Chapter 32. Date
Thirty-seven this year. For some, that was old enough to be cradling grandkids, but Ganesha hadn't so much as properly held a man's hand, let alone had kids or grandkids of her own.
...Of course, if you dug through all twenty years of her memories, there might've been one time she grabbed a guy's hand. But if she couldn't even remember it, it might as well have never happened.
She'd lived her life under gazes split between curiosity and fear, so the envious stares from people now felt utterly alien. But a woman was a woman, no matter the age—especially for her, who'd never truly fallen in love. Deep down, her heart still harbored a girlish innocence.
That seed of budding excitement, buried beneath her tough exterior, was finally sprouting, greedily drinking in water and sunlight, shooting up tall and fast.
Ganesha stole a sideways glance at Ji-hyuk's profile beside her. ...This ticklish feeling bubbling up in her chest was strangely embarrassing. What the fuck, getting all sappy at my age?
She blurted out loudly to cover it. "Ah, fuuuck, what a nice day—!"
Ji-hyuk, her date for the day, chuckled softly and played along. "It sure is, ma'am. Perfect weather for a stroll."
There was an indescribable charm in the deep timbre of his voice. Ganesha loved hearing it—calm yet passionate all at once. It mesmerized her.
"Where you wanna go?"
"Anywhere in mind, ma'am?"
"Me? Hell if I know... And you little shit, you're supposed to plan that stuff. I'm a lady today, a lady—!"
"Ah, got it."
"...The hell? You smirking at me?"
"Gorgeous day like this, gotta smile. You smile too, ma'am."
"...Fucking smartass..."
Even the princess couldn't stop her lips from twitching into a grin. It was a smile that welled up from deep inside.
Ganesha gripped Ji-hyuk's arm tighter. Just walking like this together felt so damn good. ...It was a fullness she'd never known before. Nothing like the simple pleasure of strolling pretty gardens. This was ten—no, a hundred times better.
They walked along the bustling main street, carriages clattering by. Crowds pressed in. Now and then, cheeky mercenaries whistled or tossed lewd catcalls their way.
Ganesha bristled every time, but Ji-hyuk patted the back of her hand—the one clutching his arm—with his free one, calming her. "Just ignore 'em. You know what assholes they're like."
"...Fuck, you've killed my vibe completely."
Back in the day, she'd have turned their faces to pulp on the spot. But today was a good day, so she magnanimously let it slide. ...And she didn't want to look savage in front of him.
After a long walk, they reached the wide fountain square. Water cascaded from a statue of a beautiful goddess holding a water jug. People clustered around the massive fountain, sitting in groups. Kids romped in one corner; street vendors hawked wares from mats nearby.
"Legs hurting? Let's rest."
"My legs are fine."
"That's when you pretend they ache a little."
"Why the fuck pretend? You know how sturdy I am."
Ganesha snorted and plopped onto the fountain's edge. The dress made spreading her legs a pain, so she grumbled irritably. "Ugh, fuck, this is why I hate dresses..."
"Ladies sit prim and proper."
"Fuck being a lady. Happy now?"
Ji-hyuk laughed. Ganesha shot him a sulky up-and-down glance, then hiked her dress up to her thighs and spread her legs wide, leaning back.
"Phew, now I can breathe, fuck."
Ji-hyuk eyed something in the distance, said "Wait here a sec," and headed off. Ganesha watched curiously, wondering where the punk was going.
Soon the hero returned with two apples. He handed her one, ripe and red.
"Here."
"Cheers."
The princess took it and snapped it in half with a casual bite, munching away. Ji-hyuk rubbed his on his sleeve and crunched into it.
They polished off the apple in no time and stood.
"Wanna hold hands?"
"...Huh? ...Hands?"
"It's a date."
Ah—. Ganesha froze like a malfunctioning machine, utterly at a loss. Clueless about this stuff, she had no idea how to handle his forwardness.
"...Yeah, date. Here. ...Fuck, not 'cause I'm into you or anything. Don't get the wrong idea, punk."
Ji-hyuk grinned and took her hand, giving it a gentle tug to start walking again.
Ganesha fiddled awkwardly with her hat brim. Her heart pounded. ...So this was holding a man's hand. Fuck, it felt good. So fucking unfair... Fuck, it felt so good...
His hand was warm and nice. She'd always charged ahead as team leader, but this was the first time someone led her.
"Wanna check out the market, ma'am?"
"...Sure."
Didn't matter where. Ganesha just wanted this moment to last forever.
They plunged into the noisy market street. It was packed tight—shoulders bumped with every step. She stuck close behind him.
"Check this out."
Ji-hyuk would spot something cool and they'd linger, peering at it together.
By the time they'd wandered the whole market, the sun blazed directly overhead. They ducked into a nearby eatery.
She was a veteran hero with expedition experience—no qualms about a dingy joint like this. She'd chomped week-old jerky before; this was luxury.
They filled their bellies simply and headed out, hands linked again. No destination this time—just wandering wherever their feet took them.
The two heroes roamed the capital, laughing, chatting, snacking. Ganesha was over the moon. Smiles kept bursting out unbidden.
The sun, high at noon, began its descent, painting the sky in gorgeous sunset hues. Today, she hated how fast it sank. Was the day really ending like this? ...She didn't want to part from Ji-hyuk.
She startled at her own realization. ...The hell, crushing on a rookie? Fuck, so damn pathetic—!
But the more she denied it, the clearer it burned in her chest. Affection. Undeniable affection.
Late as it was, Ganesha realized she liked Ji-hyuk as a man.
But she didn't want to show it. Felt like losing face, and she didn't want to burden him. Yet every time he flashed that soft smile, her walls crumbled fast.
Never having felt this before, those walls were paper-thin. He strode right into her heart. ...Or maybe he'd been there all along.
Back in Niger Song... No, even earlier. ...Yeah. Back when they'd glared over drawn weapons, savoring that razor-edge tension.
Ah—. Back then, he was a beast. He'd torn into her body, gripped and shaken it, imprinting top from bottom crystal clear. ...When she lost to him, maybe that's when she'd let him in.
A powerful man. Outstanding leadership, iron patience, magnanimity to embrace all. —
"Beautiful sunset, isn't it?"
Ji-hyuk gazed at Ganesha as he asked. Such a kind, gentle smile. Strong, yet soft.
"...Yeah, fucking gorgeous... For real..."
They turned back to the pretty sunset afar. The sun dipped toward the walls.
Ganesha felt regretful. Never had a fading sun tugged at her like this.
"Alright, up we go, ma'am. Folks'll worry."
Ganesha rose from the fountain edge and gripped his offered hand tight again.
They retraced their steps. Dusk deepened. Step by step, her body felt heavier. Pace slowed.
Was this happy, joyful day really ending? Should've come earlier. Massive regret, but too late now.
Ji-hyuk paused at a spot reasonably distant from the mansion. Ganesha faced him.
"Time to say goodbye."
Ah. The princess's heart twisted. She felt oddly restless. Really gotta end it here?
"It's a date, so... goodbye kiss?"
"...F-fuck...?!"
As Ganesha panicked, Ji-hyuk grinned wide. "Don't worry. Just a light one."
"Excuse me, ma'am." He cupped her jaw ends lightly, tilted her face up, and pecked her moist lips softly.
"Had a blast today, ma'am."
Her face burned. Heat flushed through her whole body. Fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck—!
"I-I should head back."
Ganesha gritted her teeth and grabbed Ji-hyuk's arm as he turned for the mansion, stopping him.
"...Ma'am?"
"Hey, wait. Just... a sec..."
The princess hung her head, fidgeting, voice trembling.
"What's up?"
"...Shut up and listen, punk..."
Ganesha swallowed hard, over and over. After a long silence, she mumbled slyly.
"Hey..."
"Yes."
"...This kinda shit with a guy... first time for me."
"Yes."
"Fuck, I mean my first time...!"
"I know."
Ji-hyuk smiled as he replied. Ganesha couldn't meet his eyes straight, gaze darting. Good thing the dusk hid her flaming face.
"First date too..."
"Yes."
"First hand-holding..."
"Yes."
"F-first k-kiss too..."
"Yes."
"Fuck, embarrassing—!"
The princess stomped her feet. Then clenched her fists, jerked her head up. Fuck it, yeah, let's do this, you fuckeeeerrr—!!
"Hey—!"
"Yes, ma'am?"
"You—!"
"Yes."
Ganesha thrust out her ample chest and bellowed, jabbing a finger at him, then poking her own breast.
"Fuck me—!"
"...Pardon?"
As Ji-hyuk double-took, the princess ground her teeth and yelled louder.
"You fuuuuckeeer, fuck meeeeeee—!!"
Her face burned crimson, ready to burst.