Shangri La Pt. 1

66: Carelessly

Although she was told that she should prepare for the night of the Moon Festival for the next night, Izumi knew that she wouldn't be able to sit still for the night if she didn't try to at least do her 'job' in the city. 

The reason she'd be feeling this anxious and unsure was because of what the Great Pisces told her just an hour prior to now. 

"You are not to speak of this to anyone outside this room, no one." 

'Even though I shouldn't tell anybody that I'm accepting this invitation to put on an act, I feel bad if I don't try to tell Katsuki about it. I'm sure he would be very confused if he found out that I won't be working here tomorrow night but at the palace. But I promised not to say anything even if Katsuki is... my friend. Was it really a good idea to do all of this? I don't even know why the Great Pisces wants all this jewelry yet, but I just hope that I don't end up getting in trouble for this.' the greenette thought as she was fiddling with the hairpin she was recently gifted to in her hands.

After getting dressed into her intricate and beautifully decorated robes and jewelry to match, Izumi elegantly walked out of her room and searched her surroundings before she was to enter the room where her and the blond's plan would usually take place. 

'Let's hope everything goes smoothly tonight since it will be the last time I do this for the festival.' she thought as she wasn't paying attention in front of her while opening the door. 

"Hah~" 

"What's that face for?" a deep and husky voice asked. Izumi quickly reacted and jolted her head up to see who was before her only to find Katsuki standing in front of her as he was standing at the doorway to their usual room.

"Ah– Katsuki– W-When did you get here?" 

"Uh uh– I asked you a question first, so what's with that face?" he repeated, catching her off guard. 

"O-Oh– I-It's nothing, I just really have a lot going on my mind right now." 

"Like what?" 

"W-Well... j-just some silly things, a-and the festival that's tomorrow night. And– You know what, let's just forget about all that and stick to the plan like we usually do." she spoke, trying to change the subject. 

Katsuki stared down at the disguised greenette as she clearly seemed worried about something, but–knowing his luck–he knew that she wouldn't really wanna say anything that would kill the mood. But instead of him easily agreeing to her suggestion, he had another idea in mind. 

"I'm thirsty." 

"E-Eh?" 

"I know they serve drinks here... you think you can serve me one?"

As the two of them sat there in the main room where other customers and servants and others were located, Izumi felt like she had to sit as tight and carefully as possible. 

'Why does it feel like these people aren't just staring at me... but spying on me? Not just that, but it feels like things aren't going to run smoothly now that I think about it. I feel like I'm forgetting something, but I don't remember.' Izumi thought as her hands clenched in her lap. 

And as much as she thought she was discreet with her movements, Katsuki just happened to look over at her and notice how stiff she appeared. 

"Clearly something's bothering you." he muttered.

Izumi jerked her head to look at the disguised blond and wasn't sure if she heard him right. 

"E-Eh?"