After listening to my proposal, Kuro says,"Understood, we will help in anyway we can." He call one of the soldiers guarding the tent to his side, mumbles something into the man's ear, and watches the soldier leave the room to follow his instructions.
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 Fedora-San 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 glasses 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 relationship. 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.