Kuro seems oddly invested in helping me. I come to the conclusion that helping me is also helping him, because only I regain my power, I can take the wall down.

Kuro told me that he wants someone to go with me to "protect me" on my way. I accept it, with the realization that I don't know how to get back to Manbun's base. I followed the other soldiers here and stopped paying attention to my surrounds after seeing the same type of tree for the tenth time.

I wait in the tent until I hear the flap of the entrance and turn around to see who I'll be journeying with.

... 'No no no no, not him, anyone but him! Why can't I go with Leopard-kun or even FedorSan would be acceptable!' This is what I was thinking when I saw Hypocrite walk into the room, of course, I didn't say it out loud.

"D-does that mean I'll be working with Hypocrite?" I look at Kuro pitifully.

Hearing what I said, Kuro's eyes widened. He turned his face away and covered his mouth, not letting anything escape. Not getting an answer, I turn to Hypocrite to see the eyes behind his gla.s.ses widen. His nose twitches before saying,"...Hypocrite?"

...Ahh...I haven't said his nickname out loud before, have I?

"That's..." I tense up, waiting to be pummeling for being too blunt with my nickname.

"Pfhh..." Kuro accidentally lets out a small laugh. He's given a cold stare by Hypocrite and replies with,"She caught on pretty quickly..."

Hypocrite sighs and turns to me with a slight frown on his face,"Please refrain from called me that in the future."

I want to say it's already imprinted in my brain, but his cold gaze stops me from talking. The only thing I can do is nod.

Kuro, regaining his serious aura, announced,"Hypocr-**********, you are to follow and protect the fairy on her journey."

Hypocrite glares at the man in silence, not responding. Kuro turns more serious, voice deepening,"This is a command."

Hypocrite and Kuro lock eyes in a heated stare as I fantasize about their possible future relations.h.i.+p. Eventually, Hypocrite gives in first,"Understood, Sir."

"Good-" Kuro turns to me,"-when will you be ready?"

"Oh, uh, nows fine." I return from my fantasy.

"You have fifteen minutes to prepare, dismissed." He tells Hypocrite.

Hypocrite bows and turns to leave, side-eyeing me as he walks out of the tent.