”
The girl froze like a statue.
It was the first time Rohan had seen Clara this shocked.
She couldn't string words together, her lips just trembling.
What to do here?
Rohan knew.
“How about instead—!”
Clara's courage had hit its limit at the first invitation, but she couldn't just stop there.
So, with genuine enthusiasm, he pressed on wholeheartedly.
This chance was precious to Rohan too.
“What about tomorrow? I'll buy drinks. Or any other free day works.”
“Y-you're busy, you don't have to push yourself for someone like me...”
“Someone like you? Don't sell yourself short like that.”
By Rohan's instincts, Clara's mind was probably blank except for apologies right now.
And since he'd already shut down any more sorrys, she was at a loss for words.
Rohan spoke up again and took action.
“Grab this.”
“...?”
Was it okay to just grab the hand of such a delicate girl and lead her?
Instead, he offered his apron like reins, and Clara hesitantly took hold with a puzzled look.
“Let's go.”
“W-where?”
Rohan backed up step by step, keeping eye contact with the shrinking Clara as he guided her.
To the table by the register.
And sat her down.
He opened the snacks the owner had left for him to eat, brewed some hot tea, and set it before Clara.
The girl alternated glances between the treats and Rohan, her eyes blank as if she couldn't process the situation.
“...What's this?”
“It's too much for me to eat alone. Mind helping out?”
Rohan handed her a snack with a straight face.
Clara accepted it hesitantly and murmured her thanks.
Rohan watched her munch on it like a hamster.
And picked up the conversation where it left off.
“Sorry. I usually don't have plans, but today it lines up like this.”
“N-no, it's my fault for blurting it out without thinking...”
“Tomorrow then? You busy?”
Clara shook her head vigorously. Not busy.
Her short twintails and the ribbons on her clothes swayed together.
“Then tomorrow, I'll treat you to something tasty in exchange for helping with the weekly boss.”
Rohan offered his finger like a pinky promise.
Clara hesitated a moment, then bowed her head and hooked her finger with his.
The princess had told the elders she was training, as always.
Left her tracker in the ruins, and stepped into Academy City Elysium.
On the surface, rebellion. Deep down, a desperate struggle to escape gnawing doubts.
Click!
Arriving at Zone 2, the rendezvous point, she removed her goggles and stowed them in their case.
Pulled down the mask covering up to her eyes.
She knew she had to blend in with natural clothes.
‘...’
She looked up from the street.
Glorious signs and lights filled her view.
The princess gasped purely at the thriving Academy City after sunset.
‘Two hours...’
To a princess from infrastructure-less ruins, the city was a bundle of fascination and curiosity.
Two hours waiting for her appointment felt too short.
She'd wander alone, and time would fly.
Step. Step. Step.
She walked with the passersby.
How to describe this mix of excitement and worry pounding in her chest?
“...”
Her pace slowed.
A faint wariness sprouted.
‘What's missing?’
She felt eyes on her as she walked.
Last time too, so she'd dressed casually—or so she thought—but stares still lingered.
‘No hostility.’
Still, it bothered her.
Maybe a sign she lacked naturalness somewhere, failing to blend.
‘...I'll ask about awkward spots at the rendezvous.’
She naturally headed to the shopping mall.
She'd known currency since childhood. Carried emergency coins.
In monster-filled unlivable zones, scavenging abandoned homes sometimes yielded dusty coins.
Riding the escalator, she peeked at each floor.
She got off at a bustling level and looked around.
‘Lots of humans in similar clothes.’
She recalled they were academy uniforms.
Deduced it was because of all the school and office supply stores here.
How long had she wandered?
“!”
Her sharp eyes spotted a familiar blue sign.
[Waterdrop Friends]
The princess quickened her steps subtly.
Her cold face cracked with a twitching smile.
‘...Didn't expect this store in Zone 2 too.’
Last secret trip to the city, she'd bought a notepad and pen with chubby dragon and honest shark characters—from this brand.
As she approached, the automatic door slid open.
Pop-grr~ Bubble-like bell chimed, drawing staff glances.
“Welcome! To Waterdrop Friends!”
The bright greeting calmed her mind a bit.
She bowed politely in response and entered.
Mostly female customers or kids.
She blended in, browsing goods.
‘Ululi in a suit and bowler hat—intriguing.’
Absorbing characters in various fashions, she moved shelf by shelf.
Skipping cutesy items, big characters greeted her.
‘Plushies?’
Honestly, tempted.
Really wanted one. But the trip back was the issue.
A sudden plush in her dark room would stand out too much. No matter how bad she wanted it, impossible.
‘Can't be helped...’
Regrettable to just look.
She poked the soft plush with a finger, lingering to soothe her longing.
How long?
A voice perked her ears.
“Payment of 102 coins and 28 tokens processed.”
“Deliver everything to my address.”
“Got it! Thanks as always!”
What costs that much here?
Her head turned to the register.
‘...Blind?’
A refined girl with closed eyes.
Her sword, held like a cane, suited yet clashed.
Pocketing her card post-payment, she turned.
The princess held her breath, sensing the girl's prowess.
‘Strong.’
As if reading her presence, the eyeless girl turned, smiled warmly, nodded, and left.
“...”
The princess nodded back stiffly, realizing rendezvous time neared.
She hurried her shopping.
“1 coin 10 tokens.”
“Here...”
Jingle jangle.
With new notepad, pen, and stickers bought, she left the store.
..
..
“I know the spot. Heading there now.”
Ending the call with the man's reply, the princess stood by the payphone, waiting quietly.
Few pedestrians, no stares—peaceful.
Step.
Footsteps as if meant to be heard.
Her gaze shifted, meeting the expected figure.
“I'm here.”
She didn't think she was close enough for warm greetings with this man.
Still unclear if ally or foe.
“Why that outfit?”
For disguise, less conspicuous clothes existed.
She suspected purpose in his academy uniform, treated well here.
“Figured you'd wait if I went back to the dorms first, so I came straight from work.”
“Infiltrating the academy too?”
Rohan just smiled without elaborating.
“Let's move. Somewhere to talk...”
“Wait. Issue to settle first.”
“Yes?”
She showed her outfit to Rohan.
“Is my getup weird?”
“Not really.”
“Hmm...”
No sniper rifle, goggles hidden.
Outer zipper up to hide mags.
Evening weather made it unremarkable.
“Stopped by security?”
“No. Just too many odd stares. Unsolved, might get checked.”
“Aha.”
Rohan nodded knowingly.
“You know why?”
“Don't sweat it. Simple fix.”
“Simple?”
Curiosity piqued.
Overlooking simple issues was dangerous.
“Answer. What's wrong?”
Glared with axe eyes; Rohan replied nonchalantly.
“You're pretty, that's why.”
“W-what...?”
“Your looks draw eyes.”
Rohan stated the obvious like duh, then strode ahead.
“C'mon, let's go.”