11 Chapter 3 1 : The date, and followers (1/2)
Chapter 3 (1): The date, and followers
AN: Warning, parts of this chapter (starting in part 2) this are borderline ecchi... no, it isn't borderline, it is definitely ecchi or beyond. I'll mark where that starts and stops, so if you want to skip those portions, you can. Nothing related to the central story happens in there, besides advancement of Ryuu's love life. I'll try to have that be true for similar sections in later chapters. My first idea for the title of this chapter was ”The date, the night, and interrogations” but I changed it when I realized the pun I could make, which changed the second half of the chapter to suit it, putting in what would have happened in the start of chapter four. The other bit that I'd had planned for this chapter will probably be put in chapter seven or so, I think? (The correct number might be different, but I still won't correct/change this statement after I know when it happens) Also, I put in some fourth wall breaks, and will continue to do so later on. It's funny to me, at least, and they shouldn't distract you too much, right?
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***** Ninya's PoV *****
I was a bit eager, though I don't know why, so I left the inn my party was staying at over an hour early, went out and into an alley, where I put up a barrier that blocked entry and sight, and changed into a dress. (one I hadn't worn in months, but was still clean due to being in my item bag... said bag could only store about as much as that dress, a few days of food and water, and a few potions, but I don't care. I want to have some way to get away from them at times, and to be feminine once in a while) After that,went to the square, getting there quite a while before sunset. Still, it's not like I had anything else to do but wait, so sat there while trying to calm my breathing and heartbeat, which were fast and erratic for some reason. After a while, I saw Bradley (in a totally obvious disguise) enter the square, look around nervously, and then sit down in the outdoor area of a cafe while drinking a single cup of water. I hope Ryuu isn't wearing her normal clothes, I'd like him to not notice either of us. If he does see her, I'll hide myself in a barrier and whisper to Ryuu that we should move elsewhere. If he finds out I'm a girl... Oh, this was such a mistake... Wait... Ryuu doesn't know what I look like when I am like this, and I might not be able to recognize her... It's past sunset, and I can't find her... where is she...
***** Normal PoV *****
After I couldn't find Ninya for a few minutes, I decided to take off one of my bracelets, because I figured out that she might be disguised somehow and not realize neither of us could recognize the other. One bracelet wouldn't be that harmful to anyone, but it would get people's attention, if they were looking for me and knew what my aura was like. Some people reacted, but I waited for a few seconds before I heard a voice from nowhere.
”Put your bracelet back on, wait around here for a few minutes, then go out the north entrance. Someone is watching us. By the way, my full name is Tuareninya, so today, please call me Tuare. I don't doubt someone we know might 'happen to' come across our path, but if I look different and have a different name, they should think I'm a different person, and thus you would be as well. If you understand, scratch your left ear” (Ninya)
Tuareninya, huh? That name sounds familiar... Probably just a coincidence. Anyways, I scratched my ear, waited for a bit, and left. As soon as I had, I was joined by Ninya - sorry, Tuare, and then we... stood there awkwardly, before we just started walking aimlessly while talking.
”So, uh... what do people normally do on a date?” (Tuare)
”I feel like I should know, but my author says otherwise... or more like, my author hasn't ever been on one, so this scene couldn't really be written well, so there's probably going to be several random things happening, thus keeping the readers from focusing on the date aspect of this chapter” (Ryuu)
”Ah, that makes sense... So, what now?” (Tuare)
”You hungry?” (Ryuu)
”In both meanings of the word, yes” (Tuare)
”Well, I can think of three meanings, all of which apply to me. First, there's for food-” (Ryuu)
”Yep” (Tuare)
”Then, there's hungry for blood-” (Ryuu)
”OK, I'm hungry in all three meanings of the word, because someone seems to be following us” (Tuare)
”Indeed. There are two... no, three following us. I... Really? Just a moment” (Ryuu)
I pounced behind where the two of us were, and caught hold of two people hiding themselves with invisibility magic, while pinning the third beneath my knee.
”So, you roped Charlotte into this, eh? I thought I told you two NOT TO FOLLOW ME. Do you have a death wish?” (Ryuu)
”Ryuu, come on, don't be like that. Considering what they are wearing, they must be students at the same school you go to. I assume they're your friends, or at least acquaintances, so don't say things like that” (Tuare)
”You're right... Hey, wanna go for round two of this afternoon's session?” (Ryuu)
”Ooh... good idea... I'm getting excited just thinking about it... But first, we should deal with these three” (Tuare)
”No, that is the way to deal with them” (Ryuu)
I put up a barrier around my body, removed my earrings and bracelets, and then expanded the barrier to cover the five of us. As soon as I did, Tuare started to tremble with a face that said that she wanted more, and the other three fell to the ground, the strength gone from their bodies. Perfect... nononono, what am I thinking? I will not start to like this, I must not become a sadist.
”You already are one, you know. It's part of what I like about you” (Tuare)
”Did... did I say that out loud? I guess my people do have a trait that makes them more inclined to like pain, either on the giving or receiving side... sorry, Nin- Tuare. That's going to trip me up for a while” (Ryuu)
”You said 'perfect... what am I thinking? I will not start to like this, I must not become a sadist' as though you were having trouble accepting that you already are one. It's fine, it's not like-” (Tuare)
”I'm going to stop you there... ah, just a moment” (High-pitched female voice from above)
A black cat dropped from the roof above us, changing to a woman in black clothing in midair, and I instantly recognized her when she landed, as did Tuare, judging by her reaction.
”You were saying she has trouble accepting what she is, but the same is true for yourself, you nyaw... sorry, you know? Also, I love the outfit. You finally stopped hiding your real sex, at least in part. Van and the rest don't know, it's just me, I think. I've known for a few months at least, simply because of the smell. Humans and elves won't notice it, just beastkin like me” (Shion)