The effect was instantaneous and dramatic. A collective gasp rippled through the nearby crowd of women. Clara dropped her stew spoon with a clatter. Lena, the shy teenager, stumbled back as if struck, her basket of berries tumbling to the ground. Elara, the scout, stared, her jaw dropping open, her fiery confidence instantly extinguished by a look of utter, heartbroken betrayal. Whispers, sharp and angry, immediately erupted.
"Did he just...?"
"To her?!"
"He's been leading us on!"
"The nerve!"
The festival music seemed to falter, the cheerful chatter replaced by a sudden, stunned silence, then a chorus of indignant murmurs. Riku felt the wave of jealousy and anger directed at Erina, and inadvertently, at him. It was working. The 'Handsome Burden' was still a pain, but now, it was a contained, directed pain.
Erina, meanwhile, was completely frozen, her face a blazing crimson, her eyes wide with shock. She looked at Riku, then at the stunned, angry faces of the other villagers, then back at Riku. For a fleeting second, confusion warred with something else in her eyes – a flicker of dawning comprehension, perhaps even a hint of something pleased beneath her shock.
Ichinose, however, had completely dropped her analytical facade. Her eyes, usually cool and calculating, narrowed dangerously. She looked at Riku, then at Erina, then back at Riku. A storm seemed to be brewing in her gaze, a tempest of surprise, annoyance, and something that looked suspiciously like… jealousy. Riku knew he had chosen his target well, but the fallout was only just beginning.
Riku, pulling Erina by the hand, marched past the stunned villagers, the angry whispers of the spurned women following their every step. He didn't look back, focusing solely on the makeshift tent that served as his private quarters. He tugged the flap open, ushered Erina inside, and let it fall closed, plunging them into the relative quiet and dim light.
Erina stood there, her face still flushed a vivid crimson, her eyes wide with a mixture of shock and lingering amusement. "Riku," she finally managed, her voice a hushed whisper, "what in the world was that? And 'something big'? Honestly, you could have been a little less... dramatic."
Riku ran a hand through his hair, the weariness returning. He gestured vaguely to the empty space around them. "Sit."
Erina, still somewhat dazed, sank onto his bedroll. "Alright," she said, her expression becoming more serious. "Explain. Was it... true?"
He explained his plan to her. During his explanation, it seemed like he was a helpless prey.
She started laughing.
"Quiet!" Riku hissed, darting forward and clapping a hand over her mouth. He pressed his face close to hers, his eyes wide and urgent. "Keep your voice down! Do you want the entire village to think I actually brought you here for something 'big'?"
She nodded vigorously, her shoulders shaking with silent laughter. Riku slowly removed his hand, watching her expectantly.
She took a deep, shaky breath, wiping a tear from her eye. "Okay, okay," she gasped, still stifling a giggle. "I understand. This is... a problem. A very charming problem." She composed herself, her expression shifting back to her usual strategic coolness, though a faint twinkle remained in her eyes. "So, let me guess. You want me to play the role of your... 'designated partner'?"
Riku nodded, relief washing over him that she'd grasped the concept so quickly. "Precisely. Levi actually suggested it. A 'human shield' against unwanted attention."
"Alright, Riku. I'll help you. I understand the strategic necessity. But..." A knowing smirk played on her lips. "What do I get in return?"
Riku's brow furrowed. He hadn't thought about that. He rarely had to bargain for cooperation from his inner circle; their loyalty was usually enough. But this was different. This was a personal favor, a role that would undoubtedly come with its own set of inconveniences for her. "What do you want, Erina?" he asked, his voice cautious.
Erina leaned back, crossing her arms over her chest, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Well," she began, drawing out the word, "this 'human shield' role isn't exactly glamorous. I'll have to deal with the jealous glares, the angry whispers, the subtle attempts to undermine me. My own personal life will become nonexistent. My strategic reputation might even be... compromised by being seen as your 'lover'." She paused, letting the implications hang in the air. "It's a big ask, Riku. A very big ask for someone who just got stuck with a useless charm aura."
She looked at him, her gaze unwavering, a silent challenge in her eyes. "So, what's it worth to you, Riku? What are you willing to give me, for this immense, personal, strategic sacrifice?" A slow smile spread across her face, hinting at something more playful, something that transcended mere negotiation. "Make me an offer, my charming leader."
Riku's mind raced, analyzing her words, her expression. This wasn't about power or resources, not in the way he usually dealt with them. This was personal, a negotiation on a battlefield of emotions he rarely traversed. He had to be careful, both to secure her cooperation and to maintain the delicate balance of their working relationship.
"What do you want, Erina?" he asked again, his voice softer, a hint of genuine curiosity replacing his earlier exasperation. He met her gaze, searching for a clue.
Erina's smile widened, a mischievous glint dancing in her eyes. She leaned forward, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper, as if sharing the deepest secret. "Well, for starters, this 'human shield' position sounds exhausting. I'll need a personal supply of the best tea leaves the village has, no rationing for me. And perhaps... a new set of clothes. This outfit is getting a bit dusty, and a strategic partner needs to look presentable, don't you agree?" She winked, a playful challenge in her gaze.
Riku suppressed a sigh. Material comforts. Manageable. "Done," he conceded, already calculating how to prioritize her tea and clothing in the meager village supplies. Riku's mind raced, analyzing her words, her expression. This wasn't about power or resources, not in the way he usually dealt with them. This was personal, a negotiation on a battlefield of emotions he rarely traversed. He had to be careful, both to secure her cooperation and to maintain the delicate balance of their working relationship.
"What do you want, Erina?" he asked again, his voice softer, a hint of genuine curiosity replacing his earlier exasperation. He met her gaze, searching for a clue.
Erina's smile widened, a mischievous glint dancing in her eyes. She leaned forward, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper, as if sharing the deepest secret. "Well, for starters, this 'human shield' position sounds exhausting. I'll need a personal supply of the best tea leaves the village has, no rationing for me. And perhaps... a new set of clothes. This outfit is getting a bit dusty, and a strategic partner needs to look presentable, don't you agree?" She winked, a playful challenge in her gaze.
Riku suppressed a sigh. Material comforts. Manageable. "Done," he conceded, already calculating how to prioritize her tea and clothing in the meager village supplies.
She hummed, tapping her chin thoughtfully. "Let's see... a direct line to you, of course. No more waiting in lines, no more fighting through your fan club. My requests, my strategic insights, always take priority." Her eyes, usually cool and calculating, held a spark of genuine amusement. "And... for every time I have to endure a jealous glare or a rude comment from your 'adoring public'—" she paused, her lips curving into a wry smile, "—you owe me a favor. A personal favor. Nothing dangerous, mind you. Just... a favor of my choosing."
Riku's brow furrowed. The favors were a wildcard, but the tea and clothes were tangible. He had to play this carefully. He needed her, but he couldn't appear too eager, or she might press for more. "There are many other girls I can ask to do this, Erina," he said, his voice measured, injecting a hint of calculated disinterest. "There are even girls like Ichinose who would help me without any ulterior motive. They understand the strategic necessity, and their loyalty is… unwavering." He watched her closely, gauging her reaction. It was a bluff, of course. Ichinose's loyalty might be unwavering, but her reaction outside had been less than entirely 'unmotivated'. And the idea of asking any of the other 'adoring public' was unthinkable.
Erina's smile softened, losing its playful edge, becoming something warm and genuine. She took his hand, her grip firm and surprisingly comforting. "Perhaps," she said, her voice serious now, cutting through his subtle manipulation. "But neither of them is me, Riku. And neither of them understands your particular brand of 'strategic necessity' quite as well. Or," she added, her eyes sparkling, "is quite as adept at playing the part. Besides, I think this will be... mutually beneficial. More so than you realize." Her grip tightened just slightly, a silent promise. "Deal, Riku," she said, her voice firm. "Let's make this the most convincing lie people had ever witnessed."
Just then, a commotion outside the tent made them both stiffen. Angry voices, then a familiar, shrill protest.
"You can't just barge in there! He's with someone!" It was Ichinose's voice, laced with frustration, quickly followed by a chorus of indignant female voices.
Erina's eyes widened, and a mischievous grin spread across her face. She tightened her grip on Riku's hand and pulled him closer, pressing her body against his. "Showtime, general," she whispered, her voice bubbling with suppressed laughter. "Time to make our debut."
She leaned in, her lips brushing his ear, her voice a low, teasing murmur. "Now, Riku, what was it you wanted to show me that was so 'big'?" Her eyes, full of daring, challenged him to match her playfulness.
Before Riku could respond, the tent flap was flung open. Standing there, silhouetted against the bonfire's glow, was Ichinose, her face a mask of furious indignation, flanked by a dozen or so angry, determined women, their faces contorted with jealousy and a simmering resentment. All eyes immediately fixed on Riku and Erina, still in their intimately close pose. The stage was set for the greatest, most awkward performance of Riku's life.