(Ace Katsuro)
I had to wear the guard’s uniform left at their house. I hated it, but I only had to wear it for a while. I placed the busted helmet on my head, and waited for Mira to come out. When she exited the house, I noticed her hair was cut off only up to her shoulders. “Your hair.”
She waved her hand carelessly. “It’s just hair. It will grow back. Besides, the guards will be looking for a girl with long brown hair. Not short hair. Right?” She opened up the umbrella she had before. “Also, the clothes at the mall will finish the trick.”
I just stared.
Her eyebrows creased. “If it looks bad, you could just say that.”
“It’s not!” I retorted. “Let’s just go.”
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We managed to take the bus without causing suspicion. Once we made it to the mall, Mira said. “We’ll have to use different entrances.”
“Agreed,” I replied. “Even if you cut your hair...your face.”
“It’s fine,” She whispered. “It’s a mall. Who’s going to pay attention to details? It’s usually crowded and people tend to overlook things. That’s at least what happened last time before someone tripped on my ankle,” She paused before shooting a smile. “Anyway, find a new disguise and meet me at the back entrance.”
She walked away. I turned and walked to the entrance.
There was a lady at the front, wearing formal black clothes. When she turned to me, she was surprised, looked relieved. “Oh! A guard, huh? Looking for those troublemakers?”
I tried standing straight. “Yes. Definitely don’t want them in a place like this. I was sent to search here ever since that recent accident.” Thank god this helmet makes me sound low.
Her green eyes squinted at me. “I don’t wanna be wrong, but it looks like someone did you dirty with your helmet busted like that.”
“Th-This?” I pointed at my helmet. “It’s nothing. I mean, you have to take a risk, right? Besides, the council’s got it covered. It will be repaired in no time. But thanks for your concern.”
She was quiet for a moment. As if she was thinking hard. Please, just stop talking to me. “No, I should be thanking you.” Her tone was slow, the kind of voice that made it sound she was attempting to flirt with me. If I wasn’t wearing this uniform, I would drag my hands down my face.
She was giving me sparkling eyes. This is an adult woman, this isn’t okay! I don’t have time for this! I force out a polite tone through the helmet. “Oh, really?”
“You risk your life day and night trying to find and stop those criminals just to save us citizens. I don’t think anyone’s told you this, but you’re very loyal. You and the others.”
“Thank you-”
“And,” Oh brother. “You are the first guard to even check out this mall, so this is a real honor.”
“An honor?” I asked quickly to end the conversation. “Mhm. Yes. Great. I’ll be on my way now-”
“One last thing,” AHHHHHHHHHHH
“Yes?” I asked a little too loudly.
“Who are you?” She asked.
I froze at that question. “I’m sorry. What?”
“You’re not like the other guards,” She replied, before offering a smirk. “They’re too serious. You’re so nice and funny.”
When was I funny? I squinted under the helmet. "Ma’am I’m afraid I cannot take off my helmet until my shift is over.”91Please respect copyright.PENANAKPaBmECEcC
She sighed. “Alright. Then I will tell you this, because you’re special.”
I waited.
“I love you.”
No. Nooo. We are not doing this. "My boss is calling me!” I ran away from her, took a turn and into a clothing store. Panting, I regained my composure and looked through the aisles of men's outfits. I came across a gray suit with a matching hat. There was a shelf of gloves and I took the black ones. I picked up the clothes and walked over to the cashier.
His eyes widened. “A guard in this mall? That has never been a thing before. They must be upgrading their security.”
“Exactly.” I agreed.
“Here to shop?” He asked.
“I..er…have a date night after my shift.” I improvised, “But I have to check if this is my size.”
He nodded.
“Where are the fitting rooms?”
He jerked his thumb behind him. “At the back.”
“Thank you.” I walked there. It was quite crowded. I had to push my way through. My eyes turned to see a man exiting the fitting room. Swiftly, I pulled him back inside, peel off my glove, and electrocuted him before he could protest. He fell to the floor, knocked out. I yanked off my helmet and my uniform. Mira took my original clothes with her, so I obviously had to settle with the suit from the store. I untied my hair and rearranged it a bit so it would cover one of my eyes. I then placed the hat on my head. I turned back to the man. I wore him the guard uniform, and without causing suspicion, I slid under the gap of the wall to the next fitting room. I opened that door with hands in my pockets, striding out of the store to the back entrance.
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It took a while to reach there due to the crowd, but once I made it, I stood by the wall. Mira should be here. I hope her disguise isn’t too unrecognizable. As I watched the hallway, I saw a group of girls giggling and snapping photos. Then I see another girl follow. My eyes widened in surprise. Through the makeup, I could tell it was Mira. She had a huge black hat with a tied red ribbon and turtle-neck dress with a black slightly unzipped sweater, and large black boots. I wasn’t sure what I was feeling, but I couldn’t stop staring.
She pointed to her face with both of her index fingers. “Did a good job, huh?”
I turned away immediately, face hot.
“I’m teasing,” She said with a laugh. “I see you succeeded. I never saw you with your hair down.”
I turned back to her. “I've never seen you dress so elegantly.”
That’s when she pulled me close by the tie. Ah!! What is she doing?!
She smiled. “Good. That makes a disguised duo.”
My face was feeling hot again. This sort of tension. Why? What is this?
She let go and I stood up straight again, letting out a quiet breath. “Let’s go.”
“You’re right,” She replied, before wrapping her arms around mine.
I flinched.
“Don’t worry,” She said quietly. “This is only temporary. If we do this, people would just walk away and we can get through things smoothly.”
“What?” I whispered in anger. “You’re going to make us look like we’re a couple?” I facepalmed.
“I heard it’s a method that usually works.”
I sighed. “You’re crazy.”
She turned and eyed the food court before looking back at me. “Let’s get some food before we dip out of here. But, I bet you don’t want coffee ever again, right?”
“Don’t remind me.” I muttered under my breath.
She laughed.
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