<Zuri>
The last couple of days had been peaceful.
A little too peaceful.
Absentmindedly grabbing a brush, Zuri let his thoughts wander.
The agreement formed between him and Cleodora was working wonderfully as intended. She hadn’t tried anything remotely intimate. In fact, the exact opposite was occurring. Cleodora kept a notable distance from Zuri. Whether it be when they were sat at the table or merely talking, she kept in her place and didn’t invade his. Hell, they hadn’t even shared a bed in over a week. It was a great sign, really. Tangible improvement from how things were before.
Cleodora had taken Zuri’s words seriously.
That much was obvious.
She was clearly angling to make him her friend and stepped up her game. Besides giving him back his personal space, she had taken more initiative around the house. Cleaning without being told, cooking when she hadn’t been asked – the list of small things she did was gradually becoming endless. On top of all that, she kept engaging Zuri in conversation. Most of it was idle and light, but a weird genuine air laced every interaction they had. Unlike before, where it felt like there were hidden meanings behind every third word, these words were just spoken carelessly.
Zuri set his brush down.
The more she acted like this, the more he was reminded of her past self.
Which, frankly speaking, was a good thing.
He took a deep breath, then exhaled.
But.
Despite all the positive changes, the core thing underpinning them was rather tragic.
Zuri gazed down at his stomach.
Cleodora was only acting this way because she believed they’d become an actual couple.
If she were ever to doubt that, there would be no telling the consequences.
She might revert for all he knows.
“I’m home!” (C)
An enthusiastic shout caused Zuri to sigh.
Right, it appeared the time for dinner was now.
Staring at his finished work, he frowned before quickly getting up and hiding the piece in a free room.
He should’ve known better than to completely get lost in thought when painting.
… Honestly, how could he create a work of her?
There was something wrong with the food.
It tasted… off.
Looking up and seeing Cleodora munching away like normal, Zuri was tempted to bring it up. The fact that she kept eating like everything was normal was starting to piss him off. If she was deliberately doing this in order to score points with him, it would be nothing short of an insult. Zuri took pride in the meals he prepared, and the idea someone would fake enjoyment was beyond disrespectful. If it was bad, then tell him it was bad. There was nothing to gain if he was aware of the awfulness, but you pretended to like it.
‘Bastards…’
Watching Cleodora continue to eat triggered a bitter memory. Years ago, Zuri had spent an entire day labouring over a traditional Kitsune feast for his family. He remembered their strained smiles and the way their expressions momentarily curdled before they insisted it was delicious. But when Zuri finally took a bite, he nearly gagged. The dish was wretched. Their pity was far worse than a critique; it was a humiliation that burnt more than the meal itself.
“Is something wrong?” (C)
“…No.” (Z)
At the pensive question, Zuri answered a blank no.
If she wanted to eat a terrible meal and not say anything, then so be it.
He didn’t care.
He didn’t care one bit.
“Was your day well?” (C)
Cleodora’s voice, soft and firm, asked a rather simple question.
“Standard.” (Z)
“Oh, that’s… good to hear.” (C)
Zuri gave a typical, short response.
He wasn’t much interested in chatting with her.
The sudden one-eighty she pulled didn’t erase his dislike for her but merely made it manageable.
“Did you manage to find some rest?” (C)
“Yes.” (Z)
Again, another short answer.
“And the medicine? Have you already taken it, or do you—” (C)
“I’m alright.” (Z)
Zuri ended the conversation in a similar fashion to what he’d been doing for the past couple of days. He still had no intention of getting close to her. Doing so would be his greatest mistake… but when he noticed her downtrodden expression, he second-guessed himself and hesitated. The treatment he was currently experiencing would only last as long as Cleodora believed it was possible for them to become real lovers. A constantly cold attitude may very well ruin this whole illusion. Cleodora may give up and completely go off the rails.
The moment Zuri thought that, his composure shifted.
Immediately, he reengaged in the conversation with full focus.
“How was your day?” (Z)
Cleodora, a little startled by the change, echoed his words back.
“Ah, m-my day?” (C)
Zuri nodded.
It took a moment, but when she finally collected herself, she spoke with a confident tone.
“Well, I guess it was quite standard as well?” (C)
Cleodora chuckled lightly.
“I was down at the village most of today. Helped repair the fencing around some old homes. A small infestation of Brunch Biters has recently hit the area. Practically all the fencing had to be redone and recoated in some oils. And I—oh! I helped the hunters catch a wild, lone wolf targeting the herds at the grazing hills.” (C)
She paused, wet her lips with a cup of water, and then continued.
“After that, I taught the kids some basic fighting techniques. Nothing too crazy but enough to set a good base should they choose to pursue something. They were terrible, but it was quite fun. A few adults joined in even… Man, if they seriously dedicate themselves. They can become something real, you know?” (C)
An annoyance grew.
The longer Cleodora talked, the more Zuri felt the slight annoyance grow within. There wasn’t anything inherently wrong with what she was saying, but something was terribly off. It was daytime they were talking about, yes? What do responsible, hard-working adults do during the daytime? They were working at their jobs… yet none of what Cleodora mentioned sounded like a job. Actually, no. None of what she mentioned sounded like a dedicated job.
“Cleodora.” (Z)
Zuri called to her, cutting her midway through her words.
“What is your job?” (Z)
She froze.
“…My job? Well, it’s well… like any other job really.” (C)
Zuri squinted his eyes.
He should’ve known something was fishy about this job she claimed to have. After that shady pouch her salary was delivered in, he should’ve questioned her instantly. Unfortunately, at the time, still reeling from her nightly attack, he hadn’t given it much thought beyond at least being happy something was coming in.
What a fool he had been.
Zuri himself knew she had no skills beyond monster slaying. And, in a village, where monsters were uncommon, making a living through that was impossible. Given the skills monster hunters were known for, there was one possible means of making money in the backwaters, though….
Zuri glared at Cleodora.
How low had she sunk?
“If you don’t want to tell me, fine. But you best promise it’s not something illegal.” (Z)
“I-Illegal!? I’m the hero, remember!? I would never!!” (C)
Cleodora stood up and slammed her hands straight through the table.
“A-Ah, sorry. I didn’t mean to….” (C)
Zuri sat back further in his seat as he saw the size of the mess spontaneously created.
“Right.” (Z)
It was a bit too easy to forget who he was dealing with….
A few apologies and a clean-up later, Zuri sat opposite Cleodora in the sitting room.
“I-I’m really sorry, again.” (C)
She avoided his gaze.
“It won’t happen ever again. I swear!” (C)
“Right, right. I get it. Lift your head.” (Z)
Zuri seriously doubted it wouldn't happen, but fretting about the future could wait for later.
He had a major problem right now.
“So…. What did you want to ask me?” (Z)
Cleodora wanted to ask, as she put it, ‘for a favour’.
“I was thinking….” (C)
She paused, trying to find the words.
Zuri waited and waited until the pause became unbearably long.
“You were thinking?” (Z)
“I was thinking… If we could….” (C)
Cleodora swallowed her words.
“If we could go on a date?” (C)
Zuri didn’t immediately answer, and Cleodora, perhaps mistaking his silence for confusion, added.
“Like me and you, alone. Go out and have some—” (C)
“I know what a date is.” (Z)
Zuri cut her off with cold words.
He knew what a date was, and he knew it was a thing expressly reserved for lovers.
Was she already breaking the agreement they made?
‘I knew this was too good to be true… damn it…’
Zuri’s face darkened.
“I-I don’t mean a romantic date! I… I mean like one between friends. Friends go on dates all the time, right?” (C)
Zuri mulled over her words.
“I suppose.” (Z)
But, even considering those words, they weren’t exactly friends, were they?
They were closer to strangers with a shared past more than anything.
“That’s what I mean!” (C)
An energetic affirmation was given.
“We can go as friends!” (C)
Zuri pursed his lips.
He debated with himself for some time before ultimately accepting.
“Fine.” (Z)
It went against his better judgement, but the reasoning for accepting was simple.
If he does this, he won’t be required to do the daily exercise of making sure Cleodora feels like her goal is achievable for a while.
This date should count as enough ‘progress’ to relieve him of the duty for a little.
“Let’s do it.” (Z)