Shangri La Pt. 1

71: Prideful

After sneaking through the palace gates and into the city with a crowd of servants that were also leaving the palace to explore such an eventful day, Izumi made sure that no one would notice her disappear through the crowd. 

'Nice, I got out with everyone else without them seeing me, now I need to head to Melissa's and get ready for tonight.' she thought as she ran through the back alleyways in the darkness like it was her usual routine until she reached a certain point. 

The second she made her last turn, she was facing the brothel with its heavily decorated front entrance covered with festival decorations. And just like usual, instead of her heading straight to the front entrance, she walked past the front doors and went to the back of the building and entered through there.

Walking through the long hallways, every glance she got when she walked past beautiful women that were clearly there for their job–just like she was–glared at her in disgust and annoyance. 

'Please don't look at me like that, it's my last day working here, which means I won't be taking all of your customers anymore.' she thought with a tired smile already looking forward to this being over. 

And as she approached the room she usually would go to get ready, she wasn't expecting to see Melissa already in there. 

"Ah– Melissa, what're you doing here? Shouldn't you be focused on everyone else?" 

"As much as I should do that, I can't let my friend's final night here go out in a failure. If the Emperor and Empress specifically requested for the Jade Goddess, then that's what we will give them. I will make sure that you look radiant on your last night working for my brothel." Melissa answered as she didn't even hesitate to make the greenette sit in front of her to help turn her into a true beauty.

"Hmph, well when you put it that way... transform me, miss." 

"Of course. Oh, and where's that brave man that saved you yesterday? Don't tell me he didn't come with you?" Melissa questioned, quickly making the greenette's heart start to race. 

"T-The man from yesterday? W-Whatever do you mean?" 

"C'mon now, Izumi, there's no need to hide it when I already know that that man is the Captain of the Todoroki Knights." 

"Eh?! Y-You do? B-But I never told you, so how could you–" 

"You can't hide anything from me, not when I know a man from the West when I see one. Not to mention the fact that he treated you like you're truly a goddess. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw him carrying you out of the closet and how he set you down on the floor when you were unconscious. It was like you were a dainty flower that he didn't want to stomp on." Melissa bragged.

"I-I– I don't know what you're talking about, K-Katsuki is... he's just a friend that has saved my life a number of times." Izumi mumbled as she averted her gaze from the blonde. 

"Uh huh– says the girl that's blushing as bright as a Camellia flower." 

"M-Melissa!!!" 

"I'm being serious though, what do you view him as, Izumi? Clearly you don't see that man as just a friend and savior, do you?" Melissa questioned as she became serious about the topic. And as much as Izumi wanted to try and push the topic off, she knew that not any simple answer would do for the blonde. 

"I... I mean, h-he's very nice and... very protective, so who wouldn't want to meet a man like that. B-But that doesn't mean I like him like him." Izumi spoke, trying not to stutter through her words.

And though Melissa stopped doing the greenette's makeup to look her in the eyes and raise her eyebrows, Melissa could only sigh. 

"Hah~ You're gonna admit it sooner or later, so there's no need to try and hide it or act like those feelings aren't real."