Chapter 43: Advice

Glynne had to clear his head. Due what Kiana had done, his mind was like a jumbled up mess.

'It would be hard to talk to her in this condition...' — he thought inside his head. He doesn't want to get in any awkward situation. There is also a possibility that Mei and Bronya would get suspicious of him. As such he decided to let the girls go first while coughing up some excuses like he needed to buy something in the city.

It worked smoothly for some reason as they agreed to his suggestion. Thus, he was walking alone the bustling city night streets.

"Now that I think about it, it's been a while since I was alone." he muttered while his eyes are wandering around at eye catching signs of various shops and establishment.

This passed few days, he would always be walking home with the girls. At first, he was a bit reluctant since he was quite wary at the stares he would get when they passed by someone. Because of it, he would make sure that he is at least at a certain distance behind them so he wouldn't get any suspicion.

However, he soon got accustomed with walking with them as Kiana would always dragged him into the group. He chuckled as he reminisce at the memory that was only just happened last week.

A smile form on his face, remembering how many times Kiana has done a lot for him.

Though it was not intentional but if it not because of her recklessness, maybe he wouldn't get his independence from his foster mother.

If not because of that, he wouldn't know about his relationship with Bronya.

If not because of her always dragging him to her friends, he wouldn't know the taste of the food that goddess Mei make.

If not because of her, he may not have formed a master-student relationship with Fu Hua and would still be stuck figuring out how to make his battlesuit work.

That said, he stopped on his tracks since his mind begun to wander towards the thought of the girl again. That kiss has quite a serious effect on him. It was already enough that he was conscious of her ever since he remembers that she was Siegfried's daughter.

"Tsk" Glynne clicked his tongue as he continued walking again. He was so deep in thought that he didn't notice the number of signs was beginning to lessen.

When he came back into reality, he found himself on the outskirts of the city where there was only a few houses nearby. The place feels deserted as the cold gust of wind blew in front of his face.

But for some reason there is this single signboard with a light of top that is visible at the distance. Like a moth to a flame, he was naturally drawn into it.

'An oden cart?' Glynne though as he tilted his head. A simple wooden cart with a yellow light on the inside and a red banner that is hanging on the roof, was just park in a middle of nowhere.

When he got a whiff of that savory odor of the food that the cart was selling, his stomach begun to grumble. He checked for the time on his phone to see it was already passed dinnertime. He thought that those in the dorms might be worried about him so he quickly decided to send a message saying he would be eating outside tonight.

Turning his phone screen off and putting it once again in his pockets, he got near the oden cart only to stopped when he heard a familiar voice.

"Listen here, Uncle! That man seriously pisses me off. Like seriously, to think he would go on a blind date despite having a fiancee!"

"Is that so,"

"I mean, is he serious!? What kind of scum was that?! I was so angry when I discovered it that I just walked away from the restaurant. Sigh~ what a nerve for him to do that."

Glynne let out a sigh when he heard she seems to got another failed date. He pushed away the banners as he entered and sat down near the red-haired lady who is just pouring out her complaints that the shopkeeper. Maybe because she went straight here after her date, she was wearing an elegant red dress which doesn't really fit the atmosphere of the oden cart.

"Hmm" Himeko was interrupted when a person suddenly sat beside her. Naturally her curiosity got the best of her and turned her head to see who it is. "Glynne?!" she exclaimed upon discovering the person's identity.

"Present" Glynne greeted while raising his hand. Obviously he was mocking how teachers would do attendance in the morning classes.

"What are you doing here?" she aked, clearly confused at her student is doing at the outskirts of the town.

"Same reason as you, I came here for some food." Glynne replied. That wasn't what Himeko was intending to asked. However after hearing the loud rumbling sound of Glynne's stomach, she burst out into laughter as her head is sobering up.

"Yo Uncle, seems like you got some hungry customer here. Please give him ten of everything! My treat. Oh, I would also like some refill!" She ordered in high spirits.

"Coming right up!" the shopkeeper uncle said as he begun working with great vigor.

"Eh, eh?..." Glynne was confused by the sudden development. He just sat there dumbfounded as he watch the old man quickly filling the huge platter with different types of ingredients. He snapped back when it was already serve to him with a huge THUD! "W-wait! I appreciate the offer but isn't this too much!"

"Oh, I heard from the girls that you are quite a glutton yourself." the boy shut his mouth when he can't refute the Himeko's words. "So don't hold back and eat to your heart's content."

Although he was still a bit reluctant, he pick a random ingredient and slowly put it in his mouth. It was not soon that his eyes shined and begun devouring the food.

Himeko once again burst out laughing as she seems to already forgotten about her failed date. She was in a good mood as she raised her cup and drink her sake.

Despite only having two customers at the moment, the cart owner smiled at the happy atmosphere.

..................

........

"Fuuuuu~" Glynne breathe out a sigh of relief as he rubs his bulging stomach.

"Oh, you're full already?" Himeko asked and offered him a glass of cold water.

Glynne said a little "thank you" and accepted the water. Though sake might be a better partner for oden, he is unfortunately still a minor. He played with it for a little bit by rotating the glass before gulping it down to wash away the lingering taste.

Himeko smiled at the sight of the boy and proceeded to take a sip on her drink. "So, have you calmed down now?"

Glynne tilted his head as he was confused at what is the lady is referring to. However it didn't take too long before he could realized it. He hang his head down while staring at the glass that is on his hands. "Isn't obvious?"

"Yeah, you kinda have that downed aura surrounding you." Himeko said and gave a quick side glance towards the boy. "You know, it always help to just tell it to someone."

"That's... " Glynne's grip on the utensil strengthen, he was hesitant if he should tell it to her or not. This problem involves someone close to her after all.

"It's about Kiana isn't?" the boy widen his eyes and raised his head to face Himeko. "So I was right...." However that proved to be a mistake as the lady's mouth slowly turn into a smirk.

"....How did you know?" he asked.

"Well, let's just say.... Woman's intuition." Himeko wink at him as she said that.

Glynne only replied with a wry smile.

"And since I already know the cause, you wouldn't mind sharing the rest, right?" Himeko has basically had the boy cornered. Glynne let out a chuckle and played with the small amount of remaining water in his glass.

".....She.., kissed me on the cheeks" Himeko spit out her drink when he heard his confession. Sure, there is something already going on between Glynne and Kiana, but she didn't expect it to move this fast. "Though she played it off as a prank, I was still confused by it and now don't know how to act in front of her."

"Don't you think that just only a facade?" Himeko asked.

"I'm not sure." Glynne scratched his head in frustration. "Ah, what should I do?!"

Himeko has a mixed feelings when she stared at the boy. There is no ordinary girl that would just kiss someone who they don't like. However she understand why Glynne was not that keen when it comes to this signs.

Since he spent most of his childhood in the frontlines, his experience with girls might just be close to none. Although there might be girls in the battlefield, it was vague if there is someone who is at the same age as him.

Himeko was about to suggest to him asking it upfront to her. But as one would expect, it would be quite a huge hurdle for someone who is inexperienced. She close her eyes for a moment to think. "You know, how about you play her own game."

"Huh?" Glynne freeze and look at the red-haired lady. His eyes is telling to her to explain what she meant.

"You're this bothered by that kiss prank, right?" Himeko pointed out as the boy reluctantly nodded in agreement. "Then it means its her win. That's why you should retaliate back by teasing her too."

Multiple question marks begun to pop up on top of Glynne's head. Despite her explaining it, the boy was still confused why.

"Oh my, seems like you still don't know the basics of love. The one who confesses first would be the loser. If you aren't sure that Kiana likes you or not, then you simply need to tease her until she herself would tell her true feelings." Himeko drank her sake to quickly hide her mischievous smile.

Her advice was, it is clear that she had a hidden agenda. Her students getting in a relationship is not forbidden in the school. However, as someone who was not be able to find any partner despite already in her mid twenties, she could not help but feel a bit jealous.

She is quite amused at the boy who is still figuring out her advice. One thing for sure, she would clearly enjoy watching how will the Glynne and Kiana interact from now on.

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Himeko drunk herself to sleep. She isn't usually like this when she go out drinking but maybe because she is in the presence of someone she could depend that she just go all out.

Fortunately, the cart owner uncle seems to be already used to this kind of situation as he was able to contact a taxi to come to his place. Glynne thank him for the food and the help while he carried Himeko inside the car.

The first obstacle of getting home is already been cleared however when he got down in front of the dorm, he took a deep breath to prepare himself for the second challenge. Glynne grabbed the sleeping lady and carried her on a piggyback. It took him all of his nerves to not mind the soft hills that is being squish on his back.

Maybe because it was already late that the whole dorm is quiet. Calling for someone to open the door would only just disturb them. Luckily, Glynne has a spare key in his pockets and was able to get inside.

"I'm back... " he said, but as expected, there is nobody to greet them. The boy sighed and carried Himeko upstairs and to her room. He got her down on the bed and begun loosing her clothes so she could sleep comfortably. His mind is already that of steel since a while ago so he isn't bothered by this.

"Mnnn.... Nya... " Himeko muttered something in sleep as she toss and turn to find a comfortable position.

"Good night," Glynne whispered while he quietly closed the door behind him. He stretched his arms on the air as his fatigue creep all over his body. This was a clear sign that he is already sleepy.

It was quite lucky that his room is just a few meters away, he lazily dragged his feet towards it. However once he opened his door, his mind quickly woke up when she sees a certain white haired girl sitting on his bed. Glynne quickly did a double take to check if he is in the right room. He look to his side to see his name is clearly hanging on the door.

"You're late," was the first words that she said while pouting.

"K-Kiana, what are you doing inside my room?" the boy asked while stuttering.

"Hmph, isn't obvious, I'm waiting for you to come back." she replied while glaring at him. "You seriously have the nerve to make me wait for hours."

Glynne as a wry smile on his face. Though that wasn't his fault in the first place, for some reason he was being blamed.

"But well, I will forgive you this time." Kiana shrugged her shoulders as her mouth turned into a smirk while giggling. "Since you've shown me quite a sight acting so flustered by only a single kiss."

"...ah," That was the last fuse before a nerve appeared on Glynne's forehead. He is tired trying to figure out Himeko's advice earlier, however his mouth begun twitching, thinking that it might not be a bad idea afterall.

He slowly walked over the girl as his eyes look down on her. Kiana felt a bit intimidated while her instincts are screaming 'DANGER'. She put up a brave front but it was meaningless as she slowly back herself on the wall.

Thinking that a chance has presented itself, Glynne quickly got on top of the bed and put one of his hands on the wall near the girl's face. He look at the girl's blue eyes that is glaring at him and thought that they are very beautiful.

"You know, " he whispered while putting a hand on her chin, "There is no way someone would not act that if a cute girl kissed you on the cheeks."

Steam came out of Kiana's head as it quickly turned bright red. She pushed the boy out of the way and got out of the bed in a flustered manner. "Idiot! Pervert! Dumbass!!!!" she shouted while picking a pillow and throwing it at Glynne's face.

As the pillow fell down on his lap, he sees Kiana running out of his room. He chuckled at the sight and lay down on his fluffy bed.

'Himeko was right, winning over someone with their own game is very satisfying.' — he thought as a smile creeped into his face.

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Oppsie...... 😅

Thanks for reading!!!