The Head Lord and the Rat Thief {Kamisato Ayato FanFiction}

Chapter 18 ~ The Lord's Leg and the Lapis Lazuli

Chapter 18 ~ The Lord's Leg and the Lapis Lazuli

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       "I can't take it anymore," said Caiome, barging into the armory, making Mizuki jump so hard that he dropped the few daggers, slipping through his fingers and clattering to the ground. Caiome threw the history book on the table among other things, while Mizuki struggled to pick up the dropped daggers. "It's nonsense," she complained. "This whole book is nonsense."

       Mizuki smiled faintly, placing the daggers on the table in front of him. "Isn't studying going well?" he asked, sitting down with the daggers before him.

      "I'd rather polish swords for the rest of my life," Caiome replied, also throwing herself into her chair at the table, staring at the terrible history book. "I'd rather scrub floors with everyone watching me than read another word from this book."

       "You only have... five days left, right?" he asked.

       There were only a few people who knew that Caiome was preparing for the exams to become a member of the Shuumatsuban. Ayato, of course, Ayaka and Thoma, his closest subordinates, if Caiome could call them that, Captain Hirotatsu, and Mizuki. And Mizuki knew because Caiome had bragged to him without realizing that he would soon be trained by a member of the Shuumatsuban. Fortunately, Ayato didn't know that Mizuki knew, as everything had to be kept secret. Oh, yes, and mr. Yoshiaki, the librarian, but that wasn't Caiome's fault. The old man had figured it out himself, looking into the books that Caiome hadn't bothered to keep somewhat hidden, wandering with them throughout the residence.

       "I'd rather spend my time doing anything else. Even polishing armor. Anything," she exclaimed, to which Mizuki just lazily smiled, making Caiome frown, looking at him again.

       Mizuki was usually very expressive, whether it was smiles or frowns, whether he blushed like a crab or turned pale like a ghost, there was always some expression that amused Caiome. That's why Mizuki, so far, was her favorite person to be around. Not that she had many options.

       He was very open to conversations. And they trained every afternoon for at least half an hour during lunch break. Mizuki had enough confidence in her to show her that set of jewelry... which Caiome hadn't heard anything about lately, so she assumed Mizuki had eventually sold it at a fair price.

       But now, Mizuki seemed thoughtful. He wiped the daggers silently, focusing on his hands, which made Caiome tilt her head slightly, watching him closely. He had drawn cheeks, slightly tired eyes, and dark circles. His lips were a bit cracked, not that didn't necessarily indicated tiredness, but he was hunched over. After their training sessions, Caiome had taught him to keep his posture as upright as possible, and Mizuki was trying. But now, it seemed like he had forgotten everything.

       "Are you okay?" she asked curiously.

       "Hm?" Mizuki looked at her, then displayed a smile that should have been typical. "Of course, I'm fine. What a question. I'm just doing my job," he pointed to the daggers.

       Caiome raised her chin. Mizuki was too easy to read; that was clear from the start. Especially with his always polite personality, always saying something nice, or if not nice, at least decent, so as not to offend anyone.

       "Mizuki, you've been wiping the same piece of metal since I sat down," Caiome said. "Tell me," she requested.

       "Are you asking out of curiosity or because you really care?" he asked, turning the dagger to the other side. It was clear that he did it just because Caiome told him to.